Europe
‘Soviet-style’ trial of Crimean Tatar leader
The first hearing in Russia's case against Crimean Tatar leader Ilmi Umerov opened in Simferopol, in what Ukrainian rights advocates decry as a "Soviet-style" show trial.
Central America
Taiwan sacrificed to Central America geopolitics
Panama is the latest Central American nation to switch diplomatic recognition from Taipei to Bejing—under pressure of China's fast-growing economic presence on the isthmus.
North Africa
Arab-Berber unity in Morocco protests
Protests continued for a second week in Morocco's neglected Rif region, and spread to cities throughout the country—bringing together Arabs and Berbers to demand democratic reform.
Afghanistan
Women excluded from Afghanistan peace talks
The "Kabul Process" peace talks opened in Afghanistan's capital—but with no representatives from the Taliban or other insurgent groups, and practically no presence of Afghan women.
Iraq
Iraq: Kurdistan to vote on independence
Authorities in Iraq's autonomous Kurdish region announced that a referendum on independence will be held in September—drawing immediate harsh criticism from Baghdad.
Iraq
US using white phosphorus in Raqqa: reports
Several civilians were killed when US air-strikes reportedly targeted ISIS-held Raqqa with white phosphorus—banned by the Geneva Convention as a weapon of war.
Central America
Barrio 18 ‘Revolutionaries’ sentenced in massacre
A judge in El Salvador sentenced seven accused members of the country's feared "mara" gang networks to 390 years in prison each for a massacre at the town of San Juan Opico.
The Andes
Colombia: more ‘consultas’ reject extractivism
The latest consulta (community referendum) to reject local oil and mineral exploitation, in the Colombian town of Cumaral, was ruled binding by the country's Council of State.
The Andes
Colombia: Pacific coast strike ends in victory
After all-night negotiations with protest leaders in Colombia's Pacific port of Buenaventura, government representatives pledged to invest $517 million in local infrastructure.
The Andes
Colombia: race to salvage peace process
Under pressure from a citizen mobilization for peace, Colombia's government is scrambling to revive the FARC disarmament and demobilization process after it nearly broke down.
Mexico
Mexico second most dangerous country on Earth?
A new study finding that Mexico is now the most dangerous country on Earth after war-torn Syria is rejected by the government, but even the military wants out of "drug war."
Southeast Asia
Duterte declares martial law in south Philippines
Duterte's declaration of martial law in Mindanao is ostensibly in response to an ISIS-linked terrorist group, but will give security forces a still freer hand in his murderous "war on drugs."