Separatist plot blamed for death of Tibetan protesters

CHINA: Clashes between Tibetan protesters and Chinese police and firefighters have turned deadly after at least three protesters were reportedly shot down. According to the Mail & Guardian, information regarding the deaths and other violence has been limited as journalists are turned away from the area. State-run Chinese newspapers have been calling the shootings an act of self-defence, claiming protestors mobbed police officers armed with various weapons. While different papers have varying accounts of the incidents, including the number of injured officers and protesters, all the publications allege that the Tibetan protestors had separatist intentions.

Putin protesters struggle to agree

RUSSIA: The logistics of a protest march in Moscow disputing Prime Minister Vladimir Putin’s 12-year rule have been agreed on by a coalition of protesters from across the political spectrum. Since the political opinions of the group are so varied, members have decided to limit the scope of their demands to political reform and improved democracy, reported the Mail & Guardian. Supporters of the opposition are asked not to vote for Putin in Russia’s March 4 presidential election, which he’s expected to win. While 26,000 people have signed up for the march, this turnout is doubtful due to forecasted cold weather.

Tensions increase between police and civilians in Egypt

EGYPT: Clashes between furious protesters and riot police have erupted in Cairo, following a deadly football riot that killed 74 people in Port Said. According to the Mail & Guardian, Egyptians are angered by the lack of police intervention at the football riot, which has been blamed on supporters of former president Hosni Mubarak by the Muslim Brotherhood. The country’s ruling military council has announced three days of national mourning and has fired the Egyptian football association’s director, board and Port Said’s security chief. The riot has been named one of the deadliest incidents in football history.

Threats to U.S. increasing, intelligence agency says

WASHINGTON: A recent report by the CIA has concluded that, while Al Qaeda terrorist threats have been diminished, Iranian leaders may be willing to launch attacks on American soil. According to the Los Angeles Times, tensions between the U.S. and Iran are related to tough new economic sanctions placed on the country by the Obama administration and the European Union. Nuclear warfare with Iran is the major fear of the CIA. North Korea and Pakistan are also named as threats because their similar capacity to develop nuclear weapons. The report also calls cyber attacks against government agencies a growing menace.

Assange hearings conclude in U.K.

BRITAIN: WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange has completed appeal hearings at the British Supreme Court against his extradition to Sweden over accusations of sex crimes. Assange’s lawyers argued the warrant for his arrest is invalid because it wasn’t issued by an impartial “judicial authority,” reported Al Jazeera. Supporters of Assange gathered outside the courthouse protesting the politically motivated charges, and rallying for the man whose company internationally published secret government documents. In the U.S., suspected WikiLeaks informant Bradley Manning is on trial facing 22 charges, including aiding the enemy and allowing sensitive documents to be published online.

Published in Volume 66, Number 19 of The Uniter (February 8, 2012)