ONS: 07 March 2012

by TRG Alerts Admin on March 7, 2012

KEY STORYLINES

AFRICA: Region of Eastern Libya declared itself semi-autonomous
AMERICAS: US VP Biden promised additional security assistance for Central America
ASIA: A former commander in the Pakistani Taliban publicly supported peace talks
EUROPE: Suicide bombing in Russia’s Dagestan killed five
MIDDLE EAST: Negotiations with Iran to resume with world powers
TECHNOLOGY: US, British and Irish authorities cracked down on “Lulzsec” hacker group, arresting at least six

TOP STORY

UN Humanitarian chief Amos arrived in Damascus to urge the government to allow aid access.
Government forces continued their bombardment of Homs.
US CENTCOM General Mattis said the advanced air defense weapons Russia provided to Syria’s regime would make it difficult to establish a no-fly zone there as part of an effort to help the rebellion.
Coverage: NYT, Reuters, AP, AP-2, WaPo, AP-3

AFRICA

Region: The UN SC rebuked Sudan and South Sudan for border clashes. (Reuters)
DR Congo: The UNHCR reported a new wave of attacks by the Lord’s Resistance Army. (Reuters)
Libya: Tribal leaders and militia commanders in the eastern part of the country declared the region a semi-autonomous state. (AP)
Nigeria: Suspected Boko Haram militants attacked a police station and government office in Kondunga, wounding at least three. (AFP)

AMERICAS

Region: US VP Biden pledged an additional $107 million in security assistance to Central American states during a visit to Honduras. (AFP)
Colombia: ELN guerrillas freed 11 oil workers kidnapped in February. (Reuters)
Mexico: The army confiscated a shoulder-fired missile, a rocket launcher and three grenades during a drug raid in Veracruz. (AP)

ASIA

Region: Chinese officials stated Islamic separatists in Xinjiang want to establish an independent state called East Turkestan.

Neighboring states, especially Pakistan, are trying to stamp out violence and protect China’s interests. (Reuters)

Afghanistan: Six British soldiers were killed in Helmand by a roadside bombing. (Reuters)
Korean Peninsula: South Korea’s defense chief threatened “revenge” against North Korea in retaliation for any attack. (AFP)
Pakistan: A former commander of the Pakistani Taliban publicly supported peace talks with the government. (AFP)

EUROPE

Greece: An EU official stated the debt swap plan will take place “without a hitch.” (AFP)
Russia: Activist group League of Voters declared Putin’s election an “insult to civil society” and refused to recognize the results. (AFP)
Russia: A suicide bomber killed five police officers in Dagestan. (Reuters)

MIDDLE EAST

Iran: World powers agreed to resume negotiations with Iran. (NYT, Reuters)
Iraq: A car bombing killed two and wounded seven in Baghdad. (AP)
Iraq: Two car bombings in Nineveh killed at least 12 and wounded at least 15. (Xinhua)
Yemen: Eight soldiers were wounded in a shootout with Al Qaeda militants. (Xinhua)

TECHNOLOGY AND COMMUNICATIONS

Cybersecurity: Federal authorities arrested at least six members of the “LulzSec” hacker group in a crackdown. (Wired)

WORLD

TOMORROW’S OUTLOOK (08MAR)

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