Iran

Iran: workers’ statement against war and sanctions

The International Alliance in Support of Workers in Iran (IASWI) released a statement condemning the threats of war and economic sanctions against Iran, as well as opposing the Islamic Republic’s internal repression of workers’ struggles.

The Andes

Bolivia: police clash with disabled

Riot police in La Paz clashed with disabled protesters in wheelchairs and on crutches. The “Wheelchair Caravan for Integration” traveled 100 days cross country to demand rights and government aid for Bolivia’s disabled.

Africa

Somalia: Ethiopian advance takes Baidoa from Shabaab

As Ethiopian forces press their offensive in Somalia, Shabaab rebels relinquished control of Baidoa, a key southern city that had been under their control for three years. The rebels still control the largest swath of Somalia’s south.

Afghanistan

Afghan “surge” of military advisors amid anti-US protests

The next round of deployments to Afghanistan was announced amid a wave of anti-US protests. Five brigades and one army command will train and support the Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF), an unprecedentedly large training mission.

Greater Middle East

Yemen: one-candidate elections marred by violence, boycotts

Yemeni officials hailed a 60% turnout in elections that officially ended President Ali Abdullah Saleh’s 33-year rule, despite boycott calls by separatists in the south where violence marred polling. Shi’ite rebels in the north also boycotted the polls.

Central America

Honduras: growing unrest in wake of prison fire

Hundreds of relatives of inmates who burned or suffocated to death at the Comayagua prison fire in Honduras pushed past security guards to force their way into a morgue to demand the remains of loved ones. Police cleared the morgue with tear gas.

Mexico

US, Mexico open transboundary waters to oil and gas exploitation

Officials from the US and Mexico signed an agreement that opens the way for oil and gas development along the two countries’ maritime boundary in the Gulf of Mexico. A moratorium on drilling had been extended after the Deepwater Horizon disaster.

South Asia

Piracy paranoia sparks Italo-Indian imbroglio

Indian police detained two members of an Italian navy security team over the fatal shooting of two fishermen from an oil tanker off the coast of Kerala, sparking a diplomatic fracas. Italy says the naval guards mistook the fishermen for pirates.

Europe

Spaniards, Greeks march against austerity

The European Union approved a second bailout for Greece, signing off on a $170 billion rescue package—a day after thousands of protesters took to the streets to oppose austerity measures in both Greece and Spain.