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

Hurricane Eta making landfall in Nicaragua

Hurricane Eta (satellite image shown) makes landfall in Nicaragua as a Category 4 hurricane, killing at least 73 people.
In Afghanistan, a shooting at Kabul University's campus leaves 35 people dead and 50 others injured.
Typhoon Goni makes landfall in the Philippines as a super typhoon, killing at least 24 people.
Scottish actor Sean Connery dies at the age of 90.

November 6, 2020 (Friday)

edithistorywatch

Armed conflicts and attacks

Tigray military intervention
- Ethiopian PM Abiy Ahmed accuses the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF) of "criminal hubris and intransigence," claiming they rejected the federal government's efforts at "mediation, reconciliation, dialogue". Sudan closes its borders and the United Nations calls for immediate deescalation of tensions and peaceful resolution to the conflict. (CNN)
War in Afghanistan
- The Afghan military recaptures Kandahar Province's Arghandab District, killing 200 Taliban members in the process. (TOLO News)

Business and economy

Economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, COVID-19 pandemic in Malaysia
- Malaysia unveils RM322.5 billion expansionary 2021 Budget to boost its domestic economic activity, according to government reports, as it grapples with the economic fallout of the pandemic and rising political uncertainty. (Malay Mail)

Disasters and accidents

2020 Atlantic hurricane season
- Former Hurricane Eta, now a storm, leaves more than 50 people dead in Guatemala after causing flooding and landslides. The storm, currently a tropical depression, is expected to regain strength and head to Cuba and the coast of Florida this weekend. (BBC) (Orlando Sentinel)

Health and environment

COVID-19 pandemic
- COVID-19 pandemic in Europe
  - COVID-19 pandemic in France
    - France registers a record of 60,486 new cases over the past 24 hours. The record new cases pushing the nationwide total at 1.66 million, the fifth-highest in the world. (France 24)
  - COVID-19 pandemic in Germany
    - The number of daily cases in Germany hits a new record of 21,506 over the last 24 hours, the highest single-day increase since the beginning of the pandemic, according to data released by the Robert Koch Institute (RKI). (Anadolu Agency)
  - COVID-19 pandemic in Italy
    - Italy registers 37,809 new cases in the past 24 hours, its single-day record since the start of the pandemic. In addition, the country reports 446 new deaths, the highest single-day number since April as four Italian regions enter lockdown. (ANSA)
  - COVID-19 pandemic in Latvia
    - Latvia declares a four-week lockdown from November 9 to slow the spread of COVID-19. Under the new rules, social contact is discouraged and a maximum of ten people from no more than two households will be allowed to gather inside. Restaurants can serve only takeaway food and shops will limit the number of people inside. (Reuters via Yahoo! News)
  - COVID-19 pandemic in Poland
    - Poland reports a record 445 deaths in the past 24 hours, bringing the nationwide death toll since the pandemic began to 7,287 deaths. (TVN24)
  - COVID-19 pandemic in Romania
    - Romania imposes a nationwide nighttime curfew and closes all schools for 30 days from November 9 after the number of daily infections surges over the past two weeks. All shops will close by 9:00 p.m. and people will have to stay home at 11:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m. local time. It also widens the compulsory use of face masks to all outdoor spaces across the country and orders all indoor farm produce markets to close. (The Times of India)
  - COVID-19 pandemic in Russia
    - Russia reports 20,582 new infections in the past 24 hours, its single-day record since the pandemic began, bringing the cumulative nationwide total to 1.73 million cases. (Voice of America)
- COVID-19 pandemic in India
  - COVID-19 pandemic in Delhi
    - Delhi reports a record 7,178 new cases in the past 24 hours, pushing its cumulative case total to 423,381. (India.com)
- COVID-19 pandemic in the United States
  - COVID-19 pandemic in Michigan
    - Michigan surpasses 200,000 confirmed cases of COVID-19. (WDIV-TV)

International relations

China–United States relations
- China condemns U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo's decision yesterday to remove the militant group East Turkestan Islamic Movement from his department's list of designated foreign terrorist groups. (Economic Times)
Belarus–European Union relations, 2020 Belarusian protests
- The European Union announces sanctions against Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko, his son, police chief Ivan Tertel, and Chief of Staff Igor Sergeenko. (BBC)

Politics and elections

2020 Palauan presidential election
- Surangel Whipps Jr. wins the election for President after Raynold Oilouch concedes his defeat. Whipps Jr. is the brother-in-law of outgoing President Tommy Remengesau Jr. (RNZ)

November 5, 2020 (Thursday)

edithistorywatch

Armed conflicts and attacks

2020 Nagorno-Karabakh war
- 2020 bombardment of Stepanakert
  - Azerbaijani forces shell the Artsakh capital of Stepanakert and several other cities, including Shusha and Martuni, using heavy artillery. A journalist in the capital told Reuters, "The air raid siren hasn't stopped all day". Reporters Without Borders calls on the United Nations and Azerbaijan to allow the evacuation of civilians, including 80 local and foreign journalists. (Reuters)
- Lachin offensive
  - The strategic Lachin corridor is closed by Armenian forces as Azerbaijani troops advance within a few kilometres south of Shusha. (RFERL)
Tigray military intervention
- The Ethiopian National Defense Force declares it is "at war" with the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF), which controls the northern Tigray Region. TPLF Chairman Debretsion Gebremichael says fighting with federal troops is taking place in western Tigray. (The Guardian)
- Tigray officials say Ethiopian Air Force fighter jets have bombed areas near the regional capital Mekele. (AP)
2019 Bolivian political crisis
- Movement Towards Socialism (MAS) spokesperson Sebastian Michel announces that Bolivia's President-elect Luis Arce was attacked with dynamite while he was in a meeting at the party's headquarters in La Paz. No injuries were reported. (TeleSUR)

