According the NY Times, the Frontline documentary 'Torturing Democracy' will not be shown by PBS because a time slot wasn't available. However, PBS affiliates are airing the 90 minute piece ( Read more... )

BBC News: The UN Security Council has voted unanimously in favour of a resolution classifying rape as a weapon of war.

The UN News Centre article is here.

This is undoubtedly good news. For too long women have been targeted deliberately in warfare -- from the Congo (see this last post) to  Rwanda to the Balkans. According to the article, 40 women ( Read more... )

If it weren't for my mother's nagging about me not eating more and therefore destined to live alone forever, I would have forgotten about the HAPPY EVENTS OF LAST WEEKEND.

No, not Gay Pride, however fun that may have been.

I meant this (from The Advocate):

The Reverend V. Gene Robinson said that he “always wanted to be a ( Read more... )

An amazing piece on the illicit trade (promo here) - from its beginnings to its far-reaching consequences. I had no idea how insidious the networks of counterfeit goods were. But according to the National Geographic special, the trade involves human trafficking, government corruption, and organised crime! It makes me queasy thinking of all the ( Read more... )

The Times Online:  Burma's junta leader has agreed to allow access to all foreign aid workers to help with the relief operation after Cyclone Nargis, UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon has said.
Mr Ban made the announcement after more than two hours of talks with Senior General Than Shwe, the reclusive leader of the country’s military regime, whose ( Read more... )

Remember this post way back in March about Mehdi Kasemi, the 19 year old Iranian student who was forced to claim for asylum in the UK, was denied, and then fled to the Netherlands only to have that country turn down the request to hear his case?

BBC News: A gay Iranian teenager who said he could be executed if he was sent home has been given asylum ( Read more... )

The Times estimates the death toll at 50,000 and millions made homeless. The Telegraph has disturbing news that the Junta executed prisoners after the cyclone hit. The Guardian reports Bush has pledged $3 million to Burma, and asks the Burmese authorities to allow foreign aid in. The LA Times reports on the desperate situation within the country ( Read more... )

Ganked from
( Read more... )

From the BBC: Mehdi Kazemi has said his life is in danger if he is returned to Iran, where he says his boyfriend named him as a partner before being executed. Homosexual acts are illegal in the Islamic republic. A Dutch spokesman said Mr Kazemi would now be sent to the UK, the first European country he entered. A claim for asylum in the UK had ( Read more... )