Opinion

“A panel of experts accused the Food and Drug Administration of creating ‘a false sense of security’ with its assessment that a compound used to make food and beverage containers poses no immediate health risks.”

“Colombia’s U.S.-backed security forces are engaging in ‘systematic and widespread’ extrajudicial executions of innocent civilians as part of their counterinsurgency campaign, a top United Nations diplomat said Saturday.”

This analysis suggests that war in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is due to fighting over gold, diamonds, and minerals. The analysis does not offer any solutions nor talk about alternative explanations for the conflict. Context of the story: Why is this important? The DRC is the third largest country in Africa, resource rich … Read more

A 13-year-old girl complained that she was raped by three men, but the local leaders accused her of adultery and stoned her to death in a stadium with 1,000 spectators. Context of the story: Why is this important? Violence against women is especially common in the lawless lands of Somalia. Who is involved? Somali leaders … Read more

One of the recent US missile strikes in Pakistan killed an important Qaeda leader. The US still refuses to confirm or deny attacking in Pakistan. Context of the story: Why is this important? Incidents such as this make it clear that there are benefits to attacking targets in Pakistan, but no one in the US … Read more

US border patrol detained seven Mexican troops and their Hummer with a machine-gun turret on Friday. They were sent back to Mexico with their vehicle. Context of the story: Why is this important? Some people think that the Mexican army helps drug smugglers by providing reconnaissance or by distracting US agents. According to the US, … Read more

The leader of British special forces in Afghanistan resigned. The official reason was “personal”, but he said in his letter that “chronic underinvestment” in military equipment led to the deaths of four British soldiers in Afghanistan. Context of the story: Why is this important? British forces have a large role in Afghanistan, and if their … Read more

The US military reported that operations in Afghanistan have killed 19 militants. But, the US is “not commenting” on operations in Syria or Pakistan. Context of the story: Why is this important? The most important aspect of this report is that the US military usually makes a report when it attacks militants, but it is … Read more

“At least 7.5 million Americans owe more on their mortgages than their homes are currently worth, according to a real estate research firm’s report released Friday.”

Pakistani police prevented a marriage between a 4-year-old girl and a 7-year-old boy. Islamic law and local traditions sometimes conflict with the official law of Pakistan. The official law won this time.