Afghanistan

Afghans hold anti-US rally to mark 10-year war anniversary

Hundreds of Afghans marched through Kabul on the eve of the 10-year anniversary of the US military campaign in their country, to condemn the United States forces as occupiers and demand the immediate withdrawal of all foreign troops.

The Amazon

New oil deal for indigenous peoples in Peru, Bolivia?

Peru leased its first five oil contracts since passing a law designed to protect the country’s indigenous peoples, while Bolivia has unveiled an investment fund through which the Guaraní people will access proceeds from local oil development.

The Amazon

Peru: 300 women liberated from sex slavery in Amazon

Authorities in Peru say National Police rescued 293 women from sexual exploitation in raids in the country’s Amazonian region of Madre de Dios. Four were arrested in the regional capital Puerto Maldonado on human trafficking charges.

Planet Watch

Arctic gets an ozone hole

Earth’s protective ozone layer above the Arctic was pierced by a hole of unprecedented size last winter and spring caused by a long cold period in the stratosphere, according to new NASA research published in the journal Nature.

Southern Cone

Chile: police attack Mapuche community after clash at timber camp

Elite forces from Chile’s Special Police Operations Group (GOPE) invaded the Mapuche community of Wañako Mellao, firing at and terrorizing residents, after a group of Mapuche men occupied a local timber camp on traditional indigenous lands.

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.