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COVID-19 pandemic: Disease; Virus; By location; Impact; Portal

Jacinda Ardern

The New Zealand Labour Party, led by incumbent Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern (pictured), wins a majority of seats in the general election.
After Sooronbay Jeenbekov resigns as President of Kyrgyzstan amidst electoral protests, Prime Minister Sadyr Japarov declares himself president and is confirmed by parliament.
At least ten people are killed during protests to end the Special Anti-Robbery Squad in Nigeria.
Paul Milgrom and Robert Wilson are awarded the Nobel Memorial Prize in Economic Sciences for their work on auction theory.

October 19, 2020 (Monday)

edithistorywatch

Disasters and accidents

2020 Atlantic hurricane season
- Tropical Storm Epsilon forms in the Atlantic Ocean and is expected to bring tropical storm force winds to Bermuda later this week. (Royal Gazette / Bermuda)

Health and environment

COVID-19 pandemic
- COVID-19 pandemic in Europe
  - COVID-19 pandemic in the Republic of Ireland, COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns
    - Taoiseach Micheál Martin announces that Ireland will move to level 5 for a period of six weeks. The new restrictions will take effect at midnight on Octoer 21 and remain in place until December 1. Under level 5 restrictions, Non-essential business will close, people will only be able to exercise within 5km of their home except for essential reasons and no social or family gatherings are allowed in homes or gardens. But schools and creches to remain open and elite sporting events can take place. (Gov.ie) (ITV)
  - COVID-19 pandemic in Russia
    - Russia's new cases surge to a new record high of 15,982 in the last 24 hours, including 5,376 in Moscow, pushing the case total to 1,415,316. (Reuters)
    - The first results of Russia's clinical trial for their Sputnik V vaccine will include data from 5,000 to 10,000 people. (Reuters)
  - COVID-19 pandemic in Spain
    - The President of Navarra, María Chivite, announces a perimetral lockdown of the region, closing bars and restaurants, and limiting gatherings to cohabiting people, starting on Thursday and lasting for 15 days. In the last two weeks, Navarra has experienced a cumulative incidence of more than 900 per 100,000 inhabitants. (eldiario.es)
  - COVID-19 pandemic in Wales, COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns
    - Welsh First Minister Mark Drakeford announces that Wales will introduce a "firebreak" lockdown, which will require anyone to stay home between October 23 and November 9. Under those rules, pubs, restaurants, hotels, and non-essential business must close; primary schools will reopen after the half-term break, but only seventh and eighth years in secondary schools can return at that time under the new "firebreak" rules. In addition, gathering with people from other households indoors or outdoors will be banned. (BBC)
- COVID-19 pandemic in Iran
  - Iran reports 337 new deaths in the previous 24 hours, a new record of deaths since the beginning of the pandemic, pushing the death toll in the country to 30,712. (CNA)
- COVID-19 vaccine, COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil
  - Sinovac Biotech's CoronaVac appears to be safe in providing protection against COVID-19, as preliminary results of Phase III clinical trial in Brazil show. São Paulo's Instituto Butantan, one of Brazil's leading biomedical research centres carrying out the trials, says CoronaVac proved to be safe after its two doses were applied to 9,000 volunteers, but said data on how effective it is in protecting people against COVID-19 will not be released until it has been tested on all 15,000 volunteers in newly expanded trials. (SCMP)
- The total number of worldwide confirmed COVID-19 cases surpasses 40 million. The United States remains the global leader in case numbers, accounting for 20% of all cumulative cases, with India closely following at 19%. (The Guardian)

International relations

Sudan–United States relations
- U.S. President Donald Trump announces that the U.S. will remove Sudan from the list of State Sponsors of Terrorism after Sudan will have deposited US$335 million to compensate American families victims of bombings. Sudanese Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok thanks the U.S. government for the decision. The United States Congress would still have to approve restoring Sudan's sovereign immunity. (Reuters)

Law and crime

Trial of Catalonia independence leaders
- The High Court of Justice of Catalonia sentence to 20 months of disqualification and a 30,000€ of fine to then-members of the Bureau of Catalan Parliament Ramona Barrufet, Lluís Corominas, Lluís Guinó and Anna Simó for disobeying the court when this body warned them of the illegality involved in the processing of the disconnection Law and self-determination referendum Law in 2017 and acting against the prohibition of the Constitutional Court of Spain. (La Vanguardia) (El Periódico)

Politics and elections

2020 Bolivian general election
- Exit polls show Luis Arce of the MAS party winning a historic landslide. (The Washington Post)

October 18, 2020 (Sunday)

edithistorywatch

Armed conflicts and attacks

War in Afghanistan
- October 2020 Afghanistan attacks
  - Taliban militants kill at least eight security force members in Sahib District, Kunduz Province. (TOLOnews)
  - A car bombing kills 12 people and injures another 100 in Chaghcharan, Ghor Province, Afghanistan. (TOLOnews)
2020 Nagorno-Karabakh conflict
- Azerbaijani forces seize the strategic Khodaafarin Bridges and the adjacent Khoda Afarin Dam on the border with Iran. A video showing the Azerbaijani flag over the partially destroyed crossing is circulated on Azeri media. The bridges had been under Armenian control since 1993. (Almasdar News) (RIA)
- Artsakh's Ministry of Defence reports 40 more its troops have been killed in clashes with Azerbaijan in Nagorno-Karabakh, bringing the total Artsakh Defence Army death toll to 673 since fighting began on September 27. (Reuters)
End SARS
- The Governor of Osun State, Nigeria, Gboyega Oyetola, escapes an assassination attempt. As he addressed a crowd, gunmen, also carrying machetes and throwing rocks, attacked his position. According to authorities, he was unharmed, but some of his bodyguards were injured. (BBC)

Arts and culture

The Hay Festival announces it will cease hosting festivities in Abu Dhabi unless Emirati minister Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan resigns. Yesterday he was accused of sexually assaulting a female British curator last February. (BBC)

Business and economy

Economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, COVID-19 pandemic in Italy
- Italy approves a new $4.7 billion stimulus package in its 2021 budget to foster an economic rebound from the recession caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. (TRT World)

