Molly Magennis / @mollymag3
President Donald Trump tests positive for Coronavirus just days after the first presidential debate
Donald Trump and his wife Melania announced on Twitter they had both tested positive for COVID-19 after one of his top advisors, Hope Hicks, also tested positive for the virus.
A day after The President and First Lady began their two week quarantine at the White House, Trump announced on Twitter he was being taken to hospital.
“I’m going to Walter Reed Hospital,” Trump said. “I think I’m doing very well, but we’re going to make sure things work out”.
While moderator Chris Wallace failed to control and sustain a civil debate between Trump and Biden, plans were underway to introduce muted microphones at the next debate set to be held in Miami.
But just a month out from the election, and under two weeks away from the second presidential debate, it is now unclear how the rest of Trump’s campaign is going to play out.
Coronavirus death toll rises to one million
The worldwide coronavirus death toll hit a new milestone this week, with the pandemic now responsible for one million deaths.
The death toll from Covid-19 has been on the rise since the discovery of the virus in December last year, with 100,000 deaths recorded in April and then 500,000 in June.
The US remains the nation hardest hit by the pandemic, with 7.3 million confirmed cases and over 200,000 deaths.
India also hit a new grim milestone this week having officially reached six million cases.
Though new infections continue to rise, India has the highest rate of recovered Covid-19 patients, with five million people having recovered and an 82 per cent recovery rate.
Since July Europe has seen a surge of coronavirus cases, with the United Kingdom, Franc and Spain experiencing their highest number of new infections since the beginning of the pandemic.
As Europe’s worst coronavirus hotspot, Madrid has re-entered a lockdown that means any non- essential travel into the city is banned. The UK has also imposed some local community lockdowns as well as a 10.00pm curfew on all pubs and restaurants, sparking outrage and impromptu parties on the streets of London.
Armenia and Azerbaijan clash leaving several killed and 100 injured
Conflict erupted between Armenian and Azerbaijan forces in the region of Nagorno-Karabakh resulting in the death of 16 military personnel and several civilians. A further 100 were injured in the biggest clash between the two nations since 2016.
Nagorno-Karabakh is an Armenian region in Azerbaijan that declared independence in 1991 and is the reason for much of the enduring conflict between the two nations.
Four of Azerbaijan’s helicopters, 15 drones and 10 tanks were destroyed by Nagorno-Karabakh in the attack.
Armenian president Nikol Pashinyan wrote on Twitter, “all Armenians must unite to defend our history, our homeland, identity, our future and our present.”
Helen Reddy dies aged 78
Australian singer Helen Reddy, aged 78, has died in Los Angeles.
Most well known for her iconic feminist anthem, ‘I am Woman’, the singer was diagnosed with dementia in 2015.
Her daughter, Traci and son, Jordan paid tribute to their mother on Facebook writing, “she was a wonderful mother, grandmother and a truly formidable woman.”
Helen Reddy released ‘I Am Woman’ in 1972 which shot to number 1 in the US, and a year later she took home the Grammy for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance.
Helen was immortalised in the biopic ‘I Am Woman’ released this year, starring Tila Cobham-Hervey and Evan Peters, and details her career and subsequent rise to fame.
Victoria’s active coronavirus cases drop below 300 for the first time since June as more restrictions are eased
Victoria’s total active coronavirus cases have dropped below 300 this week, as Premier Daniel Andrews eased more restrictions for Metropolitan Melbourne.
One of the biggest changes to restrictions under step two of the roadmap towards a ‘COVID Normal’, was discarding the 9pm to 5am curfew.
More than one person from a household can now leave to go shopping, and up to five people from two households can meet in a public outdoor space.
The 5 kilometre limit still applies and no changes were made to open up retail businesses or restaurants and cafes.
Victoria’s rolling 14-day average currently sits at 11.9 with the Premier is set to announce more changes to restrictions on October 19.