Carter’s visit with Hamas’ Meshal
Electronic Intifada - 15 Apr 2008
rr r r r rr r rr r rr r rr rr rrr r”Carter seems more comfortable with terrorists than with friends like Israel.” So said a newsflash on the Israeli daily Haaretz’s website last Sunday. The statement was attributed to the American pro-Israel group, the Anti-Defamation League, and was obviously a reaction to news that former US president Jimmy Carter was planning to meet with Hamas leader Khaled Meshal during an upcoming visit to Damascus. EI contributor Hasan Abu Nimah comments.

Former intelligence officer tortured, killed in Gaza
Electronic Intifada - 15 Apr 2008
rr r r r rr r rr r rr r rr rr rrr rOn 15 April 2008, the family of former Palestinian Authority General Intelligence captain Sami Khatab was informed by the police that his body was found on the ground about 700 meters north of Palestinian International University and about 200 meters east of the coastal road in Gaza City. Paramedics from Shuhda’a al-Aqsa Hospital in the central Gaza town of Deir al-Balah were summoned to the area by the police after the body was found.

In Gaza, fueling cars with cooking oil
Electronic Intifada - 15 Apr 2008
rr r r r rr r rr r rr r rr rr rrr rAmna Abu Sido was waiting for a ride at the so-called Universities Junction in the heart of Gaza City on Tuesday afternoon when she explained how difficult her commute has become: “I take at least two taxis to go back home to the Tal al-Hawa neighborhood from the school I teach at in Talatini street. Taxis are scarce nowadays and this is really adding to our difficulties.” EI correspondent Rami Almeghari reports on how Palestinians in Gaza are coping with the latest Israeli measure of collective punishment.

Talks on Iran end in China with no resolution
Campaign Against Sanctions and Military Intervention in Iran (CASMII) - 15 Apr 2008
Summary: Talks on whether to offer stronger incentives to Iran to curb its nuclear program ended in the Chinese city of Shanghai on Wednesday without “all problems being resolved”, the Chinese delegate said. “For China, economic and energy sanctions are out of the question,” said Shen. “Whatever role China plays, there won’t be a breakthrough, because the other players just aren’t ready.” source: Reutersread more

The Man Who Would Be Bush
AlterNet: War on Iraq - 15 Apr 2008
How do we explain voter support for McCain in light of the nation’s widespread, bipartisan rejection of the Bush administration?

1776: The Greatest Counter-Insurgency Failure Ever
AlterNet: War on Iraq - 15 Apr 2008
Would General Petraeus have been able to keep the colonies in the fold?

Iraq: Still a Quagmire
AlterNet: War on Iraq - 15 Apr 2008
A new assessment finds that the decrease in violence over the past six months has not led to political reconciliation.

Iran as the New Official Enemy in Iraq
Campaign Against Sanctions and Military Intervention in Iran (CASMII) - 15 Apr 2008
Summary: Why would U.S. officials begin shifting people?s mindsets to Iran as the new official enemy in Iraq? Who knows? But we can only hope that the reason is not to generate support for a bombing campaign against Iran. source: The Future of Freedom Foundationread more

Stuffed and Starved: As Food Riots Break Out Across the Globe, Part II of Raj Patel on ?The Hidden Battle for the World Food System?
Democracy Now - 15 Apr 2008
The rise in global food prices has sparked a number of protests in recent weeks, highlighting the threat of worsening already dire levels of global hunger. The World Bank estimates world food prices have risen 80 percent over the past three years and that at least 33 countries face social unrest as a result. The World Food Program has issued a rare $500 million-dollar emergency appeal to deal with the growing crisis. We go to Part II of our conversation with Raj Patel, author of ?Stuffed and Starved: the Hidden Battle for the World Food System.?

Egypt Opposition Leaders Sentenced in Military Court
Democracy Now - 15 Apr 2008
In Egypt, 25 members of the opposition group, the Muslim Brotherhood, were sentenced to jail by a military court on Tuesday. Among those sentenced was the group’s second most senior member. In the weeks ahead of Egypt’s municipal vote earlier this month, hundreds of members of the group were arrested. The verdicts come on the heels of food riots in Egypt in response to sky-rocketing prices for food staples such as bread, rice, pasta. We speak with Hossam el-Hamalawy, an Egyptian journalist, blogger and activist.

Maoist Rebels Win Majority in Nepalese Assembly
Democracy Now - 15 Apr 2008
Maoist rebels in Nepal say an end to monarchy is near following their surprise victory in last week’s national elections. The Communist Party of Nepal is expected to come out with more than half the seats in the Constituent Assembly when final results are released. Maoist officials say one of their first orders of business will be to abolish the monarchy and declare a republic. We speak with New York-based journalist, Kashish Das Shrestha and we go to Nepal to speak with anthropologist, Mary Des Chenes.