KEY STORYLINES
- AFRICA: The Egyptian government requested $4.8 billion loan from the IMF.
- AMERICAS: Ecuador called on the UK to retract a threat to arrest Julian Assange.
- ASIA: North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un will reportedly attend the NAM meeting in Tehran on Sunday, his first state visit.
- EUROPE: Greek PM Samaras called for more time for the country to implement reforms and austerity measures.
- MIDDLE EAST: In northern Lebanon, the death toll from clashes between Sunnis and Alawites rose to at least 10.
- TECHNOLOGY: Jury deliberations will begin Wednesday in the patent case between Apple and Samsung.
TOP STORY
- Syria: Deputy PM in Russia hints at negotiated exit for Assad, fighting continues in Aleppo, Russia reported confident Syria not to cross “red line”
- During a visit to Russia, Deputy PM Jamil stated the government was prepared to discuss the exit of President Assad but it could not be a precondition for talks.
- Rebel groups claimed to have made gains in Aleppo as heavy fighting continued.
- The Russian foreign ministry was reported to be confident the Syrian government will not use chemical weapons, a day after US President Obama issued a warning that the use of such weapons would constitute a “red line” for intervention.
- Coverage: Reuters, Al Jazeera, BBC, NYT, AP
AFRICA
- Egypt: The government formally requested a $4.8 billion loan from the IMF. (Reuters)
- Mali: The newly formed unity government stated its top priority was regaining control over the northern part of the country. (AFP)
- Togo: Police dispersed opposition protests in Lome with tear gas and rubber bullets. (Reuters)
AMERICAS
- Colombia: Rebels bombed an electrical tower near the Venezuelan border, causing a large blackout. (Xinhua)
- Dominican Republic: Dominican and US authorities seized a ton of cocaine and arrested four. (Xinhua)
- Ecuador: The country called on the UK to retract a threat to arrest Julian Assange. (AFP)
- Mexico: Four members of the Gulf cartel were captured by marines in Nuevo Leon. (EFE)
ASIA
- Kazakhstan: A military helicopter crashed near Astana, killing four. (Xinhua)
- Korea, North: Analysts reported the country had made significant progress in construction of the Yongbyon nuclear reactor. (NYT)
- Korea, North: Kim Jong-Un will reportedly attend the NAM meeting in Tehran on Sunday, his first state visit as the country’s leader. (Telegraph)
- Pakistan: A US drone strike killed five militants in North Waziristan. (AP)
EUROPE
- Greece: PM Samaras called for more time for the country to implement reforms and austerity measures. (BBC)
- Russia: The country will formally enter the WTO on Wednesday. (NYT)
- Turkey: Protesters attacked a pro-Kurdish political party building in the southeastern part of the country. (Xinhua)
MIDDLE EAST
- Region: Israel asked Egypt to withdraw tanks from the Sinai peninsula, deployed as part of a crackdown on militants. (NYT)
- Lebanon: The death toll from clashes between Sunnis and Alawites in the northern part of the country rose to at least 10. (Reuters)
- Iran: President Ahmadinejad unveiled an upgraded version of the Fateh-110 ballistic missile. (AP)
TECHNOLOGY AND COMMUNICATIONS
- Smartphones: Jury deliberations will begin Wednesday in the patent case between Apple and Samsung. (AP)
WORLD
- Cyclones: Nothing to report
- Hurricanes: Tropical Storm Isaac
- Location: 345 miles E of Guadaloupe, Lesser Antilles
- Movement: W at 18 mph
- Winds: 40 mph
- Map
- Hurricanes: 90% chance of tropical cyclone formation
- Location: 650 miles WSW of Cape Verde
- Movement: WNW at 15 mph
- Map
- Earthquakes: Nothing to report
- Volcanoes: Tengurahua, Ecuador
- Local evacuations, spewing ash and smoke. (AP)
TOMORROW’S OUTLOOK (23AUG)
- Europe: French President Hollande meets with German Chancellor Merkel for euro talks in Berlin.
- Mexico: Anniversary of a migrant massacre, killing 72 – 2010.
END
