The Amazon

Bolivia: Amazon protest march resumes in tense atmosphere

Indigenous protesters in Bolivia resumed their cross-country march, a week after their progress was halted by a police assault. Scattered confrontations were reported along the way, as demonstrations were held in their support across the country.

Southeast Asia

Burma: eco-dissidents score win over state hydro-hurbis

In an unprecedented move, Burma’s President Thein Sein yielded to a protest campaign, announcing cancellation of the controversial Myitsone Dam on the Irrawaddy River, already under construction by Chinese contractors.

Afghanistan

Karzai charges: Pakistan is power behind Taliban

In the wake of Burhanuddin Rabbani’s assassination, Afghan President Hamid Karzai says trying to talk peace with the Taliban is futile, that the real power behind the insurgents is Pakistan, and that Afghanistan’s best option is to negotiate with Islamabad.

Greater Middle East

Syria: over the edge into civil war?

Heavy fighting is reported between the Syrian army and opposition activists in central Homs province, as anti-government protests continue. In Rastan, seven soldiers and police were reportedly killed battling troops who have defected to the opposition.

Greater Middle East

Bahrain: doctors get prison for treating protesters

A military court in Bahrain sentenced a group of medical staff to up to 15 years in prison for treating anti-government protesters. Dr. Fatima Hadji told the BBC she was beaten in custody and threatened with rape before being released on bail.

Watching the Shadows

Anwar al-Awlaki killed in drone strike; ACLU charges illegality

US-born purported al-Qaeda leader Anwar al-Awlaki was killed in a drone strike in the Yemeni province of Jawf. The American Civil Liberties Union said the killing was part of a US counter-terrorism program that “violates both US and international law.”

Europe

Anti-Roma protests rock Bulgaria

Thousands marched in cities across Bulgaria to demand a government crackdown on the country's Roma minority after a young man was killed in a hit-and-run accident by an apparent associate of a local self-proclaimed "Gypsy King."

The Andes

Peru: government to mediate in dispute over Tacna copper mine

Local authorities in Peru’s southern region of Tacna called for a halt in protests to give the government time to meet demands that a permit for expanded mining operations be dropped—but pledge a general strike next week if demands are not met.