Disasters and accidents

2020 Central Vietnam floods
- A landslide caused by heavy rain in central Vietnam hits an army barracks, killing at least 14 soldiers and leaving others missing. (The Independent)

Health and environment

COVID-19 pandemic
- COVID-19 pandemic in Europe
  - COVID-19 pandemic in Italy
    - Italy reports 11,705 new infections in the past 24 hours, the highest number in a single day yet since the outbreak started in February. (The Globe and Mail)
    - Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte announces new measures that would give mayors a plan to impose curfews in their cities and towns at 9:00 pm local time. It also announces that it will suspend fairs and other local festivals; restaurants and bars are restricted to table service only after 6:00 pm local time with a maximum of six people, but they can still be closed at midnight. The new restrictions will come into effect at midnight and last until November 13. (Sky News)
  - COVID-19 pandemic in Switzerland
    - Switzerland announces that it will ban gatherings of more than 15 people and issues a nationwide obligation to wear masks in all indoor public places and public transport in order to combat the spread of COVID-19. The new restrictions will take effect tomorrow. (Swiss Info)
- COVID-19 pandemic in Oceania
  - COVID-19 pandemic in Australia, COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns
    - Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews announces an easing of lockdown restrictions across Victoria, particularly Melbourne, after more than 100 days of the city's lockdown, effective at 11:59 pm AEST. According to new rules, five kilometre travel restrictions have been extended to 25 kilometres, with the city's two-hour time limits on gathering and exercising outside scrapped. Further restrictions are to be eased in the city on November 1, allowing retail and hospitality sectors to reopen. (9 News)
  - COVID-19 pandemic in New Zealand
    - New Zealand reports the first community case since September 25. This comes after a man who worked in the Ports of Auckland and Taranaki tested positive for COVID-19. (Newshub)
- COVID-19 pandemic in Asia
  - COVID-19 pandemic in Malaysia
    - Malaysia surpasses 20,000 COVID-19 cases after a record of 871 new infections was reported in a single day; 702 of them are from Sabah. In addition, a record 701 recoveries were also reported. (The Malaysian Reserve) (The Straits Times)
  - COVID-19 pandemic in the State of Palestine
    - Palestinian chief negotiator Saeb Erekat is hospitalized in Hadassah University Hospital in Ein Karem, near Jerusalem, after his condition worsens due to COVID-19. (BBC)

International relations

Sanctions against Iran
- The United Nations Security Council arms embargo on Iran formally expires. It had been in effect since 2007 and was due to expire under the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action. Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif says, "Today's normalization of Iran's defense cooperation with the world is a win for the cause of multilateralism and peace and security in our region". (Reuters)

Law and crime

Murder of Samuel Paty
- An eleventh person is detained in connection to the murder of history teacher Samuel Paty. (Reuters)
- Pro-free speech protests take place at the Place de la République in Paris following Paty's beheading. (CNN)

Politics and elections

2020 Bolivian general election
- Citizens in Bolivia head to the polls to elect their new president. This is the first time elections are held since the 2019 Bolivian political crisis which saw Evo Morales resigning from power and Jeanine Áñez temporarily taking power. The two main candidates are Luis Arce, representing Morales's party Movement for Socialism, and Carlos Mesa, representing the centrist Revolutionary Left Front. (CGTN)
- An unofficial quick-count released by Unitel Bolivia projects Arce as the clear winner. (Reuters)
2020 Guinean presidential election
- Citizens in Guinea head to the polls as incumbent Alpha Condé seeks another term facing off against the only other candidate, Cellou Dalein Diallo of the Union of Democratic Forces of Guinea political party. (Al Jazeera)
2020 Northern Cypriot presidential election
- In a surprise upset, nationalist Prime Minister Ersin Tatar narrowly defeats pro-reunification incumbent Mustafa Akıncı in the second round to become President of Northern Cyprus. (DW)
2019–20 Chilean protests
- Thousands of people gather in Plaza Italia, in downtown Santiago, to mark the first anniversary of the Chilean protests. Two churches were burned by a group of violent protesters. (CNN)
Tens of thousands of people protest in Karachi, Pakistan, as a part of a campaign to oust Prime Minister Imran Khan by opposition parties which accuse him of being installed by the military. (Reuters)

October 17, 2020 (Saturday)

edithistorywatch

Armed conflicts and attacks

2020 Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, 2020 Ganja ballistic missile attacks
- Azeri authorities say 13 civilians were killed and more than 40 others wounded by an Armenian Scud missile attack on Ganja, Azerbaijan. The Armenian Defence Ministry says it is not true while Turkey calls the strike a "war crime". (Al Jazeera)
- Azerbaijan says its troops have captured the city of Füzuli in Nagorno-Karabakh. Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev tweets "Fuzuli city was liberated from the occupiers. Fuzuli is ours! Karabakh is Azerbaijan! I cordially congratulate all the people of Azerbaijan on this occasion." (Trend)
- Armenian air defences shoot down three Azerbaijani drones operating in its national airspace, according to the Ministry of Defence of Armenia. (Urdupoint)
- Armenia and Azerbaijan announce they are again attempting to establish a ceasefire. (CBC)
Iraqi insurgency (2017–present)
- At least eight Sunni Arabs are massacred by unknown men in Balad. The area is controlled by the Asa'ib Ahl al-Haq militia prompting accusations against the militia. (Xinhua)(The Jerusalem Post)

Arts and culture

Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on cinema, COVID-19 pandemic in New York
- New York Governor Andrew Cuomo announces that movie theaters in counties with no cluster zones in the state can reopen on October 23 with restrictions up to 25% in capacity with a maximum of 50 people per screen. However, movie theaters in New York City will remain closed. (Variety)

Disasters and accidents

2020 California wildfires
- According to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, California wildfires have consumed around 1 million acres (1,600 sq. miles) over the past month. This represents approximately 1% of California's land area.(CNN)

