Iraq
Iraq: Shi’ite pilgrims defy threats at Karbala
Despite—or perhaps partly because of—threats and deadly attacks from ISIS militants, a record 15.5 million Shi'ite pilgrims have converged on Karbala for Arbaeen.
Author: CounterVortex
South Asia
Massive oil spill fouls Bangladesh mangroves
A massive oil spill is threatening endangered dolphins, Bengal tigers and other rare wildlife in the world's largest mangrove forest, the Sunderbans of Bangladesh.
Europe
Spain passes anti-protest, anti-immigrant law
Spain's conservative-led parliament passed a law that outlaws unauthorized protests, bans filming police, and allows summary deportations of African migrants.
Palestine
‘War crimes’ seen in attacks on Gaza landmarks
Air-strikes on landmark civilian buildings during Israel's Gaza campaign in August amounted to war crimes, Amnesty International charges in a new report.
The Amazon
Andes: repression ahead of Lima climate summit
The slaying of an indigenous leader who planned to travel from Ecuador to denounce a mining project before the Lima climate summit is the latest attack on regional ecological defenders.
Greater Middle East
Bahrain: protests against British base deal
Protests were held in the Bahraini island city of Sitra against an agreement signed between the kingdom and Great Britain to establish a new military base in the Persian Gulf state.
Palestine
Israel pipeline spill affects Jordan too
Over 80 people were treated for respiratory problems on both sides of the Israel-Jordan border following a massive oil spill from the Trans-Israel Pipeline.
Afghanistan
Afghan tribes rise against Taliban in east
Pakistani Taliban fighters who have established control over parts of eastern Afghanistan are under pressure from air-strikes and an uprising by local tribesmen.
Greater Middle East
Yemen: Saudis suspend aid as Houthi power grows
A failed US commando raid on al-Qaeda in Yemen comes as Saudi Arabia has suspended aid to the country in response to the growing power of Shi'ite Houthi militants.
The Andes
Colombia: peace talks resume; Uribe urges ‘rebellion’
Colombia's ex-president Alvaro Uribe called for a "rebellion" against the government of his successor Juan Manuel Santos over perceived capitulation to the FARC guerillas.
Planet Watch
NDAA provision would allow mining on Apache land
Lawmakers have slipped a provision into the new National Defense Authorization Act that would allow a massive copper mine on public lands that are sacred to the Apache.
The Caucasus
ISIS hand in Chechnya attack?
The Russian policy establishment is hypothesizing an ISIS hand in the bloody attack by Chechen insurgents in Grozny—and implying that the West is in turn behind ISIS. (Map via La Croix International)