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• 27 Oct

Overnight News Summary

Produced by the Rendon Group

27 October 2013

KEY STORYLINES

• AFRICA: In Mozambique, former rebel group Renamo denied involvement in the armed attack on the country’s main highway which killed one and injured ten.
• AMERICAS: Argentinians are due to vote in an election said to be crucial for President Fernandez de Kirchner.
• ASIA: Indian police reported several small explosions killed five and injured 25 shortly before a campaign speech by the opposition’s main PM candidate.
• EUROPE: The Georgian Central Election Commission reported smooth proceedings in the presidential election.
• MIDDLE EAST: In Iraq, eight car bombs exploded in Shiite-populated areas of Baghdad province, killing at least 26.
• TECHNOLOGY: Pope Francis now has 10 million followers on Twitter.

TOP STORY

• Syria: Peace talks uncertain as groups declare opposition to negotiation.
• The UN-Arab League envoy is set to arrive in Damascus on Monday to drum up support for proposed peace talks.
• Nineteen Islamist anti-Assad groups rejected outright the US-Russian peace initiative Geneva 2.
• Turkish FM Davutoglu criticized the international community for failing to handle the refugee crisis, and called on the UNSC to address the issue.
• Coverage: AFP, AFP-2, Xinhua

AFRICA

• Algeria: The ruling National Liberation Front said it would endorse President Bouteflika to be its presidential candidate in 2014. (Xinhua)
• Mozambique: Former rebel group Renamo denied involvement in the armed attack on the country’s main highway which killed one and injured ten. (AFP)
• Somalia: A television journalist seriously wounded by gunmen in the capital Mogadishu earlier this week died. (AFP)

AMERICAS

• Argentina: Voters are due to vote in an election said to be crucial for President Fernandez de Kirchner. (BBC)
• Colombia: Former President Uribe’s political movement chose Oscar Ivan Zuluaga as its presidential candidate for upcoming May elections. (Reuters)
• Panama: The country gave asylum to an Ecuadoran opposition politician allegedly implicated in multiple homicide case, saying he was a victim of political persecution. (AFP)

ASIA

• Region: Media reported Japan scrambled fighter jets in response to four Chinese military planes flying over international waters near the Okinawa islands. (AFP)
• Afghanistan: Sources said a key Taliban commander was killed in an airstrike in Nimroz province. (Xinhua)
• Bangladesh: At least two people were killed when opposition parties started a 60-hour strike to demand non-party oversight over next year’s general elections. (DPA)
• India: Police reported several small explosions killed five and injured 25 shortly before a campaign speech by the opposition’s main PM candidate. (Xinhua)

EUROPE

• Region: Serbian President Nikolic canceled his participation in a trilateral meeting with Turkey and Bosnia due to comments made by Turkish PM Erdogan about Kosovo. (Xinhua)
• Georgia: The Central Election Commission reported smooth proceedings in the presidential election. (Xinhua)
• Portugal: Thousands protested in Lisbon and other cities against austerity measures in the country’s 2014 draft budget. (Xinhua)

MIDDLE EAST

• Iran: A little-known Sunni group claimed the attack that killed 14 border guards on Friday. (BBC)
• Iraq: Eight car bombs exploded in Shiite-populated areas of Baghdad province, killing at least 26. (AFP)
• Yemen: Government officials said at least three soldiers were killed by unknown gunmen at an army checkpoint in al-Bayda province. (Xinhua)

TECHNOLOGY AND COMMUNICATIONS

• Social Media: Pope Francis now has 10 million followers on Twitter. (DPA)

WORLD

• Cyclones: Tropical Cyclone 01S (One)
• Location: 595 miles S of Baja California
• Movement: WSW at 13 mph
• Winds: 40 mph
• Map
• Hurricanes: Hurricane 17E (Raymond)
• Location: 441 miles SW of Socorro Island
• Movement: WNW at 9 mph
• Winds: 75 mph
• Map
• Earthquakes: Nothing to report.
• Volcanoes: Mount Etna, Italy
• Spewing lava and ash
• Global Disease Outbreaks:

• Novel Coronavirus (Sars)
• Cases: Global Number of Cases as of 24OCT: 144 (Saudi Arabia, Tunisia, Italy, France, Germany, Jordan, Qatar, UAE, United Kingdom)
• Deaths: Global Number of Deaths as of 24OCT: 62 (Saudi Arabia, France, United Kingdom)
• Sourcing: WHO, WHO-2

TOMORROW’S OUTLOOK (28OCT)

• Global: World Energy Forum in Dubai
• Cuba: Anniversary of the end of the Cuban Missile Crisis – 1962
• Nigeria: Anniversary of 10 killed in suicide attack against church in Kaduna – 2012
• Pakistan: Anniversary of Christians killed in church massacre – 2001
• Russia: Subcommittee on Russia-Ukraine cooperation will hold ministerial meeting
• Rwanda: Transform Africa 2013; a Pan-African conference on information and communication tech (to 31OCT)

END