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

Luis Arce

The OSIRIS-REx probe touches down and collects a sample from the asteroid Bennu.
Luis Arce (pictured) is elected President of Bolivia in the general election.
Floods in Hyderabad, India, kill at least 81 people.
The New Zealand Labour Party, led by incumbent Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, wins a majority of seats in the general election.

October 23, 2020 (Friday)

edithistorywatch

October 22, 2020 (Thursday)

edithistorywatch

Armed conflicts and attacks

War in Afghanistan
- Officials in Takhar Province, Afghanistan, report that 12 civilians, 11 of them children, were killed by an airstrike on a madrasa. The central government says it killed 12 Taliban fighters. (BBC)
Syrian civil war
- The Sunni Muslim Grand Mufti of Damascus Sheikh Mohammed Adnan Afiouni is assassinated in a car bombing in the Syrian capital, according to state media. (Reuters)

Health and environment

COVID-19 pandemic
- COVID-19 pandemic in North America
  - COVID-19 pandemic in the United States
    - COVID-19 pandemic in Hawaii
      - Hawaii registers 14 additional COVID-19 fatalities, which have now pushed the state's death toll to 203. (Hawaii News Now)
    - COVID-19 pandemic in New Jersey
      - Governor Phil Murphy goes into quarantine after two of his staffers tested positive for COVID-19. (WNBC-TV)
    - COVID-19 pandemic in Washington (state)
      - Governor Jay Inslee announces that the state's COVID-19 cases have officially surpassed 100,000. (Daily Hive)
    - COVID-19 pandemic in Michigan
      - Michigan reports 43 new deaths, its highest single-day total since May 30. (WJRT-TV)
  - COVID-19 pandemic in Canada
    - COVID-19 pandemic in Alberta, Travel restrictions related to the COVID-19 pandemic
      - It is announced that the Canadian government and Alberta are launching a pilot program to test eligible returning travelers for COVID-19, allowing them to leave quarantine in two days once they receive a negative result instead of a normal two-week quarantine. The move could potentially bring relief to the country's struggling airline and tourism industries. Starting November 2, the new testing option will be offered at the Coutts land border crossing in southern Alberta and the Calgary International Airport. (CBC)
- COVID-19 pandemic in Europe
  - COVID-19 pandemic in France
    - French Prime Minister Jean Castex announces that 38 more departments, as well as French Polynesia, will be placed under curfew starting October 24. In total, 54 departments will now adhere to the new hourly limitations between 9:00 pm and 6:00 am local time, affecting almost 46 million people in these areas. (BBC)
    - The number of new confirmed cases in France hits an alarming record high of 41,622 in the last 24 hours, making it the first time the country has reported more than 40,000 new cases. (Anadolu Agency)
  - COVID-19 pandemic in Greece
    - The number of new confirmed cases in Greece hits a record high of 882 in the past 24 hours, making it the highest number in a single day since the pandemic began, bringing the cumulative total to 28,216. (Greek Reporter)
    - Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis announces new measures to curb the spread of COVID-19. These measures include the "compulsory" use of masks both indoors and outdoors and imposition of a curfew between 12:30 am and 5:00 am local time in all areas deemed as high-risk zones, including Athens and Thessaloniki, starting October 24. (Medical Xpress)
  - COVID-19 pandemic in Portugal
    - Portugal reports a record daily increase with 3,270 new cases, bringing the cumulative counts to 109,541 confirmed cases and 2,245 deaths. (DGS)
    - Portugal announces that tomorrow, the municipalities of Felgueiras, Lousada, and Paços de Ferreira will go into a partial lockdown, which means that people will only be able to leave home for work, school, or other essential activities. In addition, visits to care homes will be banned, events can only be attended by a maximum of five people, and commercial outlets must close by 10:00 pm local time. (National Post)
  - COVID-19 pandemic in Austria
    - The number of new confirmed cases in Austria surges to a record 2,435 in the past 24 hours, making it the highest single day yet since the pandemic began. (Hindustan Times)
  - COVID-19 pandemic in Belgium
    - Belgian incumbent Foreign Minister and former Prime Minister Sophie Wilmès is admitted to an intensive care unit nearly a week after testing positive for COVID-19. (Sky News)
  - COVID-19 pandemic in Cyprus
    - Minister of Health Constantinos Ioannou announces the imposing of a curfew in Limassol and Paphos districts and a mask mandate for all outdoor spaces. (Cyprus-Mail)
  - COVID-19 pandemic in Germany
    - For the first time since the beginning of the pandemic, Germany has recorded more than 10,000 COVID-19 cases in a single day, when the Robert Koch Institute reported 11,287 new infections in 24 hours. (France 24)
  - COVID-19 pandemic in Italy
    - Italy reports a record high in new infections, topping 16,000 daily cases for the first time since the start of the pandemic. According to data from the Health Ministry, the nationwide total has reached 465,726 cases. (Daily Sabah)
  - COVID-19 pandemic in Slovakia
    - Slovakian Prime Minister Igor Matovic announces that Slovakia will shut down most of its schools and require the population to stay home apart from work, essential shopping, and nature trips between October 24 and November 1, in an attempt to curb the spread of COVID-19. He also plans to go ahead with nationwide free testing of 5.5 million people across the country. (Yahoo News)
- COVID-19 pandemic in India
  - COVID-19 pandemic in West Bengal
    - On the first day of Durga Puja, West Bengal records its highest single-day spike of 4,157 new cases in the past 24 hours as doctors warn that the number could rise massively given a large number of gatherings in markets, shopping malls, and restaurants. (The Week)
- COVID-19 pandemic in Morocco
  - Morocco's Ministry of Health reports 4,151 new cases in the past 24 hours. This is the highest number of reported infections in a single day that brings the total number of confirmed infections to 186,731. (Morocco World News)
- COVID-19 vaccine
  - Moderna announces that they have fully enrolled their trial, with around 30,000 participants. (The Washington Post)

