Africa
Pirates or protesters in Somalia sea stand-off?
Somalis who captured an oil tanker later released it with no ransom paid, and said they had seized it to protest toxic waste dumping and over-fishing in their waters.
Author: CounterVortex
Greater Middle East
Saudis behind Somali refugee massacre: reports
More than 40 Somali refugees were killed when an Apache helicopter fired on a boat in the Red Sea off war-torn Yemen, but the Saudi-led coalition denies responsibility.
Community power against mega-mining in El Salvador
Mural in the town of Cinquera, El Salvador. Communities in northern El Salvador continue to organize referendums in an effort to keep their territories free of mining. Established by the country's Municipal Code as a mechanism for community participation, the "consulta… Read moreCommunity power against mega-mining in El Salvador
The Andes
Colombia to get environmental Truth Commission?
Campesinos and environmentalists held a national mobilization demanding that Colombia establish a Truth Commission for environmental crimes as part of the peace process.
Central America
Nicaragua nabs cocaine lord of Miskito Coast
A Colombian cartel operative who established Central America's remote and lawless Miskito Coast as a major cocaine transfer point was arrested by Nicaraguan authorities.
Syria
Children’s suffering in Syria at its worst: UNICEF
Killings, forced recruitment and other grave violations against children in Syria were the highest on record in 2016, said UNICEF in a grim assessment as the war reaches six years.
Iraq
New Qaeda affiliate claims Damascus attack
A new Qaeda affiliate in Syria has claimed responsibility for a double bomb attack targeting Shi'ite pilgrims near a shrine in Damascus that killed at least 40 Iraqis.
The Andes
Colombia: peasant strike against coca eradication
Hundreds of peasant coca-growers shut down a main highway through southern Colombia to oppose the government's renewed "forced eradication" campaign in the region.
Iraq
US prepares ground troops for Syria
The Pentagon is dispatching some 2,500 combat troops to back up forces fighting the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria, as the US-led anti-ISIS coalition continues to fracture.
North Africa
Mali: Tuareg rebel militias again seize Timbuktu
Installation of an interim authority in Timbuktu under a peace deal with Tuareg rebels in Mali's desert north was blocked as hardline factions erected street barricades.
The Andes
Colombia: terror continues against social leaders
Even as the FARC guerillas begin the disarmament process under Colombia's peace plan, the ongoing wave of deadly violence against social leaders remains unrelenting.
The Andes
Peru: legal persecution of anti-mining activists
A trial opened in Peru's Cajamarca region against 16 community leaders facing prison terms for their participation in a protest against the Conga mining project.