Xinhua world news summary at 0030 GMT, Sept. 7

Guatemalans on Sunday went to polling booths across Guatemala in hopes of electing a new leader while the country's Supreme Electoral Tribunal (TSE) called on citizens to remain calm and peaceful in the process.

The general elections came just days after former President Otto Perez Molina resigned from his position and was jailed after a judge weighed charging him in a huge customs corruption scandal. Vice-President Alejandro Maldonado Aguirre acted as Interim President as of Thursday. (Guatemala-Elections)

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ANKARA -- Sixteen Turkish soldiers were killed and several others injured in clashes with the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) in southeastern province of Hakkari, local media reported on Sunday.

According to daily Hurriyet, the PKK militants exploded mines when two armored military vehicles were passing Daglica district. Then they opened fire on the troops, leaving a number of soldiers killed. (Turkey-PKK)

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RAMALLAH -- Mother of the Palestinian toddler killed in a Jewish arson attack near the West Bank city of Nablus on July 31 died of her sustained wounds, her family confirmed on Sunday.

Reham Dawabsha, mother of 18-month-old toddler Ali Dawabsha and wife of Sa'ed Dawabsha, died on Sunday night in an Israeli hospital, Mohamed Dawabsha, one of the family members, told reporters. (Palestine-Arson)

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NEW DELHI -- At least 20 people were killed due to lightning in the southern Indian state of Andhra Pradesh on Sunday, local media reported.

The Indo-Asian News Service quoted officials as saying heavy rains lashed the state under the impact of low pressure from Bay of Bengal. (India-Lightning) Endi