Election News from Around the World

According to polls, Evo Morales, the incumbent president of Bolivia is poised for reelection. Morales previously sponsored a referendum that allowed him to seek a second term. Morales is the country’s first indigenous president, BBC News.

A run-off vote for president was held in Romania today. Current President Traian Basescu is running against former Foreign Minister Mircea Geoana. Geoana was leading in the polls going into the election. The run-off election follows a November 22 election that was marked with fraud. The third place finisher in that election dropped out and gave his support to Geoana in the run-off, Bloomberg.

Political instability continues in Honduras. Though conservative Porfirio Lobo Sosa won last Sunday’s vote, some countries, including Argentina, Brazil, and Spain, are still not recognizing the legitimacy of the election because ousted President Manuel Zelaya was not returned to power before the election. The voter turnout numbers are now being analyzed to see if an argument can be made that the election represented the will of the citizens of Honduras, CNN.

Iraq’s parliament has missed a deadline that would have approved elections for January 2010. Iraq has two vice presidents who both have veto power and Vice President Tariq al-Hashemi vowed to not approve new election rules unless greater representation for Iraq’s Sunni population was included.  Iraq does not currently have reliable census information. The UN has suggested February 27 as a new target date for an election, Al Jazeera.

Protesters clashed with police in Athens, Greece on the 1st anniversary of the police shooting of teenager Alexandros Grigoropoulos. Two officers charged with his death will begin trial next year, BBC News.

Thousands March for Climate Change Progress in London

20,000 people have marched in support of progress on global climate change in London ahead of the Climate Change Summit in Copenhagen next week, BBC News. Stop Climate Chaos Coalition. Join #TheWave on Twitter to show your support.

The White House has expanded the CIA’s unmanned drone program in Pakistan. The drones target Taliban militants, but have been criticized for also striking civilians, CNN.

Sekouba Konate, Guinea’s Vice President, has returned from a trip abroad to take control of the government in the wake of an assassination attempt on President Moussa Dadis Camara who is receiving medical treatment in Morocco. Camara took power in Guinea after a military coup last December. The ruling military junta has been divided since 157 opposition supporters were killed in September, BBC News.

A colleague of Dr. George Tiller, the Kansas physician who preformed late-term abortions and who was killed by an anti-abortion activist last May, has expanded his clinic to provide late-term abortions. Dr. LeRoy H. Carhart of Nebraska has also hired some of Dr. Tiller’s staff members. Late-term abortions are controversial in the United States, New York Times.

Fire at Russian Nightclub Kills 101

American Amanda Knox, 22, has been found guilty for the murder of her British roommate Meredith Kercher by an Italian jury. The case has garnered worldwide attention, in part due to Knox’s optimism that she would be acquitted of all charges. Her former boyfriend was also found guilty and Knox has been sentenced to 26 years in prison, CNN.

A fire at a Russian club has killed over 100 people. The fire occurred in the city of Perm and is believed to have by caused by fireworks, which were set off inside the club, BBC News.

Two Rwandan peacekeepers have been killed in Darfur by Sudan rebels. The peacekeepers were a part of the group Unamid, which have seen 19 of their workers killed in the area in the last two years, BBC News.

The opening matches and groups were set for the 2010 World Cup earlier today. Group G is largely considered the “Group of Death,” with Brazil, Portugal, and Ivory Coast all in the group. The U.S. and England will play a heavily anticipated match on June 12, CDB.

Breaking: 2010 World Cup Groups Set

Group G is considered the “Group of Death” with strong records from Brazil, Portugal, and rising power Ivory Coast. The 1st and 2nd from each group and 3rd and 4th teams will play each other first. A schedule can be found here.

Gunmen Attack Pakistani Mosque

Over 40 are dead after an attack at a mosque during Friday prayers in Rawalpindi, Pakistan. The mosque is near Pakistan’s military headquarters and is frequented by military personnel, Reuters. 4 of the gunmen were reportedly killed; a search is underway for 4 others, Al Jazeera.

