The Caucasus
Seven dead in Ingushetia blast
Four Russian police agents and three suspected rebels were killed in a clash in Nazran, capital of Ingushetia in Russia’s troubled North Caucasus.
Author: CounterVortex
Iran
Iran: Baha’is targeted in espionage trial
Seven members of the Baha’i faith will stand trial in Iran on charges of “spying for Israel” and “desecrating Islam and campaigning against the Islamic Republic,” the official ISNA agency reports.
WHY WE FIGHT
From WPIX, Feb. 11: Pedestrian Struck, Dragged 17 Miles BRIGHTON BEACH, NY — A driver is being questioned by police Wednesday after it was discovered he struck a pedestrian in the Corona section of the Queens and dragged him 17… Read moreWHY WE FIGHT
North America
Arizona: trial begins against vigilante rancher
A trial started in federal court in Tucson against vigilante rancher Roger Barnett and Cochise County Sheriff Larry Dever for conspiracy to violate the rights of undocumented immigrants.
Oceania
New Zealand compensates Maori tribes for land seizures
The government of New Zealand agreed to pay $140 million in compensation to eight Maori tribes for illegal land seizures and breaches of the 1840 Treaty of Waitangi.
Planet Watch
Obama has four years to save planet: leading scientist
James McCarthy, head of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), speaking on the eve of the group’s annual meeting in Chicago, warned that Barack Obama has just four years to save the planet. “We have a moment… Read moreObama has four years to save planet: leading scientist
Iraq
Obama urged to halt military detention of journalists
The Committee to Protect Journalists called on the Obama administration to end the indefinite detention of journalists by the US military overseas. At least one reporter, in Iraq, is still incarcerated.
Watching the Shadows
Obama continues Bush-era “state secrets” argument in Gitmo torture case
Obama administration surprised a panel of the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals by pressing ahead with a Bush-era argument for preserving state secrets in case concerning the torture of a Guantánamo Bay detainee.
Greater Middle East
Egypt cracks down hard on Gaza protesters
Egyptian blogger Philip Rizk, detained after a rally for Gaza, was released following an international online campaign. But Diaa Eddin Gad, a blogger arrested the same day, remains in detention.
Palestine
Palestinians push for Hague probe of Gaza aggression
The Palestinian Authority is pressing the International Criminal Court to investigate Israel’s assault on Gaza—but this opens jurisdictional questions as neither Israel nor the PA are members of the court.
Palestine
West Bank village Jayyous under curfew
Several Israeli military vehicles overran the West Bank village of Jayyous and imposed a curfew on the area. Locals host weekly demonstrations against the building of the separation wall on village land.
Palestine
Israel: “troika of terrorism” fight over electoral spoils
Hamas said Israeli voters elected a “troika of terrorism”—an obvious reference to Tzipi Livni, Benjamin Netanyahu and Avigdor Lieberman, the three politicians now jockeying to form a coalition government.