Business and economy

Economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, COVID-19 pandemic in Indonesia
- Indonesia falls into a recession for the first time since the 1997–98 Asian financial crisis after its economy contracts 3.49% in the third quarter. (The Jakarta Post)

Disasters and accidents

2020 Atlantic hurricane season
- The death toll from former Hurricane Eta rises to 18 as dozens of people are assumed buried in their homes in San Cristóbal Verapaz, Guatemala. (Reuters)

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 pandemic lockdowns
      - England enters a four-week lockdown, with all non-essential shops, pubs, restaurants, hospitality venues, places of worship, and leisure facilities closing until at least December 2. All indoor cross-household mixing is banned, and people can only meet one person from another household outside. Unlike the first lockdown, schools and universities will remain open. (ITV)
    - Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab self-isolates for two weeks under government and NHS rules after recently being in "close contact" with someone who tested positive for COVID-19. (Sky News)
  - COVID-19 pandemic in France
    - France registers a record 58,046 new cases over the past 24 hours, bringing the nationwide total to 1.6 million. (French Minister of Health)
    - Paris bans delivery and takeaway services for prepared food and alcohol between 10:00 pm and 6:00 am local time starting tomorrow in an attempt to stem the worsening spread of COVID-19. (France 24)
  - COVID-19 pandemic in Sweden
    - Prime Minister Stefan Löfven self-isolates after a person close to him came into contact with another individual who tested positive for COVID-19. (SVT Nyheter)
    - Sweden reports 4,034 new infections, a single-day record for the pandemic. Meanwhile, the death toll surpasses 6,000. (Reuters)
  - COVID-19 pandemic in Denmark
    - Danish authorities impose a lockdown that orders bars, restaurants, public transport, and public indoor sports closed between tomorrow and December 3 in seven North Jutland municipalities, to potentially help prevent a coronavirus mutation in minks from spreading to humans. (BBC)
  - COVID-19 pandemic in Greece
    - Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis announces a three-week nationwide lockdown starting November 7 in an attempt to curb the spread of COVID-19. All retail stores will close, and travel between regions will be banned, while authorities will reintroduce a system obliging citizens to send text messages to a government number to leave home to work, shop, visit a doctor, or exercise. Secondary schools will close and introduce distance learning while kindergartens and primary schools will stay open. (Ekathimerini)
  - COVID-19 pandemic in Italy
    - Italy registers a record 34,505 new cases over the past 24 hours, pushing the cumulative case total to 824,879. In addition, the country reports 445 deaths, the highest number in a single day since May 2 and pushing the death toll to 40,192, becoming the sixth country to register more than 40,000 deaths. (Reuters via Yahoo! News)
  - COVID-19 pandemic in Norway
    - Prime Minister Erna Solberg announces new restrictions limiting the number of guests to visit a household to five, ordering bars to close at midnight as of November 7, and ordering people to avoid unnecessary travel. In addition, a new rule is introduced that visitors must have proof of a negative COVID-19 test if they want to visit the country. (Aften Posten)
  - COVID-19 pandemic in Poland
    - Poland reports a record 27,143 new infections and 367 deaths in the past 24 hours, bringing the nationwide total since the pandemic began to 466,679 cases and 6,842 deaths, respectively. (Sanok Naszemiasto)
  - COVID-19 pandemic in Russia
    - Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin announces an extension of the remote learning period for secondary school students in grades 6–11 until November 22, as the city's COVID-19 situation worsens. (Gulf Today)
  - COVID-19 pandemic in Spain
    - Spain reports 368 new fatalities in the last 24 hours, the highest single-day number since late April, as many parts of the country report a record number of deaths, exceeding levels reported in the first wave of the pandemic. (Anadolu Agency)
  - COVID-19 pandemic in Belarus
    - President Alexander Lukashenko bans Belarusian citizens from returning from abroad, with the exception of those in Russia, to prevent the spread of COVID-19. (Reuters)
- COVID-19 pandemic in Asia
  - COVID-19 pandemic in mainland China, Travel restrictions related to the COVID-19 pandemic
    - China temporarily bans travellers arriving from many countries including Belgium, France, the Philippines, and the United Kingdom due to concerns over the growing spread of COVID-19 in those countries. (The Guardian)
  - COVID-19 pandemic in Cambodia
    - Prime Minister Hun Sen and four Cabinet ministers quarantine after they met with Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó, who tested positive for COVID-19. (CNA)
- COVID-19 pandemic in the United States
  - COVID-19 pandemic in Connecticut
    - Connecticut issues a statewide public health advisory due to the rise of COVID-19 cases, urging residents to limit non-essential trips outside the home between 10:00 p.m. and 5:00 a.m. EST with the exception of those who are essential workers who must leave their home to work and anyone who has to leave their house on an emergency basis for medical care, medical supplies, food or groceries. (WVIT-TV)
  - COVID-19 pandemic in Michigan
    - Michigan reports 5,710 new cases, a new single-day record. (WDIV-TV)
  - COVID-19 pandemic in New Jersey
    - New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy says that the state is preparing to announce new steps to combat the spread of COVID-19. (Politico)
  - COVID-19 pandemic in Alabama
    - Alabama Governor Kay Ivey announces that the statewide mask mandate and safer-at-home order will be extended to December 11. (Montgomery Advertiser)
  - The United States reports 121,054 new cases of COVID-19 in a single day, a new record. (CNN)
- COVID-19 pandemic in Colombia, Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on politics
  - Colombia's House of Representatives abruptly ends its session and asks lawmakers to quarantine after a member tested positive for COVID-19. (Reuters)

