Army “under tremendous pressure” but still united
Electronic Intifada - 13 May 2008
rr r r rr r rr r rr r rr r rr rrr rBEIRUT, 13 May (IRIN) – The army’s pledge to use force if necessary to impose law and order puts the only fully functioning national institution into the centre of Lebanon’s violent crisis. But although strained, analysts say the military remains united. “There is no civil authority in the country now, so the army is under tremendous pressure,” said Timor Goksell, a security expert and former spokesman of UN peacekeeping forces who coordinate with the military in south Lebanon.

Legendary Author Gore Vidal on the Bush Presidency, History and the “United States of Amnesia”
Democracy Now - 13 May 2008
With a career spanning more than six decades, Gore Vidal is one of America?s most respected writers and thinkers. He?s authored more than twenty novels and five plays. His latest book is Point to Point Navigation: A Memoir. [includes rush transcript]

1968, 40 Years Later: Student, Worker Protests Sweep France, Leaving Indelible Mark on the Country and the World
Democracy Now - 13 May 2008
May 1968 was a watershed month for France, when a wave of student and worker protests swept the country and changed French society forever. We speak to George Katsiaficas, author of numerous books, including The Imagination of the New Left: The Global Analysis of 1968. [includes rush transcript]

Headlines for May 14, 2008
Democracy Now - 13 May 2008
China Quake Toll Hits 15,000, Amidst Desperate Recovery Effort, Burma Could Face New Storm, 60 Killed in India Bombing, Overnight Clashes Claim 7 Lives in Sadr City, Bush Begins Israel Visit, Bush: Iran “Biggest Threat” to Mideast Peace, Clinton Wins West Virginia Primary, Democrats Score Upset Win in Mississippi District, Colombia Extradites 14 Paramilitary Leaders to US , Berlusconi Can Be Called to Testify in CIA Kidnap Case, Report: U.S. Forcibly Injecting Deportees With Psychotropic Drugs

Gaza lives being put at risk
Electronic Intifada - 13 May 2008
rr r r r rr r rr r rr r rr rr rrr rAs the grueling Gaza fuel crisis continues, so does the strain on local public transport services, including ambulances, across the Gaza Strip. Approximately 15 percent of local public services are operating across Gaza, whilst up to 90 percent of private cars remain off the roads, and all of Gaza’s 450 fuel stations remain closed. The Palestinian Centre for Human Rights speaks with medial professionals working under siege.

Russia urges security guarantees for Iran
Campaign Against Sanctions and Military Intervention in Iran (CASMII) - 13 May 2008
Summary: Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov called Wednesday on the top UN powers to give Iran security guarantees to help resolve the crisis over Tehran’s nuclear programme, Russian news agencies reported. source: AFPread more

Iran hands EU package to solve ‘global challenges’
Campaign Against Sanctions and Military Intervention in Iran (CASMII) - 13 May 2008
Summary: SolanaIran’s ambassador to the European Union presented Tuesday a new package of proposals aimed at solving the world’s “collective challenges”, including nuclear energy, a statement said. source: AFPread more

Behind the BBC?s ?good news from Basra?
Media Workers Against War - 13 May 2008
The Today programme?s reporting of the assault on Basra and Baghdad’s Sadr City by the Iraqi government, backed by US and British troops, tanks and warplanes, has descended to the base assertion that our side is good, their side is bad. Evan Davis, Today’s new presenter, introduced a section on Basra on May 2 which opened [...]

Fighting For Survival, Muqtada al-Sadr Orders a Ceasefire
AlterNet: War on Iraq - 13 May 2008
The ceasefire agreement is intended to end seven weeks of fighting in which more than 1,000 people, mostly civilians, have been killed.