Archive - Feb 18, 2008

A 24-year-old Pakistani Sundas Munawar proudly displays proof of her first vote on election day in Islamabad. Photo Courtesy of Zack Baddorf

• A Bloody Election Day in Pakistan Concludes with Allegations of Poll Rigging
• Kosovo's Declaration of Independence Meets with Strong Opposition from the Serbian Government
• Democratic Candidates Lay Out their Plans for Economic Revitalization in the Midwest
• Kenyan Leaders Oppose Calls for Coalition Government
• Kenyan Refugees in Uganda Don't Want Repatriation Just Yet

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• Journalists Protest in Basra
• More Bombing in Afghanistan
• 45 Minute Claim Nowhere to Be Seen
• French Police Sweep Projects
• Priest Lobbies for Boycott of S.O.A.
• Cluster Bomb Conference

Tomorrow, Wisconsin and Hawaii will be in the spotlight as residents cast their votes in the latest leg of the Democratic Presidential nomination. In an effort to secure votes in Wisconsin and then in the upcoming primary state of Ohio, both Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama are focusing on an issue that has hit those two states hard - manufacturing job loss.

FSRN's Leigh Ann Caldwell takes a look at both plans to revive the economy in the Midwest.

The long-expected Declaration of independence for Kosovo was made yesterday afternoon in Pristina.  The announcement triggered an immediate statement of denunciation by the Serbian Prime Minister, as well as targeted vandalism and violence by pro-Nationalist groups in Belgrade.

In an address to the UN Security Council this weekend, Serbian President Boris Tadic asked members not to support the division of a sovereign Serbian state.  Here he speaks through a translator.

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Kosovar Albanians celebrated the declaration with fireworks and festivities that lasted into the small hours of morning.

Today, the United States joined Great Britain and France in formally supporting Kosovar Independence.  Amy Miller reports:

In other news from the Kenya, an estimated 6-thousand residents have crossed over into Uganda seeking refuge from the post-election violence and political turmoil.  A delegation from the Kenyan government recently visited the largest refugee camp in the Tororo district of Uganda to pave the way for the return of Kenyan citizens.  But humanitarian organizations and the refugees themselves say that would be premature, as the situation in Kenya is still unstable.  Joshua Kyalimpa reports from Uganda

Kenya's mediation talks have entered their fourth week. The last three weeks of negotiation have seen Kenya's government and opposition inch closer towards a settlement. The talks are at a crucial juncture now, with the international community pushing for a coalition government, and the Kenyan government resisting outside influence.  FSRN's John Bwakali reports from Nairobi

Today, millions of Pakistanis cast their votes in the country's parliamentary elections. But the day was marred with political violence that left 15 people dead and injured more than 80. Opposition leaders are already alleging the polls were rigged to keep President Pervez Musharraf's political allies in power.

Late last week, Human Rights Watch released an audio recording of Pakistan's attorney general saying the polls would be "massively rigged." But a close ally of Musharraf said the allegation was "ridiculous" and a "conspiracy against Pakistan." Zack Baddorf reports from Islamabad.