- Overnight News Summaries ,
- Tags: Africa, China, earthquake, Egypt, India, Iran, Libya, Middle East, North Korea, Protest, Russia, Tehran, Tunisia, UAE, United States, virus, Yemen
- 06 Dec
KEY STORYLINES
- AFRICA: South African President Zuma reported that Nelson Mandela had died.
- AMERICAS: US President Obama defended the NSA, saying it does a very good job of not engaging in domestic surveillance.
- ASIA: US VP Biden held talks with South Korean President Park Geun-Hye on China’s ADIZ and North Korea.
- EUROPE: Russian PM Medvedev called participation by foreign officials in the political events unfolding in Ukraine “interference.”
- MIDDLE EAST: AQAP claimed an attack on the Yemeni Defense Ministry that killed 52 people and said the facility contained drone control rooms and American experts.
- TECHNOLOGY: Microsoft is joining the movement to encrypt traffic that flows across its networks, citing “serious concerns” about government surveillance.
TOP STORY
- Central African Republic: France launches peacekeeping operation.
- French DM Drian said military operations in the country began overnight with patrols and a helicopter detachment arriving to quell violence in Bangui.
- The French deployment, along with that of African forces, was unanimously approved by the UNSC.
- The UNSC also voted to impose an arms embargo on the Central African Republic.
- PM Tiangaye called on the French military to play a “primary role” in ending violence in his country, saying the effort could take a year.
- US UN AMB Power said the US government was “deeply disturbed” by ongoing reports of violence in the country.
- Coverage: AP, CNN, NYT, WSJ
AFRICA
- Egypt: Ousted President Morsi’s family and defense team said they were denied permission to visit him at Borg al-Arab Prison. (UPI)
- Libya: Ethnic minority protesters announced they were ending blockades of fuel deliveries to power stations in the west and south of the country. (AFP)
- South Africa: Parliament voiced support for the introduction of a limited and regulated trade mechanism for rhino horns. (Xinhua)
- South Africa: President Zuma reported that Nelson Mandela had died. (BBC)
AMERICAS
- Region: The CDC reported that a resurgence of measles in Europe caused a spike in cases in the US. (AFP)
- Region: Paraguayan President Cartes signed a protocol to admit Venezuela to the Southern Common Market (Mercosur). (Xinhua)
- Nicaragua: A rare shootout between police and an armed group has increased concerns that guerrillas are forming to challenge President Ortega’s government. (AP)
- United States: President Obama defended the NSA, saying it does a very good job of not engaging in domestic surveillance. (AP)
ASIA
- China: Premier Li Keqiang held talks with French PM Ayrault. (Xinhua)
- Korea, North: A close associate of the uncle of Kim Jong Un is seeking asylum in South Korea. (Reuters)
- Korea, South: US VP Biden held talks with South Korean President Park Geun-Hye on China’s ADIZ and North Korea. (AFP)
- Philippines: Moro Islamic Liberation Front rebels killed one man in a raid on a police station to free two arrested comrades, despite a ceasefire and peace talks. (AFP)
- Thailand: Opposition protesters prepared to relaunch their campaign to overthrow the government after a temporary truce. (AFP)
EUROPE
- Russia: PM Medvedev called participation by foreign officials in the political events unfolding in Ukraine “interference.” (Reuters)
- Ukraine: Former PM Timoshenko urged Ukrainians to take power from the government in coordination with the opposition. (Itar-Tass)
- United Kingdom: Gunmen believed to be dissident Republicans fired at three Police vehicles in Belfast. (UPI)
MIDDLE EAST
- Iran: Russian FM Lavrov will visit Tehran 10DEC to 11DEC to discuss bilateral relations and the country’s nuclear program. (AFP)
- Israel: US Secretary Kerry met with PM Netanyahu for the third time in 24 hours for talks focused on security. (AFP)
- Yemen: AQAP claimed an attack on the Defense Ministry that killed 52 people and said the facility contained drone control rooms and American experts. (AFP)
TECHNOLOGY AND COMMUNICATIONS
- Cybersecurity: Microsoft is joining the movement to encrypt traffic that flows across its networks, citing “serious concerns” about government surveillance. (AFP)
WORLD
- Cyclones: Tropical Cyclone 06B (Six)
- Location: 266 NM SE of Chennai, India
- Movement: NW at 4 mph
- Winds: 40 mph
- Map
- Hurricanes: 30% chance of tropical cyclone formation
- Location: 300 miles S of The Azores
- Movement: North at 5 mph
- Map
- Earthquakes: Nothing to report.
- Volcanoes: Nothing to report.
- Global Disease Outbreaks:
- Novel Coronavirus (MERS-CoV, SARS-related)
- Cases: Global Number of Cases as of 02DEC: 163 (Saudi Arabia, Tunisia, Italy, France, Germany, Jordan, Oman, Qatar, UAE, United Kingdom)
- Deaths: Global Number of Deaths as of 02DEC: 70 (Saudi Arabia, France, Qatar, United Kingdom, UAE)
- Sourcing: WHO, WHO-2
TOMORROW’S OUTLOOK (07DEC)
- Afghanistan: Anniversary of President Karzai sworn in as first popularly elected president – 2004
- Central African Republic: Paris will host a mini-summit on the crisis in the CAR, with UN chief Ban Ki-moon and neighboring African countries set to attend
- Mauritania: Second round of legislative elections
- Pakistan: Anniversary of civil war breaking out in wake of Yahya Khan’s suspension of government – 1970
- United States: Anniversary of attack on Pearl Harbor – 1941
END