For all the grim announcements of a “humanitarian disaster” sparked by the current re-eruption of the Congo war, there is an alarming paucity of clear reportage on who exactly is responsible for what violence. Most western media accounts are heavy… Read moreHidden hand of US behind Congo crisis?
The UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Myanmar (Burma) Yanghee Lee called for the Human Rights Council to support an investigation by the International Criminal Court (ICC) into crimes against the Rohingya people. "I strongly recommend the persons allegedly responsible for the violations of international human rights law and international humanitarian law be investigated and prosecuted by the ICC or a credible mechanism," said Lee. She expressed disappointment that the Security Council has not yet referred Burma to the ICC, stating said that none of the investigations by the Burmese government have met international standards, and were likely initiated to distract the international community. (Photo: European Commission via Flickr)
Amid growing protests against the controversial Hidroituango dam on Colombia's Río Cauca, three opponents of the project were slain by unknown assailants—weeks before a tunnel in the complex collapsed due to a landslide, backing up water behind the dam to dangerous levels and causing cracks to emerge in its facade. Authorities now fear an imminent disaster, posing a grave threat to downstream communities. Several opponents of the project have been assassinated over the years of its construction, leading to demands for an investigation of possible paramilitary collusion by the dam's builders. (Photo via El Espectador)
From Reuters, Oct. 27: Skinheads held over Obama death plot WASHINGTON – Two white supremacist skinheads were arrested in Tennessee over plans to go on a killing spree and eventually shoot Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama, court documents showed on… Read moreWhite supremacists busted in Obama assassination plot
A week after the close of the Third Plenary Session of the 17th Central Committee of the Chinese Communist Party in Beijing, officials announced Oct. 19 that new rules have been issued allowing China’s 800 million farmers to “lease their… Read moreChina land reform: great leap backward?
More than 35 young women wearing tight trousers were arrested in South Sudan for disturbing the peace, senior police officials said Oct. 7. The arrests in Juba, the capital of autonomous South Sudan, were part of an ostensible campaign against… Read moreSudan: fashion police sweep sexy in south
The Lebanese Industrialists Association is accusing Israel of falsely taking credit for traditional Middle Eastern cuisine. The organization’s president Fadi Abboud said his group plans to sue Israel to stop it from marketing hummus and other regional dishes as Israeli…. Read moreMiddle East gastro-wars push limits of absurdity
A little-noted news story about the transfer of Iraq-hardened combat troops for active duty at home in the immediate prelude to the elections has been seized upon by Amy Goodman‘s Democracy Now! Oct. 2 and—with considerably greater paranoia—Naomi Wolf on… Read more3rd Infantry Division to patrol US streets
Sarah Palin went on the offensive this weekend, accusing Barack Obama of “paling around with terrorists.” (LAT, Oct. 5) When Obama’s tenuous ties to ex-Weatherman Bill Ayers were brought up a few months back, we pointed out that some of… Read moreTerrorist-tainted McCain campaign terror-baits Obama
Just in time for the elections, Bush orchestrates some “good news” in Iraq—the announcement of a pull-out of 8,000 troops early in ’09 (NYT, Sept. 9), and the beginning of a turn-over of control of Anbar province and responsibility for… Read moreBogus “progress” in Iraq
Thank goodness Rome’s Jews have got the cogliones to protest this! From the Jewish Telegraphic Agency, Sept. 8: Roman Jews criticize mayor over Fascist remarks Jewish leaders criticized Rome’s right-wing mayor for declaring that Italy’s Fascist-era anti-Semitic laws, not Fascism… Read moreRome’s mayor: Fascism wasn’t so bad after all
It looks like someone spoke too soon, accusing GOP vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin of having been a member of the Alaska Independence Party. Now it turns out that she only attended the party’s 1994 convention, and that her husband… Read morePalin flap on Alaskan separatism reveals media double standard
