The Tokyo Stock Exchange halts all trading for the day after it suffered one of the worst technical glitches in its history. It is undecided if it will reopen on Friday. The Nikkei 225 and TOPIX were also impacted, as they rely on the same system. (DW)
The Supreme Court of Ireland rules that the bread used by American restaurant franchiseSubway cannot be classified as bread, due to its high sugar content. The franchise henceforth will be required to pay a 13.5% value-added tax for their bread instead of being exempted as before. (BBC News)
The Spanish government orders a partial lockdown in Madrid and surrounding areas badly affected by COVID-19 after a rise in cases. Under the new restrictions, residents will not be allowed to leave the area unless they have to make an essential journey. However, Madrid's regional government says that the lockdown is not legally valid. (BBC News)
Italy reports 2,548 new cases in the past 24 hours, partly due to higher swab tests that were conducted. It is the biggest daily jump of cases in five months and the first time the country has reported more than 2,000 cases since April. (Anadolu Agency)
The Italian Prime MinisterGiuseppe Conte said he would ask parliament to extend the country's state of emergency to the end of January 2021, as the government tries to avoid the surge in cases seen in other European countries. (Reuters)
Malaysia reports 260 new cases, the second biggest daily spike since the pandemic began. The sharp increase in infections comes after a surge in travel to and from Sabah for the state elections. The national tally now stands at 11,484 cases with a total of 136 deaths. (CNA)