Portal:Current events/November 2020

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November 2020 was the eleventh month of that leap year. The month, which began on a Sunday, ended on a Monday after 30 days.

Portal:Current events

This is an archived version of Wikipedia's Current events Portal from November 2020.

November 1, 2020 (2020-11-01) (Sunday)

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 News)

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 p.m. 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 News)

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 News)
• 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 News)

Politics and elections

• 2020 Algerian constitutional referendum
  • Citizens of Algeria head to the polls to decide over a proposed amendmend of the country's constitution. The proposal is supported by president Abdelmadjid Tebboune and the military as a reaction to widespread protests which resulted in the resignation of long-term president Abdelaziz Bouteflika. (DW)
• 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)

November 2, 2020 (2020-11-02) (Monday)

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 supporter who tried to join the group in Syria. (BBC News)
  • 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 News)
• 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)
• Two houses on Durham Place, Chelsea, London collapse shortly before midnight, leading to around 40 people being evacuated. (The 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 Algerian constitutional referendum
  • The proposed amendmends to the Constitution of Algeria are passed with over 66% of the votes having been cast in favour. Voting turnout however was at a record low of less than 24%. (DW)
• 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 3, 2020 (2020-11-03) (Tuesday)

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 p.m. 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 p.m. 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. (Al Jazeera)
  • 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 general election; 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. Aside of the president, the electorate also votes for the members of the country's National Congress. (RNZ) (Foreign Brief)
• 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 casualties. (DW)

November 4, 2020 (2020-11-04) (Wednesday)

Armed conflicts and attacks

• Tigray War
  • The Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF) launches a surprise attack on the Northern Command of the federal army of Ethiopia, resulting in multiple casualties and the capture of 5 federal military bases in Tigray Region including the Northern Command headquarters. Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed orders a military response, saying that the "last red line has been crossed". Later in the day, federal troops enter the region and heavy fighting is reported. (BBC News) (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)
    • COVID-19 pandemic in Cyprus
      • President Nicos Anastasiades announce a curfew from 11:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m. local time and orders bars, cafés, restaurants and cultural venues to close at 10:30 p.m. beginning November 6 and until the end of this month. (Politico)
    • 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, stricter measures 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 p.m. to 5:00 a.m. 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 News)

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 5, 2020 (2020-11-05) (Thursday)

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 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. 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 News)
    • 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 of COVID-19, 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. Two men have 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". Speaker of the Assembly Vjosa Osmani assumes the office as Acting Kosovar President. (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 News)

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)
• 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 p.m. GMT. (BBC News)

November 6, 2020 (2020-11-06) (Friday)

Armed conflicts and attacks

• Tigray military intervention
  • Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed accuses the Tigray People's Liberation Front of "criminal hubris and intransigence," claiming they rejected the federal government's efforts at "mediation, reconciliation, dialogue". Sudan closes its borders with Ethiopia and the United Nations calls for immediate de-escalation 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 an 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 tropical depression, leaves more than 50 people dead in Guatemala after causing flooding and landslides. It is expected to regain strength and head to Cuba and the coast of Florida this weekend. (BBC News) (Orlando Sentinel)

Health and environment

• COVID-19 pandemic
  • COVID-19 pandemic in the United States
    • COVID-19 pandemic in Washington, D.C.
      • White House COVID-19 outbreak
        • White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows tests positive for COVID-19. Four other White House aides and a Trump campaign staffer have also tested positive. (CNN) (Bloomberg)
    • COVID-19 pandemic in Arizona
      • Sierra Vista, Arizona announces that it will reinstate their mask mandate amid a rise of cases in Cochise County. (The Arizona Republic)
    • COVID-19 pandemic in Colorado
      • Denver is expected to implement a curfew for residents and nonexempt businesses as an effort to stop the spread of COVID-19. (The Denver Post)
    • COVID-19 pandemic in Massachusetts
      • The restrictions, mask mandate, and stay-at-home order is expected to take effect in Massachusetts amid a rise of cases in the state. (The Hill)
    • COVID-19 pandemic in Michigan
      • Michigan surpasses 200,000 confirmed cases of COVID-19. (WDIV-TV)
    • COVID-19 pandemic in Texas
      • Texas surpasses one million confirmed cases of COVID-19, becomes the first state in the US and world's first subnational to surpass that milestone. (NBC News)
  • 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 number of new cases pushes the nationwide total to 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. (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 Portugal
      • President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa declares a state of health emergency that will come into force next week to allow the government to impose further restrictions. These measures will be discussed at an extraordinary Cabinet meeting tomorrow. (The Straits Times)
    • COVID-19 pandemic in Romania
      • Romania imposes a nationwide nighttime curfew and closes all schools for 30 days beginning 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 from 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 Asia
    • 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 Malaysia
      • Malaysia reports 1,755 new infections in the past 24 hours, its single-day record since the pandemic began, bringing the cumulative nationwide total to 38,189 cases. (The Star)

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 President Alexander Lukashenko, his son Viktor, police chief Ivan Tertel, and Chief of Staff Igor Sergeenko. (BBC News)

Politics and elections

• 2020 Palauan presidential election
  • Surangel Whipps Jr. wins the election for President after Raynold Oilouch concedes his defeat. Whipps is the brother-in-law of outgoing President Tommy Remengesau Jr. (RNZ)
• 2020 Vincentian general election
  • Incumbent prime minister of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Ralph Gonsalves wins a historic fifth consecutive mandate. His ruling Unity Labour Party also gains additional seats in the House of Assembly. (NationNews Barbados)

November 7, 2020 (2020-11-07) (Saturday)

Disasters and accidents

• 2020 Atlantic hurricane season
  • Former Hurricane Eta, now a tropical depression, moves toward Cuba after regaining strength. The government of the Bahamas issues a tropical storm watch while a state of emergency is declared in Miami-Dade County, Florida, as the state also prepares for the impact of the storm. The storm left at least 100 people dead in Central America. (CNN)

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 12,348 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, a new single-day record since the pandemic began. This brings the cumulative cases total to 477,978. (WBBM-TV)
      • COVID-19 pandemic in Missouri
        • Missouri reports 4,559 new confirmed cases in the past 24 hours, a new single-day record since the pandemic began. This is because the state "de-duplicates" individuals who have already received a test prior to the 7-day period. (KOMU-TV)
      • COVID-19 pandemic in Michigan
        • Michigan records 6,225 new cases, a new single-day record. (MLive.com)
    • COVID-19 pandemic in Canada
      • COVID-19 pandemic in Alberta
        • Alberta reports 919 new cases of COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, a new single-day record since the pandemic began. (CBC)
      • COVID-19 pandemic in Ontario
        • Ontario reports 1,132 new cases of COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, bringing the total number of cases in the province to 82,825. It is the largest single-day increase in cases since the pandemic began. (Global News)
  • COVID-19 pandemic in Europe
    • COVID-19 pandemic in Austria
      • Austria reports a record 8,421 new infections in the past 24 hours, raising its nationwide case total to 147,220. (Kronen Zeitung)
    • COVID-19 pandemic in Bosnia and Herzegovina
      • Prime Minister Zoran Tegeltija tests positive for COVID-19. (Reuters)
    • COVID-19 pandemic in France
      • France reports a new record of 86,852 new confirmed cases in the last 24 hours while the total COVID-19 deaths surpasses 40,000 as Prime Minister Jean Castex warns that the second wave has "brutally" and "violently" arrived in the country. (Sky News)
    • COVID-19 pandemic in Germany
      • The number of daily confirmed cases in Germany hits a new record of 23,399 over the last 24 hours, according to data released by the Robert Koch Institute, bringing the nationwide total to 642,488. It is the third consecutive day that the country reported a record number of daily cases. (The Brussels Times)
    • COVID-19 pandemic in Italy
      • Italy reports a new record of 39,811 new confirmed cases in the last 24 hours, bringing the nationwide total to 902,490 cases. Lombardy remained the hardest hit region, reporting 11,489 new cases. (Corriere della Sera)
    • COVID-19 pandemic in Hungary
      • Hungary reports a record 107 new fatalities in a single day, bringing the nationwide death toll to 2,357 while the country also surpasses 100,000 confirmed cases of COVID-19 after a record 5,318 cases were reported. (Hungary Today)
    • COVID-19 pandemic in Poland
      • Poland surpasses 500,000 cases of COVID-19 after a record 27,875 new cases are reported in the past 24 hours. (Sanok Naszemiasto)
    • COVID-19 pandemic in Ukraine
      • Ukraine reports a new record of 10,746 new confirmed cases in the last 24 hours, bringing the nationwide total to 450,934 cases. (112 International)
  • COVID-19 pandemic in Asia
    • COVID-19 pandemic in Georgia
      • Georgia announces a curfew in Tbilisi, Kutaisi, Batumi, Rustavi, Zugdidi, Gori and Poti between 10:00 p.m. and 5:00 a.m. local time beginning November 9, amid a surge in COVID-19 cases. (Agenda.ge)
    • COVID-19 pandemic in Iran
      • Iran reports a single-day record of 9,450 new cases in the last 24 hours, prompting President Hassan Rouhani to announce new restrictions that all non-essential businesses must close at 6:00 p.m. local time for a month starting November 10. (France 24)
    • COVID-19 pandemic in Pakistan
      • Pakistan reports 1,502 new cases in the last 24 hours, the highest single-day total since July 30, pushing the cumulative infections total to 341,753 cases. (Anadolu Agency)
  • COVID-19 pandemic in Morocco
    • The number of daily confirmed cases in Morocco surges by a record 5,836 cases, bringing the nationwide total to 252,185. (Morocco World News)

Law and crime

• 2020 Ivorian presidential election
  • Police arrest opposition leader and former prime minister Pascal Affi N'Guessan for creating a parallel government after the victory of incumbent Alassane Ouattara in the election. Prosecutors are seeking terrorism charges against more than a dozen opposition leaders who boycotted the election and created a transitional council. (Reuters)
• Human rights in the United Arab Emirates
  • The United Arab Emirates overhauls its legal system to loosen restrictions on alcohol consumption, permit cohabitation, and criminalize honor killings, among other changes. (AP)

Politics and elections

• 2020 Egyptian parliamentary election
  • After a first round in October, voters in Egypt head once again to the polls to elect their members of parliament. (Al Jazeera)
• 2020 United States presidential election
  • All major U.S. networks project that Joe Biden has been elected President of the United States after winning Pennsylvania. Kamala Harris will become the first female Vice President of the United States. This marks the first time since 1992 that an incumbent president's challenger has won the election over the incumbent president, when Bill Clinton defeated George H. W. Bush. (CNN) (Business Insider)
  • President Donald Trump is refusing to concede to Biden and has vowed to challenge the results in court, alleging widespread electoral fraud. (The New York Times)
  • Fijian Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama is the first leader to congratulate Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden, despite no official result being announced at the time. (RNZ) (The Guardian)

November 8, 2020 (2020-11-08) (Sunday)

Armed conflicts and attacks

• 2020 Nagorno-Karabakh war
  • Battle of Shusha (2020)
    • The Azerbaijani military says it has captured the city of Shusha in Nagorno-Karabakh. Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev says "We have won this victory on the battlefield, not at the negotiating table". Armenia and Artsakh leaders deny the loss of the city but say "fierce fighting" is ongoing inside the city. (The New York Times)
• Insurgency in Cabo Delgado
  • 2020 Mozambique attacks
    • Islamist militants are reported to have beheaded over 50 people in a massacre at a village in Cabo Delgado Province. (BBC News)
• Tigray military intervention
  • Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed abruptly sacks and replaces the Chief of General Staff of the Ethiopian military General Adem Mohammed, Foreign Minister Gedu Andargachew and the head of intelligence Demelash Gebremichael. (BBC News)
  • In a televised address, Ahmed accuses Tigray's regional leaders of "preparing for war" against the federal government since 2018, saying the group had siphoned federal development funds to buy weapons and train militias. (The Guardian)

Health and environment

• COVID-19 pandemic
  • COVID-19 pandemic in North America
    • COVID-19 pandemic in Canada
      • COVID-19 pandemic in Ontario
        • Ontario reports 1,328 new infections, marking a new single-day record for a second day in a row. (CBC)
      • COVID-19 pandemic in Quebec
        • Quebec reports 1,397 new cases in the last 24 hours, a new single-day record since the pandemic began and surpasssing previous record one month ago. (CFCF-DT)
    • COVID-19 pandemic in the United States
      • COVID-19 pandemic in Minnesota
        • Minnesota reports 5,908 new cases, a new single-day record since the pandemic began. (Minneapolis Star Tribune)
      • COVID-19 pandemic in Utah
        • Utah governor Gary Herbert declares a state of emergency and ordered a statewide mask mandate in an attempt to stem a surge of COVID-19. (KUTV)
  • COVID-19 pandemic in Asia
    • COVID-19 pandemic in India
      • COVID-19 pandemic in Delhi
        • Delhi reports the highest single-day spike of 7,745 new cases of COVID-19, taking the capital’s total to 438,529 cases. (Hindustan Times)
    • COVID-19 pandemic in Malaysia
      • The Education Ministry orders all schools across the country to close as part of the implementation of a conditional movement control order in most states from tomorrow until the end of the academic year. (CNA)
      • Malaysia surpasses 40,000 cumulative cases of COVID-19. (The Star)
    • COVID-19 pandemic in Iran
      • Iran reports 459 new fatalities in the last 24 hours, its single-day record since the pandemic began, raising the nationwide death toll to 38,291. (Middle East Monitor)
  • COVID-19 pandemic in Europe
    • COVID-19 pandemic in Albania
      • Albania reports 501 new cases in the last 24 hours, a new single-day record and becomes the first time the country reports more than 500 cases in a single day. (Xinhua)
    • COVID-19 pandemic in Greece
      • Greece reports 35 new fatalities in the last 24 hours, a new single-day record, pushing the nationwide death toll to 734. (Ekathimerini)
    • COVID-19 pandemic in Portugal
      • Prime Minister Antonio Costa announces that Portugal will impose a localized nighttime curfew from 11:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m., in 121 municipalities across the country, affecting 70% of the population, beginning tomorrow. People will also be prevented from leaving their homes between 1:00 p.m. and 5:00 a.m. on Saturdays and Sundays. (Reuters)
  • COVID-19 pandemic in Australia
    • Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews announces a lift on restrictions of the 25-kilometre (16 mi) travel limit in Melbourne and the "ring of steel" separating the city from Regional Victoria from 11:59 p.m AEDT tonight. He also announces that gyms, theatres and cinemas will reopen tomorrow, and more people will be allowed in hospitality and religious venues. It is also the first time that all of Victoria has been on the same restriction level since late June. (ABC Australia)
  • The number of confirmed worldwide COVID-19 cases surpasses 50 million. The United States remains the country with the most confirmed cases, accounting for 20% of all cases worldwide. (BBC News)

Politics and elections

• 2020 Myanmar general election
  • Voters in Myanmar head to the polls. State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy is expected to win the election, despite international accusations of genocide and persecution of the Rohingya minority, who were also stripped of their voting rights in 2015. (BBC News)
• Luis Arce is sworn in as President of Bolivia, succeeding Jeanine Áñez. (El Mundo)
• Turkish Finance Minister Berat Albayrak announces his resignation on social media due to "health reasons". It comes two days after the chief of the Turkish Central Bank was fired by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. (Reuters)
• Japanese prince Fumihito is officially made heir to the Chrysanthemum Throne. The crowning ceremony had been delayed by seven months due to the COVID-19 pandemic. (BBC News)
• Fra' Marco Luzzago is elected the new Lieutenant of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta. The Order also postpones election for Grand Master. (Rome Reports)

Science and technology

• Virgin Hyperloop makes its initial run with human passengers, achieving a top speed of 107 mph (172 kph) using magnetic levitation. (The Guardian)

November 9, 2020 (2020-11-09) (Monday)

Armed conflicts and attacks

• 2020 Nagorno-Karabakh war
  • A Russian Mil Mi-24 helicopter is shot down by the Azerbaijani Armed Forces over Armenia, near the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic. Russia says two crew members are killed. Azerbaijan apologizes, extends condolences, and offers to pay compensation. (BBC News)
  • Artsakh officials in Nagorno-Karabakh confirm the loss of Shusha to Azeri forces. Many civilians in Shusha have fled, and fighting is closing on the region's capital, Stepanakert. (Al Jazeera)
  • Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan announces he has signed a deal with Azerbaijan and Russia to end the war by Tuesday morning. A Kremlin spokesman confirms the deal. Later, Azerbaijan's president Ilham Aliyev says a "trilateral agreement" has been signed. President of Russia Vladimir Putin says Russian peacekeepers will be deployed. The agreement cedes several districts to Azerbaijan, including the Lachin District. The agreement will also establish a transport corridor through Armenia, linking Azerbaijan to Nakhchivan. (Reuters)
  • The peace deal is met with anger in Armenia as thousands protest against it in the capital Yerevan with some protesters storming the parliament building. (The Guardian)
  • Hours after signing of the deal, Ararat Mirzoyan, the president of Armenia's National Assembly, is pulled from his car and attacked by an angry mob of protesters. (Interfax)
• ISIL insurgency in Iraq
  • Unidentified gunmen using grenades and automatic weapons attacked an army post in western Baghdad, killing 11 people, including soldiers. Both the military and police have launched a manhunt for the gunmen. (Al Jazeera)

Business and economy

• The Dow Jones Industrial Average opens at an all-time record high – a 1,500-point surge in reaction to Pfizer's results in testing its COVID-19 vaccine. (Fox Business)
• In the United States, a biannual Federal Reserve report mentions, for the first time, climate change as a risk for the stability of the financial system. (Reuters)

Health and environment

• COVID-19 pandemic
  • COVID-19 pandemic in Europe
    • COVID-19 pandemic in Albania
      • Albania announces that it will impose a second nationwide lockdown on November 11 in an attempt to curb the worsening spread of COVID-19. (Albanian Daily News)
    • COVID-19 pandemic in Belgium
      • Belgium surpasses 500,000 total confirmed cases of COVID-19. (The Brussels Times)
    • COVID-19 pandemic in Greece
      • Greece reports a record 41 new fatalities in the last 24 hours, raising its death toll to 825. (Ekathimerini)
    • COVID-19 pandemic in Hungary
      • Prime Minister Viktor Orbán announces that a curfew will be implemented between 8:00 p.m. and 5:00 a.m local time and orders restaurants and bars to close. Meanwhile, the curfew also prohibits gatherings of more than ten people, reintroduces online learning for high schools and universities, and sports events will be held only behind closed doors. The measures, which last for an initial 30 days, will be voted on in the National Assembly tomorrow and come into force on November 11. (Hungary Today)
    • COVID-19 pandemic in Russia
      • Russia reports 21,798 new infections in the past 24 hours, a new single-day record since they began, thus bringing the cumulative nationwide total to 1.79 million cases. (The Moscow Times)
    • COVID-19 pandemic in Ukraine
      • President Volodymyr Zelensky and two top government officials test positive for COVID-19. (The Globe and Mail)
  • COVID-19 pandemic in Asia
    • COVID-19 pandemic in Iran
      • Iran reports a record 10,463 new cases in the past 24 hours, bringing the nationwide total since the pandemic began to 692,949 cases. (The Jerusalem Post)
    • COVID-19 pandemic in Japan
      • Hokkaido reports a record 200 new cases in the past 24 hours. (Nippon.com)
    • COVID-19 pandemic in the Philippines
      • The Philippines reports 108 new deaths in the past 24 hours, its highest total since October 23, thus bringing the nationwide death toll to 7,647. (CNN Philippines)
  • COVID-19 pandemic in the United States
    • COVID-19 pandemic in Maine
      • Maine reports 204 new infections, a new single-day record since the pandemic began. (WGME-TV)
    • COVID-19 pandemic in New Jersey
      • Governor Phil Murphy announces new restrictions in the state amid rising cases. Restaurants and bars will be ordered to close indoor services by 10:00 p.m. local time, casinos will be closed, and high school and indoor youth sports will be suspended. The restrictions will take effect on Thursday. (Politico)
    • Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Ben Carson tests positive for COVID-19. (CNBC)
    • President-elect Joe Biden announces a 12-person coronavirus task force as part of his transitional team. (The Washington Post)
    • The United States becomes the first country in the world to surpass ten million cumulative COVID-19 cases, according to data from Johns Hopkins University. (CBS News)
  • COVID-19 vaccine
    • Pfizer and BioNTech say that their potential vaccine is 90% effective at preventing COVID-19 infections. (CNBC)

Law and crime

• Crime in Russia
  • A soldier kills an officer with an axe and then proceeds to shoot two more officers dead at a base near Voronezh, in southern Russia. The suspect has been detained and an investigation launched, though officials have said they are looking into the suspect's mental health state. (CNN)

Politics and elections

• 2020 United States presidential election
  • President Donald Trump's re-election campaign files lawsuits in Nevada, Pennsylvania, Michigan, Wisconsin and Georgia, alleging electoral fraud. (WEYI-TV)
• Second impeachment process against Martín Vizcarra
  • President of Peru Martín Vizcarra is impeached by the Congress of Peru. Manuel Merino replaces him as interim president. (The New York Times)
• President Trump tweets that he has fired Secretary of Defense Mark Esper. Esper had prepared a letter of resignation in the wake of the recent presidential election. National Counterterrorism Center director Christopher C. Miller has been named acting secretary. (NBC News)
• Former President of Bolivia Evo Morales returns back to his country a day after his economic minister Luis Arce was sworn in as the new President. He was forced out of the country last year following unrest over his decision to run for a third term. (NPR)

November 10, 2020 (2020-11-10) (Tuesday)

Armed conflicts and attacks

• Aftermath of the Falklands War
  • Land mines in the Falkland Islands
    • The Falkland Islands are declared land mine-free, 38 years after the end of the war. (Forces)
• Tigray military intervention
  • State-affiliated TV reports that Ethiopian Armed Forces have seized Humera Airport in the Tigray Region. Hundreds have been killed since the intervention broke out last week as the African Union calls for an immediate end to the conflict. Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed ordered airstrikes and an offensive after an alleged attack on a federal military base by forces of the Tigray People's Liberation Front. (Reuters)

Business and economy

• European Union competition law, criticism of Amazon
  • The European Union files antitrust charges against Amazon, accusing the company of abusing its position as the top online retailer in France and Germany by using data from sellers to determine what offers to make and what products to launch for their own branded goods. The antitrust commission also opens a second investigation into similar charges against Amazon. (CNN)

