ONS: 04 September 2012

By TRG Alerts Admin

KEY STORYLINES

AFRICA: In Egypt, gunmen attacked an army post in the Sinai Peninsula a day after tanks were withdrawn from the area.
AMERICAS: In Colombia, the leader of the FARC said the group will enter into peace talks with President Santos’s administration in Havana “without grudges or arrogance.”
ASIA: NATO SG Rasmussen said the surge in attacks in Afghanistan against NATO-led foreign troops will not cause an early withdrawal.
EUROPE: NATO SG Rasmussen is scheduled to visit Georgia on 06SEP.
MIDDLE EAST: Hezbollah said Iran could strike US bases in the Middle East in response to any Israeli strike on its nuclear facilities.
TECHNOLOGY: A founder of the popular file-sharing website Pirate Bay was arrested in Cambodia at the request of Sweden, where he faces a one-year prison term for violating copyright laws.

TOP STORY

China: US Secretary Clinton in Beijing for South China Sea talks; Sino-Indian military exercises, DPRK nuclear program.

Secretary Clinton heads to Beijing after talks in Indonesia as she voiced hope for progress in managing soaring tensions in the South China Sea.
China’s state media warned the US to stop pursuing policies aimed at stemming Beijing’s growing political influence.
Indian DM Antony announced joint military exercises between India and China will be resumed.
The ROK’s top nuclear envoy will visit China this week to discuss ways to resume nuclear disarmament talks on the DPRK.
Philippine officials praised US Secretary Clinton’s call for a peaceful resolution of territorial disputes in the South China Sea.
Coverage: AFP, AFP-2, AFP-3, Xinhua, Reuters

AFRICA

Burundi: An ex-leader of the former rebel National Liberation Forces claimed responsibility for a weekend attack near the capital and announced the creation of a new FNL faction. (AFP)
Chad: FPR rebel chief Abdel Kader Baba Ladde surrendered to the Central African army. (AFP)
Egypt: Two sailors were killed and two others wounded when Tunisian coastguards fired on an Egyptian fishing flotilla off the Kerkennah islands. (Xinhua)
Egypt: Gunmen attacked an army post in the Sinai Peninsula a day after tanks were withdrawn from the area. (DPA)

AMERICAS

Bolivia: A massive stash of what was believed to be weapons-grade uranium found in La Paz was found to contain just 68 grams of the radioactive material. (AFP)
Colombia: DM Pinzon said authorities killed at least seven members of the FARC. (Xinhua)
Colombia: The leader of the FARC said the group will enter into peace talks with President Santos’s administration in Havana “without grudges or arrogance.” (EFE)
Colombia: Drug trafficker Griselda Blanco was shot and killed in Medellin. (BBC)
Venezuela: Investigators found no evidence of an alleged massacre of as many as 80 people from the Yanomami indigenous group by illegal Brazilian gold miners. (AFP)

ASIA

Afghanistan: At least seven civilians were injured in two successive blasts in Lashkar Gah. (Xinhua)
Afghanistan: NATO SG Rasmussen said the surge in attacks against NATO-led foreign troops will not cause an early withdrawal. (Reuters)
Philippines: The government said the peace talks with the MILF could enter the “final, crucial stages of negotiations.” (Xinhua)
Philippines: Police implemented tighter security in public places and more intense street patrols following the discovery of bomb parts in Manila’s tourist district. (AP)

EUROPE

Region: Four Bulgarians were arrested off Spain’s Canary Islands with close to 1,100 pounds of cocaine. (AFP)
Georgia: NATO SG Rasmussen is scheduled to visit Tbilisi on 06SEP to see off Georgian troops deployed to Afghanistan. (Xinhua)
Serbia: PM Dacic insisted the new government is committed to joining the EU and normalizing relations with its foe Kosovo. (DPA)
Ukraine: President Yanukovych called for more efforts to promote press freedom throughout the country. (Xinhua)
United Kingdom: Fifteen Northern Irish police officers were injured during a second consecutive night of sectarian rioting in north Belfast. (AFP)
United Kingdom: PM Cameron began major government and cabinet changes. (AP)

MIDDLE EAST

Bahrain: A court upheld jail terms against 13 leading opposition figures over charges of plotting to overthrow the monarchy. (AFP)
Iran: Hezbollah said Iran could strike US bases in the Middle East in response to any Israeli strike on its nuclear facilities. (Reuters)
Lebanon: PM Mikati said Beirut will urgently protest to Damascus over Syria’s violations of its territory, warning of “negative repercussions” on the stability of the border areas. (AFP)
Syria: Red Cross chief Maurer held positive talks with President Assad on ways to get humanitarian aid to Syrians caught up in the civil war. (Reuters)
Yemen: Hundreds of Yemenis rallied in Hadramout against US drone strikes in the country. (Xinhua)
Yemen: Unknown assailants blew up a gas pipeline just days after it was repaired from previous sabotage. (AFP)

TECHNOLOGY AND COMMUNICATIONS

Communications: A founder of the popular file-sharing website Pirate Bay was arrested in Cambodia at the request of Sweden, where he faces a one-year prison term for violating copyright laws. (AP)

WORLD

The mountain is spewing volcanic ash and affecting the downtown area of Bandar Lampung. (Xinhua)

TOMORROW’S OUTLOOK (05SEP)

Chile: Anniversary of the Seguro Obrero massacre – 1938.
Pakistan: Anniversary of PanAm Flight 73 hijacked at Karachi International Airport – 1986.
Pakistan: Lahore High Court orders President Zardari to stop political activity.

END