Russian protests disbanded, protestors arrested
Russian police have recently disbanded anti-Kremlin rallies that are held in St. Petersburg and Moscow. After disbanding the rallies, police detained more than 100 participants, including several rally leaders. Protestors are claiming the rally was broken up in violation of the Russian constitution’s right to assemble.
The rallies are held on the 31st of the month, a nod to the 31st article of the Russian constitution which guarantees the right to gather. City authorities have consistently banned rallies from happening on these days by scheduling other events.
Another protest will be held on the March 31st, and despite the brutality of the Russian police, opposition leaders say they hope for a bigger crowd than ever.
Iran enriches uranium to 20 percent
The Iranian government has announced a plan to further their nuclear program by enriching uranium up to 20 percent. Atomic Energy Organization of Iran Director Ali Akbar Salehi claims that these new goals are well within Iran’s capabilities. Salehi claims the enrichment will be directly supervised by International Atomic Energy Agency inspectors and will begin in early February.
US Defense Secretary Robert Gates traveled to France, where he met with French President Nicolas Sarkozy to discuss the Iranian situation, and have agreed to enforce tough sanctions on Tehran. Other countries, such as Germany and Britain, may join the sanctions, while China and Russia maintain a diplomatic approach.
Representative John Murtha dies
Representative John Murtha passed away February 8, following complications from gall bladder surgery. Murtha was 77. Murtha was the top Democrat to oversee Pentagon spending, and came from a military background. He was a Vietnam combat veteran and opposed the Iraq war.
Murtha was the first Vietnam combat veteran to be elected to Congress. He was elected to a formerly held Republican seat in 1974 in wake of the Watergate scandal that brought down Richard Nixon.
Murtha’s death leaves another Democratic congressional seat open in a time of trouble for the party.
Senator Evan Bayh retires
Democratic Senator Evan Bayh announced that he will not run for re-election. The Indiana Senator warned colleagues not to read too much into his decision. The announcement comes at a crucial time for Democrats, who have already lost their super majority after the election of Republican Scott Brown.
Bayh has served in the Senate for two terms in Republican dominated Indiana.
