Planet Watch

Meanwhile, the oceans are dying…

A new report by British scientists finds that the current level of carbon dioxide emissions will wipe out about 30% of the world’s marine species by the end of the century. Released carbon dioxide is leading to acidification of the oceans.

Europe

Spaniards, Greeks march against austerity

The European Union approved a second bailout for Greece, signing off on a $170 billion rescue package—a day after thousands of protesters took to the streets to oppose austerity measures in both Greece and Spain.

Mexico

Mexico: at least 44 dead in Nuevo León prison riot

At least 44 prisoners were killed in a clash between adherents of Los Zetas and the Gulf Cartel at the Center for Social Readaptation (CERESO) in Apodaca, Nuevo León. The CERESO, with an official capacity of 1,500, was holding some 3,000.

Watching the Shadows

Drones cleared to patrol US cities; avatar robots not far behind

President Obama signs a bill requiring the FAA to permit the use of domestic drones, both for commercial purposes and police surveillance. Meanwhile, the Pentagon’s DARPA announces it is developing robot “avatars” for battlefield use…

Inner Asia

Turkmenistan: new boss almost as wacky as old boss

Gurbanguli Berdymukhamedov was sworn in as Turkmenistan’s president, having won by a predictable 97%. His personalistic dictatorship mirrors that of his autocratic predecessor “Turkmenbashi”—and is the lynchpin of the planned trans-Afghan pipeline.

The Andes

Chavista anti-Semitism —again

There are doubtless many good reasons to oppose Henrique Capriles Radonski, the bourgeois politician who is challenging Hugo Chávez for Venezuela’s presidency. His Jewish background is equally assuredly not among them.

Southern Cone

Argentine union to boycott UK ships

Argentina’s confederation of transport workers (CATT) has instructed its members not to work on British ships or aircraft arriving in the country, as a show of support for the Argentine government’s claim of sovereignty over the Falkland Islands.