Is Israel Preparing to Bomb Iran?
Campaign Against Sanctions and Military Intervention in Iran (CASMII) - 23 Jun 2008
Summary: Israel- Iran militaryThe New York Times reported Friday that Israel recently carried out a major military exercise that Pentagon officials say appeared to be a rehearsal for a potential bombing attack on Iran?s nuclear facilities. More than 100 Israeli F-16 and F-15 fighter planes took part in the maneuvers over the eastern Mediterranean and Greece. source: Democracy Nowread more

Retired General: “The Current Administration Has Committed War Crimes”
AlterNet: War on Iraq - 23 Jun 2008
As Congress pieces together the White House torture program, former Army General Antonio Taguba condemns Bush’s “systematic regime of torture.”

EU nations agree to increase sanctions against Iran
Campaign Against Sanctions and Military Intervention in Iran (CASMII) - 23 Jun 2008
Summary: LUXEMBOURG (AFP) ? EU nations on Monday agreed new sanctions over Tehran’s nuclear programme, notably banning the country’s largest bank, Bank Melli, from operating in Europe. source: AFPread more

Iran dismisses Israeli exercises as ‘psychological operations’
Campaign Against Sanctions and Military Intervention in Iran (CASMII) - 23 Jun 2008
Summary: NajarTEHRAN: Iran on Sunday dismissed reports that Israel had been practizing for air strikes against its nuclear program as “psychological operations” but warned of a limitless response to any attack. source: AFPread more

People of Haditha: “This is an Organized Crime”
AlterNet: War on Iraq - 23 Jun 2008
The tragedy of the Haditha massacre in November 2005 has now been compounded by a judicial whitewash and coverup.

Is Israel Preparing to Bomb Iran?
Democracy Now - 23 Jun 2008
The New York Times reported Friday that Israel recently carried out a major military exercise that Pentagon officials say appeared to be a rehearsal for a potential bombing attack on Iran?s nuclear facilities. More than 100 Israeli F-16 and F-15 fighter planes took part in the maneuvers over the eastern Mediterranean and Greece.

The Future of Public Campaign Finance Following Barack Obama’s Decision to Opt Out of System
Democracy Now - 23 Jun 2008
By turning down $84 million in federal money, Barack Obama will be allowed to raise and spend an unlimited amount during the election. Obama is the first major party candidate to reject public funds since the system started in 1976. The decision marks a reversal for Obama. Last year he had pledged to accept public financing if his opponent did as well.

Zimbabwe in Crisis: Opposition Leader Morgan Tsvangirai Withdraws from Run-Off Against Robert Mugabe
Democracy Now - 23 Jun 2008
“We in the MDC (Movement for Democratic Change) have resolved that we will no longer participate in this violent, illegitimate sham of an election process,” Tsvangirai said. At least eighty-six supporters of the MDC have been killed, and thousands more have been injured. [includes rush transcript]

Headlines for June 23, 2008
Democracy Now - 23 Jun 2008
House OKs Telecom Immunity; Obama to Support “Compromise” Bill, Zimbabwe’s Opposition Leader Tsvangirai Drops Out of Run-Off, IAEA’s ElBaradei Threatens to Quit if Iran is Attacked, Report: Khalid Sheikh Mohammed Waterboarded 100 Times, NATO Shells Guerrillas in Pakistan, Haditha Residents Outraged Over Dismissed Charges, Mia Farrow Urges Blackwater to Deploy to Darfur, Head of UN Refugee Agency in Somalia Abducted, 1,300 Dead or Missing After Typhoon Hits Philippines, Nicaragua Gives Asylum to Survivors of Colombian Attack on Ecuador, Citing Executive Privilege, Bush Withholds EPA Documents , NYC Subpoenas RNC Video from I-Witness Video, Berkeley’s Cody’s Books Closes After 52 Years, Prempro Plaintiff Pamela Forrester Dies, Comedian George Carlin, 71, Dies

UNRWA “not satisfied” with pace of reconstruction in Palestinian refugee camp
Electronic Intifada - 23 Jun 2008
rr r r rr r rr r rr r rr r rr rrr rBEIRUT (IRIN) – One year on since the fighting between Islamist militant group Fatah al-Islam and the Lebanese army destroyed most of the northern Nahr al-Bared Palestinian refugee camp and displaced up to 40,000 of its residents, the pace of reconstruction remains grindingly slow. The “old camp,” inside the official boundary, is mostly rubble and is the responsibility of the UN agency for Palestine refugees (UNRWA) to rebuild.

Gaza ceasefire between success and failure
Electronic Intifada - 23 Jun 2008
rr r r r rr r rr r rr r rr rr rrr rBased on the reactions of Palestinians across all levels of society to the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Palestinian factions in Gaza, the possibility of sustaining the truce appears doubtful. On the streets of Gaza City, interviews with a number of residents revealed a mixture of pessimism and optimism. EI correspondent Rami Almeghari reports from occupied Gaza.