The Andes
Bolivia: three dead in miners’ protests
Three were killed as thousands of independent miners blocked highways across Bolivia to protest a pending law that would impose restrictions on their cooperatives.
Europe
NATO, Russia face off across Black Sea
As the US deploys warships to the Black Sea for NATO exercises, Ukraine approved a NATO force to be stationed in the country. Russian troops meanwhile mass on Ukraine's borders.
Europe
Ukraine implicates elite police force in shootings
An inquiry by the interim Ukrainian government implicated members of the special Berkut riot police in the deaths of 76 anti-government protesters in Kiev in February.
Greater Middle East
Russia boosts military aid to Assad
Russia is boosting military aid to the Bashar Assad regime in Syria, just as the US has finally broken off diplomatic relations with Damascus—signalling a deepening proxy war.
Greater Middle East
Rights group: more than 150,000 dead in Syria war
The death toll in the three-year Syrian conflict has exceeded 150,000, according to a new count by the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR).
Southern Cone
Paraguay: first general strike in 20 years
Paraguayans used their first general strike in two decades to protest everything from low wages to the lack of an agrarian reform policy.
Central America
Panama: Ngöbe-Buglé step up fight against dam
Panama's mega-scale Barro Blanco dam is now 64% complete, but the indigenous Ngöbe-Buglé haven't given up their fight against the project.
Mexico
Mexico: bidding set to start on energy sector
As expected, Mexico's "energy reform" will provide a big opening for multinationals, along with more fracking, more deep-sea drilling, and more carbon dioxide.
The Caribbean
Cuba: new law expands foreign investment
New legislation opens up Cuba for more private investment from abroad—but the US embargo will keep out US-based multinationals for now.
Palestine
Ceasefire at Syria’s Yarmouk camp: PFLP-GC
The Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine-General Command (PFLP-GC) announced that a ceasefire was reached in Syria's besieged Yarmouk refugee camp.
Greater Middle East
Syria: jihadis target Armenians
Some 2,000 Armenians from the town of Kessab in northern Syria have taken refuge in the port city of Latakia following the occupation of their town by jihadist forces.
Europe
Crimean Tatars vote to seek autonomy
The Majilis of Crimean Tatars voted to seek "a national autonomous territory" on the peninsula, with leaders calling on their people to stay and fight for their rights.