Africa
Thembuland announces secession from South Africa
King Buyelekhaya Dalindyebo of South Africa’s AbaThembu people announced that the tribal homeland—covering a vast area of the republic’s territory—has seceded.
The Andes
Venezuela: protests as cable TV stations ordered closed
Tens of thousands of Venezuelans opposed to Hugo Chávez took to the streets of Caracas, as the government ordered closed six cable TV stations.
Southern Cone
German court issues arrest warrant for Argentine “Dirty War” junta leader
A court in Nuremberg has issued an arrest warrant for Argentina’s former dictator Jorge Videla for helping to cover up the death of a German citizen in 1978.
Europe
Lithuania: foreign minister resigns amid scandal over secret CIA prisons
Lithuanian Foreign Minister Vygaudas Usackas resigned Jan. 21 in the midst of a dispute with President Dalia Grybauskaite over secret CIA secret prisons in the country.
Watching the Shadows
Government plans “cognitive infiltration” of conspirosphere
An Obama advisor suggests “cognitive infiltration” to combat conspiracy theory—thereby setting up rationalists to be baited as agents. Gee, thanks!
The Caribbean
Haiti earthquake refugees may not migrate to US: Napolitano
US Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano said that undocumented Haitians who arrived after last week’s earthquake will be sent back to Haiti.
Watching the Shadows
Call for indefinite detention of Gitmo inmates draws protests
The American Civil Liberties Union criticized a US Justice Department recommendation that 47 Guantánamo Bay inmates should be held indefinitely without trial.
Watching the Shadows
Two Guantánamo Bay detainees transferred to Algeria
The US Justice Department announced the transfer of two Guantánamo Bay detainees to Algeria, bringing the total number of Algerians released from the military prison to 19.
Planet Watch
UN report: indigenous peoples threatened worldwide
The world’s 370 million indigenous people suffer disproportionately high rates of poverty, and are often threatened with extinction, according to the first UN report on the question.
Africa
Botswana Bushmen to bring land dispute to World Court
The First People of Kalahari announced that the San Bushmen will take their land dispute case against the Botswana government to the International Court of Justice.
Watching the Shadows
Obama’s first year: a World War 4 Report scorecard
World War 4 Report offers an annotated assessment of Obama’s moves in dismantling, continuing or escalating the oppressive apparatus of the Global War on Terrorism (GWOT).
Iraq
Federal judge: Blackwater guards can be charged again
Judge Ricardo Urbina ruled that charges may be brought again against six accused of massacring 17 people in Nisur Square, Baghdad, while working for Blackwater Worldwide.