International relations

The United Nations General Assembly approves a resolution sponsored by Cuba, Egypt, Kuwait, Morocco, Nicaragua, Oman, Qatar, and Palestine condemning Israeli forces' use of violence against Palestinians. 139 nations voted in favor of the resolution and nine voted against: Australia, Canada, Guatemala, Hungary, Israel, the Marshall Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, Nauru, and the United States. (The Jerusalem Post)

Law and crime

2020 United States presidential election, 2020 United States election protests
- Protests continue in several U.S. cities, including New York City, Washington, D.C., and Minneapolis. Several clashes with police result in arrests.(NPR)
- Facebook bans a large group called "Stop the Steal", which was used by supporters of President Donald Trump to organize protests against the election results. (AP)
- Police, acting on a tip, investigate an alleged plot by a group to attack the Pennsylvania Convention Center in Philadelphia, where votes are being counted in the city. A man has been taken into custody, and a weapon has been recovered. (The Hill) (WPVI-TV)
War crimes in the Kosovo War
- The President of Kosovo Hashim Thaçi resigns to face charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity before the Kosovo Specialist Chambers in The Hague. Thaçi says he is resigning to "protect the integrity of the presidency of Kosovo". (AP)
U.S. Attorney David Anderson confirms that United States seized US$1 billion worth of bitcoin from an account tied to the former darknet market Silk Road earlier this week. (BBC)
Protests over responses to the COVID-19 pandemic, COVID-19 anti-lockdown protests in the United Kingdom
- Police have arrested at least 104 protesters during "Million Mask March" in central London. A large police presence remains in place near Trafalgar Square where the protest was dispersed shortly after 07:00 pm GMT. (BBC)

Politics and elections

2020 Vincentian general election
- Voters in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines head out to elect the members of their House of Assembly. Incumbent prime minister Ralph Gonsalves of the Unity Labour Party is seeking a fifth consecutive term while his main opponent Godwin Friday of the New Democratic Party aims at a change of government. (NationNews Barbados)

November 4, 2020 (Wednesday)

edithistorywatch

Armed conflicts and attacks

Tigray military intervention
- Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed orders a "military response" to "subdue authorities in Tigray Region" and the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF) following an alleged attack on a federal military base that resulted in multiple casualties. Abiy says that the "last red line has been crossed". Later in the day, federal troops enter the region and heavy fighting is reported. (BBC) (Reuters)

Disasters and accidents

2020 Atlantic hurricane season
- Hurricane Eta is set to head towards Florida after hitting the Caribbean and Central America, especially Nicaragua and parts of Honduras. The slow-moving hurricane, which peaked at category 4, caused floods and devastation in Nicaragua and hurricane warnings are still in place for parts of Nicaragua. (CNN)

Health and environment

COVID-19 pandemic
- COVID-19 pandemic in Europe
  - COVID-19 pandemic in Austria
    - Austria reports 6,211 new cases in the past 24 hours, the highest single-day record since the pandemic began. (Kurier.at)
  - COVID-19 pandemic in Cyprus
    - President Nicos Anastasiades announce a curfew from 11:00 pm to 5:00 am local time and orders bars, cafés, restaurants and cultural venues to close at 10:30 pm beginning November 6 and until the end of this month. (Politico.eu)
  - COVID-19 pandemic in Denmark
    - Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen announces the extermination of the country's minks (around 15 million) after a mutated version of the coronavirus spreads to humans, reasoning mutations pose a risk to the efficacy of future COVID-19 vaccines. (DW)
  - COVID-19 pandemic in Greece
    - Greece reports 2,646 new cases in the past 24 hours, the highest single-day record since the pandemic began and bringing the nationwide total to 46,892. (The National Herald)
  - COVID-19 pandemic in Hungary
    - Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó tests positive for COVID-19 after arriving in Thailand for an official visit. (CNA)
  - COVID-19 pandemic in Italy, COVID-19 pandemic lockdown in Italy
    - A new lockdown is announced for four Italian regions: Lombardy, Piedmont, Aosta Valley, and Calabria. In two other regions, Apulia and Sicily, a "light lockdown" will be imposed. The measures will start on November 6. (Corriere della Sera)
    - Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte also signs a decree that would impose a nationwide curfew from 10:00 pm to 5:00 am local time beginning tomorrow. Under new nationwide restrictions, museums will be closed and shopping centers will close on the weekend. (Corriere della Sera)
  - COVID-19 pandemic in Lithuania; COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns
    - Lithuania declares a three-week lockdown starting from November 7 to curb the spread of COVID-19. (Reuters)
  - COVID-19 pandemic in Poland
    - Poland reports 24,692 new infections and 373 deaths in the past 24 hours, the highest single-day record of both cases and deaths since the pandemic began. (TVN24)
  - COVID-19 pandemic in Russia
    - Russia reports 19,768 new infections and 389 deaths in the past 24 hours, the highest single-day record of both cases and deaths since the pandemic began, bringing the nationwide totals to 1,693,454 cases and 29,217 deaths. (The Moscow Times)
- COVID-19 pandemic in the Philippines
  - The Philippines records 987 new infections in the past 24 hours, the lowest single-day record since July 14, bringing the total to 388,137. The lowest figure is attributed to the 12 testing laboratories that failed to submit their reports on time. (ABS-CBN) (CNN Philippines)
- COVID-19 pandemic in Morocco
  - Morocco reports 5,745 new infections and 82 deaths in the past 24 hours, the highest single-day record of both cases and deaths since the pandemic began, bringing the nationwide totals to 235,310 cases and 3,982 deaths. (Anadolu Agency)
- COVID-19 pandemic in the United States
  - COVID-19 pandemic in Michigan
    - Michigan reports 4,101 new cases of COVID-19, a new single-day record. (WDIV-TV)
- COVID-19 vaccine
  - Novavax signs an agreement with the Australian government to supply 40 million doses of their NVX-CoV2373 vaccine candidate to the country during the first half of 2021. (Reuters)

