Around the World

Egypt
Three top leaders of the Muslim Brotherhood, Egypt’s most powerful opposition group, were arrested as a part of the government’s ongoing crackdown against the group following their appointment of new leadership. Read more on Egypt at Freedom in the World 2009: Egypt

Ukraine
Opposition leader Viktor Yanukovich defeated Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko by nearly three percentage points in Ukraine’s runoff election, bringing to power the man who attempted to steal the 2004 presidential election. Read more on Ukraine at Freedom in the World 2009: Ukraine

Iran
Ignoring calls for more severe sanctions against it, Iran announced that it would begin enriching uranium to a higher level of purity for use in a medical reactor, increasing tensions with the US and other countries. Read more on Iran at Freedom in the World 2009: Iran

Nigeria
The Nigerian Parliament voted to install Vice President Goodluck Jonathan as acting president, filling a dangerous power vacuum created by the medically-related absence of President Umaru Yar’Adua since November. Read more on Nigeria at Freedom in the World 2009: Nigeria