ONS: 29 August 2012

by TRG Alerts Admin on August 29, 2012

KEY STORYLINES

AFRICA: The US Navy reported that piracy around the Horn of Africa dropped sharply in 2012.
AMERICAS: Colombian authorities arrested five suspects related to a bombing that targeted former interior minister Londono in May.
ASIA: In Pakistan, a clash in the northwest between Taliban militants and soldiers at a checkpoint killed at least 18.
EUROPE: Ukraine’s high court rejected an appeal by former PM Tymoshenko.
MIDDLE EAST: In Iran, UNSG Ban Ki-Moon is set to meet with Iran’s leaders in Tehran today, ahead of the NAM summit.
TECHNOLOGY: Amnesty International’s website was hacked by Syrian government supporters.

TOP STORY

Syria: Assad claimed upper hand for regime; pressure increased for refugee safe zone

President Assad stated his forces needed more time to win the battle against rebel groups but that the regime was gaining ground.
The UN warned the country’s refugee exodus was worsening, increasing pressure for the creation of a safe zone within Syria.
French FM Fabius stated establishing a safe area for refugees would require the implementation of a no-fly zone.
Coverage: AFP, Reuters, Al Jazeera, AFP

AFRICA

Region: The US Navy reported piracy around the Horn of Africa dropped sharply in 2012. (NYT)
Region: The US urged African nations to pool their air force assets in a NATO-style effort to take on terrorists and international criminals rather than struggle to fund costly independent operations. (Reuters)
Egypt: The military stated it would broaden its offensive against militants in the Sinai. (Reuters)
Libya: The interior minister stated the country would not risk an armed clash with hard-line Muslims responsible for a series of sectarian attacks. (Reuters)
Somalia: Diplomats and the country’s UN representative called on the new Parliamentary Speaker Jawari to hold presidential elections quickly. (AFP)

AMERICAS

Bolivia: Authorities seized two tons of uranium stashed in La Paz. (AFP)
Chile: Police clashed with student protesters demanding education reform in Santiago. (AFP)
Colombia: Authorities arrested five suspects related to a bombing that targeted former interior minister Londono in May. (EFE)
Guatemala: Drug enforcement agents seized 120 kilos of heroin that arrived in Guatemala from Mexico and France. (EFE)
Mexico: Officials revealed the two Americans shot south of Mexico City on Friday were CIA operatives involved in a training program for the Mexican Navy. (NYT)

ASIA

Region: Japan and North Korea held their first diplomatic talks in four years. (AP)
Afghanistan: A suicide bombing left five Afghan soldiers dead in the eastern part of the country. (AFP)
Afghanistan: A roadside bombing in Ghazni killed at least four civilians. (Xinhua)
Maldives: Officials increased security in Male ahead of Thursday’s release of a report on coup allegations by former President Nasheed. (Reuters)
Myanmar: President Sein granted amnesty to three staff from UN agencies and an international NGO, who were held for being involved in recent Rakhine unrest. (Xinhua)
Pakistan: A clash between Taliban militants and soldiers at a checkpoint in the country’s northwest killed at least 18. (Reuters)
Pakistan: A train bombing in Jacobabad killed at least two. (AFP)
Philippines: Authorities detained over 100 suspected of involvement in the 2009 massacre of 57 in Maguindanao. (AFP)

EUROPE

Georgia: Police battled a group of unidentified gunmen who crossed the country’s border from Russia’s restive Dagestan region. (AFP)
Greece: Coalition leaders debated proposed new austerity measures. (AP)
Italy: The government paid lower borrowing rates at a debt sale, indicative of greater investor confidence in either the country itself or an ECB intervention. (AP)
Russia: A suicide bombing in Dagestan killed a prominent Muslim cleric and five others. (AP)
Ukraine: The country’s high court rejected an appeal by former PM Tymoshenko. (Reuters)

MIDDLE EAST

Iran: UNSG Ban Ki-Moon is set to meet with Iran’s leaders in Tehran, ahead of Thursday’s NAM summit. (AFP)
Iran: The IAEA created a special Iran Task Force of nuclear weapons experts, intelligence analysts and other specialists focused on probing allegations that Tehran has been _ or is _ secretly working on developing atomic arms. (AP)
Iraq: A series of attacks on security officials killed at least five across the country, including a brigadier general. (AFP)
Yemen: Two suspected militants were killed by a drone strike in the eastern part of the country. (AP)

TECHNOLOGY AND COMMUNICATIONS

Cybersecurity: Amnesty International’s website was hacked by Syrian government supporters, briefly hosting a page indicating the group opposed support for Syrian rebels and accusing rebel groups of atrocities. (WaPo)
Web Browsers: Firefox released an updated version of its desktop web browser and a new Android app interface. (CNet)

WORLD

TOMORROW’S OUTLOOK (30AUG)

Iran: 16th Summit of the Non-Aligned Movement begins in Tehran.
Iran: Government offices close until 01SEP during the Non-Aligned Movement summit.
Kazakhstan: Anniversary of the adoption of the country’s constitution – 1995.
Philippines: National Heroes’ Day is celebrated.

END