*) Trump and First Lady Melania tested positive for coronavirus

Donald Trump and his wife Melania have tested positive for the coronavirus.

Trump, who has spent much of the year downplaying the threat of the virus, says they both are in quarantine.

Trump tested positive hours after his senior aide Hope Hicks came down with Covid-19 after travelling with the president several times this week.

*) Azerbaijan liberates key points amid border clashes

Azerbaijan says its army has pushed Armenian forces out of some critical points in occupied areas.

Its Defence Ministry says the Armenian army were forced to withdraw from strategic points.

Armenia has announced its willingness to engage with the OSCE to re-establish a ceasefire in occupied Karabakh, where fighting has been raging since Sunday.

*) Turkey, Greece agree on deconfliction mechanism in East Med

Turkish and Greek military delegations have reached a "common understanding" to ease tensions in the eastern Mediterranean.

A NATO statement said the agreement between Turkey and Greece included a hotline to avoid incidents at sea and in the air.

A series of talks are on the books, after a phone call between President Erdogan and NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg.

*) Thousands of US-bound Honduran migrants cross into Guatemala

Thousands of mostly Honduran migrants bound for the US have surged across the border into Guatemala.

The migrants defied coronavirus restrictions and pushed past two lines of Guatemalan soldiers at the border crossing to continue north.

Guatemalan Migration Institute officials said some 3,000 people had crossed the border without submitting to a Covid-19 test.

And finally...

*) Lebanese artists in overdrive to restore Beirut's beauty

Lebanese stained glass expert Maya Husseini is one of several artists starting to restore artworks destroyed by the blast that ripped through Beirut.

The massive explosion at the capital's port on August 4 ravaged dozens of Beirut's most cherished heritage buildings.

In neighbourhoods near the port, the race is on to cover up 100 heritage buildings before the autumn rain.

*) Azerbaijan, Armenia no closer to ending clashes

Fighting between Azerbaijan and Armenia over the disputed region of Nagorno-Karabakh has entered the fifth day.

Turkey says the only solution is for Armenia to end its occupation while Russia and France urge the two neighbours to negotiate over the decades-old conflict.

More than 100 people – including civilians – have been killed in the clashes that flared up on Sunday.

*) US to slash refugee admissions to new low

The US intends to allow only 15,000 refugees to resettle in the country in the 2021 fiscal year.

The State Department said the proposal reflects the Trump administration’s prioritising of the “safety and well-being of Americans, especially in light of the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic.”

The US cut the refugee cap to 18,000 last year but only roughly half that many refugees were let in as increased vetting slowed arrivals.

*) Anger after Indian police cremate gang-rape victim

Protests have erupted in India after the family of a 19-year old, who was gang-raped, said her body was cremated without permission.

The young woman, who was a Dalit, the lowest caste in the Hindu caste system in India, was brutally attacked two weeks ago and left severely injured.

She died of her injuries on Tuesday. Her alleged attackers have been arrested but there's anger over how the case is being handled.

*) Security tight in Hong Kong ahead of expected National Day protest

Security is tight in Hong Kong with a heavy police presence seen on the streets ahead of an expected China National Day march by anti-Beijing protesters.

The People's Republic of China celebrates its founding on October 1 but in Hong Kong, it has become a day of grievance for its anti-Beijing residents.

Protests in Hong Kong have been outlawed for most of this year over coronavirus and after a strict security law was implemented in June.

And finally...

*) Thracian sun disc discovered in northwest Turkey

Archaeologists have discovered a 3,500-year-old sun disc in Turkey's northwestern Suakacagi village.

This particular sun disc is considered to be of importance because it was found at the altar of a Thracian temple and points to the west, possibly signifying the September and March equinoxes.

The sun disc and the nearby settlements are believed to date back to the late bronze age, or early iron age.

*) Biden and Trump trade heated barbs in first US presidential debate

Joe Biden and Donald Trump exchanged heated barbs and attacked each other's competence and credibility during the first 2020 US presidential debate.

The debate covered several topics, including coronavirus, racism, the Supreme Court, economy and healthcare.

The moderator often had a hard time keeping the candidates on topic as the two men competed for a slim slice of undecided voters.

*) UN fears Armenia-Azerbaijan clashes will spiral into all-out war.

The UN Security Council fears ongoing clashes between Azerbaijan and Armenia could spiral into an all-out war.

After an emergency session, the council demanded that fighting stop immediately.

Tensions between the two former Soviet nations flared on Sunday over the disputed Karabakh border region.

*) UK and Canada impose sanctions on Belarus

The UK and Canada are the first western powers to impose sanctions on Belaraus President Alexander Lukashenko, his son and senior officials.

