Thursday, June 12, 2008

• Supreme Court Rules in Favor of Gitmo Detainees
• UN Report – Corruption in Asia-Pacific Region
• Paris Conference Nets 20 Billion in Afghan Aid
• US Drone Strikes in Pakistan
• Police in Washington DC have started using check points

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Supreme Court Rules in Favor of Gitmo Detainees

In a major blow to the Bush Administration, The Supreme Court ruled that detainees held at Guantanamo Bay have the right to challenge their detention. In a 5-4 decision, justices said that habeas corpus hearings should quickly be given to detainees. Legal scholars predict that this could mean the end of the Guantanamo Bay Detention Center. Leigh Ann Caldwell reports from the nation’s capitol. In another ruling released by the High Court released today, Justices decided against two U.S. citizens detained in Baghdad who tried to use American courts to challenge their detention. The men, who are being held by the US military, claim they will face torture if they are turned over to Iraqi authorities. The court rejected the administration's arguments that the two men have no rights whatsoever to habeas corpus, but held that US Courts do not have the power to block their transfer to a foreign country for criminal prosecution.

UN Report – Corruption in Asia-Pacific Region

Cleaning up the police, health, education and environment sectors should be a top political priority in the Asia-Pacific region, in order to loosen the stranglehold of corruption on the lives of the poor. That's according to a new United Nations regional report released in Indonesia today. Titled Tackling Corruption, Transforming Lives the report looks at how everyday 'petty' corruption smothers opportunities for the most vulnerable people, limiting their access to education and compromising basic health services. Rebecca Henschke has the story.

Paris Conference Nets 20 Billion in Afghan Aid

French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner announced that eighty donor-countries and international organisations pledged 20 billion dollars in aid to Afghanistan at a one-day conference in Paris today. The Afghan government presented a new strategy which aims to pass responsibilities from US-led troops and international aid organisations to Afghans. Tony Cross reports from Paris.

US Drone Strikes in Pakistan

Analysts believe Tuesday’s airstrike on a Pakistani tribal area has strained relations between US and its front-state ally in the war-on-terror. US drones have launched four attacks in the past two months in Pakistani tribal areas claiming many lives. However, this week’s attack that killed eleven soldiers and injured nine others sparked great anger in Pakistan. From an Army Spokesman to the country’s Prime Minister, nearly every leader has condemned the attack. FSRN correspondent Rahman Ullah spoke with a Taliban fighter who was injured in the attack who says that US drone fire first hit the Pakistani security forces check post.

Police in Washington DC have started using check points

Police in Washington DC have started using check points to limit public access to residential neighborhoods they deem to be violent areas. The first such roadblock opened on Saturday. On the day the checkpoint was closed, FSRNs Naji Mujahid visited the neighborhood and talked with residents.