Key Storylines
- AFRICA: United Nations (UN) Secretary-General Antonio Guterres welcomed an agreement on the withdrawal of mercenaries and foreign forces from Libya.
- AMERICAS: Demonstrators blocked streets in Bolivia’s main cities in protest against the government of President Luis Arce, whom they accuse of “political persecution.”
- ASIA: Chinese president Xi Jinping announced the launch of a 1.5-billion-yuan ($232.47 million) fund to support biodiversity protection in developing countries.
- EUROPE: French president Emmanuel Macron launched a 30-billion-euro ($35 billion) investment plan that will make the country a leader in green hydrogen by 2030.
- MIDDLE EAST: Two days after the Iraqi legislative election, pro-Iranian parties and armed groups denounced early poll results suggesting waning support as “manipulation” and a “scam”.
- TECH & COMMUNICATIONS: Amazon launched its Prime service offering free delivery and video streaming to Poland.
Top Story
- North Korea: Leader Kim Jong-Un defends weapons development in the face of the US-ROK alliance.
- In a speech at the Defense Development Exhibition in Pyongyang, Kim Jong-Un said his country’s weapons development is necessary in the face of hostile policies from the United States and South Korea.
- The North Korean leader also slammed South Korea for being “hypocritical” and having “double standards” for continuing to boost military capabilities.
- Kim Jong-Un’s address came after North Korea tested a long-range cruise missile, a train-launched weapon, and what it said was a hypersonic warhead.
- Pyongyang reiterated that it does not want war with anyone, including its southern neighbor, but wants to prevent one by using deterrence.
- Kim Jong-un does not trust the Biden administration’s position that it has no hostile intent against the DPRK.
- Reuters, Xinhua, AFP, BBC, NYT
Africa
- Region: The International Court of Justice (ICJ) shares its judgment in a case filed by Somalia against Kenya over contested parts of the Indian Ocean believed to be rich in oil and gas. (Reuters)
- Central African Republic: A pre-trial hearing opened for rebel leader Mahmat Said Abdel Kani, to establish whether evidence against him is strong enough to merit putting him on trial for war crimes. (AP)
- Chad: Amnesty International called on the ruling junta to end a “campaign of intimidation against critical voices” after protesters were arrested and injured during a weekend demonstration. (AFP)
- Libya: United Nations (UN) Secretary-General Antonio Guterres welcomed an agreement on the withdrawal of mercenaries and foreign forces from the country. (Xinhua)
Americas
- Bolivia: Demonstrators blocked streets in the country’s main cities in protest against the government of President Luis Arce, whom they accuse of “political persecution.” (AFP)
- Colombia: A lawsuit was filed after health officials halted a legal euthanasia procedure at the last minute. (AFP)
- Guatemala: Attorney General Consuelo Porras, accused of being an obstacle to anti-corruption efforts, reassigned a veteran prosecutor who had tried dictator Efraín Ríos Montt for crimes against humanity. (AP)
- United States: Governor of Texas Greg Abbott issued an executive order banning COVID-19 vaccination mandates for employees in all state entities, including private businesses. (Xinhua)
Asia
- China: President Xi Jinping announced the launch of a 1.5-billion-yuan ($232.47 million) fund to support biodiversity protection in developing countries. (Reuters)
- India: The country’s largest port operator Adani will not handle cargo from Afghanistan, Iran, and Pakistan from next month following the seizure of almost three tonnes of heroin. (AFP)
- Japan: Chief cabinet secretary Yoshihiko Isozaki said the government is working on starting COVID-19 booster shots by the end of the year. (Reuters)
- Philippines: Tropical Storm Kompasu brought flash flooding as it barreled over the tip of the country’s north overnight, and officials say nine people died and 11 are missing. (AP)
- South Korea: The foreign ministry said the country will donate COVID-19 vaccines to Vietnam and Thailand. (Xinhua)
Europe
- France: President Emmanuel Macron launched a 30-billion-euro ($35 billion) investment plan that will make the country a leader in green hydrogen by 2030. (Reuters)
- Italy: The country hosted virtual talks on Afghanistan with other G20 leaders with a focus on humanitarian aid and the security situation. (AFP)
- Russia: The Kremlin said it disagreed with comments by new Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida that Japan’s sovereignty extended to a chain of islands known by Tokyo as the Northern Territories. (Reuters)
- Ukraine: The European Union is looking at different ways to ensure the country has a steady supply of natural gas and is not exposed to any reduction in Russian output. (Reuters)
- United Kingdom: A parliamentary report concluded the government waited too long to impose a lockdown in the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, leading to thousands of unnecessary deaths. (AP)
Middle East
- Afghanistan: The Taliban held face-to-face talks with EU and US envoys as the hardline group pursues their diplomatic push for international support. (AFP)
- Iraq: Two days after the legislative election, pro-Iranian parties and armed groups denounced early poll results suggesting waning support as “manipulation” and a “scam”. (AFP)
- Israel: Justice minister Gideon Saar said the country will remain opposed to Washington’s plan to reopen a US consulate in Jerusalem that has traditionally been a base for diplomatic outreach to the Palestinians.
- Yemen: A potential oil spill from a derelict tanker in the Red Sea may threaten public health in the war-torn country, according to a new study. (UPI)
Tech & Communications
- Technology: Amazon launched its Prime service offering free delivery and video streaming to Poland. (Reuters)
World
- Cyclones: Nothing to report
- Hurricanes:
- Hurricane Pamela
- Location: 19.2N 108.9W
- Movement: N
- Wind: 75 mph
- Map
- Tropical Storm Kompasu
- Location: 18.8N 117.4E
- Movement: W
- Wind: 60 mph
- Map
- Tropical Storm Namtheun
- Location: 19.3N 152.1E
- Movement: WNW
- Wind: 45 mph
- Map
- Earthquakes:
- Crete, Greece
- Magnitude: 6.4
- Depth: 10 km
- Map
- Volcanoes:
- La Palma, Spain
- Explosive activity continues
- Erupting
- Source
- Global Disease Outbreaks:
- COVID-19 Coronavirus Disease: Global (as of 12OCT21)
- Confirmed cases: 238,346,847
- Deaths: 4,859,112
- Countries with confirmed cases: 192
- Sourcing: John Hopkins University
- COVID-19 Coronavirus Disease: Global (as of 12OCT21)
- La Palma, Spain
- Crete, Greece
- Hurricane Pamela
Tomorrow’s Outlook (13OCT21)
- Global: International Day for Natural Disaster Reduction.
- Global: IAEA launches World Energy Outlook report.
- Event: Atlantic Council discussion on Iraq’s post-election scenarios.
- Burundi: Rwagasore Day.
- Europe: EU’s Brexit commissioner publishes proposals to reform Northern Ireland Protocol.
- France: President Emmanuel Macron meets Tajikistan President Emomali Rahmon.
- Germany: Chancellor Angela Merkel marks 20-year mission in Afghanistan.
- Mexico: Hurricane Pamela projected to make landfall on Mexico’s west coast.
- Saint Helena: Legislative Council elections.
- Singapore: Singapore will allow in vaccinated people from Canada, Denmark, France, Italy, Netherlands, Spain, the UK, and US.
- Sweden: International Holocaust Forum in Malmo.
- United States: World Bank and IMF Annual Meeting in Washington DC. (to 17OCT)
- United States: G20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors meeting in Washington DC.
- United States: Visit by Israeli Foreign Minister Yair Lapid and UAE Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah Bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
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