North Africa
Libya: Coptic Christians abducted by ISIS?
Presumed ISIS adherents in Libya have released photos on social media purporting to show some 20 abducted Coptic Christians, saying they await execution.
The Amazon
Peru: protests against PlusPetrol turn deadly
Two have been killed by army troops in militant protests against the operations of PlusPetrol at Pichanaki, on the edge of the Amazon rainforest Peru's Junín region.
East Asia
Taiwan: drop criminal charges against protesters
Amnesty International urged the Taiwanese authorities to drop criminal charges against some 100 activists arrested during last year's Sunflower protests.
South Asia
Nepal forms commissions to probe war crimes
Nepal created a long-delayed Truth and Reconciliation Commission to investigate war crimes during the nation's 10-year civil war with Maoist guerillas.
Southeast Asia
Cartoon wars hit ‘moderate’ (sic) Malaysia
In "moderate" Malaysia, an opposition leader is sent to prison for "sodomy," and when a cartoonist lampooned the sentence, he was arrested for "sedition."
Africa
Sahara drug trade funds Boko Haram insurgency
Traffickers have established a dope-for-guns pipeline across the Sahel and Sahara, integrating Boko Haram into drug-smuggling networks that stretch to Asia.
Mexico
Another sentencing in Sinaloa-Chicago connection
Twin brothers were the latest to be sentenced in a series of high-profile cases targeting Sinaloa Cartel operations in Chicago—despite having infiltrated the cartel for the DEA.
Central America
Central America: US pushes new ‘Plan Colombia’
The US is now seeking $1 billion from Congress for its plan to step up the failed "war on drugs" and failed neoliberal economic programs in Central America.
Southern Cone
Chile: Mapuche continue drive for land
After two decades of struggle Mapuche communities are still trying to regain ancestral land. Meanwhile, forestry companies try to blame major fires on Mapuche activists.
Mexico
Mexico: official Ayotzinapa claims disputed
The Mexican government claims the case of the missing 43 students is solved, but outside forensic experts say problems with the inquiry make it impossible to be sure.
Mexico
Mexico: authorities ‘rescue’ maquila workers
The Mexican government said it raided an assembly plant in Jalisco and saved 129 workers from labor abuse, although there are now some questions about the action.
The Caribbean
Haiti: union and maquilas negotiate on pay
Union organizers say three apparel companies have finally agreed to pay the legal minimum wage and even to provide some of the retroactive pay owed to workers.