ONS: 13 August 2012

by TRG Alerts Admin on August 13, 2012

KEY STORYLINES

AFRICA: A raid by Nigerian military forces on a Boko Haram hideout in Maiduguri left 20 militants and at least one soldier dead.
AMERICAS: The mayor-elect of Matehuala was found shot dead in northern Mexico.
ASIA: South Korea abandoned controversial construction plans for islets disputed with Japan.
EUROPE: The Turkish army launched an operation to rescue a kidnapped Kurdish lawmaker.
MIDDLE EAST: Syrian opposition groups called for a no-fly zone as heavy fighting continued in Aleppo.
TECHNOLOGY: The South Korean government was criticized for a crackdown on internet freedom.

TOP STORY

The MoD, the army chief of staff and other senior generals were forced to resign by President Morsi in a major upheaval of the country’s leadership.
President Morsi also nullified a constitutional declaration issued by the military before he took office that had limited the power of the presidency.
Large crowds gathered in Tahrir Square expressing support for President Morsi’s overhaul.
Coverage: BBC, Al Jazeera, NYT, WSJ, Reuters

AFRICA

Region: A number of Ugandan military helicopters went missing in Kenya en route to Somalia. (Reuters)
Region: Sudan’s second vice president stated his country was “very optimistic” about a border agreement with South Sudan. (Reuters)
Egypt: Gunmen killed a tribal leader in the Sinai. (Reuters)
Mali: Interim President Traore called for interim PM Diarra to form a unity government within three days. (Reuters)
Nigeria: A raid by military forces on a Boko Haram hideout in Maiduguri left 20 militants and at least one soldier dead. (Reuters)

AMERICAS

Colombia: The Defense Minister stated the army has intensified its operations against the FARC in the southwest. (Xinhua)
Mexico: The mayor-elect of Matehuala was found shot dead in the northern part of the country. (AFP)
Venezuela: An opposition lawmaker stated the country was planning a ‘guerrilla army’ to resist a US invasion. (AFP)

ASIA

Region: Afghan government representatives held talks with a Taliban leader detained in Pakistan. (AFP)
Region: South Korea abandoned controversial construction plans for islets disputed with Japan. (AFP)
Afghanistan: A bomb attack in the northern part of the country killed a mayor, a peace council member and at least three others. (AP)
Korean Peninsula: UNSG Ban Ki Moon stated he hoped to ease tensions between North and South Korea. (AFP)
Pakistan: A bombing killed three soldiers in North Waziristan. (AFP)

EUROPE

Region: A senior ally of German Chancellor Merkel issued a warning to Greece on adherence to bailout conditions. (Reuters)
Russia: One serviceman was killed and another wounded in an attack by gunmen in Ingushetia. (ITAR-TASS)
Turkey: The army launched an operation to rescue a kidnapped Kurdish lawmaker. (AFP)

MIDDLE EAST

Iran: The death toll from Saturday’s two earthquakes exceeded 300. (AP)
Iraq: Attacks across the country killed 14. (AFP)
Syria: Opposition groups called for a no-fly zone as heavy fighting continued in Aleppo. (Reuters)

TECHNOLOGY AND COMMUNICATIONS

South Korea: The government was criticized for a crackdown on internet freedom. (NYT)

WORLD

TOMORROW’S OUTLOOK (14AUG)

Global: World Youth Day celebrated.
Middle East: Anniversary of the end of the Israel-Hezbollah War – 2006.
Middle East: Emergency Islamic summit opens in Mecca, Pakistani President Zardari attends.
Iraq: Anniversary of the Yezidi bombings that killed at least 175 Iraqis – 2007.
Pakistan: Independence Day celebrated – 1947.

END