Health and environment

COVID-19 pandemic
- COVID-19 pandemic in Europe
  - COVID-19 pandemic in Italy
    - Italy reports 10,925 new infections in the past 24 hours, a new record for a single day in the country since the pandemic began. As a result, Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte is slated to announce new restrictions tomorrow. (Corriere della Sera) (Reuters)
    - Lombardy announces new restrictions ordering all bars closed at midnight effective today, with bars only able to serve customers seated at tables after 6 pm local time, and the sale of takeaway alcohol is also banned after that time. The region also prohibits the consumption of food and drink in all outside public areas under the new restrictions. (RFI)
  - COVID-19 pandemic in Austria
    - Austria reports 1,747 new infections in the past 24 hours, a new one-day record for the country since the pandemic began. (Reuters)
  - COVID-19 pandemic in Cyprus
    - Cyprus reports 202 new infections in the past 24 hours, a new record for the country that suggests the virus is spreading at a rapid pace as Cypriots fail to follow hygiene and social distancing protocols. (Financial Mirror)
  - COVID-19 pandemic in France
    - France reports a record 32,427 new cases in the past 24 hours as curfew goes into effect in Paris and other major cities in a bid to contain the outbreak. (Bloomberg)
  - COVID-19 pandemic in Germany
    - The number of new cases in Germany rises by 7,830 in the past 24 hours, a record for the third consecutive day. (DPA International)
  - COVID-19 pandemic in Ukraine
    - Ukraine reports a record 6,410 new cases in the past 24 hours, according to a statement from the NSDC. In addition, 109 patients have died in the past 24 hours, the highest daily death toll since the start of the pandemic. (Swiss Info)
- COVID-19 pandemic in Asia
  - COVID-19 pandemic in Iran
    - Iran surpasses 30,000 COVID-19 deaths. (AP)
  - COVID-19 pandemic in Malaysia
    - Malaysia reports 869 new infections in the past 24 hours, its highest daily count so far since the beginning of the outbreak. Of these new cases, 451 cases were from Sabah. (New Straits Times)
  - COVID-19 pandemic in Thailand
    - Thailand reports its first two locally transmitted cases of COVID-19 in more than one month, after two Myanmar nationals living near the border with the country tested positive. (CNA)
  - COVID-19 pandemic in Bangladesh
    - Information Minister Hasan Mahmud is hospitalized at Square Hospital in Dhaka after testing positive for COVID-19. (Bdnews24.com)
- COVID-19 pandemic in the United States
  - COVID-19 pandemic in Indiana
    - Indiana's Department of Health reports a record 2,521 new cases in a single day. That brings the state's cumulative total to 145,977 cases. This total includes 100 cases that were delayed in reporting "due to a technical issue." (The Indianapolis Star)
  - COVID-19 pandemic in Ohio
    - Ohio's Department of Health reports 2,234 new cases in the last 24 hours, which sets a new record for the fourth consecutive day. (WFMJ-TV)
  - The United States reports 70,450 new cases in the last 24 hours, the highest number since July 24. (The New York Times)
- COVID-19 vaccine
  - Russia is to begin clinical trials of its Sputnik V vaccine in India. (Reuters)

Law and crime

End SARS
- The Nigerian Army announces a cyber warfare operation as protests against police brutality in the country continue. (Premium Times)
Hong Kong activist Alexandra Wong, known as "Grandma Wong", announces she was detained in mainland China for a month and a half in Shenzhen and alleges mental abuse. She was known for being at the protests waving a large British flag but had disappeared last August. (Reuters)

Politics and elections

2020 New Zealand general election
- Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern wins a second term in a historic landslide. Ardern's Labour Party becomes the first party to win a majority since the proportional system was introduced in 1996. (TVNZ) (NBC News)

October 16, 2020 (Friday)

edithistorywatch

Armed conflicts and attacks

War in Afghanistan
- Afghan peace process
  - The Taliban says that it plans to suspend attacks in southern Afghanistan if the United States promises to halt all strikes and night raids in keeping with the peace agreement signed in February. (San Francisco Chronicle)
- Withdrawal of U.S. troops from Afghanistan
  - National Security Advisor Robert C. O'Brien says that the Trump administration plans to lower the troop level in Afghanistan by early 2021. (CNBC)
Insurgency in Balochistan
- An attack left at least 7 soldiers and 7 security guards dead in Balochistan, Pakistan. (Dawn)
Insurgency in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
- A bomb kills at least 6 soldiers in North Waziristan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. (Dawn)
Murder of Samuel Paty
- A history teacher is stabbed and decapitated near a school in Conflans-Sainte-Honorine, Île-de-France, France. The killer is shot dead by police. The anti-terrorism prosecutor investigates the murder, which is described by President Emmanuel Macron as an "Islamist attack". The victim is believed to have shown caricatures of Islam's prophet Muhammad to his students during a lesson. (The Independent) (CNN)
Gunmen attack a military base in Kindia, Guinea, about 85 km (53 mi) outside of the capital Conakry, killing the camp's commander, according to a statement released by the defence ministry. A prison in the city is also attacked, wounding an official and allowing several inmates to escape. The attacks come two days before the general elections. (Reuters)

Business and economy

Moody's downgrades the United Kingdom's debt rating to Aa3 with a stable outlook. (The Wall Street Journal)
Andorra becomes the 190th member of the International Monetary Fund. (Reuters)

Disasters and accidents

2020 Colorado wildfires
- The Cameron Peak Fire grows into 167,153 acres and becomes the largest wildfire this year in Colorado, surpassing the Pine Gulch Fire. (The Hill)

