ONS: 27 April 2014

By TRG Alerts Admin

KEY STORYLINES

AFRICA: Hundreds of Egyptian activists in Cairo demonstrated on Sunday against an anti-protest law.
AMERICAS: Several thousand people took to the streets of Caracas and other cities throughout Venezuela to protest education reform plans and restrictions on the right to demonstrate.
ASIA: South Korean Prime Minister Chung Hong-won announced his resignation Sunday morning, taking responsibility for the slow initial response to the ferry’s sinking that has left nearly 200 dead.
EUROPE: Macedonians are set to elect a new president and parliament on Sunday.
MIDDLE EAST: Palestinian President Abbas said he is still ready to extend peace talks with Israel, despite a recent breakdown in the process.
TECHNOLOGY: The Obama administration is releasing a report next week exploring potential consumer discrimination due to “big data” algorithms that crunch through information gathered online.

TOP STORY

On Sunday U.S. President Obama said the US will be in a stronger position to deter Vladimir Putin once Putin sees the world is unified in sanctioning Russia.
Fearing imminent invasion, Ukraine’s Deputy FM Lubkivsky said that Russian military maneuvers involving air and ground forces along the Ukraine border were a ‘very dangerous development.’
Ukraine blames Moscow for “human shield” detentions, referring to the kidnapped monitors from the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) in the country’s eastern region.
The leader of separatist rebels holding OSCE monitors in Slaviansk said he was scheduled meet a delegation of mediators that aim to to negotiate the observers’ release.
US Vice President Biden called the leaders of Hungary and the Czech Republic to reassure them of US support for NATO’s collective defense agreement.
Coverage: AFP, Al-Awsat, AP, AP-2, Reuters

AFRICA

Egypt: Hundreds of Egyptian activists in Cairo demonstrated on Saturday against an anti-protest law. (Reuters)
South Sudan: US Secretary of State Kerry told President Kiir that he welcomed the release of four national leaders accused of rebellion and treason. (AFP)
South Sudan: U.S. State Secretary Kerry on Saturday called on the government and opposition forces to stop military offensives and adhere to a ceasefire deal reached in January. (Xinhua)

AMERICAS

Region: The Mexican Consulate in Phoenix strongly criticized plans for a “virtual fence” on the southern Arizona border, warning such state projects “negatively affect” US-Mexico relations. (EFE)
Brazil: Street protests continue to rock Brazil while citizen journalists, frustrated by mainstream media coverage, are using digital tools to tell a different side of the story. (Guardian)
Colombia: An explosion at a gold mine in Buritaca municipality killed four miners, while 65 others were poisoned by toxic gases. (EFE)
Venezuela: Several thousand people took to the streets of Caracas and other cities on Saturday to protest education reform plans and restrictions on the right to demonstrate. (AFP)

ASIA

Region: China released previously confidential Japanese wartime documents, including some about comfort women forced to serve in military brothels during World War II, state media reported. (Reuters)
Afghanistan: Pro-Western candidate Abdullah Abdullah has emerged from Afghanistan’s presidential contest with the most votes, but still must compete in a runoff election. (WP)
Japan: Japan and the US have found “common ground” to forge a two-way trade deal, but may not be able to resolve remaining sticking points in time for a mid-May meeting of top negotiators. (Reuters)
South Korea: Prime Minister Chung Hong-won announced his resignation, taking responsibility for the slow initial response to a ferry’s sinking that has left nearly 200. (CNN)

EUROPE

Region: The Turkish military said that one of its fighter jets was harassed by Greek jets over the Aegean Sea. (Xinhua)
Germany: Thousands of Berliners blocked a group of right-wing extremists from staging an anti-immigrant march through the capital. (AP)
Macedonia: Macedonians are set to elect a new president and parliament on Sunday. (Xinhua)
Serbia: Outgoing Prime Minister and Leader of the Socialist Party Dacic said that he will be the foreign minister in the future Serbian government. (Xinhua)

MIDDLE EAST

Region: Palestinian President Abbas has said he is still ready to extend peace talks with Israel, despite a recent breakdown in the process. (BBC)
Syria: Concern over the fate of hundreds who have gone missing in the Syrian city of Raqa, run by ISIL, has fuelled a backlash against the jihadist group. (AFP)
Iran: The Foreign Ministry welcomed a recent reconciliation deal between the Palestinian Islamic movement of Hamas and the Palestinian Authority. (Xinhua)
Israel: A group of lawmakers in the US Congress are pushing to add Israel to the US visa-waiver program, despite the country not meeting required standards. (WP)

TECHNOLOGY AND COMMUNICATIONS

Technology: The Obama administration is releasing a report next week exploring potential consumer discrimination due to “big data” algorithms that crunch through information gathered online. (Reuters)

WORLD

Cases: Global Number of Cases as of 24APR: 254 (Saudi Arabia, Tunisia, Italy, France, Germany, Jordan, Oman, Qatar, UAE, United Kingdom)
Deaths: Global Number of Deaths as of 24APR: 93 (Saudi Arabia, France, Qatar, United Kingdom, UAE, Oman)

TOMORROW’S OUTLOOK (28APR)

Afghanistan: Victory of the Muslim Nation, anniversary of fall of the Marxist government – 1989
Iraq: 10th anniversary of Abu Ghraib prison scandal – 2004
Japan: Anniversary of end of World War II with Japan – 1952
South Africa: Freedom Day

END