Highlights: Half of England now under tougher Covid-19 restrictions

Roughly half of England is now under tougher coronavirus restrictions, after the government on Thursday announced more stringent measures for London and seven other areas to try to cut surging numbers of cases, reports AFP.

As a fresh wave of the coronavirus sweeps across much of Europe, the reality of the disease struck a summit of European Union leaders on Thursday when one of the 27-nation bloc's top officials abandoned the meeting to go into self-imposed quarantine, reports AP.

Three Rockland County Jewish congregations are suing New York state and Gov. Andrew Cuomo, saying he engaged in a “streak of anti-Semitic discrimination” with a recent crackdown on religious gatherings to reduce the state's coronavirus infection rate, reports AP.

Nepal’s coronavirus caseload on Thursday climbed to 121,745 with 3,749 new cases in the last 24 hours, according to the health ministry. With the death of 19 people, the death toll reached 694, it said, reports PTI.

Israel decided on Thursday to relax some of the restrictions imposed during a monthlong nationwide lockdown that was meant to drive down a raging coronavirus outbreak, reports AP.

Jharkhand on Thursday recorded 583 new Covid-19 cases, 873 discharges and 8 deaths today, taking total cases to 94,952 including 87,240 discharges, 820 deaths, and 6,892 active cases, the state health department said, reports ANI.

Jharkhand reported 583 new coronavirus cases, 873 discharges and 8 deaths today, taking total cases to 94952 including 87240 discharges, 820 deaths, and 6892 active cases: State Health Department pic.twitter.com/LdFPBjvEs2

— ANI (@ANI) October 15, 2020

Londoners will be banned from mixing with other households indoors and Paris is set for a curfew, as European leaders struggle to cope with record new coronavirus cases around the region. Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s government mandated tighter restrictions in the UK capital starting this weekend, while French President Emmanuel Macron will confine residents of nine of the country’s biggest cities to their homes between 9 p.m. and 6 a.m. for four weeks from Saturday, reports Bloomberg.

Moscow has introduced new Covid-19 curbs for bars, clubs and discos, the city's mayor has said. staff and visitors will have to register their phone numbers to access the venues at night and scan a QR code upon entry.

Philippines'health ministry has said the country on Thursday recorded 2,261 new cases of Covid-19, taking its tally to 348,698. 50 more deaths took the death toll to 6,497.

Indonesia on Thursday recorded 4,411 new cases of Covid-19, taking its overall caseload to 349,160. With 112 new fatalities, its death toll rose to 12,268.

80% of new deaths concentrated in ten states/UTs. More than 23% of new fatalities reported are from Maharashtra (158 deaths): Health ministry

Russia registered 13,754 Covid-19 cases on Thursday, down from the country's highest-ever spike of 14,231 on Wednesday. The country's tally rises to 1,354,163.

77% of new confirmed cases are from ten States and UTs. Maharashtra has the highest number with more than 10,000 cases followed by Karnataka with more than 9,000 cases: Health ministry

Ten states/UTs account for 79% of the new recovered cases. Maharashtra has contributed more than 19,000 to the single day recoveries followed by Karnataka with more than 8,000 recoveries: Union health ministry

Movie theatres to open in Bengaluru from tomorrow at 50% capacity.

Karnataka: Movie theatres set to open in Bengaluru from tomorrow, operating at 50% capacity

"We are preparing for running operations from tomorrow & will follow all the mandated protocols to prevent the spread of COVID," says the manager of Santosh Theatre, Bengaluru pic.twitter.com/AQ6IbTWQZy

— ANI (@ANI) October 15, 2020