Breaking News Volume 12 Options

[theglobalchinese]

Nepal police break up pro-democracy rally Reuters
Nepali police broke up a pro-democracy rally and arrested dozens of protesters in Kathmandu on Sunday as some 200 students defied a ban on demonstrations.
Rebels deter Nepal trekkers BBC News
The King and Mao Financial Times
Calcutta Telegraph - Outlook (subscription) - Asia Pacific Media Network - Times of India - all 42 related »

[theglobalchinese]

Turkish Soldiers Kill 9 Kurdish Rebels Guardian Unlimited
Turkish soldiers have killed nine Kurdish rebels in Turkey's predominantly Kurdish southeast, authorities said Saturday, heightening concerns about new violence following a European court judgment that the rebels' imprisoned leader did not receive a fair trial. The rebels - seven men and two women - were killed late Friday in Tunceli province, 480 miles east of the capital Ankara, local officials said. Automatic weapons, plastic explosives, grenades, and a rocket-propelled grenade launcher were seized in the operation, authorities said. A Syrian citizen was among those killed, officials added. The CNN-Turk news channel said some 10,000 Turkish soldiers were taking part in a military operation against the autonomy-seeking rebels. Private NTV television showed footage of military trucks, tanks, and helicopters.
European Court Rules Kurd's Trial Was Unfair Washington Post
Who is Abdullah Ocalan? CNN International
Zaman Online - Jerusalem Post - Financial Times - Times Online - all 257 related »

[theglobalchinese]

Troops open fire on Uzbek protesters Financial Times
Troops opened fire on thousands of demonstrators in Uzbekistan yesterday as President Islam Karimov tried to prevent an uprising in the east of the central Asian republic from escalating into a threat to his autocratic leadership. A violent battle with security forces erupted in the town of Andizhan after armed rebels stormed the town prison overnight, freeing more than 2,000 inmates. The Uzbek press service reported nine people dead and 34 wounded - although the protest's leaders told news agencies as many as 50 had been killed. Mr Karimov, a former Communist party boss known as one of the most repressive leaders in the former Soviet Union, rushed to the area. Andizhan was sealed off and communications blocked to prevent the revolt spreading.
Violence Is Latest Chapter in Republic's Troubled History Scotsman
Uzbeks bury dead after troops fire on protesters Reuters
Reuters AlertNet - Guardian Unlimited - ABC News - Times Online - all 2,142 related »

[theglobalchinese]

Deal sought in showdown over Bush's judges Reuters
US Senate leaders and a number of colleagues sought a last-ditch compromise on Sunday to avert a battle over President Bush's judicial nominees that could alter the balance of power between the U.S. Congress and the White House. "I think we're close, but whether we'll actually achieve it or not is not clear," Sen. John McCain, an Arizona Republican, told ABC's "This Week." "I'd like to see one," Senate Minority Whip Richard Durbin, an Illinois Democrat, told "Fox News Sunday." He said he wanted to avoid "a constitutional confrontation that is not in the best interest of our government." Durbin and other Senate Democrats acknowledged that a party confrontation over the question would be narrowly decided. "I can tell you quite candidly it's going to come down to two or three senators who are going to make the difference," Durbin said.
Both sides claim they have enough support in filibuster fight KWQC-TV
Both Sides Predict Win in Filibuster Fight ABC News
Financial Times - New York Times - Washington Post - San Francisco Chronicle - all 652 related »

This post has been edited by theglobalchinese: May 15 2005, 01:02 PM

[theglobalchinese]

Ex-Professor's Terror Trial Set to Begin ABC News
Suspended University of South Florida professor Sami Al-Arian smiles as he makes his way through the media with his wife Nahla, left, before entering the United States Courthouse, in this Dec. 12, 2002 file photo, in Tampa, Fla.
Ex-Professor's Terror Trial Set to Begin Washington Post
Former professor, three others to face terrorism finance charges Newsday
Orlando Sentinel (subscription) - Miami Herald - ChronWatch - WorldNetDaily - all 98 related »

