Europe
UK ‘threaten’ to storm Ecuadorian Embassy
The Ecuadorian consul has accused the UK of ‘threatening’ to storm its UK embassy in a bid to arrest Wikileaks’ founder Julian Assange. The UK Foreign Office has said that it has a “legal obligation” to extradite Assange to Sweden, where he is wanted on allegations of assault and rape. Assange, who denies the claims, applied for asylum when on bail, saying that the charges against him are “politically motivated”. Ecuador’s Foreign Minister, Ricardo Patino, has said that the UK government delivered the threat in writing. He says, “Ecuador rejects in the most emphatic terms the explicit threat of the British official communication.” Adding that the threat was “improper of a democratic, civilised and rule-abiding country”. Ecuador says his application is still pending and a decision will be announced later.
Asia
‘Taliban’ attacks Pakistani military air base
Eight militants and one soldier have been killed in an attack on a Pakistani air base, which the Taliban have claimed responsibility. The several gunmen attacked the Minhas airbase just before dawn near Islamabad, wearing military uniforms and suicide belts. The attack sparked several hours of fighting and is the third attack of its kind in as many years. The attack has left all of Pakistan’s air bases on high alert.
North America
US – Russia Flight grounded following bomb scare
A flight from New York to Moscow has been grounded in Iceland, following a tip off that bombs were on board. The anonymous call claimed that there were five bomb-suitcases, which were due to detonate on arrival in Moscow. Subsequently, US law enforcement agencies advised the pilot who took the decision to land the plane. The 200 passengers onboard departed the aircraft safely following a successful landing.
US financial sector in Libor scandal
Seven banks are due to be questioned in the US after allegations over manipulating the Libor rate. The rate is that used for inter-bank lending. The scandal has come in the wake of a £290 million fine for Barclays bank over the rigging of the rate. The latest investigation has been instigated by the potential of a second bank being involved in the scandal. Criminal charges would endorse civil law suits by investors who seek damages for any loss due to rate rigging.
Africa
Sixty plus die in DR Congo mine collapse
A gold mine has collapsed in north-eastern DR Congo, killing over sixty people. Local reports say the miners were 100m underground when a shaft collapsed. Rescue efforts failed due to the geography of the mine, which sits in a jungle area controlled by armed groups and militants. The AFP news agency has confirmed that the mine involved illegal miners, something that is widely seen to fuel ethnic conflict across the region.
Latin America
Brazilian concerns over Bolivian deaths
The Brazilian foreign office has expressed its concerns over the killing of two Brazilian citizens, held in Bolivian prisons. The two were reportedly dragged from a Bolivian prison and burned alive. The prisoners were jailed for the shootings of three Bolivians on the Brazilian border. Bolivian authorities have been urged to carry out a “swift and rigorous” investigation by the Brazilian foreign office. Local media reports have suggested that a group of individuals illegitimately entered the prison, subsequently leaving with them before their killing. The associated Press reports that the town councillor said, “It’s barbarous what occurred… but people are tired of so much insecurity. No-one is in charge of this town, where criminals do whatever they please”.
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