ONS: 10 August 2012

by TRG Alerts Admin on August 10, 2012

KEY STORYLINES

AFRICA: The Egyptian military arrested six suspected terrorists during operations in the Sinai.
AMERICAS: Mexican authorities extradited alleged drug trafficker Sandra Beltran to the United States.
ASIA: Gunman wearing Afghan security uniform killed three US soldiers in Helmand.
EUROPE: Turkey’s FM accused Syrian President Assad of arming Kurdish militants.
MIDDLE EAST: US officials stated they still believe Iran is still not on the verge of possessing a nuclear weapon.
TECHNOLOGY: A Stuxnet-like computer virus dubbed “Gauss” capable of spying on banking transactions was discovered in computer networks in the Middle East.

TOP STORY

Syria: Rebels lost ground in Aleppo; Fighting continued outside of Damascus; UN reported considering Algerian diplomat to replace Annan

Rebel forces were forced to withdraw from many areas of Aleppo by an intense government onslaught, including the strategic district of Salaheddine.
Fighting continued outside Damascus and in some areas of Aleppo.
Algerian diplomat Lakhdar Brahimi is reportedly likely to take Kofi Annan’s place as the UN lead envoy.
Coverage: WSJ, Reuters, Al Jazeera, Reuters-2, NYT, AP

AFRICA

Region: Uganda started frantic diplomatic efforts aimed at garnering international support to end fighting in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo that has displaced tens of thousands of people. (Xinhua)
Egypt: The military arrested six suspected terrorists during operations in the Sinai. (Reuters)
Libya: The national assembly voted in Mohammed Magarief as the country’s new president. (Reuters)
Mali: The government stated military action against Islamic insurgents in the country’s north was “inevitable.” (AFP)
Nigeria: The US renewed an offer to assist the country in counterterrorism efforts and increasing security. (WaPo)
Sudan: The UN stated 25,000 people had been displaced by recent unrest in Darfur. (AFP)

AMERICAS

Region: A US GAO report said US aid helps South America’s anti-drug fight but thorny relations with Venezuela and Bolivia hinder efforts there, creating new openings for traffickers. (AFP)
Colombia: A FARC front commander surrendered to authorities. (Xinhua)
Colombia: A car bombing at a power station in the country’s southwest caused a large-scale blackout. (Xinhua)
Mexico: Authorities extradited alleged drug trafficker Sandra Beltran to the US. (BBC)
Mexico: A shooting believed related to organized crime in Sinaloa killed seven. (EFE)
Mexico: Police found 14 bodies in an abandoned van outside San Luis Potosi. (BBC)

ASIA

Region: South Korean President Lee Myung-Bak visited islands disputed with Japan, raising diplomatic tension between the two countries. (BBC)
Region: Cambodia recalled its ambassador to the Philippines due to tensions over South China Sea disputes with China. (AFP)
Afghanistan: A uniformed gunman killed three US soldiers in Helmand. (Reuters)
Afghanistan: At least six civilians were killed by a roadside bombing in Helmand. (AFP)
Philippines: Military officials reported the death toll in clashes between government forces and Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters militants in the country’s south reached 32. (Xinhua)

EUROPE

Region: Concern from investors over doubts the ECB will act to prevent a debt crisis caused the euro to decline in value for a third day. (Reuters)
Region: The Georgian Foreign Ministry has appealed for international support to its work on the pullout of Russian forces from Abkhazia and South Ossetia. (Interfax)
Russia: Clashes in Dagestan killed five policemen and two militants. (Reuters)
Turkey: The country’s FM accused Syrian President Assad of arming Kurdish militants. (Reuters)

MIDDLE EAST

Bahrain: A government minister said opposition parties should denounce violence to demonstrate their desire for political progress. (Reuters)
Iran: US officials stated they still believe the country is still not on the verge of possessing a nuclear weapon, contrary to reports of a National Intelligence Estimate stating the country had made significant progress that appeared in Israeli media. (Reuters)
Iraq: A bomb attack targeting a police patrol and a gun attack on a city councilor killed four and wounded four. (AFP)
Iraq: Gunmen killed four anti-al Qaeda Sahwa fighters at a security checkpoint north of Baghdad. (AP)
Yemen: A suspected al Qaeda car bombing killed a security official in Mukalla. (Reuters)

TECHNOLOGY AND COMMUNICATIONS

Cybersecurity: A Stuxnet-like computer virus dubbed “Gauss” capable of spying on banking transactions was discovered in computer networks in the Middle East. (Guardian)
Cybersecurity: Hacker group “Anonymous” claimed to have brought down the public website of the Australian Security Intelligence Organization. (AFP)

WORLD

TOMORROW’S OUTLOOK (11AUG)

Middle East: US Secretary Clinton visits Istanbul to discuss Syria.
South America: Venezuela and Colombia restore relations – 2010.
Afghanistan: Anniversary of NATO taking over command of peacekeeping – 2003.
Chad: Celebration of Independence Day – 1960.

END