Southern Cone
Southern Cone: May Day marches focus on local issues
Latin Americans generally used the traditional International Workers Day marches on May 1 this year to protest around national issues.
The Andes
Bolivia: May Day march amid multiple social conflicts
This year’s May Day mobilization in Bolivia comes amid mounting social conflicts, with protesters on the left and the right launching road blocks, hunger strikes and other direct actions.
Planet Watch
Deepwater Horizon: the petro-oligarchs strike back
The oil industry—through its media flacks and bought politicians—is mobilizing to assure that the Gulf of Mexico disaster will not result in an offshore drilling moratorium.
New York City
Pakistani Taliban claim attempted Times Square blast
The Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan have posted a video claiming responsibility for the attempted Times Square car-bomb attack. Police say they dismiss the claim.
North America
The healthcare bill and corporate rule: our readers write
Our April Exit Poll was: “Is the new healthcare bill a small step for social justice, or big one towards corporate totalitarianism?” We received the following two rather diametrically opposed responses: From JG in New York City: A small step… Read moreThe healthcare bill and corporate rule: our readers write
Europe
May Day rocks Athens as general strike builds
Police clashed in Athens May 1 with thousands of protesters marching against new austerity measures the Greek government is to adopt. A general strike is called for May 5.
Planet Watch
Gulf of Mexico oil spill endangers birds throughout Americas
Conservationists fear the Deepwater Horizon oil spill will affect migratory bird populations from Alaska to South America.
Mexico
Oaxaca: two dead as paras attack human rights caravan
Two are dead and at least five missing after a paramilitary ambush on a human rights caravan in the mountains of Oaxaca, Mexico.
Southern Cone
Uruguay: junta foreign minister gets prison term
A Uruguayan judge handed down a 20-year term to ex-foreign minister Juan Carlos Blanco in the case of a “disappeared” schoolteacher.
The Caribbean
Haiti: government suspends forced evictions
The Haitian government declared a moratorium on evictions of homeless residents from improvised encampments on private property.
Central America
Guatemala: NGO blasts maquilas’ abuse of women
A new report from Doctors of the World finds dangerous and degrading conditions for women in Guatemalan maquiladoras.
Central America
Honduras: anti-sweatshop campaign hits Nike
The chancellor of the University of Wisconsin in Madison has announced that the institution is cancelling its sports apparel contract with Nike over conditions in the company’s Honduras maquilas.