The Caribbean
Haiti: support grows for minimum wage increase
After a year of struggle by Haitian workers supported by North American activists, two major garment companies have agreed to honor the legal minimum wage.
North America
US: annual SOA protest smaller but ‘energizing’
Young people predominated in this year’s vigil protesting the US Army’s training of Latin American officers.
Afghanistan
Afghan penal code to include stoning for adultery?
Afghanistan’s Justice Ministry has proposed new provisions to the nation’s penal code that allow for stoning as punishment for adultery, Human Rights Watch reported.
Afghanistan
Karzai punts on US ‘security agreement’
Afghan President Hamid Karzai rejected the Loya Jirga's recommendation that he sign an agreement extending the US troop presence, citing continued civilian casualties.
Mexico
Michoacán mayor murdered by Knights Templar?
Mexico is shocked by the murder of Mayor Ygnacio López Mendoza of Santa Ana Maya, Michoacán, who was found dead after a public hunger strike to protest cartel extortion.
Iran
Iran agrees to limit nuclear program
The P5+1 world powers reached an agreement with Tehran committing Iran to limiting its developing nuclear program in exchange for relief from international sanctions.
Greater Middle East
Bahrain arrests two ex-Guantánamo detainees
Bahraini authorities arrested two former Guantánamo detainees as they attempted to cross in from Saudi Arabia. They are charged with plotting an attack in Bahrain.
Watching the Shadows
Italy begins trial in absentia of Egyptian cleric
His case delayed for years by his “extraordinary rendition” by the CIA from Milan to Egypt, cleric Abu Omar went on trial in absentia on charges of terrorist conspiracy in Italy.
Planet Watch
Native resistance to North American pipeline plans
The Keystone XL pipeline from Canada's oilfields to Texas is now matched by alternate routes to British Columbia and the Maritimes—all meeting opposition from Native peoples.
Inner Asia
Tibetan monk imprisoned for ‘splittism’: report
A Tibetan monk in China’s Sichuan province was sentenced to four and a half years in prison after he led a public prayer session for self-immolation martyrs.
The Andes
Bolivia: repression against dictatorship survivors
Bolivia’s elite anti-riot force used tear-gas against survivors of the country’s military dictatorship who protested in La Paz to demand indemnification for torture they suffered.
Africa
Congo: Katanga next for mineral boom —and war?
Following defeat of the M23 rebels in the war-torn east, the DRC is touting an imminent mineral boom in southern Katanga—despite a spreading separatist insurgency.