Thousands of supporters of Andres Manual Lopez Obrador again filled Mexico City's central plaza, the zocalo, Nov. 20 to witness his swearing in as Mexico's parallel "legitimate president," with a cabinet of 12 mostly drawn from his former administration as the capital's mayor. (AP, Nov. 20) "It is an honor to be the legitimate president of Mexico and above all the leader of free men and women like you," López Obrador told the crowd after leftist senator and human-rights activist Rosario Ibarra de Piedra placed a red-white-and-green "presidential sash" over his shoulder. (LAT, Nov. 21)

Despite the overwhelming presence of the Federal Preventative Police (PFP) in Oaxaca City's historic center, prominent attorney and retired army lieutenant Marcos Contreras Mendoza was assassinated in a drive-by shooting just two blocks from the Santo Domingo Cathedral on the morning of Nov. 17. Meanwhile, at a meeting of Christian seminarians in Juchitan de Zaragoza, Gov. Ulises Ruiz, in an unsubtle slap at the Popular People's Assembly of Oaxaca (APPO), said "The only one who can dismiss and impose governors is God." (La Jornada, Nov. 18)

From Middle East Newsline, Nov. 13:

The U.S. military plans to expand robot operations in Iraq.

From BBC, Oct. 17 (our commentary to follow):

Humanity may split into two sub-species in 100,000 years' time as predicted by HG Wells, an expert has said.

From Reuters, Nov. 20:

GAZA - Israel's air force cancelled a planned raid on the home of a Gaza militant on Sunday after hundreds of Palestinians barricaded themselves inside the building, an Israeli military spokesman and witnesses said.

Is this a great time to be alive or what? From The Independent, Nov. 19:

A high-tech and unmanned "bionic wasp" capable of destroying a cell of militants or guerrillas is among a series of futuristic weapons being discussed by a group of experts set up by the Israeli Deputy Prime Minister, Shimon Peres.

From El Universal, Nov. 19:

At least three of 10 lawyers being held hostage by inmates were killed Saturday after police raided the prison in the state of Michoacán to rescue them, media reported.

Mexican Federal Preventative Police (PFP) in Oaxaca City used tear gas and water cannons against a demonstration by local women Nov. 19, following accounts of sexual abuses by the police troops. Some women carried signs reading "Oaxaca is not a brothel," or mirrors with the words "I am a rapist" written across them that were held up to the police lines. (La Jornada, Nov. 19)