The News Review:

- SIERRA LENE: Sexual violence defies new law
- Sierra Leone War Crimes Court in Danger of Funding Shortfalls
- Rwanda: Government Sierra Leone MPs Sign Cooperation Pact
- Ex-Liberian leader denies invading Sierra Leone

SIERRA LENE: Sexual violence defies new law
IRINnews.org
Up to 67 percent of urban Sierra Leonean women were victims of domestic violence in 2008 Fatu Kargbo a director in the Ministry of Social Welfare Gender and Children?s Affairs (MSWBCA) told IRIN. Isha Bangura director of the police Family Support Unit (FSU) ? which receives most domestic abuse reports ? said the most common domestic complaint they receive is physical violence. ?Most of the time women and girls are abused by people they know?[The perpetrators] are rarely strangers? said Eunice Whenzle who heads the.

Sierra Leone War Crimes Court in Danger of Funding Shortfalls
Voice of America
The president of the Court told the U. SecurityCouncil Thursday that if additional money is not found immediately thecourt would experience shortfalls by the first week of August thatcould disrupt its work. The Special Court is the firstinternational tribunal to be fully funded by voluntary contributions.
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Rwanda: Government Sierra Leone MPs Sign Cooperation Pact
AllAfrica.com
The deal which was announced by Speaker Rose Mukatabana at the end of a week-long working visit to Rwanda by Sierra Leonean MPs who had come to learn from their Rwandan counterparts especially in the area of gender parity. GA_googleFillSlot( “AllAfrica_Story_InsetA” );The two legislatures present contrasting scenarios. Whereas the Rwandan parliament has over 56 percent women representation Sierra Leone only has 13. “Rwanda tops the world in women representation in all decision making levels and we hope to share it with other countries” said Mukantabana. Following a meeting between the visiting law makers and the Forum for Rwanda Women Parliamentarians Mukantabana observed that sharing of information would ensure capacity building for the two forums. She also commended the male associate members within Sierra Leone’s Female Parliamentary Caucus (SLEFPAC) for joining efforts targeted at ensuring gender equality.

Ex-Liberian leader denies invading Sierra Leone
The Associated Press
Taylor is testifying before a war crimes court for the second week. He is defending himself against 11 counts of murder torture and recruiting child soldiers for supporting rebels during Sierra Leone’s 1991-2002 civil war. Taylor denies he colluded with rebel leaders who led the incursion into Sierra Leone from Liberia or helped them create the rebel force. He told the three judges of the U.