So, what’s going on in the world today?
LEBANON
Tens of thousands of people marched in the southern port city of Tyre chanting “Oh America, you are God’s enemy,” and, “At your service, Muhammad.”
The demonstrators were led by Nabil Kaouk, a commander of the militant Hezbollah group, who warned the U.S. and France not to anger Muslims because “our nation that is ready to defend the prophet.” They protesters carried the yellow banners of Hezbollah and the green flags of Amal, both Shiite Muslim movements. They dispersed peacefully.
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INDONESIA
The United States temporarily closed its consulate in the country’s third largest city of Medan because of demonstrations. It was the third consecutive day of protests in Medan, the capital of North Sumatra province. About 300 members of Hizbut Tahrir Indonesia, a pan-Islamic movement, rallied peacefully in front of the consulate in Medan. About 50 Muslim students also protested there a separate rally. Both groups called on Washington to punish the makers of the film.
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PAKISTAN
Several hundred lawyers protested the anti-Islam video in the capital Islamabad, forcing their way into an area that houses the U.S. Embassy and other foreign missions. The protesters shouted anti-American slogans and burned an American flag after they pushed through a gate, gaining access to the diplomatic enclave before police stopped them. They called for the U.S. ambassador to be expelled from the country, and then peacefully dispersed.
Pakistan officials opened an investigation into a businessman who has been accused of blasphemy after refusing to join protests over an anti-Islam video and allegedly trying to convince others also not to take part. Blasphemy is punishable by life imprisonment or death.
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SRI LANKA
About 300 Muslims protested against the film in the capital Colombo, calling for its U.S.-based creators to be hanged. They carried signs and banners that read, “Ban anti-Islamic film all over the world. U.S. should apologize to Muslims,” and chanted, “Hang the producer and director of the film.” Protesters also spit upon and walked on U.S. and Israeli flags during the demonstration, which was organized by an Islamic group called Sri Lanka Thaweed Jamath.
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AFGHANISTAN
Hundreds of university students in the eastern city of Jalalabad staged a protest and burned an effigy of President Barack Obama before dispersing peacefully.
Sounds serious. What’s the commander-in-chief up to, fresh off his appearance on Letterman? Well, last night, he attended a fundraiser with Jay-Z and Beyoncé in New York City (you know, the one with a tower of 350 golden champagne bottles worth $105,000).
He did receive the Presidential Daily Briefing in the Oval Office this morning . . .
But the rest of the week is just packed: campaign events in Tampa and Miami tomorrow, campaign events in Virginia Friday, a fundraiser in Los Angeles October 7 with Katy Perry . . .