“Feminism directly confronts the notion that one person or set of people [has] the right to impose definitions of reality on others.” — Liz Stanley and Sue Wise …

The announcement came as a coalition of Western and Arab nations prepared for air strikes against Libyan forces.

Before the ceasefire announcement, heavy fighting was continuing.

Rebels said government forces had been bombarding the western city of Misrata. There are claims this has continued despite the ceasefire announcement.

Military action short of an occupation was sanctioned by the United Nations Security Council on Thursday evening.

UN Security Council Resolution 1973 gave broad backing to taking military action against all …

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By Patrick Marley, Don Walker and Jason Stein

Madison — Dane County Circuit Judge Maryann Sumi issued a temporary restraining order Friday, halting Gov. Scott Walker’s law that would sharply curtail collective bargaining for public employees.

Sumi’s order will prevent Secretary of State Doug La Follette from publishing the law – and allowing it to take effect – until she can rule on the merits of the case. Dane County District Attorney Ismael Ozanne, a Democrat, …

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We’ll explore the nuclear ramifications of the aftermath of Japan’s earthquake and tsunami with Harvey Wasserman. And, a look at women’s reproductive health and radiation. Plus, an international festival of short films made by Muslim women comes to LA – we’ll meet a couple of the filmmakers. And this week’s ReThink Reviews by Jonathan Kim. …

By Ralph Vartabedian, Los Angeles Times

Small amounts of radioactive isotopes from the crippled Japanese nuclear power plant are being blown toward North America high in the atmosphere over the Pacific Ocean and will reach California as soon as Friday, according to experts.

A network of sensors in the U.S. and around the world is watching for the first signs of that fallout, though experts said they were confident that the amount of radiation would be well …

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Dr. Mahmoud Traina is an Assistant Professor of Medicine at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA. He recently returned from a week-long trip to Behghazi, the opposition strong-hold in Libya. Dr. Traina was recently a guest on Uprising, with Sonali Kolhatkar.

Laila El Haddad is a Palestinian freelance journalist currently based in Maryland, author of the blog GazaMom.com, and author of the new book, Gaza Mom: Palestine, Politics, Parenting, and Everything In Between. She was recently interviewed by Sonali Kolhatkar on Uprising.

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After five weeks of protest in the small kingdom of Bahrain its ruling monarchy unleashed a violent crackdown this week with the help of Saudi military forces. On Monday 1000 Saudi troops traveled 16 miles West to cross the border with Bahrain in a caravan of tanks. The upbeat Saudis waved at television cameras and flashed the peace sign. On …

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Fierce battles between Muammar Qaddafi’s forces and rebels are being fought in eastern Libya. Qaddafi continues to employ heavy artillery, warplanes, and bombs against the more crudely armed opposition. On Wednesday, after reports that government forces had retaken the city of Ajdabiya, rebels managed to retain a foothold in the area and fighting continues for this last stronghold on the …

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Glen Ford is a writer and radio commentator and the Executive Editor of The Black Agenda Report. This week’s commentary is on comparing Egyptians and African Americans.

Visit www.blackagendareport.com for more information. …