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Xinhua world news summary at 1530 GMT, Oct. 13

Xinhua, October 13, 2016 Adjust font size:

The United Nations General Assembly on Thursday appointed Portugal's former Prime Minister Antonio Guterres as next UN secretary-general to succeed retiring Ban Ki-moon whose term expires at the end of this year.

The 193-member General Assembly adopted a resolution on his appointment by acclamation after Russian Ambassador Vitaly Churkin, Security Council president for October, reported to the Assembly on the council's unanimous recommendation of Guterres. (UN-Secretary-General Appointment)

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BANGKOK -- Thai King Bhumibol Adulyadej has died at the age of 88, the Bureau of Royal Household said on Thursday.

His majesty passed away peacefully at 3:52 p.m. (0852 GMT) on Thursday at Siriraj Hospital in Bangkok, the bureau said in a statement. (Thailand-King-Death)

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ABUJA -- The Nigerian government on Thursday confirmed 21 of more than 200 Chibok school girls abducted two years ago in Nigeria have been freed by terror group Boko Haram.

In a statement, presidential spokesman Garba Shehu, said the freed girls are now in the custody of the Department of State Services. (Nigeria-Boko Haram)

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ISLAMABAD, Oct. 13 (Xinhua) -- Pakistani Army Chief Gen Raheel Sharif on Thursday confirmed death sentences to another 10 "hardcore terrorists" involved in heinous offenses related to terrorism including killing of innocent civilians, polio workers, NGO employees, police officials and armed forces personnel, the military said.

The convicts admitted their offenses before the magistrates and the trial courts, an army statement said. Firearms and explosives were also recovered from their possession. (Pakistan-Terrorists-Trial)

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COLOMBO -- Over 650,000 people in 20 districts are affected by prevailing drought condition in Sri Lanka, the country's Disaster Management Center said on Thursday.

Polonnaruwa, the central mountainous area, is the hardest-hit, with 130928 people from 27472 families suffering. (Sri Lanka-Drought) Endi