Global News and Analysis

Source: New Statesman

Bigots and reactionaries are like small children, in that when they ask a question over and over and over again, it’s usually because they don’t like the answer. ‘How do we stop teenage girls having sex’ is one of these questions. The answer, “We really, really can’t” is unacceptable to the moral mumocracy, who become incensed when any policy is proposed that appears to prioritise young girls’ safety and autonomy over those excellent, tried-and-tested methods of preventing teenage pregnancy: shame and ignorance. read more

Source: Truthdig

American politics, as the midterm elections demonstrated, have descended into the irrational. On one side stands a corrupt liberal class, bereft of ideas and unable to respond coherently to the collapse of the global economy, the dismantling of our manufacturing sector and the deadly assault on the ecosystem. On the other side stands a mass of increasingly bitter people whose alienation, desperation and rage fuel emotionally driven and incoherent political agendas. It is a recipe for fascism. read more

Source: IPS News

Women from a dozen countries convened in New York this week to share their struggles to implement state legislation and empower women at the grassroots level to put an end to gender- based violence (GBV) worldwide.

Hosted by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), the Nov. 4-5 high-level consultation entitled ‘Delivering as One on Violence Against Women: From Intent to Action’ addressed the triumphs and tribulations of the Inter-Agency Task Force’s pilot programme on GBV. read more

Source: Guardian Unlimited

One year ago Hamid Karzai was declared re-elected as president of Afghanistan, ending an election that had no legitimacy in the eyes of ordinary Afghans. The presidential election last year was a fraud, with ballot stuffing, vote buying and massive corruption reported by the world’s media. Even if the independent election commission had not cancelled the planned run-off between Karzai and his main challenger, Abdullah Abdullah, it would have represented only a choice of the “same donkey with a new saddle”. People had no incentive to participate as they knew that both main candidates would bring nothing positive for Afghan people. read more

Source: Truthout

Ohio Democrats are calling for an investigation into the owner of 12 of the state’s McDonald’s restaurants, claiming he attempted to “intimidate” employees into voting for Republicans on election day, according to Raw Story. Employees received letters from owner Paul Siegfried with their paychecks urging them to vote for GOP candidates to ensure the safety of their own jobs. “If the right people are elected, we will be able to continue with raises and benefits at or above present levels. If others are elected, we will not,” the letter said, printed in the Cleveland Plain Dealer. Siegfried then listed the names of three GOP candidates for Senate, governor and House representative. read more