KEY STORYLINES
- AFRICA: Libyan protesters disrupted voting for a national assembly in eastern Libya.
- AMERICAS: In Mexico, Enrique Pena Nieto was confirmed the winner of the presidential election.
- ASIA: In Pakistan, a triple US drone attack on a militant compound killed at least 15 insurgents.
- EUROPE: The US expressed concern over the impeachment of the Romanian president.
- MIDDLE EAST: In Iraq, a suicide bomber killed his pro-government cousin and six other relatives.
- TECHNOLOGY: Internet service in Lebanon is slowly and partially returning after damage to an underwater cable knocked the entire nation offline several times this week.
TOP STORY
- Afghanistan: Afghanistan designated major US ally.
- Secretary Clinton arrived in Kabul on an unannounced visit ahead of a major conference in Tokyo.
- The Obama administration declared Afghanistan a major non-NATO ally of the US.
- The move was part of a broad strategic partnership deal signed by the US and Afghanistan.
- The designation makes Afghanistan eligible to participate in a broader range of US military training programs and gives it priority for receiving surplus US military hardware.
- Coverage: AP, AFP, NYT, WSJ
AFRICA
- Region: ECOWAS will meet in Burkina Faso with civilian leaders from Mali amid moves to create a government of national unity. (AFP)
- Democratic Republic of Congo: The UNSC strongly condemned the attacks on UN peacekeepers by the M23 rebel group. (Xinhua)
- Libya: Protesters calling for more representation disrupted voting for a national assembly in eastern Libya. (AFP)
- Nigeria: Explosions and gunfire hit Damaturu in an area plagued by repeated attacks by Boko Haram. (AFP)
AMERICAS
- Colombia: VP Garzon was released from hospital 19 days after suffering a stroke. (EFE)
- Mexico: Enrique Pena Nieto was confirmed the winner of the presidential election, with 99.2 percent of ballots officially counted. (UPI)
- Mexico: Activists opposed to the victory of Nieto called for a national “mega-march” to protest the results. (AFP)
ASIA
- Afghanistan: A roadside bomb killed six Afghan civilians and injured two others. (Xinhua)
- Afghanistan: An explosion and ensuing rocket attack in Farah city left at least 17 civilians injured. (Xinhua)
- Burma: Activists called for the immediate release of student leaders detained in the widespread crackdown on dissidents. (AFP)
- Pakistan: A triple US drone attack on a militant compound killed at least 15 insurgents. (AFP)
EUROPE
- Belarus: President Lukashenko granted secret police the power to add any citizen to a blacklist preventing international travel. (AFP)
- Romania: The US expressed concern over the impeachment of the president by parliament. (AFP)
- Russia: The State Duma ratified an agreement with the US that eased visa formalities. (Itar-Tass)
- Serbia: A top US official urged Serbia to accept the “reality” of Kosovo’s independence,. (AFP)
MIDDLE EAST
- Iran: The military said it would close the Strait of Hormuz at the entrance to the Gulf only if Iran’s interests are seriously threatened. (AFP)
- Iraq: A suicide bomber killed his pro-government cousin and six other relatives. (AP)
- Syria: The military bombarded a string of towns in Aleppo province. (AFP)
TECHNOLOGY AND COMMUNICATIONS
- Communications: Internet service in Lebanon partially returning after damage to an underwater cable knocked the entire nation offline several times this week. (Mashable)
WORLD
- Cyclones: Nothing to report.
- Hurricanes: Hurricane Daniel
- Location: 745 miles SW of Baja California
- Movement: W at 12 mph
- Winds: 80 mph
- Map
- Earthquakes: Nothing to report
- Volcanoes: Nothing to report
TOMORROW’S OUTLOOK (08JUL)
- Guinea: Delayed legislative elections are held.
- Pakistan: Defense of Pakistan Council (DPC) launches a march from Lahore to Islamabad in protest over supply route restoration.
END