Health and environment

COVID-19 pandemic
- COVID-19 pandemic in North America
  - COVID-19 pandemic in the United States
    - COVID-19 pandemic in Illinois
      - Illinois reports a record 4,553 new cases in a single day for the second consecutive days as Governor J.B. Pritzker said a third of the state has reached a “warning level” and the positivity rate rises above 5% the first time since early June. (Chicago Sun Times)
    - COVID-19 pandemic in Nebraska
      - Governor Pete Ricketts announces new restrictions amid rising cases and hospitalizations in the state. Indoor gatherings will be reduced from a capacity of 75% to 50%, people at bars and restaurants must remain seated with no more than eight people on tables, and table sizes for weddings and funerals must be limited to no more than eight people. The restrictions will go into effect on Wednesday. (The News & Observer)
    - COVID-19 pandemic in Wisconsin
      - The Department of Health Services (DHS) reports that 3,861 people in Wisconsin have tested positive in the last 24 hours, the highest number since the beginning of the pandemic. The positivity rate of 26.47% of the 14,586 tests received is the highest positivity for any day with more than 10,000 tests. (WBAY-TV)
    - COVID-19 pandemic in Colorado
      - Denver Mayor Michael Hancock announces new restrictions as cases in the city rise. Masks will be required in public spaces and gatherings will be limited to five people. (Fox News) (KCNC-TV)
    - Pfizer says that it will not seek emergency approval for its COVID-19 vaccine until after the upcoming election. (Politico)
    - The United States Department of Health and Human Services and the Trump administration announce a deal with Walgreens and CVS to provide COVID-19 vaccines to the elderly and staff in nursing homes. (CNBC)
    - The United States surpasses eight million cases of COVID-19. (The Wall Street Journal)
  - COVID-19 pandemic in Canada
    - COVID-19 pandemic in Manitoba
      - Manitoba reports 75 cases, ending a three-day streak of reporting no cases. (CBC)
      - Winnipeg is expected to close bars and casinos for two weeks as cases in the city rise. In addition, stores and restaurants in the city will reduce their capacity by 50%. Restrictions will go into effect on Monday. (Reuters)
- COVID-19 pandemic in Europe
  - COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom
    - COVID-19 pandemic in Northern Ireland
      - Northern Ireland reports 1,299 new daily cases in the last 24 hours, its highest number of a single day yet, bringing the cumulative total at 25,177. (BBC)
  - COVID-19 pandemic in Belgium
    - The federal government closes all bars and restaurants for four weeks, imposes a nationwide curfew between midnight and 5:00 am local time, bans alcohol sales after 8:00 pm local time, sets telework as a rule, and reduces people's "social bubble", their number of close social contacts outside a household, to one in an attempt to curb the COVID-19 pandemic. The new measures is set to take effect on October 19. (Le Soir) (AP)
  - COVID-19 pandemic in Bulgaria
    - Bulgaria reports 914 new cases in the past 24 hours, the seventh time in the past ten days that the country has set a new record. (The Sofia Globe)
  - COVID-19 pandemic in Croatia
    - Croatia reports 1,131 new cases in the past 24 hours, a new record for the third day in a row. (koronavirus.hr)
  - COVID-19 pandemic in the Czech Republic
    - The Czech Republic reports a record 9,721 new cases in the past 24 hours, a new record for two days in a row, according to data from the Health Ministry. (The Daily Telegraph)
  - COVID-19 pandemic in Germany
    - With 7,334 new infections reported in the last 24 hours, Germany sets a new record of daily cases for the second day in a row since the start of the outbreak, according to official figures released by the Robert Koch Institute. (Anadolu Agency)
  - COVID-19 pandemic in Greece
    - The number of new infections in Greece reaches a record 508 in the last 24 hours, for the first time daily new cases reach 500 in a single day. From that cases, 227 are from Athens metropolitan area. (The National Herald)
  - COVID-19 pandemic in Italy
    - The number of new cases in Italy reaches 10,000 for the first time, when the country reports 10,010 new infections in the past 24 hours. (ABC Australia)
  - COVID-19 pandemic in Malta
    - Malta orders clubs, bars, and places of entertainment to close at 11 pm local time effective October 19, as the country makes mandatory the wearing of face masks in public in an attempt to reduce the spread of COVID-19. (Swiss Info)
  - COVID-19 pandemic in Poland
    - Poland reports 132 new deaths, a record increase since the outbreak began, amid fears the pandemic is testing the country's supply of hospital beds and ventilators. (Reuters)
  - COVID-19 pandemic in Portugal
    - Portugal reports 2,608 new daily cases, its highest daily increase yet, bringing the cumulative count to 95,902 confirmed cases. (DGS)
  - COVID-19 pandemic in Russia
    - Russia reports 15,150 new cases in the past 24 hours, a new daily record since the start of the pandemic as authorities grapple with the onset of a second wave. This is the first time that the country has reported more than 15,000 cases in a single day. (The Moscow Times)
  - COVID-19 pandemic in Slovakia
    - Slovakia reports 2,075 new cases in the past 24 hours, a new record for the second day in a row. (The Slovak Spectator)
  - COVID-19 pandemic in Switzerland, COVID-19 pandemic in Liechtenstein
    - Switzerland reports 3,105 new cases, the highest record number in a single day since the pandemic began, thus taking the total to 74,442 confirmed cases in Switzerland and Liechtenstein as the second wave of the pandemic grips the country. (Reuters)
- COVID-19 pandemic in Asia
  - COVID-19 pandemic in Azerbaijan
    - Azerbaijan announces that it will suspend secondary school classes and the use of Baku's metro system between October 19 and November 2 in an attempt to curb the spread of COVID-19. (National Post)
  - COVID-19 pandemic in Israel, COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns
    - The government agrees to ease a month-long second nationwide lockdown on October 18, after a significant decline in the number of new cases. On that day, people will be permitted to go more than one kilometer from their homes for non-essential purposes, nurseries will reopen, and restaurants will be able to serve takeaway food. (BBC)
- COVID-19 pandemic in Oceania
  - Wallis and Futuna reports its first case of infection by SARS-CoV-2. The individual, who arrived on October 3, and later tested positive, is asymptomatic and in isolation in a hospital. The territory was the only French-administered region free of COVID-19 until today. (RNZ)

International relations

Nuclear arms race, Russia–United States relations
- President of Russia Vladimir Putin proposes to extend New START, the last major nuclear arms treaty standing between both Russia and the United States, "without any pre-conditions at least for one year to have an opportunity to conduct substantial negotiations". (PTI via Deccan Herald)

