ONS: 27 January 2012

by TRG Alerts Admin on January 27, 2012

KEY STORYLINES

AFRICA: Mali said Al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb is aiding Tuareg rebels.
AMERICAS: The Cuban Communist Party will meet to consider reforms.
ASIA: Afghan President Karzai will meet with French President Sarkozy.
EUROPE: Russian Deputy FM Ryabkov rejected unilateral concessions in missile talks.
MIDDLE EAST: The UNSC plans to discuss the Syrian crisis.
TECHNOLOGY: Twitter will censor tweets in certain countries.

TOP STORY

The explosion killed 29 and injured 60.
The vehicle detonated near a passing Shi’ite funeral procession in the Zaafaraniya neighborhood.
Iraqi authorities blamed Sunni Islamist insurgents.
No group has claimed responsibility.
Coverage: Xinhua, Reuters, BBC, AFP, AP

AFRICA

Egypt: El Baradei proposed a new political timetable. (AFP)
Egypt: Protesters headed to Cairo’s Tahrir Square for a mass rally. (AFP)
Mali: The Defence Ministry alleged that Al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb has aided Tuareg rebels. (AFP)
Nigeria: The leader of Boko Haram Shekau issued new threats in a YouTube message. (AFP)
Senegal: The government said it would allow a banned protest planned by opposition parties. (AFP)

AMERICAS

Colombia: Interior Minister Lleras rejected a possible mediation led by Brazil or Venezuela to discuss kidnapping negotiations with the FARC. (DPA)
Cuba: The Communist Party will hold a National Congress meeting to consider reforms. (AFP)
Cuba: The military announced it would conduct large scale maneuvers in November. (AFP)

ASIA

Afghanistan: Twenty militants surrendered to the government in Baghlan. (Xinhua)
Afghanistan: President Karzai will meet with French President Sarkozy to discuss post-2014 troop involvement. (Reuters)
Korean Peninsula: The US and South Korea will start two major annual joint military exercises in February and March. (AFP)
Pakistan: A military academy in Abbottabad was targeted by nine rockets. (AP)

EUROPE

Belarus: The United States is open to improving relations with Belarus provided there is progress with human rights and democracy. (Interfax)
Russia: Police killed three militants associated with Basayev in Ingueshetia. (Itar-Tass)
Russia: Deputy FM Ryabkov rejected the possibility of unilateral concessions in missile defense dialogue. (Interfax)

MIDDLE EAST

Region: Israeli Defense Minister Barak said the world must stop Iran’s nuclear progress before it reaches the immunity zone. (AP)
Iran: US officials called on Iran to formally reply to the EU’s letter offering talks. (AFP)
Syria: The UNSC will discuss the Syrian crisis. (Reuters)
Syria: Saudi Arabia will recognise the Syrian National Council as the “official representative” of the people. (AFP)
Yemen: Army defectors captured the intelligence chief of the elite Republican Guards. (Xinhua)

TECHNOLOGY AND COMMUNICATIONS

Cybersecurity: Israeli hackers called the “Israel Defense Force Team” said they attacked Iranian sites. (AFP)
Social media: Twitter will censor tweets in certain countries, yet these messages will be visible to the rest of the world.. (ReadWriteWeb)

WORLD

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