Key Storylines
- AFRICA: The United Nations reported that sixteen of its staff in Ethiopia’s capital Addis Ababa have been arrested in recent days.
- AMERICAS: The US ambassador to Mexico accused the leaders of a migrant caravan marching north towards the border of enriching people smugglers and criminals.
- ASIA: Fumio Kishida was re-elected as Japan’s prime minister by parliament after his ruling party secured a majority in the House of Representatives.
- EUROPE: German Chancellor Angela Merkel telephoned Russian President Vladimir Putin to ask him to get Belarus to stop the “inhumane” instrumentalization of migrants.
- MIDDLE EAST: United Arab Emirates foreign minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed al-Nahyanin met President Bashar al-Assad in Damascus.
- TECH & COMMUNICATIONS: Facebook parent company Meta announced it will eliminate ad targeting based on certain sensitive demographics, such as race, religion, and sexual orientation.
Top Story
- Global: India hosts regional security dialogue on the situation in Afghanistan.
- New Delhi hosted senior security officials from Russia, Iran and five Central Asian countries to discuss the ramifications of the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan in talks that were boycotted by Pakistan and China.
- India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said in a statement the meeting will address “the relevant security challenges and support the people of Afghanistan in promoting peace, security and stability.”
- Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid felt optimistic because the whole region needs stability and security in Afghanistan… the meetings that are going to happen pave the way to understanding, and they are hopefully in the benefit of Afghanistan.”
- The meeting marks the first time that all Central Asian countries, not just Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan, are participating in discussions along with Kazakhstan and Kyrgyz Republic.
- For India, this could be their way to get a seat at the table to decide the future course of action on Afghanistan.
- WaPo, Al Jazeera, Reuters, Hindustan Times, Indian Express
Africa
- Ethiopia: Amnesty International accused Tigrayan rebel forces of rape during an attack on a town in the Amhara region. (AFP)
- Ethiopia: The United Nations reported that sixteen of its staff in Addis Ababa have been arrested in recent days. (NYT)
- Ghana: 4,000 people along the country’s coast are displaced after a weekend tidal surge swept through more than 500 houses in the Volta region. (AFP)
- Nigeria: Aiteo Eastern E&P reported an “extremely high order” oil spill from a jointly owned well in the Niger Delta and aborted immediate efforts to control the leak due to pressure emanating from the well head. (Reuters)
Americas
- Region: The US ambassador to Mexico accused the leaders of a migrant caravan marching north towards the border of enriching people smugglers and criminals. (AFP)
- Greenland: Parliament passed a law banning the mining of uranium in the territory, following through on campaign promises made by the ruling Inuit Ataqatigiit party. (AFP)
- Haiti: The US government pledged support to the National Police as the country struggles with gang violence and fuel shortages. (AP)
- Mexico: Israeli software firm NSO Group denied that a man accused of illegally using the Pegasus spyware was an employee of the firm or its affiliates. (AP)
- Panama: Former president Ricardo Martinelli was for the second time acquitted of charges of tapping the phones of opponents and journalists. (AP)
Asia
- China: The city of Chengdu conducted 30,000 COVID-19 tests on visitors at a mega entertainment center, the second mass screening at a large venue in recent days. (Reuters)
- Japan: Fumio Kishida was re-elected as the country’s prime minister by parliament after his ruling party secured a majority in the House of Representatives. (Kyodo)
- Myanmar: Junta troops clashed with fighters from a major militant group in Rakhine state, breaking a ceasefire in the western region since the coup. (AFP)
- Pakistan: A month-long cease-fire with the Pakistani Taliban went into effect. (NYT)
- South Korea: A senior U.S. diplomat will meet newly selected presidential candidates in the country this week ahead of next year’s election. (Reuters)
Europe
- Denmark: The parliamentary epidemics committee approved government plans to reintroduce certain coronavirus-related restrictions for at least one month. (DPA)
- France: President Emmanuel Macron will host an international conference in Paris aimed at ensuring Libya holds elections in December. (AFP)
- Germany: Chancellor Angela Merkel telephoned Russian President Vladimir Putin to ask him to get Belarus to stop the “inhumane” instrumentalization of migrants. (AFP)
- Lithuania: A one-month state of emergency was declared in the regions bordering Belarus due to the ongoing migrant crisis. (TASS)
- Sweden: Prime Minister Stefan Lofven will ask the speaker of parliament to begin the process of finding his replacement, with Finance Minister Magdalena Andersson his most likely successor. (Reuters)
Middle East
- Iran: Satellite tracking indicated that a Vietnamese-flagged oil tanker seized by Tehran was released from Bandar Abbas port. (AP)
- Israel: Top defense officials said the country is preparing for the possibility of an armed conflict with Iran and its proxies. (AP)
- Saudi Arabia: Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman Al-Saud said accusations that it is hampering climate negotiations at the UN summit in Scotland are “lies and fabrications.” (Reuters)
- Syria: United Arab Emirates foreign minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed al-Nahyanin met President Bashar al-Assad in Damascus. (Reuters)
Tech & Communications
- Social Media: Facebook parent company Meta announced it will eliminate ad targeting based on certain sensitive demographics, such as race, religion, and sexual orientation. (NYT)
World
- Cyclones: Nothing to report
- Hurricanes: Nothing to report
- Earthquakes: Nothing to report
- Volcanoes:
- La Palma, Spain
- Explosive activity continues
- Erupting
- Source
- Global Disease Outbreaks:
- COVID-19 Coronavirus Disease: Global (as of 10NOV21)
- Confirmed cases: 251,013,256
- Deaths: 5,067,465
- Countries with confirmed cases: 192
- Sourcing: John Hopkins University
- COVID-19 Coronavirus Disease: Global (as of 10NOV21)
- La Palma, Spain
Tomorrow’s Outlook (11NOV21)
- Americas: Organization of American States General Assembly, virtual. (to 12NOV)
- Angola: Independence Day.
- Bhutan: Constitution Day / Birthday of King Jigme Singye Wangchuck.
- China: Singles’ Day.
- Colombia: Independence of Cartagena.
- Europe: European Parliament plenary session.
- France: Paris Peace Forum, attended by US Vice President Kamala Harris. (to 13NOV)
- Germany: Visit by Queen Margrethe II and Crown Prince Frederik of Denmark. (to 13NOV)
- Israel: Jerusalem Ethics Forum.
- Iran: Nuclear negotiator Ali Bagheri-Kani visits London ahead of resumption of nuclear deal talks.
- Maldives: Republic Day.
- New Zealand: APEC CEO Summit.
- Poland: Independence Day.
- United Kingdom: Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP26) in Glasgow (to 12NOV)
- United Kingdom: Armistice Day.
- United States: Veterans’ Day.
END