Veracruz state prosecutors have concluded that 73-year-old grandmother Ernestina Ascencio* wasn’t raped or beaten by Mexican federal army soldiers but died of natural causes, spokesmen said at a news conference in the state capital, Xalapa. Juan Alatriste GĂłmez, a special… Read moreVeracruz: rape-murder case against soldiers dropped —as victims’ children “disappear”
Major General Rick Lynch, who commands US forces south of Baghdad, told reporters May 7 recent history indicates that it takes an average of nine years to put down internal insurgencies, and there is “no instantaneous solution” in Iraq. “You… Read moreUS could be in Iraq for years: general
From AP, May 6: GREENSBURG, Kan.— The rebuilding effort in tornado-ravaged Greensburg, Kansas, likely will be hampered because some much-needed equipment is in Iraq, said that state’s governor. Governor Kathleen Sebelius said much of the National Guard equipment usually positioned… Read moreIraq war hampers Kansas tornado recovery
Colombian prosecutor general Mario Iguarán confirmed that several foreigners, at least three from Ecuador, are among the 105 presumed paramilitary victims whose bodies were exhumed from a mass grave near La Hormiga, Putumayo department, May 5. Another 106 bodies were… Read moreColombia: AUC’s “Macaco” behind Putumayo mass grave
Three campesino leaders from San Salvador Atenco were each sentenced to 67 years and six months in prison on charges of kidnapping May 5. The sentences come almost exactly a year after a violent clash between Atenco residents and Mexican… Read moreMexico: Atenco leaders get 67 years
A thoroughly uncritical May 6 AP account of the controversial Dead Sea “recovery” program portrays the new progress on the project as a straightforward victory for diplomacy in the interests of ecology. Some excerpts: GHOR HADITHA, Jordan — Jordan, Israel… Read moreDead Sea “recovery” project back on track —despite ecologist dissent
In a new video posted on the Internet by al Qaeda’s propaganda arm, as-Sahab, the organization’s number-two man Ayman al Zawahiri mocks the bill passed by Congress setting a timetable for the pullout of US troops in Iraq. “This bill… Read moreIraq: al-Zawahiri opposes pull-out
Tens of thousands of people lined the streets of Lahore to cheer on the suspended chief justice, Iftakhar Mohammed Chaudhry. They threw flowers in the path of his motorcade, and banged drums to welcome him. Addressing a crowd of lawyers… Read morePakistan: democrats rally, Taliban block roads
We hate to exploit this horrific double-tragedy for political propaganda. And maybe if Jocelyn Mercedes understands our point, she won’t see it as exploitation—just providing the inevitable context. Ultimately, both of her loved ones were killed by the same thing…. Read moreWHY WE FIGHT
Celebrations were held May 5 at the Gereida displaced persons camp in Darfur, to mark the one-year anniversary of the signing of the “Darfur Peace Agreement” (DPA). Significantly, the camp is controlled by the Minni Menawi faction of the Sudan… Read moreDarfur one year after “peace accords”: worse than ever
The National Rifle Association is urging the Bush administration to withdraw its support of a bill that would prohibit people on terrorism watch lists from buying firearms. In a letter to Attorney General Alberto Gonzales, NRA director Chris Cox said… Read moreNRA defends terror suspects’ gun rights —as milita terrorists rearm
One year after the confrontations between inhabitants and Mexico state police at the village of San Salvador Atenco, 174 of the 204 originally detained still face charges, mostly of “attack on the means of communication” (road blocks), and 25 on… Read moreAtenco: one year later, still no justice