[theglobalchinese]

Democrat Key to Bush Social Security Push Washington Post
A registered Democrat, Robert Pozen has little to gain politically from the Social Security solvency plan that he drafted and that now is heralded by President Bush, whom the former Massachusetts economic development chief voted against in November. Nonetheless, Pozen has become a favorite witness at congressional hearings, promoting his idea of "progressive indexing" for future benefits. At age 58, Pozen has no personal stake in the current Social Security debate because neither President Bush nor Congress has advocated changing the existing system for workers over 55.
Democrat to break ranks, unveil retirement bill Reuters
System needs major surgery with private accounts Arkansas Democrat-Gazette (subscription)
MarketWatch - Cleveland Plain Dealer - Bradenton Herald - Los Angeles Times - all 342 related »

[theglobalchinese]

Newsweek Apologizes for Quran Story Errors ABC News
Pakistani lawmaker and the chief of a coalition of radical Islamic groups, Qazi Hussain Ahmed gestures during a press conference in Islamabad, Pakistan, Sunday, May 15, 2005. Islamic groups in Pakistan, Egypt Malaysia, Britain and Turkey will hold rallies later this month in coordinated international protests against the alleged desecration of Islam's holy book Quran at the United States prison in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, Ahmed said.
US magazine apologizes for report on Koran desecration Xinhua
Koran report may be wrong NDTV.com
Reuters - FOX News - CNN - Washington Post - all 356 related »

[theglobalchinese]

Straw at odds with US over brutality of terror war ally Telegraph.co.uk
One of America's main allies in the fight against terrorism was accused yesterday of slaughtering women and children "like rabbits", placing the Bush administration in a quandary over its support for President Islam Karimov, the strong man of Central Asia. Witnesses said that women and children were among the demonstrators shot by soldiers in Uzbekistan, a former Soviet republic which has become crucial for America's attempt to keep control in neighbouring Afghanistan.
Craig Murray Guardian Unlimited
Skirmishes Continue at Uzbek Border New York Times
Christian Science Monitor - Times Online - The Herald - ABC News - all 2,476 related »

Who is Islam Karimov? - Is Islam Karimov a dictator?
On March 24, 1990, Karimov became President of the Uzbek Soviet Socialist Republic. He declared the independence of Uzbekistan on August 31, 1991 and won elections held on December 29 of that year with 86% of the vote. In 1995, he extended his term until 2000 through a widely criticized referendum, and he was reelected with 91.9% of the vote on January 9, 2000. The United States opposed the election, declaring it unfair, and claiming that it the voters of Uzbekistan were offerend no real choice. In fact, the sole opposition candidate, Abdulhasiz Dzhalalov, admitted that he had only entered the race to make it appear to be a democratic contest and that he had actually cast his own vote for Karimov. Karimov's record on civil rights and press freedom has met with considerable criticism in the international community, and he has been in a battle against Islamist rebels trying to overthrow his government.

This post has been edited by theglobalchinese: May 15 2005, 10:28 PM

[theglobalchinese]

Voting Fraud Feared in Ethiopia's Parliamentary Election Scotsman
Ethiopians voted by the millions, responding enthusiastically to an unprecedentedly open parliamentary race between the coalition that ended a brutal dictatorship and an opposition promising greater liberalisation.
Ethiopia fears violence, bans protests Aljazeera.net
Ethiopia bans demos after poll, fears 'trouble' Reuters
Voice of America - ABC News - Times Online - People's Daily Online - all 377 related »

[theglobalchinese]

Iran Defiant over Growing Nuclear Enrichment Fears Edinburgh Evening News
The bill does not force the government to immediately resume uranium enrichment, but it pressures it not to give up its controversial nuclear program, including uranium enrichment.
Iran OKs bill to resume nuclear activity Minneapolis Star Tribune (subscription)
Iranian MPs vote to resume nuclear plan Guardian Unlimited
ABC News - PakTribune.com - New York Times - Voice of America - all 326 related »

[Snuffysmith]

__________________________________
NEWS ALERT
from The Wall Street Journal


May 16, 2005

The Supreme Court ruled states may not pass laws blocking outside wineries from shipping directly to customers in a 5-4 decision that strikes down laws in 24 states that bar interstate shipments.

