Headlines for Wednesday, January 27, 2010

Proposition 8 trial testimony closes
Today was the final day of testimony in the Proposition 8 trial in California.  David Blankenhorn, the founder of the anti-gay marriage think tank Institute for American Values, testified that he thought the chance of further destabilizing the institution of marriage outweighed any benefit of allowing gays and lesbians to marry.  The judge says he will take several weeks to examine the evidence before hearing closing arguments and handing down a decision.

FL judge allows LGBT adoption despite state ban
A judge in Florida has allowed a lesbian couple to adopt a young child, despite the state’s ban on LGBT adoptions that dates back to 1977.  This is the third such adoption allowed in the past two years, as a challenge to the adoption ban make its way through Florida court.

Oregon voters approve tax measures: sign of larger acceptance of tax increases?
In light of the recession, lawmakers across the country are looking for ways to maintain their budgets and fund local services.  In Oregon, voters have stepped up to relieve the burden.  In an election yesterday, Oregonians handily passed two tax measures.  Rachael McDonald reports from Eugene.

The Oregon Legislature approved tax increases on corporations and the wealthy last year, but business groups sponsored a referendum campaign to put them to statewide vote.  After a heated campaign on both sides, the measures each passed by 54%.

Measure 66 will raise taxes for individuals earning more than $125,000 a year.  Measure 67 raises the corporate minimum tax, which has been frozen in the state at $10 dollars for nearly 80 years.  The measures are expected to raise $727 million for the general fund in the next two-year budget.

It’s unusual for Oregonians to say yes to higher taxes.  The last time voters here approved a general tax increase was in 1930.  Rachael McDonald, FSRN, Eugene.

North and South Korea exchange fire along coast
North and South Korea exchanged dozens of rounds of fire today near a disputed border region.  North Korea says the initial shots were fired as part of a scheduled military drill.  The South returned fire in the form of warning shots.  The North recently declared the area off the coast a no-sail zone, which has many analysts speculating the government plans another round of short-range missile tests

Hamas denies responsibility for war crimes during Gaza war
The Hamas-led government in Gaza today released an official assessment of its actions in the Israel-Gaza war one year ago.  This, in response to the United Nations-commissioned Goldstone report that accused both sides of war crimes during the month-long conflict.  Hamas’ response could be an indication of just how unlikely it is that either side to will claim responsibility for its actions.  FSRN's Rami Almeghari files this story from Gaza.

The Hamas government says it has conducted internal investigations into possible human rights abuses during the Gaza war, but has found no violations.  The government has put out a call to residents of Gaza to report suspected violations.

At a press conference, Hamas justice minister Mohammad Alghoul said Goldstone underreported the number of human rights violations the Israeli army committed during the war.  The minister says his government will soon submit its official report to the UN.

"We believe the Goldstone report only investigated 36 war crimes by the Israeli military.  Our comprehensive report will show that more than 1500 war crimes were committed, in accordance with international law."

Recently, Amnesty International called on both Hamas and Israel to investigate war crimes.  Amnesty, along with 11 Palestinian human rights groups, blamed Hamas for violating of Palestinian citizens' rights, including engaging in summary killings.  Rami Almeghari.  Free Speech Radio News.  Gaza

Israel is expected to announce the details of its own internal investigation tomorrow.

World Economic Forum opens in Switzerland
The World Economic Forum’s annual summit got underway today in Davos, Switzerland.  Bankers and economists debated the need for reforms to the financial sector in the wake of the worldwide recession.

Global Activists have launched a competing summit – the World Social Forum, which began on Monday in Porto Alegre, Brazil.   This is the 10-year anniversary of the event, which is critical of world economic powers.  Before a crowd of about 10,000 Tuesday night, Brazilian President Lula da Silva promised to travel to Davos and deliver a critique of capitalistic policies he says caused the world economic crisis.