International relations

Taiwan–United States relations
- The United States Department of State approves a $1.8 billion weapon sales deal with Taiwan. (Al Jazeera)
Iran–United States relations, Iran–Iraq relations, Iranian intervention in Iraq
- The U.S. Department of the Treasury says it has blacklisted Iraj Masjedi, the Iranian Ambassador to Iraq, saying he has overseen the training and support of Shia militia groups, which are responsible for attacks on U.S. and coalition forces in Iraq. (Reuters)

Law and crime

Killing of George Floyd
- A Hennepin County, Minnesota judge drops the third-degree murder charge against former Minneapolis Police officer Derek Chauvin, who was filmed kneeling on the neck of George Floyd for nearly nine minutes in May. He still faces second-degree murder and manslaughter charges. (NPR)
2020 Thai protests
- Thailand's Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha lifts the "severe" state of emergency that was imposed in Bangkok to crack down on the protesters. (CNN)
French police launch an investigation into an disputedly racist attack on Sunday, in which two Muslim women were repeatedly stabbed near the Eiffel Tower while the perpetrators, believed to be two white women, shouted racial epithets at the victims. The attack came as tensions mount over the murder of Samuel Paty. The police had been criticized online for initially not releasing information about the case. (Al Jazeera) (Euro Weekly News). Activists criticize media for not labeling the attack as a terrorist attack. (National Turk)
Authorities announce the May arrest of a 19-year-old man from Kannapolis, North Carolina, who had allegedly been plotting to kill Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden, after police towed his van and recovered firearms and explosives from it. He is being charged with possession of child pornography in relation to video and images later found in his electronic devices. (WTVD) (WGHP)

Politics and elections

2020 vote of no confidence in the government of Pedro Sánchez
- Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez survives a vote of no-confidence presented by the far-right Vox political party. (ABC News)
2020 United States presidential debates
- President Donald Trump and former Vice President Joe Biden meet for the final debate before the election next month. (The New York Times)
Saad Hariri is designated as Prime Minister of Lebanon, tasked with forming his fourth government, by a slim majority of the Chamber of Deputies. (Al Jazeera)
Constitutional Tribunal of Poland impose severe restriction on abortion law (BBC)

October 21, 2020 (Wednesday)

edithistorywatch

Armed conflicts and attacks

War in Afghanistan
- October 2020 Afghanistan attacks
  - The Taliban kills at least 12 members of the police in Baharak District, Takhar Province. (TOLOnews)
End SARS, Lekki massacre
- Nigerian police open fire on protestors in Lekki, Lagos State, killing several people; Amnesty International puts the death toll at "at least 12". (The New York Post) (The Guardian)
2020 Nagorno-Karabakh conflict
- Azerbaijani forces say they have captured the town of Mincivan and 13 other settlements in Zangilan District, Nagorno-Karabakh. (TASS)

Arts and culture

Pope Francis says he supports civil unions for same-sex couples. (NBC News)

Business and economy

COVID-19 pandemic in Hong Kong, Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on airlines
- Cathay Dragon ceases operations as a result of the decline in air travel due to COVID-19 and the protests that have occurred since 2019. (Al Jazeera)

