South Asia
Pakistan: probe of PM over protester deaths
A Pakistani court ordered police to open an investigation of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and cabinet members for killings of protesters in Islamabad's Red Zone.
Author: CounterVortex
Iraq
ISIS burns Syrian cannabis fields
The farmers of northern Syria have been forced to grow cannabis, with all other economic activity disrupted by war. Now they face harsh privation as ISIS burns the cannabis fields.
The Andes
Colombia: freed cartel hitman demands protection
The notorious "Popeye," personal hitman for late kingpin Pablo Escobar, was freed from prison—but is is receiving official protection from the Colombian government.
North Africa
AQIM renegades pledge fealty to ISIS
A new armed group calling itself the "Soldiers of the Caliphate in Algeria" has split from al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) and sworn loyalty to ISIS.
Best hope to destroy ISIS: indigenous resistance?
The independent Kurdish news agency Rojava reports that the Free Syrian Army (FSA) and Kurdish People's Defense Units (YPG) have formed a joint operations force to fight ISIS in the Euphrates Valley region of northern Syria. The YPG is aligned… Read moreBest hope to destroy ISIS: indigenous resistance?
North Africa
Libya: ‘war crimes’ seen in spiraling militia attacks
Libyan militia forces battling for control of Tripoli have engaged in attacks on civilians that may amount to war crimes, Human Rights Watch says, calling on the ICC to investigate.
The Amazon
Amazon indigenous leaders killed by illegal loggers
Four Asháninka indigenous leaders, well known for their work against illegal logging in the Amazon, were murdered by presumed outlaw loggers near their home in eastern Peru.
Mexico
Mexico: demand investigation of military massacre
Human Rights Watch called on Mexico to ensure an "impartial and effective" investigation into the killing of 22 civilians by soldiers in a raid on a supposed kidnapping gang.
Southern Cone
Brazil: deadly prison uprising ends in deal
Brazilian authorities reached a deal with inmates after a deadly prison uprising at Cascavel in Paraná state—one of many facilities where control of wards has been left to gangs.
Europe
Russia: ‘ethnic cleansing’ of Crimean Tatars
Crimean Tatar leaders, forced into exile by Russian judicial orders, accuse Moscow of a campaign of raids and harassment aimed at driving Tatars from the peninsula.
Iraq
Obama sees long war against ISIS
The Obama administration is preparing to carry out a campaign against ISIS that may take three years to complete, involving a coalition of some 40 countries.
The Andes
Colombia: FARC meet army brass, coke flows on
Colombia's top brass held their first meeting with FARC leaders at peace talks in Havana—as Panamanian authorities claimed interception of a massive FARC cocaine shipment.