Resolute, Canada
At war with the cold: Canadian efforts to mount a military defense of the Arctic have gotten off to an unimpressive start, a new government report revealed. Last August, after Russia sent submarines to claim possible Arctic oil reserves, Canada pledged to build two military bases there. But an Arctic warfare training session conducted a few months ago in minus-140-degree temperatures was plagued by problems, according to an internal military assessment. Fuel lines in snowmobiles froze, requiring soldiers to routinely pour boiling water on them, which in turn required removing mittens and exposing bare hands to the cold. Food rations froze before they could be eaten, and shovels for building snow shelters couldn’t dent the Arctic ice. The course was cut from two weeks to one and declared a success, with all 33 candidates graduating.
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Yoga without borders: A few dozen Mexican and American yoga aficionados held an “international yoga class” this week, rolling out their mats on both sides of the towering border fence separating the beaches of Tijuana and San Diego. The group stretched, meditated, and exchanged hugs through the fence, in an effort “to make friends across cultural, political, societal, and even emotional barriers,” said organizer Dan Watman. The Border Meetup Group, which promotes “cross-border understanding,” convenes every few months for various activities, including surfing, gardening, and salsa dancing.
Mexico City
Nightclub stampede: Twelve young people celebrating the end of school last week were crushed to death when police raided a packed nightclub looking for underage drinkers. Mexico City’s Human Rights Commission said the tragedy may have been caused by conflicting actions by police, who first ordered the club cleared then stopped people from leaving. “People were going down the stairs peacefully,” said Juan Carlo Maya, the brother of the club’s owner. “But when police saw people starting to leave, they closed the door.” Officers involved in the raid have been suspended pending an investigation.
Tarija, Bolivia
A cry for autonomy: Residents of Bolivia’s Tarija province voted overwhelmingly for greater autonomy from the central government this week, becoming the fourth province to do so. The votes, while largely symbolic, are seen as a rebuke to the left-wing policies of President Evo Morales, who has moved to redistribute the nation’s wealth while consolidating power in the central government. “A new Bolivia must be built on a foundation of autonomy,” said Tarija Gov. Mario Cossio. “Centralism has left a bad legacy.” Like the other provinces that voted for more local control, Tarija is disproportionately wealthy and would lose out if its resources were used to help poor people in other parts of the country. Morales says the referendums are illegal.
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