Latin American governments and organizations generally condemned the assault on the Palestinian territory of Gaza by Israeli military forces. There were also a number of street protests, which the media reported were mostly small. The strongest condemnations came from leftist… Read moreLatin America: reactions to attack on Gaza
On Dec. 26 supporters of Mexico’s rebel Zapatista National Liberation Army (EZLN) began the “World Festival of Dignified Rage” in the Federal District (DF, Mexico City). The series of events marks 15 years since the mostly indigenous group took the… Read moreMexico: EZLN celebrates 15 years
Cuban president Raúl Castro Ruz led a subdued celebration on Jan. 1 for the 50th anniversary of the triumph of the Cuban Revolution. The ceremony took place in the eastern city of Santiago, where Castro’s brother, former president Fidel Castro,… Read moreCuba: Revolution turns 50
Israeli troops and Hamas fighters battled at dawn in Gaza Jan. 5 amid tank, artillery and air strikes, as the death toll from the offensive passed 510. Israeli forces moved into the outskirts of Gaza City as families fled or… Read morePalestinian death toll passes 500 as Israeli army moves on Gaza City
From the General Federation of Workers’ Councils and Unions in Iraq (GFWCUI), Dec. 13: Dear Brothers and Sisters in the global struggle for workers’ rights, peace and justice: Plans are underway to hold an International Labor Conference in Iraq in… Read moreIraq unions call for international labor conference in Irbil
A female suicide bomber killed at least 35, including women and children, and wounded 65 others in an attack on a religious procession near the holy Kadhimiyah shrine in northern Baghdad Jan. 4. The woman blew herself up at a… Read moreIraq: Shi’ite pilgrims massacred as Muharram holy days open
The US State Department harshly condemned the Syrian regime over thousands of death notices it has released in recent weeks, saying they confirm suspicions of mass detentions, torture and murder. The State Department said that over 117,000 are believed to have been detained or forcibly disappeared in Syria since the conflict began in 2011, "the vast majority" by the regime. Amnesty International meanwhile issued a statement protesting the US-led Coalition’s "flurry of responses" rejecting the findings of its recent report on devastation wrought by the aerial bombardment of Raqqa last year, revealing "how deeply in denial the Coalition leadership is about its failure to protect civilians caught in conflict." (Photo: SDF)
Mexican authorities announced Dec. 30 the arrest of Alberto Espinoza Barron AKA “La Fresa” (the Strawberry), reputed head of the “Michoacán Family“—the drug cartel accused of setting off two grenades during an Independence Day celebration in September, killing eight people… Read moreMexico: bloody New Year despite arrest of kingpin
From the US Campaign to End the Israeli Occupation, Dec. 28: Dear President-Elect Obama, Congratulations on your historic election as the next President of the United States. Last year, you pledged to “take an active role, and make a personal… Read moreActivists to Obama: demand Israel lift Gaza siege
The number of Palestinians killed in the ongoing Israeli offensive on the Gaza Strip reached 434, with at least 2,280 wounded as the air campaign entered its seventh day Jan. 3. Five children were killed in al-Qarara town, east of… Read moreGaza death toll above 430 in solid week of Israeli bombardment
Ethiopia began pulling its military forces out of Somalia at the beginning of the year, having pledged to withdraw from the country by the end of 2008. Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi’s office said the withdrawal would take several days…. Read moreEthiopia begins Somalia withdrawal —chaos or peace next?