Law and crime

COVID-19 pandemic in Germany
- A Berlin court suspends an order to close bars and restaurants between 11 pm and 6 am local time in an attempt to tackle surging numbers of COVID-19 in the city as the court considers it disproportionate in the view of other measures taken to fight the pandemic. (TheJournal.ie)
2020 Thai protests
- Two activists in Thailand are arrested on charges of attempting violence against the Queen. Bunkueanun "Francis" Paothong and Ekachai Hongkangwan are set to be charged under Section 110 of Thailand's criminal code and could result in a possible life sentence. (CNN)
2020 Belarusian protests
- Belarus says that it was seeking the arrest of opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya for jeopardizing national security. Nikolai Karpenkov proceeded to threaten the use of firearms against protesters. (Reuters)
Alleged Libyan financing in the 2007 French presidential election
- Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy is charged with conspiracy for accepting Libyan money during the 2007 election. (BBC)
Face masks during the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States, COVID-19 pandemic in Kansas
- A 59-year-old man is arrested on suspicion of threatening to kidnap and kill Wichita Mayor Brandon Whipple over opposition to the city's mitigation measures against the COVID-19 pandemic. (AP) (The Wichita Eagle)

October 15, 2020 (Thursday)

edithistorywatch

Armed conflicts and attacks

2020 Nagorno-Karabakh conflict
- Azerbaijan says three people have been killed and three others injured after a funeral procession in Tartar District was shelled by Armenian forces, while the Armenian prosecutor-general's office says two soldiers were killed in a drone strike in Vardenis; the soldiers were not involved in military action. (Middle East Monitor)

Business and economy

Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on tourism, COVID-19 pandemic in Hawaii
- Hawaii is expected to reopen tourism to the public and lift the statewide mandatory quarantine for travellers who test negative. However, visitors will be required to wear masks and go through temperature screenings. (CNN) (TravelPulse.com)

Health and environment

COVID-19 pandemic
- COVID-19 pandemic in Europe
  - COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom
    - COVID-19 pandemic in England, COVID-19 tier regulations in England
      - Health Secretary Matt Hancock announces that London, Essex, York, and other areas will be put under tier 2 restrictions on October 17, which means that different households will be banned from mixing indoors, including inside homes, pubs, and restaurants, and people will also be told to avoid public transport and non-essential travel. (BBC) (ABC Australia)
  - COVID-19 pandemic in Croatia
    - Croatia reports 793 new cases in the past 24 hours, a new record for the second day in a row. (Total Croatia News)
  - COVID-19 pandemic in Cyprus
    - Cyprus reports a record of 104 cases in the past 24 hours, surpassing 100 for the first time since the beginning of the pandemic. (Cyprus-Mail)
  - COVID-19 pandemic in the Czech Republic
    - The Czech Republic reports a record 9,544 new cases in the last 24 hours, its highest single day tally since the pandemic began, according to data from the Health Ministry. (Arab News)
  - COVID-19 pandemic in France
    - France reports a record 30,621 new infections in a single day as the cumulative number of cases surpasses 800,000. (The Hill)
  - COVID-19 pandemic in Germany
    - The number of new cases in Germany surges by 6,638 in the last 24 hours, according to official data from the Robert Koch Institute, a new record not seen since the pandemic began, which previously reported 6,294 cases on March 28. (RFI)
  - COVID-19 pandemic in Greece
    - The Greek government places the northern regional unit of Kozani on lockdown, as the region is declared an "increased threat." The measure, applicable until October 29, implies the use of masks at all sites; the prohibition of meetings in public and private spaces; the ban to travel outside the region; and the closure of restaurants, gyms, museums, courts, and shops, and the suspension of festivals. (Ekathimerini)
  - COVID-19 pandemic in Italy
    - Italy registers 8,804 new infections in the past 24 hours, according to the health ministry, a new record for the second consecutive day since the start of the outbreak in the country. (Daily Sabah)
    - Campania announces that it will shut down schools until the end of this month, in an effort to curb an increase of COVID-19 cases in the region. (Reuters)
  - COVID-19 pandemic in Poland
    - After new cases reaches a record 8,099 cases in a single day, Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki announces new restrictions in Warsaw and other major cities that considered a "red" zone from October 17. All secondary schools in those areas will be closed, restaurants will close at 9 pm local time, weddings will be banned and there will be stricter limits on the numbers of people allowed in shops and on public transport and at religious services. (Daily Sabah)
  - COVID-19 pandemic in Portugal
    - Portugal reports 2,101 new daily cases, its highest daily increase yet, bringing the cumulative count to 93,294 confirmed cases. (DGS)
  - COVID-19 pandemic in Slovenia
    - Slovenia reports an all-time high of 745 cases in the past day. Cumulative numbers pass 10,000 cases. (RTVSLO)
- COVID-19 pandemic in Asia
  - COVID-19 pandemic in India
    - Cinema halls, theatres and multiplexes, entertainment parks, educational institution and swimming pools outside containment zones reopened in several states across India as part of measures allowing more activities in the country. (Firstpost)
  - COVID-19 pandemic in Indonesia
    - Indonesia reports a single day record of 5,810 new recoveries in the past 24 hours, taking the nationwide total of recoveries to 273,661. From that number, 2,223 new recoveries came from Central Java. (detikNews)
  - COVID-19 pandemic in Malaysia
    - Malaysia reports 409 new recoveries in the last 24 hours. This is the highest number in a single day since the outbreak began, bringing the total number of recoveries to 12,014. according to Director-General of Health Noor Hisham Abdullah. (New Straits Times)

International relations

Netherlands–Russia relations
- The Dutch government urges Russia to return to negotiation tables after the country withdrew from talks on liability for the downing of Malaysia Airlines Flight 17. (Reuters)

Law and crime

COVID-19 pandemic in France
- The French police have raided the homes of senior government and health officials such as Health Minister Olivier Véran and the director of the national health agency, Jérôme Salomon, as part of an investigation into their handling of the pandemic in the country. It comes after a court launched an inquiry earlier this year. Prime Minister Jean Castex is also under investigation, according to French media. (BBC)
Hong Kong national security law
- Police raid the offices of prominent pro-democracy activist Jimmy Lai ahead of his scheduled appearance in court where he has been charged with 'unlawful assembly'. Lai is the owner of the publishing company Next Digital and newspaper Apple Daily. (DW)
Capital punishment in Bangladesh
- A court in Bangladesh sentences five men to death for the gang rape of a girl in 2012. The verdict comes amidst public outcry regarding growing sexual violence. It was the first conviction since the government this week introduced the death penalty for rape. (Al Jazeera)
Gretchen Whitmer kidnapping plot
- Police announce the arrest of a fourteenth suspect in relation to a foiled kidnapping plot targeting Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer. He has been charged at the state level with material support of an act of terrorism. (Detroit Free Press)
End SARS
- Over ten people are killed during a demonstration against the police force of Nigeria. (ABC News)
Mexican Drug War
- Gen. Salvador Cienfuegos, Mexico's minister of defence during the Peña Nieto administration, is arrested in the United States on drugs charges. (BBC News)

