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Courtney Brooks

Also by Courtney Brooks

April 04, 2013
N.Y. Grannies Protest U.S. Drone Strikes

Grandmothers have taken to the streets in New York to protest the United States government's use of drones.
April 01, 2013
Coming To America: Ukrainian Mother Finds A New Beginning

It was 22 years ago that Yelena Goltsman and her family made the difficult decision to leave Soviet Ukraine and build a new life in the United States. Setting off with only $450 to their name, they lived hand-to-mouth for years. But the journey eventually ended in prosperity and, for Yelena, personal liberation.
March 31, 2013
Coming To America: Illegal Teen In The Big Apple

Miriam, at age 19, has already accrued a wealth of experiences. A Bukharian Jew with Tajik roots, she was born in Israel, but her family followed her mother's dream to live in New York when Miriam was a young girl. As an illegal immigrant working as a waitress in Queens, she earns enough to assume the role of breadwinner in her household. But for now, her real American dream will have to wait.
March 30, 2013
Coming To America: A Bosnian Refugee Empowered

Natalie left Bosnia as a refugee when she was just 20 years old. She says that, while she struggled to adjust to life in the rainy city of Seattle, being treated as an equal in the United States made it all worth it.
March 28, 2013
Explainer: UN Move To Give Peacekeepers First-Ever Combat Mandate

The United Nations is expected to vote on March 28 on a draft resolution that would allow a peacekeeping brigade in the Democratic Republic of the Congo to engage in combat against the M23 rebels. If approved, it would be the first UN peacekeeping mission authorized to use such force.
March 18, 2013
Big Guns Hold Key To Arms-Trade Treaty Talks

As negotiations on regulating the global arms trade resume at the UN, the majority of states hope to give the world body more sway in keeping weapons away from conflict hotspots.
March 16, 2013
UN: Violence Against Women Condemned

Diplomats said the Roman Catholic Church, Iran, Russia and other states had formed an alliance to limit the scope of the declaration.
March 13, 2013
New World Trade Center Rises From The Ashes

It took more than a decade, but the World Trade Center is back. The final pieces of New York's Freedom Tower, the replacement for the iconic Twin Towers destroyed in the 9/11 terrorist attacks, are about to be put into place. RFE/RL went to the site to ask Americans what the new skyscraper means to them.
March 06, 2013
Boozy Diplomats Warned At UN

The U.S. ambassador for management and reform has admonished diplomats for drinking during complex budget negotiations. Others, however, think it was the ambassador himself who was out of line.
February 09, 2013
New York Composer Writes Requiem For Victims Of Zhanaozen Massacre

A New York City composer has written a requiem for the victims of the unrest that broke out just over a year ago in the Kazakh oil town of Zhanaozen. RFE/RL attended a rehearsal of the piece in New York City and spoke with composer David Fulmer about what inspired him to reflect on the tragedy through music.
January 22, 2013
Shipping Containers Have Housing Planners Thinking Outside The Box

Shipping containers -- the rusting, metal boxes used to transfer freight around the world -- do not usually generate much excitement. But things are looking up for the lowly container, as city planners, architects, and other big thinkers eye it as a unique and environmentally friendly housing solution.
January 18, 2013
Serbian 'War Song' At UN General Assembly Concert Upsets Bosniaks

A United Nations concert by a Belgrade vocal ensemble has provoked anger and upset among Bosnian groups who have complained that one of the songs was associated with the Balkan massacres of the 1990s.
December 29, 2012
Rhyme And Reason Behind Little-Known UN Tradition

If you thought the United Nations was filled with bureaucrats attending never-ending meetings passing lengthy resolutions, well, you would be correct. But that doesn't mean there isn't fun to be had within the confines of UN headquarters.
December 22, 2012
Iranian Artist's 'Pill Protest' Highlights Harmful Side Effects Of Sanctions

A young Iranian artist has found an unusual way to highlight the plight of Iranians who say sanctions are making it hard for them to get the medicines they need. She's filled empty pill capsules with tiny strips of paper telling their stories.
November 12, 2012
UN Sanctions Unlikely To End Haqqani Safe Haven In Pakistan

The Haqqani network has formally been identified as a terrorist organization by the United Nations, but observers see few signs that the group's safe haven in Pakistan will be disturbed.
November 03, 2012
New York Designer Moves Islamic Fashion Forward

A fashion designer from New York is making waves with a line of elegant, high-end clothing aimed at the Islamic market. Nzinga Knight, and designers like her, are bringing a new tone to the conversation surrounding Muslim dress.
October 29, 2012
New York: A Refugee Portrays Strength, Struggle Of Gay Russians

An exhibition of portraits of gay Russian asylum seekers was on display in a small New York City gallery last weekend. The artist described it as a "political" series, designed to fight for gay rights in Russia.
October 10, 2012
Pro-Muslim Ads In NYC Subway Counter Message Of Ads Against Jihad

The latest chapter of a tit-for-tat battle over religious rhetoric in the New York City subway involves Christian and Jewish groups, who have started a pro-Muslim advertising campaign.
September 27, 2012
Calls For Blasphemy Ban Resurface At UN

The inflammatory, amateur anti-Islam film "Innocence of Muslims" is in the limelight at this year's UN General Assembly. Influential leaders in the Muslim world -- including the secretary-general of the Arab League as well as the head of the Organization for Islamic Cooperation -- are calling for international laws against blasphemy in the wake of widespread protests and some violence in Muslim-majority countries.
September 21, 2012
Pussy Riot Wins 'LennonOno' Award

Yoko Ono, widow of slain former Beatle John Lennon, has awarded a grant to three jailed members of the Russian punk group Pussy Riot and other prominent activists.

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