International relations

United States withdrawal from the Paris Agreement
- The United States officially withdraws from the Paris Agreement. (BBC)

Law and crime

French Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin declares that the Turkish ultranationalist group Grey Wolves has been outlawed, stating they "[incite] discrimination and hatred and [are] involved in violent actions". The decision follows a string of high-profile attacks against the Armenian community in Lyon in recent weeks that have been attributed to the group. (Le Monde)
War crimes in the Kosovo War
- Former President of Kosovo and Kosovo Liberation Army spokesman Jakup Krasniqi is transferred to the Kosovo Specialist Chambers in the The Hague to face trial on charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity during the Kosovo War. (Reuters)

Politics and elections

2020 United States elections
- 2020 United States presidential election
  - The outcome of the 2020 United States presidential election is still undetermined. Incumbent President Donald Trump declares victory despite not reaching the required 270 electoral votes needed to win. Former Vice President Joe Biden, having more projected electoral votes, says, "We're on track to win this election." Trump has sued in several states, claiming, without providing evidence, widespread voter fraud. (The Guardian) (The Washington Post)
- 2020 United States election protests
  - Protesters took to the streets for a second night in a row as the presidential election inched closer to results. Protests and marches were underway in cities such as Philadelphia, Detroit and Chicago. The National Guard was mobilized in Portland and arrests were made in Minneapolis and New York City, with police confiscating weapons. (USA Today)
- 2020 Puerto Rican status referendum
  - In a nonbinding resolution, 52% of Puerto Ricans vote to make the island into a U.S. state. (Vox)

Science and technology

SGR 1935+2154
- Astronomers announce the discovery of the first fast radio burst (FRB) signal detected in the Milky Way galaxy. The signal is believed to be coming from a magnetar. (The Independent)

November 3, 2020 (Tuesday)

edithistorywatch

Armed conflicts and attacks

2020 Vienna attack, Islamic terrorism in Europe
- Through its Amaq News Agency, the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant claims responsibility for last night's deadly mass shooting in Vienna, Austria. (Reuters)

Business and economy

Economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic; COVID-19 pandemic in Australia
- Economy of Australia
  - The Reserve Bank of Australia slashes its official cash rate to a historic low 0.1%, in an attempt to boost spending in the economy and address the high rate of unemployment caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. It is also expected that the cash rate will not go up for at least another three years. (The Guardian)

Health and environment

COVID-19 pandemic
- COVID-19 pandemic in Europe
  - COVID-19 pandemic in Hungary
    - Hungary reports 3,989 new infections and 89 deaths in the past 24 hours, its single-day record on both cases and deaths since the pandemic began, bringing the nationwide totals to 86,769 cases and 1,973 deaths respectively. (Hungary Today)
    - Prime Minister Viktor Orbán declares a state of emergency (known as a "special legal order") for the second time beginning at midnight due to a resurgence of COVID-19 in the country and would ask lawmakers to extend it for another 90 days. He also orders bars and entertainment venues to close and imposes a nighttime curfew between midnight and 5:00 a.m. local time. (Budapest Business Journal)
  - COVID-19 pandemic in France
    - France reports 854 new fatalities in the past 24 hours, which is the highest number since April 15, with more than half coming from nursing homes. (Al-Arabiya English)
  - COVID-19 pandemic in Italy
    - Italy reports 353 new fatalities in the past 24 hours, the highest number of fatalities since May. (ANSA)
  - COVID-19 pandemic in the Netherlands
    - Prime Minister Mark Rutte announces additional restrictions, closing theatres, cinemas, museums and zoos for two weeks beginning at 10:00 pm local time tomorrow. He also advises people to stay at home and only go outside if necessary. In addition, the maximum amount of people who can meet outside is reduced from four to two. (Dutch News)
  - COVID-19 pandemic in Poland
    - Poland surpasses 400,000 cases of COVID-19. (The Jerusalem Post)
  - COVID-19 pandemic in Romania
    - Romania records 7,733 new cases, as well as 120 deaths. It is the highest jump in the number of cases and the deadliest day since the start of the pandemic in the country. (Romanian Journal)
- COVID-19 pandemic in Asia
  - COVID-19 pandemic in Bahrain; COVID-19 vaccine
    - Bahrain grants emergency use approval for a vaccine candidate produced in a partnership between Sinopharm and Abu Dhabi-based artificial intelligence and cloud computing company Group 42 on frontline workers. (Reuters)
  - COVID-19 pandemic in Georgia
    - Georgia imposes additional restrictions which require people to wear masks outdoors as well as indoors, all restaurants and cafés must close at 10:00 pm local time, and remote learning at schools and universities in 10 large cities, including Tbilisi, will continue until November 25. (Georgia Today)
  - COVID-19 pandemic in Iran
    - Iran reports 8,932 new cases, its single-day record, pushing the case total to 637,712. (Arab News)
  - COVID-19 pandemic in Malaysia
    - Malaysia reports a record 12 new fatalities in the last 24 hours, bringing the nationwide death toll from the virus to 263. (New Straits Times)
  - COVID-19 pandemic in Nepal
    - Nepal surpasses 1,000 COVID-19 deaths. (The Kathmandu Post)
  - COVID-19 pandemic in United Arab Emirates
    - Prime Minister and ruler of Dubai, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum received the COVID-19 vaccine developed by Sinopharm. Front-line healthcare workers in the UAE are also getting the shot as part of emergency use authorization. (AlJazeera)
- COVID-19 pandemic in the United States
  - COVID-19 pandemic in Maine
    - Maine reports 127 new infections on Election Day, its single day record since the pandemic began. (The Press Herald)
  - COVID-19 pandemic in Minnesota
    - Minnesota reports 3,483 new infections, its single day record since the pandemic began. (Duluth News Tribune)
  - COVID-19 pandemic in Pennsylvania
    - Pennsylvania reports 2,875 new infections, its single day record since the pandemic began. (The Philadelphia Inquirer)
  - COVID-19 pandemic in Wisconsin
    - Wisconsin reports more than 5,700 new infections, its single day record since the pandemic began. (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)
- COVID-19 pandemic in Algeria
  - President Abdelmadjid Tebboune tests positive for COVID-19 but his condition is gradually improved as he receives treatment in a German hospital, according to a statement from the presidency. (Bloomberg)

