Liberian Government Urged to Act on Truth and Reconciliation Panel’s Recommendation for War Crimes Prosecutions

By Elise Keppler, New York
 
The Liberian government should investigate and prosecute war crimes and crimes against humanity committed during Liberia’s brutal armed conflicts, Human Rights Watch said today.

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Ministry of Health is Not as Worried as it Should Be About Nutrition, NGOs Say

MONROVIA, IRIN - With 45 percent of Liberian children under age five chronically or acutely malnourished, experts say nutrition is a burning health problem, but NGOs feel the Ministry of Health is not as worried as it should be, and lacks the capacity to provide leadership in bringing about solutions.

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Former Chairman Bryant Blames Government for Declining Agricultural Sector

BY  PETER MASSAQUOI, CeasefireLiberia
In the wake of ongoing development in Liberia ’s agriculture sector, former transitional council chairman Gyude Bryant has criticized the government for doing nothing to support the One Blood organization’s agriculture initiative to make Liberia self-sufficient in food production.

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NewLiberian.com Launches Journalists Book Drive

Non-profit media organizations call on newsrooms to donate spare books to help indigenous reporters hone their craft.
November 16, 2009. (St. Paul, Minn) NewLiberian.com and The Niapele Project are calling on American newsrooms to donate spare books and magazines for a “Journalists’ Book Drive” to benefit reporters in Liberia.

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Liberian Leader Sends Thanksgiving Message to Liberians Everywhere

Executive Mansion, Monrovia
Following is the text of a message issued by Her Excellency President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf on the occasion of Liberia’s National Thanksgiving Day, November 5, 2009:

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Liberian Government Excluded from Arms Ban

News, Special Sections Comments (2)

UN News, New York

The 15 member UN Security Council (UNSC) has excluded the Liberian government from an arms embargo enforced on the West African country since 2003. More on page 1114

Editor @ December 20, 2009

Rape Charges Dropped Against Nine Year Old Boy

News, Special Sections Comments (0)

By Michael Kiefer, The Arizona Republic

A Maricopa County Juvenile Court judge on Wednesday dropped charges against a 9-year-old boy accused of rape. More on page 1112

Editor @ December 18, 2009

UN Expert Sounds Alarm Over Court Order For Liberia To Pay Back ‘Vulture Funds’

Health, News, Special Sections Comments (0)

UN News Service, New York

A United Nations human rights expert voiced concern today over the decision of a court to order Liberia to pay debts of about $20 million to two so-called “vulture funds” – private investment firms that buy the debts of struggling countries or companies at below face value and then aggressively pursue repayment of the entire sum. More on page 1110

Editor @ December 18, 2009

Africans, African Americans Must Stand Up to be Counted or They Would Not Count in America

Columns, Features, Opinions Comments (2)

By Paul I. Adujie, New York

There is strength in numbers. So goes an age old adage. That adage seems to be a perfect   imperative for continental Africans and all peoples of African descent who need to be counted in the forthcoming US Census in 2010 and even beyond. More on page 1108

Editor @ December 17, 2009

Nigerian Govt Sued on Absence of President Yar’Adua

News, Special Sections Comments (0)

Gulf Times, Reuters/Lagos

A leading Nigerian human rights lawyer has launched legal action to try to force President Umaru Yar’Adua to hand executive powers to his deputy while he is receiving medical treatment in Saudi Arabia. More on page 1106

Editor @ December 17, 2009