Disasters and accidents

A stampede at a stadium in Jalalabad, Nangarhar, Afghanistan, kills 15 people and wounds 11 others. (Al Jazeera)

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
      - It is announced that South Yorkshire will move into tier three restrictions at 00:01 am BST on October 24, after a deal was reached between local leaders and the government to provide £41 million in extra support. The restrictions will cover around 1.4 million people in Barnsley, Doncaster, Rotherham, Sheffield, and the surrounding areas. (BBC) (ITV)
    - The number of confirmed cases in the United Kingdom surges to a new record high of 26,688, bringing the total number of confirmed cases to 789,229. (Sky News)
  - COVID-19 pandemic in Italy
    - Lombardy reports a new record high of new infections, with 4,120 new cases reported in the last 24 hours and positivity rates surging to 11%. (Il Giorno)
    - Italy registers 15,199 new infections in the past 24 hours, according to the health ministry, the highest daily tally since the start of the outbreak in the country. While deaths increase by 127, this is the first time virus-related deaths have surged above 100 since May. (RTÉ)
    - It is announced that Lazio will introduce a curfew between midnight and 5:00 am local time starting October 23, becoming the third Italian region to impose a curfew, after Lombardy and Campania. (Il Messaggero)
  - COVID-19 pandemic in the Czech Republic
    - Czech Republic reports a new record high of new infections in a single day, with 11,984 new cases reported in the last 24 hours, taking the nationwide total to 193,246. (The Times Of India)
    - In response to the surge of new cases, the Czech government announces that it will close non-essential shops and limit the people's movement to essential reasons only in new lockdown measures effective between tomorrow at 6:00 am and November 3 at 11:59 pm local time. (Politico.eu)
  - COVID-19 pandemic in Spain
    - Spain exceeds one million cases of COVID-19, becoming the first country in the EU to do so. (Sky News)
    - La Rioja becomes the second region to go into perimetral lockdown. (La Vanguardia)
  - COVID-19 pandemic in Germany
    - Federal Health Minister Jens Spahn tests positive for COVID-19. (DW)
  - COVID-19 pandemic in Greece
    - Greece reports 865 new cases in the past 24 hours, a new record high, raising the number of confirmed cases to 27,334, according to data from the National Public Health Organization (Ekathimerini)
    - Greek Civil Protection Deputy Minister Nikos Hardalias announces the designation of Kastoria into Level Four (red zone) and imposes a local lockdown in the region starting October 23 in an attempt to curb the spread of COVID-19 in the region. (Greek Travel Pages)
  - COVID-19 pandemic in Croatia
    - Croatia registers 1,424 new infections in the last 24 hours, a new record high since the beginning of the pandemic. (Croatia Week)
  - COVID-19 pandemic in Poland
    - Poland surpasses 200,000 COVID-19 cases after a record 10,040 new cases were reported by the Health Ministry in the last 24 hours. (Swiss Info)
  - COVID-19 pandemic in Russia
    - Russia reports a record 317 new fatalities, taking the nationwide total to 24,952, as the country resists reintroducing strict lockdown measures. (The Moscow Times)
  - COVID-19 pandemic in Slovakia
    - Slovakia reports 2,202 new cases in the last 24 hours, a new record in a single day since the start of the pandemic, according to data from the Health Ministry. (Reuters)
  - COVID-19 pandemic in Slovenia
    - Slovenia reports 1,503 new cases in the past 24 hours, its highest number yet, taking the nationwide total to 15,982. In addition, a record eight people have died in the last 24 hours. (STA)
  - COVID-19 pandemic in Ukraine
    - Ukraine registers a record 6,719 new infections in the past 24 hours, bringing the total number of confirmed COVID-19 cases to 309,107, according to the interactive map of the NSDC. (Kyiv Post)
- COVID-19 pandemic in Asia
  - COVID-19 pandemic in Iran
    - Iran announces a record-high single-day spike in new cases since the first case was reported in Qom in February, with 5,616 new infections reported in the last 24 hours, according to a statement from Health Ministry spokeswoman Sima-Sadat Lari. (Anadolu Agency)
  - COVID-19 pandemic in Jordan
    - Jordan reports 2,648 new cases, its highest daily number since the start of the pandemic as the country faces a major outbreak, with a tripling of deaths in just the last two weeks. The record numbers increase its total of cases to 43,620. (Reuters)
- COVID-19 pandemic in the United States
  - COVID-19 pandemic in Ohio
    - The Ohio Department of Health registers 2,366 cases in the last 24 hours. This is the highest single-day increase in cases for Ohio during the pandemic, and this brings the statewide total to 188,005. (WJW-TV)
  - COVID-19 pandemic in Wisconsin
    - Wisconsin reports a record 48 new deaths, bringing the state's death toll to 1,681 and the death rate up from 0.91% to 0.92%. (WBAY-TV)

