While at a Feb. 5 Havana screening of a documentary on his youth, popular Cuban singer Silvio Rodriguez criticized regulations that keep Cubans from staying in Cuban hotels reserved for tourists. “I belong to a generation that when we had… Read moreCuba: growing criticism of the rules
On Feb. 7 the US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) arrested Puerto Rican independence activist Avelino Gonzalez Claudio, a suspected leader of the rebel Popular Boricua Army (EPB)-Macheteros. According to Luis Fraticelli, who heads the FBI in Puerto Rico, the… Read moreFBI arrests Machetero suspect
Local residents burned tires and blocked roads around Cuzco, Peru, Feb. 7 to protest government proposals to expand private development at Machu Picchu and other tourism sites. Tourist access to Machu Picchu was cut off by the protests, with visitors… Read morePeru: Cuzco residents protest tourism development
After meeting with UN Human Rights Commissioner Louise Arbour, Mexican President Felipe Calderón announced Feb. 6 that he would gradually remove army troops from drug enforcement duty, replacing them with newly-trained police units. Use of the military in Mexico’s war… Read moreCalderón to demilitarize Mexican drug war?
The New York Times reports Feb. 9 that military prosecutors are in the final phases of preparing a “sweeping” case against suspected conspirators in the 9-11 plot. The charges, to be filed in the military commission system at Guantánamo Bay,… Read moreSix at Gitmo to face trial in 9-11
Security sources in Cairo said Feb. 8 that hundreds of Egyptian nationals who have returned from the Gaza Strip over the past three days are under investigation following claims they were trying to join Hamas. The Egyptians were reportedly members… Read moreEgypt investigates hundreds of nationals for Hamas ties?
British Home Secretary Jacqui Smith signed an order Feb. 7 for the extradition of Abu Hamza al-Masri, the radical cleric imprisoned in the UK who is wanted by federal prosecutors in New York. Al-Masri, the former imam of north London’s… Read moreAbu Hamza al-Masri faces extradition to US
From the Federation of Workers Councils and Unions in Iraq (FWCUI), Jan. 6: As a result of the continuous efforts and collaboration between the Federation of Workers Councils and Unions in Iraq (FWCUI) and the workers of the water supply… Read moreBaghdad waterworks employees in labor victory
The US Forest Service, with minimal public notice and no formal environmental review, has approved a permit allowing the UK's Vane Minerals company to explore for uranium in the Kaibab National Forest just outside the boundaries of Grand Canyon National… Read moreUranium exploration at Grand Canyon approved
Protesters from the Ardoch Algonquin and Shabot Obaadjiwan First Nations returned to the prospective uranium mining site near Sharbot Lake, Ontario, Feb. 4 after mediation talks with the provincial government that began last fall broke down. Robert Lovelace, co-chief of… Read moreAlgonquins resume blockade of Ontario uranium site
Russian authorities have formally agreed to extradite to Colombia former Israeli military officer Yair Klein, officials at Moscow’s embassy in Bogotá said. Colombia requested Klein’s extradition five months ago after he was arrested by Interpol and agents of the Anti-terrorist… Read moreRussia to extradite Israeli spook to Colombia
Hundreds of thousands of Colombians marched Feb. 4 against kidnappings and other violence by the FARC guerillas in cities across the country. In Bogotá, marchers wore matching white T-shirts reading: “Yo Soy Colombia” (I am Colombia), with the kicker: “Stop… Read moreUribe exploits mobilization against FARC
