He may finally have been charged, but the ongoing saga of David Hick's detention in Guantanamo Bay took yet another turn today. The United States' Military's Chief Prosecutor has threatened to charge Hick's US defence lawyer, Major Michael Mori, for violations of Article 88 of the US Military Code. The Article prohibits the use of contemputous language against the President, the Vice President, the Secretary of State, and Congress.

A new book, American Torture traces the history of the use of torture by America’s Central Intelligence Agency the CIA to extract information from those deemed enemies. Torture techniques theories refined in theatres of war such as the Vietnam War and various conflicts in Latin America are now being used against inmates like David Hicks in Guantanamo Bay, despite evidence suggesting they do not provide reliable intelligence. Its author Michael Otterman is a visiting scholar with Sydney universities Centre for Peace and Conflict Studies. Ahead of the books launch he spoke with The Wire about what he discovered when he started to delve into the history of American Torture.

East Timor has found itself in a state of havoc yet again. In an attempt to capture Major Alfredo Reinado, the Australian army ended up killing four of his supporters, leaving the rebel leader to escape. Since then, Reinado's supporters have rioted in the streets of Dili. Many people have evacuated there homes to safer parts of the city. This disruption and violence comes before the presidential election, which will take place next month. Meanwhile, Anti-Australian sentiment seems to be growing. According to Deakin University professor, Damien Kingsbury, an East Timor researcher, the continuing conflicts are rooted in a problem with law and order. Jose Belo, an East Timorese journalist says that since these events, supporters have rioted in the Western parts of Dili; burning tyres, throwing stones and firing their guns.

While health problems continue to plague Indigenous communities, there is an organisation trying to help turn this problem around. The Rural Health Education Foundation provides health professionals with an opportunity to undertake continuing education, without having to leave their local communities. The Foundation, uses satellite and Internet technology to broadcast distance education programs, allowing doctors, pharmacists, nurses, administrators and other health workers to keep in touch with the latest medical advances around Australia. Director of Education and Deputy CEO, Amanda Little is one of the people behind the organisation, providing rural community health workers with an invaluable service.

The Rwandan genocide was a shocking and horrible tragedy notably for the brutality with which the Hutus killed their Tutsi neighbours but also for the failure of the international community to intervene. This month in Strasburg, an event called, FrancAfrique held by pro-African rights group Survie France, discussed the role of the France in the Rwandan genocide. Jacques Morel who was guest speaker on the night and Emmanuel Cattier from Survie France spoke to The Wire about what role the French played in the genocide.