The Andes

Colombia: indigenous leader killed in “false positive” attack

The Colombian army admitted that a man killed weeks earlier in the eastern department of Arauca—originally reported to be a “financial leader” of the FARC guerillas—was actually the noncombatant leader of a local indigenous community.

Inner Asia

Tibetan refugees arrested in Katmandu

Over a dozen exiled Tibetans have been arrested in Nepal over the past week, in a crackdown against refugees while attempting to celebrate the Buddhist religious festival of Saka Dawa in the capital Kathmandu.

North Africa

Morocco: thousands protest despite reform vote

Thousands of protesters again took to the streets of Morocco to push for democratic reforms despite voter approval two days earlier of a constitutional reform that curbs the near-absolute powers of King Mohammed VI.

Palestine

Palestinian prisoners continue hunger strike

Hundreds of Palestinian detainees at Ashkelon prison, in Israel’s south, continued their hunger strike into a second day following attacks by prison security forces, who fired tear-gas and beat detainees with batons and hoses.

Palestine

Captain of Gaza flotilla ship arrested in Athens

The captain of The Audacity of Hope, a US boat carrying activists seeking to break the Israeli blockade of Gaza has been jailed in Athens. John Klusmer is being charged with two felonies, including “disturbing sea traffic”

Greater Middle East

Friday protests bring out thousands in Syria, Egypt, Yemen

At least 24 were killed in Friday protests across Syria, as thousands again took to the streets throughout Yemen, and some 5,000 led by the families of those killed in the uprising that ousted Hosni Mubarak filled Cairo’s Tahrir Square.

Palestine

Greece halts Gaza flotilla, seizes lead ship

The Audacity of Hope, US-registered lead ship in the Gaza aid flotilla, was stopped by the Greek Coast Guard just some 20 minutes outside the port of Perama. Athens says all ships bound for Gaza will be prohibited from leaving Greek ports.