Politics and elections

Biden–Ukraine conspiracy theory, Conspiracy theories related to the Trump–Ukraine scandal
- Twitter locks President Donald Trump's presidential campaign Twitter account for sharing private information without that person's permission, relating to a controversial Hunter Biden video. His account has since been unlocked. (Fox News)
2020 United States presidential election
- C-SPAN indefinitely suspends its political editor Steve Scully after admitting he lied about his Twitter account being hacked earlier this month. Scully had been selected by the Commission on Presidential Debates to moderate the now cancelled second presidential debate of the election. On October 8, Scully tweeted "@Scaramucci should I respond to trump" after being publicly criticized by President Trump. (CNN)
2020 Kyrgyzstan protests
- President Sooronbay Jeenbekov resigns following ten days of unrest and protests in response to the parliamentary election. (Reuters)
2020 Thai protests
- The government issues an emergency decree following yesterday's generally peaceful protests and counter-protests, effective Thursday at 4:00 a.m. local time (Wednesday 21:00 UTC) that bans gatherings of five or more people and forbids the publication of news or online messages that "could harm national security." Two leaders of the anti-government protests, Anon Nampa and Panupong Jadnok, are arrested after the emergency decree became effective. (BBC)
Immigrant investor programs
- President of the Parliament of Cyprus Demetris Syllouris resigns after being allegedly implicated in a case of sale of passports to investors with criminal records, who do not meet the necessary criteria to be able to move freely within the European Union. (Cyprus-Mail)

Science and technology

2020 in paleontology
- Researchers announce the fossil discoveries of Triassic drepanosaur Skybalonyx skapter at the Petrified Forest National Park in Arizona. (Los Angeles Times)
- A boy discovers a fossilized hadrosaur skeleton at the Horseshoe Canyon in Alberta, Canada, dating back 69 million years. (BBC) (Global News)

October 14, 2020 (Wednesday)

edithistorywatch

Armed conflicts and attacks

Yemeni Civil War
- The Trump administration announces that they have secured the release of Mikael Gidada and Sandra Loli, two Americans that have been held hostage by Houthi rebels in Yemen for 16 months. (The New York Times)
- A Houthi spokesman says 240 of their fighters have been released. In September, the United Nations announced a swap of "1081 conflict-related prisoners". (AP via Star Tribune)

Disasters and accidents

2020 Pacific typhoon season
- Tropical Storm Linfa
  - Member of Vietnamese National Assembly Major General Deputy commander of the 4th Military Region of Vietnam People's Army Nguyễn Văn Man is confirmed to be missing. He was among the rescue troops dispatched to the mountainous area of Phong Điền District, Thừa Thiên-Huế Province to deal with the aftermath of Tropical Storm Linfa. (VnExpress)

Health and environment

COVID-19 pandemic
- COVID-19 pandemic in Europe
  - COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom
    - COVID-19 pandemic in Northern Ireland
      - First Minister Arlene Foster announces a "circuit breaker" lockdown in Northern Ireland effective October 16. Pubs and restaurants will have to shut down for four weeks unless they offer a takeaway service, and schools will close for two weeks until November 2. Meanwhile, places of worship, shops, and gyms can stay open. (BBC) (Sky News)
  - COVID-19 pandemic in Russia
    - The number of new cases in Russia reaches 14,231 in the past 24 hours, a new record for the sixth day in a row. It is the first time that the country has reported more than 14,000 cases in a single day as authorities grapple with a second wave that has pushed hospitals to near-capacity. (The Moscow Times)
    - President Vladimir Putin announces that the country has approved its second COVID-19 vaccine following preliminary trials. (Reuters)
  - COVID-19 pandemic in Portugal
    - Portugal reports 2,072 new daily cases, its highest daily increase yet, bringing the cumulative count to 91,193 confirmed cases. (DGS)
    - Prime Minister António Costa announces the reinstatement of the "state of calamity" effective at midnight tonight. Gatherings will be limited to five people. Weddings and baptisms can be attended by a maximum of 50, but university parties will be banned. Fines for businesses not complying with the rules will be doubled from an upper limit of 5,000 to 10,000 euros. (Politico)
  - COVID-19 pandemic in Croatia
    - Croatia reports 748 new cases in the past 24 hours, the highest number in a single day since the pandemic began. (Total Croatia News)
  - COVID-19 pandemic in France
    - President Emmanuel Macron announces a 09:00 pm to 06:00 am local time curfew for the Île-de-France region that includes Paris, as well as Grenoble, Lille, Lyon, Marseille, Montpellier, Rouen, Saint-Étienne, and Toulouse starting October 17 for at least four weeks in an attempt to curb the spread of COVID-19 as the country declares another national state of health emergency after it expired on July 10. (RTÉ)
  - COVID-19 pandemic in Germany
    - Germany reports 5,132 new cases in the last 24 hours, the highest number of reported cases in a single day since April 5, according to official figures from the Robert Koch Institute. (Anadolu Agency)
  - COVID-19 pandemic in the Republic of Ireland
    - The government announces a nationwide ban on visits to homes or gardens in almost all circumstances, except for providing care to children or elderly and vulnerable people. It also announces that Cavan, Monaghan, and Donegal, which border Northern Ireland, will move to Level 4 restrictions between midnight tomorrow until November 10, which means that non-essential retail stores will close and that all non-essential workers will work from home. (The Irish Times)
  - COVID-19 pandemic in Italy
    - Italy registers 7,332 new cases in the last 24 hours, a new record for a single day since the pandemic began and surpassing the previous record of 6,557 cases that reported in March, when the country was still in lockdown. (National Post)
  - COVID-19 pandemic in Poland
    - Poland reports a record 6,526 new infections and 116 deaths in a single day, the highest since the beginning of the pandemic, as doctors warn that the healthcare system in the country is becoming overloaded. (Reuters)
  - COVID-19 pandemic in Switzerland, COVID-19 pandemic in Liechtenstein
    - Switzerland reports 2,823 new cases in the past 24 hours, the highest record number in a single day since the pandemic began, thus taking the total to 68,704 confirmed cases in Switzerland and Liechtenstein. (Financial Post)
  - COVID-19 pandemic in Spain
    - The Catalan acting government announces the closure of bars, restaurants, beauty salons, and theme parks; the government also reduces the capacity in shops to 30% and 50% in gyms, cultural centers, and religious spaces for 15 days. (El Mundo)
- COVID-19 pandemic in Asia
  - COVID-19 pandemic in Iran, Travel restrictions related to the COVID-19 pandemic
    - Iran announces temporary travel restrictions on Tehran, Karaj, Mashhad, Isfahan, and Urmia, which includes banning travel to and from the five major cities in the country. It comes after Iran reports single-day records in both deaths and new infections, with 279 deaths and 4,830 new cases reported in the past 24 hours. (France 24)
  - COVID-19 pandemic in Iraq
    - Iraq surpasses 10,000 COVID-19 deaths. (Al-Arabiya)
- COVID-19 pandemic in Venezuela, COVID-19 vaccine
  - Venezuela is expected to start clinical trials for Russia's Sputnik V vaccine. (TASS)

