Headlines: Obama Delivers Speech In Germany

Obama in Berlin
Barack Obama spoke to an estimated crowd of 200,000 in Berlin, Germany today. According to the polls, 72 percent of Germans favor him, with 11 percent supporting John McCain. Click here to read the transcript of his speech.

Sudanese Leader Mounts Charm Offensive
Facing charges of genocide, Sudanese president Omar al-Bashir stopped in El Fasher, Darfur, to visit peacekeeper headquarters, discuss his plans for building new schools, and reach out to rebel groups. Al-Bashir's charm offensive seems to be an attempt at showing some good will, in hopes that the UN will intervene in the case.

Fearsome Zimbabwe Militias are Also Afraid
Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe has managed to keep his ZANU-PF party in control with the use of his youth militia known as the "Green Bombers." Zimbabwe citizens are terrified by them, but recent interviews of Green Bomber members reveal that they are just as afraid as their fellow citizens.

Obama Assures Israel of Support
Though John McCain has been claiming for months that Barack Obama's policies toward Iran will be dangerous for Israel, Obama and his thoughts on Iran were welcomed in the Jewish state. Negotiator Saeb Erekat said, "He left us feeling very well, reassuring us about his commitment for peace."

Poll: Have Conditions Improved for African-Americans?
Though both blacks and whites agree that conditions have improved for African Americans in the U.S., their opinions do differ on how much things have changed for the better according to a CNN/Essence Magazine/Opinion Research Corporation poll.

Sports
All of a Sudden, WNBA Has a Fighting Chance
Despite the embarrassing all out brawl that erupted between WNBA teams Sparks and the Detroit Shocks, some claim that the fight was the best thing to happen to the WNBA in a long time -- both because of the exposure and the affect it has on changing the perception of female athletes.

Iraq Team Barred From Olympics
The International Olympic Committee has chosen to ban Iraqi teams at the Beijing Games, claiming the government missed the deadline to address allegations of serious political interference. Basil Abdul-Mahdi, an adviser to the Iraqi minister for youth and sport, said the government would "bring suit to defend our sports rights."

Entertainment
Poet Gives Voice to Black America
Spoken word poet Jon Goode says he tries to give voice to various topics that affect blacks, as well as Americans of all types. "I like spoken word because it only requires you and your voice," he said. "Hip-hop artists need all these beats and all this production."

Blake Bishton

Tags: Barack Obama | Darfur | Iraq | Israel | WNBA | Zimbabwe

5:28 PM ET | 07-24-2008 | permalink

comments | | e-mail