ONS: 30 January 2012

by TRG Alerts Admin on January 30, 2012

KEY STORYLINES

AFRICA: AU leaders failed to choose a new chairman for the executive Commission.
AMERICAS: Colombian President Santos said that he would consider legalizing drugs.
ASIA: Afghan officials plan to meet Taliban representatives in Saudi Arabia.
EUROPE: EU leaders are to sign off on a permanent rescue fund for the euro zone.
MIDDLE EAST: Iran said it will unveil a new domestically-built unmanned aerial vehicle.
TECHNOLOGY: Hackers supporting Syrian President al-Assad attacked al Jazeera’s English website.

TOP STORY

Government troops regained control of Damascus suburbs captured by rebels.
The suburbs mark the closest point to the capital the rebels have controlled.
Activists called the violence the most intense since the beginning of the uprising.
Government media blamed ‘terrorists’ on the detonation of a pipeline that supplies Homs.
Coverage: Reuters, AP, AP-2, Telegraph, Bloomberg

AFRICA

Region: AU leaders failed to choose a new chairman for the executive Commission. (AFP)
Nigeria: Gunmen attacked a police station in Kano for the second time in three days. (AFP)
Somalia: Ethiopian troops entered to support the fighting against al-Shebab. (AFP)
Sudan: The military freed 14 Chinese workers ‘kidnapped’ by rebels in South Kordofan state. (AFP)

AMERICAS

Colombia: President Santos said he would legalize drugs in Colombia if that decision is accepted by the rest of the world. (EFE)
Cuba: President Castro ratified the Cuban Communist Party (PCC) as the only legal political organization on the island. (DPA)
Venezuela: President Chavez said he would consider nationalizing banks that refuse to finance government promoted agricultural projects. (AP)

ASIA

Afghanistan: Government officials plan to meet Taliban representatives in Saudi Arabia. (WSJ)
India: The government said it will not cut back on oil imports from Iran despite new US and EU sanctions. (AP)
Korea, South: The finance minister called for more time to diversify oil sources amid pressure to join US-led sanctions on Iran. (AFP)
Papua New Guinea: Rebel soldiers surrendered their weapons to the government amid promises of general amnesty. (Xinhua)

EUROPE

Region: EU leaders are to sign off on a permanent rescue fund for the euro zone. (Reuters)
Belgium: A national strike called by unions in protest of EU-ordered austerity measures halted public services. (AFP)
Greece: The Finance Minister rejected a proposal from Germany for the EU to take control over its financial decisions. (AFP)
Turkey: Foreign Ministry officials denied claims that the country provided funds to Hamas. (Xinhua)

MIDDLE EAST

Iran: Defense Minister Vahidi said Iran will unveil a new domestically-built unmanned aerial vehicle. (Xinhua)
Iran: Foreign Minister Saleh said the visiting IAEA delegation can choose to extend its stay beyond the three days. (AFP)
Iraq: The Obama administration is preparing to begin talks with Iraq on defining a long-term defense relationship. (AP)
Palestinian Territories: President Abbas convened the central committee of the Fatah movement to discuss contacts with Israel. (AFP)

TECHNOLOGY AND COMMUNICATIONS

Cyber attacks: Hackers supporting Syrian President al-Assad attacked and defaced the al Jazeera English website. (Ars Technica)
Social media: Twitter stated the policy of withholding tweets in certain countries based on legal requests would not apply to re-tweets. (TPM IdeaLab)

WORLD

TOMORROW’S OUTLOOK (31JAN)

Myanmar: Parliament set to hold third session of both houses.
Russia: US Special Representative for North Korea Policy Davies visits Moscow to deepen cooperation.
South Korea: US Assistant Secretary of State Campbell visits South Korea to discuss various issues.
Syria: Arab League Chief Elaraby and Qatari PM al Thani visit Syria.
United States: Republican Party primary held in Florida.

END