Report Shows Torture Is Widespread in Iraq

The White House release of Bush administration torture memos marked another step towards closure in what President Obama called a “dark and painful chapter in our history.” But in Iraq, torture is not a thing of the past, according to the findings of a new study on civilian causalities.

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How Somalia’s Fishermen Became Pirates

Amid the current media frenzy about Somali pirates, it’s hard not to imagine them as characters in some dystopian Horn of Africa version of Waterworld. We see wily corsairs in ragged clothing swarming out of their elusive mother ships, chewing narcotic khat while thumbing GPS phones and grappling hooks.

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Gang triggerman honored with ‘Scarface’ hat

A baseball cap dangles from a cement cross. The slogan on the hat reads "power, money, respect." On the brim there’s the logo of the classic gangster movie "Scarface." CULIACAN, Mexico (CNN) — A baseball cap dangles from a cement cross. The slogan on the hat reads “power, money, respect.” On the brim there’s the logo of the classic gangster movie “Scarface.” Etched on the gravestone, the words: “Jesus Guadalupe Parra

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‘Robust action’ could curtail piracy, expert says

Both the United States and France pulled off-high profile rescues in the waters off the Horn of Africa in the past week, killing a total of five pirates to free hostages who had been holed up for days. While those operations gained international attention, there have been dozens of attacks so far this year. Experts say it will take an international effort to combat the rising number of attacks.

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Pentagon looks to move battle against pirates ashore

As the Defense Department weighs options to prevent a repeat of the drama that unfolded on the seas this weekend, those who patrol the waters say pirates must be rooted out before they leave land. Pentagon planners are preparing a variety of options for dealing with Somali pirates, and a United Nations resolution gives them the authority to conduct operations inside Somalia. “The ultimate solution for piracy is on land,” said Vice Adm.

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Pro-Taliban cleric pulls out of peace deal

Pro-Taliban cleric Sufi Mohammad has announced he has pulled out of a peace deal in the violence-plagued Swat Valley, saying the government is not serious about implementing Islamic law, or sharia, in the region. Mohammad brokered the cease-fire in late February between the Pakistani government and his son-in-law, Maulana Fazlullah, who commands the Taliban in Swat Valley. With the deal, the area would come under sharia law, which — under the Taliban’s strict interpretation — would prevent women from even being seen in public without their husbands or fathers

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Sudan leader thanks Arab summit for support

Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir asked Arab leaders meeting in Qatar on Monday to strongly reject an arrest warrant issued against him by the International Criminal Court for war crimes. Al-Bashir landed in Qatar on Sunday and met with Qatar’s emir, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani. On Monday, he expressed his gratitude to the Arab League Summit.

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