Todays briefing: Middle East - A suicide bomber using a truck filled with propane tanks struck an army checkpoint in central Syria, killing at least 30. - Three people, including one eight-year-old girl, were killed when gunmen opened fire on a wedding party at a Coptic church in Cairo. - Twin suicide bombings hit a crowded Baghdad cafe, killing at least 54 and wounding more than 70. Asia - Wang Gonquan, a wealthy Chinese businessmen who has become an outspoken supporter and backer of rights causes, was formally arrested by Chinese authorities. - The United States plans to release $1.5 billion in aid to Pakistan that had been suspended amid tensions between the two countries. - Firefighters battling intense wildfires in Australia fear that three separate blazes may merge. Europe - The parents of a Roma schoolgirl whose deportation from France has sparked a crisis for President Francois Hollande were attacked on the streets of Mitrovica, Kosovo. - Britain will begin construction on its first nuclear power plant in 20 years. - Luxembourgs Christian Democrats won snap elections while losing seats. Americas - Mexico condemned reports that the NSA had hacked the emails of a former Mexican president. - Canada and the European Union reached tentative agreement on a free trade deal. - Hurricane Raymond gained strength overnight and is now a category 3 storm as it menaces Mexicos pacific coast. Africa - The ICC announced that Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta may not participate in the trial via video link and has to attend key hearings in the trial. - Security footage shows Kenyan security forces looting the Westgate mall after a deadly shooting there last month. - A South Sudanese rebel group killed 41 people in a gun attack. By Elias Groll
Posted on: Mon, 21 Oct 2013 14:27:18 +0000