Headlines for Thursday, July 30, 2009

Iranian government breaks up mourners at fallen protester’s grave
In Iran today, people mourned the citizens killed in post election protests, but not without interference from state security forces. Hundreds gathered at the grave of Neda Agha-Soltan, the young protester who became the international face of the turmoil.

This was the scene at Tehran’s Behesht-e Zahra cemetery, from an unconfirmed video posted today on YouTube. It shows hundreds of protesters chanting the name of opposition leader Mirhossein Mousavi, in addition to chants of “death to dictator” and “don’t be afraid, we are all together.”  Reuters reports that Iranian security forces broke up the cemetery protest, detaining at least three. Witnesses say Mousavi attempted to attend the memorial gathering, but was forced to leave by police.

Protesters also gathered in other parts of Tehran, continuing their call for justice. Reports coming through on Twitter document further clashes between security forces and protesters. The government denied requests for mourners to gather in the Grand Mosalla prayer center – a square in central Tehran that can accommodate 10-thousand people.

Lebanon’s newly-formed government gives Hezbollah increased power
Almost two months have passed since Lebanon's closely fought elections, and the country's Prime Minister designate Saad Hariri finally announced the country's new cabinet today. The announcement means that the new government can finally begin it’ work, but it is also a sign of significant consensus between the pro-Western majority and Hezbollah-led opposition. From Beirut, FSRN’s Don Duncan has more.

Reporter:
Many thought it an impossible task – but Prime Minister designate Saad Hariri has succeeded in naming a 30-member cabinet approved by both sides of Lebanon's polarized political scene.

Veto power is crucial for the Hezbollah-led opposition so as to protect its armed wing and to ensure no compromises are made to national security - especially regarding US influence in the country. Don Duncan, FSRN, Beirut.

Human rights group says Nigerian security forces killing civilians
A Nigerian relief agency says 4000 people have now been displaced as a result of the fighting in the Northeastern part of the country. There, security forces are fighting Islamic militants. And there are growing indications government forces have been killing civilians. FSRN’s Sam Olukoya reports from Lagos.

Reporter:
The death toll is estimated at 300 following three days of fighting in the northeastern city of Maiduguri. Reports from the area suggest some of the dead were innocent people deliberately killed by government forces.  Shamaki Gad Peter, director of Nigeria’s League for Human Rights, says he counted 20 corpses, some of which appeared to have been shot from behind, presumably while trying to escape the fighting. One eyewitness told the BBC he saw three young men shot dead at close range while they were kneeling on the floor with their arms in the air.  Nigerian security forces have a very poor human rights record. The government is not likely to take any action against those involved in civilian killings. Its priority is to deal with the militants who want to impose an extreme Islamic form of government. Sam Olukoya, FSRN, Lagos.

Workers occupy UK wind turbine plant to protest planned closure
Tomorrow’s planned closure of the only wind turbine factory in the United Kingdom looks as if it will be delayed. Workers have occupied the Danish-owned Vestas plant, preventing, for now, the loss of six hundred jobs. And despite food shortages and eviction attempts, the protesters are staying put. FSRN’s Tom Allan has the story from Southern England.

Reporter:
For ten days now, twenty workers have staged a sit-in at the Vestas factory on the Isle of White. Fenced off from supporters, they're short on food, but are getting their story out by any means they can - waving from the balcony, giving interviews on mobile phones, and even throwing video footage, hidden inside a tennis ball.  Ian Terry is among those inside.

Myanmar warns against protests ahead of Suu Kyi verdict
And finally, a Myanmar court is expected to issue a verdict in the trial of pro-democracy advocate Aung San Suu Kyi tomorrow – and today Suu Kyi’s lawyer says she has begun stockpiling supplies – like books and medicines - in preparation for an expected guilty verdict. Suu Kyi is charged with violating her house arrest. The state media in the country has issued a warning to citizens, forbidding them to protest the verdict.