ONS: 17 July 2012

by TRG Alerts Admin on July 17, 2012

KEY STORYLINES

AFRICA: The EU is establishing a mission to train security forces in the Sahel region of sub-Saharan Africa to combat terrorist and criminal networks.
AMERICAS: Changes in American drug-consumption – from cocaine to prescription painkillers – are forcing policy makers to re-examine counter-narcotics policies.
ASIA: In North Korea, Hyon Yong Chol was promoted to vice marshal of the Korean People’s Army.
EUROPE: An Istanbul skyscraper is ablaze.
MIDDLE EAST: US Secretary Clinton said during her visit to Israel that the US will “use all elements of American power” to prevent Iran from developing a nuclear weapon.
TECHNOLOGY: Google will open a conference as part of its initiative to use technology to disrupt international crime.

TOP STORY

Rebels launched the “Damascus volcano” as several neighborhoods in Damascus turned into combat zones.
There are reports of tanks shooting down the streets of Damascus and helicopter gunships overhead.
The UN indicated the number of refugees since April tripled to 112,000.
Nawaf Fares, Syria’s ex-ambassador to Iraq, said the regime will not hesitate to use chemical weapons if it is cornered.
Warplanes attacked Herak.
Coverage: AP, AP-2, NYT, BBC, CNN,

AFRICA

Region: The EU is establishing a mission to train security forces in the Sahel region of sub-Saharan Africa to combat terrorist and criminal networks. (AP, Reuters)
Region: Liberian President Sirleaf, in an interview, noted growing drug trafficking and unchecked arms trade are fuelling insurgencies across Africa. (BBC)
Egypt: The public prosecutor ordered former President Mubarak be returned to prison, saying his health has improved. (BBC)
Ghana: Two Peace Corps volunteers, who said they were robbed and used a knife in self-defense, were questioned by police on a robber’s death and later released. (AP)
Kenya: Three Kenyan police officers were killed in an ambush in northeastern Kenya near the Somali border. (Reuters)
Mali: The AU is reportedly pushing the Islamist rebel group Ansar Dine break from al Qaeda to be part of a negotiated political solution. (Reuters)
Sudan: Seven army officers were killed when their helicopter crashed in western Sudan. (AP)

AMERICAS

Colombia: An indigenous movement in Toribío will gather to protest the presence of both the FARC and the military. (Miami Herald)
Mexico: Authorities detained over 200 youth for flash mob violence in the capital. (AP)
United States: A Senate probe has disclosed how lax controls at HSBC left it vulnerable to being used for global money laundering. (BBC)
United States: Changes in American drug-consumption – from cocaine to prescription painkillers – are forcing policy makers to re-examine counter-narcotics policies. (NYT)
Venezuela: A survey by the Caracas-based Datanalisis indicates Chavez leads by 15 points over Capriles for the 07OCT presidential election – 46% vs 31%. (AP)

ASIA

Afghanistan: Russia’s federal drug control service will help Afghanistan to create a narcotics crime lab. (Itar-Tass)
Afghanistan: A magnetic bomb blew up the car of a district governor in Kunduz in the third attack on senior government officials in as many days. (Reuters)
China: A court in Chongqing convicted a group of 18 people of running a nearly $10 billion money-smuggling ring. (WSJ)
Japan: Tens of thousands rallied in Tokyo against nuclear energy. (Japan Times)
Korea, North: Hyon Yong Chol was promoted to vice marshal of the Korean People’s Army. (Xinhua)
Maldives: The former president was charged in a move expected to heighten tensions in the nation. (Xinhua)
Pakistan: Thousands of activists marched towards the Afghan border, condemning the government’s decision to end the seven-month blockade on NATO supplies into Afghanistan. (AFP)
Singapore: The CARAT naval exercises with the US began. (Xinhua)

EUROPE

Netherlands: Four US bound flights from Amsterdam reported needles in sandwiches. (The Telegraph)
Romania: Interim leader Crin Antonescu bent to EU pressure and approved a law requiring a turnout of more than 50 percent for a referendum on impeaching suspended President Traian Basescu. (AFP)
Russia: Ingushetia’s police unit chief survived an assassination attempt. (Itar-Tass)
Turkey: A fire is raging in a 42 story Istanbul skyscraper. (Reuters)

MIDDLE EAST

Region: The US is sending an aircraft carrier to the Middle East several months early to make sure at least two carriers will constantly be present in the region. (AP)
Iran: US Secretary Clinton said during her visit to Israel that the US will “use all elements of American power” to prevent Iran from developing a nuclear weapon. (BBC)
UAE: The US Navy killed an Indian national as his boat approached a US Naval ship. India has requested an investigation. (Independent – UK)

TECHNOLOGY AND COMMUNICATIONS

Computing: Microsoft released touch-based versions of its Office products. (NYT)
Corporate: Yahoo named veteran Google executive Marissa Mayer as its new chief. (MarketWatch)
Trafficking: Google will open a conference as part of its initiative to use technology to disrupt international crime. (AP)

WORLD

TOMORROW’S OUTLOOK (18JUL)

Asia: Cambodia will withdraw some 486 military personnel from disputed border with Thailand.
South America: Anniversary of the end of the Football War between Honduras and El Salvador – 1969.
Colombia: Anniversary of the dissolution of the AUC – 2002.
India: Anniversary of Indo-US nuclear agreement – 2005.
South Africa: Nelson Mandela celebrates his 94th birthday (1918).
Yemen: Anniversary of Saleh taking power as President – 1978.

END