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 12,623 new confirmed and probable cases in the last 24 hours, a new single-day record since the beginning of the pandemic. In addition, the number of cumulative cases surpasses 500,000. (Chicago Tribune)
      • COVID-19 pandemic in Michigan
        • Michigan reports 6,473 new cases, a new single-day record. (WDIV-TV)
      • COVID-19 pandemic in Texas
        • Texas reports 10,865 new cases in the last 24 hours, a new single-day record since the pandemic began. (KTVT-TV)
      • COVID-19 pandemic in Wisconsin
        • Wisconsin reports 7,073 new cases and 66 deaths in the past 24 hours, new single-day records since the pandemic began. In addition, the positivity rate reaches a record high of 35.37%. (WBAY-TV)
      • COVID-19 pandemic in Iowa
        • Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds extends the state of emergency and announces new restrictions on public gatherings amid a rise of cases in the state. (KWQC-TV)
      • COVID-19 pandemic in Minnesota
        • Minnesota Governor Tim Walz announces new restrictions amid a rise of cases in the state. Indoor and outdoor gatherings will have a 10-person limit, bars and restaurants will close indoor dining service at 10 p.m. CST, and indoor capacity will be reduced to 50% of people. (WCCO-TV) (CBS News)
      • 61,964 hospitalizations are reported in the United States, a new record high surpassing the previous record on April 15 and the first time that there are more than 60,000 Americans hospitalized for COVID-19. (Forbes)
    • COVID-19 pandemic in Canada
      • COVID-19 pandemic in Ontario
        • Ontario reports 1,388 new cases of COVID-19 infections in the last 24 hours, a new single-day record since the pandemic began. (CFTO-DT)
  • COVID-19 pandemic in Europe
    • COVID-19 pandemic in Bosnia and Herzegovina
      • Bosnia and Herzegovina announces a nighttime curfew between 11:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. local time beginning tomorrow as part of a measure to reduce the spread of COVID-19. It also will limit indoor and outdoor gatherings to 30 people. (Anadolu Agency)
    • COVID-19 pandemic in Bulgaria
      • Bulgaria reports 107 new fatalities in the last 24 hours, a new single-day record and the first time the country has reported more than 100 deaths since the pandemic began. (Novinite)
    • COVID-19 pandemic in Denmark
      • Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen halts a plan to kill more than 15 million minks in Denmark to contain a coronavirus mutation due to opposition from MPs to pass a bill that would authorize the slaughter. (The Washington Post)
    • COVID-19 pandemic in Italy
      • Italy reports 580 new fatalities in the past 24 hours, the highest daily total since April 14, as more regions across the country face new restrictions. (ANSA)
    • COVID-19 pandemic in Russia
      • Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin announces that the city will limit operating hours at clubs, bars and restaurants for two months between November 13 until January 15, 2021. Under the new rules, these establishments will not be allowed to serve customers from 11:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. local time. However, the restrictions do not apply to take-away services. (The Moscow Times)
    • COVID-19 pandemic in Spain, COVID-19 vaccine
      • The Health Ministry announces that Spain will receive 20 million vaccine doses from Pfizer and BioNTech by early 2021. (Forbes)
    • COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom
      • The United Kingdom reports 532 new fatalities in the last 24 hours, the highest single-day total since May 12, bringing its death toll to 49,770. Meanwhile, weekly deaths surpass 1,000 for the first time since June. (Sky News)
  • COVID-19 pandemic in Asia
    • COVID-19 pandemic in Iran
      • Iran imposes new restrictions that order restaurants and non-essential businesses in Tehran to close at 6:00 p.m. local time for the next month, in order to curb the worsening spread of COVID-19 that threatens to overwhelm hospitals. (Hindustan Times)
    • COVID-19 pandemic in Lebanon, COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns
      • Caretaker Prime Minister Hassan Diab announces a two-week full lockdown from November 14 - 30, after localized lockdown measures fail to stem the surge of COVID-19 cases. (Daily Star)
    • COVID-19 pandemic in the State of Palestine
      • Palestinian chief negotiator Saeb Erekat dies at the age of 65 due to complications from COVID-19. (CNN)

Law and crime

• 2018 Toronto van attack
  • The defendant in the attack that killed 10 people pleads "not criminally responsible" for the incident saying he has a mental illness. Under Canadian law, his lawyers will have to prove that he has a mental illness that kept him from understanding either what he was doing, or that what he was doing was wrong. (BBC News)

Politics and elections

• 2020 Jordanian general election
  • Citizens of Jordan cast their votes in a general election after the country's House of Representatives was dissolved in September. The election takes place during a rapid surge of new COVID-19 infections. (Al Jazeera)

November 11, 2020 (2020-11-11) (Wednesday)

Armed conflicts and attacks

• Terrorism in Saudi Arabia
  • A bomb explodes at a Remembrance Day ceremony attended by foreign diplomats in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Several people are wounded. (BBC News)

Disasters and accidents

• 2020 Atlantic hurricane season
  • Hurricane Eta restrengthens into a category 1 hurricane as it reaches the Gulf Coast of Florida. (CNN)

Health and environment

• COVID-19 pandemic
  • COVID-19 pandemic in North America
    • COVID-19 pandemic in the United States
      • COVID-19 pandemic in Texas
        • Texas Governor Greg Abbott announces that the state is expected to deploy resources to Lubbock and El Paso to help combat the spread of COVID-19. (KJTV-TV)
        • El Paso County judge Ricardo Samaniego announces that the stay-at-home order will be extended to December 1 as cases continue to increase. (El Paso Herald-Post)
      • COVID-19 pandemic in Arkansas
        • Arkansas reports 1,962 new cases, a new single-day record. (KYTV-TV)
      • COVID-19 pandemic in Illinois
        • Illinois reports 12,657 new infections, a new single-day record as the number of hospitalized patients reaches an all-time high of 5,042, surpassing the previous record set in April. (WBBM-TV)
      • COVID-19 pandemic in New York (state)
        • New York Governor Andrew Cuomo announces a 10:00 p.m. EST curfew for bars, restaurants, and gyms in the state from November 13 in order to reduce the spread of COVID-19. (Patch.com)
      • COVID-19 pandemic in North Carolina
        • North Carolina reports 3,119 new cases in the last 24 hours, a new single-day record, as the positivity rate rises to 7.9%. (WCNC-TV)
      • COVID-19 pandemic in Ohio
        • Ohio Governor Mike DeWine reinstates a statewide mask mandate with penalties for businesses. He also says that the state might close restaurants, bars, and fitness centers if cases continue to increase. (WDTN) (Cleveland.com)
      • COVID-19 pandemic in Vermont
        • Vermont reports 72 new cases, a new single-day record since the pandemic began. (VTDigger)
      • The number of people who hospitalised due to COVID-19 in the United States reaches 65,368, a new record for second day a row. (Wall Street Journal)
    • COVID-19 pandemic in Canada
      • COVID-19 pandemic in Ontario
        • Ontario reports 1,426 new infections, a new single-day record. (CBC)
  • COVID-19 pandemic in Europe
    • COVID-19 pandemic in Germany
      • Germany reports 261 new fatalities, according to the Robert Koch Institute. This is the highest number of deaths in a single day since April, raising the nationwide death toll to 11,767. (Anadolu Agency)
    • COVID-19 pandemic in Greece
      • The Greek government announces that it will impose a nationwide overnight curfew from 9:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m. local time, beginning November 13. This comes as the National Public Health Organization reports a record 2,752 new cases and 43 deaths in the past 24 hours. (The National Herald)
    • COVID-19 pandemic in Italy
      • Italy surpasses one million total COVID-19 cases, becoming the third country in the European Union to surpass that milestone. In addition, the country also reports 623 new deaths, the highest single-day total since April 6. (The Guardian)
    • COVID-19 pandemic in Russia
      • Russia reports 432 new fatalities in the last 24 hours, raising its nationwide death toll to 31,593. It is first time that the country has reported more than 400 deaths and is also a new single-day record for that figure since the pandemic began. (The Moscow Times)
    • COVID-19 pandemic in Spain
      • The number of deaths from COVID-19 in Spain surpasses 40,000. (Medical Xpress)
    • COVID-19 pandemic in Turkey
      • Turkey announces a nationwide indoor smoking ban in a bid to halt the rising number of COVID-19 cases. (Daily Sabah)
    • COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom
      • The United Kingdom reports 50,385 total COVID-19 deaths since the start of the pandemic, becoming the first country in Europe to surpass 50,000 deaths. (BBC News)
  • COVID-19 pandemic in Asia
    • COVID-19 pandemic in Mongolia
      • Mongolia reports the first domestic case of COVID-19 from a truck driver who infected his wife and two other relatives after three weeks of quarantine. (France 24)
    • COVID-19 pandemic in Iran
      • Iran reports a record 11,780 new infections and 462 fatalities in the past 24 hours, raising its nationwide totals since the beginning of the pandemic to 715,068 cases and 39,664 deaths. (Reuters)
    • COVID-19 pandemic in Pakistan
      • Pakistan reports 1,708 new infections in the last 24 hours, which is the highest daily total since August as it considers new measures to combat the rising number of cases. (Tribune India)
    • COVID-19 pandemic in the Philippines
      • The Philippines surpasses 400,000 total COVID-19 cases, becoming the second country in Southeast Asia after Indonesia to reach that milestone. (Philstar)
  • COVID-19 pandemic in Vanuatu
    • Vanuatu reports its first case of COVID-19 after a citizen who was repatriated from the United States tested positive while in quarantine. (ABC Australia)

International relations

• Travel restrictions related to the COVID-19 pandemic; COVID-19 pandemic in Asia
  • COVID-19 pandemic in Hong Kong, COVID-19 pandemic in Singapore
    • The Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) announces that a "travel bubble" between Singapore and Hong Kong will begin on November 22 with 200 passengers per day. Passengers on these flights will not be subjected to a two-week quarantine. (CNA)
• Philippines–United States relations
  • Philippine Foreign Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. announces the government's decision to suspend the termination of the Visiting Forces Agreement with the United States for at least another six months. (Kyodo News)

Law and crime

• 2020 Reading stabbings
  • Kahairi Saadallah pleads guilty to three murders and three attempted murders. (The Daily Telegraph)

Politics and elections

• 2020 Belizean general election
  • A general election is held in Belize amidst a prolonged economic crisis. Patrick Faber of the ruling United Democratic Party is challenged by Johnny Briceño, the candidate of the oppositional People's United Party. Dean Barrow, Prime Minister of Belize for the past 12 years, decided to not run again for office. (Al Jazeera)
• Politics of Bahrain
  • Prince and Prime Minister Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa dies at the age of 84 after holding the office since 1970. He is succeeded by Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa. (Al Jazeera)
• 2019–20 Hong Kong protests; Legislative Council of Hong Kong
  • Four Hong Kong pro-democracy activists, Alvin Yeung, Dennis Kwok, Kwok Ka-ki and Kenneth Leung, are stripped of their seats following a decision by China's National People's Congress Standing Committee. 15 pro-democracy legislators announced their resignations shortly after the announcement, also declaring "that 'One Country, Two Systems' has come to an end". Critics fear this will turn the legislature into a rubber stamp for pro-Beijing policies. (CNN) (The Guardian)
• COVID-19 pandemic in Poland
  • Several officers are injured after far-right protestors clash with police in Warsaw, after thousands defied public gathering restrictions to participate in the annual Independence Day march. (Al Jazeera)
• Presidential transition of Joe Biden
  • President-elect Joe Biden announces Ron Klain as his incoming White House Chief of Staff. (CNN)

November 12, 2020 (2020-11-12) (Thursday)

Armed conflicts and attacks

• Tigray military intervention
  • Amnesty International reports that massacres are taking place in the Tigray Region of Ethiopia after a conflict broke out last week. Amnesty cites witnesses blaming the Tigray People's Liberation Front for the "horrific tragedy" taking place as airstrikes continue to hit the region after Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed blamed the political group of committing war crimes. Amnesty's report could not identify the perpetrators of the massacres. (Reuters)

Business and economy

• Economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic
  • Economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in India
    • Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announces a $35.14 billion package to stimulate the economy by boosting jobs, consumer demand, manufacturing, agriculture and exports hit by the COVID-19 pandemic. She said the package includes 9 billion rupees ($121 million) for development of a vaccine by the government’s biotechnology department. (ABC News)

Disasters and accidents

• 2020 Atlantic hurricane season
  • Hurricane Eta makes landfall as a tropical storm near Cedar Key, Florida. (ABC News)
• European migrant crisis
  • The International Organisation for Migration says at least 74 people have died after their boat, which was carrying more than 120 people, capsized off the coast of Libya. The Libyan Coast Guard has rescued 47 survivors. (BBC News)
• 2020 Pacific typhoon season
  • Typhoon Vamco makes landfall in Luzon in the Philippines and causes flooding in Metro Manila killing at least seven people. In Marikina alone, around 40,000 homes were fully or partially submerged. (Reuters)
• A helicopter carrying Multinational Force and Observers (MFO) peacekeepers crashes near Sharm el-Sheikh, South Sinai Governorate, Egypt. Seven people are killed, including five Americans, a French national and a Czech national. One crew member, an American, survived and was medically evacuated to an Israeli hospital. (BBC News)

Health and environment

• COVID-19 pandemic
  • COVID-19 pandemic in North America
    • COVID-19 pandemic in the United States
      • COVID-19 pandemic in Illinois
        • Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot issues a new stay-at-home advisory that asks people to leave the house only for work, school or other essential reasons. It is scheduled to take effect for 30 days beginning at 6:00 a.m. CST on November 16. (WMAQ-TV)
        • Illinois reports 12,702 new cases in the past 24 hours, a new single-day record since the pandemic began. (Chicago Sun-Times)
      • COVID-19 pandemic in California
        • California surpasses one million cases of COVID-19, becoming the second state after Texas to reach that milestone. (KABC-TV)
      • COVID-19 pandemic in Michigan
        • Michigan reports 6,940 new cases, a new single-day record, bringing the total number of confirmed cases to 236,225. (Detroit Free Press)
      • COVID-19 pandemic in Minnesota
        • Minnesota reports 7,228 new cases, a new single-day record, bringing the total number of confirmed cases to 201,795. (Star Tribune)
      • Nationally, more than 150,000 cases are reported, setting a world record for a third consecutive day. (MSN)
    • COVID-19 pandemic in Canada
      • COVID-19 pandemic in Alberta
        • Alberta Premier Jason Kenney announces new restrictions that will suspend indoor group fitness programs, team sports, group performance activities, limit the number of people who attend weddings and funeral services to 50 and reduce operating hours for restaurants, bars and pubs in the areas that are under enhanced status from tomorrow until November 27. It comes after Alberta reports a record 860 cases. (The Globe and Mail)
      • COVID-19 pandemic in British Columbia
        • British Columbia reports a record 1,130 new cases in the last two days. This number includes 536 on Wednesday and 594 on Thursday. In addition, there are a record 155 people that have been hospitalized because of the virus. (Global News)
      • COVID-19 pandemic in Ontario
        • Ontario reports a record 1,575 new cases in the last 24 hours, raising its seven-day average to 1,299 cases and the cumulative cases in the province to 89,784. (CBC)
      • Nationwide, 4,981 new cases are reported in Canada in the last 24 hours, a new single-day record. (CTV News)
  • COVID-19 pandemic in Asia
    • COVID-19 pandemic in India
      • COVID-19 pandemic in Delhi
        • Delhi reports a record 8,593 new cases in the last 24 hours, taking the total number of confirmed cases in the capital to 459,975. (The Hindu)
    • COVID-19 pandemic in Iran
      • Human rights lawyer Nasrin Sotoudeh has tested positive, only days after being released from prison. (Radio Free Europe)
      • Iran surpasses 40,000 total COVID-19 deaths after 457 new fatalities are reported in the last 24 hours. (Al Jazeera)
    • COVID-19 pandemic in Japan
      • The number of new confirmed cases in Japan surges to a record high of 1,651 cases in the last 24 hours as Economy Minister Yasutoshi Nishimura warned of more stringent measures if the number of cases continues to rise. (The Straits Times)
    • COVID-19 pandemic in Pakistan
      • Pakistan reports 1,808 new infections in the last 24 hours, the highest since July 30, raising its nationwide total to 349,992 cases, according to data from the National Command and Operation Centre. (The Nation)
  • COVID-19 pandemic in Europe
    • COVID-19 pandemic in Ukraine
      • Ukraine surpasses 500,000 total COVID-19 cases after a record 11,057 new cases are reported in the last 24 hours. (Kyiv Post)
      • President Volodymyr Zelensky is hospitalized after he contracted COVID-19 earlier this week. (Daily Sabah)
    • COVID-19 pandemic in Croatia
      • Croatia reports 3,082 new cases over the past 24 hours, a new single-day record, raising the total number of cases to 75,922. (Total Croatia News)
    • COVID-19 pandemic in Greece
      • Greece reports 3,316 new cases and 50 deaths over the past 24 hours, a new single-day record for both cases and deaths since the pandemic began, taking the nationwide totals to 66,637 cases and 959 deaths. (The National Herald)
    • COVID-19 pandemic in Italy
      • Italy reports 636 new deaths, the highest single-day total since April 6, which brings the nationwide death toll to 43,559. (ANSA)
    • COVID-19 pandemic in Russia
      • Russia reports a record 439 new fatalities in the past 24 hours, raising the nationwide death toll to 32,032. (Reuters)
    • COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom
      • The United Kingdom reports 33,470 new cases, a new single-day record since the pandemic began, taking the nationwide total to 1.29 million cases. (Sky News)
  • COVID-19 pandemic in Oceania
    • COVID-19 pandemic in the Marshall Islands
      • President David Kabua states that the Marshall Islands are COVID-free again after the US Army workman who had tested positive is no longer contagious. Initially, two US Armed Forces personnel had tested positive for the virus and have both recovered. (RNZ)
    • COVID-19 pandemic in New Zealand
      • COVID-19 Response Minister Chris Hipkins asks New Zealanders who work in the Auckland CBD to stay home if possible from tomorrow after a new case was found in the city. (The Guardian)
  • COVID-19 pandemic in Morocco
    • Morocco reports 6,195 new cases, a new single-day record since the beginning of the pandemic, taking the nationwide total to 276,821 cases. (Morocco World News)
  • COVID-19 pandemic on cruise ships
    • In a first cruise since March, five passengers aboard the SeaDream I cruise ship have tested positive for COVID-19. (CNN)

Law and crime

• Legality of cannabis
  • Cannabis in Israel
    • Justice Minister Avi Nissenkorn announces that Israel will begin a nine-month process to legalise and regulate recreational use of cannabis. (The Jerusalem Post)
• Belgium expels five far-right Danish activists associated with Rasmus Paludan, ahead of a planned Quran burning event in Molenbeek-Saint-Jean, Brussels. The area has a large Muslim community and it was feared that the Quran burning could spark civil unrest. Asylum Secretary Sammy Mahdi said the group is a "serious threat to public order". (BBC News)

Politics and elections

• 2020 Belizean general election
  • The People's United Party wins Belize's latest general election, ending the United Democratic Party's rule after 12 years. Johnny Briceño will be sworn in as the next Prime Minister of Belize. (BBC News)

November 13, 2020 (2020-11-13) (Friday)

Armed conflicts and attacks

• War in Afghanistan
  • November 2020 Afghanistan attacks
    • A car bombing leaves at least four soldiers dead and five others injured in Paghman District, Kabul Province. (TOLOnews)
• Kashmir conflict
  • 2020 India–Pakistan border skirmishes
    • Cross-border shelling between Indian and Pakistani troops kill 15 people, including ten civilians, and five security personnel. The Indian Army says it foiled an "infiltration attempt from Pakistan" in northern Kashmir whereas the Pakistan Army claims it responded to "unprovoked and indiscriminate firing" from India. (Reuters)
• Tigray military intervention
  • The United Nations says that war crimes might have been committed in the Tigray Region of Ethiopia. (NBC News)
• Aftermath of the 1998 United States embassy bombings
  • An intelligence official says that Abdullah Ahmed Abdullah, Al-Qaeda’s second-in-command, accused of helping to mastermind the 1998 bombings of two United States embassies in Africa, was killed in Iran in August by Israeli operatives. (The New York Times via The Sydney Morning Herald)
• 2020 Western Saharan clashes
  • Polisario Front declares war on Morocco accusing Rabat of breaking the 1991 ceasefire. (Bloomberg)

Disasters and accidents

• 2020 Pacific typhoon season
  • The death toll from the landfall of Typhoon Vamco in the Philippines rises to 53, according to the national police, with at least 22 still missing. The provinces of Cagayan and Isabela in northern Luzon are the most affected, mainly caused by floodwaters from the Magat Dam. (Xinhua)

