A Story Left Incomplete

Alaa Hassan never lived to see publication of the last story he had filed. It got caught for a while, as stories sometimes are, in that no-man’s land between what a correspondent could reasonably get, and what an editor would really like. The two do not often converge immediately, or at least find minimal common … Continue reading “A Story Left Incomplete”

Taliban Regaining Influence, Report Warns

LONDON – The Taliban are beginning to regain influence in the south of Afghanistan, according to an independent group actively engaged in local work in the region. They are also increasingly confronting government and coalition troops inside Afghanistan, says the report by The Senlis Council, which is working closely with people, particularly farmers, across the … Continue reading “Taliban Regaining Influence, Report Warns”

War Provoking Terror, Amnesty Says

LONDON – The war on terror is provoking more terror, Amnesty International Secretary-General Irene Khan told IPS in an interview Tuesday at the launch of the human rights group’s 2006 annual report. "The war on terror and the way it has unfolded actually is premised on the principle that by eroding human rights you can … Continue reading “War Provoking Terror, Amnesty Says”

Rights Group: Iraqi Women Worse Off Under Occupation

Women were far better off under former Iraq dictator Saddam Hussein, a women’s group has found after an extensive survey in Iraq. “Under the previous dictator regime, the basic rights for women were enshrined in the constitution,” Houzan Mahmoud from the Organization of Women’s Freedom in Iraq told IPS in an interview. The group is … Continue reading “Rights Group: Iraqi Women Worse Off Under Occupation”

Afghan Farmers Feel Pinch of Poppy Eradication

For the last two years he has grown no poppy, and his family have begun to feel the pinch. This year, this farmer from Nangahar province in Afghanistan plans to resume poppy cultivation. And not just he but thousands of others, and not just in Nangahar province but beyond. As Britain leads the Western push … Continue reading “Afghan Farmers Feel Pinch of Poppy Eradication”

Iran Air Strikes ‘Under Consideration’

LONDON – Western powers are already planning use of the military option in the face of Iran’s insistence that it will go ahead with what it calls its nuclear research program, a leading expert says. ”The military option is being considered already, they are just not talking about it because it would be deeply unpopular,” … Continue reading “Iran Air Strikes ‘Under Consideration’”

London: Last Police Lie Blown Off

LONDON – Just about the last defense of the police who killed Brazilian electrician Jean Charles de Menezes in London July 21 was that they had seen him running. New evidence suggests he was not running, but sitting on the train when he was grabbed and shot. The new evidence blows the last lie produced … Continue reading “London: Last Police Lie Blown Off”

Two Sides to a Withdrawal

The beginning of the pullout of Israeli settlers from the Gaza Strip presents two contrasting pictures of two very differently placed people. While the Israelis are looking at comfortable compensation packages, thousands of Palestinians face the threat of starvation as a result of the Israeli pullout. The average compensation packet for an Israeli settler home … Continue reading “Two Sides to a Withdrawal”

Police Response More Frightening Than the Killing

That an innocent Brazilian was shot dead on the London Underground is tragic; but the near-justification of that killing by the police is frightening. The police have now openly declared a shoot-to-kill policy, and declared that they can shoot to kill just on suspicion. And that suspicion arising not from reliable intelligence or anything like … Continue reading “Police Response More Frightening Than the Killing”

UK Cleric: ‘Reclaim Islam From Terrorism’

LONDON – A leading Islamic scholar in Britain has asked for the Muslim community to come together to "reclaim Islam from terrorism." He made his call after the terrorist bomb blasts in London Underground trains and on a bus July 7 that killed 55 people and injured about 700. The suicide bombings were carried out … Continue reading “UK Cleric: ‘Reclaim Islam From Terrorism’”