When Alejandro Dominguez was sworn in as police chief of violence-torn Nuevo Laredo June 8, reporters asked him if he was afraid of dying. “I believe the corrupt officials are the ones who are scared,” replied Dominguez, 52, former head… Read moreNorthern Mexico violence escalates
World military spending rose for a sixth year running in 2004, growing by 5% to $1.04 trillion on the back of “massive” US budgetary allocations for its war on terror, Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) says in its annual… Read moreWorld military spending tops $1 trillion
Global outrage at Gitmo and Pentagon detainment centers in Iraq and Afghanistan is growing. UN Secretary General Kofi Annan, in a report to the Security Council June 8, said that in Iraq, “one of the major human rights challenges remains… Read moreCriticism of Gitmo mounts; Rumsfeld intransigent
Kudos to TruthOut for pairing these two gems from the UK Guardian and the NY Times: Revealed: How Oil Giant Influenced Bush by John Vidal The Guardian Wednesday 08 June 2005 White House sought advice from Exxon on Kyoto stance…. Read moreExxon shaped Bush Kyoto policy
Rumsfeld’s visit to Norway reveals that Iraqi officers are being trained by NATO in this Nordic country. Who knew? This from the Pentagon news site Defenselink: NATO’s Iraqi, ISAF Training Site in Norway Hosts Rumsfeld Visit STAVANGER, Norway, June 8,… Read moreIraqi troops train in Norway
There was an old joke back in the ’70s: Getting Nixon for burglary was like getting Hitler for tax evasion. Now it seems life imitates black humor. From the BBC, June 7: Mixed day in court for Pinochet Augusto Pinochet… Read morePinochet to be charged with tax-evasion
The 9-11 Commission, its formal mission completed, is staying on as a private body, the 9-11 Public Discourse Project. In its first efforts, this private body is finding fault with the FBI for perceived inefficiencies in its intelligence capabilities, and… Read more9-11 Commish goes private, baits FBI
From the June 3 Stars & Stripes: Advocates See Veterans of War on Terror Joining the Ranks of the Homeless By Leo Shane III Stars and Stripes Friday 03 June 2005 Washington – Advocates for the homeless already are seeing… Read moreIraq, Afghan vets turning up homeless already
A leading senator, Joseph Biden of Delaware, suggested the time has come to consider a gradual closure of the Guantanamo Bay prison camp. “This has become the greatest propaganda tool that exists for recruiting of terrorists around the world. And… Read moreBiden: Close Gitmo
Israeli police faced off against Palestinians throwing rocks at Jews outside Jerusalem’s al-Aqsa mosque June 6 during Israel’s annual celebration of its 1967 capture of East Jerusalem. Police hurled several stun grenades as they moved into the area known to… Read moreViolence at Temple Mount
Four years after scores of rescue workers were injured in the smoldering wreckage of the World Trade Center, the federal government plans to rescind $125 million that was allocated to help them, and many of those who requested compensation are… Read more9-11 heroes get shafted
Afghan forces reportedly captured two key Taliban leaders as they were driving in Farah province June 4. The two, Mullah Abdul Rahim – a deputy for a key Taliban commander said to be close to the militia’s fugitive leader, Mullah… Read moreTaliban commander captured; Afghan violence goes on
