Iran students stage first anti-government protests since deadly crackdown

This week has seen a surge in global developments, from anti-government protests in Iran to devastating avalanches in Austria, and a significant escalation of diplomatic tensions between the US and other nations.

In Iran, students at several universities have staged anti-government protests, the first such rallies on this scale since last month's deadly crackdown by the authorities. The protesters, honouring thousands of those killed, marched at the Sharif University of Technology in Tehran and in the north-eastern city of Mashhad. The US has been building up its military presence near Iran, and President Donald Trump has said he is considering a limited military strike.

Meanwhile, in Austria, at least five people have been killed in a string of avalanches, authorities said on Saturday. The government office of the Tirol region reported that intense snowfall over the last week had led to accumulations of up to 1.5 metres (5ft), combined with strong winds and weak snowpack below, making the conditions especially susceptible to avalanches.

In a separate development, the US Supreme Court ruled against President Trump's tariffs, striking down his previous import taxes. In response, Trump announced on Saturday that he would impose global tariffs of 15%, which would come into force on Tuesday, February 24. This move is seen as a significant escalation of diplomatic tensions, particularly with China and Europe.

In other news, a conservation effort in the Galápagos has reached a significant milestone, with the release of 158 captive-bred giant tortoises onto the island of Floreana. The reintroduction is part of the Floreana Ecological Restoration Project, led by the Galápagos National Park Directorate.

A recent interview between Tucker Carlson and Mike Huckabee, the US ambassador to Israel, has also highlighted a deepening divide within the Republican party over its stance on Israel. The debate, which was released on Friday, vividly illustrated the gap between Christian nationalists and those who view Israel with suspicion.

As these global developments unfold, the world watches with bated breath, wondering what the consequences of these events will be. Will the protests in Iran lead to significant changes in the country's government? How will the US tariffs affect global trade? And what does the future hold for the fragile ecosystem of the Galápagos? Only time will tell.

Sources:

• BBC Persian and Jaroslav Lukiv, "Iran students stage first anti-government protests since deadly crackdown"
• Jessica Rawnsley, "Giant tortoises return to Galápagos island after nearly 200 years"
• AFP, "At least five people killed in string of avalanches in Austria"
• Dearbail Jordan, "Trump ups tariffs day after Supreme Court ruling against him"
• J Oliver Conroy, "Combative Carlson-Huckabee interview reveals US right’s chasm over Israel"