Iraq
Iraq: Yazidis demand autonomous zone
Haider Shasho, commander of the Yazidi ethnic milita, was arrested by Kurdish forces for refusing to submit to their command and advocating a Yazidi autonomous zone.
Author: CounterVortex
Palestine
Israel bombs Gaza; Amnesty accuses Hamas
As Israel launches new air-strikes on the Gaza Strip in response to a cross-border rocket, an Amnesty International report accuses Hamas of killing and torturing dissidents.
South Asia
Bangladesh bans Islamist group in blogger attacks
Bangladesh authorities banned the Ansarullah Bangla Team, an Islamist militant group suspected of involvement in the murders of three atheist bloggers this year.
Iran
Kurdish factions clash on Iranian border
After weeks of tense stand-off, clashes broke out on the Iran-Iraq border between the PKK and Kurdistan Democratic Party of Iran (KDPI), aligned with Mahmoud Barzani.
The Andes
Colombia: peace process in jeopardy?
Colombia's government announced that it will resume aerial bombardment of FARC positions after an ambush of troops by guerillas who seem to have violated a declared ceasefire.
Greater Middle East
US scuttles Mideast nuclear-free zone —for Israel
The Nuclear Non-Proliferation talks concluded at the UN without approving a final document—due to US blocking of a provision on creating a Middle East nuclear-free zone.
The Amazon
China pushes trans-Amazon railway project
China's Premier Li Keqiang, on a tour of South America, is plugging a transcontinental railway project that would cut through the heart of the Amazon rainforest.
North Africa
Libya: ISIS tightens grip on Sirte
ISIS forces are in control of most of Moammar Qaddafi's hometown of Sirte, sucessfully repulsing an effort to retake the town by forces aligned with the Libya Dawn coalition.
Mexico
Chiapas peasants march against narco-violence
Maya indigenous peasants in Mexico's southern Chiapas state marched cross-country to oppose violence by narco gangs and the corruption of local authorities that protect them.
Iraq
ISIS takes Ramadi; Shi’ite militias mobilize
After Iraqi government forces fled their positions at Ramadi and allowed ISIS to overrun the city, Baghdad has called up an alliance of Shi’ite militias for the counter-offensive.
Taiwan: One Year Later
A year after the Sunflower protesters occupied Taiwan's Legislative Yuan, the Cross-Strait Services Trade Agreement with China remains on ice. The ruling Kuomintang has made no progress towards a "peace treaty" that would recognize Taiwan as part of China, never… Read moreTaiwan: One Year Later
Mali: Tuareg rebels demand autonomous Azawad
Tuareg militia in northern Mali's Azawad region. Mali's government is boasting a deal with Tuareg leaders granting autonomy to Azawad—but the biggest rebel factions are holding out for more power, including the National Movement for the Liberation of Azawad (MNLA) and allied… Read moreMali: Tuareg rebels demand autonomous Azawad