The two main opposition leaders in Iran have called off demonstrations planned for Saturday to mark the anniversary of last year's disputed presidential election. The two, Mir Hossein Moussavi and Mehdi Karroubi, said it had become obvious that they would not receive official permission. People in Tehran said there were already unprecedented numbers of police and security forces on the streets.
The Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov says the new United Nations sanctions against Iran will not affect / Russia's contract to supply it with advanced missiles. Mr Lavrov said the resolution only refers to offensive weapons whereas the S-300 missiles Russia is selling to Tehran are classified as defensive. Correspondents say there is however some concern in the United States that the Russian missiles could be used to protect Iran's nuclear facilities from a possible attack.
The head of the world football body FIFA Sepp Blatter has told thousands of people attending a concert on the eve of the World Cup that football is not only a game, but a way of connecting people. The South African President Jacob Zuma told the audience the Cup had shown that South Africa could handle big events. Jonah Fisher reports from outside the concert at the New Orlando Stadium.
The sound of this World Cup is said to be the vuvuzela, the wasp-like horn loved by local football fans, so this pre-tournament concert is probably the one and only time that the world music will be associated with South Africa 2010. Hopes are that the World Cup will be hitch-free without a blow by a power cut outside Orlando Stadium. The concert is continuing, but those unable to afford a ticket have so far not been able to watch on a big screen.