ONS: 17 October 2012

by TRG Alerts Admin on October 17, 2012

KEY STORYLINES

AFRICA: In Rwanda, a UN expert panel reported traders in Rwanda profiting from smuggled DRC ore are helping fund a rebels in the DRC.
AMERICAS: In Canada, the Peace Arch border crossing on the US-Canada border was closed after a Canadian agent was shot.
ASIA: In Afghanistan, a suicide car bomb near the gate of a US-Afghan combat outpost wounded at least ten Afghan troops.
EUROPE: Greeks opposing a new round of austerity cuts began two days of strikes and protests ahead of an EU summit this week.
MIDDLE EAST: In Yemen, al Qaeda militants killed six pro-government militiamen and wounded eight in an attack on a checkpoint.
GLOBAL: The UNODC unveiled a digest of more than 200 case analyses and knowledge from more than 50 experts that countries can use to understand different crime-fighting experiences and integrate them into their own strategies.
TECHNOLOGY: The data mining trade group the Direct Marketing Association launched a one million public relations campaign to forestall regulation of the consumer data-mining industry.

TOP STORY

The government said the UN-AL envoy Brahimi’s call for a holiday cease-fire was pointless because the rebels have no unified leadership to sign it.
Brahimi arrived in Lebanon on the latest leg of his second regional tour aimed at finding a solution to the Syria conflict.
A UN commission investigating rights abuses in the country said foreign militants fighting in Syria could contribute to an increased “radicalization” of the conflict.
The PKK said it would retaliate to any Turkish attacks on Kurds in Syria.
Coverage: AFP, AFP-2, AFP-3, AP, Reuters, CNN

AFRICA

Libya: Human Rights Watch reported new evidence implicating militias in executions after Gaddafi was captured and killed in Sirte. (AFP)
Libya: President Obama assumed responsibility for the terror attack in Benghazi shortly after Secretary Clinton sought to take responsibility. (AP)
Nigeria: Gunfire and multiple explosions hit the city of Potiskum. (AFP)
Rwanda: A UN expert panel reported traders in Rwanda are profiting from smuggled DRC ore that helps fund rebels in the DRC. (Reuters)

AMERICAS

Region: The Inter American Press Association said violence and authoritarian governments are the main problems for independent press outlets in Latin America. AP)
Canada: The Peace Arch border crossing on the US-Canada border was closed after a Canadian agent was shot. (AP)
Mexico: A regional boss of Los Zetas drug cartel along with four other suspected members were arrested by Mexican marines in the northern state of Coahuila. (EFE)
Nicaragua: The UN Food and Agriculture Organization said Nicaragua is the only Latin American country that has made progress in food security in the past two years. (Xinhua)

ASIA

Region: New Zealand and China Customs agreed to work more closely to fight the smuggling of pharmaceutical products used to make methamphetamine. (Xinhua)
Afghanistan: A suicide car bomb near the gate of a US-Afghan combat outpost wounded at least ten Afghan troops. (AP)
Afghanistan: NATO forces expressed regret for the deaths of three Afghan civilians during an operation against insurgents on 14OCT. (AFP)
Korea, South: The ROK’s coast guard is holding 23 Chinese fishermen in custody for questioning after a violent clash in the Yellow Sea. (AFP)
Philippines: President Aquino said there is an effort to revive stalled peace talks with the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army-National Democratic Front. (Xinhua)

EUROPE

Estonia: Russia and Estonia may start consultations on a border treaty the week of 22OCT. (Interfax)
Georgia: President Saakashvili said he and his party will cooperate with the new government. (Interfax)
Greece: Those opposing a new round of austerity cuts began two days of strikes and protests ahead of an EU summit this week. (AFP)
Moldova: A former adviser to the defense minister denied Transdniestria’s claims that Moldova is preparing to host a NATO base on its territory. (Interfax)
Turkey: Kurdish militants attacked military outposts killing three Turkish soldiers. (Reuters)

MIDDLE EAST

Iran: Economic sanctions imposed by the West have the potential to create a currency shortage in the country. (NYT)
Israel: Public radio reported PM Netanyahu wants to adopt parts of a report which proposes legalizing unauthorized settler outposts. (AFP)
Israel: The country’s UN envoy asked the UN to persuade a Swedish ship carrying rights activists not to try to break the blockade of the Gaza Strip. (AFP)
Palestinian Territories: Israeli planes carried out a sortie in the Gaza Strip after a rocket from the territory exploded in southern Israel. (AFP)
Yemen: Al Qaeda militants killed six Yemeni militiamen and wounded eight in an attack on a checkpoint. (AFP)

GLOBAL

Drug Trafficking: The UNODC unveiled a digest of more than 200 case analyses and knowledge from more than 50 experts that countries can use to understand different crime-fighting experiences and integrate them into their own strategies. (AFP)

TECHNOLOGY AND COMMUNICATIONS

Communications: The data mining trade group the Direct Marketing Association launched a one million dollar public relations campaign to forestall regulation of the consumer data-mining industry. (Bits NYT)

WORLD

TOMORROW’S OUTLOOK (18OCT)

Europe: EU leaders meet to discuss bailouts for Greece and Spain.
Azerbaijan: Anniversary of declaration of independence from the USSR – 1991.
East Germany: Anniversary of Communist leader Honecker’s forced resignation – 1989.
Pakistan: Sindh general elections held.

END