War on terror returning to its cradle
JIM.LOBE Afghanistan: 'Taliban Taking Over' (FCN, 09-06-2006)A Timeline of Oil and Violence in AfghanistanThe "War on Terror" Exposed (FCN Webcast) WASHINGTON (IPS/GIN) - Five years after the CIA was putting the final touches on a brilliant campaign plan to oust the Taliban and its al-Qaeda allies from power, Afghanistan is back in the headlines here, and the news isn't good. An...
Armenia, Azerbaijan keep fighting despite cease-fire deal
YEREVAN, Armenia—Fighting over the separatist territory of Nagorno-Karabakh raged on Oct. 27, unimpeded by a U.S.-brokered cease-fire, while Armenia and Azerbaijan traded blame for the deal’s quick unraveling. Azerbaijan accused Armenia of striking the Barda region with rockets, killing four civilians, including a 2-year-old girl, and wounding 13 others. The Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry denounced the attack as “another war crime...
Amnesty Intl. says Myanmar army has laid landmines in Kayah
BANGKOK—Myanmar’s military has laid landmines that have killed and injured people in and around villages in Kayah, a conflict-affected region near the border with Thailand, Amnesty International said July 20. The human rights groups said its researchers who visited the region found that landmines laid around people’s homes and churches have killed at least 20 people and maimed many other...
Guatemala arrests ex-minister who resigned rather than use force against protesters
GUATEMALA CITY—Guatemalan police on January 11 arrested the country’s former interior minister for allegedly not carrying out his duties when he opted for dialogue with protesters rather than using force to remove them as a court had ordered. Police arrested Napoléon Barrientos at his home, leading him out in handcuffs and a bulletproof vest. Barrientos told reporters he didn’t know...
People for Peace: Supporting victims of sexual abuse in the Democratic Republic of the Congo
There is an “urgent need” to support the victims of sexual exploitation and abuse in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) according to a local organization which works on the issue with the UN peacekeeping mission in the country, MONUSCO. The eastern DRC has experienced conflict and instability over many years and many people have been forced to flee their...
UN releases $100 million to guard against famine
The United Nations released $100 million of emergency funding on Nov. 17 to stave off the risk of famine in seven countries most at risk from a hunger epidemic fueled by conflict, economic decline, climate change and the Covid-19 pandemic. Mark Lowcock, head of the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, said $80 million would be split between Afghanistan, Burkina...
In Somalia, deputy UN chief encourages progress on women’s political participation, and peaceful elections
The United Nations Deputy Secretary-General, Amina J. Mohammed, visited Somalia on Sept. 12, to express her solidarity with Somali women’s calls for full and equal participation in political life, and the support of the international community for timely, inclusive, peaceful and credible elections. In her various meetings in the capital, Mogadishu, Ms. Mohammed highlighted the country’s parliamentary elections as an...
Is the turmoil in Niger leading to a power shift in West Africa?
Tensions in West Africa are boiling over in response to an unconstitutional power grab in the landlocked country of Niger after members of the presidential guard deposed its democratically elected pro-West president on July 26. The swift reaction from the international community and regional leaders has pitted African nations against other African nations. But a July 30 communique that included strong...
Wikileaks founder Assange freed on bail
(FinalCall.com) - Wikileaks Founder and Editor Julian Assange walked out of a London jail December 16 free on bail and reportedly headed to a mansion of a supporter. After putting up $310,000 in bail money, plus two further $31,000 each sureties, Mr. Assange greeted a crush of media and a throng of supporters thanking his lawyers and again stating...
Settlers attack Palestinian villages after West Bank killing
RAMALLAH, West Bank—Jewish settlers burst into several villages in the occupied West Bank, smashing homes and cars and beating up at least two people, Palestinian officials said. The attacks came a day after Palestinian gunmen killed an Israeli man in a shooting ambush in the territory. The death of settler Yehuda Dimentman, killed when gunmen opened fire on his car...