An Ethiopian judge dismissed charges of attempted genocide and treason against 111 people arrested after 2005 election protests. Among those cleared were journalists and publishers. Amnesty International called the charges “absurd,” and adopted the accused as “prisoners of conscience.” The… Read moreEthiopia: journalists cleared of “genocide”
When Italian journalist Daniele Mastrogiacomo was freed from Taliban captivity last month in exchange for prisoners, it made global headlines—if only as an opportunity to portray the Italians as weak-willed. The Afghan journalist he was abducted with was sold down… Read moreAfghanistan: Taliban behead journalist
We certianly hope that the expressions of Shi’ite-Sunni solidarity in this story are not exaggerated—or insincere. From AP, April 10 via Turkey’s Zaman: Tens of thousands draped themselves in Iraqi flags and marched through the streets of two Shiite holy… Read moreIraq: Sunnis join Moqtada’s march against occupation
From AP, April 8: Mother’s high-speed chase leads to baby’s death 9-month-old ejected from SUV when woman crashes trying to evade police ALVARADO, Texas – A woman led police on a 25-mile high speed chase until she crashed into a… Read moreWHY WE FIGHT
Gunmen opened fire on Shi’ites April 6 in Parachinar, a remote town in northwestern Pakistan, triggering gunbattles between majority Sunni and minority Shi’ites that have left at least 40 dead and 43 wounded. Some Shi’ites retaliated, burning down Sunni-owned shops… Read morePakistan: sectarian warfare rocks Tribal Areas
Stepping up the assault on the Iraqi city of Diwaniya, believed to be a stronghold of Moqtada al-Sadr’s Mahdi Army, US occupation forces launched an air strike on a supposed safehouse April 7. At least six people, including two women… Read moreIraq: US bombs Shi’ites
Luz María González Armenta, leader of Defense and Promotion of Human Rights-Emiliano Zapata (DEPRODHEZAC), is free but still facing charges after being arbitrarily arrested March 30 at a protest vigil outside the municipal presidency office in the Mexican border city… Read moreMatamoros human rights worker free …for now
A bomber driving a truck loaded with TNT and chlorine gas crashed into a police checkpoint in Iraq’s Anbar province April 6, killing at least 27 and wounding dozens. The bombing near Ramadi marked the ninth use of suicide chlorine… Read moreIraq: ninth chlorine attack
A slight irony. On April 7, the New York Times runs an optimistic op-ed by Munir Akram, Pakistan’s ambassador to the UN, entitled “A United Front Against the Taliban.” He assures readers that tribal leaders along the Afghan border are… Read morePakistan: jihadis pledge to bring terror to capital
The FBI has arrested two Indian nationals running an electronics company in South Carolina, and cited two unnamed Indian government officials as “co-conspirators” in the alleged export of sensitive dual-use items to three Indian entities: Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC),… Read moreFBI sting on India defense industry figures
The New York Times reports April 5 that US officials are reviewing an informal request from Tehran for an envoy to visit five Iranians who were imprisoned after a US raid in northern Iraq in January. Maj. Gen. William B…. Read moreIran wants access to nationals seized by US in Iraqi Kurdistan
CNN reports April 6 that the US military is providing logistical support for the Mujahedeen Khalq, an Iraq-based Iranian guerilla group—which is on the US State Department list of foreign terrorist organizations. According to the report, the US military “regularly… Read moreCNN: US backing Iran’s Mujahedeen Khalq rebels
