Headlines for Thursday, July 22, 2010

World Court says Kosovo independence legal
Kosovo’s declaration of independence from Serbia in 2008 is legally valid, according to a non-binding decision by the World Court today.  Court President Hisashi Owada.

"Accordingly the court finds that the declaration of independence did not violate the constitutional framework...  Consequently the adoption of that declaration did not violate any applicable rule of international law."

According to the UN, 69 countries currently recognize an independent Kosovo, including the US, and the World Court’s ruling is likely to prompt more countries to do so.  The small European nation needs recognition by 100 countries to be granted full statehood by the UN.  Russia and Serbia have been vocal opponents of international recognition.

Kenya beefs up security ahead of Constitutional referendum
With less than two weeks to go before a Constitutional referendum vote in Kenya, police are deploying security officers to the Rift Valley region – that’s the area that experienced the worst violence after the disputed presidential election in 2007.  FSRN’s Mohammed Yusuf has more.

Deployment of additional security forces comes at a time of heightening tensions in the region.  Communities are arming themselves ahead of the referendum vote.  Security officials are keen to maintain the peace, according to police spokesperson Eric Kiraithe.

“We have done a lot of deployment there; we will continue to do it, especially to ensure that the referendum process is not abused to prejudice the law and order.”

Early this month, a consulting firm that monitors activities in the Grand Coalition Government, reported that some communities in the Rift Valley are being threatened with eviction if they vote for the new law.  Many leaders in the Rift Valley oppose the draft constitution because it allows the government to take back land that was illegally claimed by local powers.  Kenyans will go to the polls on August 4th.  Mohammed Yusuf, FSRN, Nairobi.

UK officer not charged in death of Ian Tomlinson
The British police officer who infamously shoved a G20 protest bystander to the ground minutes before the man suffered a fatal heart attack, will face no charges.  In a ruling issued today, the Crown Prosecution Service said there is an “irreconcilable conflict” in the exact cause of Ian Tomlinson’s death and…

“As a result, the CPS would simply not be able to prove beyond reasonable doubt that there was a causal link between Mr.  Tomlinson’s death and the alleged assault upon him.”

Audio of CPS director Keir Starmer from the BBC.  Tomlinson’s family said after the ruling that they believe the case was never investigated properly.

Rep. Lynn Woolsey introduces single payer health care legislation
California Representative Lynn Woolsey today announced new health care legislation that would provide a public option within the exchanges set up in the larger health care bill.  Woolsey touted a new report by the Congressional Budget Office showing the public option could save the government billions in the first 6 years alone.

“In these times, any idea that can save $68 billion must be considered.  A bill that can do that and improve health care at the same time, must be passed.”

The bill has the initial support of 128 House members, but is unlikely to see debate this year.

Obama signs law to cut back on government waste
President Barack Obama today signed legislation aimed at decreasing government waste and fiscal accountability.  The Improper Payments Elimination and Recovery Act was passed unanimously by both the House and Senate.

“Sometimes these payments are the results of innocent mistakes or reflect valid claims that were paid at the wrong time, but some result from abuses, from scam artists and crooked companies.  And all told, they added up to $110 billion.”

Obama says the goal of the legislation is to reduce improper payments by $50 billion by 2012 by requiring government agencies to report waste and undergo audits.

Federal Judge halts drilling activity in Alaska’s Chukchi Sea
Environmental groups in Alaska have been using the massive oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico as an example of why oil and gas exploration off their state should cease.  Now a federal judge has blocked plans for oil and gas drilling in the Arctic, ruling that the federal government hadn’t sufficiently taken into account environmental impacts.  FSRN’s Jacob Resneck reports.

In a ruling Wednesday in Anchorage, U.S.  District Judge Ralph Beistline said the Interior Department had not adequately analyzed the possible effects of natural gas exploration in Alaska’s Chukchi Sea.  The judge also ruled the government hadn’t compiled impacts on wildlife and ordered the department to revise its analysis.  Both are key requirements under the National Environmental Policy Act.

The suit was brought on behalf of Alaskan coastal communities and environmental groups like Audubon Alaska and Pacific Environment.  They have been trying to stop Shell Oil’s efforts to begin summer exploration in the Chukchi Sea because of potential harm to marine mammals and other wildlife.

Shell Oil said in a statement it’s still reviewing whether the ruling will block non-drilling prep work at the site and reaffirmed the company’s hopes to begin drilling next year.  Shell had paid $2.7 billion for the offshore oil and gas lease sale in auction held in 2008.  Jacob Resneck, FSRN, Alaska.