Les Neuhaus

Often Targeted, Politcal Poets Continue To Be Silenced

Throughout history, poets in countries across the Middle East have been jailed, exiled or worse — killed. Unfortunately, this is a continuing trend in the fight against free thought.

Les Neuhaus
By Les Neuhaus
Iranian poet Hashem Shaabani

When literacy is used to advocate for change within a society, it poses a threat to those in power, even if those in power tend to overlook it. With low literacy rates in many Middle Eastern countries, poets often stand out to authorities in the region that has a rich, but often dark history of challenging conventional thought. Using poetry as a

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Mali’s Road To Post-Conflict Peace Still Shaky (Video)

More than a year after militants were kicked out of the country’s north, French and Malian forces are still skirmishing with rebel factions. But with French forces due to wind down their mission there, can Mali’s new government hang on?

Les Neuhaus
By Les Neuhaus
Mali Attack

Mali is seeking to restore stability and rebuild following a series of setbacks since early 2012, including a military coup d’état, renewed fighting between government forces and Tuareg rebels, and the seizure of its northern territory by radical militants linked to al-Qaida. A French-led offensive in January 2013 helped to drive out al-Qaida in

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Amnesty Intl: Civilians In Darfur Being Targeted For Murder, Sexual Assault

Amnesty International found that civilians in Central Darfur were deliberately targeted and subjected to unlawful killings, sexual violence, shootings and lootings.

Les Neuhaus
By Les Neuhaus
A Sudanese family takes shelter under their donkey cart at the Kalma refugee camp for internally displaced people, south of the Darfur town of Nyala, Sudan. (AP/UNAMID)

Ongoing fighting in Sudan’s western region of Darfur saw a dramatic rise last year, and in the last six weeks, another wave of violence has caught hundreds of thousands of innocent civilians in the crosshairs, an international rights group said Friday. A once-heated war between the Khartoum-based government and various rebel groups with competing

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Meet Your New Local Police, Courtesy Of The Pentagon

Rep. Hank Johnson (D-GA) asks why low-level American law enforcement agencies are being equipped with military equipment usually reserved for war zones.

Les Neuhaus
By Les Neuhaus
Shawn Lamouree

A disturbing trend in law enforcement has resulted in localized police departments transforming into quasi-paramilitary forces equipped with vehicles and weapons normally stockpiled by the Pentagon, according to a U.S. Congressman. Rep. Hank Johnson (D-GA) and activist Michael Shank wrote an op-ed in USA Today on March 10 to say that things have

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Another Wave Of Unrest Sweeps Turkey (Video)

Prime Minister Erdogan isn’t doing much to soothe tensions after clashes between protesters and authorities raged on Tuesday and two protesters died Wednesday.

Les Neuhaus
By Les Neuhaus
Turkey

Tensions are running high in Turkey after two protesters were killed as riots swept the country following the death and burial of a teenage boy who had been injured by a police tear gas canister. The events of the week show just how uneasy some conservative communities are getting with protesters after 15-year-old Berkin Elvan died on Tuesday,

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Report: UK Guilty Of Complicity In Israeli Field Testing Of Drones On Gaza Refugees (Video)

One report says the UK is guilty of ‘complicity in Israeli crimes against’ Palestinians after field-testing a drone on refugees in Gaza. Another report calls for independent investigations into attacks that kill civilians.

Les Neuhaus
By Les Neuhaus
MIDEAST ISRAEL

With nations around the world exploring drone technology, its implementation often creates controversy. Drones were invented to be used as powerful tools in war zones. And while they’ve served their intended purpose, they have also inadvertently killed thousands of innocent civilians. Not violating human rights in the process of protecting human

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Rhino Poaching Down, But Asian Demand Still Fueling Poaching In Zimbabwe

Only hundreds of rhinoceroses remain after years of illegal hunting to satisfy Asia’s demand for rhino horns.

Les Neuhaus
By Les Neuhaus
Thailand Rhino Horns

Rhinoceros poaching in Zimbabwe dropped year on year in 2013, but only about 750 rhinos remain, Agence France-Presse reported, noting that thousands of rhinos inhabited the southern African nation in 1980. Geoffreys Matipano of the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Authority told AFP that poachers killed 20 rhinos in the country in 2013, marking a

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