KEY STORYLINES
- AFRICA: Libyan militias committed widespread human rights abuses, according to Amnesty International.
- AMERICAS: UNASUR representatives planned a meeting in Bogotá to design a proposal to mitigate transnational crime.
- ASIA: Malaysian authorities arrested an Iranian man suspected of involvement in the Thai bombing.
- EUROPE: Serbs in North Kosovo rejected Albanian rule in a referendum.
- MIDDLE EAST: Over 120 Bahraini protesters were wounded in clashes with the police.
- TECHNOLOGY: Microsoft released plans for msnNOW, a social reader that tracks trending topics across social platforms.
TOP STORY
- Honduras: Prison fire kills hundreds
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AFRICA
- Libya: Amnesty International alleged militias are committing widespread human rights abuses, creating instability and obstructing efforts to rebuild the country. (CNN)
- Madagascar: Cyclone Giovanna killed 16 as it struck the island’s coast. (AFP)
- Nigeria: Members of Boko Haram stormed a prison, killing a guard and releasing inmates. (DPA)
- Sudan: The AU urged the recognition of the Memorandum of Understanding on non-aggression and cooperation signed by Sudan and South Sudan. (Xinhua)
AMERICAS
- Region: UNASUR representatives planned a meeting in Bogotá to design a proposal to mitigate transnational crime. (EFE)
- Mexico: A top army commander suggested the military may have committed serious human rights abuses. (WSJ)
- United States: Separate investigations in Wilson, NC and Phoenix, AZ led to the discovery of 103 and 24 pounds of cocaine respectively. (AP, AP)
ASIA
- Region: Malaysian authorities arrested an Iranian man suspected of involvement in bomb blasts in Thailand. (AP)
- Region: Washington, Kabul and the Taliban began three-way talks that could lead to full-fledged peace negotiations. (WSJ)
- Pakistan: A drone struck a compound, killing five insurgents. (AFP)
- Pakistan: The US Embassy emphasized the Afghan border remained closed to NATO despite DM Mukhtar’s comments that the route was open to transport food. (AP)
EUROPE
- Region: France and Britain planned to launch a joint project to build air combat drones. (AFP)
- Region: Serbs in North Kosovo rejected Albanian rule in a referendum. (AFP)
- Region: The Russian Foreign Ministry said Georgia is far from being an “outpost of democracy and human rights.” (Itar-Tass)
MIDDLE EAST
- Bahrain: Over 120 protesters were wounded in clashes with the police. (Reuters)
- Iran: Iran postponed plans to cut off oil supplies to Europe. (Itar-Tass)
- Syria: Armed forces attacked Deraa in an attempt to root out Free Syrian Army rebels. (Reuters)
- Yemen: An al-Qaeda leader was killed by his half-brother in an armed attack in the southeast of Sanaa. (AFP)
TECHNOLOGY AND COMMUNICATIONS
- Social Media: Microsoft planned to unleash msnNOW to track trending topics across social platforms and BreakingNews.com. (Mashable)
- Technology: The Stealth search engine debuted, allowing users to search without being trailed by cookies and other tracking devices. (Mashable)
WORLD
- Cyclones: Tropical Cyclone 12S (Giovanna)
- Location: 450 NM E of Maputo, Mozambique
- Movement: SSW at 04 knots
- Winds: 50 knots
- Map
- Cyclones: Tropical Cyclone 13S (Thirteen)
- Location: 805 NM SE of Diego Garcia
- Movement: WSW at 07 knots
- Winds: 45 knots
- Map
- Cyclones: Tropical Cyclone 10P (Jasmine)
- Location: 150 NM SW of Tonga
- Movement: S at 07 knots
- Winds: 35 knots
- Map
- Hurricanes: Nothing to report.
- Earthquakes: Nothing to report.
- Volcanoes: Nothing to report.
TOMORROW’S OUTLOOK (17FEB)
- Asia: Anniversary of China invading Vietnam – 1979.
- Kosovo: Independence day celebrated – 2008.
- Libya: Anniversary of uprising beginning against former leader Gaddafi – 2011.
ANALYST NOTE: Pro-Gaddafi loyalists might launch attacks.
- United States: Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau chief Joel Gurin steps down.
