Palestine

Palestinians charge land-grab in Jerusalem greenbelt plan

An Israeli government plan to create a greenbelt around Jerusalem is fueling opposition among Palestinians and their supporters., who say the chain of parks is a land grab that consolidates Israel’s grip on disputed East Jerusalem.

The Andes

Colombia: Caño-Limón pipeline blown up —again

Colombia’s Caño-Limón oil pipeline was bombed by presumed FARC guerillas in Norte de Santander near the Venezuelan border. The rupture has local communities worried about an oil slick advancing on the Río Catatumbo.

Southeast Asia

Hezbollah targets Thailand?

Israel’s Counter-Terrorism Bureau issued a warning that Hezbollah militants could be preparing an attack in Bangkok. Thai authorities have arrested one suspect, and are reportedly conducting a manhunt for others.

Planet Watch

Obama denies permit for Keystone XL pipeline

President Obama denied a permit for the controversial Keystone XL oil sands pipeline, saying the deadline imposed by Congress did not leave enough time to conduct the necessary review. Developer TransCanada said it will re-apply.

North Africa

Libyan war spreading south

One solider was killed in northern Mali in a clash with Tuareg fighters of the National Movement for the Liberation of Azawad (MNLA)—who authorities said were backed up by former pro-Qaddafi Libyan soldiers.

Africa

Occupy Nigeria scores victory against fuel hikes

After a week of “Occupation” protests paralyzed the country’s cities, Nigeria’s government slashed fuel prices. But protest leaders demand prices be restored to the level before President Goodluck Jonathan dropped subsidies.

The Andes

Colombia: another indigenous leader slain in Cauca

Milciades Trochez Conda, an indigenous leader who 11 years ago escaped kidnappers from the FARC rebel group, was gunned down by presumed paramilitary hit-men in the southwestern Colombian department of Cauca.

Europe

Highway hubris behind Kosova clashes

As ethnic Albanian protesters blocked the road linking Kosova to Serbia, the government is building a four-lane highway to link the country to Albania—a project protested as a nationalist boondoggle by the Serb minority.