International relations

Australia–China relations
- China is threatening to impose bans on up to $6 billion of key Australian exports such as wine, copper, barley, coal, sugar, timber and lobster beginning Friday, straining trade relations between the two countries. (Australian Financial Review)
The United States, Japan, India and Australia begin the Malabar naval exercise, in what is seen as a push to counter China's military and economic power in the region. Meanwhile, China has accused the United States of having a "cold war mentality" and "ideological prejudice". (Reuters)

Law and crime

Thailand bans pornography website Pornhub and 190 other websites depicting pornographic material and gambling, which are illegal under Thai law. (CNN)

Politics and elections

2020 United States elections
- 2020 United States presidential election, 2020 United States election protests
  - Americans head to the polls to vote for their President and Vice President. Around 100 million Americans have already voted early or by mail due in part to the COVID-19 pandemic. (The New York Times)
  - Demonstrators and supporters of both President Donald Trump and former Vice President Joe Biden gather at Black Lives Matter Plaza in Washington, D.C. A fight breaks out which results in one arrest. (NBC)
  - Voters in Arizona, New Jersey, Montana and South Dakota approve legislation legalizing recreational cannabis, while voters in Mississippi approve the medical use of cannabis. Oregon becomes the first U.S. state to decriminalize the possession of small amounts of hard drugs such as cocaine, heroin and methamphetamine. (USA Today)
  - The legalization of sports betting is approved by voters in Louisiana, Maryland and South Dakota. (ESPN)
- 2020 Puerto Rican status referendum
  - Voters in Puerto Rico vote on whether they wish to be a state or not. If voters decide on statehood, the territory could work to join the union and fully become incorporated into the United States. (Business Insider)
Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on politics; COVID-19 pandemic in Denmark
- The Folketing (Danish Parliament) suspends voting and other meetings after several lawmakers tested positive for COVID-19 and six ministers had self-isolated while awaiting test results. (Swiss Info)
2020 Palauan presidential election
- Palauans elect their new President. Outgoing President Tommy Remengesau Jr., who completed his term limit, will be succeeded either by his brother-in-law Surangel Whipps Jr. or current Vice-President of Palau Raynold Oilouch. (RNZ)
2020 Ivorian presidential election
- Incumbent president of the Ivory Coast Alassane Ouattara is declared the victor of the latest presidential election which has been boycotted by the political opposition as a third term for Ouattara was deemed unconstitutional. The election was overshadowed by deadly clashes with at least 30 casualities. (DW)

November 2, 2020 (Monday)

edithistorywatch

Armed conflicts and attacks

2020 Vienna attack
- Four civilians are killed and 22 others injured after a gunman opens fire in six locations in the streets of Vienna, Austria, near the central Schwedenplatz square. The Interior Minister described it as a "terror attack". The attacker was shot dead, and is identified as an Islamic State supporter who tried to join the group in Syria. (BBC)
- The Austrian Armed Forces are deployed to secure public buildings in Vienna. (The Independent)
- The Czech Police Forces announce that they will carry out random border checks with Austria as a preventive measure against terrorism. (Deutsche Welle)
2020 Kabul University attack
- Three militants open fire at Kabul University's campus, killing 22 people and wounding 22 others. The attack began around the time government officials were expected to arrive at the campus for the opening of an Iranian book fair. The gunmen are killed during a battle with security forces. ISIL claims responsibility for the attack. (BBC)
Operation Barkhane; Mali War
- French military airstrikes kill over 50 al-Qaeda-linked jihadists in Mali. (AFP via Yahoo News)

Arts and culture

Most-viewed YouTube videos
- "Baby Shark Dance", produced by Pinkfong, surpasses "Despacito" as the most-viewed video on YouTube. (The Guardian)