International relations

Kashmir conflict, Kashmir lockdown
- Former chief minister of Indian-administered Kashmir, Mehbooba Mufti, has been released by India. She was detained on 5 August last year, when the government stripped the region of its partial autonomy. She was in house arrest under a controversial law that allows detention without charge for up to two years. (BBC)

Law and crime

George Floyd protests, 2020 United States racial unrest
- Kenosha unrest
  - It is announced that Kyle Rittenhouse, the teenager charged for killing two protesters in Kenosha, Wisconsin, will not face gun charges in Illinois. (The Patriot-News)
Indonesian Omnibus Law on Job Creation
- People's Representative Council has submitted the final draft of Job Creation Law, which contains 812 pages after many revisions to President Joko Widodo, which represented by Minister of State Secretary Pratikno. (Kompas)
Ugandan security forces raid the offices of the National Unity Platform in Kampala and arrest several people, including opposition leader and presidential candidate Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, allegedly for illegally housing army uniforms. Signatures to get Ssentamu on the ballot and his 1campaign materials were also seized. (DW)
Protesters gather outside the Israel Supreme Court and call for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to be investigated for a scandal surrounding a $2 billion submarine deal with Germany. (Washington Post)

Politics and elections

Biden–Ukraine conspiracy theory, Conspiracy theories related to the Trump–Ukraine scandal
- The New York Post reports that newly uncovered emails suggest Hunter Biden introduced his father, then-Vice President Joe Biden, to a top executive at Ukrainian natural gas firm Burisma Holdings. The Post obtained the alleged emails from top Donald Trump adviser Rudy Giuliani. (Fox News) (NY Post) (NY Magazine)
- Twitter and Facebook announce they are limiting the distribution of the article until it is fact-checked. (CNET) (RealClearPolitics)

Science and technology

Misinformation related to the COVID-19 pandemic
- YouTube announces that it will ban misinformation about COVID-19 vaccines as an effort to expand its policy surrounding misinformation about COVID-19. (The Hill)

Sports

Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on sports
- 2020 NFL season
  - The National Football League announces that the upcoming Pro Bowl will be cancelled, the first time since 1949. However, the league announced that it would still name teams at the end of the season in the usual format through votes by fans, players, and coaches. (ESPN) (USA Today)
- Alabama Crimson Tide football coach Nick Saban and athletic director Greg Byrne both test positive for COVID-19. (ESPN)

October 13, 2020 (Tuesday)

edithistorywatch

Armed conflicts and attacks

Mali War
- 2020 Mali attacks
  - Jihadist militants killed 25 people, including 13 soldiers, in multiple attacks across central Mali. A military camp near Bandiagara is looted and burned down by the militants. (Reuters)
War in Afghanistan
- As many as 35,000 people flee their homes amid intense fighting between Taliban insurgents and Afghan troops in the southern Helmand Province. (BBC)
2020 Nagorno-Karabakh conflict
- Iran reports that it shot down an unidentified armed drone, which then crashed inside its Ardabil Province on the northern border with Azerbaijan. According to Iranian media, the drone probably was launched by Azerbaijan's military, then erroneously entered Iranian airspace. (Almasdar)

Business and economy

Cannabis in Rwanda
- Rwanda legalizes the production of medical cannabis for export, but the Health Ministry states that cannabis consumption of any kind in the country will remain illegal. (The East African)

Disasters and accidents

2020 Pacific typhoon season
- Around 40 people die in Vietnam and Cambodia as Tropical Storm Nangka impacts the area. Scores of others, including rescue workers, are missing. Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyễn Xuân Phúc orders more rescue troops to be sent to the region. (CNN)
2017 Atlantic hurricane season, Effects of Hurricane Irma in Florida
- According to a study, over 400 seniors were found dead in Florida nursing homes during Hurricane Irma. (Fox News)
2020 California wildfires
- The Zogg Fire, which killed four people and scorched more than 50,000 acres in Shasta County, California, is fully contained. (CNN)

