news | message boards | contact

"As violence against women escalates in Juarez and Chihuahua state, Chihuahua prosecutors acknowledged the long struggle held in the region to claim women's rights. (...) "The truth is that 222 women had been killed in Chihuahua (in 2011)," Chihuahua's General Attorney Carlos Manuel Salas said in a statement. "The fight to vindicate women's rights has been painful and slow," he said during the briefing. According to Chihuahua prosecutors' figures, of those 222 women murdered in that border state, 130 took place in Juarez and nearby border regions from January 2011. In 2010, 270 women were killed in the state (...)"

More Syrian Deaths in 'Fresh Homs Assault'

"Syrian forces have killed at least 17 people in a massive tank-backed raid on the central city of Homs, rights activists said, after the government postponed a visit to the country by the Arab League chief. Wednesday's deadly security operation in Homs came after 2,000 people had taken to the streets of the city a day earlier, activists said." (...) "Military reinforcements including 20 truckloads of soldiers entered the city," the Britain-based group said, opening "intense gunfire in the market and governorate headquarters". (...) At least two people were killed in raids and attacks on Idlib province's Sarmeen, and one other in the northern city of Hama, the LCC said. State-run news agency SANA reported that a "terrorist group" kidnapped two Baath party officials in the town of al-Rastan near Homs on Wednesday.

September 7, 2011 - War & Peace

Libya conflict: Niger Border 'Cannot be Closed'

"Niger's foreign minister says his country is unable to close its border with Libya to prevent fugitive Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi fleeing south. Foreign Minister Mohamed Bazoum told the BBC that Col Gaddafi had not crossed the border or asked to cross. He said Gaddafi loyalists who have arrived in Niger's capital, Niamey, would be free to stay or move on. (...) Officials in Niger have said Col Gaddafi's security chief, Mansour Daw, was among those who entered the country in the convoys over the weekend or on Monday. (...) Burkina Faso - which borders Niger to the south-west - has denied reports that it had offered to welcome Col Gaddafi."

September 7, 2011 - War & Peace

Suicide Bombers Kill 20 in Pakistan

"Pakistan's Taliban said its suicide bombers carried out an attack on Wednesday that killed 20 people in the southwestern city of Quetta to avenge the capture of an al Qaeda leader. (...) "Our fidayeen (suicide bombers) have carried out this attack. It is a revenge for the arrests of our brothers in Quetta," Taliban spokesman Ehsanullah Ehsan told Reuters by telephone from an undisclosed location. "If they make more arrests then the reaction will be much more forceful." The United States wants Pakistan to crack down harder on militants, especially ones who cross the unruly border into Afghanistan to attack U.S.-led NATO forces and Afghan troops."

September 7, 2011 - War & Peace

U.S. Safer 10 Years After 9/11, But at What Cost?

"Tourists flock to Times Square for the bright lights and Broadway shows. There they find another spectacle: helmeted police with machine guns patrolling the subway station on the lookout for would-be bombers and gunmen. (...) The results are undeniable. (...) But at what cost in lost liberty and dollars? Civil libertarians fear the era of surveillance and circumspection could become permanent. (...) The president and police have more power, claiming more authority to snoop into the private lives of citizens with less oversight from the courts. Airport security are much more thorough. (...) "Ten years later, if we are still in this emergency mindset, then this is now who we are. This is the new normal," said Susan Herman, president of the American Civil Liberties Union."

September 7, 2011 - Freedom & Government

Slain Yale Student's Family Sues, Says School Failed to Protect Women

"The family of a Yale pharmacology student who was killed by a lab technician shortly before her wedding day has sued the university, saying it failed to protect women on its campus. (...) "Prior to September 8, 2009, Yale had long taken inadequate steps to ensure the safety and security of women on its campus," the complaint states. "Sexual attacks on and harassment of women at Yale had been well-documented and longstanding problem, and there was a widespread belief that Yale repeatedly failed to impose meaningful discipline on offenders. As a result, Yale created a culture of tolerance that allowed and encouraged aggressive male behavior towards women." The suit also cited a Title IX complaint filed by students against the university" (...)