Asia
North Korea refuses aid from South
North Korea has refused to accept food aid from Seoul just weeks after Pyongyang appealed to the United Nations for aid following a series of heavy flooding. It highlights the tensions between the two countries and crushes any immediate hope of closer relations since the North began its new administration. The Unification Ministry in Seoul said despite this drawback the South “will continue with general humanitarian assistance for the North regardless of political and military situations”. The North has however made an appeal to its neighbour for items such as ‘cement’ and ‘repair machines’, which the South feels will be diverted to military uses.
North America
US investigation opens into Libya killings
The United States (US) has said it intends to investigate the attack that killed the US ambassador and others in the US consulate. The inquiry will look into whether the attack, which left the embassy ablaze, was planned ahead. The US has deployed security specialists to tighten security around those employed by the US government. There have also been signs of unrest around the US embassy in Cairo as President Obama calls for calm and cooperation with local security forces. In a statement, he vowed to bring those to justice whilst explicating that it wouldn’t undermine the US’ relationship with the new democratic government. The Romney campaign criticised the Obama administration for apologising for American actions abroad, saying he would never “apologise for America”. He added, “I’m outraged by the attacks on American diplomatic missions in Libya and Egypt and by the death of an American consulate worker in Benghazi. […] It’s disgraceful that the Obama administration’s first response was not to condemn attacks on our diplomatic missions, but to sympathize with those who waged the attacks,” he said.
Latin America
Mexican ‘Gulf Cartel Boss’ caught
Mexican police officials have said that marines have caught Jorge Eduardo Costilla, one of the most wanted drug lords in the country. The significance of the arrest in breaking down drug trafficking in Mexico is compounded with the arrest last week of a rival drug lord, Mario Cardenas Guillen. Mr Costilla is wanted by both authorities in the United States and Mexico, and he is on the list of 37 most wanted drug lords in the latter. More than 20 of the men on the list have been killed or captured in the last three years.
Africa and Middle East
Iran Manipulates shipping to mitigate sanction effects on economy
There is strong evidence to suggest that Iran has adjusted its shipping movements to duck US sanctions, Reuters has said. An examination by the agency suggests that Iranian crude oil is being shipped to Malaysia where it is unloaded into hired holding vessels the night before potential buyers arrive for morning bidding. The move is legal and illustrated the length Iran will go to skirt sanctions by the west. Sanctions were tightened last month when the European Union oil embargo virtually halted access around the world for Iranian oil products, meaning that those consuming such products would carry a financial risk with no insurance mechanism.
South African miners due for potential strike action
Senior platinum miners in South Africa (SA) have began calls for a general strike to “bring mining companies to their knees”. The announcement was made at a rally for miners who had been striking for weeks over wages. The announcement will raise concerns with SA security forces whom clashed with miners weeks ago, leading to the death of tens of miners and one police officer; it was the South Africa’s bloodiest day since the years of apartheid. It has been due to these clashes that in recent weeks mines have been closed, acerbating tensions between miners and their employers. The government has placed its military on high alert for the first time in its 18 year democratic history.
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