Europe
Crimean Tatar leader faces ‘lawless’ trial
Akhtem Chiygoz, deputy head of the Tatar Majlis, is about to go on trial in Russian-annexed Crimea, in a case opponents say "flies in the face of all principles of law."
Author: CounterVortex
East Asia
China passes draconian anti-terror law
China's new anti-terrorism law requires technology companies to provide decryption to officials, restricts media reportage on terrorist activity, and permits overseas military raids.
The Andes
Colombia: official apology in 1988 massacre
At a public ceremony in the Colombian town of Segovia, the government formally acknowledged responsibility in the 1988 massacre of 43 residents by paramilitaries.
Southeast Asia
Mindanao: toward sectarian war
In a series of Christmas eve attacks, the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters killed several Christian peasants in the southern Philippines island of Mindanao.
Central America
Setbacks for Nicaragua canal project
Financial woes for the Hong Kong-based developer and an unfavorable World Court ruling in a border dispute with Costa Rica have slowed Nicaragua's inter-oceanic canal project.
North Africa
Mali: French commando raid targets wrong group?
French special forces carried out a raid in northern Mali targeting the jihadist group al-Murabitoon—but a pro-government Arab militia said four of its fighters were killed.
The Andes
Colombia: ‘impunity’ seen in deal with FARC
Human Rights Watch rejected a "transitional justice" deal between Colombia's government and FARC rebels, claiming it "sacrifices victims' right to justice."
The Amazon
Peru: miner protests paralyze rainforest region
Informal gold-miners paralyzed Peru's southern rainforest region of Madre de Dios for weeks to demand the overturn of executive decrees restricting their activities.
Afghanistan
Pakistan: anti-narco ops militarize tribal areas
A military campaign against the Taliban in Pakistan's Tribal Areas has left a million displaced over the past year—and is now compounded with anti-hashish operations.
The Amazon
Brazil: ‘zero deforestation’ push
Greenpeace sent 1.4 million signatures to Brazil's congress demanding a "zero deforestation" law—while cattle and timber barons push a bill to further open indigenous lands.
Africa
Nigeria: army massacre of Shi’ites claimed in north
Human rights advocates are demanding an investigation following a Nigerian army raid on a Shi'ite sect in which hundreds of followers were reportedly killed in Zaria city.
The Andes
Venezuela: indigenous lawmakers in critical role
With the right-wing opposition holding a razor-thin "supermajority" in Venezuela's new congress, three independent indigenous lawmakers will be in a decisive position.