Europe
Anti-EU protester scales St Peter’s Basilica
A man has scaled the dome of St Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican City, apparently in protest against EU measures which he alleges penalise small businesses. He is standing on one of the many ornate window ledges of the dome, from which he has hung a large fabric banner. It reads: “Help! Enough Monti. Enough Europe. Enough multinationals!” According to one of his friends, he is angry about an EU directive backed by the Italian government, which will reform rules for auctioning licences to operate patches of Italy’s seafront. He argues the measure will favour large multinationals. Marcello Di Finizio, a beach bar owner, staged a protest in July against the same directive. Beach operators allege the new rules threaten the jobs of some 600,000 resort workers.
North America
US agent shot dead near Arizona-Mexico border
US border patrol agent Nicholas Ivie has been shot dead near Arizona’s US-Mexico border in an area known for drug smuggling, authorities confirm. Another was wounded, and has been airlifted to hospital where he is stable, when the two responded to a tripped ground sensor early yesterday. Authorities said Mr Ivie, 30, and his colleague were on foot near Naco, Arizona, about five miles north of the border, when gunshots were heard at around 2am local time. It is unknown who shot the agents. Mr Ivie is the first agent killed since 2010, when a death led to a review of the botched US-run Operation Fast and Furious, in which agents lost track of illegal guns from Arizona allowed into Mexico to target dealers.
Obama faces new questions on Libya killings as military action is considered
US President Barack Obama’s administration is facing new questions over the attack on its Libya consulate, in which four American staff were killed including the ambassador. A Congressional committee asked whether repeated requests for more security at the Benghazi consulate were rejected. Many unanswered questions remain about the killings, though the US government conceded last week that “some of those involved were linked to groups affiliated with, or sympathetic to al-Qaeda”. The New York Times is reporting today that the US is gathering intelligence ahead of a possible military operation against those behind the attack. The handling of the situation has become a key issue ahead of the US presidential administration. Republicans have criticised the Obama administration for laying the blame on a spontaneous backlash against an amateur anti-Islamic film, when there is evidence suggesting a deliberate terrorist attack.
Middle East and Africa
Dozens dead in Aleppo explosions
At least 27 people have been killed and dozens more wounded by five bomb explosions in the centre of Syria’s second city, Aleppo, say officials. Four of the blasts occurred in Saadallah al-Jabari Square, a public space near a military officers’ club and a hotel. Pro-government al-Ikhbariya TV broadcast pictures of corpses being pulled from damaged buildings, and a large crater in the road. Rebel fighters launched a new offensive in Aleppo last week to try to seize more districts, and yesterday various media reported Syrian President Bashar al-Assad had ordered thousands more troops to Aleppo to finish the ongoing battle against the rebels. Lebanese newspaper al-Diyar said Mr Assad was flown to Aleppo and is personally directing the campaign, though this is unconfirmed.
Ahmadinejad blames rial slide on ‘enemies’
Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has blamed the “enemies” of his country for the sharp falls of its currency, the rial, which has recently fallen to record lows against the US dollar. Iranian Industry Minister Mehdi Ghazanfari has blamed speculators for the fall. US officials say the slide reflects the success of US economic sanctions, targeted at Iran’s controversial nuclear programme. Mr Ahmadinejad said in a Tehran press conference that Western sanctions amounted to an economic war, but that “we are not people to retreat on the nuclear issue… if somebody thinks they can pressure Iran, they are certainly wrong and they must correct their behaviour.” The rial has reportedly lost more than 80% of its value since 2011 due to US-led trade sanctions.
South Sudan security forces abusing civilians, according to Amnesty International
The UK-based human rights group Amnesty International has published a report alleging that South Sudan’s security forces have committed “shocking” acts of violence against civilians, including murder and rape. The report says the abuse has been taking place during a disarmament campaign in the eastern Jonglei state, and urges South Sudan to take “immediate action” to end the violence. The government in Juba has played down the scale of the violations, saying they are isolated cases.
Nigeria investigates mass killing of students
Nigeria’s authorities are investigating the killings of at least 26 people in an attack on a college hostel in the north-eastern town of Mubi. The attack took place on Monday night. Most victims were students called out by name by the gunmen, according to police, while a resident said the attackers went from door to door, shooting or stabbing. It is unclear who is responsible, but the attack came days after dozens of people with suspected links to the Boko Haram group of Islamic militants were arrested in the town. However, as the hostel housed students at the nearby Federal Polytechnic Mubi, officials have also not ruled out a recent student union election dispute as being the catalyst for the violence. Violence among students has never reached this level before. A curfew has been in force since the attack, the college has been closed and some students have fled the town.
Australasia
Philippine cybercrime law takes effect amid protests
A controversial law targeting cybercrime in the Philippines has come into effect, fuelling protests by citizens and media groups fearing censorship. The Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012 was signed by the president on 12 September and is intended to prevent cybersex, online child pornography, identity theft and spamming, say officials. It also makes libel a cybercrime: people found guilty of making libellous comments online, including via social networks such as Facebook, will face fines or even imprisonment, with the maximum sentence being 12 years in jail. The act also grants government officials the power to search and seize data from people’s online accounts. US-based group Human Rights Watch said the law will harm free speech and should be repealed. At least eight petitions from various groups challenging the constitutionality of the law have been filed with the Philippines’ highest court, journalists have held rallies and activists from the hacking group Anonymous have targeted government websites.
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