North Africa
Western Sahara dominates UN decolonization meeting
The issue of Western Sahara, Africa’s last colony, was discussed in depth at the UN’s Decolonization Committee meeting in New York this week.
North Africa
World Bank, EU, NATO certify “constitutional rule” in Mauritania
The World Bank, EU and NATO have all restored full ties to Mauritania—despite charges of fraud in elections claimed by coup leader Gen. Ould Abdel Aziz.
Europe
Istanbul: protesters brutalized at IMF summit
After two days of protests at the IMF/World Bank meeting in Istanbul, reports are mounting of arrested youth brutally beaten by police while in custody.
The Caucasus
World War I genocide clouds Turkish-Armenian accord
Protesters rallied in Armenia’s capital to oppose a new accord re-establishing ties with Turkey, that they fear will lead to a whitewash of the Armenian genocide.
North America
Pittsburgh is Honduras
Pittsburgh police used a Long Range Acoustic Device “audio cannon” against protesters at the G-20 Summit—which was also used against protesters in Honduras.
Watching the Shadows
Gitmo detainee repatriated to Kuwait
Kuwaiti Guantánamo Bay detainee Khaled Al-Mutairi has been returned to his home country, leaving 222 who must be dealt with to meet Obama’s goal of closing the facility.
Palestine
More clashes at al-Aqsa Mosque as Abbas takes hit on Goldstone report
Palestinians again clashed with Israeli security forces at the al-Aqsa Mosque—as protests mounted against Mahmoud Abbas’s capitulation on the Gaza war crimes probe.
Afghanistan
Obama at crossroads on Afghanistan —and anti-war movement?
Anti-war activists held a White House protest to oppose the escalation in Afghanistan—as Code Pink ponders the implications of a US withdrawal for women’s rights.
Central America
Honduras: right-wing propaganda machine in pro-coup offensive
Otto Reich and Roger Noriega, architects of US policy in Central America in the 1980s, are leading a congressional and propaganda drive in support of the Honduran coup regime.
Central America
Honduras: claims and counter-claims over Zelaya anti-Semitism
Did Manuel Zelaya really claim that Israeli mercenaries are poisoning him with high-frequency radiation waves? (And could it really be true?)
Central America
Honduras: maquila owners call for intervention
Adolfo Facussé, president of the National Association of Industries of Honduras (ANDI), is proffering a proposal for a multinational intervention force in the Central American country.
Mexico
Mexico: government to bust electrical workers?
Mexican Electrical Workers Union members are guarding the facilities of the Central Light and Power Company amid claims of a government plot to provoke a blackout and blame the workers.