Pakistan’s Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani says that Osama bin Laden is not in Pakistan, CNN.

Bank of America is prepared to repay $45 billion in bailout funds that the company received from the U.S. government during the height of the financial crisis, New York Times.

Guinea Junta Leader Shot By Own Aide

Guinea’s military leader, Capt. Moussa Dadis Camara, was shot and wounded by one of his aids today. Aboubacar “Toumba” Diakite is believed to be responsible for the attack and is said to have been arrested. Officials say Camara is doing well, BBC News.

The death toll from this morning’s bomb attack in Somalia has risen to at least 19. Four government ministers were killed in the suicide attack, which has been condemned worldwide. Government officials say they believe Islamist militants al-Shabab are responsible, BBC News.

Jewish organizations are siding with the Muslim world over the outrage caused by the Swiss ban on constructing minarets (architecture commonly seen on mosques). The ban was passed after 57 percent of the Swiss population voted in favor, but the country is receiving worldwide heat and many are saying the ban is discriminatory. Italy is also considering introducing a ban on minarets, Jerusalem Post.

The U.S. Senate has passed an amendment to the health care bill that expands women’s access to things such as mammograms, which are preventive services, CNN.

Suicide Bomber in Somalia Strikes University Graduation

15 people, including 3 cabinet ministers and 3 journalists, are dead after a suicide bomber struck a university graduation ceremony in Mogadishu, the capital city of Somalia. The suicide bomber was dressed as woman. No one has yet claimed responsibility for the bombing, but the militant Islamic group al-Shabab is suspected. Islamic militants control much of central and southern Somalia. The capital is protected by African Union peacekeepers who have nearly daily skirmishes with militants, Associated Press.

India’s Minister of State for the Environment has announced that the country will not sign any legally-binding emission reduction agreements at the upcoming climate change summit in Copenhagen, Times of India.  Residents of Shishmaref, Alaska fear climate change could destroy their town, CNN.

Israeli settlers protest a 10-month ban on new settlement construction. East Jerusalem is not included in the ban. Settlements are illegal under international law, but continue to be built by Israelis in disputed lands as a way of bolstering their claims on the land, CNN. The story of a Palestinian farmer whose grove of olive trees has been vandalized by nearby Israeli settlements, BBC News.

The New York State Senate did not approve a bill that would have legalized same-sex marriage, New York Times.

NATO Pledges More Troops to Afghanistan

NATO has pledged an additional 5,000 troops to be sent to Afghanistan. U.S. President Barack Obama announced yesterday that the U.S. would be sending 30,000 additional troops. 42,000 NATO personnel are currently in Afghanistan, CNN. Map of forces in Afghanistan, BBC News. The Taliban has vowed to fight the surge, BBC News. Live blog of the U.S. Senate hearings on Afghanistan, New York Times.

The 5 British sailors who were picked up by Iran after allegedly straying into Iranian waters have been released, BBC News.

More than 1,000 police officers were removed from their posts in the province of  Maguindanao where 57 people were massacred on November 23 in a pre-election power struggle. Those killed were family members and supporters of Esmael Mangudadatu who were on their way to register his name for the race for governor of the province as well as journalists covering the event. Andal Ampatuan, Jr., son of the current provincial governor, has been charged with 25 counts of murder and is suspected of arranging the massacre. The federal government removed the police officers, who are suspected of helping or allowing the violence, prior to a full investigation of the massacre. They will be replaced with officers from other parts of the Philippines, Al Jazeera.

In an effort to stamp out free market trade, North Korea is revaluing its currency, the won. Citizens must exchange their cash and there will be an exchange upper limit of 100,000 won (about $700 USD) per family. This will virtually wipe out any wealth an average North Korea has managed to accumulate. Shops will be closed until next week when the new currency becomes valid, Times Online.

Thierry Henry, the French football player responsible for the handball that led to France advancing to the World Cup over the Republic of Ireland, will be investigated by FIFA’s disciplinary committee, BBC Sport.  World Cup seeding announced, New York Times.