Europe
Mario Monti warns of “psychological break-up” of the European Union
In an interview with Germany’s der Spiegel magazine yesterday, Italian Prime Minister Mario Monti warned that the eurozone crisis was creating national resentments that could cause a “psychological break-up” of the European Union. Citing examples such as Greek media caricaturing German Chancellor Angela Merkel as a Nazi due to the tough austerity policies imposed on the country as conditions for its bailout money, Mr Monti said “we must fight against” the “reciprocal prejudices” that, in his analysis, could threaten the future of the European Union. The comments come as inspectors from the European Commission, European Central Bank and International Monetary Fund leave Greece after several days of negotiations with the country’s new coalition government over further austerity measures, in return for a new tranche of bailout money. Separately, the head of Italy’s central bank insisted his country does not yet need a bailout.
North America
Seven dead in attack on Sikh temple
A service at a Sikh temple in a suburb of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, was interrupted by an armed man yesterday morning in an attack that has left seven people dead, including the gunman. A police officer and two other men were critically injured. Members of the American Sikh community have expressed their shock and disbelief, while others have said they have feared such attacks since 9/11 as Sikhs are often mistaken for Muslims in America. “There’s so much ignorance and people confuse us [as] being members of [the] Taliban or belonging to bin Laden”, said Rajwant Singh of the Sikh Council on Religion and Education. No other motive has been established. Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, who is a Sikh, said he was “deeply shocked and saddened” by the attack.
Middle East and Africa
Bomb attack on Syria TV, Damascus
Three people have been wounded in an explosion on the third floor of the Syrian state television and radio building in the country’s capital, Damascus. Broadcasts were unaffected. Information Minister Omran al-Zoabi, interviewed on state TV, branded the attack “desperate and cowardly” and said an investigation was underway to discover who planted the bomb. The conflict in Syria continues with 20,000 government soldiers mustering for an assault on Aleppo, the country’s second city, which has been substantially occupied by rebel forces.
Twenty-four dead in firefight on Israel/Egypt border
Israel says it has found the bodies of eight gunmen who killed 16 Egyptian policemen in an attack on a checkpoint on their country’s border with Egypt. The attackers had captured a border post at Rafah, stolen cars and tried to break through the border. One vehicle apparently exploded at the Kerem Shalom crossing, while the Israeli air force destroyed the other. Israel and Egypt have blamed Islamist militants for the attack. Israeli officials have speculated that their aim was to kill Israeli civilians.
Gunfire at military base in Ivory Coast
The military base of Akouedo in Abidjan, Ivory Coast’s main city, was attacked in the early hours of this morning by unknown gunmen. Local residents heard several hours of gunfire and there is now a significant military deployment alongside UN peacekeepers. The situation is said to be under control. The incident follows attacks on a police station on Sunday, in which five soldiers died, and on an army checkpoint in Yopougon, to the east of the city. After disputed elections in November 2010 and a series of arrests, violence erupted across Abidjan as protesters apparently attempted to free those imprisoned. The clashes escalated into an outright battle for control of the city, during which Yopougon district saw some of the heaviest fighting.
Asia and Russia
China criticises US for “trouble-making” over South China Sea
Chinese state media have accused the United States of “trouble-making” over the ongoing territorial dispute in the South China Sea, two days after Beijing summoned a US diplomat over the matter. The US State Department said on Friday it was “closely” monitoring the increased tension in the area and expressed concern over China’s recent decision to militarise a disputed island, saying the moves “run counter to collaborative diplomatic efforts to resolve differences and risk escalating tensions in the region”. One Chinese commentary told the US to “shut up” on the issue, with another saying it had “deservedly evoked curses”.
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