Bill Weinberg
Yemen: gunman attacks US embassy
Pretty much dumb luck that they gunned this guy down before he hit anyone, which is why this isn't in the headlines. Perhaps blowback from Yemen's embroilment in the joint US-Ethiopia proxy war in Somalia? From SomaliNet, Dec. 6:
A gunman opened fire outside the U.S. Embassy early Tuesday, but was shot by Yemeni security guards and arrested before anyone else was wounded, an Interior Ministry official reported.
Oaxaca protest leader arrested in Mexico City
From Copley News Service via the San Diego Union-Tribune, Dec. 6:
MEXICO CITY – The leader of the six-month protest in Oaxaca state was arrested late Monday in Mexico City, just hours before he planned to meet with top officials in President Felipe Calderón's government in hopes of negotiating a peaceful solution.
"Eerie calm" in Oaxaca following repression wave
Under threat of an imminent invasion of the campus by Mexican federal police and Oaxaca state law enforcement, activists representing the Popular People's Assembly of Oaxaca (APPO) formally turned over control of Radio Universidad Nov. 30 to the state university rector Francisco Martinez Neri. The rector announced at a press conference that none of the station's equioment was damaged or missing. (Noticias de Oaxaca, Nov. 30) The following morning, the university, which had been APPO's principal stronghold, re-opened its doors to regular classes. El Universal reported that "for the first time in over five months, this state capital awoke with no barricades in sight," and an "eerie calm" reigned over the city. (El Universal, Dec. 1)
Oaxaca: Brad Will's accused killers released
Sarah Ferguson writes for the Village Voice, Dec. 1:
The two Oaxacan town officials accused of gunning down Indymedia journalist Brad Will were released from prison today after a state judge claimed there was a "fading of evidence" against them.
Victorious Chavez snubs US dialogue offer?
Over the issue of the US harboring a terrorist, the headline fails to note. From AP, Dec. 2:
Chavez snubs US overture for dialogue
President Hugo Chavez snubbed a US overture for dialogue, saying he is always willing to talk but he doubts Washington sincerely wants to improve relations.
Islamic scholars condemn female genital mutilation
Here's a glimmer of hope. Emad Mekay writes from Cairo for IPS, via South Africa's Mail & Guardian, Nov. 30:
'I thought Islam told us to do so'
Om Samar didn't believe the news. "Muslim scholars banning [female] circumcision? This must be a joke," she said.
Islamists threaten Gaza women
From the Jerusalem Post, Dec. 2:
A hitherto unknown group calling itself the Just Swords of Islam issued a warning to Palestinian women in the Gaza Strip over the weekend that they must wear the hijab or face being targeted by the group's members.
Taliban terror targets Afghan women
Still think freedom's on the march in Afghanistan? Or, for those of you on the other side of the coin, that the Taliban insurgents are heroic anti-imperialists? From The Independent, Nov. 29:
Disembowelled, then torn apart: The price of daring to teach girls
The gunmen came at night to drag Mohammed Halim away from his home, in front of his crying children and his wife begging for mercy.

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