Iran

Protests in Tehran; brinkmanship in Strait of Hormuz

Protesters took to the streets of Tehran one year after opposition leaders were put under house arrest for supporting Iran’s last protest wave. An Iranian patrol boat meanwhile had a “close encounter” with a US fleet in the Strait of Hormuz.

Iran

Israel blames Hezbollah, Iran in twin embassy attentats

Benjamin Netanyahu blamed “Iran and its proxy Hezbollah” after a deadly attack on an Israeli diplomat’s wife and attempted bombing in Tbilisi, Georgia— the day after the fourth anniversary of the assassination of Hezbollah’s operations chief.

Palestine

Gaza: new air-strikes as power cuts loom

A 69-year-old Palestinian man was killed in an attack by the Israeli Air Force on tunnels and a weapons depot in Gaza—as managers of the Strip’s only power plant warned of impending blackouts if more fuel is not delivered.

The Andes

Peru: last “historic” Shining Path leader captured

Peru’s President Ollanta Humala flew into a remote jungle military base in the Upper Huallaga Valley to announce the capture of “Comrade Artemio,” the last Shining Path commander dating back to the high noon of the insurgency 20 years ago.

The Andes

Peru: march for water rights arrives in Lima

A procession of some 1,000 entered Lima after a nine-day cross-country march, holding a massive rally in Plaza San Martín to oppose the Conga mining project in Cajamarca region, and like projects across Peru’s sierras.

Africa

Nigeria: Chevron oil spill fouls coastal communities

Chevron and coastal communities in Nigeria’s Bayelsa state are odds on whether oil from a spill at the offshore KS Endeavor platform has affected local communities, but state authorities say they are rushing in emergency aid.