Disasters and accidents

2020 Pacific typhoon season
- Typhoon Goni
  - The death toll in the Philippines from Typhoon Goni, the world's strongest this year, rises to 20 people. Electricity, water and phone networks are cut off in Catanduanes, while homes are buried under volcanic rocks in Albay; those two are the provinces where all the deaths occurred. About one million people have been evacuated. (Al Jazeera)
2020 Aegean Sea earthquake
- Twenty-eight more people are found dead under debris in İzmir after an earthquake struck Greece and Turkey three days ago, bringing the death toll to 113. The earthquake is currently the deadliest this year. (Al Jazeera)
2020 Atlantic hurricane season
- Hurricane Eta is expected to rapidly increase within the next 18 hours according to the National Hurricane Center (NHC). The storm is moving in the Caribbean Sea towards Nicaragua bringing "devastating conditions". A hurricane warning has been issued for Nicaragua and Honduras. (CNN)
Chelsea house collapse
- Two houses on Durham Place, Chelsea, London collapse shortly before midnight, leading to around 40 people being evacuated. (Guardian)
De Akkers metro station crash
- A train on the Rotterdam Metro crashed through the buffer stop at De Akkers metro station in the city of Spijkenisse in the Netherlands. The lead car of the train partially rested on a 10-metre (33 ft) high whale sculpture erected in front of the station, preventing the train from falling to the street below. (ABC News)

Health and environment

COVID-19 pandemic
- COVID-19 pandemic in Europe
  - COVID-19 pandemic in France
    - France reports a record 52,518 new infections in the past 24 hours, raising its cumulative case total to 1.46 million. (Anadolu Agency)
  - COVID-19 pandemic in Greece, COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns
    - Greece imposes a two-week lockdown on its second largest city of Thessaloniki to curb the spread of COVID-19. Flights to and from the city are also suspended beginning tomorrow. The lockdown also affects the northern city of Serres. (Medical Xpress)
  - COVID-19 pandemic in Italy
    - Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte told Italian lawmakers he will announce new restrictions that would vary by region but would include a "late evening" curfew for many regions. Therefore, high schools across the country will move to full-time distance learning and shopping malls will close on weekends. (The Hill)
  - COVID-19 pandemic in Kosovo
    - The government imposes a curfew from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. local time for all restaurants and cafés. No more than five people are allowed to socialize, and no mass events may be held. Concerts, cultural and sporting events may be held if seating is limited. In addition, elderly people are allowed out only at certain times, and masks are mandatory outdoors. (The National Herald)
  - COVID-19 pandemic in Ukraine
    - Ukraine surpasses 400,000 cases of COVID-19. (112 UA)
- COVID-19 pandemic in Asia
  - COVID-19 pandemic in Georgia (country)
    - Prime Minister Giorgi Gakharia tests positive for COVID-19. (Agenda.ge)
  - COVID-19 pandemic in Iran
    - Iran reports a record 440 new deaths in the past 24 hours, pushing the nationwide death toll to 35,738. (Arab News)
- COVID-19 pandemic in Canada
  - COVID-19 pandemic in British Columbia
    - British Columbia's deputy provincial health officer Réka Gustafson and Health Minister Adrian Dix announce a record 1,120 new cases over the weekend, which includes 352 cases from Friday to Saturday, 389 cases were reported from Saturday to Sunday, and 379 cases from Sunday to Monday. (CTV)
  - COVID-19 pandemic in Alberta
    - Rose Addo becomes the first passenger to take part in a new COVID-19 screening pilot program which landed at Calgary International Airport. (CBC)
  - The government announces that from November 21, air travellers whose final destination is Canada will be required to submit their information through ArriveCAN before they board their flight and starting immediately, travellers that enter by land or marine modes are strongly encouraged to continue ArriveCAN by downloading the mobile app or signing in online to provide the mandatory information before they arrive. (Biospace)
- COVID-19 pandemic in the United States
  - COVID-19 pandemic in Massachusetts
    - Governor Charlie Baker announces new restrictions for the state, including a stay-at-home order, curfew for businesses, reduction of indoor gatherings, and a tighter mask mandate. The restrictions will take effect on November 6. (WBZ-TV) (The Boston Globe)
  - COVID-19 pandemic in Indiana
    - The first round of Indiana National Guard troops are expected to arrive at nursing homes in the state. The move was announced by Governor Eric Holcomb during a press conference in Indianapolis on October 28. (The Chicago Tribune)
- COVID-19 pandemic in Panama
  - President Laurentino Cortizo self-isolates after a close coworker tests positive for COVID-19. (Reuters)
- COVID-19 vaccine
  - South African pharmaceutical company Aspen Pharmacare announces that they have made a deal with Johnson & Johnson to manufacture their COVID-19 vaccine candidate if approved in South Africa and internationally. (The Star Tribune)

International relations

Russia–United States relations
- Former National Security Agency contractor Edward Snowden applies for Russian citizenship. (CNN)

Law and crime

2020 Tanzanian general election
- Police arrest opposition activists Freeman Mbowe, Godbless Lema, Isaya Mwita Charles and Boniface Jacob ahead of planned protests against the election which gave incumbent John Magufuli another term. (Al Jazeera)
Depp v News Group Newspapers Ltd
- The High Court of Justice finds in favour of News UK in the libel action that Johnny Depp took against them over claims he had beaten his ex-wife Amber Heard. (The Guardian)
The French government announces that it will ban the Turkish ultranationalist group Grey Wolves. Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin describes the group as "particularly aggressive" and will be seeking its dissolution. The group has been accused of vandalizing Armenian Genocide memorials, including one in Lyon last weekend. (Al Jazeera)

Politics and elections

2020 Moldovan presidential election
- Maia Sandu wins the first election round of Moldova's latest presidential election by gaining around 36% of the votes. Incumbent president Igor Dodon received over 32% and will face Sandu in the second round later in November. (DW)

