Portal:Current events/2020 October 12

October 12, 2020 (Monday)

Armed conflicts and attacks

War in Afghanistan
- A highway is closed and power is shut off in parts of Helmand Province amidst brutal fighting in which 71 Taliban fighters have been killed and the deputy shadow governor of Helmand, Mawlawi Ghafoor, has been arrested. The governor's office says that Ghafoor was recently released as part of peace negotiations. (TOLO News)

Business and economy

Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on aviation
- British Airways CEO Álex Cruz is fired as the airline struggles with both reduced passengers caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, and heavy criticisms from labour unions and MPs for massive firings and large pay cuts. Sean Doyle, CEO of Irish flag carrier Aer Lingus, immediately assumes his position. (BBC News)
The Sveriges Riksbank Prize in Economic Sciences in Memory of Alfred Nobel
- The Sveriges Riksbank Prize in Economic Sciences in Memory of Alfred Nobel goes to Paul R. Milgrom and Robert B. Wilson “for improvements to auction theory and inventions of new auction formats.” (CNN)

Disasters and accidents

A massive power failure in Mumbai, India, believed to be caused by an issue with the main power grid receiving electricity, leaves millions of people without power and brings the city's rail lines to a standstill. Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray orders an investigation into the cause. (BBC News) (NDTV)

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
      - Dr. Sean Conley reports that U.S. President Donald Trump has tested negative for COVID-19 on consecutive days. Conley also said the President was no longer a risk of spreading the virus to others. (ABC Australia)
  - COVID-19 pandemic in Ohio
    - Ohio reaches 5,000 COVID-19 deaths. (Cincinnati News)
  - COVID-19 pandemic in Hawaii
    - Hawaii reports 42 cases, the lowest in the state since July 24. (Hawaii News Now) (Hawaii Tribune-Herald)

- COVID-19 pandemic in Asia
  - COVID-19 pandemic in Malaysia
    - COVID-19 pandemic in Kuala Lumpur, COVID-19 pandemic in Selangor
      - Following a rapid increase in the number of COVID-19 cases in Malaysia, the federal government announces that Kuala Lumpur, Selangor, and Putrajaya will be put under a Conditional Movement Control Order (CMCO). The tightened restrictions will be enforced between October 14 and October 27. (CNA)
    - COVID-19 pandemic in Sabah
      - It is announced that all of Sabah will put under Conditional Movement Control Order between tomorrow at 12:01 a.m. local time and October 26. Under these restrictions, only two people per household will be allowed to go out to buy necessities. In addition, schools, public parks, recreational centers, tahfiz centers, and others will be closed. (New Straits Times)
  - COVID-19 pandemic in Iran
    - For the second day in a row, Iran reports a single day record high of 272 new COVID-19 fatalities as, at the same time, the country registers 4,206 new cases in the last 24 hours, the highest number since start of the pandemic. (ABC News)
  - COVID-19 pandemic in Israel
    - Israel surpasses 2,000 COVID-19 deaths as the country remains in lockdown. (The Times of Israel)
  - COVID-19 pandemic in mainland China
    - Authorities in Qingdao say that they will test the entire population of more than nine million people for COVID-19 in the next five days, after new cases appeared linked to Qingdao Chest Hospital, which was treating people confirmed with the disease after returning from overseas. (Medcom.id)
- COVID-19 pandemic in Europe
  - COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom
    - COVID-19 pandemic in England
      - Prime Minister Boris Johnson unveils a new three-tier restrictions system aimed to simplify the range of different restrictions already in place across various parts of England. The Local COVID Alert Levels ("medium", "high", and "very high") will be implemented in different areas depending on local infection rates. (Sky News)
  - COVID-19 pandemic in Andorra
    - Minister of Finances Èric Jover tests positive for COVID-19 and becomes the first Andorran high-profile politician to get infected. (Diari d'Andorra)
  - COVID-19 pandemic in the Czech Republic
    - To prevent the fast spread of COVID-19, which is among the highest in Europe, Health Minister Roman Prymula announces on Twitter that the Czech government has ordered bars, restaurants, and clubs closed between October 14 and November 3, and most schools must shift to distance learning. In addition, public gatherings will also be restricted to six people, alcohol consumption in public spaces is banned, and masks are required at public transport stops. (Reuters)
  - COVID-19 pandemic in Russia
    - COVID-19 vaccination in Russia
      - Russia says that it has started vaccine trials for their Gam-COVID-Vac Sputnik V vaccine in the United Arab Emirates. The announcement comes after President Vladimir Putin had a phone call with Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. (CNBC)
  - COVID-19 pandemic in Vatican City
    - Four members of the Vatican Swiss Guard test positive for COVID-19, becoming the first positive cases since June. (NBC News)
- COVID-19 pandemic in Oceania
  - COVID-19 pandemic in French Polynesia
    - French Polynesian President Edouard Fritch tests positive for COVID-19 after returning from France. (RNZI) (RNZI)
- COVID-19 pandemic in South America
  - COVID-19 pandemic in Argentina
    - The number of cases in Argentina exceeds 900,000. (Reuters)
- COVID-19 vaccine
  - Indonesia aims to start administering COVID-19 vaccines early next month, according to the Coordinating Ministry for Maritime and Investment Affairs. Sinopharm and G42 Healthcare will supply five million doses starting next month, CanSino Biologics will supply 100,000 doses that same time, and Sinovac will supply three million doses of CoronaVac by December. All three vaccines are currently in Phase III trials in various countries. (The Straits Times)
  - Johnson & Johnson has paused the Phase III trials of its COVID-19 vaccine because of an unexplained illness in one of the volunteers. (CNN)

Law and crime

Face masks during the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States
- COVID-19 pandemic in Wisconsin
  - Circuit Court Judge R. Michael Waterman refuses to block the mask mandate order by Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers. (CNN)
Capital punishment in Bangladesh
- Bangladesh plans to introduce the death penalty for rape, following days of protests about the country's high level of sexual violence against women. (BBC News)
Amy Coney Barrett Supreme Court nomination
- 21 protesters are arrested in Washington, D.C. during the first day of confirmation hearings for Associate Supreme Court Justice nominee Amy Coney Barrett. (Washington Post)
U.S. state and local government responses to the COVID-19 pandemic
- COVID-19 pandemic in Michigan
  - The Michigan Supreme Court announces that it has struck down emergency orders from Governor Gretchen Whitmer. (CNN)
2020 Belarusian protests
- The Interior Ministry of Belarus grants the police the authority to use lethal weapons against anti-Lukashenko protesters if needed. (BBC News)

Politics and elections

2020 Lithuanian parliamentary election
- Early data shows the oppositional Homeland Union victorious in the first round of the latest parliamentary election in Lithuania. The second round will be held on October 25. (DW)
2020 Philippine House of Representatives leadership crisis
- A majority of members of the House of Representatives of the Philippines elect Lord Allan Jay Velasco as Speaker of the House of Representatives, unseating incumbent Alan Peter Cayetano amidst the political dispute over the Speakership outside the Session Hall of the Batasang Pambansa Complex. Cayetano declares Velasco's election as "illegal" and maintains that he is the Speaker. (AP via CNA)
2020 Tajik presidential election
- Long-term President Emomali Rakhmon is declared the victor of Tajikistan's latest presidential election with over 90% of the votes. (DW)

Science and technology

Facebook announces it will ban Holocaust denial on its platform. (The Independent)