ONS: 23 July 2013

By TRG Alerts Admin

KEY STORYLINES

AFRICA: Egyptian media said six people were killed in Cairo when violence erupted at a sit-in of supporters of deposed President Morsi.
AMERICAS: Brazilian police used tear gas and water cannons to disperse hundreds of protesters amid Pope Francis’ visit with President Rousseff.
ASIA: Afghan officials said a suicide bomber rode a donkey into a NATO convoy, killing three soldiers and an Afghan interpreter.
EUROPE: Turkish Deputy PM Arinc said Abdullah Ocalan, jailed leader of the Kurdish Workers Party (PKK), would not be allowed to hold a press conference.
MIDDLE EAST: Iranian FM Salehi announced his government strongly denounced the EU’s decision to blacklist Hezbollah’s armed wing as a terrorist group.
TECHNOLOGY: The global economy loses between USD100 billion and USD500 billion annually to cyber-crime.

TOP STORY

Syria: Government troops intensified operations against rebels in Damascus.
- UN-AL Peace Envoy Brahimi said he was pressing on with plans for a peace conference, though date remains undetermined
- The opposition movement welcomed the EU decision to blacklist Hezbollah’s military wing and said its leaders should be put on trial
- The Pentagon provided the US Congress with a list of military options for possible intervention in Syria
- Coverage: WSJ, AFP, AFP-1, NYT

AFRICA

Egypt: State media said six people were killed in Cairo when violence erupted at a sit-in of supporters of deposed President Morsi. (Reuters)
Libya: The Ukrainian FM handed a note to the Charge d’Affaires Asbei demanding freeing of the 19 Ukrainian crewmembers reportedly captured in Benghazi. (Interfax)
Nigeria: The Army said Boko Haram was responsible for an attack that killed a girl and a policeman in Bauchi state. (AFP)

AMERICAS

Brazil: Police used tear gas and water cannons to disperse hundreds of protesters amid Pope Francis’ visit with President Rousseff. (AFP)
Colombia: The FARC offered to arm coca growers who have been blocking roads in protest over coca eradication efforts. (AP)
Mexico: Authorities said 7 people died and 15 were injured after gunmen fired on a group of community self-defense members in the state of Michoacan. (AP)
United States: The US military is said to be preparing holding hearings for 71 Guantanamo Bay detainees. (DPA)

ASIA

Region: Indian and Chinese officials began discussions to resolve a longstanding dispute overtheir border in the Himalayas. (AP)
Afghanistan: Officials said a suicide bomber rode a donkey into a NATO convoy, killing three soldiers and an Afghan interpreter. (AFP)
Korea, North: New satellite images confirmed that construction of a new generation of long-range rockets was halted as suspected in 2012.(AFP)
Myanmar: The government said it would free about 70 political prisoners, after President Sein vowed to release all dissidents by the year’s end. (AFP)

EUROPE

Bulgaria: Viviane Reding, VP of the European Commission, urged Bulgaria to reform its justice system during a meeting with President Plevneliev. (Xinhua)
Georgia: Economy Minister Kviriakshvi said the country concluded the final round of negotiations for a comprehensive free-trade agreement with the EU. (Xinhua)
Spain: Officials said about 300 African migrants stormed a fence surrounding the North African enclave of Melilla attempting to enter Spanish territory. (AFP)
Turkey: Deputy PM Arinc said Abdullah Ocalan, jailed leader of the outlawed Kurdish Workers Party (PKK), would not be allowed to hold a press conference. (Xinhua)

MIDDLE EAST

Bahrain: Police prevented a car bombing near a mosque in West Riffa, south of the capital Manama. (Xinhua)
Iran: FM Salehi announced his government strongly denounced the EU’s decision to blacklist Hezbollah’s armed wing as a terrorist group. (AFP)
Yemen: Iranian official Amir-Abdollahian said the Yemeni government is responsible for the safety of an Iranian diplomat abducted in the country. (Xinhua)

TECHNOLOGY AND COMMUNICATIONS

Cyber-crime: The global economy loses between $100 billion and $500 billion annually to cyber-crime. (AFP)

WORLD

Cyclones: Nothing to report.
Hurricanes: Nothing to report.
Earthquakes: Nothing to report.
Volcanoes: Nothing to report.
Global Disease Outbreaks:
- Novel Coronavirus (Sars)
  - Cases: Global Number of Cases as of 21JUL: 90 (Saudi Arabia, Tunisia, Italy, France, Germany, Jordan, Qatar, UAE, United Kingdom)
  - Deaths: Global Number of Deaths as of 21JUL: 45 (Saudi Arabia, France, United Kingdom)
  - Sourcing:WHO, WHO-1

TOMORROW’S OUTLOOK (24JUL)

Global: WTO General Council will begin (to 25JUL).
India: Vice President Biden will give a policy speech at the Bombay Stock Exchange and hold a roundtable with business leaders.
Russia: Vice-PMs of Russia and Belarus will discuss further prospects for developing the Union State at high-level group session in Moscow.
Russia: FM Lavrov and Moldovan FM Natalia Gherman will meet to discuss trade and economic relations, and the Transdniestrian settlement.
Solomon Islands: RAMSI peacekeeping mission to the Solomon Islands will end after 10 years.
Syria: Ahmed al-Jarba, the head of the main Syrian opposition alliance will meet with French President Francois Hollande and will travel to London and Berlin (to 25JUL).
Vietnam: President Truong Tan Sang will visit Washington, DC (to 26JUL).

END