Headlines for Tuesday, February 9, 2010

Troops poised to launch operation in Helmand Province, civilians warned to stay inside
US troops began initial operations in southern Afghanistan today in advance of a major offensive on the town of Marjah.   NATO warned any civilians still in the region to keep their “heads down.” The Taliban prevented residents who had not already fled from doing so today, saying they had already set mines along the surrounding roads. Many villagers had not yet evacuated the area for fear of leaving their crops.  And in northern Afghanistan, officials say as many as 70 people are dead and more than 400 injured after an avalanche. Military helicopters are dropping food rations to stranded travelers, and rescue efforts are ongoing.

India effectively bans genetically modified eggplant
India announced an indefinite moratorium on the commercial release of genetically modified eggplant -- or Bt. Brinjal -- today. Bismillah Geelani has more.

The government’s decision to put a moratorium on Bt. Brinajl comes after a series of public meetings across the country. People turned out in large numbers and registered their protest against the plan to introduce the country’s first genetically modified food crop. Environment minister Jairam Ramesh announced the decision in New Delhi today. He said the government cannot ignore public sentiment.

“It’s a mindset change that we need to bring that it is not necessary for us to clear everything that comes to us.”

The minister said the moratorium will not be reviewed unless independent scientific studies establish the safety of the product for human health and the environment. Farmers’ organizations and environmental groups have welcomed the decision. Bismillah Geelani, Free Speech Radio News, New Delhi.

Philippines charges 196 in political massacre
Prosecutors in the Philippines formally charged 196 people today in connection with a political massacre last November. Those charged include Andal Ampatuan Sr, a close political ally of the Philippine President.  Along with the 195 others, Ampatuan is charged with conspiracy to kill members of a rival clan. 57 people died in the politically motivated attack.

Detainees on hunger strike at UK immigration center for women
An immigration detention center for women in the UK remains on lock-down today. Detainees are protesting separation from their children, extended incarcerations and poor living conditions.  Naomi Fowler has more.

Protests at the notorious Yarls Wood detention center are nothing new. The center holds 405 women and children who are guilty of no crime other than falling foul of immigration laws. Around 40 women are believed to be in their 4th day of a hunger strike. Several who tried to escape out of a window are still locked outdoors with few clothes to keep them warm. According to one of the women, some women have collapsed and have received no medical attention. Campaigners are calling for an urgent inquiry into the centre and the response of the authorities to the disturbances. The centre and the government have denied any ill-treatment. Naomi Fowler, FSRN, London.

Protests at the notorious Yarls Wood detention center are nothing new. The center holds 405 women and children who are guilty of no crime other than falling foul of immigration laws. Around 40 women are believed to be in their 4th day of a hunger strike. Several who tried to escape out of a window are still locked outdoors with few clothes to keep them warm. According to one of the women, some women have collapsed and have received no medical attention. Campaigners are calling for an urgent inquiry into the centre and the response of the authorities to the disturbances. The centre and the government have denied any ill-treatment. Naomi Fowler, FSRN, London.

Israel steps up West Bank operations
As the stalemate continues in the Palestinian Israeli peace talks, Israel’s army stepped up its operations in West Bank communities this week. FSRN’s Ghassan Bannoura reports.

The Israeli military detained 16 Palestinian civilians during invasions targeting a number of West Bank communities, today. And at the Shufat camp for Palestinian refugees in Jerusalem city, clashes renewed.  One Palestinian boy was arrested; one Israeli soldier was lightly wounded. Yesterday Israeli police raided the camp injuring residents and arresting around 60 others. Meanwhile the Israeli military continued its crackdown on nonviolent popular struggle organizers when troops ransacked the offices of the Stop the Wall campaign in Ramallah. On Sunday soldiers attacked the offices of International Solidarity Movement and arrested two international activists. They have since been released. Nata Golan is a co-founder of the ISM:

"The crackdown on the ISM and Stop the Wall is a continuation of an arrest campaign of the leadership of the popular struggle because it’s clear that the popular struggle is gaining legitimacy and widening.  They have done many things to try to stop it in the past including killing people and now they are using violence to try to stop it. But obviously, they failed in the past and they will fail this time as well."

Ghassan Bannoura, FSRN, Bethlehem.

Ten South Africans allege discrimination in Colorado Wal-mart
Ten South African men in Colorado have filed a complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission against Wal-mart. They say they were fired to make jobs available for locals. The also claim that they were denied prayer breaks. Wal-mart officials deny the claims. Wal-mart has been the focus of dozens of discrimination claims in as many years, and is currently named in the largest class-action discrimination suit in US history.