ONS: 19 September 2012

by TRG Alerts Admin on September 19, 2012

KEY STORYLINES

AFRICA: US Secretary Clinton denied that the US had been warned of an attack in Libya and said the US is taking “aggressive steps” to protect its embassies around the world.
AMERICAS: Colombian President Santos said alleged drug boss Daniel Barrera was arrested in Venezuela.
ASIA: The US temporarily closed its consulate in Medan due to ongoing protests over the anti-Islam film Innocence of Muslims.
EUROPE: The French government is to close its embassies and schools in approximately 20 countries due to fears of a hostile reaction to a magazine’s publication of cartoons of the Prophet Mohammed.
MIDDLE EAST: Israeli defense officials said the military is conducting its largest snap drill in years.
TECHNOLOGY: The US State Department’s top lawyer said that cyber-attacks can amount to armed attacks triggering the right of self defense and are subject to international laws of war.

TOP STORY

Rebels seized control of the Tal Abyan border crossing between Syria and Turkey.
The Iraqi government reopened a border crossing point with Syria near the city of al-Qaim.
The former head of Syria’s chemical arsenal said the regime plans to deploy chemical weapons against its own people “as a last resort”.
The FM of Iran arrived in Syria after proposing to send observers.
Coverage: AFP, AFP-2, Xinhua, AP, Reuters, NYT

AFRICA

Region: US Secretary Clinton denied that the US had been warned of an attack in Libya and said the US is taking “aggressive steps” to protect its embassies around the world. (AFP)
Ethiopia: Acting PM Desalegn will be formally sworn into office on 21SEP. (AFP)
South Africa: Lonmin platinum mine workers ended their strike after a nearly six-week standoff that claimed 45 lives. (AFP)
Sudan: Germany sent a senior diplomat to Sudan to discuss “conditions” for bilateral ties. (AFP)

AMERICAS

Colombia: President Santos said alleged drug boss Daniel Barrera was arrested in Venezuela. (AFP)
Mexico: Officials said they suspect the Zetas drug cartel orchestrated the mass tunnel escape inmates at a northern Mexico border prison. Officials said they found three of the escaped inmates. (AFP, AP)
Venezuela: The campaign of presidential candidate Capriles highlighted problems with Colombian rebels or other armed groups in areas near dozens of polling centers. (AP)

ASIA

Afghanistan: At least 1,000 protesters blocked a key road to Kabul in the latest demonstrations against the anti-Islam film Innocence of Muslims. (AFP)
India: The military test fired the nuclear-capable Agni-IV missile from a defense base in Odisha. (Xinhua)
Indonesia: The US temporarily closed its consulate in Medan due to ongoing protests over the anti-Islam film Innocence of Muslims. (AP)
Japan: The websites of at least 19 Japanese public and other institutions came under cyber attack. (Kyodo)
Kyrgyzstan: The Kyrgyz authorities blocked Internet access to the film Innocence of Muslims. (Itar-Tass)

EUROPE

Belarus: On 23SEP Belarus will elect a new parliament in polls largely boycotted by the opposition. (AFP)
France: The government is to close its embassies and schools in around 20 countries because of fears of a hostile reaction to a magazine’s publication of cartoons of the Prophet Mohammed. (AFP)
Russia: The foreign ministry accused the US of using its aid mission in Moscow to try to influence Russian politics and the outcome of elections. (Reuters)
Russia: Security forces killed five militants in Ingushetia. (Reuters)

MIDDLE EAST

Region: President Obama said he expected governments in the Muslim world to protect American diplomats. (AFP)
Iran: The EU said a meeting between foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton and Iran’s top nuclear negotiator Saeed Jalili was “useful and constructive.” (AP)
Israel: Defense officials said the military is conducting its largest snap drill in years. (AP)
Saudi Arabia: King Abdullah ordered the blocking of all websites with access to the anti-Islam film Innocence of Muslims. (AP)

TECHNOLOGY AND COMMUNICATIONS

Cybersecurity: The US State Department’s top lawyer said that cyberattacks can amount to armed attacks triggering the right of self defense and are subject to international laws of war. (WaPo)

WORLD

TOMORROW’S OUTLOOK (20SEP)

END