Iran
Israel sending nuclear-armed subs to Persian Gulf?
Reports in the London Times and Israeli press say Israel is to deploy three submarines armed with nuclear-equipped cruise missiles in the Persian Gulf.
Greater Middle East
PKK score hits against Turkish military
Violence is rising in eastern Turkey since imprisoned PKK leader Abdullah Ocalan decided to abandon peace efforts and leave local commanders in charge of the conflict.
Planet Watch
Gulf of Mexico oil gusher: “Earth extinction event”?
A worst case scenario for the Gulf of Mexico disaster is a greater eruption—possibly due to a nuclear detonation to contain the leak—releasing trillions of barrels of oil, and killing the oceans.
The Andes
Bolivia announces uranium exploration program
The government of Bolivia announced a preliminary study for a program of uranium exploration in Potosí department, and broached the possibility of uranium exports to Venezuela.
The Andes
Bolivia scores points with animal-lovers
Four lion cubs freed under Bolivia’s circus-animal ban arrived in San Francisco, heading to a new life in a northern California refuge run by the Performing Animal Welfare Society.
The Andes
Bolivia: Evo to negotiate with “Warrior Clans”
Bolivian President Evo Morales says he will negotiate with the “Ayllus Guerreros” that have declared a “red zone” in Potosí department after the killing of four national police officers.
Afghanistan
Senate approves funds for Afghan “surge” —as US death toll hits 1,000
The Senate approved a $60 billion spending bill to support a “surge” in troops in Afghanistan. The vote comes as the number of US casualties in Afghanistan surpassed 1,000.
Greater Middle East
Yemen: tribal militants, southern separatists attack
Yemen now faces multiple converging crises—with al-Qaeda and allied tribal militants in the Hadramout, with Shi’ite Houthi rebels in the north, and with armed separatists in the south.
Greater Middle East
Egypt: Ahmadis detained under emergency law
The Egyptian Initiative for Personal Rights called for the release of nine adherents of the Ahmadiyya sect detained under a controversial emergency law just extended by parliament.
South Asia
Pakistan: Ahmadiyya again targeted for terror
Teams of gunmen and suicide bombers simultaneously attacked two mosques packed with hundreds of worshippers, killing some 80 and wounding dozens in the worst attack ever against the Ahmadi sect.
Planet Watch
Media coverage of Cochabamba climate summit: one reader writes
Did you see or hear any media coverage of the Bolivia climate summit? Do you think the event was worthy of coverage? One readers responds…
Planet Watch
New oil disaster looms in North Sea
Ninety oil workers have been evacuated from a North Sea rig as engineers fight to control a huge build-up of pressure in a well that may have the potential to blow up the platform.