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 registers 15,415 new cases in the last 24 hours, a new single-day record, breaking a national record that was previously set by Florida on July 12, when that state reported 15,299 cases. (WBBM-TV)
      • COVID-19 pandemic in Maryland
        • Maryland reports 1,869 new cases, a new single-day record. (The Baltimore Sun)
      • COVID-19 pandemic in Michigan
        • Michigan reports 8,516 new cases, a new single-day record. (WDIV-TV)
      • COVID-19 pandemic in Nevada
        • Nevada Governor Steve Sisolak tests positive for COVID-19. He says he is symptom-free but will quarantine at his home for ten days. (Las Vegas Review-Journal)
      • COVID-19 pandemic in New York
        • New York reports more than 5,000 new cases for the first time since April, when the state registers 5,401 cases. The positivity rate also reaches 2.65 percent. (The Hill)
      • COVID-19 pandemic in North Dakota
        • North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum issues a statewide face mask mandate and impose several business restrictions in an effort to contain the spread of COVID-19. The new executive order will take effect tomorrow. (ABC News)
      • COVID-19 pandemic in Oregon
        • Oregon Governor Kate Brown announces a statewide two-week "freeze" starting November 18, which will limit restaurants and bars to take-out only and close gyms, indoor and outdoor recreational facilities. (OPB)
      • COVID-19 pandemic in Washington, D.C.
        • More than 130 Secret Service agents have been ordered to isolate or quarantine because they tested positive for the coronavirus or had close contact with infected co-workers. (The Washington Post)
      • COVID-19 pandemic in Wisconsin
        • Wisconsin reports 7,777 new cases, a new single-day record. The state also surpasses 300,000 total confirmed cases. (WBAY-TV)
      • Nationwide, more than 180,000 cases reported in the United States, a new world record. (Forbes)
    • COVID-19 pandemic in Canada
      • COVID-19 pandemic in British Columbia
        • British Columbia reports a record of 617 new cases in the past 24 hours, bringing its total number of cases to 20,985. (CBC)
  • COVID-19 pandemic in Asia
    • COVID-19 pandemic in India
      • COVID-19 pandemic in Delhi
        • Delhi reports 104 new fatalities on Thursday, the highest single-day figure since the beginning of the pandemic, bringing the overall death toll to 7,332. (The New Indian Express)
    • COVID-19 pandemic in Indonesia, COVID-19 vaccine
      • Indonesia reports a record 5,444 new cases in the past 24 hours, bringing the nationwide total to 457,735 cases. Central Java reports the highest number of new cases, with 1,362 new cases. (detikHealth)
      • President Joko Widodo states that the country has sought emergency authorization to start a mass vaccination programme by the end of the year using CoronaVac and the Sinopharm vaccine. He also said that health workers, military and police will be the first to receive the vaccine. (Reuters)
    • COVID-19 pandemic in South Korea
      • South Korea begins to fine people and operators who fail to wear masks in public. Under the new rules, people caught without masks in public venues face fines of up to 100,000 won (US$90), while the operators of those places face fines of up to three million won (US$2,700). (The Japan Times)
  • COVID-19 pandemic in Europe
    • COVID-19 pandemic in Germany
      • The number of new confirmed cases in Germany surges to a record 23,542 cases over the past 24 hours, according to data from the Robert Koch Institute. (Zeit Online)
    • COVID-19 pandemic in Italy
      • The number of new confirmed cases in Italy surges to a record of 40,902 cases, pushing the nationwide total to 1.1 million cases as the government designates the Tuscany and Campania regions as high-risk "red zones". (ANSA) (BBC News)
    • COVID-19 pandemic in Portugal
      • Portugal surpasses 200,000 cumulative cases of COVID-19. (DGS)
    • COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom
  • After a series of briefings against Prime Minister Boris Johnson and his wife, two of his Special Advisers Dominic Cummings and Lee Cain (also Downing Street Director of Communications left their roles in Number 10 Downing Street
    • COVID-19 pandemic in Russia
      • Russia reports a record 21,983 new cases in the past 24 hours, pushing the nationwide total since the start of the pandemic to 1.88 million cases. (The Moscow Times)
    • COVID-19 pandemic in Sweden
      • Sweden, whose government took a lighter approach to the pandemic, including not enforcing lockdowns, reports 5,990 new cases, a new single-day record that pushes the nationwide total to 177,395 cases. (Dagensvimmerby)
    • COVID-19 pandemic in Switzerland; COVID-19 vaccine
      • Switzerland begins reviews of Moderna's potential vaccine candidate. (Reuters)
    • COVID-19 pandemic in Ukraine
      • The number of new confirmed cases in Ukraine surges to a record of 11,787 cases, pushing the nationwide total since the start of the pandemic to 512,652 cases. (Kyiv Post)
  • COVID-19 pandemic in Oceania
    • COVID-19 pandemic in Australia
      • Prime Minister Scott Morrison announces that all states and territories in Australia will reopen their borders by Christmas, with the exception of Western Australia. (9 News)
    • COVID-19 pandemic in New Zealand
      • The Auckland CBD reopens after contact tracing of a new case revealed it was linked to a known case from a border isolation facility, reversing an earlier call for people to work from home. (RNZ)
  • COVID-19 pandemic on cruise ships
    • Seven passengers on SeaDream Yacht Club's SeaDream I cruise ship test positive for COVID-19, forcing the cruise line to cancel the remainder of the sailing and return the ship to a port in Barbados. (CNN)

Law and crime

• Corruption in South Africa
  • Ace Magashule, a top official of the African National Congress, is expected to face 21 charges of corruption in Bloemfontein, South Africa. (ABC News)
• Terrorism in Germany
  • Federal prosecutors in Stuttgart state court charge 11 people with membership of the "Group S." far-right terror organization, allegedly planning to effect "conditions similar to civil war" by killing Muslims and attacking mosques so as to "shake the state and the social order" and eventually overthrow the German government. (AP via Chicago Daily Herald)
• Alcohol in Indonesia
  • Twenty-one lawmakers from staunchly conservative Islamic parties, the Prosperous Justice Party (PKS) and the Development Unity Party (PPP), re-initiate their argument at the parliament to have the Bill on the Prohibition of Alcoholic Drinks passed into law. The bill has stalled in parliament ever since it was initiated by the same group in 2015. (Coconuts)
• A major police operation is conducted at the headquarters of Ubisoft Montreal following reports of a hostage situation. The employees remaining in the building are safely evacuated. Later, the police tell the local media that it was a false alarm. Police sources deem the 911 call that triggered the incident a hoax. (Le Journal de Montréal) (CBC)
• Recently unsealed court documents reveal that a teenager had been arrested last year for plotting an attack on an unidentified school in the Tasman District of New Zealand. He was in possession of an AR-15 style rifle, a modified shotgun, and homemade explosives. The suspect had pleaded guilty to charges of unlawful possession of restricted weapons and objectionable material and had been sentenced to two years of supervision. (Stuff)

Politics and elections

• 2020 Belarusian protests
  • Protesters gather in Belarus to mourn the death of 31-year-old protester Raman Bandarenka, who died in a hospital in Minsk after being beaten by security forces. (ABC News)
• 2020 Myanmar general election
  • Early results show Myanmar's ruling National League for Democracy winning an absolute majority in the country's latest general election. The election is called unfair by the oppositional Union Solidarity and Development Party and is criticised by rights groups for alleged voter suppression and the political disenfranchisement of the Rohingya minority. (DW)

Sports

• Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on sports
  • The Egyptian Football Association announces that Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah has tested positive for COVID-19 shortly before Egypt's 2021 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier match against Togo. (Al Jazeera)

November 14, 2020 (2020-11-14) (Saturday)

Armed conflicts and attacks

• Tigray conflict
  • Asmara rocket attacks
    • Explosions are reported in the Eritrean capital Asmara amid reports of a missile attack from Tigray, Ethiopia. The Eritrean government confirms missiles were launched at the capital but said that they missed and instead landed in the countryside. The attack comes just hours after the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF) threatened to target Eritrea. (Eritrea Hub)
  • The TPLF launched missiles at Gondar Airport and Bahir Dar Airport in Amhara Region, Ethiopia. A spokesman for the TPLF says, "As long as the attacks on the people of Tigray do not stop, the attacks will intensify". (CNN)
  • Hundreds of people cross the Tekezé River on small boats into Sudan, fleeing the escalating fighting in Tigray. There are now around 8,000 refugees stranded on the Ethiopia–Sudan border. (Reuters)
• 2020 Western Saharan clashes
  • The Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic declares war on Morocco, formally ending a 29-year truce. (Axios)

Disasters and accidents

• 2020 Pacific typhoon season
  • Around 468,000 people are to be evacuated in Vietnam ahead of the landfall of Typhoon Vamco, which has already killed 53 people in the Philippines. Prime Minister Nguyễn Xuân Phúc warns people of the seriousness of the storm. (Reuters)
• 2020 Atlantic hurricane season
  • Tropical Storm Iota strengthens in the Caribbean Sea and is expected to intensify in the coming hours, threatening many parts of Central America, including Belize, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panama and Colombia. The storm is expected to grow into a hurricane. (CNN)
• Piatra Neamț hospital fire
  • A fire breaks out in a hospital in Piatra Neamț, Romania, killing at least 10 people. (Digi24)

Health and environment

• COVID-19 pandemic
  • COVID-19 pandemic in North America
    • COVID-19 pandemic in Canada
      • COVID-19 pandemic in Alberta
        • Alberta reports 1,026 new cases, a new single-day record since the pandemic began. (CBC)
      • COVID-19 pandemic in Manitoba
        • Manitoba reports a record 15 new fatalities, including 11 deaths that are linked to Maples Long Term Care Home in Winnipeg, bringing the death toll to 152. (CKY-DT)
      • COVID-19 pandemic in Ontario
        • Ontario reports a new single-day record of 1,581 cases, bringing the total number of cases in the province to 92,761. (Global News)
      • COVID-19 pandemic in Quebec
        • Quebec reports a new single-day record of 1,448 cases, bringing the total number of cases in the province to 122,634. (Montreal Gazette)
      • COVID-19 pandemic in Saskatchewan
        • Saskatchewan reports a new single-day record of 308 cases, bringing the total number of cases in the province to 1,691. (CKCK-DT)
    • COVID-19 pandemic in the United States
      • COVID-19 pandemic in Minnesota
        • Minnesota reports 8,703 new cases, a new single-day record as seven-day positivity rate reaches 15 percent. (Minnesota Public Radio)
      • COVID-19 pandemic in New Jersey
        • New Jersey reports a new single-day record of 4,395 new cases, surpassing the previous record set in April during the first wave of the pandemic. (NJ.com)
      • COVID-19 pandemic in North Dakota
        • North Dakota reports 2,278 new cases, a new single day record. (KVLY-TV)
      • COVID-19 pandemic in Washington
        • Washington state reports 2,323 new cases in the past 24 hours, a single-day record since the start of the pandemic. (KOMO-TV)
    • COVID-19 pandemic in Mexico
      • Mexico surpasses one million cases of COVID-19. (ABC News)
  • COVID-19 pandemic in Europe
    • COVID-19 pandemic in Austria
      • Chancellor Sebastian Kurz announces a two-week national lockdown effective November 17. All schools, non-essential services and shops will be closed, and people will be told not to meet anyone from outside their household as the number of cases continues to rise. (BBC News)
    • COVID-19 pandemic in Greece
      • Education Minister Niki Kerameus announces the closure of kindergartens, primary schools, and childcare centers across the country for two weeks beginning November 16 as part of tightened lockdown measures aimed to reduce the spread of COVID-19. (Ekathimerini)
    • COVID-19 pandemic in Poland
      • Poland surpasses 10,000 deaths from COVID-19 after a record 548 new deaths are reported in the last 24 hours. (RMF 24)
    • COVID-19 pandemic in Russia
      • Russia reports a record 22,702 new cases in the past 24 hours, bringing the nationwide total since the start of the pandemic to 1.9 million cases. (The Moscow Times)
    • COVID-19 pandemic in Ukraine
      • Ukraine reports a record 12,524 new confirmed cases, bringing the nationwide total since the start of the pandemic to 525,176 cases. (Kyiv Post)
  • COVID-19 pandemic in Asia
    • COVID-19 pandemic in Iran
      • The government announces that Iran will impose stricter restrictions beginning November 21. In Tehran and about 100 other towns and cities which are classified as "red zone" or "Level 3", non-essential businesses will close and cars will not be allowed to enter or leave the city. (IRNA) (Reuters)
    • COVID-19 pandemic in Japan
      • Japan reports 1,731 new confirmed cases, a new record for the third consecutive day, as many prefectures such as Osaka and Chiba report record numbers of daily cases. (Kyodo News)
    • COVID-19 pandemic in South Korea
      • South Korea reports 205 new confirmed cases, exceeding 200 for the first time since September, according to data from the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency. (Yonhap News Agency)
  • COVID-19 pandemic in Australia, travel restrictions related to the COVID-19 pandemic
    • Western Australia reopens its hard border for the first time in seven months after it was closed due to restrictions related to the COVID-19 pandemic. (ABC Australia)

International relations

• Foreign relations of the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic
  • Guyana withdraws its recognition of the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR) following the military clashes in Guerguerat. Guyana's Foreign Minister Hugh Todd says his country will "support the efforts of the United Nations to achieve a peaceful and mutually acceptable solution". (Morocco World News)

Politics and elections

• 2020 United States election protests
  • Thousands of supporters of President Donald Trump protest the results of the 2020 United States presidential election in Washington, D.C. (BBC News)

November 15, 2020 (2020-11-15) (Sunday)

Arts and culture

• Pope Francis issues an appeal to authorities in Ivory Coast to establish a climate of mutual trust and dialogue in the West African nation, where controversial elections have led to violence and a mass exodus from the country. (Vatican News)

Business and economy

• Fifteen Asia-Pacific nations sign the world's largest free-trade agreement in Vietnam. It replaces the Trans-Pacific Partnership, from which the administration of Donald Trump withdrew the United States in early 2017. (DW) (Financial Times)

Disasters and accidents

• 2020 Atlantic hurricane season
  • Iota becomes Hurricane Iota and is forecast to hit Central America. Nicaragua issues hurricane warnings near the border with Honduras while Honduras also issues warnings, whereas Colombia issues a warning to the islands of San Andrés and Providencia. (CNN)

Health and environment

• COVID-19 pandemic
  • COVID-19 pandemic in North America
    • COVID-19 pandemic in the United States
      • COVID-19 pandemic in Kentucky
        • Kentucky reports 3,303 new cases, a new single-day record. (WDRB-TV)
      • COVID-19 pandemic in Michigan
        • After several days of record highs for new cases, Governor Gretchen Whitmer issues an order closing several types of business and services, including high schools and universities, for three weeks, effective November 18. (WJBK-TV)
      • COVID-19 pandemic in New Jersey
        • New Jersey reports 4,540 new cases over the past 24 hours, a new single-day record. (North Jersey)
      • COVID-19 pandemic in Washington (state)
        • Governor Jay Inslee announces that bars, restaurants, and gyms in the state will no longer be able to operate indoor services. In addition, indoor social gatherings are prohibited. The new restrictions will take effect on November 17 at 12:01 a.m. PST and remain in effect for four weeks. (KOMO-TV)
      • The U.S. surpasses 11 million cases of COVID-19, just six days after surpassing ten million cases. (NBC News) (NPR)
    • COVID-19 pandemic in Canada
      • COVID-19 pandemic in Manitoba
        • Manitoba reports a record 494 new confirmed cases, bringing the total number of cases in the province to 10,947. (CBC)
      • Canada surpasses 300,000 cases of COVID-19. (CTV News)
  • COVID-19 pandemic in Asia
    • COVID-19 pandemic in Bangladesh
      • Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan, who tested positive for COVID-19 yesterday, tests negative within a day. Despite this, he and senior secretary Mostafa Kamal Uddin remain in isolation. (Anadolu Agency)
    • COVID-19 pandemic in Iran
      • Iran reports 12,543 new infections of COVID-19, a new record, as well as 459 fatalities, bringing the death toll of the worst-hit country in the Middle East to 41,493. (Al Arabiya)
    • COVID-19 pandemic in mainland China
      • The municipal health commission in Jinan finds coronavirus on imported beef and tripe from Brazil, New Zealand, and Bolivia, as well as on packaging for these products, as China ramps up testing on imports of frozen foods. (Business Standard)
    • COVID-19 pandemic in Pakistan
      • Pakistan reports 2,443 new confirmed cases, the highest single-day total in four months, bringing the total number of cases to 356,904. (The Nation)
    • COVID-19 pandemic in South Korea
      • The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency reports 208 new confirmed cases, the highest single-day total since early September and the eighth consecutive day of triple-digit increases, bringing the total number of cases to 28,546. (CNA)
  • COVID-19 pandemic in Europe
    • COVID-19 pandemic in Italy, COVID-19 pandemic lockdown in Italy
      • A lockdown is imposed in the Italian regions of Campania and Tuscany, bringing the number of regions in lockdown in the country to six. Nine more regions are under strict restrictions. (Il Messaggero)
    • COVID-19 pandemic in Ukraine
      • Health Minister Maksym Stepanov tests positive for COVID-19. (Kyiv Post)
    • COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom
      • Prime Minister Boris Johnson self-isolates after meeting with Ashfield MP Lee Anderson, who later tested positive for COVID-19. (BBC News)
  • COVID-19 pandemic in Australia
    • South Australia reports four new cases through community transmissions linked to a supermarket and a hospital in the northern suburbs of Adelaide, leading to fears of a second wave in the state. In response, Western Australia reimposes hard border controls with South Australia. (News.com.au)
  • COVID-19 pandemic in Eswatini
    • Prime Minister Ambrose Mandvulo Dlamini tests positive for COVID-19. (U.S. News and World Report)
  • Worldwide, a record 660,905 new cases are reported over the weekend, according to the World Health Organization's COVID-19 dashboard. (France 24)

Law and crime

• Michigan State Representative, Matt Maddock and a group of representatives began impeachment hearings for Michigan Governor, Gretchen Whitmer. (Michigan Bridge)
• 2020 Belarusian protests
  • A Belarusian human rights group says that over 500 people have been arrested during protests against President Alexander Lukashenko. (ABC News)

Politics and elections

• 2020 Moldovan presidential election
  • The second round of presidential elections takes place in Moldova. (MSN News)
  • Pro-European Union candidate Maia Sandu defeats pro-Russian incumbent Igor Dodon to be elected the first female President of Moldova. (DW)
• 2020 Brazilian municipal elections
  • Brazilians attend polling stations all over the country to elect mayors and city councillors in an election deemed to be a test of President Jair Bolsonaro's popularity. (Financial Times)
  • Two-thirds of mayoral candidates openly supported by Bolsonaro are defeated in the first round of elections, including São Paulo candidate Celso Russomanno. (BBC News)
• 2020 United States presidential election
  • Incumbent president Donald Trump admits in a Twitter post that Joe Biden won the election. He follows up with a later tweet reaffirming his refusal to concede the election. (Sky News)
• 2020 Peruvian protests
  • President Manuel Merino resigns five days after taking office as two demonstrators are shot dead and most of his Cabinet step down. (BBC News)

Science and technology

• SpaceX Crew-1, Expedition 64
  • SpaceX successfully launches its Crew Dragon spacecraft carrying three NASA astronauts, Michael S. Hopkins, Victor J. Glover, Shannon Walker and JAXA astronaut Soichi Noguchi to the International Space Station. It is the first crewed operational flight of a Crew Dragon spacecraft and the first night launch in the United States since STS-130. (BBC News)

November 16, 2020 (2020-11-16) (Monday)

Business and economy

• Economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic
  • COVID-19 pandemic in Asia
    • COVID-19 pandemic in South Korea, Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on aviation
      • Korean Air announces that it will acquire Asiana Airlines for 1.8 trillion KRW (US$1.6 billion) to help the South Korean airline industry continue to grow amid uncertainties during the COVID-19 pandemic. (The Korea Herald)

Disasters and accidents

• 2020 Atlantic hurricane season
  • Hurricane Iota strengthens into a category 5 hurricane as it approaches Nicaragua. (The Washington Post)
• List of explosions
  • An LP gas truck explodes on Federal Highway 15D in Nayarit, Mexico, killing at least 14 people. Most of the victims died inside their vehicles. (The Independent) (El Universal)

Health and environment

• COVID-19 pandemic
  • COVID-19 pandemic in North America
    • COVID-19 pandemic in the United States
      • COVID-19 pandemic in Pennsylvania
        • COVID-19 pandemic in Philadelphia
          • Philadelphia bans nearly all indoor gatherings, both public and private, between November 20 and January 1 as part of new restrictions in the wake of a spike in COVID-19 cases. In addition, high schools will be reverted to remote learning, restaurants will only be allowed to have takeaway or delivery, and businesses like movie theaters, arcades, and bowling alleys are ordered closed again. (NPR)
      • COVID-19 pandemic in California
        • Governor Gavin Newsom announces that he has pulled an "emergency brake", which means that starting the following day, California will implement more closures and stricter restrictions, which will cover 41 counties containing 94% of the state's population. (The Guardian)
      • COVID-19 pandemic in Michigan
        • Michigan surpasses 8,000 confirmed deaths from COVID-19. (MLive.com)
      • COVID-19 pandemic in New Mexico
        • New Mexico begins its two-week lockdown announced by Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham on November 13 in an attempt to curb COVID-19 infections. Under the latest public health order, people are being asked to stay at home, and only essential businesses will remain open. (KOB-TV)
      • COVID-19 pandemic in Texas
        • Texas surpasses 20,000 total confirmed deaths from COVID-19 and becomes the state with the second-highest number of reported deaths in the United States, behind only New York. (ABC News)
      • COVID-19 pandemic in Washington, D.C.
        • U.S. Representatives Cheri Bustos of Illinois and Tim Walberg of Michigan announce they have tested positive for COVID-19. Additionally, Representative Mark Pocan of Wisconsin said publicly he was isolating after a possible exposure to the virus. (CNN)
    • COVID-19 pandemic in Canada
      • COVID-19 pandemic in Alberta
        • Alberta reports a record 91 new fatalities in the last 24 hours. (Airdrie Today)
      • COVID-19 pandemic in Nunavut
        • Chief Medical Officer Dr. Michael Patterson announces that Nunavut will close all non-essential services, businesses and organizations, as well as schools and daycare centres for two weeks beginning November 18, due to a spike in COVID-19 cases in the territory. (CBC)
  • COVID-19 pandemic in Europe
    • COVID-19 pandemic in Russia
      • Russia reports a record 22,778 new cases in the past 24 hours, bringing the total number of cases to 1.95 million. (Anadolu Agency)
      • Buryatia becomes the first Russian republic to return to a lockdown, as it closes restaurants, shopping malls, and other places of public gathering for two weeks. (The Moscow Times)
    • COVID-19 pandemic in France
      • The number of hospitalized patients in France reaches an all-time high of 33,497. (Le Figaro)
    • COVID-19 pandemic in Portugal
      • Portugal reports a record 91 new fatalities, bringing the nationwide death toll to 3,472. (Portugal Resident)
    • COVID-19 pandemic in Sweden
      • Prime Minister Stefan Löfven announces a ban on public gatherings of more than eight people beginning November 24, as part of measures aimed to curb the spread of COVID-19 in Sweden. (RTE)
  • COVID-19 pandemic in Asia
    • COVID-19 pandemic in Iran
      • Iran reports a record 13,053 new cases and 486 new fatalities in the last 24 hours, bringing the total number of cases in the worst-hit country in the Middle East to 775,121 and the nationwide death toll to 41,979. (Al Arabiya)
    • COVID-19 pandemic in Pakistan
      • Prime Minister Imran Khan announces a temporary ban on political rallies and gatherings of more than 300 people in an attempt to reduce the spread of COVID-19 in Pakistan. (Deccan Herald)
  • COVID-19 pandemic in Australia
    • The Northern Territory, Queensland, and Tasmania announce that their borders with South Australia are indefinitely closed, as the state's second wave reaches 17 cases. (News.com.au)
  • COVID-19 vaccine
    • Moderna's preliminary results show their vaccine candidate is 94.5% effective at preventing COVID-19 infections. The results also suggest that in cases of COVID-19 infection after vaccination, the vaccine appeared to prevent severe illness. (The New York Times)

