North Africa

Libya: Berbers rally for cultural freedom

Libya’s Berber (Amazigh) minority held the “First Libyan Amazigh Forum” in Tripoli, under the slogan: “Officialize the Amazigh language and support national unity.” The unprecedented festival opened with the new national anthem, sung in Arabic and Berber.

Europe

Anti-Roma protests rock Bulgaria

Thousands marched in cities across Bulgaria to demand a government crackdown on the country's Roma minority after a young man was killed in a hit-and-run accident by an apparent associate of a local self-proclaimed "Gypsy King."

The Andes

Peru: government to mediate in dispute over Tacna copper mine

Local authorities in Peru’s southern region of Tacna called for a halt in protests to give the government time to meet demands that a permit for expanded mining operations be dropped—but pledge a general strike next week if demands are not met.

Watching the Shadows

Al-Qaeda to Ahmadinejad: Aw shut up already, will ya?

Will the 9-11 “Truthers” give any honest reaction to al-Qaeda’s statement telling Iran’s President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad to stop trying to deprive the terror network of the glory by blaming the attacks on the US government? We’re waiting, guys…

North Africa

Seven dead in Western Sahara “football riot”

In the worst violence in occupied Western Sahara this year, ongoing clashes sparked by a soccer match have left seven dead, pitting ethnic Sahrawi supporters of the home team against Moroccan settlers who supported the visiting team from near Casablanca.

Greater Middle East

Saudi women to get the vote —but still flogged for driving

The sentencing of a woman to 10 lashes for driving a car shows the scale of gender discrimination in Saudi Arabia, Amnesty International said. The sentence comes after the monarchy announced that women will be granted the vote in local polls.

Watching the Shadows

Hezbollah leader could get US military trial: report

The Obama administration is considering trying Ali Mussa Daqduq, the former leader of Hezbollah who was captured in Iraq, in a military commission on US soil, according to anonymous counter-terrorism officials.

Central America

Central America: abuse continues in US-linked maquilas

Managers at two factories in northern Honduras owned by the US clothing firm Delta Apparel, Inc. are continuing to threaten women employees suffering from work-related injuries, according to the Honduran Women’s Collective (CODEMUH).