Iran
Iran: 200 arrested in new protests, opposition says
Iranian opposition websites say more than 200 people were arrested while attempting to protest in Tehran, with another 40 detained in Isfahan.
Author: CounterVortex
Iraq
Iraq: UN concerned over repression of protesters
UN Special Representative to Iraq Ad Melkert issued a statement expressing concern about reports of human rights violations during the nationwide protest campaign now underway.
Greater Middle East
Protests spread to Syria —despite regime’s pre-emptive measures
Although the regime has effectively suppressed press accounts, dissident websites in Syria say security forces have dispersed three demonstrations in the past few weeks.
The Amazon
Peru: government cracks down on illegal Amazon gold miners
Peru’s security forces cracked down on illegal gold mining operations in the Amazon region of Madre de Dios, with army troops putting several dredges on the region’s rivers to the torch.
The Andes
Peru: WikiLeaks impact seen on elections
Leaked US diplomatic cables with much unflattering gossip on Peru’s political elite have become an issue in the Andean nation’s pending presidential elections.
The Andes
Transport strike, floods paralyze Bolivia
Devastating floods on the heels of a transport strike have paralyzed Bolivia. Flooding has left some 7,000 homeless across the country, with 400 homes destroyed in La Paz.
The Amazon
Brazil: judge blocks construction of Belo Monte dam
A Brazilian judge ruled in favor of local indigenous groups, blocking President Dilma Rousseff’s plans to move ahead with construction of the controversial Belo Monte dam.
Central America
Honduras: right marches against crime, left to boycott elections
The right-wing National Democratic Alliance marched against violent crime in San Pedro Sula, while the leftist National Resistance Front met in Tegucigalpa, pledging to push for constitutional reform.
Mexico
Mexico: leader of “La Resistencia” apprehended
Mexican federal police announced the capture of “El Papirrin,” leader of “La Resistencia”—an alliance of cartels formed to resist the drive by Los Zetas to dominate Mexico’s narco networks.
Greater Middle East
Tunisian interim leader resigns; more unrest in Bahrain, Oman, Yemen
Tunisia’s interim prime minister resigned amid continuing street clashes, with deadly repression also reported from Oman. In Bahrain, 18 MPs resigned in protest of the killings of demonstrators.
North Africa
Libya: Security Council acts; “crown prince” weighs in
The UN Security Council ordered a travel ban and asset freeze on Moammar Qaddafi’s regime, as Muhammad as-Sanussi, Libya’s exiled crown prince, said the country is unified against the dictator.
North Africa
Latin leftist leaders in love-in with Libyan lunatic
Hugo Chávez Tweeted to his followers: “Long live Libya and its independence! Qaddafi is facing a civil war!” Nicaragua’s Daniel Ortega also expressed solidarity with the embattled Libyan dictator.