Topic: Sierra Leone

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International Women's Day: How it's celebrated around the globe

International Women's Day has served for more than a century as a day to honor the achievements of women globally. Here are some ways people are celebrating:
ICC issues Qaddafi warrant: Key prosecutions of world leaders

As the International Criminal Court issues only its second international arrest warrant for a sitting head of state, a look at prosecution of current and past world leaders.
Orange Prize for fiction 2011 shortlist

Celebrating its 16th anniversary this year, the Orange Prize for Fiction honors "excellence, originality and accessibility in women’s writing from throughout the world." Last year's winner was American author Barbara Kingsolver for her novel "The Lacuna." The 2011 award will be announced on June 8, 2011, and the winner will be one of these six novelists.
From Libya's Qaddafi to Sudan's Bashir: Key International Criminal Court inquiries

The International Criminal Court today announced it would investigate Libyan leader Muammar Qaddafi and several members of his inner circle for crimes against humanity in Libya’s ongoing uprising. Here is a look at ICC cases of crimes committed by world leaders.
Hosni Mubarak's exit plan: Where do exiled leaders go?

With Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak heading out of office, it’s likely he has thought about where he’d head next if he’s forced out of the country as well as the presidency. Read our list of ousted world leaders who fled their countries to live out the rest of their days elsewhere.

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Taylor's 50-year sentence draws mixed reactions in Liberia (+video)

Human rights groups welcomed the sentence for Liberia's former president Charles Taylor for his role in Sierra Leone civil war. Some Liberians argued he didn't get fair treatment.
Former Liberian leader Charles Taylor sentenced to 50 years in prison (+video)

An international court proceeding ended Wednesday with the sentencing of Taylor, who was convicted of aiding and abetting numerous war crimes in Sierra Leone.
Keep Calm
West African group backs off intervention in Mali mess

ECOWAS had warned of a possible military intervention, but at a meeting in the Malian capital of Bamako, they accepted an interim president chosen by military coup leaders.
Obama to unveil plan for helping African farmers

Ahead of the G-8 summit, President Obama will unveil a new public-private partnership with DuPont, Monsanto, and Cargill, and almost 20 companies from Africa, to help farmers build local markets and fight hunger.
Radko Mladic's genocide trial begins in the Hague

The Bosnian Serb general is accused of war crimes stemming from the Bosnian civil war in the early 1990s.
Change Agent
A quirky, tiny grass-roots effort backs only 'Awesome’ projects

The Awesome Foundation is a loose collection of some three-dozen local groups usually made up of 10 volunteers each, who offer $100 a month toward a simple, no-strings-attached grant, or Awesome Fellowship.
Culture Cafe
'First Position' and other documentaries wow at the Montclair Film Festival

The first annual festival is advised by Comedy Central host Stephen Colbert.
First Position: movie review

Kargman's documentary dives into the world of young aspiring dancers.
Will Charles Taylor ever face justice for crimes in Liberia?

A week after a Special Tribunal for war crimes in Liberia found Liberian President Charles Taylor guilty for aiding war crimes in Sierra Leone, Liberians ask if he will face justice at home.
Taylor guilty: Liberians have mixed emotions about verdict

Some Liberians voice outrage at the guilty verdict of former Liberian President Charles Taylor at the war crimes court; others, who lost family members, say it's justice.
Keep Calm
Charles Taylor, former Liberian president, found guilty of war crimes (+video)

Charles Taylor: A guilty verdict against the former Liberian president – including charges of murder, rape, use of child soldiers – sets precedent for holding sitting heads of state to account.
In Monrovia, Charles Taylor's wife awaits his verdict

Charles Taylor, the former Liberian leader accused of 11 counts of war crimes, will learn his fate tomorrow in what is seen as a milestone moment for international justice.
Secret Service scandal sheds light on sex tourism in Latin America

Large events like the Summit of the Americas and upcoming Olympic games in Brazil can drive up the demand for prostitution and sex trafficking.
International Women's Day: How it's celebrated around the globe

International Women's Day has served for more than a century as a day to honor the achievements of women globally. Here are some ways people are celebrating:
Change Agent
Tacugama gives sanctuary to chimpanzees - through war and peace

Even an 11-year civil war couldn't stop Bala Amarasekaran from rescuing and rehabilitating chimps in Sierra Leone.
Change Agent
A warrior turns peacemaker in Liberia

Former soldier Christian Bethelson’s only job skill was killing – until a meeting on a muddy road in Liberia changed his life, and many others.
Africa Rising: Sub-Saharan Africa set for 2012 boom

Rising demand for natural resources is a boon for countries such as Sierra Leone, Niger, and Angola. But high consumer prices still pinch Africa's middle class.
Africa Rising: With film school, can Sierra Leone change 'Blood Diamond' image?

The film 'Blood Diamond' scared off tourists and investors. Now Sierra Leoneons want to tell their own stories in film, and Ahmed Mansaray has a film school to show them how.
Africa Monitor
Africa Rising: Carbon credits save Sierra Leone's Gola Rainforest

Turning down mining offers, Sierra Leone has set aside the Gola Rainforest as a new national park in the hopes of collecting carbon credits from abroad. 
Former Ivory Coast President Laurent Gbagbo extradited to Hague (VIDEO)

Human rights activists say the extradition of former Ivory Coast President Laurent Gbagbo is a big step for ending a decade of bloodshed and impunity, but peace will only be sustained if justice is even-handed.
Change Agent
Mercy ship brings basic hospital care to West Africa

The Africa Mercy, a charity-funded hospital ship docked in Sierra Leone, provides the most sophisticated medical facility in the region.
Africa Monitor
Nobel Peace Prize winners Sirleaf and Gbowee reflect Liberian women's strength

Nobel Peace Prize winners Ellen Johnson Sirleaf and Leymah Gbowee symbolize the fighting spirit among Liberian women that author Tim Butcher saw while hiking through the country, he says.
Beyond Viktor Bout: How to stop the next 'Lord of War'

Viktor Bout, the world's most notorious arms trafficker escaped trial for decades by exploiting a patchwork of international laws on arms trade. His case underscores the need for an international Arms Trade Treaty to regulate arms sales and hold "merchants of death" accountable.
Africa Monitor
Africa Rising: Sierra Leone, Liberia set up high-tech solutions to illegal fishing

Sierra Leone and Liberia are setting up ways to help small-time fishermen monitor and report the illegal foreign commercial fishing that costs each country tens of millions of dollars each year.
Liberian women pray as the nation heads to the polls

Buffeted by years of civil war, Liberian women – led by newly named Nobel Peace Prize laureate Leymah Gbowee – are praying for a peaceful and successful Oct. 11 election, and hoping that fire-mouthed politicians don't drag their country back to war.