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)

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.

From the Zapatista National Liberation Army (EZLN) General Command, Dec. 2:

To the people of Mexico:
To the people of the world:

Brothers and Sisters:

The attack that our brothers, the people of Oaxaca suffered and suffer cannot be ignored by those who fight for freedom, justice and democracy in all corners of the planet.

Thousands of Somalis chanted anti-US slogans at an Islamist protest against a Washington-backed plan to send foreign peacekeepers to prop up the country's weak interim government Dec. 4. In a decrepit Mogadishu football stadium, Somalis shouted "Down with the USA!" as speakers accused the US and Ethiopia of planning to invade Somalia. (Reuters, Dec. 4) Meanwhile, an overview of reports from the region's press picked up by BBC Monitoring indicates this intervention may already be in the works.

From Military Families Speak Out, Dec. 6:

Military families challenge Iraq Study Group report as "the way sideways," paving the way for a long-term U.S. military presence in Iraq

Military Families Speak Out (MFSO), a nonpartisan organization of over 3,100 military families who are opposed to the war in Iraq, faults the Iraq Study Group report released today as being about "The Way Sideways," rather than "The Way Forward." The three basic recommendations of the report - step up diplomatic efforts with other nations in the region, talk tough to the Iraq government to get them to 'step up to the plate', and withdraw some U.S. combat troops but leave a significant number of troops in Iraq to provide training, logistical and rapid response capabilities - will not end the war in Iraq.

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.

Gus Selassie for Global Insight Daily Analysis via BBC Monitoring, Dec. 5:

Ethiopia and Somali Islamists in Last-Ditch Talks to Avert All-Out War
Despite the recent war of words and the deep-rooted animosity that appears to exist between the two sides, representatives of the Ethiopian government and Somalia's Union of Islamic Courts (UIC) have held unofficial talks, it has been confirmed. According to Ethiopian sources, the country's minister of state for foreign affairs, Tekeda Alemu, met Islamist officials in neighbouring Djibouti in a last-ditch effort aimed at averting an all-out war between the two sides, with the talks ending inconclusively.

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.