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• NATO plan on Afghanistan under scrutiny after decade of war
• In Alabama, accounts of sexual violence in women’s prison draw call for investigation
• Immigrant women and girls face sexual violence on US farms
• Settler attacks increase as Israel passes controversial tax break
• In Egypt, community media opens air to wider voices

• Two reportedly killed in Dier al Zor as UN observers arrive
• Spill over tension grows in Lebanon after Shiite pilgrims kidnapped in Syria
• Mali President still in place despite attack after deadline extended
• EU rejects France's ban on Monsanto GMO corn
• Rutgers Dharun Ravi gets 30 days for hate crime that led to suicide

NATO concluded its summit in Chicago with a lengthy declaration by the member countries on issues ranging from which new countries could soon join the alliance, to statements against nuclear proliferation and sexual violence. Front and center at the meeting, which wrapped up Monday night, was the future of an international military presence in Afghanistan, as the coalition begins to plan for the day when Afghanistan will both staff and fund its own military and police. But critics say NATO shouldn’t sacrifice more dollars and lives to a failing mission.

Today, a legal advocacy group filed a complaint with the Department of Justice calling for an investigation into widespread sexual assault and harassment at Alabama’s only prison for women. According to the Equal Justice Initiative, who filed the complaint, inmates describe “frequent and severe” officer-on-inmate sexual violence. Several prisoners became pregnant after being raped by correction officers, according to findings in the complaint, and authorities punished female inmates who attempted to bring incidents to light.

We continue our look at sexual violence by examining crimes in the agricultural industry. 

According to a new report by Human Rights Watch, immigrant women and girls face rape, stalking, unwanted touching, exhibitionism, and vulgar language by supervisors, employers and others in positions of power.  The report, based on 160 interviews with survivors, underscores legislation currently in congress to protect workers from abuse. FSRN’s Vic Bedoian reports from Fresno.

Last night the Israeli parliament, the Knesset, passed a law that allows tax deductions for people who donate money for settlements. The new law comes as settler attacks on West Bank Palestinians have increased. FSRN’s Ghassan Bannoura has more.

As Egyptians prepare to vote in Presidential elections tomorrow, many are evaluating the uprising that led to the ouster of Hosni Mubarak. During that period, citizen journalists and community media played a key role in challenging authority while digital technology offered new ways to express views. Some of those alternative voices came from online radio stations which have been working for years to create an informed and active population. From Cairo, Simba Russeau has more.

• In Washington, activists from Yemen, Bahrain, Egypt and other Arab countries call on G8 leaders to change foreign policy
• Thousands protest the NATO Summit in Chicago, including veterans of US led wars
• Vets protest NATO, US wars by returning military medals
  
• Syria linked violence in Lebanon dramatically increases following the killing of two Muslim clerics
• In California, the United Farm Workers Union celebrates 50 years

• Suicide bombing in Yemen
• Hundreds protest in Quebec despite new restrictions
• Occupy camp in St Petersburg threatened
• NAACP announces support for gay marriage
• Chair of Nuclear Regulatory Commission steps down

As President Obama and other leaders of the world’s largest economies met at Maryland’s Camp David this weekend to discuss war, trade and other global issues, a delegation of activists and journalists from 10 Arab countries came to Washington to call for a paradigm shift in US foreign policy. In meetings with the State Department, members of Congress, US-AID and civil society groups, they called for an end to the current model of neoliberal economics and military aid, and the implementation of policies that respect the uprisings in Arab countries.