Key Storylines
- AFRICA: South Africa will deploy 10,000 soldiers to assist in security operations during the forthcoming municipal elections due to start next week.
- AMERICAS: Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Mark Milley called China’s suspected test of a hypersonic missile “close to a Sputnik moment.”
- ASIA: China said it opposes military ties between the United States and Taiwan, after Taiwanese president Tsai Ing-wen confirmed a small number of US troops are present on the island.
- EUROPE: The United Kingdom condemned France’s “disproportionate” seizure of a fishing boat in French waters.
- MIDDLE EAST: Iran will resume talks with the six world powers aimed at reviving the 2015 nuclear deal by the end of November.
- TECH & COMMUNICATIONS: Facebook acknowledged to shareholders that it is facing “government investigations” related to leaks by whistleblower Frances Haugen.
Top Story
- Sudan: Sudanese Army faces widening opposition to takeover.
- The Sudanese army is facing widening opposition to this week’s coup, with state officials in Khartoum vowing disobedience and activists mobilizing for further demonstrations later this week.
- Protests against Sudan’s military coup that sparked international condemnation entered their fourth day, as demonstrators rebuilt barricades demolished by security forces during overnight unrest.
- The World Bank has suspended its aid to Sudan, after the military staged a coup against the civilian government leaving seven dead.
- US Secretary of State Antony Blinken held a phone call with Foreign Minister Mariam Sadiq al-Mahdi, during which he condemned the military takeover of the government.
- The military sacked six ambassadors and security forces have tightened their crackdown on pro-democracy protesters, even as international pressure against this week’s coup grows.
- Reuters, AFP, BBC, Reuters2, Al Jazeera
Africa
- Ethiopia: Intense fighting continued around the cities of Dessie and Kombolcha in Amhara state between the Tigrayan rebels and the army. (BBC)
- South Africa: The country will deploy 10,000 soldiers to assist in security operations during the forthcoming municipal elections due to start next week. (BBC)
- Tanzania: The country’s weather watchdog warned that the impending poor seasonal rains distribution is likely to cause poor crop harvests, threatening the east African nation’s food security. (Xinhua)
- Zimbabwe: A United Nations human rights expert has called for the removal of 20-year-old western sanctions against the country, saying they have harmed jobs, health, and the poor. (BBC)
Americas
- Chile: Long lines formed to receive COVID-19 booster shots amid a slight uptick in infections. (EFE)
- Mexico: A growing migrant caravan filled the square in Chiapas state after knocking off another thirteen miles of its trek across the country’s south. (AP)
- United States: Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Mark Milley called China’s suspected test of a hypersonic missile “close to a Sputnik moment.” (BBC)
- United States: Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced an easing of security protocols at overseas missions, saying the restrictions obstructed diplomacy. (NYT)
Asia
- Australia: The country’s COVID-19 vaccine booster program will start for the adult population on Nov. 8 amid a third wave of COVID-19 infections. (Xinhua)
- China: Beijing said it opposes military ties between the United States and Taiwan, after Taiwanese president Tsai Ing-wen confirmed a small number of US troops are present on the island. (AFP)
- India: Environment minister Bhupender Yadav said that net-zero carbon emissions targets are not the solution to climate change and called on rich countries to acknowledge “historic responsibility” for emissions. (The Guardian)
- Singapore: The health ministry announced it was investigating an “unusual surge” in COVID-19 after the country reported a record 5,324 daily new cases. (Reuters)
- Taiwan: Defense minister Chiu Kuo-cheng said the island must defend itself and not depend entirely on others for help if China were to launch an attack. (AP)
Europe
- Germany: The Robert Koch Institute said the country’s COVID-19 caseload took its biggest jump in two weeks with over 28,000 new infections. (Reuters)
- Italy: The government has agreed on several new measures using COVID-19 recovery funds to help its economy. (DPA)
- Poland: Parliament will debate a bill that would ban demonstrations for the equality of non-heterosexual people. (DPA)
- Romania: The Senate narrowly rejected a bill requiring workers to hold a COVID-19 health pass, although the lower house has final say on its passage. (Reuters)
- United Kingdom: The country condemned France’s “disproportionate” seizure of a fishing boat in French waters. (Reuters)
Middle East
- Iran: Tehran will resume talks with the six world powers aimed at reviving the 2015 nuclear deal by the end of November. (Reuters)
- Lebanon: The judge investigating last year’s deadly Beirut port blast suspended a summons targeting former premier Hassan Diab. (AFP)
- Saudi Arabia: The kingdom designated the Lebanese Al-Qard Al-Hassan association as a “terrorist” entity, citing links to activities supporting Hezbollah. (Al Jazeera)
- Syria: UN Special Envoy Geir Pedersen blamed the government for the failure of constitutional talks last week. (AP)
Tech & Communications
- Social Media: Facebook acknowledged to shareholders that it is facing “government investigations” related to leaks by whistleblower Frances Haugen. (CNN)
World
- Cyclones: Nothing to report
- Hurricanes:
- Typhoon Malou
- Location: 24.8N 141.5W
- Movement: NNE
- Wind: 100 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 28OCT21)
- Confirmed cases: 245,143,481
- Deaths: 4,974,995
- Countries with confirmed cases: 192
- Sourcing: John Hopkins University
- COVID-19 Coronavirus Disease: Global (as of 28OCT21)
- La Palma, Spain
- Typhoon Malou
Tomorrow’s Outlook (29OCT21)
- Event: Wilson Center discussion with former Australian PM Tony Abbott.
- Asia: Annual Indo-Pacific Business Forum.
- Cambodia: Coronation Day.
- Greece: Visit by German Chancellor Angela Merkel.
- Italy: US President Joe Biden to meet Pope Francis, Prime Minister Mario Draghi, and French President Emmanuel Macron in Rome.
- Mali: UN Security Council meeting.
- Turkey: Republic Day.
END
