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Last Updated: Jul 16th, 2008 - 13:31:16 |
Zimbabwe Proceeds With Run-off Vote
Zimbabwe is proceeding with a controversial run-off election today despite local and international allegations of a rigged vote. Opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai won the first round of elections in March but withdrew from the run-off late last week. He has sought refuge in the Dutch embassy in Harare out of what he says is concern for his life. On Thursday, Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe rejected foreign criticism.
Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe: “We remain open to discussion, if there are any proposals that the other party’s would want to make to us in good spirit, we will listen to those proposals, discuss them with them. AU [African Union], it has no right in dictate to us what we should do with our constitution and how we should govern this country.”
Mandela Criticizes Mugabe on Political Crisis
Former South African President Nelson Mandela has ended a public silence on the crisis in Zimbabwe. On Wednesday, Mandela criticized Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe for what he called a “tragic failure of leadership.”
Nelson Mandela: “Nearer to home we had seen the outbreak of violence against fellow Africans in our own country and the tragic failure of leadership in our
neighbouring Zimbabwe."
Mandela was speaking in London at a dinner ahead of his ninetieth birthday next month. Mugabe has come under widespread criticism for refusing to cancel a run-off election scheduled for Friday. Opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai won the first round of elections in March but withdrew from the run-off late last week. He has sought refuge in the Dutch embassy in Harare out of what he says is concern for his life. On Wednesday, Tsvangirai said Mugabe has declared a war.
Morgan Tsvangirai: “Well where does this leave the country? At a dead end. Let me say that it’s not an election. If he goes into the process of an election [inaudible] its not an election, that’ s what I’m saying. That this is not an election, it is war. Mugabe’s declared war and we don’t want to be part of it."
Obama Rejects Nader Criticism on “Talking White”
Meanwhile Obama has engaged in his first public spat with independent presidential candidate Ralph Nader following Nader’s criticism of his campaign. In an interview with the Rocky Mountain News, Nader said Obama is trying to appease white voters while ignoring African-Americans.
Ralph Nader: “There’s only one thing different about Barack Obama when it comes to being a Democratic presidential candidate. He’s half African-American. Whether that will make any difference, I don’t know. I haven’t heard him have a strong crackdown on economic exploitation in the ghettos. Payday loans, predatory lending, asbestos, lead. What’s keeping him from doing that? Is it because he wants to talk white? He doesn’t want to appear like Jesse Jackson? We’ll see all that play out in the next few months and if he gets elected afterwards.”
On Wednesday, Obama dismissed Nader’s criticism.
Barack Obama: “What’s clear is, Ralph Nader hasn’t been paying attention to my speeches. Ralph Nader is trying to get attention. He has become the perennial political candidate. I think it’s a shame, because if you look at his legacy in terms of consumer protections it’s an extraordinary one. But at this point, he’s somebody who’s trying to get attention and his campaign hasn’t gotten any traction."
Obama, Clinton Make Joint Appearance
Barack Obama and Hillary Rodham Clinton made their first joint appearance in Washington Thursday since Obama won the Democratic nomination earlier this month. The private event was filled with Clinton supporters and seen as the first step towards reconciliation between the two campaigns. Under questioning from audience members, Obama said he acknowledged sexism had played a role in Clinton’s defeat. Obama and Clinton are set for their first joint public appearance today in Unity, New Hampshire.
Supreme Court Rejects D.C. Handgun Ban
In a historic ruling, the Supreme Court has struck down a handgun ban in Washington, D.C. On Thursday, justices ruled the Second Amendment enshrines the constitutional right of an individual to own and keep a loaded handgun at home for purposes of self-defense. The five to four decision overturns the 32-year old ban on handguns in the nation’s capital. It’s the court’s most significant ruling on the Second Amendment in nearly seventy years. Washington, D.C. Mayor Adrian Fenty criticized the ruling but said it will be respected.
Washington, D.C. Mayor Adrian Fenty: "As mayor, even though I am disappointed in the court’s ruling and believe as I have for the past year that more handguns in the district will only lead to more handgun violence, it is both important to respect the court’s authority and to act quickly and I have already directed the metropolitan police department to implement an orderly process to allow citizens to register handguns for lawful possession in their homes.”
Court Strikes Down Campaign Finance Rule on Wealthy Candidates
In another judgment, the Supreme Court struck down a key part of campaign finance reform regulating how wealthy candidates finance their campaigns. The so-called “millionaire’s amendment” forces candidates to disclose additional information and allows opponents to raise more money. In a five to four ruling, the court said the amendment is unconstitutional because it unfairly restricts wealthy candidates.
