Democracy Now! Friday, May 9, 2008

Today's Headlines

• UN Chides Burma Junta for Delaying Aid Relief
• US Denies Capture of al-Qaeda Leader in Iraq
• KBR Faces New Sexual Harassment Claims in Iraq
• Beirut Clashes Stoke New Fears of Civil Conflict
• Israelis, Palestinians Mark 60th Anniversary of Israel’s Founding
• Israeli PM Denies Taking Bribes
• Clinton Cites White Support to Press Case for Campaign
• CIA Ordered to Release 2002 Torture Memo
• Special Counsel Thwarted Siegelman Probe
• State Dept. Imposes Gag Order on India Nuke Deal
• Pentagon Cancels Pakistan Post for Gitmo General
• House Approves Homeowner Measure
• Bolivia to Hold Referendum on Morales Government

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  14 Killed in Sudanese Government Bombing of Darfur Village

  UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has condemned the Sudanese government for Sunday’s air raids against three villages in North Darfur that killed fourteen civilians and injured several others. Antonov bombers targeted a marketplace, water installations and a village school that was holding classes. We speak to filmmaker, activist and writer Jen Marlowe of Darfur Diaries, an independent American project that helped raise funds to restart the school last year. [includes rush transcript]

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  Free from Nigerian Military Custody, "Sweet Crude" Director Sandy Cioffi on Oil Politics in the Niger Delta

  The Nigerian government, along with foreign oil companies, have reaped enormous profits over the years from the sale of oil and gas reserves, while the residents of the Niger Delta live in abject poverty. We speak to Sandy Cioffi, director of the the upcoming documentary Sweet Crude. She was recently arrested by the Nigerian military and held for a week before being released following international pressure. [includes rush transcript]

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  Author, Blogger Arianna Huffington on How John McCain Has Changed Since Telling Her He Didn't Vote for Bush in 2000

  Blogger, author and nationally syndicated columnist Arianna Huffington revealed this week that Senator John McCain had told her eight years ago that he did not vote for President Bush in the 2000 election. McCain has angrily denied the claim. Huffington joins us to talk about her disillusionment with McCain, whom she says has abandoned his principles in his quest for the Republican nomination. Huffington is author of the new book, Right is Wrong: How the Lunatic Fringe Hijacked America, Shredded the Constitution, and Made Us All Less Safe—and What you Need to Know to End the Madness.