Watching the Shadows

Court dismisses request for drone records

A federal appeals court upheld the dismissal of a Freedom of Information Act request for information about the US government's use of drones for "targeted killings."

Iran

Global executions surge —yet again

Amnesty International's annual report on the death penalty again notes an alarming surge in the number of executions worldwide—now reaching the highest total since 1989.

Greater Middle East

Revolution in Syria and Turkey: mutual betrayal?

One of the greatest tragedies on the global stage now is that revolutions are going on in both Syria and Turkey—and they are being pitted against each other in the Great Game.

The Andes

Anti-fracking protests in Colombia

Residents of the town of San Martín in Colombia's northern Cesar department held protests over government moves to open the area to fracking by ConocoPhillips.

The Andes

El Niño impacts deepen Ecuador quake disaster

Rescue efforts in Ecuador's quake-ravaged Manabí province are hindered by damaged roads—repeatedly hit by flooding linked to this year's severe El Niño phenomenon.