Headlines for Monday, January 5, 2009

• 112th Congress to Open Tomorrow – Minnesota and Illinois Still Up in the Air
• UN Calls on More Nations to Accept Former Detainees
• Identities of Detainees Who Claim Torture to Remain Secret
• New Ruler Takes Oath in Indian Administered Kashmir
• Citizen’s Energy to Slash Heating Oil Aid

112th Congress to Open Tomorrow – Minnesota and Illinois Still Up in the Air
The 112th United States Congress is set to open tomorrow, and controversy continues around the seats from both Minnesota and Illinois. In Minnesota, the Canvassing Board is meeting today and expects to certify Democrat Al Franken as the victor in that Senate contest by a margin of just 225 votes out of more than 3 million ballots cast. But his opponent, Republican incumbent Norm Coleman has seven days to file a legal appeal and is poised to do just that. It is not yet clear if Franken will attend tomorrow's opening session of the Senate, although Democratic leaders are urging him to appear. And, the Illinois Senate desk formerly occupied by President elect Barack Obama may well remain vacant. Embattled Governor Rod Blagojevich named Roland Burris as Obama's replacement last week. But Senate majority leader Harry Reid called the appointment tainted by the fact that Balgojevich stands accused of trying to sell the Senate post. Reid has said that the Senate could use historical precedent and the Constitution to block the Burris appointment. Burris says if the Senate refuses to admit him – he'll take the battle to the courts.

UN Calls on More Nations to Accept Former Detainees
The United Nations is urging more countries to take in Guantanamo inmates once the new US administration shuts down the notorious military prison in the eastern part of Cuba. Haider Rizvi has more from the UN.
Manfred Nowak, the UN's torture investigator, says more countries need to show solidarity with the incoming government of President-elect Barack Obama. Obama has repeatedly promised to close down the military prison in Guantanamo. Most European nations have turned down requests to take in former detainees on the premise that they represent a danger to their citizens.  However, a number now say they are considering the possibility. Among them, and Albania and Sweden has already accepted a few. Nowak's investigations show that most of those being held at the US military base in Cuba are innocent and that they had nothing to do with the September 11 attacks. In a major report released by the UN some two years ago, Nowak strongly criticized the US military authorities saying their actions in Guantanamo amounted to severe violations of international human rights law. Despite strong international criticism, US authorities are still keeping some 200 foreign nationals behind bars at Guantanamo. Today, Nowak urged European nations to consider the prisoners as refugees and take them in. He said there is also the possibility that some of the prisoners might be released into the United States.

Identities of Detainees Who Claim Torture to Remain Secret
A federal appeals court has decided that the identities of detainees at Guantanamo Bay who have alleged they were tortured can be kept secret. The Associated Press sought the names, but the appellate panel found that the detainees and their families have a privacy interest. The government claimed that the men could face harm if their identities are made public.

New Ruler Takes Oath in Indian Administered Kashmir
A new coalition government assumed office in Indian administered Kashmir today. Omar Abduallh, president of the National Congress, a pro-India regional party, took the oath as the eighth Chief Minister of the state. Shahnawaz Khan has the report.
Thirty eight year old Omar Abdullah, became the youngest chief minister of Indian administered Kashmir as he took oath today. He is the third from his family to hold this post.  His father and grandfather have both served as Chief Ministers, holding the office for 18 of the past 33 years.  His grandfather Sheikh Abdullah became the first prime minister of Indian administered Kashmir in 1947. The position of Prime Minister was renamed Chief Minister by a constitutional amendment in 1965. Abdullah’s party -- the National Conference -- emerged as single largest party in recent elections, but fell short of the majority. The National Conference formed an alliance with India’s ruling Congress party to form the government. The Congress party was also a partner in the previous government with another regional party -- the People's Democratic Party.  The elections spread over two months in November and December came weeks after huge pro-freedom demonstrations in Kashmir. The polls however saw over 62 per cent turnout despite a boycott call by Kashmiri separatists.

Citizen’s Energy to Slash Heating Oil Aid
Non-profit Citizens Energy announced today that it will stop distributing free heating oil to hundreds of thousands of low income US households. According to Citizens Chair and President Joseph Kennedy, the indefinite program suspension is a result of a decision by Citgo Petroleum Company to "re-evaluate" its social programs in light of decreasing oil prices and the world economic crisis. Citizens Energy has administered the program with funding from the Venezuelan government's Texas-based oil subsidiary for the past three years. Citizen's Energy will continue to provide heating assistance for emergency homeless shelters in Massachusetts and Rhode Island as well as limited natural gas help.

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