Health and environment

COVID-19 pandemic
- COVID-19 pandemic in Europe
  - COVID-19 pandemic in the Netherlands
    - The number of daily cases in the Netherlands surges by 7,393, which is new record high for a single day. (CGTN)
    - Authorities reports the first confirmed death from COVID-19 reinfection. It comes after an elderly woman, aged 89, who had a rare bone marrow type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma, called Waldenström's macroglobulinemia, which compromised her immune system, died because of reinfection of the virus. (The Daily Telegraph) (CNN)
    - Prime Minister Mark Rutte and Health Minister Hugo de Jonge announce new restrictions, such as restarting a partial lockdown. The new measures include closing bars and restaurants, banning alcohol sales after 08:00 pm local time, restricting retail opening hours, and banning gatherings of more than 30 people across the country. This measure also includes making wearing cloth masks mandatory for people at least 13 years old in indoor spaces. The government says the measures will take effect tomorrow and last for at least four weeks, with a review of their impact after two weeks. (France 24)
  - COVID-19 pandemic in Italy
    - Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte signs a decree that restricts private gatherings to more than six people inside homes and sets a limit of 30 guests for banquets organized after religious or civil ceremonies. It also bans parties, school trips, and informal amateur contact sports, while also ordering restaurants, bars, and ice-cream sellers to stop serving non-seated customers after 09:00 pm local time to avoid crowds. (The New York Times)
  - COVID-19 pandemic in Poland
    - Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki goes into quarantine after making contact with a person who has tested positive for COVID-19. (Reuters)
  - COVID-19 pandemic in Russia
    - Russia reports 13,868 new daily cases, setting a new record for a single day, pushing the overall number of infections to 1,326,178. The country also reports a record rise of 244 deaths, bringing the official death toll to 22,966. (CNA)
  - COVID-19 pandemic in San Marino
    - A new decree orders a mask mandate for every outdoor space should social distancing not be guaranteed. (San Marino RTV)
- COVID-19 pandemic in Asia
  - COVID-19 pandemic in Indonesia
    - The number of recoveries in Indonesia surges by a record 4,777 in the last 24 hours, increasing the overall total to 263,296 recoveries. The country also conducted a record 50,418 tests in a single day. (detikHealth)
  - COVID-19 pandemic in Jordan
    - Jordan reports a record 2,054 new daily infections in the past 24 hours, pushing the nationwide total at 28,127. (Anadolu Agency)
  - COVID-19 pandemic in Singapore
    - For the first time since February, Singapore reports no new daily cases. (Bloomberg.com)
- COVID-19 vaccine
  - Mexican Foreign Minister Marcelo Ebrard announces the country has signed agreements with AstraZeneca for 77.4 million, COVAX for 51.57 million, CanSino Biologics for 35 million, and Pfizer for 34.4 million vaccine doses, respectively. The vaccines by Pfizer, AstraZeneca, and the COVAX plan require two doses, whereas the CanSino product requires one dose. (Reuters)
  - Pfizer announces that it has received approval from the Food and Drug Administration for vaccine trials on children at least 12 years old. The trials are expected to begin at the Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center in Ohio. (NPR) (New York Daily News)
- COVID-19 drug development
  - Eli Lilly and Company suspends its clinical trial of its COVID-19 treatment that explored use of its antibody drug in combination with remdesivir because of a safety concern. (The Wall Street Journal)

International relations

The United Nations General Assembly votes on a slate of new members of the Human Rights Council. The election of certain countries—China, Russia, Cuba, Pakistan, and Uzbekistan—draws strong criticism over their human rights records, including from UN Watch executive director Hillel Neuer, who described the election as "making a gang of arsonists into the fire brigade". (CBC)

Law and crime

Indonesia omnibus law protests, Omnibus Law on Job Creation
- Thousands of protesters from various organizations, including alumni of PA 212 and the Islamic Defenders Front (FPI), hold "Action 1310" to protest against the Job Creation Law in Jakarta. (Nusadaily.com)
- The police arrest eight high-ranking members of the Action for Rescuing Indonesia Coalition (KAMI), including Syahganda Naingolan, because they were suspected of incitement related to the demonstration against the Omnibus Law in Jakarta and Medan on October 8. (Okezone)
- TransJakarta temporarily suspends its operational services in all areas due to demonstrations taking place in the capital against the controversial omnibus law. (CNN Indonesia)
- The People's Representative Council issues a statement regarding the Job Creation Law. Deputy Speaker Aziz Syamsuddin guarantees that there are no contraband articles in the draft law, even the parliament changes the number of pages in the law to 812 pages due to pagination being changed to legal format. The final draft of the law will be submitted to the President tomorrow. (Jawa Pos) (Kabar 24)
Gretchen Whitmer kidnapping plot
- During a federal court hearing for six suspects accused of plotting to kidnap Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer, an FBI agent testifies that the suspects had also discussed kidnapping Virginia Governor Ralph Northam. (USA Today)
The Cypriot Interior and Finance Ministries announce they will abolish the country's "citizenship through investment" program by November 1, after Al Jazeera released a video yesterday showing that several senior officials, such as parliament president Demetris Syllouris and fellow MP Christakis Giovanis, were willing to help criminals obtain passports through the program. Attorney General George Savvidis also announced that he will launch a criminal inquiry into the officials involved. (Al Jazeera)

Politics and elections

One-China policy
- The premier of Malaita Province in the Solomon Islands, Daniel Suidani, survives a vote of no confidence by 24–9. Suidani, an outspoken critic of the central government's decision to switch recognition from Taiwan to China, has refused to accept any aid from China since the change in policy. (RNZ)

Science and technology

Exploration of the Moon
- The U.S.-led Artemis Accords are signed by the United States, Australia, Canada, Japan, Luxembourg, Italy, the United Kingdom, and the United Arab Emirates. According to NASA, the Accords aim to establish norms of behavior between countries regarding lunar resource extraction and exploration, outline "safety zones" on the lunar surface where other countries should not interfere, and protect heritage sites on the lunar surface such as the Apollo landing sites. More signatories are expected to be announced in the coming months. (Reuters) (The Verge)
Geology of Pluto
- Scientists determine that white mountains previously discovered on Pluto during New Horizons' flyby owe their color to methane frost directly condensed from the atmosphere, rather than snow. (NPR)
As Mars lines up with Earth and the Sun, it is expected to shine at its biggest and brightest during the night. (ITV) (NBC News)
Facebook announces that it will ban ads that discourage people from getting vaccinations. (CNBC)
Apple introduces the iPhone 12 and the iPhone 12 Pro, which are the first iPhones with support for 5G networks. (USA Today)