By Rick Rozoff

Global Research, July 5, 2010

On July 4 General David Petraeus assumed command of 142,000 U.S. and NATO troops in a ceremony in the Afghan capital of Kabul. He succeeded the disgraced and soon to be retired General Stanley McChrystal as chief of all foreign troops in Afghanistan, those serving under U.S. Forces Afghanistan (USFOR-A)/Operation Enduring Freedom and the …

In Philippine society where people often know everyone in their communities, torture is known to be a common practice. People know who the torturers in their locality are, and where victims are taken to be tortured.

TERRORISM   By Claire Delfin  |  As abductions reach an alarming level, residents in the affected areas have called on the government to consider it a national security issue that calls for an immediate response.

There has been regular phone contact between the Red Cross and the abducted staff since they were snatched nearly two weeks ago on 15 January on Sulu Island following a visit to the Jolo Provincial Jail. The latest call with the three took place on Wednesday morning.

The ICRC’s head of delegation in Manila, Jean-Daniel Tauxe: Mary-Jean, Eugenio and Andreas all say they are in good health. From what we understand, they are being held together. It’s always good to hear their voices and, of course, we remain concerned for their safety and hope they will be back with their loved ones soon.

NEW DELHI — Coordinated terror attacks struck the heart of Mumbai, India’s commercial capital, Wednesday night, killing dozens in machine-gun and grenade assaults on at least two five-star hotels, the city’s largest train station, a movie theater and a hospital.

The Mumbai police said the attacks killed at least 75 people and wounded 240, according to preliminary reports. There were also reports that hostages had been taken in at least one of the hotels, with Americans and British nationals being singled out. READ THE STORY