International relations

• Russia–Sudan relations
  • Russian President Vladimir Putin approves the construction of a new Russian Navy facility in Sudan. The naval base will be built near Port Sudan on the Red Sea coast, and will hold up to 300 military and civilian personnel. (Reuters)

Law and crime

• Capital punishment in Iraq
  • Iraq hangs 21 convicted terrorists and murderers at the Nasiriyah Central Prison in Nasiriyah, Dhi Qar Governorate. The interior ministry did not provide details of the crimes of those executed but stated they were all convicted under a 2005 counter-terrorism law. (DW)

Politics and elections

• 2020 United States presidential election
  • Plaintiffs aligned with President Donald Trump's re-election campaign and the GOP announces that they will drop lawsuits in Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Michigan, and Georgia challenging ballots and attempting to block the states from certifying their election results. (Forbes) (CNBC)
• 2020 Belarusian protests
  • Retirees protest in Minsk, marking the 100th straight day protests broke in Belarus since President Alexander Lukashenko won his 6th term in a widely rejected election. (AP)

November 17, 2020 (2020-11-17) (Tuesday)

Armed conflicts and attacks

• War in Afghanistan
  • Taliban insurgency
    • November 2020 Afghanistan attacks
      • The Taliban kill at least 12 police officers and injure 10 others in Jurm District, Badakhshan Province. (TOLOnews)
    • Withdrawal of U.S. troops from Afghanistan
      • The Pentagon announces a partial withdrawal of 2,000 more U.S. troops from Afghanistan by mid-January. The withdrawal will reduce the number of U.S. military personnel stationed in Afghanistan from 4,500 to 2,500. (Reuters)
• 2020 Nagorno-Karabakh war
  • The Grand National Assembly of Turkey approves President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's request to deploy Turkish Army peacekeepers to monitor a ceasefire agreement between Armenia and Azerbaijan in Nagorno-Karabakh. (France 24)
  • Armenia and Azerbaijan exchange the bodies of at least 200 people killed in clashes in Nagorno-Karabakh. The exchange was overseen by Russian peacekeepers, according to the Red Cross. (Al Jazeera)
• Tigray conflict
  • Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed vows a "final and crucial" offensive after a three-day deadline to the leaders of the Tigray Region to surrender has expired. Abiy also confirms that airstrikes are being carried out but defines them as "precision-led and surgical", denying claims of civilian casualties. (AP)
• Allied Democratic Forces insurgency
  • The bodies of 29 people are found in the Virunga National Park, Democratic Republic of the Congo after they were "executed en masse". The interior ministry of North Kivu province has blamed the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) and added that six other civilians were killed in a nearby village on Tuesday. (Al Jazeera)

Business and economy

• Economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic
  • COVID-19 pandemic in Japan
    • Japanese economy grew at annualized rate of 21.4% in July-September quarter after two consecutive quarters of contraction due to the pandemic, driven by rise of private spending and exports. (AP)
• Prime Minister Boris Johnson announces a ban on the sale of new petrol and diesel engine cars by 2030, as part of a government plan to reach a net zero emissions climate target in the United Kingdom by 2050. The sale of hybrid vehicles will also be banned by 2035. (Reuters)

Health and environment

• COVID-19 pandemic
  • COVID-19 pandemic in North America
    • COVID-19 pandemic in the United States
      • COVID-19 pandemic in Idaho
        • Idaho reports 1,781 new cases in the past 24 hours, a new single day record. (KIFI-TV)
      • COVID-19 pandemic in Washington, D.C.
        • U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley of Iowa tests positive for COVID-19. (CNN)
      • COVID-19 pandemic in New Mexico
        • New Mexico reports a record 2,112 new cases, bringing the statewide total to 67,559 cases. (Santa Fe Reporter)
      • COVID-19 pandemic in Pennsylvania
        • Health Secretary Rachel Levine announces that out-of-state travelers will be required to either quarantine or present a negative COVID-19 test to enter the state. (CBS News)
      • COVID-19 pandemic in Ohio
        • Ohio Governor Mike DeWine orders a night time curfew from 10:00 p.m. until 5:00 a.m. EST in an attempt to slow the spread of COVID-19. The curfew will begin on November 19 and will last for three weeks. (WDIV-TV)
      • COVID-19 pandemic in Wisconsin
        • Wisconsin reports a record 92 new fatalities in the last 24 hours, bringing the death toll to 2,741. In addition, a record 318 hospitalizations are also reported. (WBAY-TV)
      • COVID-19 pandemic in Maine
        • Maine reports 246 new cases of COVID-19, a new single-day record. (WGME-TV)
      • Pfizer announces that they have launched a pilot delivery program for their potential vaccine in Rhode Island, Texas, New Mexico, and Tennessee. (The Hill)
    • COVID-19 pandemic in Canada
      • COVID-19 pandemic in British Columbia
        • British Columbia reports a record 717 new cases and 11 deaths in the last 24 hours, bringing the provincial death toll to 310 and the total number of cases to 23,661. (CBC)
  • COVID-19 pandemic in Europe
    • COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom
      • COVID-19 pandemic in Scotland
        • First Minister Nicola Sturgeon announces that 11 local authorities, including Glasgow, are to be placed into the highest level of restrictions (Level 4) for three weeks beginning at 6:00 p.m. GMT on November 20. The Level 4 status for the 11 areas will remain in effect "for a limited time". (Sky News)
      • The United Kingdom reports 598 new fatalities, the highest single-day total since May. (Reuters)
    • COVID-19 pandemic in Denmark
      • Cluster 5
        • The Minority government of Denmark, held by Social Democrats, agrees with four left-leaning and center parties to support a law proposal that would allow for the culling of 15 million minks across the country over concerns about a mutated version of the virus that has spread among the animals. The proposed law also bans mink farming until the end of next year. (The Washington Post)
    • COVID-19 pandemic in Russia
      • Russia reports a record 442 new fatalities and 22,055 recoveries over the past 24 hours, bringing the nationwide death toll to 33,931 and nationwide recoveries to 1.47 million. (Anadolu Agency)
    • COVID-19 pandemic in Bulgaria
      • The number of total confirmed cases in Bulgaria surpasses 100,000, as the country sets a new record for daily deaths, with 152 fatalities reported in the last 24 hours. (Coronavirus.bg)
    • COVID-19 pandemic in France
      • France reported 45,422 new cases in the last 24 hours, surpassing two million total confirmed COVID-19 cases. (France 24)
    • COVID-19 pandemic in Italy
      • Italy reports 731 new fatalities in the last 24 hours, the highest single-day total since April 3, bringing the nationwide death toll to 46,464. (Corriere della Sera)
    • COVID-19 pandemic in Spain
      • Spain reports 435 new fatalities, the highest daily increase in the second wave of the pandemic, bringing the death toll in the country to 41,688. (CNA)
    • COVID-19 pandemic in Turkey
      • President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan announces the closure of schools for the remainder of the semester and introduces a nationwide weekend curfew from 8:00 p.m. to 10:00 a.m. local time. Restrictions for senior citizens over 65 years of age will also be expanded to include people under 20 years of age, allowing them to go outside only from 10:00 a.m to 4:00 p.m.. The new restrictions also order the closure of coffeehouses and cinemas, and for all sports events to be held without fans. (Daily Sabah)
  • COVID-19 pandemic in Asia
    • COVID-19 pandemic in Iran
      • Iran reports a record 13,352 new cases in the last 24 hours, bringing the nationwide cumulative total to 788,473 cases. (Arab News)
    • COVID-19 pandemic in Jordan
      • Jordan reports a record 6,454 new cases in the past 24 hours, bringing the nationwide cumulative total to 155,993 cases. (Roya News)
    • COVID-19 pandemic in South Korea
      • The government will increase social distancing rules in the Seoul Capital Area to Level 1.5 amidst a surge in COVID-19 cases. The new protocols will be enforced for Seoul and Gyeonggi Province beginning November 19, as well as in Incheon beginning November 23. (Yonhap News Agency)

International relations

• Iran–Saudi Arabia relations, Iran–Saudi Arabia proxy conflict
  • The Minister of State for Foreign Affairs of Saudi Arabia Adel al-Jubeir says that his country "reserves the right to arm itself with nuclear weapons if Iran cannot be stopped from making one." (Al Jazeera)
• Belarus–European Union relations, 2020 Belarusian protests
  • Belarus opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya calls on European leaders to impose sanctions on supporters of President Alexander Lukashenko after police used tear gas, rubber bullets and stun grenades to disperse protesters. (Reuters)

Politics and elections

• 2020 United States presidential election
  • Presidential transition of Joe Biden
    • President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris attend an unofficial security briefing from a team consisting of former advisers to both the Obama and Trump administrations. The briefing stems from the Trump administration's refusal to cooperate with the Biden-Harris transition team. (The Independent)
  • President Donald Trump fires Chris Krebs, the Director of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), which oversaw the security of the 2020 election. Deputy Director Matthew Travis, who had expected to become acting director, is forced to resign. Krebs and the CISA have refuted Trump's accusations of voter fraud, calling the election the "most secure in American history". Trump has called Krebs' statements "highly inaccurate". (The Washington Post)

Science and technology

• Censorship of Facebook
  • The Solomon Islands Cabinet passes a ban on the use of social media platform Facebook in the country, citing public misuse of the platform, and a need for stricter cybercrime legislation and regulation. Communications Minister Peter Shannel Agovaka says the ban does not require parliament's approval, and will be enforced once operators "establish a firewall" to block Facebook. (RNZ)

November 18, 2020 (2020-11-18) (Wednesday)

Business and economy

• Boeing 737 MAX groundings
  • The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration clears Boeing's 737 MAX to fly again, provided that all planes receive modifications to their software and wiring and that all pilots receive additional training. (BBC News)
• Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on aviation
  • Norwegian Air Shuttle files for bankruptcy protection in Ireland for two subsidiaries: Norwegian Air International and Arctic Aviation Assets as part of a restructuring of the business due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. (RFI)
• Fitch Ratings downgrades Zambia's government debt to RD (restricted default) after the country failed to pay a Eurobond coupon on Friday. (Reuters) (AFP via Yahoo! Finance)

Health and environment

• COVID-19 pandemic
  • COVID-19 pandemic in North America
    • COVID-19 pandemic in the United States
      • COVID-19 pandemic in New York (state)
        • COVID-19 pandemic in New York City
          • Mayor Bill de Blasio stated that public schools across New York City will temporarily close after the 7-day average positivity rate reaches 3%. (ABC News)
      • COVID-19 pandemic in Ohio
        • Columbus Health Commissioner Dr. Mysheika Roberts and Franklin County, Ohio Health Commissioner Joe Mazzola issue stay-at-home advisories for residents of Columbus and Franklin County. People living in these areas are also advised to avoid travelling in and out of the state. (WANE-TV)
      • COVID-19 pandemic in Pennsylvania
        • Pennsylvania reports a new single-day record of 6,339 new cases in the last 24 hours, bringing the total number of cases in the state to 281,852. (WKBN-TV)
      • COVID-19 pandemic in Wisconsin
        • Wisconsin reports a record of 7,989 new cases in the last 24 hours, bringing the total number of cases in the state to 331,837. (WBAY-TV)
      • COVID-19 pandemic in Minnesota
        • Minnesota Governor Tim Walz imposes several new restrictions on businesses and indoor gatherings in response to a surge in new cases. It begins on November 20 and lasts for four weeks. (CBS News)
      • The number of confirmed deaths in the United States reaches 250,000. (NBC News)
      • The U.S. military reported a record high number of COVID-19 cases with 1,314 new cases on Tuesday, according to data from the Department of Defense. (CNN)
    • COVID-19 pandemic in Canada
      • COVID-19 pandemic in British Columbia
        • British Columbia reports a record 762 new cases in the last 24 hours, bringing the province's total number of cases to 24,423. (Global News)
  • COVID-19 pandemic in Asia
    • COVID-19 pandemic in Japan
      • Tokyo reports a new single-day record of 493 new cases, surpassing the previous record set in August and bringing the cumulative number of cases in the prefecture to over 35,000. (The Mainichi Shimbun)
      • Nationwide, 2,203 new cases are reported in Japan. It is the first time that the country has reported more than 2,000 cases since the pandemic began. (Kyodo News)
    • COVID-19 pandemic in Indonesia
      • The number of patients who recovered from COVID-19 in Indonesia exceeds 400,000. (detikHealth)
    • COVID-19 pandemic in Iran
      • Iran reports a record 13,421 new cases in the last 24 hours, bringing the nationwide cumulative total to 801,894 cases. (Al-Arabiya)
    • COVID-19 pandemic in Jordan
      • Jordan reports a record 7,933 new confirmed cases in the past 24 hours, bringing the nationwide cumulative total to 163,926 cases. (Roya News)
    • COVID-19 pandemic in Malaysia
      • Malaysia surpasses 50,000 total confirmed cases of COVID-19. (The Edge Markets MY)
    • COVID-19 pandemic in South Korea
      • The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency reports 313 new cases in South Korea in the past 24 hours, surpassing 300 for the first time. It is also the highest single-day figure since August 29, taking the nationwide total to 29,311 cases. (Yonhap News Agency)
    • COVID-19 pandemic in the State of Palestine
      • Palestine reports a record 1,268 new confirmed cases in the last 24 hours, half of them in Gaza, as officials in both the Palestinian Authority and Hamas resist calls to impose a second general lockdown. (The Times of Israel)
    • COVID-19 pandemic in Taiwan
      • Beginning December 1, Taiwan will require almost all visitors to have negative COVID-19 tests before arriving in the country due to an increase in imported cases. The government will also increase the number of places where people must wear masks. (The Straits Times)
  • COVID-19 pandemic in Europe
    • COVID-19 pandemic in Denmark
      • Cluster 5
        • Danish Agriculture Minister Mogens Jensen (politician) resigns following criticism of illegal government order to cull 15-17 million minks after the discovery of a mutated version of the coronavirus at some of the country's mink farms. (Euronews)
    • COVID-19 pandemic in Italy
      • Italy reports 753 new fatalities in the last 24 hours, the highest single-day total since April 3, bringing the nationwide death toll to 47,217. (Corriere della Sera)
    • COVID-19 pandemic in the Republic of Ireland
      • Ireland surpasses 2,000 total deaths from COVID-19. (The Irish Times)
    • COVID-19 pandemic in Poland
      • Poland reports a record of 603 new fatalities in the past 24 hours, bringing the nationwide death toll to 11,451. (RMF 24)
    • COVID-19 pandemic in Russia
      • Russia reports a record 456 new fatalities in the past 24 hours, bringing the nationwide death toll to 34,387. In addition, a record 25,179 recoveries are reported, outnumbering new cases for the first time since September 16. (Vedomosti) (Anadolu Agency)
    • COVID-19 pandemic in Spain
      • Attorney General Dolores Delgado tests positive for COVID-19. (El Peridico)
    • COVID-19 pandemic in Ukraine
      • Ukraine surpasses 10,000 total deaths from COVID-19 after a record 256 new fatalities are reported in the past 24 hours. (Kyiv Post)
  • COVID-19 pandemic in Oceania
    • COVID-19 pandemic in Australia, COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns
      • South Australian Premier Steven Marshall announces a six-day "circuit breaker" lockdown across the state beginning at midnight due to a growing number of COVID-19 cases in Adelaide. Unlike previous lockdowns in Australia, outside exercise and takeaway food will be prohibited. The lockdown will be followed by eight days of "lesser restrictions". (BBC News)
    • COVID-19 pandemic in Samoa
      • Prime Minister Tuilaepa Aiono Sailele Malielegaoi confirms the first case of COVID-19 in the country from a sailor who returned from Auckland, New Zealand. Malielegaoi said the sailor tested positive Wednesday night but that a second confirmation test from this morning was negative. He added that they were concerned that the man could be contagious, though he is in isolation. (RNZ)
  • COVID-19 pandemic in Africa
    • COVID-19 pandemic in Zimbabwe
      • Authorities close a boarding school in Matabeleland North Province after at least 100 students tested positive for COVID-19. (SowetanLIVE)
    • The total number of confirmed cases in Africa surpasses two million. South Africa remains the continent's highest number of reported COVID-19 cases at over 750,000. (Reuters)
  • COVID-19 vaccine
    • Malaysian Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Khairy Jamaluddin signed an agreement with his Chinese counterpart Wang Zhigang to cooperate on the development of a safe and efficacious vaccine, as part of efforts to combat the COVID-19 pandemic. (The Star)
    • Pfizer formally ends its vaccine trial with a 95% success rate and will submit a regulatory approval "within days". (NBC News)
• 2020 Équateur Province Ebola outbreak
  • The Democratic Republic of the Congo declares the end of an almost six-month long Ebola outbreak in the Équateur Province. (AllAfrica.com)

International relations

• Iran–United States relations, United States sanctions against Iran
  • Iran says that it will return to the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, better known as the "Iran Deal", if President-elect Joe Biden lifts sanctions imposed by President Donald Trump. (CBS News)
  • The United States imposes sanctions against the Mostazafan Foundation, a foundation controlled by Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, over alleged human rights abuses. (Al Jazeera)

Politics and elections

• COVID-19 pandemic in Michigan
  • Three Republican members of the Michigan House of Representatives have introduced a resolution calling for the impeachment of Governor Gretchen Whitmer over her new mitigation measures against the COVID-19 pandemic in the state. Other members of the Michigan Republicans, including high-ranking members of the Michigan House, criticize the resolution. (Fox News)
• Taiwan's broadcast regulator denies the renewal of the broadcast license of CTi News channel, citing alleged interference by its major shareholder Tsai Eng-meng. This is the first time ever that Taiwan shuts down a television news channel. The opposition party Kuomintang calls it an attack on press freedom. (CNA)
• Politics of Peru
  • Violeta Bermúdez becomes the new Prime Minister of Peru. (Andina)

Sports

• 2020 NBA draft
  • In basketball, the Minnesota Timberwolves select Anthony Edwards with the first overall pick in the draft. (The Guardian) (BBC News)

November 19, 2020 (2020-11-19) (Thursday)

Armed conflicts and attacks

• Tigray conflict
  • Federal troops seize the town of Shire Inda Selassie from the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF) as government forces advance on the Tigray Region's capital Mekelle. There are conflicting reports of the status of Axum, with both sides claiming to control the town. TPLF leader Debretsion Gebremichael says his forces will never surrender and calls on all Tigrayans, including children, to mobilize and take up arms. (BBC News) (Reuters)
  • Thousands of more people flee into Sudan from Ethiopia's Tigray Region, according to international aid workers. (The Guardian)
• War in Afghanistan, Australian involvement in the War in Afghanistan
  • The Australian Defence Force's special report into war crimes in Afghanistan is released to the public, revealing that 39 civilians and prisoners had been killed unlawfully by special forces since 2001. Chief of the Defence Force Angus Campbell issues an apology to the Afghan people and promises significant reform. (The Guardian)

Health and environment

• COVID-19 pandemic
  • COVID-19 pandemic in North America
    • COVID-19 pandemic in the United States
      • COVID-19 pandemic in California
        • Los Angeles County reports 5,031 new cases, the highest single-day total since the pandemic began. (Los Angeles Times)
        • Governor Gavin Newsom orders a curfew (limited stay-at-home order) for all 41 counties in the purple tier of the state's Blueprint for a Safer Economy reopening system; these counties include more than 90% of the state population. The order will be in effect from 10:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m. PST beginning November 21. (KABC-TV)
      • COVID-19 pandemic in Maryland
        • Maryland reports a record 2,910 new cases in the last 24 hours, bringing the total number of cases since the beginning of the pandemic to 174,733. (WJZ-TV)
      • COVID-19 pandemic in Ohio
        • Franklin County, Ohio is elevated to the state's purple-level amid COVID-19 concerns, becoming the first county in the state to do so. (WKRC-TV)
        • Miami Valley Gaming announces that they will change their operating hours due to the statewide curfew imposed by Governor Mike DeWine. (Dayton Daily News)
      • COVID-19 pandemic in Pennsylvania
        • Pennsylvania reports a record 7,126 new cases in the last 24 hours, surpassing 7,000 new cases for the first time since the pandemic began. (WCAU-TV)
      • COVID-19 pandemic in Texas
        • Texas reports a record 12,293 new cases in the last 24 hours. Meanwhile, there are 147,030 active COVID-19 cases across the state. (Patch.com)
      • COVID-19 pandemic in Utah
        • Utah Governor Gary Herbert issues a new public health order that will no longer require Utahns to limit social gatherings to only people in their households on Thanksgiving, even as the state reports a record 3,968 new cases in the last 24 hours. (The Salt Lake Tribune)
      • A record 185,759 new cases are reported in the United States, according to Johns Hopkins University. (CNN)
    • COVID-19 pandemic in Canada
      • COVID-19 pandemic in Alberta
        • Alberta reports a record 1,105 new cases in the last 24 hours, bringing the total cases in the province to 42,797 cases. (Edmonton Journal)
      • COVID-19 pandemic in Manitoba
        • Manitoba is expected to tighten their restrictions on stores and social gatherings in an effort to stop the spread of COVID-19. (Toronto Star)
    • COVID-19 pandemic in Mexico
      • Mexico exceeds 100,000 deaths, becoming the fourth country to do so after Brazil, the United States, and India. (The Washington Post)
  • COVID-19 pandemic in Europe
    • COVID-19 pandemic in Denmark
      • Cluster 5
        • The health ministry stated that a new, mutated strain of the coronavirus stemming from mink farms in the country is "most likely" extinct, amid fears that the new strain could compromise COVID-19 vaccines. (France 24)
    • COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom
      • COVID-19 pandemic in Northern Ireland
        • The Northern Ireland Executive agrees to implement a two-week tougher lockdown beginning November 27. All non-essential retail, close contact services, places of worship and cafés will close after being allowed to reopen tomorrow. (ITV)
    • COVID-19 pandemic in Russia
      • Russia surpasses two million total COVID-19 cases after a record 23,610 new cases are reported. It also reports a record 463 new fatalities in the last 24 hours. (The Moscow Times)
      • Russia resumes the vaccination of new volunteers in an trial for its flagship Sputnik V vaccine after a short pause at the end of October. (Reuters)
    • COVID-19 pandemic in Greece, COVID-19 pandemic in Albania
      • The Greek government announces a closure of its border crossing with Albania in Krystallopigi beginning tomorrow morning and will also test all people entering the country through its land borders as part of efforts to contain the spread of COVID-19. (Ekathimerini)
    • COVID-19 pandemic in the Republic of Ireland
      • The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine recommends the owners of three mink farms in Ireland to cull their mink to halt the potential spread of a mutated form of the coronavirus. (RTE)
    • COVID-19 pandemic in Poland
      • Poland reports a record of 637 new fatalities in the last 24 hours, bringing the nationwide death toll in the country to 12,088. (Poland In)
    • COVID-19 pandemic in Ukraine
      • Ukraine reports a record 257 new fatalities and 13,357 new cases in the past 24 hours, taking the nationwide death toll to 10,369 and the total number of cases to 583,510. (U.S. News & World Report)
  • COVID-19 pandemic in Asia
    • COVID-19 pandemic in Japan
      • The Tokyo Metropolitan Government reports a new single-day record of 534 new cases and raise its virus alert in the prefecture to the highest of four levels for the first time since September, indicating that "infections are spreading". (Bloomberg)
      • Japan reports a record 2,388 new cases, according to official figures. It comes as the country is on "maximum alert" and many prefectures such as Osaka, Aichi, and Hokkaido report record numbers of new cases. (The Straits Times) (Nippon.com)
    • COVID-19 pandemic in the Philippines
      • President Rodrigo Duterte agrees to provide an advance payment to pharmaceutical companies developing a COVID-19 vaccine in order to secure millions of vaccines. (Rappler)
    • COVID-19 pandemic in South Korea
      • The number of new confirmed cases in South Korea reaches a three-month high of 343 cases, bringing the nationwide total to 29,654 cases, according to data from the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency. (Yonhap News Agency)
  • COVID-19 pandemic in Oceania
    • COVID-19 pandemic in Australia
      • Victoria Premier Daniel Andrews announces a closure of the state's border with South Australia for 48 hours beginning at 11:59 p.m. AEDT tonight. The "hard border" between the two states will be replaced by a permit system beginning at midnight on November 21. (ABC Australia)
    • COVID-19 pandemic in the Marshall Islands
      • Just days after announcing that the country was free of COVID-19 again after two infected people recovered, the Marshall Islands reports three new cases from a repatriation flight of Marshallese citizens in Hawaii. (RNZ)
  • COVID-19 vaccine
    • AstraZeneca’s vaccine candidate shows promise in older adults. Late-stage trials are expected to be released by Christmas. (Los Angeles Times)

