Anti-terrorism laws could create police state
The proposed counter-terrorism laws are the first step towards a police state, according to the Federal Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission. The Commission's President says the legislation allows the detaining of people without charge and gives extraordinary powers which cannot be checked or appealed. ABC

Detainee held mistakenly for seven years
A detainee may have been wrongfully held in immigration detention for seven years according to an investigation by the Commonwealth Ombudsman. 220 cases are currently being investigated but the Immigration Department has not revealed how many of the cases involve Australians. Sydney Morning Herald

Remaining landmines an obstacle to development
The presence of landmines still remains a barrier to economic development, humanitarian aid assistance and refugee return in many countries. Additional financial and technical resources are required by mine-affected countries a United Nations special committee has been told. Relief Web

Africa calls for removal of subsidies to end poverty
Africa wants the United States and Europe to prepare a schedule to end farm subsidies to prove their commitment to helping the continent fight poverty. Lesotho Trade Minister, Mpho Malie, says opening up markets and removing farming subsidies which undercut Africans, is the real solution to ending poverty. Reuters

International migration cuts poverty but c auses brain drain
International migration reduces poverty in developing countries and leads to increased spending on education, health and investment. However, massive emigration of highly-skilled citizens also contributes towards a ‘brain drain' for many smaller, low-income countries, according to World Bank research. Agencia internacional de noticias

Working towards peace and prosperity for indigenous Australia
"Unlike earned income, the unearned income of passive welfare leads to a gammon economic relationship, where transactions between the provider and the recipient are not based on reciprocity. The recipient gets money but gives or does nothing in return. It is money for nothing. The structure of income support payments in Cape York have set up a poverty trap where perverse incentives encourage people towards welfare and away from real employment.” - Noel Pearson, The Australian

A Network for Grateful Living (a.k.a. ANGeL)
This organisation has as it s vision statement, "A worldwide community dedicated to gratefulness as the core inspiration for personal change, international cooperation, and sustainable activism in areas of universal concern”. The interactive site, which is visited daily by thousands of people from around the globe, is alive with many opportunities for grateful living including candle lighting, e-greetings, picture galleries and poetry.
http://www.gratefulness.org/a/

The Cult of the Suicide Bomber
This two-part series traces the history of the suicide bomber from the first martyr, a 13-year-old Iranian boy, now a national hero, through to the modern-day bomber threatening cities around the world.

ABC TV, Monday November 14, 8.30pm

Prayer for Peace: Pope John Paul II
"Hear my voice, for I speak for the multitudes in every country and every period of history who do not want war and are ready to walk the road of peace.