Mexico
Mexico cracks down on narco-oil
In an open acknowledgement that it cannot secure its pipeline system from plunder by criminal gangs, Mexico will no longer pump refined gasoline and diesel through the network.
Author: CounterVortex
Southeast Asia
Will Burma opium war draw in China?
The latest fighting in Burma's opium-producing hinterlands involves a Han Chinese ethnic group, the Kokang. Some 50,000 have fled across the border into China.
Greater Middle East
PKK announces deal with Turkish state
Turkey and the Kurdish rebel movement announced a landmark political deal that calls for the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) to lay down arms and join the civil political process.
The Andes
Caracazo recalled in polarized Venezuela
Official commemorations of the 1989 popular anti-austerity rebellion come amid new protests over economic agony in Venezuela—and regime accusations of a coup conspiracy.
The Andes
Colombia: convictions in Uribe spying scandal
Colombia's supreme court convicted two close aides of former president Alvaro Uribe for illegal eavesdropping on the communications of the conservative leader's top opponents.
South Asia
Bangladesh: protest murder of secular blogger
Hundreds of protesters gathered in Dhaka to denounce the murder of blogger Avijit Roy, who was hacked to death with machetes following threats over his atheist views.
Palestine
Settlers burn mosque amid West Bank blackouts
Extremist Jewish settlers set fire to a mosque in the southern West Bank, as the Israel Electric Corporation cut power to Nablus and Jenin over a supposed debt arrears.
Iraq
Cultural legacy lost as ISIS torches Mosul library
Many rare and antique volumes were lost as ISIS forces put the Mosul library to the torch—over vociferous pleas and protests from the city's notables.
The Andes
Colombia: threats mount against victim reps
Victim representatives at peace talks with the FARC rebels held a press conference in Bogotá to demand action from the Colombian government over mounting death threats.
The Andes
Informal miners strike in Colombia
Small-scale gold and emerald miners in Colombia launched a strike, blocking roads at several points across the central department of Antioquia to protest raids on their operations.
Iraq
Kurdish forces advance towards ISIS capital
Kurdish and allied Free Syrian Army forces, backed by US air-strikes, have advanced into Raqqa governorate, where ISIS has its de facto capital at the provincial seat.
Palestine
Protests as Israel starts Golan Heights drilling
Hundreds of residents and environmentalists protested in the occupied Golan Heights as exploratory oil drilling was initiated by US-owned Afek Oil & Gas.