Headlines: Bush Calls Zimbabwe Runoff a 'Sham'

Bush Ramps Up Criticism of Mugabe, Calls Runoff a 'Sham'
President Bush is the latest in world leaders to oppose the actions of President Mugabe. Queen Elizabeth II stripped Mugabe of his knighthood Wednesday. Nelson Mandela mourned the "tragic failure of leadership" Mugabe has exhibited. The European Union is threatening Zimbabwe with more sanctions in addition to those already in place.

Zimbabweans Make Plea For Help as Runoff Nears
Hundreds of wounded and newly homeless Zimbabweans are taking refuge outside the South African Embassy, awaiting the runoff presidential election still set to take place tomorrow. American ambassador James D. McGee reports that ZANU-PF intends to force Zimbabweans to vote on Friday, and to take action against those who refuse to vote.

Boosts in African-American, Youth Vote Could Turn States Democratic
The Institute for Southern Studies in North Carolina is espousing their belief that an increase in black as well as youth votes could turn many swing states Democratic, particularly in the South. They cite this as a key point to a potential Obama victory.

Party Crashing: How the Facebook Generation Does Politics
Commentator Keli Goff theorizes that young black voters have favored Obama in the presidential race not because he is African American or because he is a Democrat, but rather because they see him putting policy ahead of partisanship.

Native American, Black Kids More Likely To End Up in Foster Care
According to a report released yesterday, a study in Washington State found that, compared with white children, Native American and African American youths are much more likely to be referred to Child Protective Services, removed from their homes and retained in foster care for more than two years.

African American Empowerment Fund of Delaware Launched
Over 100 prominent black community leaders came to the opening of the African American Empowerment Fund of Delaware. The goal of the fund is to establish a lasting source of funding for causes that are significant for the various African American communities throughout Delaware.

Brooklyn Blog Helps Lead to Drug Raid
Bloggers on BayRidgeTalk.com started writing about their frustrations with violence and drug crimes happening in their neighborhood. The blogging turned to action as the neighbors, who met on the blog, gave up their anonymity to file reports and attend Community Board meetings, inciting a narcotics investigation that eventually led to two drug raids and multiple arrests.

Homeless Pets Crowd Shelters as Families Hit Hard Times
As layoffs and foreclosures hit home with middle-class Americans, many are parting with their pets. Most "no-kill" shelters are at capacity already, so owners have to turn to county animal shelters, which typically euthanize animals when space runs out.

Sports
The Bulls' Eye on Rose
Thursday night the NBA draft for the coming season begins in Madison Square Garden, and the Chicago Bulls get first pick. They have their sights on Chicago native, and current Memphis guard Derrick Rose, 19.

Entertainment
African Stories Go to Well of Empathy
Uwem Akpan's new book, Say You're One of Them, has been released to rave reviews. "A Nigerian Jesuit now teaching in Zimbabwe, Akpan creates an extraordinary portrait of modern Africa with his debut short-story collection."

Sonny Okosuns, 61, Musician With Message, Is Dead
The Nigerian singer and musician, Sonny Okosuns, died on May 24th in Washington of colon cancer. He was known for his unique sound, "a catchy, rock-inflected cocktail of funk, reggae, Afrobeat and more." His music often targeted human rights issues and abuses.

Jena 6 Inspires Magazine to Rise Up, Face Race
A new magazine about race and ethnicity issues launched this week. The Kansas City, Mo.- based magazine is called RiseUp, and is intended "to provide a readily accessible tool to help us solve some of the problems we face as a society when it comes to race relations," says founder Janice Ellis.

Ashley Lystne

Tags: President Bush | Zimbabwe | Zimbabwe elections | voting

3:12 PM ET | 06-26-2008 | permalink

comments | | e-mail