November 1, 2020 (Sunday)

edithistorywatch

Armed conflicts and attacks

War in Afghanistan
- November 2020 Afghanistan attacks
  - Three policemen are killed and two others are injured after a bomb on a motorbike explodes near a police checkpoint in Herat, Herat Province. (TOLOnews)
  - At least four people are killed and another eight injured after a mortar shell hit the governor of Kunduz's compound, as soldiers were playing volleyball. (TOLOnews)
Thirty-two civilians are killed during an attack by an armed group against the Amhara ethnic group in Welega Province, Ethiopia. It is suspected that at least twenty other people have been killed in the attack. (Al Jazeera)

Business and economy

The city of Geneva, Switzerland, sets its minimum wage to CHF23 (US$25) per hour per the results of a September referendum, becoming the highest in the world. (BBC)

Disasters and accidents

2020 Aegean Sea earthquake
- Forty-five more people are found dead under debris in İzmir after an earthquake struck Greece and Turkey two days ago, bringing the death toll to 85. More than 1,000 people are injured. (Reuters)

Health and environment

COVID-19 pandemic
- COVID-19 pandemic in Asia
  - COVID-19 pandemic in Iran
    - Iran reports a record 434 new fatalities in the last 24 hours, taking the nationwide death toll to 35,298, a day after announcing stringent new restrictions including the closure of schools, universities and mosques in most of the country. (Middle East Monitor)
  - COVID-19 pandemic in Israel, COVID-19 vaccine
    - Israel begins testing its vaccine on humans. In the first trial, 80 volunteers will take part, and will be expanded to 960 people in December. If the two trials are successful, the third stage of the trial will occur with 30,000 volunteers in April or May. If these stages are successful, the vaccine could be ready for the general public by the end of summer 2021. (The Times of Israel)
  - COVID-19 pandemic in Malaysia
    - Malaysia reports a record 972 new recoveries in the last 24 hours, taking the nationwide total of recoveries to 22,220. (Malay Mail)
  - COVID-19 pandemic in South Korea
    - South Korea announces that from November 7, it will expand its mandatory mask policy to department stores, theme parks, spas, wedding halls and other places as part of new social distancing rules aimed at preparing for a prolonged outbreak. It also introduces a new five-tiered social distancing system, which replaces a three-level system that was designed to mitigate the economic impact of the pandemic. (Yonhap News Agency)
- COVID-19 pandemic in Europe
  - COVID-19 pandemic in France
    - Prime Minister Jean Castex announces in a televised interview on TF1 that the government would introduce a ban on the sale of all 'non-essential' items in supermarkets from November 3 as part of a lockdown measure to reduce the spread of COVID-19. (France 24)
  - COVID-19 pandemic in Russia
    - Russia reports 18,665 new infections in the last 24 hours, a single day record, taking the nationwide total to 1,636,781. (Reuters)
  - COVID-19 pandemic in Switzerland, COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns
    - Starting tomorrow, Geneva will impose a partial lockdown until November 29, after it reported more than 1,000 new cases in the past several days. According to new rules, restaurants, bars, and non-essential shops will be closed at 7:00 pm local time. In addition, cinemas, museums, concert halls, gyms, swimming pools and ice rinks will also be closed. However, schools will remain open. (Swiss Info)
- COVID-19 pandemic in Australia
  - Australia records no new cases of COVID-19 for the first time since June 9, according to Health Minister Greg Hunt. (BBC)

International relations

France–Turkey relations
- Amid deteriorating relations between the two countries, French President Emmanuel Macron accuses Turkey of adopting a "bellicose stance towards its NATO allies", and that it was essential that the "Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan respects France, respects the European Union, respects its values, does not tell lies and does not utter insults". He also says Turkey's military intervention in Syria was "a surprise and aggression for NATO allies", and that Turkey has "not respected" an arms embargo on Libya. (The Guardian)
Foreign relations of the Cook Islands
- The Prime Minister of the Cook Islands, Mark Brown, calls the threat of five nations (Palau, Nauru, Kiribati, the Marshall Islands and the Federated States of Micronesia) withdrawing from the Pacific Islands Forum in case their nominee is not elected as Secretary-General as "premature" and "extreme". (RNZ)

Law and crime

Hong Kong pro-democracy lawmakers Eddie Chu, Raymond Chan Chi-chuen, Wu Chi-wai, Andrew Wan, Helena Wong, Fernando Cheung and Kwok Wing-kin are arrested for "scuffles with pro-Beijing legislators" last May. (BBC)
The main defendant in the trial of the mass shooting in January 2015 at the Charlie Hebdo headquarters tests positive for COVID-19. The other defendants will be tested, prompting the judge to suspend court for several days. (BBC)

Politics and elections

2020 Moldovan presidential election
- Moldovans head to the polls to elect their President. Incumbent Igor Dodon seeks a second term against main opposition candidate and former Prime Minister Maia Sandu, who wants closer ties with the European Union. (Reuters)
2020 Georgian parliamentary election
- Preliminary results see Georgia's ruling party Georgian Dream winning the country's latest parliamentary election. The announcement sparks protests throughout the country. (Al Jazeera)
Kashmir conflict
- Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan announces that Gilgit-Baltistan has been granted "provisional provincial status" to mark the territory's independence day. (Hindustan Times) (Gulf News)