Both countries also issued travel bans and froze assets belonging to the men.

The Belarus government is accused of rigging the presidential election that secured Lukashenko a sixth consecutive term in office but launched the country into a political crisis with widespread protests.

*) Disney will lay off around 28,000 employees

Walt Disney will lay off around 28,000 employees after the business was hit by the pandemic.

The redundancies will mostly happen at US theme parks, where ticket sales have stalled as most parks remain closed.

The company says about two-thirds of laid-off employees will now work part-time.

And finally...

*) The Emir of Kuwait dies at 91

The Emir of Kuwait, who had been receiving medical treatment in the US, has died at the age of 91.

Sheikh Sabah al Ahmed al Jaber al Sabah was known for his efforts in shaping Kuwait's modern foreign policy.

His half brother, Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf al Ahmad al Sabah, has been named his successor.

*) Fighting between Azerbaijan and Armenia continues

Fighting continues between Azerbaijan and Armenia over the disputed border region of Karabakh.

Early on Tuesday, the neighbouring countries engaged in the fiercest round of attacks in more than a quarter of a century.

The Azerbaijan Defence Ministry said Armenian forces attempted to recover lost ground by launching counterattacks but failed.

*) Police clash with pro-abortion rights protesters in Mexico

Hundreds of women have marched through Mexico's capital to demand a nationwide legalisation of abortion.

Police used pepper spray on demonstrators and shields to block them from marching to Mexico City's central plaza.

Feminist groups have started taking a more hardline stance against violence against women in Mexico where ten women are murdered every day.

*) Amnesty accuses France of using ‘vague laws’ to crack down on protests

Rights group Amnesty International is accusing France of using "vague laws" when cracking down on anti-government and anti-police brutality protests.

The group published a report saying French authorities are resorting to "overly broad laws to arrest and prosecute thousands of protesters who did not commit violent acts."

Amnesty's report said many peaceful protesters have been fined, arrested and prosecuted.

*) Trump and Biden to face off in first US presidential debate

Millions of Americans are expected to tune in to the first customary televised presidential debate.

President Donald Trump and Democratic candidate Joe Biden will face off on Tuesday night in a contest pundits predict will get personal.

With the election only five weeks away, the two contenders will have the opportunity to present their rival visions of the nation's future to voters.

And finally...

*) Milan fashion week celebrates Black designers

Black designers have presented collections at Milan's fashion week to raise awareness of the lack of diversity in the industry.

The five designers are part of a group called “Black Lives Matter in Italian Fashion,” inspired by the international movement against racial injustice.

The event "We are Made in Italy" is a virtual show of the first fashion week since the coronavirus pandemic began.

*) India coronavirus cases pass 6 million

India now has over 6 million coronavirus cases, according to government data.

The country is now on course to pass the US with the highest number of infections in the world.

The Asian country has also recorded close to 100,000 deaths.

*) Azerbaijan and Armenia clash over disputed Karabakh region

The international community is calling for an end to fighting between Azerbaijan and Armenia.

Azerbaijan says Armenian forces opened fire on the frontlines of the occupied Karabakh region, but Armenia says it was Azerbaijan that attacked first.

The two former Soviet countries have long been in conflict over a border dispute, with clashes intensifying in recent months.

*) US Judge blocks Trump administration’s TikTok ban

A US federal judge has suspended the government's ban on TikTok.

The popular app had sought a preliminary injunction to allow it to remain available on US app stores.

The White House had called the app a national security threat over its alleged ties with the Chinese government.

*) New wildfire in California’s wine country

In the US, firefighters are battling a new wildfire that broke out in California's Napa County.

As fires continue to rage across the state, the new fire is spreading at a dangerous speed after already burning through more than 400 hectares.

Thousands of residents have been evacuated from the area.

And finally...

*) Trump could face tax trouble in New York

US President Trump has paid no federal income taxes in 10 of the past 15 years, according to a report on his tax returns published by the New York Times.

The report says Trump paid just $750 in taxes in 2016, and again during his first year in office.

Trump denies the allegations as he fights a subpoena which will allow prosecutors full access to his tax records.

*) Fatah and Hamas agree to hold first Palestinian elections since 2006

Rival Palestinian groups Fatah and Hamas have agreed to hold the first parliamentary elections in nearly 15 years.

Leaders from the two sides have been meeting in Istanbul, and have agreed to hold a poll within six months.

The last Palestinian elections were held in 2006 when Hamas won by an unexpected landslide.

The fresh talks are seen as an attempt by Palestinians to present a united front as Arab states normalise relations with Israel.