International relations

• Israel–United States relations, Palestine–United States relations, Syria–United States relations
  • Mike Pompeo visits settlements in the Israeli-occupied territories of West Bank and Golan Heights, making him the first United States Secretary of State to do so. (NBC News)

Law and crime

• George Floyd protests, 2020–2021 United States racial unrest
  • George Floyd protests in Chicago
    • A lawsuit is filed against the Chicago Police Department, accusing them of brutally attacking and falsely arresting protesters during demonstrations against the killing of George Floyd. (ABC News)
• At least 19 people are killed in Uganda during protests triggered by the arrest of presidential candidate Bobi Wine. (The Guardian)

Politics and elections

• 2020 United States presidential election
  • President-elect Joe Biden wins Georgia, after the state completed its hand recount, making him the first Democrat to win the state since Bill Clinton in 1992. (CBS News)

Science and technology

• Citing safety concerns, the National Science Foundation announces that the 57-year-old Arecibo Observatory in Puerto Rico will be decommissioned. Earlier this month, a second cable supporting the 900-ton instrument platform snapped. The platform is suspended 450 feet (137 meters) above the fixed radio dish, which is 1,000 feet (305 meters) in diameter. (NSF)

November 20, 2020 (2020-11-20) (Friday)

Armed conflicts and attacks

• Tigray conflict
  • The Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF) launches rockets at Bahir Dar, capital of Ethiopia's Amhara Region, raising fears that the conflict could grow into a wider war. Amhara Region authorities report that the "illegal" TPLF group "launched a rocket attack around 1:40 am" but that the attack caused no damage. (Reuters)

Arts and culture

• A sealed copy of the 1990 Nintendo Entertainment System game Super Mario Bros. 3 sells for US$156,000 (equivalent to $183,662 in 2023), the most ever paid for a video game. It features rare alternate cover art with the word Bros. on the left instead of the center. (Fox Business)

Business and economy

• COVID-19 pandemic
  • Economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic
    • Economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in Canada, Federal aid during the COVID-19 pandemic in Canada
      • Canadian Conservative MP Kelly McCauley demands an audit, alleging that more than 800,000 ineligible people received Canada Emergency Response Benefit money from the Canada Revenue Agency. (Toronto Sun)
  • Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on The Walt Disney Company
    • The Walt Disney World theme park in Orlando announces that they will bring back their Park Hopper ticket on January 1, 2021, with restrictions. (CNN)

Health and environment

• COVID-19 pandemic
  • COVID-19 pandemic in North America
    • COVID-19 pandemic in the United States
      • COVID-19 pandemic in Arizona
        • COVID-19 pandemic in the Navajo Nation
          • Navajo Nation reports 351 new infections in the last 24 hours, a new single-day record since the pandemic began. (The Arizona Republic)
      • COVID-19 pandemic in Washington, D.C.
        • Donald Trump Jr., son of outgoing President Donald Trump, tests positive for COVID-19. His spokesperson says that he is asymptomatic. (BBC News)
        • U.S. Senator Rick Scott of Florida tests positive for COVID-19. He is expected to continue working from his house in Naples. (CBS News)
      • COVID-19 pandemic in California
        • California reports a record 13,005 new cases in the last 24 hours. In addition, 4,750 people are hospitalized, the first time the state has seen such numbers since August. (The Hill)
      • COVID-19 pandemic in Ohio
        • Ohio reports a record 8,808 new cases, bringing the total number of cases in the state to 335,423. (WOIO-TV)
      • COVID-19 pandemic in New Jersey
        • Newark Mayor Ras Baraka issues a ten-day stay-at-home advisory starting the day before Thanksgiving on November 25 until December 4. The city also will close streets into Ironbound District to non-residents at 8:00 p.m. to 3:00 a.m. EST in the zip code 07105 on Friday and Saturday to enforce an existing curfew. (WABC-TV)
      • COVID-19 pandemic in Utah
        • Utah reports a record 4,588 new cases in the last 24 hours. (KTVX-TV)
      • COVID-19 pandemic in Wisconsin
        • Governor Tony Evers issues a new public health order that requires people aged five or older to wear a face mask when they are indoors or in an enclosed space with anyone outside their household or living unit. The mandate is effective immediately and will expire after 60 days. (WAOW-TV)
      • COVID-19 pandemic in Michigan
        • Michigan reports 9,779 new cases, a new one-day record. (WDIV-TV)
      • COVID-19 pandemic in New Hampshire
        • New Hampshire Governor Chris Sununu implements a new statewide mask mandate amid rise of cases in the state. (Patch.com)
    • COVID-19 pandemic in Canada
      • COVID-19 pandemic in Ontario
        • COVID-19 pandemic in the Regional Municipality of Peel, COVID-19 pandemic in Toronto
          • Ontario Premier Doug Ford announces that Toronto and the Peel Region will be placed in a "lockdown" tier, meaning that most non-essential businesses will be closed and non-essential retail stores and food establishments will be limited to takeout and curbside pick-up or delivery. These new measures will begin on November 23. (CFTO-DT)
        • Ontario surpasses 100,000 total cases of COVID-19. (CP24)
      • COVID-19 pandemic in Alberta
        • Alberta reports a record 1,155 new cases in the last 24 hours. In addition, the number of active cases in the province reaches 10,655, the highest number since the pandemic began in March. (CBC)
  • COVID-19 pandemic in Europe
    • COVID-19 pandemic in Spain
      • COVID-19 pandemic in the Community of Madrid
        • Madrid will close its borders with other regions between December 4 and 14 in an effort to stop the spread of COVID-19 over the December holiday week. (El Pais in English)
    • COVID-19 pandemic in Germany
      • The number of new confirmed cases in Germany reaches a record high of 23,648, according to the Robert Koch Institute, bringing the nationwide total to 879,564 cases. (RND)
    • COVID-19 pandemic in Portugal
      • The Portuguese Assembly of the Republic approves a 15-day extension of the state of emergency beginning November 24 in order to allow a continuation of measures aimed to stop the spread of COVID-19. The current state of emergency will expire on November 23. (The Portugal News)
    • COVID-19 pandemic in Russia
      • Russia reports a record 24,318 new cases in the last 24 hours, bringing the nationwide total since the beginning of the pandemic to 2,039,926 cases. (ANI)
    • COVID-19 pandemic in Sweden
      • Sweden reports a record of 7,240 new confirmed cases in the last 24 hours, according to the Public Health Agency of Sweden, bringing the nationwide total since the beginning of the pandemic to 208,295 cases. (SVT Nyheter)
    • COVID-19 pandemic in Turkey
      • Turkey reports a record 141 new deaths in the past 24 hours, bringing the nationwide death toll to 12,084. (Daily Sabah)
    • COVID-19 pandemic in Ukraine
      • Ukraine reports a record 14,575 new cases in the past 24 hours, bringing the nationwide total to 598,085. (Kyiv Post)
  • COVID-19 pandemic in Asia
    • COVID-19 pandemic in South Korea
      • The number of new confirmed cases in South Korea reaches a three-month high of 363 cases. The country now has more than 30,000 total cases, according to data from the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency. (Yonhap News Agency)
      • In response to a spike in COVID-19 cases, Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun asks people to avoid year-end social gatherings and only leave their house for essential reasons. (KBS World)
    • COVID-19 pandemic in Hong Kong
      • Secretary for Food and Health Sophia Chan announces the suspension of classes for students in Grades one to three in primary schools for two weeks beginning November 23 due to an increase in new COVID-19 cases in Hong Kong. (The Standard)
    • COVID-19 pandemic in India
      • India surpasses nine million total cases of COVID-19, becoming the second country in the world to reach that milestone after the United States. (The Times of India)
    • COVID-19 pandemic in Japan
      • Japan reports a record of more than 2,400 new cases, according to official figures. It comes as many prefectures such as Osaka and Hokkaido report record numbers of new cases, prompting governors across the country to raise the alarm. (NHK World) (Nippon.com)
    • COVID-19 pandemic in the State of Palestine
      • Palestine reports a record 1,472 new cases in the last 24 hours, bringing the total number of confirmed cases to 81,294. (Al-Monitor)
  • COVID-19 pandemic in Australia
    • South Australian Premier Steven Marshall announces an immediate easing of restrictions surrounding exercise, with further restrictions to be eased by the end of the week, blaming the state's brief hard lockdown on an infected individual who lied to contact tracers. (7 News)
  • COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil
    • Brazil surpasses six million total confirmed cases of COVID-19, becoming the third country to do so after India and the United States. (Reuters)
  • COVID-19 vaccine
    • Pfizer and BioNTech apply for an emergency use authorization from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for their vaccine. If the application is approved, the vaccine will likely be limited and rolled out in phases. (CNBC)
• Japan's Kagawa Prefecture will cull 850,000 chickens at two poultry farms after the country reported its first bird flu outbreak in more than two years. It will be the sixth and seventh cases of avian flu in the prefecture and the biggest culling to be done at once. (The Poultry Site)

International relations

• APEC Malaysia 2020
  • Leaders from the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation host a virtual summit in Malaysia to seek ways to revive their economies. U.S. President Donald Trump participates in the event for the first time since 2017. (ABC News)

Law and crime

• 2020–2021 United States racial unrest
  • Kenosha unrest shooting, Kenosha unrest
    • Kyle Rittenhouse, a 17-year-old who was charged with first-degree homicide for his involvement in a shooting in Kenosha, Wisconsin, is released on bond. (NBC News)
• List of mass shootings in the United States in 2020
  • Mayfair Mall shooting
    • Eight people are injured in a mass shooting at Mayfair Mall in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin, leading to an emergency response. The shooter remains at large. (CNN)
• The Ethiopian Broadcasting Authority suspends the press license for Reuters's Ethiopia correspondent, and issues warnings to those representing the BBC and Deutsche Welle, for their alleged biased coverage of the Tigray conflict. (Ahram Online)

Politics and elections

• 2020 Belarusian protests
  • Over 5,000 protesters gather in Minsk to mourn the death of Roman Bondarenko, a 31-year-old protester who died from brain trauma after being arrested by police last week. (The Straits Times)

November 21, 2020 (2020-11-21) (Saturday)

Armed conflicts and attacks

• War in Afghanistan
  • November 2020 Afghanistan attacks
    • A rocket attack on residential areas in the Afghan capital Kabul kills at least eight people and injures 31 others. The Islamic State claims responsibility for the attack. (BBC News)
  • Afghanistan–United States relations, Afghan peace process
    • Secretary of State Mike Pompeo meets with the Taliban and the Afghanistan government in Doha, Qatar to negotiate a peace deal. (The Columbian)
• Tigray conflict
  • Federal troops capture the city of Adigrat near the Eritrean border in Ethiopia's Tigray Region. Ethiopian government forces are now within 116 km (72 miles) of the heavily defended Tigrayan capital Mekelle. The Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF) says Adigrat has experienced "heavy bombardment", but does not confirm the loss of the city. (Al Jazeera)
  • Ethiopia rejects the African Union's offer to mediate an end to the conflict. (The East African)
  • The TPLF report the deaths of nine civilians during the military assault on Adigrat. The Ethiopian government has denied targeting civilians and both the government and military could not be reached for comment. (Reuters)

Health and environment

• COVID-19 pandemic
  • COVID-19 pandemic in North America
    • COVID-19 pandemic in the United States
      • Travel restrictions related to the COVID-19 pandemic
        • COVID-19 pandemic in Massachusetts, COVID-19 pandemic in Maine, COVID-19 pandemic in New Hampshire
          • Massachusetts announces that they will remove New Hampshire and Maine from their low-risk travel list for contracting COVID-19. Individuals returning to Massachusetts from those states will be required to fill out a travel form, quarantine, or present a negative COVID-19 test. (The Boston Globe)
      • COVID-19 pandemic in California
        • California reports 15,442 new cases in the past 24 hours, a new single-day record since the pandemic began as curfew begins in most counties. (Bloomberg)
      • COVID-19 pandemic in Michigan
        • Michigan surpasses 300,000 confirmed cases of COVID-19. (WDIV-TV)
      • COVID-19 pandemic in Mississippi
        • Mississippi reports a new daily record of 1,972 cases, bringing the total number of confirmed cases to 142,401. (Clarion Ledger)
      • COVID-19 pandemic in New Jersey
        • New Jersey surpasses 300,000 cases after reporting a new daily record of 4,679 cases. (Northjersey.com)
      • COVID-19 pandemic in Oregon
        • Oregon reports a record 1,509 new cases, bringing the total number of confirmed cases to 63,688. (KATU-TV)
      • COVID-19 pandemic in Washington, D.C.
        • U.S. Senator Kelly Loeffler is expected to quarantine after testing positive for COVID-19 and receiving an inconclusive result. (The Hill)
      • The United States surpasses 12 million cases of COVID-19, just six days after surpassing 11 million cases. New cases reach record highs in recent days, with more than 200,000 cases being reported. (NBC News) (NPR)
      • The U.S. Food and Drug Administration grants an emergency use authorization for Regeneron Pharmaceuticals' antibody cocktail to treat COVID-19 patients. The cocktail was previously given to President Donald Trump during his hospitalization for COVID-19 last month. (Axios)
    • COVID-19 pandemic in Canada
      • COVID-19 pandemic in New Brunswick
        • New Brunswick reports 23 new cases in the last 24 hours, a new single-day record since the pandemic began as Premier Blaine Higgs warns that tighter restrictions will be rolled out if the increase in cases continues. (CBC)
      • COVID-19 pandemic in Ontario
        • Ontario reports 1,588 new cases in the past 24 hours, a new single-day record since the pandemic began. (CFTO-DT)
      • COVID-19 pandemic in Saskatchewan
        • Saskatchewan reports 439 new cases in the past 24 hours, a new single-day record since the pandemic began. The province now has 6,237 total confirmed cases. (Global News)
  • COVID-19 pandemic in Asia
    • COVID-19 pandemic in Japan
      • Tokyo reports a record 539 new cases in the past 24 hours, according to a statement from the metropolitan government, bringing the cumulative total since the pandemic began to 37,317 cases. (NHK World)
      • Due to rising COVID-19 cases across the country, Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga announces the suspension of the government-promoted "Go To Travel" campaign in areas with high infection rates. (The Japan Times)
      • Japan reports a record of more than 2,500 new cases, according to official figures released by the government. It is the fourth time that Japan has reported a record number of cases since the beginning of the pandemic. (EFE)
    • COVID-19 pandemic in Iran
      • Iran imposes tougher restrictions in Tehran and other cities as the country battles a third wave of COVID-19. (Reuters)
    • COVID-19 pandemic in Malaysia
      • Senior Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob announces that the government will lift the conditional movement control order (CMCO) in Kedah, Melaka, Terengganu and Johor tomorrow but will place Kelantan under the CMCO until December 6. He also announces that foreign workers in some regions will have to undergo mandatory COVID-19 swab tests. (The Star)
    • COVID-19 pandemic in Pakistan
      • Pakistan reports the highest single-day total for both daily cases and deaths since mid-July, when 2,843 new cases and 47 new deaths are reported in the last 24 hours. This brings the cumulative number of cases to 371,508 and the nationwide death toll to 7,603. (The Nation)
    • COVID-19 pandemic in South Korea
      • The number of new confirmed cases in South Korea in the last 24 hours reaches a three-month high of 386. The country now has 30,403 total cases and more than 500 total deaths, according to data from the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency. (Yonhap News Agency)
  • COVID-19 pandemic in Europe
    • COVID-19 pandemic in the Czech Republic
      • The Czech Republic surpasses 7,000 total deaths from COVID-19. (Radio Prague International)
    • COVID-19 pandemic in Russia
      • Russia reports a record 24,822 new cases and 467 deaths in the last 24 hours, bringing the number of cases to 2,064,748 and the death toll to 35,778. (The Times of India)
    • COVID-19 pandemic in Serbia, Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on religion
      • Mourners pay respects to the former head of the Serbian Orthodox Church Patriarch Irinej in Belgrade following his death due to COVID-19. Many mourners did not wear face masks or practice social distancing, and some kissed the glass shield that was covering the patriarch's body despite warnings from the Serbian government and epidemiologists. (AP)
    • COVID-19 pandemic in Turkey
      • Turkey reports a new record of 5,532 new cases in the last 24 hours, surpassing the previous record set in April. The country now has 440,805 total confirmed cases since the pandemic began as a curfew takes effect. (ABC News)
    • COVID-19 pandemic in Ukraine
      • Ukraine reports a new single-day record of 14,580 cases, bringing the nationwide total to 612,665 cases. (Kyiv Post)
  • COVID-19 pandemic in South America
    • COVID-19 pandemic in Chile
      • Chile surpasses 20,000 total deaths from COVID-19, including suspected and confirmed cases. (El Mostrador)

International relations

• COVID-19 pandemic
  • Travel restrictions related to the COVID-19 pandemic
    • COVID-19 pandemic in Asia
      • COVID-19 pandemic in Hong Kong, COVID-19 pandemic in Singapore
        • Singapore and Hong Kong postpone their air travel bubble agreement for two weeks amid a rise in COVID-19 cases in Hong Kong, which reported 43 new cases in the past 24 hours. (CNBC)
  • 2020 G20 Riyadh summit
    • World leaders at the virtual G20 summit in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, call for a united response to the COVID-19 pandemic and discuss the global economic crises and climate change. (The Philadelphia Inquirer)
    • Russian President Vladimir Putin tells G20 leaders that his country is ready to provide their Sputnik V vaccine to other countries who need it. (Reuters)
• Lobsang Sangay, the leader of the exiled Central Tibetan Administration, visits the White House, marking their first meeting in 60 years. (The Hill)

Law and crime

• Baabda prison escape
  • Sixty-nine inmates escape from a prison in Baabda District, Lebanon. Five of them are killed in a car crash while being pursued by security forces. (U.S. News)

Politics and elections

• 2020 Georgian parliamentary election
  • The second round of parliamentary elections is held in Georgia. After the first round in late October caused controversy, the political opposition called to boycott the run-off votes, leaving the candidates of the ruling Georgian Dream to run uncontested. (MENAFN)
• 2020 Guatemalan protests
  • More than 7,000 people gather in Guatemala City to protest the recent budget bill. The National Congress building is also set on fire. (AP)
• 2020 United States presidential election
  • A federal judge dismisses a lawsuit filed by President Donald Trump's re-election campaign to block the certification of Pennsylvania's election results, saying it was "an attempt to violate the Constitution". (The Washington Post)

Science and technology

• Copernicus Programme
  • SpaceX successfully launches the European Space Agency's satellite altimeter Copernicus Sentinel-6 from Vandenberg Air Force Base. The satellite will monitor global sea levels with high accuracy, enhance weather forecasting, and provide detailed information on ocean currents to support ship navigation near coastlines. (NASA.gov)

November 22, 2020 (2020-11-22) (Sunday)

Armed conflicts and attacks

• Insurgency in the Maghreb
  • Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) names Algerian Islamist Abu Obaida Yusuf al-Annabi as its new leader, following the death of Abdelmalek Droukdel during the Battle of Talahandak in June. Al-Annabi has been on the U.S. "international terrorist" blacklist since September 2015, and he has regularly appeared in jihadist propaganda videos. (Al Jazeera)
• Tigray conflict
  • Battle of Mekelle (2020)
    • Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed issues an ultimatum to the leaders of the Tigray People's Liberation Front, giving the group 72 hours to surrender before federal forces begin a ground offensive to capture the region's capital Mekelle. The Ethiopian military says Mekelle will be "encircled" and "shown no mercy". (The Guardian)

