KEY STORYLINES
- AFRICA: Ethiopian deputy PM Desalegn will take over interim power following the death of PM Zenawi.
- AMERICAS: US and Panamanian authorities seized approximately two tons of cocaine chloride in two operations coordinated by the Colombian navy.
- ASIA: The Japanese government said it was considering taking measures beyond diplomatic action in its feud with the ROK over a group of disputed islands.
- EUROPE: German GEN Halbauer will be the next commander of the NATO peacekeeping mission in Kosovo.
- MIDDLE EAST: Syrian government forces stormed a rebel-held town outside of Damascus, killing at least 23 fighters.
- TECHNOLOGY: The Defense Information Systems Agency announced it had passed the half-million user milestone for the Department of Defense Enterprise E-mail program.
TOP STORY
- Afghanistan: President Obama expresses concern at increase of attacks on NATO troops by Afghan forces.
- President Barack Obama said the US was watching with “deep concern” an increase in attacks on US troops by insiders in Afghan uniform.
- President Obama emphasized that Afghan security forces must be trained to take over from withdrawing US and NATO troops.
- Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff GEN Dempsey said Afghan leaders appear ready to take decisive action to curb unprecedented “insider attacks.”
- Two insurgent rockets struck Bagram air field overnight, with one causing damage to the C-17 used by GEN Dempsey.
- Coverage: Reuters, BBC, AFP, AP, WSJ
AFRICA
- Algeria: The army arrested three militants, including a senior member of AQIM. (Xinhua)
- DR Congo: The government rejected a proposal by an NGO that Angola, Zimbabwe and Namibia be excluded from an international neutral force. (Xinhua)
- Ethiopia: Deputy PM Desalegn will take over interim power following the death of PM Zenawi. (AFP)
- Mali: The new 31 member national unity government was made public. (Xinhua)
- Somalia: UNSG Ban called on the new parliament in Somalia to proceed promptly with the selection of a new federal president. (DPA)
AMERICAS
- Region: US and Panamanian authorities seized approximately two tons of cocaine chloride in two operations coordinated by the Colombian navy. (EFE)
- Region: Colombian FM Holguín and Mexican FM Espinosa agreed to strengthen their fight against drug trafficking and organized crime. (EFE)
- Ecuador: Hundreds of Ecuadorians rallied outside the presidential palace to support President Correa’s decision to grant political asylum to Assange. (Reuters)
- Mexico: Police found the bodies of two photographers inside an abandoned vehicle in Michoacan. (EFE)
ASIA
- Japan: The government said it was considering taking measures beyond diplomatic action in its feud with the ROK over a group of disputed islands. (Reuters)
- Kyrgyzstan: Security forces killed a fugitive border guard suspected of killing five people at a frontier post. (Reuters)
- Pakistan: One civilian was killed and 12 others injured by a car bomb targeting a paramilitary convoy in Quetta. (AFP)
- Philippines: Divers recovered the body of the interior minister from the wreckage of a light aircraft that crashed into the sea. (Reuters)
- Taiwan: President Ma Ying-jeou said Taiwan would not support China against Japan in its island territorial dispute. (AFP)
EUROPE
- Belarus: The president named a new foreign minister in an effort to improve relations with the EU and US. (AP)
- Kosovo: German GEN Halbauer will be the next commander of the NATO peacekeeping mission in Kosovo. (DPA)
- Russia: One serviceman was killed in an attack on an observation post in Dagestan. (Itar-Tass)
- Turkey: The PKK said they were not responsible for a car bomb that killed nine people in Gaziantep. (Reuters)
- Ukraine: The opposition party announced the first stage of impeachment of President Yanukovich for crimes against the Ukrainian people. (Itar-Tass)
MIDDLE EAST
- Israel: The Israeli media reported that premier Netanyahu sent an aide to meet the spiritual leader of ultra-orthodox Shas party to win his backing for an attack on Iran. (AFP)
- Lebanon: Clashes between pro- and anti-Damascus regime supporters in Tripoli left 23 people wounded. (AFP)
- Syria: Government forces stormed a rebel-held town outside of Damascus, killing at least 23 fighters. (AP)
- Syria: The US reiterated its position that Syrian President Assad should step down. (AFP)
- Yemen: Unidentified militants blew up a pipeline pumping liquefied gas to Belhaf export terminal, causing a complete halt in operations. (AFP)
TECHNOLOGY AND COMMUNICATIONS
- Communications: The Defense Information Systems Agency announced it had passed the half-million user milestone for the Department of Defense Enterprise E-mail program. (Ars Technica)
WORLD
- Cyclones: Tropical Storm 16W (Bolaven)
- Location: 390 NM S of Iwo To, Japan
- Movement: WNW at 4 mph
- Winds: 63 mph
- Map
- Cyclones: Typhoon 15W (Tembin)
- Location: 325 NM SE of Taipei, Taiwan
- Movement: N at 9 mph
- Winds: 126 mph
- Map
- Hurricanes (Atlantic): Tropical Depression Nine
- Location: 725 miles E of The Lesser Antilles
- Movement: W at 20 mph
- Winds: 35 mph
- Map
- Hurricanes (Atlantic): 50% of tropical cyclone formation
- Location: 380 miles SW of The Cape Verde Islands
- Movement: W at 15 mph
- Map
- Earthquakes: Nothing to report.
- Volcanoes: Cleveland Volcano, Alaska
- Small ash eruption (AP)
TOMORROW’S OUTLOOK (22AUG)
- Asia: Japan signs a treaty to annex Korea – 1910.
- Europe: Jean-Claude Juncker, the head of the Eurogroup, visits Athens.
- Colombia: President Santos welcomes experts to a forum to discuss reforming the Inter-American Human Rights Commission (IAHRC).
- Denmark: Anonymous hacked into Danish databases – 2011.
- Egypt: IMF head Christine LaGarde visits Cairo to discuss a $3.2 billion loan for the country.
- Turkmenistan: Declaration of State Sovereignty is celebrated – 1990.
END
