East Asia
Hong Kong: dissent spreads to mainland
Dozens of activists across the People's Republic have been detained for posting online statements in support of the Hong Kong protests, and even raising placards in public.
Revolutionary Kurdistan in arms against ISIS
The main Kurdish armed group in Syria again called on Kurds across the region to help prevent a massacre in Kobani as ISIS forces closed their ring around the town and pummeled it with artillery fire. The statement issued by… Read moreRevolutionary Kurdistan in arms against ISIS
Iraq
Will world betray Kobani?
As the PKK continues its desperate resistance against ISIS at Kobani, Turkish troops gather on the nearby border—to prevent Kurdish fighters from coming to the town's aid.
New York Kurds stand with Kobani
A group of local Kurdish Americans gathered in New York's Union Square Oct. 3 to show their support for Kobani, the Kurdish town in northern Syria now besieged by ISIS. A Kurdish flag was held along with black-background signs reading… Read moreNew York Kurds stand with Kobani
Iraq
New York Kurds stand with Kobani
A group of local Kurdish Americans gathered in New York's Union Square to show their support for Kobani, the Kurdish town in northern Syria now besieged by ISIS.
Greater Middle East
Syria: first Alawite protest against regime
Members of Syria's Alawite sect took to the streets of Homs to protest a deadly car bomb attack on an elementary school, for the first time taking up anti-regime slogans.
Mexico
Guanajuato: campesino protesters occupy city
Some 2,000 campesinos blocked streets in Celaya, Guanajuato, demanding that authorities take measures in response to the plunging price of maiz and sorghum.
The Andes
Colombia: UN report blasts military justice bill
The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights called on Colombia to reconsider Senate Bill 85, which would expand the jurisdiction of military tribunals to include civilians.
Mexico
Fortune magazine ranks top five global cartels
Fortune magazine issued a list of the biggest organized crime groups in the world: elements of Japan's Yakuza, Russian mafia, two Italian syndicates and Mexico's Sinaloa Cartel.
Iraq
Turkey prepares military action in Syria
The Turkish government submitted a motion to parliament to expand authorization for military action in Syria. Over 160,000 refugees have fled ISIS into Turkey in recent weeks.
New Yorkers support Hong Kong
On Oct. 1, China's National Day, several hundred New Yorkers—overwhelmingly of Chinese descent, and many from Hong Kong—gathered in Times Square to support the Occupy Central movement. Attendees carried umbrellas in solidarity with the Hong Kong protesters, who have used… Read moreNew Yorkers support Hong Kong
Inner Asia
Aral Sea almost gone: NASA
Satellite photos released by NASA reveal that the eastern basin of the Aral Sea has completely dried up. Water levels are less than 10% of what they were 50 years ago.