For more information, see:
http://online.wsj.com/article/0,,SB1116252...1734572,00.html

[theglobalchinese]

Newsweek Needs To Do More Than Apologize, White House Says NBC30.com
Newsweek's apology for its story about Quran abuse at Guantanamo is not adequate, says a White House spokesman. Newsweek is extending its sympathies to the victims of the violence in Afghanistan that left 15 people dead in anti-U.S. protests prompted by a story in the news weekly claiming that U.S. interrogators at Guantanamo Bay prison had desecrated Islam’s holy book, the Quran. Newsweek now says it believes parts of the story were wrong. But White House Press Secretary said Newsweek needs to do more. “While Newsweek now acknowledges that they got the facts wrong, they refuse to retract the story," McClellan said. "I think there's a certain journalistic standard that should be met. In this instance it was not. The report has had serious consequences. People have lost their lives.” In a note to readers, Newsweek Editor Mark Whitaker said the magazine's information came from "a knowledgeable U.S. government source." But Whitaker added the source later said he could not be sure he'd read about the alleged Quran incident in the report that was cited.
Jon Friedman's Media Web MarketWatch
Fallout From Magazine's Apology Over Reported Prison Abuse KGMB9
Elites TV - Radio Free Europe - New York Post - Sify - all 1,072 related »

What about the First Amendment?

This post has been edited by theglobalchinese: May 16 2005, 12:43 PM

[theglobalchinese]

Kuwait approves women's political rights USA Today
Kuwaiti lawmakers approved political rights for women Monday, clearing the way for females to participate in parliamentary elections for the first time in the Gulf nation's history. However, fundamentalist Muslims included a requirement that any female politician or voter abide by Islamic law. It was not clear what limits that would put on women's rights. Kuwait's next parliamentary election is due in 2007. The nation's Cabinet asked for the vote Monday in a surprise move after a number of attempts had been stymied by fundamentalist lawmakers. The bill was approved 35-23 with one abstention and immediately became law.
Kuwaiti women get political rights CNN
Kuwait Approves Women's Political Rights Sci-Tech Today
AKI - Reuters - Xinhua - Telegraph.co.uk - all 142 related »

The US is N° 17 in the Gender Gap Rankings

[theglobalchinese]

Gunfire continues in Uzbekistan USA Today
Gunfire rang out Monday in the eastern city where Uzbek security forces fired on protesters last week — a clash that reportedly left as many as 500 people dead — and reports emerged that violence in nearby towns killed hundreds more, further threatening the stability of the government in this key U.S. ally in Central Asia. The clashes in the region bordering Kyrgyzstan were the worst since Uzbekistan gained independence from the Soviet Union in 1991. If the reports of more than 700 deaths since Friday hold true and if Uzbek forces were behind the killing — as most reports indicate, it would be some of the worst state-inspired bloodshed since the massacre of protesters in China's Tiananmen Square in 1989. (Video: Death toll rises in Uzbekistan) President Islam Karimov's government has denied opening fire on demonstrators as witnesses have claimed, instead blaming Islamic extremists for the violence. The authoritarian government has restricted access for reporters in the affected areas.
Mass arrests likely after bloody Uzbek uprising Reuters
US hardens stance on Uzbekistan BBC News
Financial Times - Reuters AlertNet - Guardian Unlimited - CNN International - all 2,188 related »

[Snuffysmith]