*) Fighting leaves dozens of Taliban insurgents dead in Afghanistan

In Afghanistan, security forces have killed at least 65 Taliban militants in an intense battle in the east of the country.

The Taliban stormed a military headquarters in Paktika province but were driven back and suffered heavy losses in a counterattack, according to police.

The violence comes as Taliban and Afghan government negotiators meet in Doha in an attempt to end 19 years of war.

*) Louisville arrests at least 24 at Breonna Taylor protests

At least 24 people have been arrested in Louisville, Kentucky in the second night of protests over the lack of criminal charges in the police killing of Breonna Taylor.

More than 1,000 people defied a curfew to protest, with some seeking refuge in a church.

Heavily armed police surrounded the church, with helicopters overhead, but the demonstrators were released around 11 pm.

*) Anti-Beijing activist Joshua Wong arrested in Hong Kong

A Hong Kong court has charged anti-Beijing activist Joshua Wong over taking part in an unauthorised gathering in October and violating a mask ban.

His arrest follows the implementation of China's national security law in the territory almost three months ago.

Wong is out on bail and is due back in court at the end of this month.

And finally...

*) Rio de Janeiro delays 2021 Carnival parade over coronavirus

Rio's world-famous carnival parade has been delayed for the first time in a century.

Officials say the spread of Covid-19 in Brazil has made it impossible to hold the event safely.

A decision about carnival street parties is yet to be announced. Brazil is the third worst-hit country in the world with more than 4.6 million coronavirus cases.

*) New EU migrant plan abandons refugee quotas for ‘mandatory solidarity’

The European Union's executive has proposed a contentious plan to provide a better welcome for refugees fleeing the Middle East and Africa.

The plan, slammed by refugee rights groups, asks EU states to volunteer to either take in refugees or provide logistical support to countries allowing them in.

Intended for 2023, the plan also aims to ease the load on Mediterranean shore countries that see the most migrant arrivals.

*) Louisville officers shot during Breonna Taylor protests

A grand jury has decided that police officers who shot into Breonna Taylor's apartment and killed her will not be prosecuted for her death.

Hours after the grand jury's decision, authorities said two Louisville officers were shot and wounded in protests expressing anger over the killings of Black people.

The 26-year-old Black woman has since become a rallying cry for the Black Lives Matter movement.

*) Petrol tanker explosion in Nigeria kills killing dozens

At least 28 people have been killed after a fuel tanker crashed in Nigeria’s central state of Kogi.

The incident took place on the Lokoja-Abuja highway after a loaded petrol tanker lost control and rammed into a number of vehicles.

Occupants of the 10 vehicles involved were killed including a family that was crushed to death when the tanker fell on their car.

*) UN and Britain to co-host climate summit on December 12

The UN and Britain will co-host a global climate summit on December 12, the fifth anniversary of the landmark Paris Agreement.

The announcement comes days after China said it would attempt to go carbon neutral by 2060.

UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres called for swift action, saying “the climate emergency” is here and there is “no time to waste.”

And finally...

*) 70 whales have been rescued from Australia’s worst mass beaching

Australian authorities have said that 70 pilot whales have been rescued so far from the country’s worst mass stranding.

The number of rescues had been estimated at 50 late Wednesday, but 20 more came to light on Thursday.

An estimated 470 whales were found stranded on the shore and sand bars along the remote west coast of Tasmania.

*) Turkey and Greece agree to resume eastern Mediterranean talks

Turkey and Greece have agreed to resume talks aimed at addressing their contested maritime claims in the eastern Mediterranean and Aegean.

A statement from Turkish President Erdogan's office said both countries were ready to restart talks after four years.

The Greek Foreign Ministry said the two NATO allies will resume “exploratory talks” at a brief meeting in Istanbul.

*) World powers clash, virus stirs anger at virtual UN meeting

World leaders have convened electronically for an unprecedented high-level UN meeting, where China and Iran clashed with the US and officials raged over the handling of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Turkish President Erdogan criticised how “countries were left on their own” at the onset of the pandemic.

He also called for the restructuring of the UN Security Council.

The UN chief urged unity in tackling the towering problems of Covid-19, the “economic calamity” it unleashed and the risk of a new Cold War between the US and China.

*) Saudi Arabia to lift ban on Umrah pilgrimage next month

After a seven-month pause due to coronavirus concerns, Saudi Arabia will allow residents to undertake the Muslim Umrah pilgrimage beginning on October 4.

The kingdom will only allow 30 percent of the revised capacity to perform the pilgrimage.

