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.
Representatives of indigenous organizations in Peru met in Lima to announce that they have rejected proposed implementing regulations for the new Law of Prior Consultation for Indigenous and Original Peoples, and submitted proposals for improving it.
Thousands of Puerto Ricans marched to protest right-wing governor Luis Fortuño’s plan for a 92-mile, $450-million natural gas pipeline cutting through the island. Pipeline opponents fear explosions and damage to farmland, forests and archeological sites.
Mining supporters held a “protest” after authorities violently dispersed roadblocks set up by locals opposed to the Bajo de la Alumbrera gold mine. The pro-mine “protest” appears to have been organized with the support of the ruling Justicialist Party.
With little fanfare, the Mexican government is now starting to end the ban on the commercial development of transgenic corn. Monsanto and other GMO multinationals are set to go, with lands set aside in Sinaloa and other northern states.
World War 4 Report editor Bill Weinberg will be on assignment in Peru for much of March. Please support on-the-scene journalism from the struggle in the Andes. Your small donation will go a long way…
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.
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…
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.
Benjamin Netanyahu made the first-ever visit by an Israeli leader to Cyprus, to discuss offshore gas development and a possible new pipeline. But Turkey objects to the plans, claiming sections of the exploration blocs as under its continental shelf rights.
The assassination of Kartam Surya, legendary leader of the Salwa Judum militia in Chhattisgarh state, raises question about the Indian government’s ongoing collaboration with the officially outlawed paramilitary network.
The UN General Assembly voted to condemn Syria. The resolution supports an Arab League plan that encourages President Bashar al-Assad to step down. There were 12 votes against the resolution including Russia, China, Iran and Bolivia.
