ONS: 15 July 2014

By TRG Alerts Admin

KEY STORYLINES

AFRICA: The Libyan government said it was considering calling for international forces to help re-establish security after deadly clashes closed Tripoli airport.
AMERICAS: Mexican President Nieto enacted a law that aims to open up the country’s telecommunications industry to competition.
ASIA: An Afghan suicide bomber drove an explosives-laden car into a market killing at least 25 people and wounding around 50 others.
EUROPE: The US accused Moscow of providing pro-Russian separatists in Ukraine with military equipment such as tanks and rocket launchers.
MIDDLE EAST: Iraqi security forces advanced into militant-held Tikrit in an assault aimed at revitalizing efforts to retake the city.
TECHNOLOGY: Eight social media activists in Iran were sentenced to a total of 127 years in prison after they criticized the country’s government on Facebook.

TOP STORY

Hamas rejected an Egyptian proposal for a cease-fire with Israel, moments after the Israeli Cabinet accepted the plan.
PM Netanyahu warned that Israel will expand its military campaign in the Gaza Strip if Hamas refuses to accept the ceasefire plan.
A Gaza rocket struck the southern port city of Ashdod.
Hamas said it had closed the Erez border crossing due to Israeli shelling, stranding a group of Palestinians planning to cross for medical treatment.
US Secretary Kerry urged Hamas to accept Egypt’s ceasefire proposal.
Coverage: AFP, AFP-2, AFP-3, AFP-4, AP, AP-2, NYT

AFRICA

Egypt: The US invited the country to an African leaders summit in Washington next month, after initially barring Cairo following the military coup. (AFP)
Libya: The government said it was considering calling for international forces to help re-establish security after deadly clashes closed Tripoli airport. (AFP)
Mali: A French legionnaire was killed during a reconnaissance mission in the Al-Moustarat region. (AFP)
Nigeria: At least 38 people were killed following a raid by suspected Islamist Boko Haram gunmen on a village in the northeast and a military aerial bombardment of fleeing residents mistaken for insurgents. (AFP)

AMERICAS

Bolivia: The vice president of the ruling party said President Morales will run for re-election in October. (Reuters)
Brazil: President Rousseff told her Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin that Brasilia was interested in obtaining air defenses from Moscow and cooperating on nuclear energy. (AFP)
Mexico: President Nieto enacted a law that aims to open up the country’s telecommunications industry to competition. (AFP)

ASIA

Region: Indian PM Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping agreed on the need to resolve a decades-old border dispute during talks before the BRICS summit in Brazil. (AFP)
Afghanistan: A suicide bomber drove an explosives-laden car into a market killing at least 25 people and wounding around 50 others. (AFP)
Cambodia: Police fired tear gas to disperse demonstrators demanding authorities reopen the country’s main protest venue. (AFP)
Japan: Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida is to leave on a visit intended to show support for Ukraine. (AFP)
Korean Peninsula: South Korea announced state funding for humanitarian projects in North Korea for the first time since Seoul imposed economic sanctions four years ago. (AFP)

EUROPE

Region: Jean-Claude Juncker called for a 300-billion-euro investment plan for Europe as he laid out his vision for the future if elected by parliament as the head of the EU executive. (AFP)
Region: Lithuania said it would oppose Italian FM Mogherini’s bid to become EU foreign policy chief. (AFP)
Ukraine: The US accused Moscow of providing pro-Russian separatists with military equipment such as tanks and rocket launchers. (AFP)
United Kingdom: PM Cameron announced that eurosceptic Philip Hammond will become new foreign secretary, replacing William Hague. (AFP)

MIDDLE EAST

Iran: FM Zarif said the country is offering to hold off from expanding its uranium enrichment program for about seven years in negotiations with world powers. (NYT)
Iraq: Security forces advanced into militant-held Tikrit in an assault aimed at revitalizing efforts to retake the city. (AFP)
Iraq: Lawmakers elected Sunni lawmaker Salim al-Jubouri as speaker of the parliament. (AP)
Kuwait: The opposition condemned a government decision to “revoke” the citizenship of nationals deemed to pose a risk to national security and called on the government to resign. (AFP)

TECHNOLOGY AND COMMUNICATIONS

Communications: Eight social media activists in Iran were sentenced to a total of 127 years in prison after they criticized the country’s government on Facebook. (The Independent)

WORLD

Cases: Global Number of Cases as of 14JUL: 834 (Saudi Arabia, Tunisia, Italy, Iran, France, Germany, Jordan, Oman, Qatar, UAE, United Kingdom, Egypt, US, Yemen)
Deaths: Global Number of Deaths as of 14JUL: 288 (Saudi Arabia, France, Qatar, United Kingdom, UAE, Oman)
Sourcing: WHO, WHO-2

TOMORROW’S OUTLOOK (16JUL)

Balkans: European Union will host a donors’ conference to raise money for the Balkans affected by floods
Europe Region: European Union to hold special meeting over Commission president
Mali: Gov’t to meet northern Tuareg rebels in Algiers
Iraq: Anniversary of Saddam Hussein taking over as president of Iraq – 1979
Philippines: Asian Defense and Security exhibit
South Korea & Japan: Discussion in Japan regarding issues on North Korea (to 21JUL)

END