Daily News Digest

The latest news on China, Afghanistan, Economy, US demographics, Abortion, the Death penalty, Guantanamo trial, Iran, Israel, Mideast, Zimbabwe, Iraq, Pakistan, and AIDS.

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China. Human rights issues take center stage as Olympics near "On the cusp of the Summer Olympics, human rights moved into the spotlight as critics attacked China for banning Darfur activists, President Bush expressed "deep concerns" about the government's harsh policies and U.S. Olympians selected a former Sudanese refugee to carry the Stars and Stripes in Friday's opening ceremony." U.S. in 'Firm Opposition' to Chinese Human Rights Policies, Bush Says "President Bush used some of his bluntest language to date on human rights in China, saying in a speech here before he flew to Beijing for the Olympic Games' opening ceremony that 'America stands in firm opposition' to China's detention of political dissidents and religious activists." Bush chides Beijing over rights "'The US believes the people of China deserve the fundamental liberty that is the natural right of all human beings,' he said in the Thai capital, Bangkok."

Afghanistan. 500: Deadly U.S. Milestone in Afghan War "In June, the war in Afghanistan roared back into public view when American deaths from hostilities exceeded those in Iraq. In the face of an expanding threat from the Taiban, the conflict is becoming deadlier and much more violent for American troops, who three weeks ago reached their highest deployment levels ever, at 36,000."

Economy. Unpaid bills are causing more utility shut-offs "Utility shut-offs for customers behind on their energy bills are increasing around the country, reaching 50% or more in some hard-hit areas, as the effects of rising prices and a sagging economy are beginning to drag down more vulnerable consumers." Demand for food from local banks increases in Calif. "Rising costs, $4-plus-per-gallon gas and tighter consumer budgets are creating more demand for aid from local nonprofit groups that provide food to families and seniors."

US demographics. Minorities Often a Majority of the Population Under 20 "Foreshadowing the nation's changing makeup, one in four American counties have passed or are approaching the tipping point where black, Hispanic and Asian children constitute a majority of the under-20 population" Demographic landscape shifts "White populations have declined in more than half of the USA's counties since 2000, helping fuel a rise in the number of communities where minorities are now the majority."

Abortion. Obama's View on Abortion May Divide Catholics "This year, the party is considering giving a speaking slot at the convention to Mr. Casey's son, Senator Bob Casey of Pennsylvania, who like his late father is a Roman Catholic who opposes abortion rights."

Death penalty. Texas prepares for another controversial execution tonight "Heliberto Chi, a Honduran native who was convicted of gunning down a Dallas-area clothing-store manager, is scheduled to be put to death tonight unless the U.S. Supreme Court spares his life."

Guantanamo trial. Panel Convicts bin Laden Driver in Split Verdict "A panel of six military officers convicted a former driver for Osama bin Laden of one of two war crimes charges on Wednesday but acquitted him of the other, completing the first military commission trial here and the first conducted by the United States since the aftermath of World War II." US military convicts Bin Laden driver "Six US military officers convicted Osama bin Laden's former driver yesterday of supporting terrorism but cleared him of more serious conspiracy charges in the first demonstration of the Bush administration's much-condemned legal regime at Guantánamo."

Iran. World powers agree to seek new sanctions on Iran in nuclear dispute, US says Tehran stalling "Major world powers agreed to pursue new sanctions against Iran, even though the watered-down penalties already levied by the U.N. have only made Iran rush faster to perfect nuclear expertise." Iran 'faces further sanctions' "Western powers have agreed to consider further United Nations sanctions against Iran over its nuclear programme after it failed to respond adequately to an incentives offer." UN nuclear watchdog back in Iran "The deputy head of the UN nuclear agency has arrived in Tehran for talks on Iran's disputed nuclear programme." Russia Asks That Iran Be Given More Time "Russia said Wednesday that Iran should be granted more time to respond to a package of incentives that the United States and five other powerful nations have offered Tehran to freeze its uranium enrichment efforts."

Israel. Israel beefs up strike capability, confident it could deal setback to Iran nuclear program "Israel is building up its strike capabilities amid growing anxiety over Iran's nuclear ambitions and appears confident that a military attack would cripple Tehran's atomic program, even if it can't destroy it." Rocket, missile shields in works in Israel "Menaced on three sides by enemies armed to the teeth with rockets and missiles, Israel is racing against the clock to develop two deterrent systems that will intercept incoming short- and medium-range projectiles before they can hit their civilian or military targets."

Mideast. Olmert pushes ahead on Palestinian, Syrian peace tracks "Israel agreed on Wednesday to free scores of Palestinian prisoners this month as a gesture to President Mahmoud Abbas. Separately, a senior Syrian official told Reuters that indirect talks between Syria and Israel will continue."

Zimbabwe. Zimbabwe: MDC, Zanu (PF) Condemn Violence "In a move that shows Zimbabwe's parties in power-sharing talks are inching closer to a final agreement, the ruling Zanu (PF) and the opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) for the first time jointly condemned political violence in the country."

Iraq. Iraqis Fail to Agree on Provincial Election Law "Iraqi lawmakers adjourned for the summer without passing a crucial election law that many here hoped would solidify the recent, still fragile gains in security. The failure seemed likely to mean the postponement of provincial elections," Iraq fails to agree election law "Iraq's parliament has adjourned for a month-long break after failing to reach agreement on a provincial election law, viewed as a key political reform."

Pakistan. Musharraf to face impeachment"Pakistan's ruling coalition today formally announced moves to begin impeachment proceedings against the country's president, Pervez Musharraf." Pakistan moves to impeach Musharraf "Asif Ali Zardari, the leader of Pakistan's ruling coalition, made the announcement at a news conference in Islamabad on Thursday. 'We have good news for democracy,' Zardari said. 'The coalition believes it is imperative to move for impeachment against General Musharraf.'"

AIDS. Africa: Mogae Leads Aids fight for Continent "Former Botswana president Festus Mogae has launched a new initiative that will try to use the energy and experience of a group of renowned and forthright African leaders to persuade their peers on the continent to inject fresh energy into their efforts to combat AIDS."