6/2 News

Clinton pledges to continue after Puerto Rico victory

Hopeful Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton bounced back into the political spotlight yesterday with an overwhelming victory over Barack Obama. With that victory she repeated her claim of holding the most popular votes and called for undecided superdelegates to commit.

“So, when the voting concludes on Tuesday, neither Sen. Obama nor I will have the number of delegates to be the nominee. I will lead the popular vote, he will maintain a slight lead in the delegate count. The decision will fall on the shoulders of those leaders in our party, empowered by the rules, to vote at the Democratic convention.”

Clinton demonstrated her Hispanic and Catholic strength by beating Obama almost 2-1.

ABC News

US detains prisoners overseas

The United States has covered up its overseas “floating prisons” housing its war on terror detainees, according to human rights lawyers. Information about the practice has emerged through testimonies, US military statements and European parliamentary bodies.

The human rights group, Reprieve, says the US both practices rendition, a process President Bush claimed to have stopped in 2006, and operates 17 “floating prisons” where detainees are interrogated and then rendered to other locations.

Guardian

Guantanamo Bay protestors outside Supreme Court convicted

Protestors of the Guantanamo Bay prison were convicted for demonstrating outside the US Supreme Court on January 11, the six year anniversary of the prison. The protestors appeared in a DC circuit court as detainees, complete with their outfit and biographies. They were convicted for misdemeanor charges and will return soon for sentencing.

The protestors can be convicted because they were protesting on the plaza of the court, which is illegal. Legal experts say most convicted will face up to 60 days in jail.

Washington Post

Australia ends Iraq operations

Australia ended its combat operations in Australia yesterday, fulfilling newly elected Prime Minister Kevin Rudd’s promise to bring the 550 remaining troops home. Australia, under former Prime Minister John Howard, was one of the first countries to pledge US support. Australian operations centered around Camp Tarendak in Talil, where Aussie soldiers trained the Iraq security forces.

Australia

5/23 News

Senate adds veto-proof domestic provisions to Iraq spending bill

Yesterday the Senate ignored Bush’s pledge to veto extra provisions on the Iraq spending bill and added $10 billion more in domestic programs. 25 Senate Republicans broke ranks to provide veto-proof funding for fighting wildfires, heating for the poor and infrastructure repair. The Senate also voted 70-26 for Bush’s military operations bill while adding extensive G.I. benefits.

The House recently rejected an earlier spending bill but has endorsed the veteran and unemployed benefits in the new bill. However, its version omitted most domestic programs and included a slight upper-class tax increase to fund the GI bill. However, the House vote lacked a 2/3 majority and its bill will have to be compromised with the Senate version which, if the GI benefits are included, Bush will veto.

Myanmar to allow aid workers

According to U.N. officials, Myanmar’s military junta will admit foreign aid workers to harder-hit areas of the region. A cyclone three weeks ago left 2.4 million destitute and foreign aid has been trickling in. The government has also asked for 11.7 billion and will allow its Yangon airport to distribute aid packages.

McCain rejects Hagee’s comments, endorsement

John McCain told CNN’s Brian Todd Thursday that he rejected the comments and endorsement of the controversial Reverend John Hagee after Todd brought to McCain’s attention Hagee’s claim that Hitler was fulfilling God’s will by trying to exterminate them.

“Obviously, I find these remarks and others deeply offensive and indefensible, and I repudiate them. I did not know of them before Rev. Hagee’s endorsement, and I feel I must reject his endorsement as well.” said McCain in a statement to CNN. Hagee soon withdrew his endorsement and pledged to abstain from the 2008 presidential election.

FBI includes Guantanamo Bay in war crimes report

The FBI Inspector General released a 370-page report this week which included a “War Crimes” file regarding the torture the FBI witnessed at Guantanamo Bay prison. The administration ordered the FBI to stop writing the reports but a government official’s confirmation of what many already suspect adds to the war crime firestorm brewing over Guantanamo.

Spending bill

Myanmar

Hagee

War crimes

5/21 News

Ex-Guantanamo prisoner testifies in Congress

Only a handful of legislators listened to German-born Murat Kurnaz’s testimony of his imprisonment yesterday. Kurnaz was arrested by Pakistani authorities while visiting the region in 2001. US authorities “purchased” Kurnaz for $3000 and incarcerated him in Guantanamo Bay for five years, despite being determined to have no terrorist links in 2002.

Yesterday, he traveled to Congress to testify about his experience there but after technical difficulties only about half a dozen lawmakers remained to hear his story. Kurnaz recently published a book about the experience, “Five Years of My Life: An Innocent Man in Guantanamo.”

Bush promises Saudi nuclear support

President Bush pledged Monday to continue to assist Saudi Arabia with their nuclear power program, including providing enriched uranium and even protecting oil reserves. President Bush has attracted criticism for a possible double nuclear standard regarding Iran, and even recently admitted the majority of 9/11 attackers were Saudis.

Israel and Syria come to talking point

Israel and Syria announced they resumed peace talks early this morning after an eight-year break. Identical statements released by Israel, Syria and Turkey confirmed that the talks began earlier through Turkish mediators.

Many problems exist between Israel and Syria. Syria has been isolated from world diplomacy and been called an “axis of evil” by President Bush. Israel is concerned about Syrian support of Hezbollah and Palestinian militants. The US is unusually not involved in the peace talks.

Obama is clear fundraising winner

Barack Obama added to his impressive total of $268 million dollars with April donations topping $31 million. The monthly amount was a slight decrease from March’s $40 million but Obama still has the overall financial lead. Hillary Clinton raised $22 million the same month, her highest during this campaign and brought her total to $262 million. Obama’s strategy focuses on millions of small donors, a model Clinton has had to adopt after her early donors maxed out.

Guantanamo prisoner
Saudi enriching
Israel and Syria
Obama fundraising