25OCT21 Global Overnight Overwatch Report

Key Storylines

AFRICA: Sudan’s ruling council head Abdel Fattah al-Burhan announced a state of emergency across the country and the dissolution of the transitional sovereign council and the government.
AMERICAS: The Biden administration plans to release its updated rules requiring nearly all foreign air travelers to be vaccinated against COVID-19 starting November 8.
ASIA: South Korean President Moon Jae-in said that the country will begin returning to normal from the COVID-19 pandemic in November amid a rising vaccination rate.
EUROPE: Germany expressed concern after Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan threatened to expel the ambassador to Ankara, along with those of nine other countries.
MIDDLE EAST: A former Saudi spy said Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman dispatched a feared team of mercenaries to kill him while in exile in Canada.
TECH & COMMUNICATIONS: In a blog post, Microsoft said the Russian-based agency behind last year’s massive SolarWinds cyberattack has targeted hundreds more companies and organizations in its latest wave of attacks on US-based computer systems.

Top Story

Hong Kong: Amnesty International to shut down offices given national security law risks.
- Amnesty International will close its offices in Hong Kong this year, becoming the latest non-governmental organization to cease its operations amid a crackdown on political dissent in the city.
- Anjhula Mya Singh Bais, the chair of Amnesty’s board, said the decision to close was “driven by Hong Kong’s national security law”.
- Amnesty has two offices in Hong Kong with the local office closing by October 31, and the regional office moving out by the end of the year.
- The human rights group said the security law ‘has made it effectively impossible for human rights organizations in Hong Kong to work freely.’
- Agnes Callamard, the secretary general of Amnesty International said “There are difficult days ahead for human rights in Hong Kong but Amnesty International will continue to stand with the people of Hong Kong.”
- AP, AFP, BBC, South China Morning Post, UPI

Africa

Burkina Faso: A military court in Ouagadougou began the long-awaited trial of 14 men, including the former president, accused in the assassination of Thomas Sankara 34 years ago. (AFP)
Libya: The United Nations (UN) envoy to the country praised the achievements secured by the 5+5 Joint Military Commission (JMC) since the signing of the comprehensive cease-fire agreement in Geneva a year ago. (Xinhua)
Mali: Interim authorities will confirm a date for post-coup elections after national reform consultations in December. (Reuters)
Sudan: Ruling council head Abdel Fattah al-Burhan announced a state of emergency across the country and the dissolution of the transitional sovereign council and the government. (Reuters)

Americas

Canada: Coast Guard officials said a container fire that broke out on Saturday on a cargo ship carrying mining chemicals off British Columbia appears to be under control. (Reuters)
Colombia: The country’s most wanted drug lord and head of the Clan Del Golfo, Dario Antonio Usuga David, alias Otoniel, could face extradition to the United States following his arrest on Saturday. (DPA)
Guatemala: The government declared a month-long curfew and banned public gatherings in the northern coastal province of Izabal, following two days of protests against a mining project. (AP)
United States: The Biden administration plans to release its updated rules requiring nearly all foreign air travelers to be vaccinated against COVID-19 starting November 8. (Reuters)

Asia

Cambodia: Parliament passed constitutional amendments barring holders of the country’s top posts from being citizens of other countries. (Reuters)
Indonesia: President Joko Widodo urged Southeast Asian nations to create a regional travel corridor that revives tourism and accelerates a recovery from the economic damage of the pandemic. (AP)
Japan: The ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) lost one of two by-elections held ahead of the general election this weekend but won the other. (Xinhua)
Myanmar: The junta threatened to skip an ASEAN summit after the bloc said the country’s military chief could not attend over doubts about the government’s commitment to defusing a crisis. (AFP)
South Korea: President Moon Jae-in said that the country will begin returning to normal from the COVID-19 pandemic in November amid a rising vaccination rate. (Xinhua)

Europe

France: Grid operator RTE said next generation nuclear reactors offer an affordable path to make the aim of carbon neutrality by 2050 achievable. (Reuters)
Germany: Berlin expressed concern after Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan threatened to expel the ambassador to Ankara, along with those of nine other countries. (AFP)
Greece: The leader of the country’s third-largest political party, Fofi Gennimata, died after being hospitalized for treatment from a long-term illness earlier this month. (AP)
Poland: the health minister said the country will need to consider tighter COVID-19 restrictions if average daily cases exceed 7,000. (Reuters)
United Kingdom: Prime Minister Boris Johnson said it was “touch and go” whether the upcoming United Nations COP26 global climate conference will secure the agreements needed to help tackle climate change. (Reuters)

Middle East

Region: The Arab League has expressed concern over the developments in Sudan after the military detained civilian leaders and ministers in an apparent coup. (BBC)
Lebanon: A judge charged 68 people including 18 detainees with murder and incitement to sectarian strife over fatal clashes this month in Beirut. (Reuters)
Qatar: Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi will meet with Taliban representatives in Doha. (AP)
Saudi Arabia: A former spy said Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman dispatched a feared team of mercenaries to kill him while in exile in Canada. (AFP)

Tech & Communications

Technology: In a blog post, Microsoft said the Russian-based agency behind last year’s massive SolarWinds cyberattack has targeted hundreds more companies and organizations in its latest wave of attacks on US-based computer systems. (Reuters)

World

Cyclones: Nothing to report
Hurricanes:
- Hurricane Rick
  - Location: 17.7N 101.9W
  - Movement: N
  - Wind: 105 mph
  - Map
- Tropical Storm Malou
  - Location: 18.3N 138.4W
  - Movement: N
  - Wind: 45 mph
  - Map
- Earthquakes: Nothing to report.
- Volcanoes:
  - La Palma, Spain
    - Explosive activity continues
    - Erupting
    - Source
  - Global Disease Outbreaks:
    - COVID-19 Coronavirus Disease: Global (as of 25OCT21)
      - Confirmed cases: 243,751,108
      - Deaths: 4,950,278
      - Countries with confirmed cases: 192
      - Sourcing: John Hopkins University

Tomorrow’s Outlook (26OCT21)

Asia: Association of Southeast Asian Nations to hold biannual summit. (to 28OCT)
Asia: Cambodia and South Korea to sign bilateral free trade agreement.
Austria: National Day.
China: State Councillor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi visits Qatar. (to 26OCT)
Europe: EU energy ministers to hold an extraordinary Energy Council in Luxembourg to discuss rising energy prices.
Saudi Arabia: Future Investment Initiative Event. (to 28OCT)
South Africa: Corruption trial resumes for former president Jacob Zuma.
Turkey: President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to visit Azerbaijan.
United Arab Emirates: Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank Annual Meeting.
United States: FDA committee meeting to discuss use of Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine in younger children (virtual).
United States: NASA hosts a crew arrival media event for the upcoming SpaceX Crew-3 mission.
United States: House Agriculture subcommittees joint hearing on biotech.
United States: Senate Armed Services Committee on security in Afghanistan and South and Central Asia.

END