Iran celebrated Al-Quds (Jerusalem) day, a tradition started in 1979 with the establishment of the Islamic Republic of Iran. It is a day to reaffirm the Republic’s commitment to the return of the Occupied Territories to Islamic rule. It was a day filled with anti-Israel rhetoric. Excerpts from some of the Iranian speeches can be found at the Middle East Media Research Institute.
The three members of the punk rock band, Pussy Riot, were sentenced to two year prison terms for their anti-Putin protests in a Russian church. There was relief that the maximum possible sentence of 7 years was not imposed, but the band members will appeal the sentence. Protests against the sentence occurred around the world, as reported by the Russian press. It is unlikely that President Putin will show any additional leniency.
South Africa has established a commission of inquiry to investigate the violence at a platinum mine in which many have died. A strike at the mine began a week ago, and there has been almost daily violence at the scene. Yesterday, police opened fire on the strikers who were apparently threatening more violence (it is always hard to ascertain the true sequence of events in such a situation–my advice is always to wait until the initial reports are verified) and 34 people were killed. South Africa is highly dependent on raw materials for its economic health, so the strike is a very serious matter for the country.
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