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PAKISTAN: Human Rights Ambassador Condemns Attack on Sardar Mushtaq Gill

Supporting victims who have been accused of blasphemy and maltreatment for their faiths is a high risk.

(Washington, D.C) - On 2 November 2013, gunshots were fired in the street outside the home of human rights defender Mr Sardar Mushtaq Gill in Pattoki Tehsil, Kasur District, Punjab Province.

In recent months, Sardar Mustaq Gill has been intimidated by various means, including violent threats. Sardar Mustaq Gill is the National Director of Legal Evangelical Association Development (LEAD) which is based in the province of Punjab.

Australia Offers To Keep Troops In Afghanistan After 2014

Australia currently has around 1,200 soldiers in Afghanistan, most of them based in Urozgan Province.

(KABUL) - The Australian ambassador to Afghanistan says his government has offered to keep up to 400 troops in Afghanistan after the withdrawal of U.S.-led NATO forces in 2014.

Jon Philip told RFE/RL that Australia has made an offer to the Afghan government to keep between 100 and 400 troops in Afghanistan into "2015 and onwards." He said it would be up to Afghan officials to decide if they want the Australian soldiers to stay.

Unusual Discontent Reported Among Haqqani Network in Afghanistan

Support has turned to resentment in some corners for the Haqqani Network leaders – Jalaluddin and Sirajuddin who leads the group from their shelter across the border in Pakistan, the New York Times reported.

(KHOST PROVINCE) - A considerable reduction has been noted in overall violence in eastern Khost province of Afghanistan with reports of discontent among the Haqqani Network.

According to reports, violent episodes have fallen by nearly one-half since 2011 in eastern Khost province, the main stronghold of Haqqani Network.

NAACP Backs `States` Rights` on Marijuana Laws

NAACP resolution notes that new state laws are moderating the impact of "extreme federal policies."

(WASHINGTON, DC) - NAACP and other civil rights groups -- for important historical reasons -- have not always been so keen on the idea of states' rights.

Now, however, due in no small part to the racial disparities in enforcement of the failed "war on drugs," the group is endorsing a bipartisan Congressional bill that will let states set their own marijuana policies.

Veterans Tour - Momentum Really Building on Day Three

Overall a stellar day but the finish to day 4 was a paradigm changer so stay tuned.

(ORLANDO) - We have received such an overwhelmingly positive response. I am writing this report at the end of day 4 because day 3 didn’t offer a spare moment.

Day three started out on Bob’s turf. Bob Jordan has a special role in this national battle for medicinal access as he is a caregiver for the only Florida - legal medical marijuana patient.

Contact your Senator Today and Ask them to Support S.1602

S.1602 is the Toxic Exposure Research and Military Family Support Act of 2013.

(WASHINGTON, DC) - Senator Richard Blumenthal, (CT) has introduced S.1602, the Toxic Exposure Research and Military Family Support of 2013, VVA strongly supports this bill, which reflects positively on one of our foremost legislative goals.

Not only would it help achieve a measure of justice for the innocent victims of the use of toxic substances in times of war, but it offers unlimited possibilities for scientific research into the effects of these toxic chemicals.

World War Two Prisoners of War to be Honored At Redondo Beach Veterans Day Service, 11 November

Keynote speaker is Marine General, Maj Gen. Melvin G. Spiese, USMC, retired.

(REDONDO BEACH) - Redondo Beach will observe Veterans Day 2013 at the Veterans Memorial in beautiful Veterans Park at the beach at 1 PM on Monday, the 11th of November.

The solemn observance will include reflection and remembrance, music, commentary and honors to all those members of the military who served their country. Veterans Day is a time to honor our military veterans.

Arafat`s Death - There`s Really No Mystery

I was convinced that Arafat was as good as dead before he died.

(LONDON) - For once Israel is telling a part of the truth. It was impossible for any of its own (Israeli-Jewish) agents to get into the rubble of Arafat’s compound to administer the poison that killed him.

But they didn’t need direct access. Israel’s role was to provide the radioactive polonium for one of its collaborators in Fatah’s leadership.

Human Rights Watch Criticizes Israel for Continual Killing of Gaza Civilians

Military targeting hardware in use today is deadly accurate. When Israel strikes hospitals and schools full of children, it is all very intentional.

(SACRAMENTO) - Just less than a year ago, I wrote the article, Dead Babies and the Latest News from 'Israeli Rights Watch', feeling incensed and sickened by the position Human Rights Watch (HRW) was taking over Israel's military aggression toward civilian victims in Gaza.

Israel regularly uses drones to attack civilians and the world ignores this behavior, essentially leaving Israel to govern its own warfare tactics, which it fails to do.

London Review of Books: Rajapaksa`s Rule

The problem is that Rajapaksa, for all his eagerness to seize the Commonwealth’s helm, has spent years undermining those values and principles.

(LONDON) - Sri Lanka’s authorities are in buoyant mood. As Prince Charles prepares to open the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Colombo, the Defence Ministry is helping to organise celebrations. But it isn’t the queen they are honouring.

The CHOGM is gathering to acknowledge the Sri Lankan president, Mahinda Rajapaksa, as chairman of the Commonwealth, a position he will occupy for the next two years. His allies at home are delighted.