For his courageous poem warning of an Israeli attack on Iran, German poet Gunter Grass should be nominated for a second Nobel Prize - this time for peace!

DUBAI, 16 April 2012 (IRIN) - A sustained attack by militants on Afghanistan’s parliament and various targets in the diplomatic zone on 15 April temporarily shut down the capital, Kabul, to all movement by UN personnel and raised alarm among aid workers that the Taliban are now able to penetrate even the most secure parts of the city.

Canada’s commitment to strengthening struggling democracies will likely be a key message as the Prime Minister travels to Latin America next week – but the federal budget tells a different story.

Why the public-private development partnerships forged between the government and large mining companies are unlikely to improve the record of Canada’s extractive industries.

Fear replaces rational thinking; FDR knew this. Most Americans don’t personally know any Muslims but we do know that those who caused 9/11 claimed to be Muslim. So today in 2012, we are in the grips of Islamophobia. The Institute for Policy Studies’ John Feffer has a new book out called Crusade 2.0 which sheds much needed light on the crusade of a thousand years ago and the similarities to current fears and policies. Of course there are no angels, but there really is great variation among Muslims, just like every other religion. Tune in!