Planet Watch

Canada: court blocks Northern Gateway pipeline

Canada's Federal Court of Appeal overturned approval of Enbridge energy company's Northern Gateway pipeline that would link Alberta's oil sands to British Columbia's coast.

Greater Middle East

Erdogan exploits Istanbul terror —of course

ISIS claimed responsibility for the deadly Istanbul airport attack, but this did not prevent President Erdogan from exploiting the terror for anti-Kurdish propaganda.

Greater Middle East

Kurds and Assad in race for Raqqa

Russian and US warplanes are each backing rival sides as the Assad regime and Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces race to take the ISIS "capital" of Raqqa.

Europe

Break-up of United Kingdom impending?

The Brexit may signal the beginning of the dissolution of the UK, renewing calls for Scottish independence, a united Ireland, and even for London to secede as a free city-state.

Greater Middle East

US rejects autonomy for Syrian Kurds

The US State Department rejected the Syrian Kurds' declaration of autonomy—ironically, just as the Pentagon is coordinating with Kurdish forces for a major offensive against ISIS. 

Africa

Somalia and Somaliland restart dialogue

Somalia has made a $1 million donation to the drought-hit breakaway region of Somaliland, ahead of controversial talks between the two sides to clarify their future relations.

Africa

Niger Delta Avengers re-ignite insurgency

A new militant organization, the Niger Delta Avengers, has claimed a string of attacks on oil infrastructure, and issued communiques broaching secession from Nigeria.

The Amazon

Peru: Amazon leaders broach separatism

Authorities in Peru's northern rainforest region of Loreto announced plans for a referendum on seceding from the country, saying Lima treats the region as an internal colony.

Europe

Tatar autonomy suppressed in Crimea

The Supreme Court of Russia-annexed Crimea officially designated the Tatar Majlis an "extremist entity" and banned its activities—effectively ending Crimean Tatar autonomy.