Marina Litvinsky

Marina Litvinsky writes for Inter Press Service.

US to Admit Palestinian Refugees from Iraq

Approximately 1,350 Palestinian refugees from Iraq are being considered for resettlement in the U.S. after being referred to the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). "Really for the first time, the United States is recognizing a Palestinian refugee population that could be admitted to the U.S. as part … Continue reading “US to Admit Palestinian Refugees from Iraq”

UN-Backed Troops Abusing Congo Civilians

United Nations-backed Congolese armed forces conducting intensified military operations in eastern and northern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) have failed to protect civilians from brutal rebel retaliatory attacks and instead are themselves attacking and raping Congolese civilians, Human Rights Watch (HRW) said Thursday. The attacks on civilians from all sides have resulted in a significant … Continue reading “UN-Backed Troops Abusing Congo Civilians”

US Admits Funding Somali ‘Govt’

The U.S. State Department Thursday confirmed that Washington is providing arms and ammunition to the Transitional Federal Government (TFG) of Somalia in a bid to thwart its defeat by a loose coalition of radical Islamist militias which, according to some analysts, are linked to al-Qaeda. The move, which State Department spokesman Ian Kelly said was … Continue reading “US Admits Funding Somali ‘Govt’”

Support Builds in Congress to Lift Cuba Embargo

A bipartisan group of U.S. senators and interest groups is backing a bill that would end the long economic embargo against Cuba, including travel restrictions to the island. The Freedom to Travel to Cuba Act was introduced Tuesday by Senators Byron Dorgan, a North Dakota Democrat and Senate Democratic Policy Committee chair, and Michael Enzi, … Continue reading “Support Builds in Congress to Lift Cuba Embargo”

U.S. Gaza Coverage Echoed Government Support of Israel

U.S. television coverage of the recent three-week conflict in the Gaza Strip failed to tell both sides of the story, according to a number of media analysts. The most recent conflict between the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and the Palestinian faction Hamas garnered some media attention, with an unusually large spike in coverage, but that … Continue reading “U.S. Gaza Coverage Echoed Government Support of Israel”

Few Welcome Mats for Guantanamo Detainees

International human rights groups have expressed mixed reactions to the European Union’s lukewarm pledge to accept some detainees from U.S. custody at Guantanamo Bay once the facility closes. After some prodding, European leaders said they are willing to accept detainees released from the Guantanamo Bay prison as long as the U.S. shows that they pose … Continue reading “Few Welcome Mats for Guantanamo Detainees”