The Andes
Colombia scores blow against Valle Cartel
Colombian security forces arrested 112 suspected members of the paramilitary arm of the Norte del Valle Cartel in an area of Chocó department near the border with Panama.
The Andes
Colombia’s senate approves referendum on extending presidential term limits
The Colombian Senate approved a proposal to hold a referendum on amending the country’s constitution to allow a third term for the hardline President Alvaro Uribe.
The Andes
Bolivia’s ex-prez goes on trial in absentia on “genocide” charges
The Bolivian Supreme Court of Justice opened the trial of fugitive ex-president Gonzalo Sánchez de Lozada in connection with the deaths of 63 protesters in October 2003.
Mexico
Mexico: crackdown in wake of Zacatecas jailbreak sparks protests
Relatives of a group of men ordered detained for 30 days in connection with the dramatic jailbreak at a high-security prison in Mexico’s Zacatecas state blocked a federal highway.
South Asia
Pakistan boosts nuclear arsenal?
US satellite photos released this week show Pakistan has expanded two sites crucial to its atomic program—apparently in an effort to bolster its nuclear arsenal. Pakistan denied the charges.
Iraq
Federal judge dismisses Iraq war legality suit
A judge dismissed a lawsuit alleging that former president George W. Bush violated Congress’s constitutional power to declare war by initiating a preemptive war against Iraq.
Watching the Shadows
Senate passes amendment delaying Gitmo closure funds
Members of the Senate voted 90-6 to approve an amendment eliminating $80 million from pending legislation intended to fund the closure of the Guantánamo Bay detention facility.
Watching the Shadows
Military judge grants government motion for continuance in Gitmo case
A military judge granted a motion to postpone hearings for Gitmo detainee Ahmed Mohammed Ahmed Haza al-Darbi, staing that a delay will permit completion of the Detention Policy Review.
Watching the Shadows
Federal judge rejects new government standard for Gitmo reviews
Judge John Bates in Washington DC ruled on the limits of detaining terrorism suspects at Guantánamo Bay, rejecting the Obama administration’s “substantial support” standard.
Planet Watch
White House announces national vehicle emissions policy
President Obama announced plans for national fuel efficiency requirements aimed at conserving 1.8 billion barrels of oil and reducing emissions by 900 million metric tons.
Planet Watch
Obama places Chrysler under heavy manners
President Obama’s Automotive Task Force has slashed Chrysler’s advertising budget as a condition of the company’s bankruptcy restructuring.
Planet Watch
Dems, Reps divided on climate pseudo-solutions
With a climate bill now being crafted on Capitol Hill, Democrats are supporting a measure that would instate a carbon-trading system—while Republicans favor subsidies for nuclear power.