‘Assad regime doomed, should not survive’ – Hague
Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s government is “doomed” and “should not survive," British Foreign Secretary William Hague said during a visit to Baghdad. In the same comments, he also accused Iran of providing “active assistance” to Assad. He expressed the hope for the creation of a “transitional government which would be able to bring peace and stability to Syria again," adding that this would be the only way to avoid civil war, “greater flow of refugees and loss of life.”
Iran ‘systematically demolishing’ Parchin – US envoy to UN
Iran is "systematically demolishing" its nuclear facility at the Parchin military site, US envoy to the UN Robert Wood said. International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) inspectors are requesting access to the facility as part of an investigation into Iran’s alleged nuclear weapons program. "Iran has been taking measures that appear consistent with an effort to remove evidence of its past activities at Parchin," Wood said. Suspicious activity had previously been reported at Parchin, and the IAEA suspects Iran is enriching uranium there. Tehran has refused all of the IAEA’s previous requests to inspect the facility.
3 staffers wounded in attack on US consulate in Libya are in German hospital
Three diplomats injured in the attack on the US Consulate in Benghazi, Libya, are undergoing treatment at an American military hospital in Germany, the AP reported. A seriously injured staffer was reportedly taken out of intensive care. The three "are doing relatively well," and most want to return to Libya, the US State Department said.
Clinton calls anti-Muslim film ‘disgusting’
US Secretary of State Clinton has called the anti-Islamic video that sparked violent mass protests in the Arab world "disgusting" and reprehensible. The US government rejects its content and message, she said. The inflammatory film, titled ‘Innocence of Muslims,’ was directed by Nakoula Basseley Nakoula, who previously claimed to be a consultant to the movie. Nakoula has been blamed for inciting the violence that has injured dozens of people in several Arab nations.
European Parliament condemns Russia for ‘political’ use of judiciary
The European Parliament has passed a resolution condemning Russia for using the country's judiciary for political purposes. The measure expressed a "deep disappointment with the verdict and the disproportionate sentence" for the three jailed members of Pussy Riot. It also calls for a review of the case and a change in their sentence, in accordance with Russia’s international obligations. The resolution touched on several other cases, including the eight-year prison sentence for opposition activist Taisia Osipova, and criminal investigations targeting leading opposition figures like Aleksei Navalny, Boris Nemtsov, and Sergey Udaltsov.
Greek unions call for 24-hour anti-austerity strike on September 26
Greek labor unions are calling for a 24-hour general strike on September 26 against planned austerity measures. The latest round of cuts, which will affect pensions, healthcare and defense, are required for Greece to receive its next tranche of vital bailout loans from the EU and IMF. The auditors' report, expected in October, will determine whether Greece will receive an injection of funds into its cash-starved economy.
Yemeni president apologizes to Obama for embassy attack
Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh apologized to US President Barack Obama for attacks against the country’s American embassy. Demonstrators stormed the embassy in the capital city of Sanaa in protest against the controversial anti-Islamic movie ‘Innocence of Muslims.’ One person was shot and killed by police. President Saleh has ordered an investigation into the incident.
1,000 Bangladeshi protesters swarm US embassy
Some 1,000 protesters attempted to storm the US embassy in Dhaka, Bangladesh, in protest against the American film ‘Innocence of Muslims,’ which they said insulted the Prophet Mohammad. Police repelled the demonstrators, and no violence was reported. Security around the diplomatic compound was subsequently tightened. Anti-US protests erupted in several nations this week, with one attack in Benghazi, Libya, resulting in the killing of the US ambassador to the country.
19 workers dead in elevator accident in China
Nineteen workers were killed when a construction elevator plummeted 30 floors in a freefall accident at a construction site in southern China, Xinhua News Agency reported. The municipal government halted all construction at the site to conduct a security inspection. Work safety is a growing concern in China, with an estimated 75,500 people dying from work-related accidents in 2011, according to figures released by the State Administration of Work Safety.
US consulate in Berlin evacuated over suspicious envelope
The US consulate in southern Berlin has been evacuated as a precaution after an employee reported a strange smell coming from an envelope, the AP reported. Spokesperson Ruth Bennett said the odor came from a packet containing materials for a visa application, which was handed to consular employees by the applicant Thursday morning. No information about the applicant has been released.
