ONS: 02 August 2012

by TRG Alerts Admin on August 2, 2012

KEY STORYLINES

AFRICA: Somalia’s leadership approved a new constitution.
AMERICAS: Mexican marines clashed with suspected criminals in Veracruz, leaving six dead.
ASIA: Afghan government forces thwarted a planned insurgent raid on Kabul, killing at least eight militants.
EUROPE: Greece’s ruling coalition government agreed on a new austerity plan.
MIDDLE EAST: Israeli PM Netanyahu made statements expressing doubt that sanctions would deter Iran from seeking nuclear weapons.
TECHNOLOGY: The US FTC proposed tighter privacy regulations on websites that target or have youth audiences.

TOP STORY

Government forces launched raids on rebel suburban neighborhoods outside Damascus, killing dozens.
Rebels shelled Menagh air base near Aleppo as fighting continued throughout the city.
A video allegedly showing rebels executing regime loyalists in Aleppo was released.
US President Obama was reported to have authorized secret support for rebels seeking the overthrow of the Assad regime.
Coverage: Reuters, Reuters-2, Bloomberg, VoA, Al Jazeera, AP

AFRICA

Egypt: State news released the names of some of the new ministers named to cabinet positions by PM Kandil. (NYT)
Nigeria: Suspected Boko Haram gunmen launched attacks on police posts in Gombe. (AFP)
Somalia: The country’s leadership approved a new constitution. (AP)
Sudan: AU Commission Head Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma said peace efforts in Sudan were more important than President al Bashir’s arrest. (AFP)

AMERICAS

Colombia: Jose Benito Cabrera, a high-ranking FARC commander, said Colombia’s “political class” does not want to negotiate for peace because they benefit from the conflict. (AFP)
Mexico: A gunfight in Veracruz between marines and suspected criminals left six dead. (EFE)
Peru: Police seized USD2.3 million in counterfeit dollars. (BBC)

ASIA

Region: India lifted its ban on foreign investment into the country from Pakistan. (AP)
Region: Pentagon planners will consider adding bombers and attack submarines as part of a growing US focus on security challenges in the Asia-Pacific. (Reuters)
Afghanistan: Two ISAF soldiers were killed in a blast in the southern part of the country. (Xinhua)
Afghanistan: Government forces thwarted a planned insurgent raid on Kabul, killing at least eight militants. (Reuters)
Korea, North: UN aid agencies reported the country needed immediate food assistance following heavy flooding. (AP)
Korea, South: The country was reported to be close to an agreement with the US for extending the range of its ballistic missile defenses. (AFP)

EUROPE

Region: The US slapped sanctions on five key leaders of the Camorra, one of Europe’s largest criminal organizations. (Xinhua)
Greece: The ruling coalition government agreed on a new austerity plan. (WSJ)
Spain: Police arrested three suspected members of al Qaeda in the southern province of Cadiz. (AFP)
Spain: The country is expected to face a difficult debt auction due to fears about the ECB governing council meeting. (Reuters)
Turkey: Warplanes and helicopters attacked Kurdish rebel positions near the Iraqi and Iranian borders. (AP)

MIDDLE EAST

Iran: The US congress overwhelmingly approved a new set of sanctions on the country. (Reuters)
Iraq: At least seven were killed in three separate clashes between security forces and insurgents in northern part of the country. (Xinhua)
Israel: PM Netanyahu made statements expressing doubt that sanctions would deter Iran from seeking nuclear weapons. (WSJ)
Lebanon: President Suleiman said he refuses to allow the Lebanese territories to turn into a corridor for arms smuggling. (Xinhua)

TECHNOLOGY AND COMMUNICATIONS

United States: The FTC proposed tighter privacy regulations on websites that target or have youth audiences. (NYT)

WORLD

TOMORROW’S OUTLOOK (03AUG)

Middle East: Anniversary of a cross-border shoot-out between Lebanese and Israeli soldiers – 2010.
Niger: Celebration of Independence Day – 1960.
United Kingdom: Anniversary of a car bomb exploding in London that injured seven – 2001.

END