Key Storylines
- AFRICA: Eighteen Algerian protesters who took part in banned anti-government gatherings were ordered Wednesday to stand trial next week, with nine defendants confined to prison in the meantime, a lawyer said.
- AMERICAS: Louisiana is dealing with another in a record-breaking series of violent storms as Hurricane Delta heads toward a region still recovering from the last storm.
- ASIA: The U.S. negotiator seeking to end Afghanistan’s war voiced hope on October 7 that the Kabul government can reach a side deal with Pakistan, whose historic support of the Taliban has long tested relations.
- EUROPE: The French economy rebounded 16% in the third quarter after a devastating 13.8% slump in the previous three months.
- MIDDLE EAST: The Israeli cabinet extended regulations that limit anti-government protests, citing a need to limit gatherings amid a COVID-19 resurgence.
- TECH & COMMUNICATIONS: Facebook will ban political ads indefinitely after polls close on Nov. 3, as a way to deter tension in the election’s aftermath.
Top Story
- United States: The Vice-Presidential debate happened with the media reacting to Vice President Pence and Senator Harris’s performance.
- The debate between Vice President Mike Pence and Democratic challenger Senator Kamala Harris happened largely free of the chaos that affected last week’s debate between President Donald Trump and former Vice President Joe Biden.
- Sen. Harris claimed that Trump and Pence had “forfeited their right to re-election” by downplaying the virus, which has caused more than 211,500 deaths in the nation.
- The vice-presidential candidates had a tense exchange over racial justice and law enforcement at the debate, showcasing the Republicans’ and Democrats’ differing views on the issues.
- More Americans said Sen. Kamala Harris won the vice presidential debate, according to a CNN Instant Poll of registered voters who watched saying 6 in 10 (59%) said Harris won, while 38% said Vice President Mike Pence had the better night.
- Reporting: Reuters, The Guardian, DPA, CNN
Africa
- Algeria: Eighteen protesters who took part in banned anti-government gatherings were ordered Wednesday to stand trial next week, with nine defendants confined to prison in the meantime, a lawyer said. (AFP)
- Libya: The National Center for Disease Control in the nation reported 1,045 additional COVID-19 infections, bringing the national tally to 39,513. (Xinhua)
- Zimbabwe: The country’s electoral commission confirmed the suspension of by-elections amid the COVID-19 pandemic. (Xinhua)
Americas
- Colombia: President Iván Duque called for two former FARC rebel commanders be expelled from Congress over the 1995 assassination of a former presidential candidate. (AFP)
- Colombia: The number of COVID-19 cases in the nation rose to 877,683 in the past 24 hours after tests detected 7,875 additional cases, the Health Ministry reported. (Xinhua)
- United States: President Trump is scheduled to appear in his first TV interview since revealing last Friday he had contracted COVID-19 with Fox Business Network saying an interview will air October 8th. (Reuters)
- United States: Louisiana is dealing with another in a record-breaking series of violent storms as Hurricane Delta heads toward a region still recovering from the last storm. (Reuters)
Asia
- Region: The U.S. negotiator seeking to end Afghanistan’s war voiced hope on October 7 that the Kabul government can reach a side deal with Pakistan, whose historic support of the Taliban has long tested relations. (RFE)
- Australia: Eight cases of locally transmitted Covid-19 have been identified in New South Wales, prompting the Queensland premier, Annastacia Palaszczuk, to say she is on “high alert” as her state remains under pressure to open its borders. (The Guardian)
- Japan: Sentiment among smaller businesses about the current state and outlook of the economy is “really good”, Economy Minister Yasutoshi Nishimura announced. (Reuters)
- South Korea: Defense Minister Suh Wook and U.S. Secretary of Defense Mark Esper held phone talks and reaffirmed their commitment to a strong alliance and a firm combined defense posture, the defense ministry reported. (YNA)
Europe
- France: The economy rebounded 16% in the third quarter after a devastating 13.8% slump in the previous three months. (Reuters)
- Slovakia: The country’s daily number of new COVID-19 cases rose to 1,037, the highest since the pandemic reached the country, Prime Minister Igor Matovic reported. (Reuters)
- Turkey: Police detained at least 17 suspects in Istanbul over their alleged links to the Islamic State (IS) militant group, a local media outlet reported. (Xinhua)
- Ukraine: The nation registered a record 5,397 COVID-19 cases in the past 24 hours, the national security council announced, up from a previous record of 4,753 new cases. (Reuters)
Middle East
- Egypt: The nation recorded 133 new COVID-19 cases, bringing the total number in the country to 104,035. (Xinhua)
- Israel: The cabinet extended regulations that limit anti-government protests, citing a need to limit gatherings amid a COVID-19 resurgence. (Xinhua)
- Syria: A huge explosion was heard in the Southern city of Deraa, state TV said citing its reporter. (Reuters)
Tech & Communications
- Social Media: Facebook will ban political ads indefinitely after polls close on Nov. 3, as a way to deter tension in the election’s aftermath. (.NYT)
World
- Cyclones:
- Hurricanes:
- Hurricane Delta
- Location:23.4N 91.8W
- Movement: NW
- Wind:100 mph
- Map
- Hurricane Delta
- Earthquakes: Nothing to report
- Volcanoes: Nothing to report.
- Global Disease Outbreaks:
- COVID-19 Coronavirus Disease: Global
- Confirmed Cases as of 07OCT20: 36,170,478
- Total Recovered Cases as of 07OCT20: 25,244,323
- Deaths as of 07OCT20: 1,056,000
- Countries with Confirmed Cases: 188
- Sourcing: John Hopkins University
- Ebola Virus Disease: DR Congo (11th Ebola outbreak figures from Equateur Province)
- Confirmed Cases as of 26SEP20: 118
- Probable Cases as of 26SEP20: 6
- Deaths as of 26SEP20: 50
- Sourcing: WHO
- COVID-19 Coronavirus Disease: Global
Tomorrow’s Outlook (09OCT20)
- Global: Nobel Peace Prize winner announced
- Global: United Nations Security Council reports due on the Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK) and the Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA)
- Global: IMF managing director participates in a virtual Civil Society Townhall
- MENA: Possible start date for land and maritime border demarcation talks between Israel and Lebanon.
- Czech Republic: Senate and regional elections second round
- Israel: End of Jewish holiday of Sukkot, which has prompted extra COVID-19 related restrictions in Israel.
- United States: Hurricane Delta forecast to hit Louisiana coast
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