East Asia
South Korean farmers protest THAAD deployment
As the US moves to deploy the THAAD anti-missile system in South Korea, local farmers have launched a protest campaign and lawsuit to halt the installation.
Author: CounterVortex
Syria
Kurdish forces hand over villages to Assad regime?
Amid shifting alliances in the scramble for northern Syria, Kurdish-led forces are accused of handing over territory to the Assad regime, in a deal brokered by Russia.
Southeast Asia
Philippines: legal persecution of drug war critic
One of the Philippines' only lawmakers openly critical of President Rodrigo Duterte's blood-drenched "war on drugs" is herself facing "politically motivated" drug charges.
Burma: scribe’s murder tests democratic opening
Yangon vigil for assassinated journalist Ko Soe Moe Tun. The climate for media freedom in Burma has improved since the long years of military dictatorship, when the press was censored and journalists were slain with impunity. But the recent killing of… Read moreBurma: scribe’s murder tests democratic opening
North Africa
Libya: oil ports change hands yet again
The Benghazi Defense Brigades seized Libya's key oil ports from warlord Khalifa Haftar, and urged the Tripoli-based "official" government to take control of the country's "oil crescent."
Greater Middle East
Yemen: US warplanes strike Qaeda targets
US warplanes and drones struck supposed al-Qaeda targets across three provinces in Yemen, killing at least 12 suspected militants and wounding multiple civilians.
The Andes
Colombia: top court deals blow to open-pit project
Colombia's Constitutional Court ruled that "prior consultation" with local communities must be carried out before an open-pit gold mine project can move ahead.
The Andes
Colombia: FARC disarmament process begins
Under UN oversight, the FARC guerillas began the process of turning over their weapons at the 26 "transitional camps" established for the purpose around the country.
North America
Trump travel ban bars Syrian activist from Oscars
Syrian cinematographer Khaled Khatib was barred by Homeland Security from traveling to the US for the Oscars, where a documentary he worked on was awarded.
Syria
US bombs post-Nusra militants fighting Assad
A US drone strike killed a supposed al-Qaeda leader in Syria fighting in an ex-Nusra Front cell that had just carried out a deadly suicide attack on a regime intelligence complex.
The Andes
Ecuador: indigenous split on presidential race
Ecuador's once-powerful but increasingly fractured indigenous movement is divided on which candidate to support as the presidential race heads to a second round.
The Andes
Colombia: courts uphold local power over mining
Colombia's Constitutional Court upheld the power of municipalities to block mining operations on their lands, clearing the way for local referenda throughout the country.