No reconstruction despite siege “easing”
Electronic Intifada - 27 Aug 2010
rr r r r rr r rr r rr r rr rr rrr rLast week, nearly forty families who were displaced during Israel’s winter 2008-09 attacks on the Gaza Strip took over an abadoned, partially-built building in the Jabaliya refugee camp. Rami Almeghari reports for The Electronic Intifada.

EXCLUSIVE…Zeitoun: How a Hero in New Orleans After Hurricane Katrina Was Arrested, Labeled a Terrorist and Imprisoned
Democracy Now - 27 Aug 2010
Today, a personal story of a national tragedy. Five years ago, Hurricane Katrina struck New Orleans. Abdulrahman Zeitoun, a Syrian-born New Orleans building contractor, stayed in the city while his wife and children left to Baton Rouge. He paddled the flooded streets in his canoe and helped rescue many of his stranded neighbors. Days later, armed police and National Guardsmen arrested him and accused him of being a terrorist. He was held for nearly a month, most of which he was not allowed to call his wife, Kathy. Today, in a rare broadcast interview, Abdulrahman and Kathy Zeitoun join us to tell their story, along with the man who chronicles it in the book Zeitoun, Dave Eggers. [includes rush transcript – partial]

Headlines for August 27, 2010
Democracy Now - 27 Aug 2010
UN: Over 1 Million Pakistanis Displaced in 2 Days, Report: Many Afghan Officials on CIA Payroll, Security Council Voices Concern on Congo Rapes, In Cuba, Richardson Claims Progress on Jailed US Contractor, North Korea Frees US Citizen After Carter Visit, South African Union Threatens to Wide Labor Strike, Israeli Military Court Convicts Nonviolent Palestinian Activist, Victim of Anti-Muslim Stabbing Speaks Out, Admin Sides with Utilities in Emissions Case, 2 Arrested Protesting Mountaintop Removal in West Virginia, Gates Foundation Criticized for Increasing Monsanto Investment

An artist’s pledge to boycott
Electronic Intifada - 27 Aug 2010
rr r r rr r rr r rr r rr r rr rrr rI am proud to be among the many Irish and Ireland-based artists from across creative disciplines who have chosen to publicly support the growing campaign of boycott against apartheid Israel. Compared to the imprisoned Palestinian people themselves and to those taking part in flotillas and other perilous anti-apartheid activities in Palestine our contribution and risk may be justly considered small.

Seeing the land as one: Raja Shehadeh interviewed
Electronic Intifada - 27 Aug 2010
rr r r rr r rr r rr r rr r rr rrr rA Rift in Time takes readers back to the life of author Raja Shehadeh’s great-uncle Najib Nassar, who edited the Haifa-based newspaper al-Karmil in the last years of the Ottoman Empire. Sarah Irving interviews Shehadeh for The Electronic Intifada.

Russia and the Future of Nuclear Talks
Campaign Against Sanctions and Military Intervention in Iran (CASMII) - 27 Aug 2010
Summary: Bushehr ReactorThe launch of the Bushehr nuclear plant will enhance the peaceful nature and legitimacy of Iran?s nuclear program at the level of international public opinion and this will give Iran the upper hand in any future talks with the 5+1 group. With Bushehr?s launching, Russia has practically conceded that Iran is a nuclear state and this will bring Moscow closer to Tehran in its effort to reap future rewards by means of bilateral nuclear cooperation. This will create a new political atmosphere which gives Iran greater bargaining power in future nuclear talks. source: Iran Reviewread more

UN Slow to Respond to Gang Rape of Almost 200 Women in the Congo
Democracy Now - 26 Aug 2010
Aid groups reported last week that Rwandan and Congolese rebels took over villages in the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of Congo and gang-raped almost 200 women and five young boys. The rapes occurred between July 30 and August 3, within miles of a United Nations peacekeeping base. A joint UN human rights team has now confirmed the rapes of 154 women. [includes rush transcript]