Week in the World

Protesters take to the streets of Tehran
Iran’s opposition movement held scattered protests across Tehran Wednesday, disrupting a government-sponsored anti-America rally. The protests came on the 30th anniversary of the day Iranian protesters seized the United States Embassy in 1979. Protesters, many clad in the signature green of the opposition movement, gathered in front of the offices of Iran’s official news agency. About a thousand others convened on the Russian Embassy, expressing anger at Russia’s prompt recognition of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s contested victory in the elections last June.

European Union signs agreement
The Czech Republic joined the other members of the European Union in signing the Treaty of Lisbon Tuesday. The treaty required unanimous ratification by the EU. The Czech Republic was the last EU nation to sign the agreement. The treaty will create a presidential position and a new proportional voting system to reflect countries’ populations. Additionally, the treaty invests more power in the European Parliament and lessens the ability of a country to block proposals.

Five British soldiers killed by Afghan policeman
An Afghan policeman shot and killed five British soldiers with whom he was working. The attack took place Tuesday at a time when British public support for the war is waning. Recent polls in Britain indicate that less than 20 percent of the British public support the country’s role in the war.

The United Nations debates report on Gaza
The United Nations General Assembly began debate Wednesday on a draft resolution that would call for Israel and Palestinians to investigate accusations of war crimes during the conflict in Gaza late last year. The non-binding resolution would call for investigations to take place during the next three months. Though the resolution is expected to pass the General Assembly, the United States is likly to veto any such resolution in the United Nations Security Council, where it would be binding.