Law and crime

Trial of Catalonia independence leaders
- The former leadership of the Mossos d'Esquadra, the Catalan regional police, whose defendants are Major Josep Lluís Trapero, Pere Soler, Cèsar Puig, and Lieutenant Teresa Laplana, are acquitted by the National Audience of the crimes of sedition and disobedience for their role during the 2017 Catalan independence referendum. (La Vanguardia)

October 20, 2020 (Tuesday)

edithistorywatch

Armed conflicts and attacks

War in Afghanistan
- October 2020 Afghanistan attacks
  - The governor of Zazi Maidan District and a bodyguard are shot dead and another two injured in Khost Province. (TOLOnews)
  - At least five people are killed and another nine injured after two bombing attacks. The attack occurred in Jalrez District, Maidan Wardak Province. (TOLOnews)
  - At least twelve police officers, including the district chief, are killed when two bombs explode in Kang District, Nimruz Province. (TOLOnews)
Allied Democratic Forces insurgency
- Gunmen storm a jail in Beni, Democratic Republic of the Congo, and free more than 1,300 inmates, also attacking the military camp that provides security to the prison. The town's mayor blames the Allied Democratic Forces, which he says used electrical equipment. Twenty inmates return and two are shot dead. (Al Jazeera English)
2020 Nagorno-Karabakh conflict
- Azerbaijani troops capture the town of Zəngilan and several nearby villages in Zangilan District, Nagorno-Karabakh. (The Washington Post)
End SARS
- Soldiers open fire against protesters for about an hour and a half during protests against police brutality in Lagos, Nigeria, killing about 20 people and wounding at least 50 others. It is reported that the soldiers had built a barricade and ambulances could not reach the protest area. (BBC)

Arts and culture

The Canadian town of Asbestos, Quebec, votes to rename itself as Val-des-Sources. The name change, approved by a majority of the town's 7,000 residents, must now be approved by the provincial government. (The Guardian)

Health and environment

COVID-19 pandemic
- COVID-19 pandemic in Europe
  - COVID-19 pandemic in Bulgaria
    - After new infections in Bulgaria hit a record 1,024 cases in the past 24 hours, Health Minister Kostadin Angelov announces that the country will make wearing protective masks obligatory in all outdoor spaces on October 22 in an attempt to slow the spread of the virus by about 30% and help prevent the health system from being overwhelmed. (Sofia Globe)
  - COVID-19 pandemic in Germany, COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns
    - German authorites in Bavaria impose a lockdown in the district of Berchtesgadener Land starting at 2:00 pm local time today, making it the first area in Germany to go back into lockdown since April. Residents in the district for the next two weeks are not allowed to leave their homes unless for essential reasons, such as outdoor exercise, going to work, or buying groceries. (Reuters) (BBC)
  - COVID-19 pandemic in Greece
    - Greece reports 667 new infections in the last 24 hours; 250 of them are from Attica. It is the highest number yet for the country since the beginning of the pandemic. (Greek Reporter)
  - COVID-19 pandemic in Italy
    - Authorities in Lombardy are given the green light by Health Ministry to impose a curfew in the region. The curfew will last between 11:00 pm and 5:00 am local time, and it will take effect between October 22 and November 13. Medium and large shopping malls will close on weekends. (Arab News)
  - COVID-19 pandemic in Russia
    - Russia reports 16,319 new cases in the last 24 hours, bringing its official number of cases to 1,431,635 and breaking its record for new infections since the pandemic began. (The Moscow Times)
- COVID-19 vaccine
  - Sinopharm is setting up production lines to supply up to one billion doses of two COVID-19 vaccines currently being tested on 50,000 people in Phase III trials. Sinopharm is currently testing the vaccines in ten countries, including Egypt, Argentina, Jordan, and Peru. (AP)
  - AstraZeneca is expected to resume vaccine trials in the United States as early as this week. (CNBC)
- COVID-19 pandemic in Iran
  - Iran reports a record 5,039 new cases in the last 24 hours, according to Health Ministry spokeswoman Sima-Sadat Lari, bringing the total number of cases to 539,670. It is the first time that the country has reported more than 5,000 cases in a single day. (Bloomberg)

