There was a press conference outside Washington today held by the International Committees against Stoning and Execution and Mission Free Iran on the case of Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani. She is the 43-year-old mother of two in Iran who has been sentenced to death by stoning for alleged adultery.

Israel's outgoing U.N. ambassador, Gabriela Shalev, calls her job "an almost impossible mission," but she's still heading home on a note of hope.

The impending resumption of direct Israeli-Palestinian talks comes as a welcome change after nearly two years of having to contend with the fallout from Israel's deadly actions involving Gaza and a cooler relationship with the Obama administration.

The South Sudan Women's Network for a peaceful Referendum has been formed in Awiel, Northen Bhar El Gazal State on August 10th, 2010, attended by various women's groups from the community based organizations. The workshop started by the arrival of the guest of honor Acting Governor Hon. Madut Dut H.E Madut, who officially opened the workshop by the following remarks:

WASHINGTON

THE topic, "Women, power and politics" has several dimensions. It has links to economic, religious and cultural issue. Cultural practices such as that of Buganda, where princesses are referred to as “Ssebo” (Sir) and the king belongs the mother's clan and the fact that princesses inherit large tracts of land and are consulted on important issues is simply a novelty.

Structural change is expected within the ruling Ethiopian Peoples' Revolutionary Democratic Front's (EPRDF) top leadership at its congress scheduled for next month. The front's newly emerging youth and women leagues are likely to join the party's top leadership for the first time, a knowledgeable source has indicated.

The US government needs to strengthen its protection of people in immigration detention to prevent sexual abuse and to ensure justice for victims, Human Rights Watch said in a report released today.

The 24-page report, “Detained and at Risk: Sexual Abuse and Harassment in United States Immigration Detention,” describes documented incidents and allegations of abuse. It also discusses recent proposals by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to address the issue. Human Rights Watch emphasized that the agency should make improvements swiftly to improve oversight of the entire detention system and ensure accountability.

The US government needs to strengthen its protection of people in immigration detention to prevent sexual abuse and to ensure justice for victims, Human Rights Watch said in a report published this week.

Leaders of militias that carried out mass rape in Democratic Republic of Congo will face war crimes charges, a UN conflict envoy said Tuesday.

Margot Wallstrom, special representative on the prevention of sexual violence in conflict, made a direct warning to the heads of militias and armed groups in the African nation where more widespread sexual attacks were reported in August.