ONS: 06 December 2013

By TRG Alerts Admin

KEY STORYLINES

AFRICA: South African President Zuma reported that Nelson Mandela had died.
AMERICAS: US President Obama defended the NSA, saying it does a very good job of not engaging in domestic surveillance.
ASIA: US VP Biden held talks with South Korean President Park Geun-Hye on China’s ADIZ and North Korea.
EUROPE: Russian PM Medvedev called participation by foreign officials in the political events unfolding in Ukraine “interference.”
MIDDLE EAST: AQAP claimed an attack on the Yemeni Defense Ministry that killed 52 people and said the facility contained drone control rooms and American experts.
TECHNOLOGY: Microsoft is joining the movement to encrypt traffic that flows across its networks, citing “serious concerns” about government surveillance.

TOP STORY

French DM Drian said military operations in the country began overnight with patrols and a helicopter detachment arriving to quell violence in Bangui.
The French deployment, along with that of African forces, was unanimously approved by the UNSC.
The UNSC also voted to impose an arms embargo on the Central African Republic.
PM Tiangaye called on the French military to play a “primary role” in ending violence in his country, saying the effort could take a year.
US UN AMB Power said the US government was “deeply disturbed” by ongoing reports of violence in the country.
Coverage: AP, CNN, NYT, WSJ

AFRICA

Egypt: Ousted President Morsi’s family and defense team said they were denied permission to visit him at Borg al-Arab Prison. (UPI)
Libya: Ethnic minority protesters announced they were ending blockades of fuel deliveries to power stations in the west and south of the country. (AFP)
South Africa: Parliament voiced support for the introduction of a limited and regulated trade mechanism for rhino horns. (Xinhua)
South Africa: President Zuma reported that Nelson Mandela had died. (BBC)

AMERICAS

Region: The CDC reported that a resurgence of measles in Europe caused a spike in cases in the US. (AFP)
Region: Paraguayan President Cartes signed a protocol to admit Venezuela to the Southern Common Market (Mercosur). (Xinhua)
Nicaragua: A rare shootout between police and an armed group has increased concerns that guerrillas are forming to challenge President Ortega’s government. (AP)
United States: President Obama defended the NSA, saying it does a very good job of not engaging in domestic surveillance. (AP)

ASIA

China: Premier Li Keqiang held talks with French PM Ayrault. (Xinhua)
Korea, North: A close associate of the uncle of Kim Jong Un is seeking asylum in South Korea. (Reuters)
Korea, South: US VP Biden held talks with South Korean President Park Geun-Hye on China’s ADIZ and North Korea. (AFP)
Philippines: Moro Islamic Liberation Front rebels killed one man in a raid on a police station to free two arrested comrades, despite a ceasefire and peace talks. (AFP)
Thailand: Opposition protesters prepared to relaunch their campaign to overthrow the government after a temporary truce. (AFP)

EUROPE

Russia: PM Medvedev called participation by foreign officials in the political events unfolding in Ukraine “interference.” (Reuters)
Ukraine: Former PM Timoshenko urged Ukrainians to take power from the government in coordination with the opposition. (Itar-Tass)
United Kingdom: Gunmen believed to be dissident Republicans fired at three Police vehicles in Belfast. (UPI)

MIDDLE EAST

Iran: Russian FM Lavrov will visit Tehran 10DEC to 11DEC to discuss bilateral relations and the country’s nuclear program. (AFP)
Israel: US Secretary Kerry met with PM Netanyahu for the third time in 24 hours for talks focused on security. (AFP)
Yemen: AQAP claimed an attack on the Defense Ministry that killed 52 people and said the facility contained drone control rooms and American experts. (AFP)

TECHNOLOGY AND COMMUNICATIONS

Cybersecurity: Microsoft is joining the movement to encrypt traffic that flows across its networks, citing “serious concerns” about government surveillance. (AFP)

WORLD

Cases: Global Number of Cases as of 02DEC: 163 (Saudi Arabia, Tunisia, Italy, France, Germany, Jordan, Oman, Qatar, UAE, United Kingdom)
Deaths: Global Number of Deaths as of 02DEC: 70 (Saudi Arabia, France, Qatar, United Kingdom, UAE)
Sourcing: WHO, WHO-2

TOMORROW’S OUTLOOK (07DEC)

Afghanistan: Anniversary of President Karzai sworn in as first popularly elected president – 2004
Central African Republic: Paris will host a mini-summit on the crisis in the CAR, with UN chief Ban Ki-moon and neighboring African countries set to attend
Mauritania: Second round of legislative elections
Pakistan: Anniversary of civil war breaking out in wake of Yahya Khan’s suspension of government – 1970
United States: Anniversary of attack on Pearl Harbor – 1941

END