International relations

Russia–United States relations
- Two United States F-22 fighters intercept a pair of Russian Tu-95 bombers in international airspace near Alaska. (Fox News)

Law and crime

2020 Thai protests
- A Thai court orders the suspension of an online TV station, critical of the government, named Voice TV, which has been accused of violating emergency measures aimed at ending three months of protests. Voice TV was also found to have breached the Computer Crime Act by uploading "false information". Voice TV is owned by the only son of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who was overthrown in a military coup on September 19, 2006. (Reuters)
Murder of Samuel Paty
- The French government orders the Grand Mosque of Pantin in the Paris suburb of Pantin to close for at least six months after an investigation found the mosque's Facebook page shared a video that incited hatred towards history teacher Samuel Paty, who was beheaded by a radical Islamist outside his school. Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin says France was confronted by an "enemy within". (Reuters)
The United States Department of Justice files an antitrust lawsuit against Google. (BBC)

Science and technology

2020 in spaceflight, New Frontiers program
- NASA's OSIRIS-REx space probe successfully lands and collects samples from the asteroid Bennu. The samples will be returned to Earth in 2023. (CNN) (BBC)

October 19, 2020 (Monday)

edithistorywatch

Arts and culture

2020 in archaeology
- The Tourism and Antiquities Ministry of Egypt states that they have discovered ancient coffins at the necropolis in Saqqara. (The Washington Post)

Disasters and accidents

2020 Atlantic hurricane season
- Tropical Storm Epsilon forms in the Atlantic Ocean and is expected to bring storm-force winds to Bermuda later this week. (Royal Gazette / Bermuda)
A magnitude 7.5 earthquake strikes the Alaska Peninsula, prompting tsunami warnings. (CNBC)

Health and environment

COVID-19 pandemic
- COVID-19 pandemic in Europe
  - COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom
    - COVID-19 pandemic in Wales, COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns
      - 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 businesses 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 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)
    - It is announced that 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 Austria
    - Chancellor Sebastian Kurz announces that private gatherings of more than six people indoors and twelve people outdoors will be banned in Austria from October 23, in an effort to curb the spread of COVID-19. (Dpa international)
  - COVID-19 pandemic in the Republic of Ireland, COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns
    - Taoiseach Micheál Martin announces that Ireland will move to Level Five for a period of six weeks. The new restrictions will take effect at midnight on October 21 and remain in place until December 1. Under Level Five restrictions, non-essential business will close, people will only be able to exercise within 5 kilometres (3.1 mi) of their homes except for essential reasons, and no social or family gatherings are allowed in homes or gardens. However, schools and creches are to remain open, and elite sporting events can take place. (Gov.ie) (ITV)
  - COVID-19 pandemic in Slovenia
    - The government formally declares 30-day nationwide "state of epidemic" (known overseas as state of emergency) starting today. There are no changes for employees, students and others, but 09:00 pm to 06:00 am local time curfew will be imposed tomorrow. The decree also limits gatherings to six people and movement among regions unless for essential or emergency reasons will be banned. (Government of Slovenia) (Barrons)
  - 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 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 pandemic in Argentina
  - Argentina surpasses one million cases of COVID-19, becoming the fifth country to do so after the United States, India, Brazil, and Russia. (BBC)
- COVID-19 pandemic in Canada
  - Canada surpasses 200,000 cases of COVID-19. (CTV News)
- 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 deposits US$335 million in a fund to compensate families of American victims of the 1998 United States embassy 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)
Japan–Vietnam relations
- Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga says that the country has agreed with Vietnam to boost their defense ties and resume flights amid Chinese influence in the regions. (AP)

Law and crime

Trial of Catalonia independence leaders
- The High Court of Justice of Catalonia sentences former members of the Bureau of Catalan Parliament Ramona Barrufet, Lluís Corominas, Lluís Guinó, and Anna Simó to 20 months of disqualification and a €30,000 fine for disobeying the court when this body warned them of the illegality involved in the processing of the disconnection and self-determination referendum laws in 2017 and acting against the prohibition of the Constitutional Court of Spain. (La Vanguardia) (El Periódico)
The United States Department of Justice announces charges against six current and former Russian military officers for allegedly attempting to engage in malware and hacking in the 2018 Winter Olympics and elections in other countries. (ABC News)
A court denies an appeal from British socialite Ghislaine Maxwell regarding the release of her 2016 deposition. (Bloomberg.com)

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)