Docudharma Times Friday Oct. 26

This an Open Thread: Speak

USA

Chicago Aldermen Request Police Complaint List

By SUSAN SAULNY

Published: October 26, 2007

CHICAGO, Oct. 25 – With the Chicago Police Department mired in accusations of misconduct, a majority of aldermen took the unusual step on Thursday of asking a federal judge for access to the names of officers who were the subjects of the most complaints.

Mayor Richard M. Daley, who opposes releasing the information, accused the elected officials of grandstanding and disloyalty to the police force.

Wildfires Wane as Bush Visits California

EL CAJON, Calif., Oct. 25 — Continued weakening of the seasonal Santa Ana winds allowed firefighters to step up their battle against devastating wildfires Thursday, though thousands of homes remained under threat from advancing flames and the death toll rose with the discovery of six bodies.

“The fires are winding down. We’re starting to get control, except for the major fires in San Diego,” said Bill Peters, spokesman for the Department of Forestry and Fire Protection. “We’ll get them out, shifting more and more resources down there. And the weather helps.”

Officials balked on ’05 Blackwater inquiry

Even as Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice defended her department’s oversight of private security contractors, new evidence surfaced Thursday that the U.S. sought to conceal details of Blackwater shootings of Iraqi civilians more than two years ago.

In one instance, internal e-mails show that State Department officials tried to deflect a 2005 Los Angeles Times inquiry into an alleged killing of an Iraqi civilian by Blackwater guards.

Middle East

Iran defiant at new US sanctions

The Iranian Foreign Ministry said the sanctions were doomed to failure.

The US move came as a senior American diplomat accused Russia and China of aiding and abetting Iran’s military.

US Assistant Secretary of State Nicholas Burns said Russia should stop selling weapons to Iran and China should stop investing in the country.

Al-Qaida takes issue with Al-Jazeera

CAIRO, Egypt – Al-Qaida sympathizers have unleashed a torrent of anger against Al-Jazeera television, accusing it of misrepresenting Osama bin Laden’s latest audiotape by airing excerpts in which he criticizes mistakes by insurgents in Iraq.

Users of a leading Islamic militant Web forum posted thousands of insults against the pan-Arab station for focusing on excerpts in which bin Laden criticizes insurgents, including his followers.

Europe

Putin warns Europe ahead of summit

MAFRA, Portugal (AFP) – Russia’s President Vladimir Putin made a new warning to Europe over the Iran nuclear standoff and Kosovo’s push for independence ahead of a summit with EU leaders Friday.

The European Union had been hoping to patch up differences with Putin at the summit. But the Russian leader outlined sharp differences as he arrived, likening supporters of tough policies against Iran to “mad people wielding razor blades” and calling for “patience” on Kosovo’s future.

Lithuanian mayor bans gay rally

Over 200 gays, lesbians and transsexuals attended the meeting.

Delegates inside a local bar found it difficult to breathe after the smoke bombs were thrown, but had to stay inside because of safety concerns.

The event was to be part of a week of events organised by ILGA Europe, a gay rights group based in Brussels.

Latin America

Rising hopes for Argentine first lady

SAN JUSTO, Argentina – Most polls project first lady Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner will crush 13 rivals Sunday to replace her husband as Argentina’s president. But no matter how easy her win, what follows will be tough: easing poverty, inflation and unemployment.

In San Justo, a gritty Buenos Aires suburb of more than 1 million people, the voters crying “Cristina! Cristina!” at one of her final rallies besieged her with hand-scrawled messages on slips of paper, pleading for jobs, better schools, better roads.

Many candidates in danger in Colombia

EL DONCELLO, Colombia – Jair Diaz is one of the brave ones. After leftist rebels gunned down two city councilmen, most other politicians fled this town in the shadow of Colombia’s rebel-controlled southern jungles.

Despite death threats and pleas from his family, the 36-year-old accountant refuses to drop his mayoral bid.

Africa

Nigerian militants attack Italy-owned oil platform

LAGOS (AFP) – Armed militants attacked an Italian-owned offshore oil platform in Nigeria early Friday, industry sources and the Italian government said.

No details about casualties in the attack in the volatile and oil-rich Rivers State were immediately given.

The militants targeted an offshore platform owned by Agip, a unit of Italian oil major ENI, oil industry sources said.

Sudan: Little Hope for Success Ahead of Darfur Talks

Long-awaited peace talks between Sudan’s government and rebel groups from the country’s war-torn Darfur region are due to begin in the Libyan port city of Sirte Saturday.

But before negotiations have even started, an upsurge in fighting — together with signs of increasing splits on both sides of the negotiating table and certain insurgents boycotting the talks altogether — have dealt a body blow to faint hopes of success.

Asia

Pakistan troops attack rebel cleric’s stronghold

IMAMDEHRI, Pakistan (AFP) – Troops surrounded a militant cleric’s hideout in northwest Pakistan Friday, fighting heavy clashes with his supporters a day after a deadly bombing, officials and witnesses said.

The battle erupted in the scenic Swat valley in North West Frontier Province, the base of radical religious leader Maulana Fazlullah who has been driving a fierce campaign to introduce pro-Taliban laws.

Philippine Pardon Strains Antigraft Effort

By JAMES HOOKWAY

October 26, 2007

When former Philippine President Joseph Estrada was convicted of corruption and sentenced to life in prison last month, it was welcomed by many Filipinos as a first step toward promoting more accountability in the country’s graft-ridden political culture.

Yesterday, President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo pardoned Mr. Estrada, leading some to suggest that political expediency would continue to outweigh the merits of lasting change in how the Philippines is governed.