In case you missed, it, which is unlikely if you live in Canada, the Liberal government won it's non-confidence vote on Thursday, paving the way for at least another couple of months of government before the next challenge to the government's legitimacy. It all came down to independent member Chuck Cadman voting for both bills, the original budget and the NDP amendment that added more social spending. For the first time in Canadian history, a confidence vote was decided by the Speaker of the House, who broke the 152-152 tie in favour of the government. Stephen Harper tried to put the best spin on what was an obvious defeat for his party, calling it a pyrric victory for the Liberals.
The pressure for an inquiry into police action in Uzbekistan continues to increase, almost at the same rate as government refusal to hold any type of inquiry. Small demonstrations against the government continue in towns such as Korasuv seeking the release of a government detainee. Slate suggests that it might be time for the United States to reduce their relations with the authoritarian country.
The National Electoral Board in Ethiopia is probing allegations of fraud in last weekend's vote. Western donors are urging calm, and at least one opposition group is calling for a unity government.
New details surrounding American mistreatment of prisoners in Afghanistan have come out, leading to an official announcement of 'shock' by Afghani President Hamid Karzai. He has his own problems though, as a CIA document recently published criticizes him for his lack of effort in stemming the heroin trade.
A South Korean team has recently developed a method for cloning human embryos in order to extract stem cells from them, thus creating exactly genetic matches that could be grown into any part of the body. Despite what is seen as a large advance in medical science, Bush immediately stepped into the debate by announcing that he would veto any bill that allowed funding for research of this nature.
Also:
- You can now check your daily earthquake forecast in California online.
- The United Nations reported that almost half the world's population is now living in urban areas.
- Americans are finally buying fewer SUVs in favour of normal cars.
- Robert Mugabe in Zimbabwe has somewhat reversed his position on seizing white farmer's property after the disastrous economic consequences of the policy crippled the country, calling for a return of white farmers to the country.
- Sweden has been accused of violating the international convention against torture when they deported a terrorist suspect to Egypt, who was later said to been tortured by authorities. The Washington Post wrote a good article on this subject.
- A reformist cleric in Iran is calling for democratic reforms of the government before the upcoming presidential election.
- Hundreds of Pakistani women have defied the ban against mixed-gender road racing in protest of the law.
- A CSM piece on the slavery issue in Niger.
- Another CSM piece on the possibility of independence for Kosovo.
- Putting weapons in orbit don't seem to bother the United States, but billboards -- that's going too far.
- Apparently comparing the Democrats filibustering to Nazis isn't going too far either.
- And speaking of the judicial fight in the Senate, it's impact is tainting both parties.
- An interesting piece in Slate about the impact of Uncle Tom's Cabin.
- Relations between the Vatican and China are on the mend.
- Those activists, they're so witty.
- New Half-Life 2 panoramas using QuickTime VR.
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