ONS: 16 August 2012

by TRG Alerts Admin on August 16, 2012

KEY STORYLINES

AFRICA: In Egypt, the Salafi Jihad militant group warned the military that its crackdown in the Sinai might force it to retaliate.
AMERICAS: Mexico deployed 400 more federal police officers to Michoacan to fight drug trafficking.
ASIA: Pakistani militants attacked the Minhas air base in Kamra, leaving eight militants and one soldier dead.
EUROPE: Spanish authorities seized three tons of cocaine and arrested 31 on a ship off the country’s coast.
MIDDLE EAST: In Iraq, five bombings in the north and central part of the country killed at least 19 and injured 104.
TECHNOLOGY: Germany reopened an investigation into Facebook’s privacy practices with regard to facial recognition software.

TOP STORY

Syria: Airstrike kills dozens, unrest spilled over into Lebanon, further diplomatic isolation for the regime

An air raid on the rebellious town of Azaz left dozens dead.
Kidnappings in Lebanon fueled fears the conflict will spread beyond the country’s borders.
The OIC suspended Syria’s membership.
Coverage: Reuters-1, Reuters-2, Al Jazeera, AP

AFRICA

Region: Four militants were killed during a one-week combing operation conducted by the Algerian army in the Algerian-Tunisian border area. (Xinhua)
Egypt: The Salafi Jihad militant group warned the military that its crackdown in the Sinai might force it to retaliate. (Reuters)
Gabon: Clashes between police and opposition protesters in Libreville left three dead. (AFP)
Nigeria: Gunmen kidnapped a university rector in the country’s southeast. (AFP)
Uganda: President Museveni carried out a mini reshuffle of cabinet ministers replacing vacant places, dropping some of his ministers and creating new ministries. (Xinhua)

AMERICAS

Ecuador: The country accused the UK of threatening to storm its embassy in London in pursuit of Julian Assange. (AP)
Guatemala: Interior Minister Lopez said Guatemala is no longer just a conduit for illegal drugs, but a center of production. (EFE)
Mexico: The government deployed 400 more federal police officers to Michoacan to fight drug trafficking. (EFE)
United States: The test flight of an experimental unmanned hypersonic jet failed. (AP)

ASIA

Afghanistan: A key Taliban leader, Mullah Agha Jan Motasim, called for an end to the war. (AFP)
Afghanistan: A roadside bombing in Baghland killed three Afghan soldiers and wounded three others. (AP)
India: Thousands of people from northeast India fled the southern Indian city Bangalore after receiving rumors through cell phone and internet that they will be attacked. (AP)
Myanmar: The OIC will bring the issue of Muslim Rohingyas displaced by deadly sectarian violence. (AFP)
Pakistan: Militants attacked the Minhas air base in Kamra, leaving eight militants and one soldier dead. (Reuters)
Pakistan: Gunmen killed at least twenty Shiites travelling in the northern part of the country. (AP)
Philippines: A clash between soldiers and Abu Sayyaf militants in the country’s south killed four. (AP)
Thailand: The government stated it was holding peace talks with some Muslim militant groups in its south. (AFP)

EUROPE

Georgia: A man was shot dead during an operation to arrest people suspected of links with Georgian secret services in Abkhazia’s Gali District. (Interfax)
Greece: The country increased its issuance of T-Bills in a bid to raise funds. (Reuters)
Romania: Interim president asked prosecutors to provide more information on their probe into the vote to impeach his rival Basescu, calling the move “unacceptable.” (AFP)
Spain: Authorities seized three tons of cocaine and arrested 31 on a ship off the country’s coast. (AP)

MIDDLE EAST

Region: The Turkish military bombed Kurdish rebel targets in Iraq. (AFP)
Iran: The country requested South Korea increase the interest paid on billions in Iranian dollars stored in South Korean government-owned banks. (Reuters)
Iraq: Five bombings in northern and central Iraq killed at least 19 and injured 104. (AFP)
Israel: The country concluded a test of an SMS-based missile warning system. (AFP)
Lebanon: President Suleiman warned against any attempt to tamper with his country’s civil peace and threaten its citizens and foreign residents’ safety. (Xinhua)
Yemen: The High Security Committee said 62 officers and soldiers loyal to ex-President Saleh’s son were charged with resisting authorities and mutiny after trying to storm the ministry of defense. (AP)

TECHNOLOGY AND COMMUNICATIONS

Facebook: Germany reopened an investigation into Facebook’s privacy practices with regard to facial recognition software. (NYT)

WORLD

TOMORROW’S OUTLOOK (17AUG)

Africa: Southern African Development Community (SADC) summit begins.
Bangladesh: Anniversary of terrorist bombings – 2005.
Gabon: Independence Day celebrated – 1960.
Indonesia: Independence Day celebrated – 1960.
Israel: Anniversary of hostage attempt at Turkish Embassy – 2010.
Turkey: Anniversary of a 7.4 magnitude earthquake that killed over 17,000 people – 1999.

END