Watching the Shadows

Judge: Gitmo detainee has no right to secret info

A judge for the US District Court for the District of Columbia ruled that lawyers for a detainee at Guantánamo Bay may not review “top secret” materials related to the case. 

North America

Somali men in new ‘terrorism’ cases

A Somali-American accused of planning a Christmas bomb attack in Oregon appears to be the latest victim of an FBI-generated bogus "terrorism" plot.

Mexico

Hezbollah link to Zapatistas? Not!

An Israeli press account plays a cynical game of connect-the-dots to link Hezbollah and the Zetas to the Zapatista rebels in Chiapas. Don't believe the hype.

North Africa

Tunisia frees Benghazi attack suspect

A Tunisian court unconditionally released Ali Harzi, the only suspect held in custody over the deadly attack on the US consulate in the Libyan city of Benghazi.

Oceania

Kali Yuga in Australia

Nuclear disaster was narrowly averted in Sydney when one of the wildfires sweeping New South Wales threatened an atomic research station near the city.

Greater Middle East

Qatar: imprisoned poet appeals life sentence

Muhammad al-Ajami, a Qatari poet who was sentenced to life in prison for “insulting” the Emir in a poem extolling the Arab Spring, has been granted an appeal.

Planet Watch

Protesters occupy Keystone XL offices in Houston

More than 100 protesters stormed the lobby of TransCanada's Keystone office in Houston as a new tree-sit was established at the Texas town of Diboll to block pipeline construction.

Mexico

Oaxaca: indigenous protest camp eviction

A protest encampment of Triqui indigenous campesinos displaced from their village by paramilitary violence was evicted by police in downtown Oaxaca City.