Pussy Riot sentenced to two years

The verdict was read a few minutes ago, and the latest news is that the girls were sentenced to two years after being found guilty of committing "hooliganism." More details to come.

Increasing unrest in Tibet: A "Tibetan Spring" on the horizon?

From Voice of America, a story on the continuing wave of protests and self-immolations in Tibet and next-door Qinghai, complete with an analysis of the Chinese reaction and the chances for a "Tibetan Spring."

Yet more on the South China Sea

NY Times/International Herald Tribune piece on Beijing's claims to "only 80%" of the South China Sea. And be sure to click on the interactive map (available here)!

OSCE asks Belarus to drop teddy bear prosecution

Dear students: in what other class would you get the latest news on legal proceedings against Pussy Riot girls and bloggers accused of assisting parachuting teddy bears? (Go ahead - name another class!)

The OSCE is asking the Belarussian government nicely that it drop charges against the teddy bear blogger. This comes after Belarus kicking out the Swedish ambassador (the teddy bear plane took off from Sweden, as you may recall.)

Yulia Tymoshenko: one year in prison, from Radio Free Europe

Go here for a pictorial timeline...

 

Fascinating BBC piece on Somalia

Go here for "Somalia: Ten Things We've Learnt"