UN Report – U.S. gets its way at UN again
U.S. criticized for opposing international court Bush's snub of criminal court undermines world justice The Crimes of War Project Online UNITED NATIONS (FinalCall.com)--The United Nations Security Council, June 12, approved an exemption for U.S. peacekeepers from prosecution by the new International Criminal Court for another year. Twelve "yes" votes were cast, with France, Germany and Syria abstaining. There are 15 members on...
Kenya marks ‘Jamhuri Day’ with Independence Day speeches, military bands
(GIN)—Jamhuri, the Swahili word for “republic,” was celebrated across Kenya on Dec. 14— when the country attained its independence from the British in 1963 and became a republic in 1964. That was followed by a flurry of new national holidays. Some survived, others are being questioned and maybe heading for the dustbin of history. The now-abolished Moi Day was created to...
Chocolate multinationals charged with complicity in Mali’s child slavery rings
(GIN)—A federal class action suit filed on behalf of eight Malian citizens against Nestle SA, Cargill, Hershey and Mars, Inc. among others for their alleged complicity in the trafficking and forced labor of African children, is now under review by the U.S. Supreme Court. The plaintiffs are former child slaves trafficked from Mali to harvest cocoa beans in Côte d’Ivoire,...
Over 400 militants lay down arms in Dara’a after truce deal with Syrian army: Military source
More than 400 militants holed up in Syria’s southwestern province of Dara’a have agreed to lay down their arms and renounce violence following breaches of a truce agreement they reached with the national army recently. A Syrian military source, speaking on condition of anonymity, told Russia’s Sputnik news agency on Sept. 6 that a total of 430 militants, who had...
The Saharawi people resist and Cuba stands by them
by Nuria Barbosa León | Granma “Cuba has always supported our people, the historical ties we share are inalterable and will be maintained as long as the Saharawi people exist,” insisted Omar Bulsan, registered under the name Mohamed Salec, who serves as ambassador extraordinary and plenipotentiary of the Arab Democratic Republic in Cuba. In an interview with Granma, he recalled that...
One third of Gaza Strip population in need of psychological and social support
The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) has reported an increase in the levels of mental disorders amongst the population of the Gaza Strip, especially among children, many of whom were already in need of mental health services and psychosocial support. Over three violent days in early August, until a ceasefire was reached on August 7, Israeli...
Honduras investigates murders of indigenous leaders
TEGUCIGALPA, Honduras—Honduran authorities said Dec. 30 they are investigating the murders of two activists and Indigenous leaders killed in separate incidents. Felix Vasquez, a longtime environmental activist from the Lenca indigenous group, was shot by masked men in front of relatives Dec. 26 in his home in Santiago de Puringla. On Dec. 27, Jose Adan Medina was found shot to death...
AFRICA WATCH. Africa and its strategic balance in Russia-Ukraine conflict
Foreign Policy, a weekly digest of national security, defense, and cybersecurity news, recently reported that Africa is under pressure from European diplomats, to not allow Russia to use them to “evade U.S. and European sanctions.” One should ask, what one had to do with the other? According to Bloomberg, on the day of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, that the foreign...
Early agreement reached in dispute over Suez Canal ship
CAIRO—The owners and insurers of the giant container ship that blocked the Suez Canal for nearly a week earlier this year have reached an agreement in principle over their dispute with canal authorities, representatives from both sides said June 23. Stann Marine, the lawyers representing the vessel’s owners and insurers, and a spokeswoman for the Suez Canal Authority both confirmed...
Sudan minister: Return to pre-coup arrangement ‘unrealistic’
KHARTOUM, Sudan—A pro-military minister in Sudan says time is running out for the country’s deposed prime minister to agree to take a post in a military-led government after top generals seized power last month. Security forces, meanwhile, opened fire on anti-coup protesters in the capital, Khartoum, and its twin city of Omdurman, killing at least 14 people, according to doctors....