Category: The Fifth Column

(Garrison) – On May 8, President Donald Trump announced US withdrawal from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, colloquially known as “the Iran nuclear deal.” While that decision has come under criticism for being both a really bad idea and a severe betrayal of trust, both of which are true, it’s worth noting that the US withdrawal is also a breach of treaty obligations, and that such obligations are, per the US Constitution and co-equal with it, “the Supreme Law of the Land.” But wait — aren’t defenders of the…

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(GV) – This is the testimony of Um Mohammed; a kind 61 years old lady from Zamalka. Um Mohammed’s kindness reflects of her face with its childish features. Her cheeks would still turn red when agitated. Um Mohammed loves old songs and memorizes quite a few. As a loving grandmother, she adores little children and could play with them for hours. Um Mohammed used to live in Zamalka, a town of Eastern Ghouta’s. Its population was estimated at 150 thousand in the last census. Zamalka fell out of the regime’s…

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(Garrison) – US president Donald Trump should never have nominated Gina Haspel to head the Central Intelligence Agency. When Haspel offered to withdraw her name from consideration, as the Washington Post reports she did during a White House meeting in early May, her offer should have been gratefully accepted. The US Senate should vote against confirming her appointment — ideally, by a margin of 100-0. Each “yes” vote will darken the stain on America’s honor represented by Haspel’s career thus far. Gina Haspel doesn’t belong at the head of the CIA. She…

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(FEE) – On May Day, workers rallied across the nation in support of labor and immigrant rights. Their end goal is to make immigration a key issue in the 2018 midterms. If Congressional Republicans want to help struggling Americans and boost their support going into the midterms, they should take this opportunity to fix our broken immigration system so that more immigrants can call America home. Enlarging the Labor Supply Increasing immigration levels would make U.S. companies more efficient by increasing the labor pool. Many employers say finding qualified talent…

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(HRW) – United Arab Emirates authorities should immediately reveal the whereabouts of Sheikha Latifa bin Mohammad al-Maktoum, the 32-year-old daughter of the ruler of the Dubai, and clarify her legal status, Human Rights Watch said today. Failure to disclose the whereabouts and status of the princess could qualify as an enforced disappearance, given the evidence suggesting that she was last seen as UAE authorities were detaining her.   A witness told Human Rights Watch that UAE authorities intercepted Sheikha Latifa on March 4, 2018, as she tried to flee by…

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(EAN) – Four years on, the mystery over a village in Kazakhstan where dozens of children suddenly grew ill and lost consciousness has been revisited by activists who say they have certain proof the symptoms indicate poisoning from a nearby oil and gas field. Crude Accountability, a Virginia-based watchdog focusing on hydrocarbon extraction in the Caspian Sea basin, said in a report on April 24 that recent medical examinations have revealed that two young girls affected have been diagnosed with toxic encephalopathy, a brain disease caused by chemical poisoning. “The…

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When you are trying to sell a home, nothing is more frustrating than having it sit empty while potential buyers ignore it. In order to sell your home quickly, you need to make sure that it appeals to people by having useful or stylish features. These five elements in a home are sure to attract buyers and speed up the selling process. Energy Efficient Features In today’s budget-conscious and environmentally conscious environment, having energy-efficient features is a huge draw. You can do simple things like seal doors and windows, or…

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(TFC) – Armenians gathered in Little Armenia, Hollywood to commemorate the 103rd anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. The genocide began on April 24, 1915, took about 1.5 million lives. The event at Little Armenia started the march at Sunset Blvd and ended at the same location. Speakers such as Dean Cain, Rep. Adam Schiff, and many others were in attendance. The march was led by the Unified Young Armenians, an Armenian organization with offices in Glendale, Calif. Turkey denies the genocide to this day, prompting a chant of “Shame on…

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(HRW) – Gina Harper is a Gardendale, Alabama resident who pled guilty to driving on a revoked driver’s license. When she couldn’t pay the US$715 in court costs, she was placed on probation with Private Probation Services, and sentenced to 48 hours in jail. A few months later, Gina owed nearly $900- the court fees, plus monthly fees for PPS. Thanks to a recent court settlement, no one who comes before the Gardendale Municipal Court in the next year on misdemeanor charges will end up deeper in debt because of…

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Shrine dedicated to gardener sisters whom Salahesh used to meet at the Salahesh fulbari in Siraha district of eastern Nepal. Image by Sanjib Chaudhary. (GV) – An orchid that blooms around mid-April in a garden of historical and cultural significance in Siraha, eastern Nepal attracts hordes of pilgrims from both India and Nepal every year. The locals in the area of the garden, known as the Salahesh Fulbari, believe that the flower blooms on the very first day of the year, 1st of Baishakh (the first month in the Nepali Calendar). According…

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