ONS: 19 October 2012

by TRG Alerts Admin on October 19, 2012

KEY STORYLINES

AFRICA: Central African Republic security forces arrested three men suspected of plotting a coup.
AMERICAS: Peace talks between the Colombian government and FARC rebels began in Norway.
ASIA: North Korea threatened an armed response if South Korean activists sent propaganda leaflets over the border
EUROPE: 28 Turkish soldiers were injured in an attack on a natural gas pipeline by Kurdish rebels.
MIDDLE EAST: At least 14 Yemeni soldiers and 12 Al Qaeda militants were killed in an attack on a military base in the southern part of the country.
TECHNOLOGY: US bank Ally Financial was the target of a cyberattack possibly linked to Iranian hackers.

TOP STORY

Airstrikes struck the city of Maarat al-Numan, captured last week by rebel forces, killing dozens.
Opposition activists accused the government of using cluster munitions against the city.
UN envoy Brahimi is expected to arrive in the country Friday to call for a ceasefire during Eid al-Adha.
Germany and Turkey appealed for a truce during the Eid holiday next week.
Opposition groups expressed support for an Eid ceasefire.
Coverage: NYT-1, Al Jazeera, AP, CSM, AFP, XIN, NYT-2, Reuters

AFRICA

Region: Ivory Coast and Liberia announced plans to launch a joint military exercise along their border by the end of the year. (Reuters)
Central African Republic: Security forces arrested three men suspected of plotting a coup. (Reuters)
Mali: UN, EU and West African officials met in Bamako to discuss the crisis in the country’s north. (CNN)
Nigeria: A series of Boko Haram attacks in the northeastern part of the country killed a number of people and destroyed several buildings. (AFP)
Rwanda: The country won a seat on the UN Security Council. (Reuters)
Tunisia: A clash between opposition and pro-government supporters reportedly left an opposition official dead in Tatouine. (Al Jazeera)

AMERICAS

Region: The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights stated the US was using excessive force along its border with Mexico. (Reuters)
Colombia: Peace talks between the government and FARC rebels began in Norway. (WaPo)
United States: The CIA reportedly urged the government to approve an expansion of its fleet of armed drones. (WaPo)

ASIA

Region: China conducted naval exercises in the East China Sea near islands disputed with Japan. (BBC)
Region: North Korea threatened an armed response if South Korean activists sent propaganda leaflets over the border. (BBC)
Afghanistan: President Karzai stated the country was ready if the US-led coalition decides to accelerate its handover of security responsibilities. (WaPo)
Afghanistan: A roadside bombing in Balkh province killed at least fifteen and injured eighteen. (AP)
Myanmar: The US will invite the country to observe the Cobra Gold military exercise. (Reuters)

EUROPE

Region: EU leaders reached an agreement to set up a eurozone banking supervisor. (BBC)
Greece: Anti-austerity protests and a general strike hit the country. (BBC)
Turkey: 28 soldiers were injured in an attack on a natural gas pipeline by Kurdish rebels. (AP)

MIDDLE EAST

Bahrain: The interior ministry reported that a “terrorist bombing” killed one police officer and injured another in Manama. (Reuters)
Iraq: Four Shiite pilgrims and a police officer were killed by two bomb attacks in the central part of the country. (XIN)
Yemen: At least fourteen soldiers and twelve Al Qaeda militants were killed in an attack on a military base in the southern part of the country. (NYT)
Yemen: A US drone strike near Jaar killed at least seven suspected Al Qaeda militants. (Al Jazeera)

TECHNOLOGY AND COMMUNICATIONS

Cybersecurity: US bank Ally Financial was the target of a cyberattack possibly linked to Iranian hackers. (Reuters)

WORLD

TOMORROW’S OUTLOOK (20OCT)

END