But starting November 1st, the kingdom will allow visitors from countries deemed safe to perform Umrah at 100 percent of the revised capacity.

*) Pakistani court sentences two to death over 2012 factory arson

Pakistan’s Anti-Terrorism Court has sentenced two former political party activists to death for starting the country’s deadliest industrial fire in 2012.

The blaze at the Baldia garment factory killed more than 260 workers.

The court ruled that the two workers from Pakistan's MQM party started the fire because the factory owners didn't give in to their extortion demands.

And finally.

*) Tesla cheaper battery and cheaper three years away

Tesla CEO Elon Musk has said his company aims to achieve a new Tesla model priced at $25,000 within the next three years.

This would be a dramatic markdown from Tesla's cheapest car, the Model 3, that usually ends up costing more than $40,000.

Investors slashed $50 billion from Tesla market value as Musk's announced shied away from "a done deal."

*) Global stocks wobble amid coronavirus fear

World equity markets have suffered heavy losses as investors reacted to mounting fears of a second coronavirus wave.

Crude oil prices plunged over expectations of less demand just as more supply from Libya became available.

The banking sector has also been rocked by a media probe that revealed massive sums of dirty money had flowed for years through some of the world's largest banks.

*) US slaps new sanctions on Iran amid EU defiance

The United States has renewed what it calls "previously terminated UN sanctions" on Iran's Defence Ministry and demanded that European powers follow suit.

The US has said the action was taken because Iran failed to uphold its nuclear deal commitments and the UN Security Council failed to extend an arms embargo on Iran.

However, the United Nations has said it is not up to Washington to make that decision.

Police release footage after officers shoot 13-year-old boy

Staying in the US, where police have released footage showing a 13-year-old boy with autism was shot by officers after his mother asked for help getting him to the hospital

The videos show Salt Lake City officers chasing the boy down an alley after they arrive at his home, then yelling at him to get on the ground.

The boy collapses after a series of shots ring out, moaning, “I don’t feel good. I don’t feel good.”

He survived but suffered broken bones and pierced organs.

*) EU fails to agree on Belarus sanctions

European Union foreign ministers have failed to impose sanctions on Belarus officials suspected of election fraud.

Around 40 people linked to irregularities in the August 9 elections would be the subject of asset freezes and travel bans if the sanctions pass.

Several EU countries want Belarus President Lukashenko on the sanction list, but others prefer to gradually ramp up pressure on him by adding names.

And finally,

*) Rescuers continue bid to save stranded whales in Australia

A challenging operation has been launched in Australia to rescue hundreds of stranded whales off the island of Tasmania.

Up to 90 whales have died and another 180 more are still stranded.

About 60 people, including volunteers and local fish farm workers, are battling cold, wet conditions to save them.

*) HSBC's Hong Kong shares plummet after reported illicit activity

Global banks in Hong Kong, including HSBC and Standard Chartered, have been transferring trillions of dollars in illegal funds for nearly two decades.

Leaked reports by the US Treasury's Financial Crimes watchdog FinCen show bank staff moved funds to unknown owners registered in offshore havens.

Although HSBC denied the claims, their Hong Kong shares have dropped to their lowest since 1995, with Standard Chartered’s shares also falling.

*) Woman arrested over suspicion of sending ricin letter to Trump

A woman suspected of sending a letter with poison to the White House has been arrested and is expected to face federal charges.

The envelope containing ricin appeared to have originated in Canada and was intercepted before it reached the White House.

The unnamed suspect was taken into custody by US Customs and Border Protection officers at the New York-Canada border.

*) Democratic candidate Joe Biden calls for Justice vote delay

Joe Biden has lashed out at US President Trump for wanting to replace the late Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s seat on the Supreme Court before presidential elections.

Biden has urged senators to delay a vote for a new Justice until after elections in November, and so far two Republican senators have agreed.

"A warrior for gender equality" in the US, Ginsburg was 87 when she died on Friday following a battle with pancreatic cancer.

*) Several killed in Mumbai building collapse

At least eight people have been killed in Mumbai in India after a three-storey residential building collapsed.

A disaster agency official said up to 25 people were believed to be trapped in the ruins since dawn on Monday.

The cause behind the collapse is still unknown but faulty building construction and unregulated urban planning are common in the region.

And finally,

*) History made at first virtual Emmy Awards ceremony

The 72nd Emmy Awards have taken place online due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

The awards ceremony was hosted by comedian Jimmy Kimmel from a virtual studio in Los Angeles and nominees dialled in from their homes.

Twenty-four-year-old "Euphoria" star Zendaya made history, becoming the youngest woman to win Best Lead Actress in a Drama Series.