The Andes

Ecuador: general strike in Galápagos

The Galápagos Islands were shut down by a general strike called by residents to protest the repeal of a law subsidizing wages to meet high living costs in the remote territory.

Southern Cone

Labor split on Argentine transit strike

A transport strike to oppose a wage cap in Argentina brought Buenos Aires to a standstill, but pro-government labor unions called the walk-out politically motivated.

Europe

Mineral struggle in new Kosova violence

Street-fighting in Kosova's capital Pristina was portrayed as more Serb-Albanian "ethnic hatred," but it came as workers occuiped the Trepca mining complex to resist privatization.

Europe

Greece: populist bloc with xenophobes

Syriza needs anti-austerity partners for its economic program, but its alliance with the anti-immigrant Independent Greeks further mainstreams very dangerous politics.

Planet Watch

Behind oil slump: shale boom or geopolitics?

Experts tell us the North American shale oil boom is responsible for low prices despite Middle East unrest. But the price slump serves Western aims of weakening Russia and Iran.

Southern Cone

Argentina: UN group condemns vulture funds

Argentina has gained broad international support in its fight with two US hedge funds, but the US judge on the case isn't impressed: he declared the country in contempt.

Southern Cone

Argentina: US sued at Hague over default

Argentina wants to sue the US at the World Court for forcing the country into default on its debt, but the US has a habit of ignoring the court and its decisions.

Southern Cone

Argentina: US hedge funds force bond default

Argentina has defaulted for the second time in 13 years, thanks to US investors and US courts. Economists warn that the precedent could threaten the global financial system.