500 people protest at Swiss embassy in Iran over anti-Islam movie
An estimated 500 people took to the streets of Tehran on Thursday in protest against an anti-Islam film made in the US, chanting "Death to America!" calling for the death of the movie’s director, AFP reported. The rally occurred outside the Swiss embassy, which handles US diplomacy in the country. No casualties were reported, and hundreds of police and security personnel were deployed to prevent any possible violence.
Service member injured, militant killed in shootout in Russia’s Caucasus
A service member was injured and a militant was killed when Russian police and Interior Ministry forces staged a military operation against four militants in a forest in Russia’s Republic of Dagestan. The operation is still underway, the Interior Ministry reported.
Muslim world opposes killings, attacks on embassies – Morsi
Egypt supports peaceful protests, but Muslims reject attacks against people and embassies, Reuters quoted Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi as saying. Cairo police have clashed with the hundreds of protesters gathered outside the US embassy. The demonstrators hurled stones at security personnel, who retaliated by firing tear gas and warning shots at the crowd.
Libyans gather to apologize to US for consulate assault
Libyans in Benghazi and Tripoli have taken to the streets in anti-terror protests following the assassination of the American ambassador to the country and three of his staff. Demonstrators held signs reading "Thugs and killers don't represent Benghazi or Islam" and other slogans condemning the attack. Libyan leader Mohammed Magarief has also apologized to the United States, saying that both the National Congress and the transitional government "condemn the criminal aggression," and vow to bring the perpetrators to justice.
More than a dozen hurt in Venezuela pre-election clash
At least 14 people have been injured in Puerto Cabello, Venezuela as supporters of President Hugo Chavez blocked a road, threw rocks and torched the campaign truck of opposition candidate Henrique Capriles. Following the violence, Capriles blamed his opponent for the incident, saying, "It's you who wants that scenario. It's you who wants to sow fear." It is the worst clash between the two camps since the campaign formally began on July 1. Venezuelans will head to the polls on October 7th.
Newly elected Somali president survives assassination attempt
Three suicide bombers have failed to assassinate the newly elected President of Somalia. Two of the bombers struck the heavily guarded Jazeera Hotel, where Hassan Sheik Mohamud temporality resides, killing one African Union Soldier. The other attacker was shot as he tried to scale the walls where Mohamud was giving a press briefing with visiting Kenyan Foreign Minister Samson K. Ongeri. The attack did not interfere with the news conference, with the president reacting by saying, “this is the Mogadishu we are trying to change.”
Nine killed as Brazilian police raid street trial
Nine individuals suspected of holding a vigilante trial of the alleged rapist of a 12-year old girl were killed in a police raid near Sao Paulo, Brazil. The body of the suspected rapist was also found inside the house, after police started shooting when people tried to escape. An investigation is underway to establish whether he was shot by police. Police described the raid, which followed a phone tip-off, as a "legitimate action." Those believed to be behind the vigilante trial are thought to have links to the Primeiro Comando da Capital, a criminal gang.
Liberals lead Labour in Dutch general election
The first exit polls following the Dutch general election give Prime Minister Mark Rutte's centre-right Liberals 41 seats in the 150-member lower house, a one-seat lead over the centre-left Labor Party. Anger over continued cuts has been the vocal point in the Netherlands. Both the Liberals and Labour have played down talk that they will end up in a coalition with one or two smaller parties. But experts predict it as the most probable outcome, given a highly fragmented political landscape. The new coalition, if formed, would most likely keep the policy of helping out the struggling eurozone. This is as Germany’s top constitutional court approved the European Bailout Mechanism, supporting a 500 billion-euro bailout.
Libya elects new prime minister
Libya's National Congress has voted current Deputy Prime Minister Mustafa Abu Shagour in as the country's next prime minister. Abu Shagour beat wartime insurgent Prime Minister Mahmoud Jibril in a second-round vote conducted by the 200-member national assembly. The announcement comes a day after US Ambassador to Libya Chris Stevens was killed along with three consular staffers in a rocket attack outside the American Consulate in Benghazi. In response to the death, Washington is "deploying elite Marine counterterrorism teams to Libya," Foreign Policy reports.
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