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Protests over mining deaths pose new challenge to Morocco

Protests over the deaths of three young men extracting coal from dangerous, abandoned mines are posing a new challenge to Morocco’s government.

Fists raised and shouting for help, residents of the northeast town of Jerada have held a series of protests in recent weeks. Police are on alert.

The men killed were trying to eke out a living by reselling the coal for a few dollars per bag to black marketers.

The town’s mines were shut down 20 years ago, and youth have few job prospects.

The protests are embarrassing to Morocco just as it is loosening up its currency to open up its economy internationally, and as it tries to become an African investment powerhouse.

Photo:AP

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Tunisian Jewish school set on fire by Molotov cocktails

A Jewish school on a Tunisian island that is home to an ancient Jewish community was attacked late on Tuesday as violent anti-government protests raged elsewhere in the North African country.

Petrol bombs thrown at the school on the tourist resort island of Djerba caused some damage but no injuries.

There were no protests in Djerba but locals said the assailants had exploited the fact that there was a reduced security presence as police was busy elsewhere combating anti-government protests around the country.

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A week of Iran protests: 20 dead, 450 arrested

At least 20 people have died and 450 have been arrested in six days of nationwide anti-government demonstrations in Iran.

Them protests started Thursday over economic issues such as rising prices and high unemployment, but has since widened to a more general expression of anger over alleged government corruption and discontent with Iran’s clerical rulers.

Six rioters were killed during an attack on a police station in the town of Qahdarijan; an 11-year-old boy and a 20-year-old man were killed in the town of Khomeinishahr; and a member of Iran’s paramilitary Revolutionary Guard was killed in the town of Najafabad.

200 protesters were arrested Saturday, 150 on Sunday and 100 on Monday.

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Qatar University students launch boycott campaign against US products

The students at Qatar University have launched a boycott campaign against American products in protest of US President Donald Trump’s recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital.

The Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani, warned Trump of the serious repercussions of moving Washington’s embassy to Jerusalem.

Al Thani warned that the move would complicate security and stability in the Middle East.

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Massive protests break out in Brazil against labor reform

Massive protests took place in Brazil against a comprehensive labor reform on Friday, a day before it takes effect.

The labor reform has been approved by the Congress and signed into law by President Michel Temer. However, unions and civil organizations still did not give up pressuring the government and congressmen into reconsidering the measure, and organized a series of marches and protests all over the country.

The protests swept 24 out of 27 states of the country. In Ceara state, around 20,000 people took the street.

 

Photo: XHNews

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