ONS: 12 October 2012

by TRG Alerts Admin on October 12, 2012

KEY STORYLINES

AFRICA: The US named Laurence Pope the new charge d’affaires to Libya.
AMERICAS: The Mexican Congress approved a law to crack down on money laundering in a bid to attack the finances of drug cartels
ASIA: In Pakistan, a US drone killed 18 and wounded four.
EUROPE: The Turkish Parliament extended a bill that allows the military to stage operations against Kurdish rebels in northern Iraq.
MIDDLE EAST: Hezbollah Head Nasrallah said the militant group sent a sophisticated unmanned drone, built by Iran, over Israel last week.
TECHNOLOGY: Defense Secretary Panetta said the US faces a growing threat of a “cyber-Pearl Harbor” and has drafted new rules for the military that would enable it to move aggressively against digital attacks.

TOP STORY

Government forces suffered the highest death toll since the start of rebel hostilities with at least 87 soldiers killed.
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported 210 people were killed across the country, including 64 rebel fighters and 59 civilians.
The US voiced support for Turkey’s inspection of a Syrian passenger plane allegedly carrying Russian-made munitions.
Qatar’s FM said the UN should consider creating a no-fly zone to protect civilians.
Russia pressed Turkey for an account of what Turkish officials had discovered on board the intercepted jet.
Coverage: AFP, Xinhua, AP, NYT, The Guardian

AFRICA

Ghana: The government reiterated its position that it would not allow the use of its territory by forces hostile to the current Ivorian government. (Xinhua)
Libya: The US named Laurence Pope the new charge d’affaires to Libya. (AFP)
Mali: The UNSC is set to adopt a draft resolution paving the way for military intervention in Mali. (AFP)
Tunisia: A controversial blasphemy clause proposed by the ruling Islamist party will not be included in the new constitution. (AFP)

AMERICAS

Region: Bolivia, Brazil and Peru plan to forge a trilateral deal to fight cross-border drug trafficking, production and shipping. (Xinhua)
Colombia: Police seized a ton of cocaine stashed inside an excavator as it was transported from Bogota to the port city of Barranquilla. (Xinhua)
Mexico: The Congress approved a law to crack down on money laundering in a bid to attack the finances of drug cartels. (Reuters)
Mexico: A US Border Patrol agent opened fire on a group of people throwing rocks from across the Mexican border, killing a teenage boy. (AP)
Nicaragua: The government said Colombia had assumed a “hostile posture” toward a Nicaraguan civilian boat carrying out scientific research in Caribbean waters claimed by both nations. (EFE)

ASIA

Region: World Bank Managing Director Indrawati called on China and Japan to resolve their ongoing territorial dispute. (Reuters)
Afghanistan: Seven members of Britain’s Royal Marines were arrested in connection with an alleged murder in Afghanistan in 2011. (The Guardian)
Japan: The FM vowed to continue dialogue with China over the territorial dispute, but warned there were limits on compromise. (AFP)
Pakistan: A US drone killed 18 and wounded four. (NYT)

EUROPE

Germany: The finance minister said there is “no alternative” to cutting debt in European countries. (AFP)
Poland: The PM will seek a confidence vote in a bid to boost support for his government amid an economic decline. (AP)
Russia: The US said it was still talking to Russia about extending the Nunn-Lugar Cooperative Threat Reduction program agreement on dismantling nuclear and chemical weapons when it expires next year. (Reuters)
Turkey: Parliament extended a bill that allows the military to stage operations against Kurdish rebels in northern Iraq. (AP)

MIDDLE EAST

Iraq: The country’s branch of al Qaeda said it masterminded a jailbreak in Tikrit in September. (Reuters)
Israel: Hezbollah Head Nasrallah said the militant group sent a sophisticated unmanned drone, built by Iran, over Israel last week. (AFP)
Jordan: US special operations forces are training Jordanian commandos in techniques to protect civilians in case of a chemical attack from neighboring Syria. (AP)
Yemen: Authorities seized Iranian military equipment slated for rebels aboard a cargo ship at the port of Hodeidah. (UPI)

TECHNOLOGY AND COMMUNICATIONS

Cybersecurity: Defense Secretary Panetta said the US faces a growing threat of a “cyber-Pearl Harbor” and has drafted new rules for the military that would enable it to move aggressively against digital attacks. (AFP)

WORLD

TOMORROW’S OUTLOOK (13OCT)

Europe: Russia and NATO begin two-day joint exercises focused on air terrorism.
Yemen: Anniversary of a bomb targeting the British embassy in Sanaa causing damage but no casualties – 2000.

END