ONS: 19 February 2014

By TRG Alerts Admin

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

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

Cases: Global Number of Cases as of 07FEB: 182 (Saudi Arabia, Tunisia, Italy, France, Germany, Jordan, Oman, Qatar, UAE, United Kingdom)
Deaths: Global Number of Deaths as of 07FEB: 79 (Saudi Arabia, France, Qatar, United Kingdom, UAE, Oman)
Sourcing: WHO, WHO-2

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