__________________________________
NEWS ALERT
from The Wall Street Journal

May 16, 2005

Morgan Stanley lost its legal fight against financier Ronald Perelman, who a jury says relied on representations made by the investment bank when he sold his camping-gear company Coleman to Sunbeam in 1998. The jurors awarded Perelman $604.3 million in compensatory damages. Punitive damages could bring Morgan's overall hit to more than $2.5 billion.

http://online.wsj.com

[theglobalchinese]

Mass arrests likely after bloody Uzbek uprising Reuters
Uzbek authorities are likely to arrest and eliminate protesters whose rebellion ended in a massacre, ushering in a new wave of repression in the ex-Soviet state, a human rights campaigner said on Monday. The rebellion in Andizhan on Friday, sparked by the trial of 23 Muslim businessmen and blamed by President Islam Karimov on Islamic extremists, was put down by security forces in the bloodiest chapter in the country's post-Soviet history. According to witnesses interviewed by Reuters in Andizhan, soldiers outside a school gunned down a large crowd, including women, children and 10 police hostages, that was moving away from a main square where the shooting started.
A Valley Runs With Blood Transitions Online
Uzbek leader learns from fate of other autocrats Financial Times
USA Today - CNN International - Reuters AlertNet - Times Online - all 2,183 related »

[theglobalchinese]

A Valley Runs With Blood Transitions Online
PRAGUE, Czech Republic | The true death toll may never be known, but it already seems probable that the clashes between protestors and Uzbek security forces in the city of Andijan on 13 May will go down as the bloodiest since the Soviet Union’s Central Asian republics gained independence. As eye-witness accounts emerge, it seems increasingly apparent that a massacre on a huge scale has been meted out in eastern Uzbekistan. Figures so far suggest 500 or 600 people have been killed in Andijan, and possibly 200 in another town, Pakhtabad. Gaining news from within Uzbekistan is extremely difficult. As news emerged early on 13 May of killings in Andijan, sources in Uzbekistan reported that Internet connections throughout the capital had immediately slowed down to almost unworkable speed. Access to independent online media, always complicated by the authorities’ efforts to block sites and its use of dummy “mirror” sites, became almost impossible from within Uzbekistan. Russian television was shut down, to be replaced by music. The BBC and other international cable television services, normally available to a small proportion of the population, were replaced by Uzbek and foreign entertainment channels. Many roads in Tashkent were immediately closed off, with particularly tight security around the Israeli embassy, where a suicide bomber was recently shot before he could blow himself up.
'Extremist elements' behind Uzbek violence World Peace Herald
Mass arrests likely after bloody Uzbek uprising Reuters
Financial Times - BBC News - USA Today - CNN International - all 2,178 related »

[theglobalchinese]

Russian denies oil-for-food charges World Peace Herald
Russian politician Vladimir Zhirinovsky Monday denied accepting millions of dollars from Iraq to help Saddam Hussein work around UN oil-for-food rules.
Russian Denies Oil-For-Food Wrongdoing Washington Post
US Report Cites Russians in Oil-For-Food Probe KSBI 52
AXcess News - CNN International - All Headline News - Melbourne Herald Sun - all 220 related »

[theglobalchinese]

South Korea Trying To Coax North Korea Into Nuke Talks All Headline News
For the first time in nearly a year, leaders from North and South Korea come face to face to discuss various topics, including nuclear weapons.
Seoul hints at new disarmament proposal for North Korea Guardian Unlimited
South Korea Luring North to Nuclear Talks ABC News
Reuters - Tehran Times - Voice of America - Xinhua - all 610 related »

[theglobalchinese]

More Bodies Found in Iraq, Total Up to 50 Guardian Unlimited
At least eight Iraqis were found shot near a Baghdad dam and a slain Iraqi Kurd was left in a garbage dump in northern Iraq, police said Monday, raising the number of bodies recovered in recent days to 50.
Execution-Style Killings Continue in Iraq Voice of America
Rice Pays Surprise Visit to Iraq BET
Arabic News - Washington Post - Sydney Morning Herald (subscription) - AZ Central.com - all 247 related »