Africa
Mursi protests continue in Egypt
Egyptian protesters have vowed to continue defying President Mohammed Mursi’s wide-ranging new powers. Tens of thousands of people demonstrated across the country on Tuesday, in one of the largest protests since the overthrow of Hosni Mubarak. President Mursi has insisted his new powers are limited in scope, but has refused continuing demands to overturn the decree granting him them. His backers say the decree was needed to protect the gains of the revolution against a judiciary with deep ties to the Mubarak era. The protesters say President Mursi and his party, the Muslim Brotherhood, have hijacked the revolution.
Asia
Bangladesh arrests three over deadly factory fire
Bangladeshi police have arrested three supervisors from a clothing factory in which more than 100 people died during a fire. They say the supervisors are accused of stopping workers from leaving the building and of padlocking exits. Meanwhile, thousands of garment workers staged fresh protests outside Dhaka, demanding higher safety standards. The government has opened two inquiries, with officials saying preliminary information suggests the fire was an act of sabotage.
Middle East
Thirty-four dead in twin bombings of Damascus suburb
At least 34 people have been killed and many injured by two car bomb explosions in a south-eastern district of Syria’s capital, Damascus, according to state media. State television said “terrorists” were behind the blasts in Jaramana and broadcast pictures showing several charred vehicles and damaged buildings. The district is predominantly Druze and Christian – two communities which have so far not joined the uprising. Earlier, there were clashes between security forces and rebels in Jaramana. There has been fierce fighting in recent days in the countryside around Damascus.
Saudi diplomat shot dead in Yemeni capital
A Saudi diplomat has been shot dead in the Yemeni capital, Sanaa, officials say. Unconfirmed reports quoting Yemeni security officials said the victim was a member of a Saudi military delegation. Arabic broadcaster al-Arabiya said the gunmen who shot him were dressed as members of the security services. Yemen has been plagued by political unrest and security problems.
Anti-Israel group hacks UN nuclear agency server
The UN nuclear agency has acknowledged that one of its computer servers was hacked by an anti-Israeli group. The IAEA said a previously unknown group called Parastoo had posted contact details for more than 100 nuclear experts on the group’s website. Parastoo asked those listed to sign a petition calling for an IAEA investigation into Israel’s undeclared nuclear weapons programme. Israel is widely believed to have nuclear weapons but neither confirms nor denies this under a “strategic ambiguity” policy. The IAEA is currently investigating Iran’s controversial nuclear programme.
Europe
British MPs caution against press regulation law
More than 80 MPs and peers in the British Parliament have urged Lord Justice Leveson, whose inquiry into UK media standards is due to report tomorrow, not to recommend a press regulation law. The cross-party group, whose members include eight former cabinet ministers and the London Olympics chairman Lord Coe, says any such move would damage press freedom. The group has written to the Guardian and Daily Telegraph newspapers to demand a stronger “self-regulatory” system. The Leveson Inquiry was established by Prime Minister David Cameron last July, and has been examining the culture, practices and ethics of the press. It was commissioned following allegations of illegal phone-hacking at the News of the World tabloid, which closed over the scandal.
Spanish bank restructuring approved by Brussels
The European Commission has approved the Spanish government’s plans to restructure four troubled banks. Bankia, Banco de Valencia, NCG and Catalunya Banc were nationalised after experiencing heavy losses on loans to homebuyers and property developers. Banco de Valencia is to be sold to Caixa Bank, a privately owned lender. The other three must cut the total size of their loans and investments by more than 60% over the next five years under their restructuring plans. “Our objective is to restore the viability of banks receiving aid so that they are able to function without public support in the future,” the European Competition Commissioner Joaquin Almunia said.
UK asks for assurances on peace process before voting for Palestinian UN bid
In a statement to the House of Commons, British Foreign Secretary William Hague has sought “certain assurances and amendments” to Palestine’s bid for UN non-member observer state status before the UK will vote in favour of it. If these assurances are not forthcoming, said Mr Hague, the UK will abstain. Mr Hague said the UK’s central objective is the return of Israeli and Palestinian negotiators to peace talks centred around a two-state solution, and that assurances from the Palestinian side that they will return to such talks are required before the UK will support Palestine’s bid. He also called upon Israel to return to such talks and to stop illegal settlement building on the West Bank. France, Spain and Norway are among those nations supportive of Palestine’s bid, while the US and Israel will oppose it.
North America
US envoy Susan Rice admits Benghazi attack error
A US diplomat tipped to replace Hillary Clinton as Secretary of State has admitted releasing incorrect information after September’s attack on the American consulate in Libya. UN Ambassador Susan Rice said there had been no attempt to mislead the public, but Republican Party figures – including former presidential candidate Senator John McCain – were unconvinced. The envoy admitted that her initial line on the Benghazi attack – that it had sprung from a protest over an amateur anti-Islamic film – had been wrong. Later intelligence reports suggested the attack was possibly linked to al-Qaeda-affiliated terrorists. The incident prompted a major political row over which politicians knew what and how honest they were with the American people. The attack left four Americans dead, including Ambassador Christopher Stevens.
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