KEY STORYLINES
- AFRICA: South Sudan’s army said that it had lost contact with its troops in the key oil hub of Malakal following a major offensive by rebels.
- AMERICAS: Bolivian President Morales proposed that the Union of South American Nations (UNASUR) call an emergency meeting on Venezuela.
- ASIA: A Thai court ordered the government not to use force to crack down on protesters who are seeking the Prime Minister’s resignation.
- EUROPE: German authorities arrested a German-Iranian man suspected of supplying Iran with components for use in its missile program.
- MIDDLE EAST: In Lebanon, a double suicide car bombing claimed by the Abdullah Azzam Brigades targeted an Iranian cultural centre in Beirut and killed at least four people.
- TECHNOLOGY: Officials reported that the US government increasingly relies on social media as a new method of diplomacy in parts of the world where traditional envoys are not always available.
TOP STORY
- Ukraine: EU to meet on sanctions as clashes escalate.
- At least 25 people were killed and 241 injured in clashes between riot police and protesters.
- President Yanukovych said anti-government protesters had “crossed the limits” by taking to the streets to try to oust him from power in an address to the nation.
- EU foreign policy chief Ashton summoned the bloc’s foreign ministers for emergency talks on the country on Thursday.
- Russia condemned the protests as an attempted coup and demanded that opposition leaders immediately put an end to all violence.
- French FM Fabius said the EU will likely impose sanctions on Ukraine.
- Coverage: AFP, AFP-2, AP, LAT, Reuters, WSJ, WSJ-2
AFRICA
- Ethiopia: HRW reported that the government is clearing large swathes of land and forcibly displacing populations to make room for state-run sugar plantations. (AFP)
- Libya: The UN envoy to the country urged militias that have threatened to use force to disband the interim parliament to use dialogue in holding elections. (AP)
- Sudan, South: The army said that it had lost contact with its troops in the key oil hub of Malakal following a major offensive by rebels. (AFP)
- Sudan, South: Uganda said it will gradually withdraw its troops in the country following the AU decision to deploy a force. (Xinhua)
- Tunisia: US Secretary Kerry reported that the government approached the Obama administration with a request for security assistance. (LAT)
AMERICAS
- Region: Canada made a commitment to negotiate with Mexico on visa free travel between the two countries. (EFE)
- Region: Brazilian FM Figueiredo said that member countries of the Southern Common Market (Mercosur) are close to finalizing a trade deal with the EU. (Xinhua)
- Bolivia: President Morales proposed that the Union of South American Nations (UNASUR) call an emergency meeting on Venezuela. (Xinhua)
ASIA
- Region: An official report indicated that the Australian navy violated Indonesian territorial waters six times between December and January as part of border security operations. (AFP)
- Region: USCENTCOM CMD GEN Austin met with senior Pakistani military leaders and discussed issues related to ” regional security situation with special emphasis on Afghanistan.”
- Korea, North: An Australian man working as a Christian missionary was arrested in Pyongyang. (Reuters)
- Philippines: President Aquino defended a controversial cybercrime law penalising online libel. (AFP)
- Thailand: A court ordered the government not to use force to crack down on protesters who are seeking the Prime Minister’s resignation. (AP)
EUROPE
- Czech Republic: The new center-left coalition government won its first confidence vote in parliament with a total of 110 of the 181 lawmakers present. (AFP)
- Germany: Authorities arrested a German-Iranian man suspected of supplying Iran with components for use in its missile program. (AP)
- United Kingdom: The government said it will further tighten benefits for European workers in the latest in a series of measures aimed at cracking down on immigration. (DPA)
MIDDLE EAST
- Iran: The Revolutionary Guard warned against crossing “red lines” in negotiations with world powers on the country’s nuclear program. (AFP)
- Israel: Local media reported that the US is to demand the country implement a partial settlement freeze. (AFP)
- Lebanon: A double suicide car bombing claimed by the Abdullah Azzam Brigades targeted an Iranian cultural centre in Beirut and killed at least four people. (AFP)
- Syria: A new group of civilians was evacuated from Homs after the humanitarian operation was halted for several days. (AFP)
TECHNOLOGY AND COMMUNICATIONS
- Communications: Officials reported that the US government increasingly relies on social media as a new method of diplomacy in parts of the world where traditional envoys are not always available. (DPA)
WORLD
- Cyclones: Tropical Cyclone 15S (Guito)
- Location: 400 NM W of Antananarivo, Madagascar
- Movement: S at 8 mph
- Winds: 52 mph
- Map
- Hurricanes: Nothing to report.
- Earthquakes: Nothing to report.
- Volcanoes: Shiveluch Volcano, Russia
- Ash plumes. (Interfax)
- Global Disease Outbreaks:
- Novel Coronavirus (MERS-CoV, SARS-related)
TOMORROW’S OUTLOOK (20FEB)
- Global: World Day of Social Justice
- China: South Korean National Assembly delegation to visit with the National People’s Congress (to 23FEB)
- Egypt: Trial begins for 20 Al-Jazeera journalists accused of joining a terror group, aiding a terrorist group, and endangering national security
- Iran: Basij militia force of Iran’s Islamic Revolution Guards Corps to stage 2-day drills (to 21FEB)
- Libya: Constituent Assembly elections
END
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