Supreme Court Cuts Exxon Damages for Alaska Oil Spill
The Supreme Court has sharply reduced the amount of money Exxon Mobil has to pay in punitive damages for the 1989 Exxon Valdez oil spill in Alaska. An Alaskan jury had initially ruled Exxon should pay $5 billion in punitive damages for the accident that spilled eleven million gallons of crude oil into the fishing waters of Prince William Sound. Punitive damages were cut in half in 2006. On Wednesday the Supreme Court cut the amount of punitive damages again and ordered Exxon Mobil to pay just $500 million dollars – one-tenth of the original jury’s ruling. We’ll have more on this story after headlines.
Justices End Executions for Child Rape
In another ruling, the Supreme Court struck down the death penalty for raping a child. In a five to four judgment, justices said prisoners can only be executed for murder or crimes against the state. The ruling overturns laws in six states including Louisiana where two men have been on death row after being convicted of child rape.
Amnesty International Erects Gitmo Cell on National Mall
In Washington, human rights activists with Amnesty International have erected a replica of a Guantanamo Bay prison cell on the National Mall. Zeke Johnson of the group Counter Terror with Justice said in addition to closing Guantanamo, government officials should be held accountable for authorizing torture.
Zeke Johnson: “Part of Amnesty International’s Campaign is calling for an end to torture and other cruel and inhumane, degrading treatment in the context against the fight against terrorism. So we want torture to end and for people who authorize it and implement it to be held accountable."
The action comes ahead of a House hearing today on interrogation practices at Guantanamo. Vice President Cheney’s chief of staff David Addington and former Justice Department lawyer John Yoo are among those expected to testify. Today is also the World Day in Support of Victims of Torture.
Canadian Judge: U.S. Treatment of Khadr Amounts to Torture
Meanwhile a Canadian judge has issued a harsh rebuke of the U.S. imprisonment of the Canadian prisoner Omar Khadr. On Wednesday, federal court judge Richard Mosley said Khadr’s treatement has violated international laws against torture. Mosley cited a document detailing a technique used against Kadr during his interrogation. Mosley did not reveal the technique but said it should be publicly exposed. Khadr was fifteen years old when he was arrested by U.S. troops in Afghanistan.
U.S. Mayors Call for Shunning Bottled Water
The U.S. Conference of Mayors has approved a resolution calling for the phasing out of bottled water. The measure calls on cities to cancel bottled-water contracts and re-direct taxpayer dollars to other resources. Each day an estimated 60 million plastic water bottles are thrown away. Most are not recycled. The Pacific Institute has estimated 20 million barrels of oil are used each year to make the plastic for water bottles.
Countrywide Shareholders Approve Bank of America Deal
In business news, shareholders at the mortgage lender Countrywide Financial have approved a takeover offer from Bank of America. Countrywide has been at the center of the sub-prime loan crisis. It’s currently under investigation for giving misleading information on its financial condition in the company’s security filings. The three billion dollar deal comes at just one-tenth of Countrywide’s share price last year. Analysts say American taxpayers could ultimately end up footing the bill if Bank of America uses tax breaks to pay for the purchase.
Intelligence Estimate Warns on Global Warming
In environmental news, a new high-level U.S. intelligence review has concluded global warming will endanger U.S. operations abroad. In a new report, the National Intelligence Council says the effects of climate change have the “potential to seriously affect U.S. national security interests.”
Florida, Sugar Corp. Reach Everglades Deal
And in Florida, state officials have reached a deal to purchase large swaths of land in the Everglades. Under the agreement, Florida will pay the U.S. Sugar Corporation one point seven billion dollars for three hundred square miles of land.
Morales Accuses U.S. of De-stabilization Campaign
In Bolivia, controversy is growing over alleged U.S. political interference to undermine the government of President Evo Morales. This week six coca grower federations announced they would expel officials with the State Department agency USAID for allegedly funneling money to government opponents. On Thursday, Morales decried what he called a conspiracy against his presidency.
Bolivian President Evo Morales: “The conspiracy, as they say, against the Indian, against the government, against Evo Morales, is USAID, it’s the US embassy. We said, comrades, that we would never break relations. We are the culture of dialogue. Instead, we should be a territory free from U.S. imperialism. This is our great desire, that of the tropical zone of Cochabamba, it’s the conscience of our peoples.”
Tensions have risen since former Bolivian Defense Minister Carlos Sanchez Berzain said he had been granted asylym in the United States. Berzain is wanted for his alleged role in a 2003 government crackdown that left sixty-seven people dead and more than 400 wounded.
Cuba Approves Lung Cancer Vaccine
In Cuba, health officials have approved what’s believed to be the world’s first registered vaccine for lung cancer. Doctors say the treatment, CimaVax EGF, can extend survival rates by an average four to five months, and in some cases longer. The vaccine is said to have few side effects because it attacks only cancer cells.
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