Attacked

Tunisian man killed three people in a French church before police shot and arrested him on Oct. 29. French authorities did not consider the attacker, who was carrying a Quran, a terrorism threat before the incident. Brahim Aioussaoi arrived in France barely a month before the attack. He entered the church in Nice early in the morning, when authorities say he attacked parishioners with a knife, almost decapitating a 60-year-old woman and a 55-year-old man who both died at the scene. A third victim, a woman in her 40s, was able to flee the church but died from her wounds in a nearby restaurant. According to witnesses, when the police arrived, the attacker cried, “Allahu Akbar,” and marched toward them before police shot him. French President Emmanuel Macron called the incident an “Islamist terrorist attack,” the third in less than two months.

Died

Scottish actor Sean Connery, who originated the role of British spy James Bond, died Oct. 31 at age 90. Connery had small roles before his breakthrough performance as Bond in Dr. No. His depiction of the MI6 agent so impressed author Ian Fleming that he rewrote the character with a Scottish heritage in later novels. Connery starred in seven Bond films and had numerous iconic roles throughout his career. He won an Academy Award for best supporting actor for his role as a Chicago cop in The Untouchables (1987). Before acting, Connery served in the Royal Navy and worked as a lifeguard, coffin polisher, and truck driver.

Drowned

Around 140 people drowned off the coast of Senegal when their ship caught fire on Oct. 24. According to a statement from the United Nations’ International Organization for Migration, the shipwreck is the deadliest this year. The vessel, which left the coastal town of Mbour bound for Spain’s Canary Islands, was carrying 200 people. Senegalese and Spanish sailors, as well as nearby fishermen, rescued 59 people after the boat capsized and caught fire. They also recovered the bodies of 20 people who died. The UN said there had been about four migrant shipwrecks in the month before the Oct. 24 shipwreck.

Reported

The World Health Organization (WHO) has reported a 40 percent increase in Europe’s daily COVID-19 deaths, according to a statement the group made to the BBC. WHO spokeswoman Dr. Margaret Harris said total cases increased by a third, creating a concern that intensive care units will fill up. Russia made face masks mandatory in crowded areas again, including in public transportation and elevators, and France has declared a second national lockdown. Italians protested across the country after the government ordered new restrictions in an attempt to stop a fresh outbreak of cases.

Refunded

The U.S. Department of the Treasury has released almost $4 million for a healthcare program providing free assistance to 9/11 first responders who suffer lasting effects from their work during the attack and cleanup. The FDNY Uniformed Firefighters Association for months has called on the federal government to give back the funds. The Treasury Department withheld the money during a disagreement with New York City over debts owed to the federal government, according to CNN. Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin said the 9/11 responders should not suffer for the argument, but the city still must meet the funding gap. Mnuchin later agreed to refund the healthcare program by balancing the amount against future federal payments owed to the city.