Health and environment

• COVID-19 pandemic
  • COVID-19 pandemic in Asia
    • COVID-19 pandemic in India
      • COVID-19 pandemic in Rajasthan
        • Rajasthan reports 3,260 new cases, a new single-day record since the pandemic began and bringing the total confirmed cases in the state to 243,936. (The Times of India)
    • COVID-19 pandemic in Japan
      • Osaka reports 490 new cases in the past 24 hours, a new single-day record since the pandemic began. (Nihon Keizai Shimbun)
      • Japan surpasses 2,000 total COVID-19 deaths. (Nippon.com)
    • COVID-19 pandemic in Pakistan
      • Pakistan reports 59 new deaths in the last 24 hours, the highest single-day total since July and bringing the nationwide death toll to 7,662. (The Times of India)
    • COVID-19 pandemic in South Korea
      • The government will increase social distancing rules in the Seoul Capital Area to Level 2 and both North and South Jeolla Province to Level 1.5 beginning November 24 amidst a third wave of COVID-19 cases. In level 2, gatherings involving more than 100 people are banned, some high-risk facilities will be closed, and restaurants cannot operate dine-in services after 9:00 p.m.. Cafes and coffee shops are only allowed to offer takeout and delivery services. Also, indoor sports facilities must close at 9:00 p.m.. (Yonhap News Agency)
    • COVID-19 pandemic in the United Arab Emirates, COVID-19 testing
      • The Dubai Health Authority (DHA) begins to introduce saliva tests to detect active COVID-19 infections in children between the ages of 3 and 16 in all DHA facilities and DHA-run screening centers across Dubai. These tests are more than 90% accurate, making them a viable alternative to nasal swab tests which are uncomfortable and harder to use to test children. (Gulf News)
  • COVID-19 pandemic in Europe
    • COVID-19 pandemic in France
      • French authorities orders the culling of 1,000 minks in the Eure-et-Loir region after lab analyses detected a mutated version of SARS-CoV-2 in one farm. All animal products in that farm will be destroyed. (The Independent)
    • COVID-19 pandemic in Spain, COVID-19 vaccine
      • Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez states that Spain will begin a comprehensive COVID-19 vaccination programme in January and expects to have vaccinated a substantial part of the population within three months. (France 24)
    • COVID-19 pandemic in Turkey
      • Turkey reports 6,017 new cases in the last 24 hours, a new record for the second consecutive day and bringing the nationwide total to 446,882 cases. (ABC News)
  • COVID-19 pandemic in Australia
    • South Australia further eases restrictions imposed earlier in the week, ending a stay at home order but maintaining limits on public and private gatherings and quotas at businesses. (Newshub)
  • COVID-19 pandemic in North America
    • COVID-19 pandemic in Canada
      • COVID-19 pandemic in Alberta
        • Alberta reports 1,584 new cases in the last 24 hours, a new one-day record since the pandemic began and highest number of daily cases on Sunday than any other provinces and territories. (CFRN-DT)
    • COVID-19 pandemic in the United States
      • COVID-19 pandemic in California
        • Los Angeles County public health officials announces a suspension of outdoor dining at restaurant for three-weeks starting from November 25 at 10:00  p.m. PST due to rise of new infections in the U.S. largest county. (Los Angeles Times)

International relations

• 2020 G20 Riyadh summit
  • World leaders at the G20 summit in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, close the summit with calls for a coordinated response to the COVID-19 pandemic and support for vaccinations for everyone. (The Washington Post) (Reuters)
• The United States withdraws from the Treaty on Open Skies. (Al Jazeera)

Law and crime

• Mayfair Mall shooting
  • Several people are arrested, including a 15-year-old boy, in connection with Friday's mass shooting at the Mayfair Mall in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin, which injured eight people. The shooting followed an altercation between two groups, according to police. (NBC News)

Politics and elections

• Faisal Mekdad is appointed as Foreign Minister of Syria, succeeding Walid Muallem, who died last Monday. (VoA)
• 2020 Burkinabé general election
  • Voters in Burkina Faso head to the polls in an election marred by a dramatic surge of terrorist attacks within the recent years. Incumbent President Roch Marc Christian Kaboré of the People's Movement for Progress seeks another term while he is challenged by two main opponents, Zéphirin Diabré of the Union for Progress and Reform and Eddie Komboïgo of the Congress for Democracy and Progress. (DW)

November 23, 2020 (2020-11-23) (Monday)

Armed conflicts and attacks

• War in Afghanistan
  • Civilian casualties in the war in Afghanistan (2001–2021)
    • According to Save the Children, over 26,000 children have been killed in the Afghanistan war from 2005 to 2019. (BBC News)
• Second Saudi–Yemeni War, Iran–Saudi Arabia proxy conflict
  • The Iranian-backed Houthis say they attacked a Saudi Aramco oil terminal in Jeddah with a new type of Quds cruise missile. Saudi Arabia acknowledges the attack. (AP)

Health and environment

• COVID-19 pandemic
  • COVID-19 pandemic in North America
    • COVID-19 pandemic in the United States
      • COVID-19 pandemic in California
        • California reports 20,654 new cases in the last 24 hours, a new single-day record since the pandemic began. (San Francisco Chronicle)
      • COVID-19 pandemic in Ohio
        • Ohio reports a new single-day record of 11,885 new cases. This number is likely inflated because of a two-day backlog from multiple labs. (The Columbus Dispatch)
      • COVID-19 pandemic in Maryland
        • Maryland is expected to send state troopers to enforce restrictions in the state for Thanksgiving. (WRC-TV)
    • COVID-19 pandemic in Canada
      • COVID-19 pandemic in Manitoba
        • Manitoba reports a record 540 new cases in the past 24 hours, bringing the total confirmed cases to 13,087 and pushing the five-day positivity rate tests to 14%. (CKY-DT)
      • COVID-19 pandemic in Ontario
        • Ontario reports 1,589 new cases, a new single-day record. (Global News)
      • Nationwide, a record 5,713 new cases reported in Canada in the last 24 hours, bringing the nationwide confirmed cases to 337,555. (CBC)
  • COVID-19 pandemic in Europe
    • COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom
      • COVID-19 pandemic in England
        • Prime Minister Boris Johnson announces that gyms, bars, and non-essential shops across England will be allowed to reopen when the lockdown ends on December 2. The three-tiered regional measures will return at the same time, but with tighter rules. (BBC News)
    • COVID-19 pandemic in Italy
      • Italy surpasses 50,000 total deaths from COVID-19. (CBS News)
    • COVID-19 pandemic in Russia
      • Russia reports a new single-day record of 25,173 cases, bringing the nationwide total since the beginning of the pandemic to 2.11 million cases. (Anadolu Agency)
    • COVID-19 pandemic in Spain
      • King Felipe VI voluntarily quarantines for 10 days after being in close contact with someone who later tested positive for COVID-19. (Euro weekly News)
    • COVID-19 pandemic in Turkey
      • Turkey reports a record 6,713 new cases and 153 deaths in the past 24 hours, bringing the nationwide totals to 453,535 confirmed cases and 12,511 deaths. (Daily Sabah)
  • COVID-19 pandemic in Asia
    • COVID-19 pandemic in Malaysia
      • COVID-19 pandemic in Selangor
        • The government announces that it will temporarily close 28 Top Glove factories in Klang in stages to enable the Health Ministry to conduct COVID-19 screening and quarantine workers. This comes as the world's largest surgical glove maker sees an increase in infections among factory workers. (France 24)
      • The number of new confirmed cases in Malaysia increases by a record 1,884 new cases in the past 24 hours, bringing the total number of cases to 56,659. 1,203 of these cases are from Selangor due to an increase in new infections in workplaces in the Klang Valley. (CNA)
    • COVID-19 pandemic in Indonesia
      • Indonesia surpasses 500,000 total confirmed cases of COVID-19. (Bisnis.com)
    • COVID-19 pandemic in Thailand
      • Thailand's Cabinet extends a COVID-19 state of emergency for 45 days until January 15, 2021. (The Bangkok Post)
  • COVID-19 pandemic in Australia
    • The land border between New South Wales and Victoria reopens after 137 days of closure. People will now be able to travel between the two states without permits. (ABC Australia)
    • Victoria eases restrictions, allowing larger public and private gatherings, larger capacity quotas for businesses, and relaxing of the mask mandate so that masks will only be required in settings where social distancing is impractical. Chief Health Officer Brett Sutton states that he is confident there will be no community transmission in the state. (ABC Australia)
  • COVID-19 vaccine
    • AstraZeneca and University of Oxford's vaccine showed 90% efficacy when it was given to 2,741 people as a half-dose followed by a full dose and 62% efficacy when two full doses were given to 8,895 people. (CNN)

International relations

• Israel–Saudi Arabia relations
  • Israeli media reports that, on Sunday, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu secretly flew to Neom in Saudi Arabia for a meeting with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. Alternate Prime Minister Benny Gantz describes "the leak of the prime minister's secret flight to Saudi Arabia" as "an irresponsible move". Saudi Arabia denies that such a meeting occurred. On Saturday, Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud repeated the 2002 Saudi Arab Peace Initiative offer to fully normalize relations, only after the Palestinians achieve statehood. (BBC News) (The New York Times)

Law and crime

• Corruption in France
  • The first trial of former President Nicolas Sarkozy, on charges of corruption and influence peddling in 2014, starts. (ABC News)

Politics and elections

• 2020 United States presidential election, Presidential transition of Joe Biden
  • The General Services Administration officially certifies President-elect Joe Biden as the "apparent winner" of the 2020 presidential election, and announces that the formal transition will be allowed to begin. (CNN) (AP)

Science and technology

• Chinese Lunar Exploration Program
  • The China National Space Administration successfully launches the Chang'e 5 robotic spacecraft from the Wenchang Spacecraft Launch Site. It is China's first sample return mission, and if the mission is successful it will be the first lunar sample return mission since the Soviet Union's Luna 24 in 1976. Chang'e-5 will bring back at least 2 kilograms of lunar soil. (The Guardian)

Sports

• Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on sports
  • 2020 NFL season
    • The National Football League extends their mask mandate and threatens to discipline anybody who violates the league's COVID-19 protocols. (Chicago Tribune)
• FIFA bans the president of the Confederation of African Football Ahmad Ahmad from all football-related activity for five years, following an investigation into financial misconduct. He is also fined $220,000. Ahmad declined to comment on the ban. (Al Jazeera)

November 24, 2020 (2020-11-24) (Tuesday)

Armed conflicts and attacks

• War in Afghanistan
  • November 2020 Afghanistan attacks
    • A roadside double bombing at a market in the city of Bamyan kills 17 people and wounds another 50. The Bamyan Province is considered one of the safest places in Afghanistan, and this marks the first time that such an attack has occurred there. (Tolo News)
• Tigray conflict
  • The Tigray People's Liberation Front forces claim that they have destroyed an Ethiopian National Defense Force division. The Ethiopian government denies this and claims that many Tigrayan fighters are surrendering as the 72-hour ultimatum previously issued by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed is approaching its end and a military build-up is growing around the region's capital, Mekelle. (Reuters)
• Kivu conflict
  • Following a two-year trial, former Nduma Defense of Congo militia leader Ntabo Ntaberi Sheka is sentenced to life imprisonment for "murder, rape, sexual slavery and enlisting children under 15 years old" by a military court. The Nduma Defence of Congo (NDC), while under Sheka's command, allegedly raped nearly 400 people in 13 villages between July 30 and August 2, 2010. (Al Jazeera)
• 2020 Lugano stabbing
  • Two people are wounded after being stabbed at a store in Lugano, Switzerland. The attacker is a woman with ties to jihadist terrorism. The incident is being investigated as a terror attack. (BBC News)

Business and economy

• Elon Musk surpasses Bill Gates to become the second-richest person in the world, behind Jeff Bezos. (The Guardian)
• The Dow Jones Industrial Average surpasses and closes above 30,000 for the first time. (ABC News) (The Sydney Morning Herald)

Health and environment

• COVID-19 pandemic
  • COVID-19 pandemic in North America
    • COVID-19 pandemic in the United States
      • COVID-19 pandemic in Texas
        • Texas reports a record 13,998 new cases in the last 24 hours, bringing the total number of confirmed cases to more than 1.1 million. (Austin Statesman)
      • COVID-19 pandemic in Maryland
        • Montgomery County tightens their mask mandate and restricts indoor gatherings in response to an increase in cases. (The Hill)
      • COVID-19 pandemic in Oregon
        • Oregon reports 21 new deaths, a new daily record since the pandemic began. (The Oregonian)
    • COVID-19 pandemic in Canada
      • COVID-19 pandemic in Alberta
        • Premier Jason Kenney announces that the province will ban indoor gatherings, suspend classes for students, and reduce retail store capacities to stop the spread of COVID-19. (CFRN-DT)
      • COVID-19 pandemic in British Columbia
        • British Columbia reports a record 941 new cases in the last 24 hours, bringing the total number of confirmed cases to 28,348. (Daily Hive)
  • COVID-19 pandemic in Europe
    • COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom
      • COVID-19 pandemic in England, Travel restrictions related to the COVID-19 pandemic
        • Transport Secretary Grant Shapps announces that the government will reduce the length of quarantines for people who arrive in England from other countries to five days beginning December 15, if they pay for a COVID-19 test. (BBC News)
    • COVID-19 pandemic in France
      • President Emmanuel Macron announces that the country will began to ease its strict lockdown measures beginning November 28, allowing shops to reopen with strict hygiene measures. If health conditions in the country continue to improve, France will lift its lockdown on December 15, allowing cinemas, theatres, and museums to reopen. (Euronews)
    • COVID-19 pandemic in Italy
      • Italy reports 853 new deaths in the last 24 hours, the highest single-day total since late-March, which brings the nationwide death toll to 51,306. (ANSA)
    • COVID-19 pandemic in Russia
      • Russia reports a record 491 new deaths in the past 24 hours, bringing the nationwide death toll to 37,031. (NAO24)
    • COVID-19 pandemic in Spain
      • Spain reports 537 new deaths in the last 24 hours, the highest single-day total since mid-April, which brings the nationwide death toll to 43,668. (Anadolu Agency)
    • COVID-19 pandemic in Turkey
      • Turkey reports a record 7,381 new cases in the past 24 hours, bringing the nationwide total to 460,916 cases. (Daily Sabah)
    • COVID-19 vaccine
      • The European Union announces that it will sign a contract to receive 160 million vaccine doses from Moderna. (AP)
  • COVID-19 pandemic in Asia
    • COVID-19 pandemic in Hong Kong
      • The government announces that Hong Kong will close some entertainment venues such as bars, nightclubs and bathhouses from November 26 to December 2. In addition, a maximum of ten tables will be allowed in restaurants, with four people per table. These measures come as Hong Kong reports 80 new cases in the past 24 hours, the highest single-day total since August. (South China Morning Post)
    • COVID-19 pandemic in Iran
      • Iran reports a record 13,721 new cases in the past 24 hours, bringing the nationwide total to 880,542 cases. (The Jerusalem Post)
    • COVID-19 pandemic in Japan, Travel restrictions related to the COVID-19 pandemic
      • The government announces that they will exclude Osaka and Sapporo from the "Go To Travel" domestic travel subsidy campaign for three weeks due to a rise of COVID-19 cases in the two cities. (Kyodo News)
    • COVID-19 pandemic in Malaysia
      • The number of new confirmed cases in Malaysia increases by a record 2,188 cases in the past 24 hours, bringing the total number of cases to 58,847. Of these new cases, 1,632 of them are from Selangor, the majority being from the Teratai cluster involving factory workers. (Malay Mail)
    • COVID-19 pandemic in the State of Palestine
      • Palestine reports a new single-day record of 17 deaths and 1,946 cases, bringing the nationwide totals to 87,838 cases and 740 deaths. (WAFA)
  • COVID-19 pandemic in Algeria
    • Algeria reports a record 1,133 new cases in the past 24 hours, bringing the nationwide total to 77,000 cases. (Xinhua)
  • COVID-19 pandemic in Colombia
    • First Lady María Juliana Ruiz tests positive for COVID-19. (Vanguardia)
  • COVID-19 pandemic in Australia
    • Victoria reports zero active cases for the first time since February. (ABC Australia)

International relations

• Russia–United States relations, United States and the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea
  • Russia says its navy made a United States destroyer turn back after threatening to ram it, claiming that the destroyer violated Russia's territorial waters in the Peter the Great Gulf, "passing the maritime border by two kilometers". The U.S. navy says that their destroyer conducted a freedom of navigation operation to challenge a Russian claim "inconsistent with the rules of international law as reflected in the Law of the Sea Convention to enclose the waters of a bay". (TASS) (NBC News)

Law and crime

• Opioid epidemic in the United States
  • Drugmaker Purdue Pharma pleads guilty to three criminal charges and acknowledges their role in the opioid epidemic that has contributed to an increase in deaths over the past two decades. (AP) (The Week)

Politics and elections

• Politics of France
  • The National Assembly approves the first version of a law that would make it a crime to circulate an image of a police officer, if there is an intention to harm the officer. The government says the law is "not targeting the freedom of the press". (Reuters)
  • Minister of the Interior Gerald Darmanin describes images of police brutality, at yesterday's clearing of an illegal migrant camp on the Place de la République in Paris, as "shocking" and "unacceptable". He calls for an investigation to be concluded within 48 hours. (CBS News)

November 25, 2020 (2020-11-25) (Wednesday)

Armed conflicts and attacks

• Second Libyan Civil War, Libyan peace process
  • The United States Department of the Treasury announces unilateral sanctions on the Libyan National Army-linked al-Kaniyat militia and its leader, Mohamed al-Kani, after Russia blocks the United Nations Security Council from blacklisting the group for alleged human rights abuses committed in the city of Tarhuna during the 14-month military offensive led by Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar. (Reuters)

Health and environment

• COVID-19 pandemic
  • COVID-19 pandemic in North America
    • COVID-19 pandemic in the United States
      • COVID-19 pandemic in Texas
        • Texas reports 14,648 new cases in the last 24 hours, a new single-day record since the beginning of the pandemic. (KTVT)
      • COVID-19 pandemic in Wyoming
        • Wyoming Governor Mark Gordon tests positive for COVID-19 and will quarantine for two weeks. (Casper Star-Tribune)
      • COVID-19 pandemic in Michigan
        • Michigan announces citations and suspensions on liquor licenses for violating the state's public health order, which was issued on November 15 to control the spread of COVID-19. (WLNS-TV)
      • COVID-19 pandemic in Oregon
        • Oregon Governor Kate Brown announces that the state will relax restrictions on outdoor dining. However, she also said that several restrictions will remain in place until a vaccine is available. (AP)
      • Officials from the Trump administration announces that they have held their first Operation Warp Speed briefing with President-elect Joe Biden. (Politico)
    • COVID-19 pandemic in Canada
      • COVID-19 pandemic in Ontario
        • Ontario reports 35 new deaths in the past 24 hours, a new single-day record for the second wave of the pandemic and bringing the province's death toll to 3,554. (CP24)
      • COVID-19 pandemic in Saskatchewan
        • Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe announces that the province will restrict capacities of large stores and other public places to reduce the spread of COVID-19. Limits on private gatherings such as weddings and funerals, will also be introduced. (CBC)
  • COVID-19 pandemic in Asia
    • COVID-19 pandemic in Bangladesh
      • Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen and Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen test positive for COVID-19 and will cancel their trip to Niamey, Niger to attend the 47th OIC meeting of Foreign Ministers. (Dhaka Tribune)
    • COVID-19 pandemic in Indonesia
      • Indonesia reports a record 5,534 new cases in the past 24 hours, bringing the nationwide number of confirmed cases since the beginning of the pandemic to 511,836. (Tirto.id)
    • COVID-19 pandemic in Iran
      • The number of daily confirmed cases in Iran rises by a record 13,843 cases over the past 24 hours, bringing the nationwide total of confirmed cases to 894,385. (Al-Arabiya)
    • COVID-19 pandemic in Japan
      • Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike announces that establishments that serve alcohol and karaoke parlors in the capital will be asked to close at 10:00 p.m. local time between November 28 and December 17 as part of measures to reduce the spread of COVID-19. The Tokyo Metropolitan Government will provide ¥400,000 in financial compensation to each business that complies with the voluntary request. (The Japan Times)
    • COVID-19 pandemic in Malaysia
      • Malaysia reports a single-day record of 2,348 recoveries, bringing the total number of recovered patients to 46,501. (The Edge Markets MY)
    • COVID-19 pandemic in Pakistan
      • Pakistan reports 3,009 new cases in the past 24 hours, the highest single-day total since July and bringing the total number of confirmed cases to 382,892. (The Nation)
  • COVID-19 pandemic in Europe
    • COVID-19 pandemic in Croatia
      • Croatia reports a new single-day record of 3,603 cases, bringing the nationwide total of confirmed cases to 111,617. (The Dubrovnik Times)
    • COVID-19 pandemic in Germany
      • Germany reports a record 410 new deaths in the past 24 hours, according to the Robert Koch Institute, bringing the nationwide death toll to 14,771. (Taggeschau)
      • Chancellor Angela Merkel announces that the partial lockdown will not be lifted until December 20 at the earliest, and may be extended until the beginning of January unless there is an unexpected drop in infections. Additional measures will also be introduced, including requiring masks in schools and limiting private gatherings to five people from two households beginning December 1. (DW)
    • COVID-19 pandemic in Poland
      • Poland reports a record 674 new deaths in the past 24 hours, bringing the nationwide death toll to 14,988. (Poland In)
    • COVID-19 pandemic in Russia
      • Russia reports a record 507 new deaths in the past 24 hours, bringing the nationwide death toll to 37,358. (The Moscow Times)
    • COVID-19 pandemic in Turkey
      • Turkey reports 28,351 new cases, including 6,814 symptomatic cases. The country now has 467,730 symptomatic cases. Health Minister Fahrettin Koca states that for the first time since July, the number of asymptomatic cases will be reported. Turkey also reports a record 168 new deaths, bringing the nationwide death toll to 12,840. (Reuters)
  • COVID-19 pandemic in Uganda
    • Uganda reports a record 484 new cases in the past 24 hours, bringing the nationwide total cases to 18,890. (NNN)
  • COVID-19 vaccine
    • Turkey purchases 50 million doses of CoronaVac to be delivered in December, January, and February, said Health Minister Fahrettin Koca. (Reuters)
  • The number of worldwide confirmed cases surpasses 60 million. (RNZ)
• Avian influenza
  • Poland's local veterinary authorities states that they will cull 930,000 hens in a farm in western Poland due to an H5N8 bird flu outbreak in the village of Wroniawy which was discovered yesterday. (NDTV)
  • Japan detects a new case of what is believed to be a highly pathogenic strain of avian influenza at a poultry farm in Fukuoka Prefecture. This is the first confirmed case outside of Kagawa Prefecture. As a result, the prefectural government will cull 93,500 chickens at a farm in Munakata to prevent the spread of the infection. (The Straits Times)

