Democracy Now! Friday, June 20, 2008

Today's Headlines

• House OKs Telecom Immunity; Obama to Support “Compromise” Bill
• Zimbabwe’s Opposition Leader Tsvangirai Drops Out of Run-Off
• IAEA’s ElBaradei Threatens to Quit if Iran is Attacked
• Report: Khalid Sheikh Mohammed Waterboarded 100 Times
• NATO Shells Guerrillas in Pakistan
• Haditha Residents Outraged Over Dismissed Charges
• Mia Farrow Urges Blackwater to Deploy to Darfur
• 1,300 Dead or Missing After Typhoon Hits Philippines
• Nicaragua Gives Asylum to Survivors of Colombian Attack on Ecuador
• Citing Executive Privilege, Bush Withholds EPA Documents
• NYC Subpoenas RNC Video from I-Witness Video
• Berkeley’s Cody’s Books Closes After 52 Years
• Comedian George Carlin, 71, Dies

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  Zimbabwe in Crisis: Opposition Leader Morgan Tsvangirai Withdraws from Run-Off Against Robert Mugabe

  “We in the MDC (Movement for Democratic Change) have resolved that we will no longer participate in this violent, illegitimate sham of an election process,” Tsvangirai said. At least eighty-six supporters of the MDC have been killed, and thousands more have been injured.

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  The Future of Public Campaign Finance Following Barack Obama's Decision to Opt Out of System

  By turning down $84 million in federal money, Barack Obama will be allowed to raise and spend an unlimited amount during the election. Obama is the first major party candidate to reject public funds since the system started in 1976. The decision marks a reversal for Obama. Last year he had pledged to accept public financing if his opponent did as well.

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  Is Israel Preparing to Bomb Iran?

  The New York Times reported Friday that Israel recently carried out a major military exercise that Pentagon officials say appeared to be a rehearsal for a potential bombing attack on Iran’s nuclear facilities. More than 100 Israeli F-16 and F-15 fighter planes took part in the maneuvers over the eastern Mediterranean and Greece.