KEY STORYLINES
- AFRICA: Human Rights Watch released a report which claimed that in northern Mali radical Islamists are carrying out amputations and executions to spread fear.
- AMERICAS: The Colombian ELN guerrillas criticized the outline designed by the Colombian government and the FARC to undertake peace negotiations.
- ASIA: New satellite imagery showed that the DPRK has halted work at a launch pad capable of testing intercontinental missiles.
- EUROPE: Turkish PM Erdogan invited Iraqi PM al-Maliki to visit Ankara.
- MIDDLE EAST: Militants in Iraq carried out a series of attacks against security forces killing seven police and soldiers and wounding 11.
- TECHNOLOGY: YouTube announced that it is integrating the YouTube Video Manager with the Google Translator Toolkit.
TOP STORY
- Syria: Increased violence near Damascus.
- The FSA reported that Syrian rebel commander Colonel Saadeddine escaped an assassination attempt by pro-regime forces.
- Bombs planted by rebels exploded at a school building occupied by security forces and pro-government militias in Damascus.
- Rebels said they expected high casualties from the blast but they did not give any confirmed reports of deaths.
- The SNC issued a statement guaranteeing no vengeance attacks would be carried out against the Alawite sect.
- Syrian mortar rounds, apparently fired during fighting between government forces and rebels, fell in Israeli-held territory but caused no casualties.
- Coverage: AFP, AFP-2, AFP-3, Reuters, Xinhua, AP
AFRICA
- Libya: US President Obama said that the attack on the US consulate in Benghazi was clearly more than a “mob action.” (AFP)
- Mali: A former colonel in the Movement for the Liberation of the Azawad announced that he was leaving the Tuareg rebel group because its goal of independence is unrealistic. (AP)
- Mali: Human Rights Watch released a report which claimed that radical Islamists are carrying out amputations and executions to spread fear in northern Mali. (AP)
- Nigeria: The military said it killed 35 members of Boko Haram in an all-night clash in Damaturu. (Reuters)
AMERICAS
- Colombia: The Commander of the Army said during the peace process the FARC should be asked about the whereabouts of 60 missing soldiers. (DPA)
- Colombia: The ELN guerrillas criticized the outline designed by the Colombian government and the FARC to undertake peace negotiations. (AFP)
- Colombia: Authorities dismantled two printers, one apparently belonging to the FARC, that were used to forge foreign currency. (EFE)
- Mexico: A new report by the National Human Rights Commission suggest that gangs control about 60 percent of Mexico’s prisons. (AP)
ASIA
- Afghanistan: The ROK’s Cabinet endorsed a plan to extend the deployment of some of its troops tasked with protecting aid workers in Afghanistan. (Xinhua)
- Kazakhstan: President Nazarbayev said that Kazakhstan will form a new government within ten days. (Interfax)
- Korea, North: A rare session of the DPRK’s parliament ended with no mention of limited economic reforms. (AFP)
- Korea, North: New satellite imagery showed that the DPRK has halted work at a launch pad capable of testing intercontinental missiles. (AFP)
- Korea, South: The ROK refused to allow a Japanese warship to dock at its port during a joint naval exercise. (AFP)
EUROPE
- Belarus: Election officials said all but one of the 110 races for parliament had been decided, with the opposition failing to win any seats. (AP)
- Georgia: The PM warned against unrest at next week’s legislative elections after a scandal over jail torture. (AFP)
- Georgia: The government accused the opposition of attempting to bribe police officers amid a prison abuse scandal. (AP)
- Turkey: PM Erdogan invited Iraqi PM al-Maliki to visit Ankara. (AFP)
MIDDLE EAST
- Iran: The military test-fired four missiles during a military drill in the Strait of Hormuz. (AP)
- Iraq: Militants carried out a series of attacks against Iraqi security forces killing seven and wounding 11. (AFP)
- Israel: Security forces and police are on high alert ahead of the Day of Atonement holiday. (DPA)
- Yemen: Gunmen killed a senior intelligence official in Sanaa. (Reuters)
TECHNOLOGY AND COMMUNICATIONS
- Communications: YouTube announced that it is integrating the YouTube Video Manager with the Google Translator Toolkit. (TechCrunch)
WORLD
- Cyclones: Tropical Storm 19W (Ewiniar)
- Location: 195 NM SW of Iwo TO, Japan
- Movement: N at 11 mph
- Winds: 46 mph
- Map
- Cyclones: Super Typhoon 18W (Jelawat)
- Location: 390 NM ENE of Manila, Philippines
- Movement: NNW at 9 mph
- Winds: 161 mph
- Map
- Hurricanes (Atlantic): Tropical Storm Nadine
- Location: 415 miles SSW of the Azores
- Movement: 6 mph
- Winds: 45 mph
- Map
- Hurricanes (Pacific): Hurricane Miriam
- Location: 400 SW of the southern tip of Baja California
- Movement: NW at 6 mph
- Winds: 105 mph
- Map
- Earthquakes: Nothing to report.
- Volcanoes: Nothing to report.
TOMORROW’S OUTLOOK (26SEP)
- Asia: UK and China agree to Hong Kong handover – 1984.
- Pakistan: Pakistani President Zardari hosts a Quadrilateral Summit in Islamabad with Afghanistan, Tajikistan and the Russian Federation.
END
