ZeroFox Physical Security Intelligence Daily Brief - September 16, 2024

ZeroFox Physical Security Intelligence Daily Brief - September 16, 2024

ZeroFox physical security experts collect, curate, and analyze information derived from open and proprietary sources for comprehensive context of the circumstances surrounding global events. Here is today’s daily roundup of major developments.

Brief Highlights

• Former President Trump Confirmed to Be Safe After Shots Fired near His Golf Course
• Sri Lankan Presidential Election to Be Held Later This Month
• Russia Strikes Civilian Cargo Ship

Former President Trump Confirmed to Be Safe After Shots Fired near His Golf Course

Former President and Republican candidate Donald Trump has assured he is safe after the Secret Service foiled an assassination attempt on him while golfing in West Palm Beach, Florida. Secret Service agents spotted a gunman with an assault rifle in bushes near the course. The suspect fled but was later arrested, leaving behind the weapon and other items. This incident follows a prior attempt on former President Trump’s life at a Pennsylvania rally. President Joe Biden has issued a statement condemning the attack and pledging to ensure the Secret Service has all necessary resources to protect former President Trump.

Sri Lankan Presidential Election to Be Held Later This Month

On September 21, Sri Lanka will hold its first presidential election since an economic collapse in 2022 triggered nationwide protests and the resignation of then-leader Gotabaya Rajapaksa. Incumbent Ranil Wickremesinghe, Rajapaksa’s parliament-appointed successor, will run against 38 different challengers to keep office. Chief among the candidates are Sajith Premadasa, leader of the country’s parliamentary opposition, and Anura Kumara Dissanayake, who leads a coalition that bills itself as the continuation of the 2022 protests. More recently, Namal Rajapaksa, nephew of the former president, announced his own bid.

Russia Strikes Civilian Cargo Ship

Russia has struck a civilian cargo ship after it left Ukrainian waters in the Black Sea, causing significant damage to the vessel and its cargo; however, no casualties have been reported. The Belize-owned, Turkey-operated Aya, transporting Ukrainian grain, was en route to Egypt and on international waters at the time of the attack. After more than two years of war in the Black Sea region, wheat markets typically do not react with such volatility as seen during the initial days of the conflict; however, the rare nature of the strike precipitated a 2.2 percent rise in wheat futures.