Law and crime

• Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on religion, COVID-19 pandemic in New York (state)
  • The United States Supreme Court temporarily blocks restrictions imposed by Governor Andrew Cuomo on religious sites, with Amy Coney Barrett being the deciding vote. (Newsweek)
• List of people granted executive clemency by Donald Trump
  • President Donald Trump announces via Twitter a pardon of former National Security Advisor Michael Flynn. (AP)
• Corruption in Indonesia
  • Indonesian anti-corruption agency arrests Minister of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Edhy Prabowo in lobster seed export case. (The Jakarta Post)

Politics and elections

• Politics of Lithuania
  • Ingrida Šimonytė takes office as the new Prime Minister of Lithuania, becoming the second woman to do so. She also appoints the first gender-balanced cabinet in the country's history. (LRT in English)

Sports

• Belarus at the Olympics
  • The International Olympic Committee announces that they will seek formal punishments for Olympic officials in Belarus for reports of reprisals against athletes during protests against President Alexander Lukashenko. (AP)
• 2020 Japan Series
  • The Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks sweep the Yomiuri Giants to win the Japan Series. (AP)

November 26, 2020 (2020-11-26) (Thursday)

Armed conflicts and attacks

• Tigray conflict
  • Mekelle offensive
    • The Ethiopian National Defense Force says it will begin a "final phase" of an offensive on the Tigray People's Liberation Front-held city of Mekelle in the Tigray Region, following the expiration of a 72-hour ultimatum for Tigrayan forces to surrender. Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed calls on the people of Mekelle to "disarm, stay at home and stay away from military targets" during the military operation. (Reuters)

Business and economy

• Economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on The Walt Disney Company
  • The Walt Disney Company announces that it plans to lay off 32,000 employees by the end of March 2021, as the pandemic continues to impact its theme parks and resorts. (CNN)
• Indian general strike of 2020
  • In India, the largest-ever general strike occurs, consisting of an estimated 250,000,000 people. (Business Insider)

Health and environment

• COVID-19 pandemic
  • COVID-19 pandemic in Asia
    • COVID-19 pandemic in India, Travel restrictions related to the COVID-19 pandemic
      • The government extends the suspension of most scheduled international flights until December 31. However, the restrictions do not apply to International all-cargo flights, Vande Bharat Mission flights, some international flights for which India has travel bubble agreements with other countries, and other flights specifically approved by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation. (The Times of India)
    • COVID-19 pandemic in Iran
      • The number of new cases in Iran rises by a record 13,961 over the past 24 hours, bringing the nationwide total to 908,346 cases. (Mehr News Agency)
    • COVID-19 pandemic in Malaysia
      • Malaysia imposes mandatory COVID-19 screening for 1.7 million foreign workers due to a high number of cases among these workers. In addition, authorities impose a fine of RM50,000 per worker if employers house their foreign staff in crowded spaces. (The Straits Times)
      • Malaysia reports a single-day record of 2,555 recoveries, bringing the total number of recovered patients to 49,056. (New Straits Times)
    • COVID-19 pandemic in Singapore
      • Singapore reports its first community case in more than two weeks. (CNA)
    • COVID-19 pandemic in South Korea
      • The number of new confirmed cases in South Korea reaches an eight-month high of 583 cases, the first time the country has reported more than 500 cases since March 6. The country now has 32,318 total confirmed cases, according to data from the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency. (Yonhap News Agency)
  • COVID-19 pandemic in Europe
    • COVID-19 pandemic in Denmark
      • Cluster 5
        • The authorities states that millions of dead mink thrown into mass graves after it was culled have risen from their graves in Denmark, fanning contamination fears. (South China Morning Post)
    • COVID-19 pandemic in Croatia
      • Prime Minister Andrej Plenković announces that Croatia will suspend weddings, close cafés and restaurants, and restrict outdoor and public gatherings to 25 people and private gatherings to 10 people between November 28 and December 21 as the country reports a record 4,009 new cases in the past 24 hours. (Croatia Week)
    • COVID-19 pandemic in Greece
      • Greece surpasses 2,000 total deaths from COVID-19. (The National Herald)
      • Greece extends the nationwide lockdown until December 7 as COVID-19 cases and deaths continue to rise. (Greek Reporter)
    • COVID-19 pandemic in Lithuania
      • Lithuania discovers their first case of coronavirus in minks at a farm in Jonava. A worker at the farm also tests positive for COVID-19. (Euronews)
    • COVID-19 pandemic in the Netherlands
      • The Netherlands surpasses 500,000 total confirmed cases of COVID-19. (Dutch News)
    • COVID-19 pandemic in Russia
      • Russia reports a record 25,487 new cases and 524 deaths in the past 24 hours, bringing the total number of cases to 2,187,990 and the total number of deaths to 38,062. (Novaya Gazeta)
    • COVID-19 pandemic in Sweden
      • Prince Carl Philip and Princess Sofia test positive for COVID-19. (Expressen)
    • COVID-19 pandemic in Turkey
      • Turkey reports a record 174 deaths in the past 24 hours, bringing the nationwide death toll to 13,014. The country also reports 29,132 cases, including 6,876 symptomatic cases, also a new record since the pandemic began when asymptomatic figures are included. (Reuters)
    • COVID-19 pandemic in Ukraine
      • Ukraine reports a new single-day record of 15,331 cases, bringing the total number of confirmed cases in the country to 677,189. (Kyiv Post)
  • COVID-19 pandemic in Canada
    • COVID-19 pandemic in Quebec
      • Quebec reports a new single-day record of 1,448 cases, bringing the total number of confirmed cases in the province to 136,894. (CBC)
  • COVID-19 vaccine
    • AstraZeneca CEO Pascal Soriot says that the company will likely run new trials of their potential vaccine. (Reuters)
• Shark finning
  • Colombian president Iván Duque Márquez announces a ban on commercial and subsistence fishing of all shark species within Colombian territorial waters. (La FM)

International relations

• Australia–Iran relations
  • Australian-British academic Kylie Moore-Gilbert is freed by Iran in an apparent prisoner exchange with Australia for three Iranians. Moore-Gilbert had been arrested for espionage. Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison calls her release a "miracle". (CNN)

Law and crime

• 2016 Turkish coup d'état attempt
  • A court in Turkey sentences 337 people to life imprisonment, 60 people to other jail terms and acquits 75 people. The defendants were pilots and civilians linked to the Akıncı Air Base near Ankara. (AFP via SCMP)
• Christchurch mosque shootings
  • A royal commission of inquiry formally presents its report on the March 2019 mass shootings in Christchurch, New Zealand, to the government. The report has yet to be made public, a course of action that must be decided by Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern. (The Guardian)

Politics and elections

• 2020 Burkinabé general election
  • Incumbent president Roch Marc Christian Kaboré is declared victorious in Burkina Faso's latest general election. The voting process was overshadowed by a deteriorating security situation in the northern parts of the country primarily due to islamistic terrorism, resulting in at least one fifth of the country having been unable to participate in the election. (DW)
• 2020 United States presidential election
  • President Donald Trump acknowledges that he will leave the White House on January 20 if the electoral college confirms Joe Biden's victory. (AP)

November 27, 2020 (2020-11-27) (Friday)

Armed conflicts and attacks

• Tigray conflict
  • Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed rejects talks with the leadership of the Tigray People's Liberation Front but says he is willing to talk to representatives "operating legally". The meeting with African Union (AU) representatives Ellen Johnson Sirleaf of Liberia, Joaquim Chissano of Mozambique and Kgalema Motlanthe of South Africa, comes after his announcement of a "final phase" of an offensive on the region's capital Mekelle. (AP)
• Mali War
  • Six rice farmers are killed by gunmen in the village of Farabougou, Mali, bringing the death toll to 23 since the siege of the village by suspected jihadists began nearly two months ago. (Reuters)
• Somali Civil War
  • Seven people are killed and ten others injured by a suicide bomber in an ice cream parlor in Mogadishu. (ABC News)
• Terrorism in Indonesia
  • Four Christians are killed and seven houses are burned by militants in Sigi, Central Sulawesi. The police believes that attacks was carried out by East Indonesia Mujahideen (MIT), a terrorist group linked to the Islamic State. (CNA)
• Iran's most senior nuclear scientist, Mohsen Fakhrizadeh, is assassinated by gunmen in Absard. The attackers blow up a car and then open fire on his vehicle, seriously wounding him; he later dies in a hospital. Three or four of the attackers are later killed during a gunfight with Fakhrizadeh's bodyguards. Iran's Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif has called the killing an act of state terror. (BBC News)

Business and economy

• Economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic
  • Economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in India
    • India enters a recession for the first time in its history after the economy contracts by 7.5% in July-September quarter. (ABC News) (The Hindu)

Health and environment

• COVID-19 pandemic
  • COVID-19 pandemic in North America
    • COVID-19 pandemic in the United States
      • COVID-19 pandemic in California
        • Los Angeles County announces that it will issue a new safer-at-home order that restricts the capacity of businesses, closes playgrounds and cardrooms, and prohibits all public and private gatherings of individuals from different households except for religious services and protests. This order will begin November 30 and will expire on December 20. (CBS News)
      • COVID-19 pandemic in Minnesota
        • Minnesota reports a new daily record of 101 deaths in the past 24 hours, bringing the state's death toll to 3,476. (WCCO-TV)
      • COVID-19 pandemic in New York (state)
        • New York reports 8,176 new cases, according to a statement from Governor Andrew Cuomo. It is the state's highest single-day total since April 24 when more than 10,000 cases were reported. (WABC-TV)
      • COVID-19 pandemic in Wisconsin
        • Wisconsin reports 1,300 cases, the lowest daily total in the state since October 12. (WGBA-TV)
      • The United States surpasses 13 million cases of COVID-19, six days after surpassing 12 million cases. (NBC News)
    • COVID-19 pandemic in Canada
      • COVID-19 pandemic in Ontario
        • Ontario reports 1,855 new cases in the last 24 hours, a new single-day record since the pandemic began. (CBC)
      • Nationwide, a record 5,963 new cases are reported in Canada, bringing the nationwide total of confirmed cases to 358,741. (Global News)
  • COVID-19 pandemic in Asia
    • COVID-19 pandemic in Indonesia
      • Indonesia reports a record 5,828 new cases and 169 new deaths in the last 24 hours, bringing the total number of confirmed cases to 522,581 and the nationwide death toll to 16,521. (detikHealth)
    • COVID-19 pandemic in Iran
      • Iran announces that all government offices will close beginning tomorrow and only operate with essential staff. This comes as the country reports a record 14,051 new cases in the past 24 hours, bringing the total number of confirmed cases to 922,397. (AP)
    • COVID-19 pandemic in Japan
      • Tokyo reports a new single-day record of 570 cases, according to data from the Tokyo Metropolitan Government, bringing the total number of confirmed cases to 39,649. (The Japan Times)
    • COVID-19 pandemic in Malaysia, COVID-19 vaccine
      • Malaysia's Health Ministry signs a preliminary purchasing agreement with Pfizer to obtain 12.8 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines. (The Edge Markets MY)
    • COVID-19 pandemic in the Philippines, COVID-19 vaccine
      • The Philippines signs its first supply deal for a COVID-19 vaccine with AstraZeneca to obtain 2.6 million doses of vaccines for more than one million people, covering a percent of its population. (Reuters via CNA)
    • COVID-19 pandemic in Thailand, COVID-19 vaccine
      • Thailand signs an advance agreement with AstraZeneca to obtain 26 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines. (Bangkok Post)
  • COVID-19 pandemic in Europe
    • COVID-19 pandemic in Belgium
      • Prime Minister Alexander De Croo announces that all non-essential retailers will be allowed to reopen on December 1, along with museums and swimming pools, provided that they follow strict health protocols. Other government restrictions will remain in effect, including limits on gatherings during Christmas and bans on fireworks during New Year's Eve. (The Brussels Times)
    • COVID-19 pandemic in Germany
      • Germany surpasses one million total cases of COVID-19. (Süddeutsche Zeitung)
    • COVID-19 pandemic in the Republic of Ireland
      • Taoiseach Micheál Martin announces that beginning December 1, the country will move to Level 3 restrictions with some modifications. Hotels, places of worship, gyms, and museums with protective measures will be allowed to reopen beginning on Tuesday, followed by restaurants and gastropubs on December 4. (The Irish Times)
    • COVID-19 pandemic in Russia
      • Russia reports a new single-day record of 27,543 cases, bringing the nationwide total of confirmed cases to 2.21 million. (The Moscow Times)
    • COVID-19 pandemic in Turkey
      • Turkey reports a record 177 deaths in the past 24 hours, bringing the nationwide death toll to 13,191. The country also reports 29,845 cases, including 6,592 symptomatic cases, a new record since the pandemic began when asymptomatic figures are included. (Arab News)
    • COVID-19 pandemic in Ukraine
      • Ukraine reports a new single-day record of 16,218 cases, bringing the nationwide total of confirmed cases to 693,407. (Kyiv Post)
• 2020 H5N8 outbreak
  • China's Agriculture Ministry reports an outbreak of highly pathogenic H5N8 bird flu in wild swans in Shanxi province. Two swans have been killed by the disease in Pinglu County while two others appear to be infected. (Reuters)
  • Norway detects its first case of the highly pathogenic H5N8 strain of bird flu in a wild goose in Sandnes municipality, prompting the Norwegian Food Safety Authority to introduce a regional ban of outdoor poultry. (AFP via Deccan Herald)
  • Belgium reports an outbreak of highly pathogenic H5N5 bird flu on a poultry farm in Menen. The outbreak killed 600 birds and led the authorities to cull another 151,000 birds. (Reuters)

Law and crime

• The Supreme Court of Papua New Guinea dismisses a legal challenge against the election of Prime Minister James Marape. The opposition had argued that Marape's election was unconstitutional after the original candidate, Peter O'Neill, withdrew his nomination, paving the way for Marape's election. (RNZ)
• The United States Department of Justice announces that criminal charges will be brought against 700 gang members in El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras for human trafficking. (Reuters)

Politics and elections

• 2020 Belarusian protests
  • President Alexander Lukashenko says that he will step down after a new constitution is adopted. (ABC News)

November 28, 2020 (2020-11-28) (Saturday)

Armed conflicts and attacks

• Tigray conflict
  • Mekelle offensive
    • Federal forces say that they have seized the town of Wukro in Ethiopia's Tigray Region as they advance on the region's capital Mekelle. Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF) leader Debretsion Gebremichael confirms that government forces had started an operation to capture Mekelle, saying his forces are "ready to die in defence of our right to administer our region". (BBC News)
    • Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed says that the Ethiopian military is in "full control" of Mekelle after entering the regional capital with limited resistance and are now searching for Tigrayan officials. Chief of General Staff Birhanu Jula Gelalcha says government forces have now "completely controlled Mekelle", and that 7,000 Northern Command members being held hostage by the TPLF have been freed. (Al Jazeera)
    • The U.S. Embassy in Asmara reports several explosions in the Eritrean capital. The TPLF has previously fired rockets at the capital during the conflict. (AP)
• Assassination of Iranian nuclear scientists
  • Assassination of Mohsen Fakhrizadeh
    • Iranian president Hassan Rouhani vows to "respond" to Israel, whom the regime has accused of orchestrating the killing, "at the proper time." (CNBC)
    • The supercarrier USS Nimitz is deployed to the Persian Gulf from its station in Bahrain. The U.S. Navy maintains that the ship's deployment was not related to "any specific threat." (Reuters)
• Boko Haram insurgency
  • Koshebe massacre
    • Boko Haram jihadists attack a farm in Jere, Borno State, Nigeria, killing at least 43 people. The massacre reportedly occurred during the morning, when most workers were harvesting rice. (Reuters)

Arts and culture

• College of Cardinals
  • Wilton Daniel Gregory, Archbishop of Washington, becomes the first African American to earn the rank of cardinal. (The Washington Post)

Disasters and accidents

• A major search and rescue operation is underway following a collapse at a gold mine in Bindura, Zimbabwe. Around 30 miners remain unaccounted for since the collapse, while six men have emerged alive from the mine. (The Guardian)
• The city of Nuoro, on the island of Sardinia, Italy, is affected by flooding and subsequent mudflows caused by heavy rains, killing at least three people. (BBC News)

Health and environment

• COVID-19 pandemic
  • COVID-19 pandemic in North America
    • COVID-19 pandemic in the United States
      • COVID-19 pandemic in Oregon
        • Oregon reports a new single-day record of 1,669 cases, bringing the total number of cases to 72,506. (The Oregonian)
      • COVID-19 pandemic in Michigan
        • Michigan surpasses 9,000 confirmed deaths from COVID-19. (MLive.com)
      • COVID-19 pandemic in Colorado
        • Governor Jared Polis and his husband Marlon Reis test positive for COVID-19 and enter quarantine at their home. (KUSA-TV)
      • COVID-19 pandemic in Ohio
        • Ohio surpasses 400,000 cases of COVID-19. (WCMH-TV)
    • COVID-19 pandemic in Canada
      • COVID-19 pandemic in Quebec
        • Quebec reports a new single-day record of 1,480 cases, bringing the total number of confirmed cases in the province to 139,643. The province also surpasses 7,000 total deaths from COVID-19. (CFCF-DT)
      • COVID-19 pandemic in Alberta
        • Alberta reports 1,731 cases, a new single-day record. (Edmonton Journal)
      • The number of cases in Canada exceeds 360,000. (Global News)
    • COVID-19 pandemic in Mexico
      • Mexico reports 12,081 new cases in the past 24 hours, a new single-day record since the pandemic began. (The Yucatan Times)
  • COVID-19 pandemic in Europe
    • COVID-19 pandemic in France
      • Hairdressers and other non-essential shops in France reopen for the first time since October after the country eases its second nationwide lockdown. (The Guardian)
    • COVID-19 pandemic in Greece
      • Greece reports a record 121 new deaths in the past 24 hours, bringing the nationwide death toll to 2,223. (Ekathimerini)
    • COVID-19 pandemic in Hungary
      • Hungary surpasses 200,000 total cases of COVID-19. In addition, a record of 152 new deaths in the last 24 hours is also reported. (Hungary Today)
    • COVID-19 pandemic in Turkey
      • Turkey reports a record 182 new deaths in the past 24 hours, bringing the nationwide death toll to 13,373. The country also reports 30,103 new cases, including asymptomatic cases, a new record since the pandemic after asymptomatic cases are included. (Swiss Info)
    • COVID-19 pandemic in Ukraine
      • Ukraine surpasses 700,000 total cases of COVID-19 after a record 16,294 new cases are reported in the past 24 hours. (Kyiv Post)
    • COVID-19 pandemic in Belarus
      • Belarus reports 1,691 cases in the past 24 hours, a new single-day record, bringing the total number of cases to 133,324. (Xinhua News Agency)
    • COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom
      • Prime Minister Boris Johnson announces that Nadhim Zahawi will be appointed as the country's vaccine rollout minister. (BBC News)
  • COVID-19 pandemic in Asia
    • COVID-19 pandemic in Japan
      • Japan reports 2,684 new cases in the past 24 hours, a new single-day record since the beginning of the outbreak. (Nippon.com)
    • COVID-19 pandemic in Myanmar
      • Myanmar extends their restrictions for another 15 days until December 15, according to an announcement made by de facto leader Aung San Suu Kyi due to an increase in COVID-19 cases in the country. The current restrictions are due to end on November 30. (Bloomberg)
  • COVID-19 vaccine
    • The first batch of one million doses of Sinopharm's vaccine arrives in Casablanca, Morocco. Morocco has ordered an initial 10 million doses. (North Africa Post)
    • The first doses of Pfizer's potential vaccine are flown to the United States from Belgium. (The Hill)
• Avian influenza
  • 2020 H5N8 outbreak
    • South Korea's Agriculture Ministry reports the first case of highly pathogenic H5N8 avian influenza among domestic poultry at a duck farm in the city of Jeongeup, North Jeolla Province. (The Korea Times)

International relations

• Egypt–South Sudan relations
  • Abdel Fattah el-Sisi visits South Sudan, making him the first President of Egypt to do so. (San Francisco Chronicle)
• European migrant crisis, France–United Kingdom relations
  • UK Home Secretary Priti Patel and French Minister of the Interior Gérald Darmanin announce an agreement to curb illegal migrant crossings in the English Channel. As part of the measures, costing the UK an additional 31.4 million euro, French border patrol officers will double their patrols on French beaches beginning next week, while enhancing surveillance, including increasing the use of drones to detect migrant boats. (BBC News) (La Voix du Nord)
• Montenegro–Serbia relations
  • Montenegro and Serbia expel their respective ambassadors following controversial comments by Serbian ambassador Vladimir Bozovic, who described the Kingdom of Montenegro's decision to merge with the Kingdom of Yugoslavia in 1918 as a "liberation". He was accused of "interfering in Montenegro's internal affairs" and was given 72 hours to leave the country by the Montenegrin government. (BBC News)

Law and crime

• 2020 Indian farmers' protest
  • Thousands of farmers protest in New Delhi against legislation they say will devastate crop prices. (AP)

Politics and elections

• COVID-19 pandemic
  • Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on politics
    • Protests against Benjamin Netanyahu
      • Protesters gather at the Beit Aghion residence in Jerusalem to call for the resignation of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for his handling of the COVID-19 pandemic in the country and also while he is on trial for corruption. (Toronto Star)
    • Aftermath of 2020 Malaysian political crisis
      • Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin says that he would call for a general election once the COVID-19 pandemic is over due to a "difficult and challenging situation" faced by his Perikatan Nasional government which has a slim majority in Parliament. (The Straits Times)

Sports

• 2020 NCAA Division I FBS football season, Female American football players
  • Sarah Fuller of Vanderbilt becomes the first female athlete to play in a Power Five college football game. (BBC News)

November 29, 2020 (2020-11-29) (Sunday)

