Iraq
Iraq: Yazidis demand autonomous zone
Haider Shasho, commander of the Yazidi ethnic milita, was arrested by Kurdish forces for refusing to submit to their command and advocating a Yazidi autonomous zone.
Greater Middle East
Syria: Nusra Front announces drive on Damascus
Islamist rebels led by al-Qaeda affiliate Nusra Front have seized new territory in northwestern Syria, and issued a pledge to take Damascus and topple the regime.
Palestine
Israel bombs Gaza; Amnesty accuses Hamas
As Israel launches new air-strikes on the Gaza Strip in response to a cross-border rocket, an Amnesty International report accuses Hamas of killing and torturing dissidents.
South Asia
Bangladesh bans Islamist group in blogger attacks
Bangladesh authorities banned the Ansarullah Bangla Team, an Islamist militant group suspected of involvement in the murders of three atheist bloggers this year.
Southeast Asia
Burma passes restrictive population control bill
Burma enacted a new law requiring mothers in designated areas to space the births of their children three years apart—a measure clearly aimed at the Muslim minority.
The Andes
Peru declares martial law at disputed mine site
Peru's government declared a two-month period of martial law in the southern region of Arequipa where residents are protesting the construction of a copper mine.
Iran
Kurdish factions clash on Iranian border
After weeks of tense stand-off, clashes broke out on the Iran-Iraq border between the PKK and Kurdistan Democratic Party of Iran (KDPI), aligned with Mahmoud Barzani.
The Andes
Colombia: peace process in jeopardy?
Colombia's government announced that it will resume aerial bombardment of FARC positions after an ambush of troops by guerillas who seem to have violated a declared ceasefire.
Greater Middle East
US scuttles Mideast nuclear-free zone —for Israel
The Nuclear Non-Proliferation talks concluded at the UN without approving a final document—due to US blocking of a provision on creating a Middle East nuclear-free zone.
The Amazon
China pushes trans-Amazon railway project
China's Premier Li Keqiang, on a tour of South America, is plugging a transcontinental railway project that would cut through the heart of the Amazon rainforest.
Palestine
Israel court orders release of Palestinian lawmaker
A military court in Israel ordered Palestinian lawmaker Khalida Jarrar be released on bail following her arrest for defying Israeli-imposed restrictions on her movement.
North Africa
Libya: ISIS tightens grip on Sirte
ISIS forces are in control of most of Moammar Qaddafi's hometown of Sirte, sucessfully repulsing an effort to retake the town by forces aligned with the Libya Dawn coalition.