Africa

from email, 14 November 2009: "The Sydenham police arrived at Pemary Ridge at around 8pm on Friday night in one private car. Three police officers first went to a woman's tuck shop. They found that the shop was closed, and proceeded to kick down the front door. The woman, hearing the police and fearing they would damage her shop, entered through the back door. When she entered, they arrested her for having bottles of beer in her shop..." more

from ainfos, 29 September 2009: "A series of armed attacks took place at about 11h30 on the night of Saturday 26 September 2009 at the Kennedy Road Informal Settlement, and carried on with impunity for at least 23 hours. Although police are claiming two people died, it has been confirmed by Abahlali baseMjondolo that at least four people have been killed: three during the attacks and another died later in hospital. It is reported that the houses of around 30 AbM members were burnt or destroyed by a mob, shouting things like "The AmaMpondo are taking over Kennedy. Kennedy is for the AmaZulu" while carrying out the attacks..." more

from LCAP, updated 3 September 2009: "Fifteen years after the end of apartheid, poverty and inequality in South Africa have increased. Durban’s shack dwellers started to build a movement in 2005 and Abahlali baseMjondolo is now the largest social movement of the poor in post-apartheid South Africa. BENEFIT Fri 4 Sept 7.30pm-2am @ the Belgrade Social Centre, 2a Belgrade Rd, London N16. TALK Sat 5 Sept 3-5.30pm @ Navarino Mansions Community Hall, Dalston Lane, London E8..." more

from various sources, 25 November 2008: "Throughout its history, capitalism has functioned through geographical displacement of crisis – attempting to offload the worst impacts onto those outside the core. This article presents a short survey of what this crisis might mean for the Global South..." more

from rinf, 24 November 2008: "The American security company Blackwater is planning to cash in on the rising threat of piracy on the high seas by launching a flotilla of gunboats for hire by the shipping companies. The firm, which gained international notoriety when its staff killed civilians in Iraq, has already equipped one vessel, called The McArthur, which will carry up to 40 armed guards and have a landing pad for an attack helicopter"... more

from email, 15 November 2008: BAMAKO (AFP) — One person died and five were injured Monday when security forces opened fire on a protest over plans to privatise drinking water distribution in northwestern Mali, hospital and official sources said. Authorities intervened after hundreds of protesters ransacked city hall in the town of Lere and threw stones at the mayor and his deputy, injuring them and several other people, said a municipal official. more

posted 12 November 2008: "In this month’s Underreported Struggles: 400,000 Guatemalans Reject Development Model, Philippines Indigenous People Unite for the Land, Riot Police Target Algonquin Blockade, Chagos Islanders Denied the Right of Return, and 17 other stories that you probably haven’t heard about..." more