Armed conflicts and attacks

• War in Afghanistan
  • November 2020 Afghanistan attacks
    • A car bombing at an Afghan Public Protection Force compound in Ghazni Province kills at least 30 Afghan National Army personnel and injures 24 others. Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid does not confirm or deny responsibility for the attack. (Reuters)
    • At least three civilians are killed and 23 others wounded in a suicide bombing in Zabul targeting the head of Zabul’s provincial council, who is among the wounded. (TOLO News)
• Boko Haram insurgency
  • Koshebe massacre
    • The death toll from the massacre yesterday in Jere, Borno State, Nigeria, rises to 110, as more people are found dead and injured victims die of their wounds. It is the deadliest terrorist attack against civilians in Nigeria this year. (The Guardian)
• Tigray conflict
  • The Tigray People's Liberation Front says it has shot down an Ethiopian Air Force warplane and captured its pilot who "was on a mission to bomb", and also claims that its forces have retaken the town of Axum from federal troops. (TRT World)
  • Ethiopian state TV reports that mass graves containing 70 bodies have been discovered in the city of Humera in the Tigray Region. (National Post)

Arts and culture

• The United States Bureau of Land Management reports the Utah monolith has been removed by an "unknown party". (The New York Times)

Disasters and accidents

• The Lewotolo volcano erupts near Indonesia's East Nusa Tenggara province, forcing more than 2,700 residents to evacuate. (AP)

Health and environment

• COVID-19 pandemic
  • COVID-19 pandemic in North America
    • COVID-19 pandemic in the United States
      • COVID-19 pandemic in New York (state)
        • COVID-19 pandemic in New York City
          • New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio announces that public elementary schools will resume in-person classes tomorrow and will require students to have testing consent forms in order to return. Additionally, District 75 schools that cater to students with disabilities will reopen on December 10. (ABC News)
      • COVID-19 pandemic in California
        • The number of patients that hospitalized for COVID-19 in California reaches a record high of 7,415. (Los Angeles Times)
    • COVID-19 pandemic in Canada, Travel restrictions related to the COVID-19 pandemic
      • The Canadian federal government extends international travel restrictions for most travellers who are not Canadian citizens, permanent residents or people entering from the United States for "essential" reasons until January 21, 2021. (CBC)
  • COVID-19 pandemic in Asia
    • COVID-19 pandemic in Hong Kong
      • The number of new confirmed cases in Hong Kong reaches a nearly four-month high of 115 cases. The city now has 6,239 total confirmed cases since the pandemic began. (CNA)
      • In response to the highest level of new infections since August, the government announces that all kindergartens, primary schools and secondary schools will suspend in-person classes from December 2 until after the Christmas holidays. (South China Morning Post) (The Straits Times)
    • COVID-19 pandemic in Lebanon
      • Acting Health Minister Hamad Hassan announces that the country will gradually ease restrictions beginning tomorrow in a bid to relieve its struggling economy during Christmas and New Year festivities. Restaurants will reopen at 50% capacity and the curfew will be moved from 5:00 p.m. local time to 11:00 p.m. local time. (Arab News)
      • Lebanon surpasses 1,000 total deaths from COVID-19. (The Daily Star)
    • COVID-19 pandemic in Indonesia
      • Indonesia reports a record 6,267 new cases in the past 24 hours, bringing the nationwide total of confirmed cases to 534,266. Central Java reports the most cases of any province with 2,036 new cases. (detikNews)
    • COVID-19 pandemic in South Korea
      • South Korea decides to implement more stringent measures in the Seoul Capital Area for one week and also raise social distancing rules outside the Seoul Capital Area to Level 1.5 for two weeks beginning December 1. In the Seoul Capital Area, health authorities announce that saunas and steam-bath rooms in bathhouses will be closed for one week. The government will also ban New Year's Eve parties organized by hotels and other accommodation facilities. (Yonhap News Agency)
  • COVID-19 pandemic in Europe
    • COVID-19 pandemic in the Czech Republic
      • Health Minister Jan Blatný announces that the country will move from level 4 to level 3 of the pandemic alert system, allowing restaurants and non-essential shops to reopen beginning Thursday, but with social distancing limits for customers. The night-time curfew will also be lifted and limited sports activities can resume. (Expats.cz)
    • COVID-19 pandemic in Hungary
      • Hungary reports a record 156 new deaths in the past 24 hours, bringing the nationwide death toll to 4,672. The country also reports a record 6,819 new cases, bringing the total number of confirmed cases to 211,527. (Hungary Today)
    • COVID-19 pandemic in Turkey
      • Turkey reports a record 185 new deaths in the past 24 hours, bringing the nationwide death toll to 13,558. Meanwhile, the total number of recoveries surpasses 400,000. (Daily Sabah)
    • COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom, COVID-19 vaccine
      • The government signs a deal with Moderna to secure an additional two million doses of its vaccine candidate, bringing the total to seven million doses for the country. (The Daily Telegraph)
• Avian influenza
  • 2020 H5N8 outbreak
    • The British government confirms that a case of the highly pathogenic H5N8 avian influenza has been found at a turkey farm in North Yorkshire, England. All 10,500 birds at the farm will be culled in order to limit the spread of the disease, according to Chief Veterinary Officer Christine Middlemiss. (Reuters)

Law and crime

• COVID-19 pandemic in France, Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on religion
  • The Council of State orders the government to review a law limiting the number of people in churches during religious services to 30, saying that the measure was not proportionate to infection risks. (France 24)
• Argentine prosecutors announce that the home and offices of Diego Maradona's doctor have been raided as part of an investigation following his death. (The New York Times) (BBC News)

Politics and elections

• 2020 Brazilian municipal elections
  • Voters go to the polls in municipal elections that are held in Brazilian cities such as Rio de Janeiro, Fortaleza, and São Paulo. (Al Jazeera) (San Francisco Chronicle)

November 30, 2020 (2020-11-30) (Monday)

Armed conflicts and attacks

• Somali Civil War
  • Al-Shabaab militants attack a military base in Baladweyne, Somalia, killing 21 people. Fifty-one militants also died during the attack. (Xinhua)
• Mali War
  • Rocket attacks are carried out in three northern Malian cities – Gao, Kidal and Ménaka – against French military bases. No one is killed or injured. Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb claims responsibility for the attacks. (Le Monde)
• Iraqi and local officials say a senior Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) commander and three others have been killed in a drone strike near the Iraq–Syria border. The identity of the commander and who conducted the airstrike is currently unknown. (Reuters)

Business and economy

• Economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom
  • British retail tycoon Philip Green's Arcadia Group collapses into administration, putting over 13,000 jobs at risk and becoming the United Kingdom's biggest corporate casualty of the COVID-19 pandemic so far. Arcadia CEO Ian Grabiner blames the pandemic for the company's demise, saying "the obstacles we encountered were far too severe". (Reuters)

Health and environment

• COVID-19 pandemic
  • COVID-19 pandemic in North America
    • COVID-19 pandemic in Canada
      • COVID-19 pandemic in Alberta
        • Alberta reports 1,733 new cases in the past 24 hours, a new single-day record since the pandemic began. (CBC)
    • COVID-19 pandemic in the United States
      • COVID-19 pandemic in Tennessee
        • Tennessee reports a record 7,975 new cases in the past 24 hours, bringing the total of confirmed and probable case to 374,793. (WKRN-TV)
      • COVID-19 pandemic in Illinois
        • Illinois reports 6,190 cases, the lowest in the state since October 28. (WBBM-TV)
      • Scott Atlas announces that he will resign from the White House Coronavirus Task Force. (The Washington Post)
  • COVID-19 pandemic in Europe
    • COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom
      • COVID-19 pandemic in Wales
        • First Minister Mark Drakeford announces that bars, pubs, restaurants and cafes will be banned from serving alcohol and will have to close for dine-in customers at 6:00 p.m. GMT. Indoor entertainment and visitor attractions will also be closed beginning December 4. (BBC News)
    • COVID-19 pandemic in Croatia
      • Croatia reports a record 74 new deaths in the past 24 hours, bringing the nationwide death toll to 1,786. (Total Croatia News)
      • Prime Minister Andrej Plenković tests positive for COVID-19. (RTVBN)
    • COVID-19 pandemic in Turkey
      • Turkey surpasses 500,000 total cases of COVID-19. (Anadolu Agency)
      • In response to a rise in cases, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan announces the most widespread restrictions in the country beginning tomorrow, including extending curfews to weeknights between 9:00 p.m. and 5:00 a.m. local time and total weekend lockdowns from 9:00 p.m. on Friday to 5:00 a.m. local time on Monday. Grocery stores and food delivery services are exempt from the lockdowns within certain hours. (ABC News)
    • COVID-19 pandemic in Greece, Travel restrictions related to the COVID-19 pandemic
      • The Hellenic Civil Aviation Authority extends the travel restrictions until December 7 for domestic flights and December 14 for international flights in an attempt to reduce the second wave of the pandemic. (Ekathimerini)
  • COVID-19 pandemic in Asia
    • COVID-19 pandemic in Cambodia
      • Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen bans wedding parties and gatherings of more than 20 people as part of measures to reduce the spread of COVID-19 after the country reported several cases of community transmission. (CNA)
    • COVID-19 pandemic in Hong Kong
      • The Hong Kong government announces that they will limit the number of people in a gathering to two, close venues such as mahjong parlours and swimming pools and ask most civil servants to work from home for two weeks beginning December 2. Ocean Park and Hong Kong Disneyland will also be closed. (The Straits Times)
    • COVID-19 pandemic in Japan
      • Tokyo reports a monthly record of 9,857 cases in November, surpassing the previous record set in August. (Kyodo News)
    • COVID-19 pandemic in Vietnam
      • Vietnam reports its first locally transmitted case in 89 days. (The Sydney Morning Herald)
  • COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil
    • COVID-19 pandemic in São Paulo (state)
      • The state of São Paulo imposes stricter social distancing measures with restrictions on opening hours and capacity limits for bars, restaurants and shopping malls as it attempts to reduce the spread of COVID-19. (Reuters)
  • COVID-19 pandemic in Australia
    • Victoria reports its first death in more than a month after a woman in her 70s who had been diagnosed with COVID-19 in September dies from complications. (9 News)
  • COVID-19 vaccine
    • Moderna announces that they will seek approval from the Food and Drug Administration and European regulators such as the European Medicines Agency for their potential vaccine after it showed a 94% effectiveness. (CBS News)
• 2020 H5N8 outbreak
  • South Korea reports an outbreak of pathogenic H5N8 avian influenza at a farm in Jeongeup, North Jeolla Province, killing over 19,000 ducks. (Reuters)

International relations

• Australia–China relations, Australia-Russia relations
  • Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison demands an apology from the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs after a spokesman tweeted a political cartoon of an Australian soldier killing an Afghan child in a post criticizing the Australian Defence Forces' recent war crimes in Afghanistan. (The Guardian)
  • The Russian Foreign Ministry claimed Australian soldiers accused of war crimes would not be "held accountable” while Australia accuse Russia of "hypocrisy". (ABC)
  • The Afghanistan Times welcomed China’s move to condemn and also react strongly over unlawful killings in Afghanistan. (Afghanistan Times)
• Israel–Saudi Arabia relations
  • Saudi Arabia agrees to allow Israeli commercial flights to cross its airspace for the first time, following high-level talks between Saudi officials and White House senior adviser Jared Kushner. (Reuters)

Law and crime

• Cannabis in the United States
  • Cannabis in Arizona
    • Arizona Proposition 207 comes into effect, making Arizona the 12th state to legalize recreational cannabis. (KSAZ-TV)
• 2019 Whakaari / White Island eruption
  • The government of New Zealand announce that charges have been filed against organizations and individuals following a volcanic eruption at White Island that killed 22 people in December 2019. (The New York Times)
• Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on prisons, COVID-19 pandemic in Sri Lanka
  • Officials say eight inmates were killed and 52 others injured after guards opened fire during a prison riot on Sunday in Mahara, Sri Lanka. The unrest was sparked by a surge of COVID-19 infections in Sri Lankan prisons. (AP)
• Slovenia formally declares Lebanese Shia Islamist group Hezbollah a terrorist organization. (The Jerusalem Post)

Politics and elections

• Viktor Orbán surpasses Kálmán Tisza as the longest-serving Prime Minister of Hungary after 14 years and 145 days in office. (Index.hu)

Science and technology

• November 2020 lunar eclipse
  • A penumbral lunar eclipse occurs, with the full moon dimming slightly as it passes through the Earth's penumbral shadow. It is visible from most of North America, the Pacific Ocean, parts of East Asia, and New Zealand. (Space.com)

November 2020

S	M	T	W	T	F	S
1	2	3	4	5	6	7
8	9	10	11	12	13	14
15	16	17	18	19	20	21
22	23	24	25	26	27	28
29	30

Ongoing events

Business

• COVID-19 recession
• FinCEN Files leak

Disasters

• COVID-19 pandemic
• 2020 Atlantic hurricane season
• 2020 Central Vietnam floods
• 2020 H5N8 outbreak
• 2019–20 locust infestation
• 2020 North Indian Ocean cyclone season
• 2020 Pacific hurricane season
• 2020 Pacific typhoon season
• 2018–20 Southern Africa drought
• 2020 wildfire season
• Yemeni famine

Politics

• Afghan peace process
• Armenian protests
• Belarusian protests
• Bulgarian protests
• Chilean protests
• George Floyd protests (racial unrest)
• Guatemalan protests
• Hong Kong protests
• Indonesia omnibus law protests
• Iraqi protests
• Kashmir lock-down
• Lebanese protests
• Libyan peace process
• Nicaraguan protests
• Nigerian protests
• Peruvian protests
• Philippine protests (timeline)
• Polish protests
• Post-Brexit diplomatic talks
• Sudanese protests
• Thai protests
• United States election protests
• Venezuelan presidential crisis (protests)
• Yellow vests movement

Elections and referendums

Recent

• November
  • 15: Moldova, President (2nd)
  • 21: Georgia, Parliament (2nd)
  • 22: Burkina Faso, President, National Assembly
  • 23–24: Egypt, Parliament (2nd−1)
  • 29: Switzerland, referendums

Upcoming

• December
  • 5: Kuwait, National Assembly
  • 6: Romania, Senate, Chamber of Deputies
  • 6: Venezuela, National Assembly
  • 7: Ghana, President (1st), Parliament
  • 7–8: Egypt, Parliament (2nd−2)

Trials

Recently concluded

• Greece: Nikolaos Michaloliakos
• Hong Kong: Jimmy Lai
• Slovakia: Marián Kočner
• Spain: Montano Morales
• Russia: Mikhail Yefremov
• Turkey: Remziye Tosun

Ongoing

• Argentina: Rodolfo Martín Villa
• Armenia: Serzh Sargsyan
• Colombia: Álvaro Uribe
• France: Nicolas Sarkozy
• Israel: Benjamin Netanyahu
• Kyrgyzstan: Almazbek Atambayev
• Malta: Yorgen Fenech
• South Africa: Jacob Zuma
• Spain: Bárcenas affair, 2017 Catalonia attacks
• Sudan: Omar al-Bashir
• United States: Fat Leonard scandal, Varsity Blues scandal
• International: The Gambia v. Myanmar

Upcoming

• Indonesia: Rachmat Yasin, Edhy Prabowo
• Kosovo: Hashim Thaçi, Kadri Veseli
• Lesotho: Maesiah Thabane
• Rwanda: Paul Rusesabagina
• Spain: Jordi Pujol
• United States: Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, Elizabeth Holmes, Meng Wanzhou, R. Kelly, Ghislaine Maxwell, Steve Bannon
• Vanuatu: Charlot Salwai
• Zimbabwe: Ignatius Chombo

Sport

• Association football
  • 2020–21 Premier League
  • 2020 Campeonato Brasileiro Série A
  • 2020 Major League Soccer season
  • 2020–21 UEFA Nations League
  • 2020 Copa Libertadores
  • 2020–21 UEFA Champions League group stage
  • 2020–21 UEFA Europa League group stage
• Women's association football
  • 2020–21 Champions League
  • 2020–21 Division 1 Féminine
  • 2020–21 FA WSL
  • 2020 NWSL Challenge Cup
• American football
  • 2020 NFL season
  • 2020 NCAA Division I FBS
• Baseball
  • 2021 MLB season
  • 2020 NPB season
• Basketball
  • 2020–21 NBA season
  • 2020–21 NCAA Division I men's basketball season
  • 2020–21 NCAA Division I women's basketball season
• Golf
  • 2020 European Tour
  • 2020–21 PGA Tour
• Ice hockey
  • 2020–21 KHL season
  • 2020–21 NHL season
• Motorsport
  • 2020 Formula One Championship
  • 2020 Rally Championship
• Rugby sevens
  • 2019–20 World Rugby Women's Sevens Series
• Rugby union
  • 2020–21 Premiership Rugby
  • 2020–21 Pro14
  • 2019–20 Top 14
• Tennis
• Other sports seasons
  • 2020–21 international cricket season
  • 2020–21 snooker season
  • 2020–21 curling season

More details – current sports events

Recent deaths

November 2020

• 28: David Prowse
• 27: Mohsen Fakhrizadeh
• 27: Tony Hsieh
• 26: F. C. Kohli
• 26: Sadiq al-Mahdi
• 26: Daria Nicolodi
• 25: Diego Maradona
• 25: Ahmed Patel
• 25: Flor Silvestre
• 25: James Wolfensohn
• 24: Fasih Bokhari
• 24: Fred Sasakamoose
• 24: Mamadou Tandja
• 23: David Dinkins
• 23: Hal Ketchum
• 22: Sidi Ould Cheikh Abdallahi
• 22: Patrick Quinn
• 20: Irinej
• 20: Jan Morris
• 19: Sebouh Chouldjian
• 19: Khadim Hussain Rizvi
• 19: Jake Scott
• 18: Umar Ghalib
• 18: Juan Roldán
• 18: Mridula Sinha
• 17: Eddie Borysewicz
• 17: Sheldon Solow
• 16: Shawkat Ali
• 16: Henryk Gulbinowicz
• 16: Walid Muallem
• 14: Hasan Muratović
• 14: Des O'Connor
• 13: Paul Hornung
• 13: Peter Sutcliffe
• 13: John Meurig Thomas
• 12: Jerry Rawlings
• 12: Waqar Ahmed Seth
• 11: Margaret Guilfoyle
• 11: Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa
• 10: Saeb Erekat
• 10: Tom Heinsohn
• 10: Amadou Toumani Touré
• 8: Howie Meeker
• 8: Alex Trebek
• 7: Bones Hillman
• 7: Jonathan Sacks
• 6: Jim Marurai
• 6: Fernando Solanas
• 6: Ken Spears
• 5: Len Barry
• 5: Geoffrey Palmer
• 5: Joy Westmore
• 4: Ken Hensley
• 3: Elsa Raven
• 3: Don Talbot
• 2: John Sessions
• 2: Gigi Proietti
• 1: Nikki McKibbin
• 1: Enuga Sreenivasulu Reddy

Ongoing conflicts

Africa

• Algeria, Libya and Tunisia
  • Maghreb insurgency
• Cameroon
  • Anglophone Crisis
• Cameroon, Chad, Niger, and Nigeria
  • Boko Haram insurgency
• Central African Republic
  • Civil War
• Democratic Republic of the Congo
  • Kivu conflict
  • Allied Democratic Forces insurgency
  • Ituri conflict
  • Lord's Resistance Army insurgency
• Ethiopia
  • Tigray conflict
• Mali
  • Mali War
• Mozambique
  • Insurgency in Cabo Delgado
• Nigeria
  • Communal conflicts in Nigeria
• Somalia
  • Civil war
• South Sudan
  • Ethnic violence (South Sudanese Civil War)
• Sudan
  • War in Darfur
  • South Kordofan conflict
  • Sudanese nomadic conflicts
• Western Sahara
  • Western Sahara conflict
    • 2020 Western Saharan clashes

Americas

• Colombia
  • Colombian conflict
• Mexico
  • Mexican War on Drugs
• Peru
  • Internal conflict in Peru

Asia-Pacific

• Afghanistan
  • Afghanistan War
• China
  • Xinjiang conflict
• India
  • Naxalite–Maoist insurgency
  • Insurgency in Northeast India
• India and Pakistan
  • Kashmir conflict
    • Border skirmishes
• Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines
  • Moro conflict
    • Cross border attacks in Sabah
• Indonesia
  • Papua conflict
• Myanmar
  • Internal conflict in Myanmar
    • Kachin conflict
    • Karen conflict
    • Rohingya conflict
• Pakistan
  • Insurgency in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
  • Insurgency in Balochistan
• Philippines
  • Communist rebellion in the Philippines
  • Philippine Drug War
• Thailand
  • South Thailand insurgency

Europe

• Armenia and Azerbaijan
  • Nagorno-Karabakh conflict
• Russia
  • Chechen–Russian conflict
• Ukraine
  • War in Donbass
    • Russo-Ukrainian War

Middle East

• Egypt
  • Sinai terror attacks
• Iran and the Persian Gulf
  • Iran–Israel proxy conflict
  • Iran–Saudi Arabia proxy conflict
• Iraq
  • American-led intervention in Iraq
  • Iranian intervention in Iraq
• Iraq and Syria (map)
  • International military intervention against ISIL
• Israel and Gaza
• Israel and Syria
  • Israeli-Syrian border conflict
• Syria
  • American-led intervention in Syria
  • Russian military intervention in the Syrian Civil War
• Turkey
  • Kurdish–Turkish conflict
• Yemen and Saudi Arabia
  • Yemeni Civil War
  • Saudi Arabian-led intervention in Yemen
  • Second Saudi–Yemeni War

Further information: List of ongoing armed conflicts

2020 events and developments by topic

Arts

• Animation (Anime)
• Architecture
• Comics
• Film (Horror, Science fiction)
• Literature (Poetry)
• Music (Classical, Country, Hip hop, Jazz, Latin, Metal, Rock, UK, US, Korea)
• Radio
• Television (Australia, Canada, Ireland, UK, Scotland, US)
• Video games

Politics and government

• Elections
• International leaders
• Sovereign states
• Sovereign state leaders
• Territorial governors

Science and technology

• Archaeology
• Biotechnology
• Computing
• Palaeontology
• Quantum computing and communication
• Senescence research
• Space/Astronomy
• Spaceflight
• Sustainable energy research

Environment and environmental sciences

• Climate change
• Weather (Heat waves
• Tornadoes
• Wildfires)

Transportation

• Aviation
• Rail transport
• Transportation technology

Establishments and disestablishments categories

• Establishments
• Disestablishments

Works and introductions categories

• Works
• Introductions
• Works entering the public domain

Audiovisual summaries

A summary of events in science in November 2020