October 31, 2020 (Saturday)

edithistorywatch

Armed conflicts and attacks

2020 Nagorno-Karabakh war, Armenia–Russia relations
- Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan formally requests "urgent consultations on providing security" to Russian President Vladimir Putin amid its escalating conflict with Azerbaijan in disputed Nagorno-Karabakh that has left thousands dead. Russia says it would provide "necessary" assistance to Armenia without alluding further. (France 24)
- Videos emerge allegedly showing Azerbaijani Armed Forces using white phosphorus munitions on forested areas in Nagorno-Karabakh, although Azerbaijan's Ministry of Defence denies the use of white phosphorus. (TASS) (Al Masdar News)
Kivu conflict; Allied Democratic Forces insurgency
- 2020 Democratic Republic of the Congo attacks
  - Allied Democratic Forces militants kills 21 civilians in an attack on a village in the village of Lisasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo. More people were kidnapped, a health centre was ransacked, while homes were set on fire and a Catholic church desecrated. (Al Jazeera)
Iraqi insurgency
- Two children are killed and 28 wounded in a bombing targeting a gas pipeline in Muthanna Governorate, Iraq. It is the second time this week that an oil facility has been targeted. (Al Arabiya English)
2020 Nigeria hostage rescue
- SEAL Team Six conducts a predawn raid in northern Nigeria, rescuing American hostage Philip Walton, who was kidnapped in Niger. The Pentagon says no U.S. military personnel were injured in the operation. (CBS News)

Disasters and accidents

2020 Pacific typhoon season
- Typhoon Goni
  - Philippine authorities in Luzon order the evacuation of thousands as Goni approaches as a category 5 storm, the world's strongest this year. Ten people are killed by the typhoon. (Reuters)
2020 Aegean Sea earthquake
- The death toll of the earthquake that struck Greece and Turkey yesterday rises to 39, as 17 more people are found dead in Izmir. Rescue teams in the city are hunting through the rubble of collapsed buildings for survivors. (CNN)

Health and environment

COVID-19 pandemic
- COVID-19 pandemic in Europe
  - COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom
    - COVID-19 pandemic in England
      - Prime Minister Boris Johnson announces a month-long nationwide lockdown in England. The new rules are to come into effect at midnight on November 5 and will last until December 2. However, unlike the first lockdown in March, schools, colleges and universities can stay open and major sporting events will go ahead as normal. (BBC)
    - The United Kingdom surpasses one million cases of COVID-19. (Sky News)
  - COVID-19 pandemic in Austria, COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns
    - Chancellor Sebastian Kurz announces a "second lockdown" that orders bars and restaurants to close except for deliveries and takeout and imposes a nighttime curfew from 8:00 pm to 6:00 am local time beginning November 2 and lasting for four weeks. (OE24)
  - COVID-19 pandemic in Germany
    - Germany reports a record 19,059 new cases and surpasses 500,000 cumulative cases, according to data from the Robert Koch Institute, making it the fourth consecutive time the country sets a new record of daily infections. (The Times of India)
  - COVID-19 pandemic in Greece, COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns
    - Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis declares a one-month partial lockdown in Athens and other major cities beginning next week. Under the rules, restaurants, bars and gyms would be closed beginning November 3. However, in contrast to the first lockdown, travel within the country will not be affected and schools and shops will remain open. In the rest of the country, masks will become mandatory and a curfew will be imposed from midnight to 5:00 am local time. (Ekathimerini)
  - COVID-19 pandemic in Hungary
    - The number of new infections in Hungary surges by a record 3,908 in the last 24 hours, bringing the nationwide cases total to 75,321. (Daily News Hungary)
  - COVID-19 pandemic in Italy
    - Italy reports 31,758 new cases in the past 24 hours, a new single-day record since the pandemic began. (Reuters)
  - COVID-19 pandemic in Poland
    - Poland reports a record 21,897 new cases, bringing the total number of cases since the beginning of the pandemic to 362,731. (Poland In)
  - COVID-19 pandemic in Portugal
    - Portuguese government reimposes a partial lockdown from 4 November affecting the 70% of the national territory. (BBC)
  - COVID-19 pandemic in Ukraine
    - Ukraine reports a record 8,752 new infections in the last 24 hours, raising its cumulative case total to 387,481. (Kyiv Post)
- COVID-19 pandemic in the United States
  - COVID-19 pandemic in Michigan
    - Michigan reports 3,792 new cases, a new single-day record. (WDIV-TV)
  - COVID-19 pandemic in New York (state)
    - Governor Andrew Cuomo announces that travelers outside of the New York metro area will be required to undergo mandatory testing. (New York Daily News) (WNBC-TV)
  - A study by Stanford University reports over 30,000 new cases and 700 deaths from COVID-19 have been linked to President Donald Trump's campaign rallies. (Los Angeles Times)
Environmental dumping
- Sri Lanka begins shipping back 242 containers of hazardous waste to the United Kingdom, after a Sri Lankan court ruled two weeks ago that their importation violated local and international shipping regulations. (Bangkok Post)

Law and crime

2020 Lyon shooting
- A Greek Orthodox priest is critically wounded after being shot twice while closing his church in Lyon, France. The attacker fled the scene. The victim, a Greek national, is being treated for life-threatening injuries. (BBC)
2020 United States racial unrest
- Kenosha unrest, Kenosha unrest shooting, George Floyd protests
  - Illinois authorities announce that Kyle Rittenhouse, the 17-year-old boy accused of fatally shooting two demonstrators in Kenosha, Wisconsin, will be extradited to stand trial on homicide charges. (The Washington Post)
- Killing of Walter Wallace
  - Protesters gather in West Philadelphia to protest the police killing of Walter Wallace Jr. (WHYY-TV)
2019–20 Iraqi protests
- Iraqi security forces clear the camps set up by protesters in Baghdad's Tahrir Square and re-open a major bridge that connects to the Green Zone. (Al Jazeera)
Quebec City stabbing
- Two people are killed and five others are injured in a series of stabbings in Quebec City, Quebec, Canada. The suspect, a man in his 20s who was wearing medieval-style armor, is now in police custody. (Global News)