IPS correspondents bring you independent perspectives on what is happening in Iran, Iraq and across the Middle East.

POLITICS: U.N. Team on War Crimes Condemns Israel, Hamas
By Thalif Deen
UNITED NATIONS, Sep 15 (IPS) – A four-member United Nations fact-finding mission, which has just concluded an investigation into last year’s brutal conflict in Gaza, makes a strong case for war crimes charges against Israel for its unrelenting 22-day military attacks on Palestinians, largely civilians, including women and children.
www.ipsnews.net/news.asp?idnews=48448

*****
RIGHTS: Govt Enforcing Ramadan Fast
By Cam McGrath
CAIRO, Sep 15 (IPS) – Hundreds of Egyptians are reported to have been arrested for eating, drinking or smoking in public during daylight hours as part of a police campaign against people caught breaking the Ramadan fast.
www.ipsnews.net/news.asp?idnews=48441

*****
MIDEAST: Unrest Brewing Beneath Gaza Calm
By Mel Frykberg
GAZA CITY, Sep 14 (IPS) – The mile-long stretch that divides Israel’s Erez border crossing into northern Gaza from the Hamas police border post is eerily quiet. But the mountains of rubble, twisted metal and craters which remain following Israel’s intensive bombing campaign in January serve as a stark reminder that war between the two bitter enemies is still a possibility.
www.ipsnews.net/news.asp?idnews=48432

*****
MIDEAST: NGO Reports on Gaza War Belie Israeli Claims
Analysis by Helena Cobban*
WASHINGTON, Sep 11 (IPS) – This week, two respected human rights organisations – one Palestinian, one Israeli – each came out with very full reports into the extent of the damage caused by the assault Israel waged against Gaza last winter.
www.ipsnews.net/news.asp?idnews=48408

*****
MIDEAST: Israel Taking Sharp Measures Over Iran
Analysis by Jerrold Kessel and Pierre Klochendler
JERUSALEM, Sep 11 (IPS) – Questions about Iran’s nuclear thrust are tumbling out, echoing around the world in several directions.
www.ipsnews.net/news.asp?idnews=48401

*****
MIDEAST: To Rap Is to Resist
By Eva Bartlett
GAZA CITY, Sep 12 (IPS) – In a backstreet open-air café in Gaza late at night, Khaled Harara from the Black Unit Band starts to talk about rap.
www.ipsnews.net/news.asp?idnews=48421

**********
SIGN UP TO RECEIVE THE NEW IPS GenderWire:

Only about 22 percent of the voices you hear and read in the news are women?s. You can change your perspective – Read the new IPS Gender Wire.
ipsnews.net/_newsletter/genderwire.asp

**********
DON’T MISS IPS EXCLUSIVE COVERAGE OF THE OBAMA ADMINISTRATION.

U.S. President Barack Obama has inherited wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, a tanking economy, and global crises like climate change. IPS reports on the implications of the new administration not just for U.S. citizens, but for the world.
www.ipsnews.net/new_focus/us_elections2008/index.asp

For more IPS reporting on the Middle East – www.ipsnews.net/middle.asp

Iraq: Beyond the Green Zone – www.ipsnews.net/new_focus/iraq/

Iran: The Parthian Shot – www.ipsnews.net/new_focus/iran/

Holy Land/Unholy War – www.ipsnews.net/new_focus/israel_palestina/

Afghan Divide – www.ipsnews.net/afghanistan/

Bush?s Legacy – www.ipsnews.net/new_focus/warII/

IPS coverage of terrorism – www.ipsnews.net/new_focus/terrorism/

Inter Press Service News Agency (IPS), the world’s leading provider of information on global issues, is backed by a network of journalists in more than 150 countries. Its clients include more than 3,000 media organisations and tens of thousands of civil society groups, academics, and other users.

IPS focuses its news coverage on the events and global processes affecting the economic, social and political development of peoples and nations.

Visit Inter Press Service at www.ipsnews.net