Author: CounterVortex

Iraq

Iraq: US ground troops battle ISIS

US ground troops fought their first direct battle against ISIS as the jihadists launched an attack on a base in Anbar that housed mixed US, Iraqi and tribal forces.

Palestine

ISIS in Gaza?

A supposed ISIS flyer circulating on social networks has warned 18 writers and poets in Gaza against what it calls criticizing Islam, stating that ''apostates will be punished."

Greater Middle East

Toward Kurdish-Armenian reconciliation

The Kurdish mayor of the eastern Turkish city of Mardin, Ahmet Türk, apologized to Armenians, Assyrians and Yazidis for Kurdish collaboration in the genocide of 1915.

Greater Middle East

Jihadis declare open season on school children

The Taliban massacre of children at a school in Peshawar, Pakistan, was shortly followed by a deadly Qaeda attack on a schoolbus stopped at a Houthi rebel checkpoint in Yemen.

The Amazon

Lima climate summit in shadow of state terror

Peru's government made much of its rainforest protection efforts at the Lima climate summit—but a new report names it as the fourth most dangerous country for ecology activists.

Africa

ICC halts Darfur probe; Bashir threatens rebels

The International Criminal Court suspended its Darfur investigation, citing UN inaction in the case, as President Omar al-Bashir accused rebel leaders of being foreign "agents."

Africa

Somalia: women slain in spiralling reprisals

At least seven women were killed in "barbaric" attacks in Somalia after Shabab insurgents beheaded a soldier's wife, prompting revenge executions of the wives of jihadists.

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.