Judge revokes bond for shady real estate developer Rezko
Chicago Tribune Jan 28, 08 2:03 PM CST
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Antoin Rezko is back in custody today after a federal judge revoked his bond, the Chicago Tribune reports. The indicted real estate developer and longtime Barack Obama contributor was arrested early this morning at home for an undisclosed violation of his $2 million bond. Rezko had been out on bail pending his Feb. 25 trial on corruption charges.
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Corrupt, cruel--and fondly remembered
Christian Science Monitor Jan 28, 08 11:20 AM CST
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The death of Suharto, Indonesia's ferociously anti-communist dictator for more than 30 years, leaves islanders ambivalent: On the one hand, he created economic prosperity; on the other, he enriched himself and his cronies, and brutally suppressed opponents, leaving hundreds of thousands imprisoned or dead. "He was 50% good and 50% bad," a historian tells the Christian Science Monitor .
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Ruled for 32 years; resigned amid corruption, human rights charges
Reuters Jan 27, 08 2:45 AM CST
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Former Indonesian president Suharto, a US Cold War ally whose legacy of economic development was marred by charges of human rights abuses and corruption, died today of organ failure at 86, Reuters reports. Suharto ruled for 32 years until being forced out in 1998; his deteriorating health prevented him from ever going to trial even though accusers allege he had perhaps 1 million opponents killed and had embezzled billions.
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Chicago businessman Rezko, headed for trial, bundled $200K to Dem
Los Angeles Times Jan 23, 08 4:17 PM CST
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Barack Obama’s relationship with a longtime contributor facing federal fraud charges could mar the candidate’s image as a politician unfettered by special interests. On Monday, Hillary Clinton slammed Obama with the allegation that he represented Antoin Rezko, a “slum landlord.” While that was an exaggeration, Rezko’s connection to Obama’s political career is stronger than he has acknowledged, the Los Angeles Times reports.
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PM faces no-confidence vote after allies withdraw support
Bloomberg Jan 22, 08 10:48 AM CST
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The Italian government looks set to collapse after a key ally unexpectedly withdrew his support from Romano Prodi's coalition yesterday. The PM will face a no-confidence vote tomorrow, and if he loses, the president will have to decide whether to give Prodi another mandate or dissolve parliament and call early elections. "I will not discuss. It’s over," said the instigator of the collapse.
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'Whiz kid,' 36, pledges ethics, economic reform
Shreveport Times Jan 15, 08 3:50 AM CST
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Louisiana's first non-white chief executive since Reconstruction—and the first elected Indian-American governor in US history—vowed yesterday in his inauguration speech to clean up the corruption-plagued state. The charismatic Piyush "Bobby" Jindal, a Roman-Catholic convert from Hinduism, is a conservative Republican who also becomes, at age 36, the nation's youngest governor in office.
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South Africa's top cop linked to drug smuggler payoff
Daily Telegraph (UK) Jan 14, 08 3:01 AM CST
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The president of international police organization Interpol has resigned over corruption allegations. Jackie Selebi, who is also South Africa's national police commissioner and a leading member of the African National Congress, is accused of taking $200,000 in pay-offs from a notorious convicted drug smuggler, who is awaiting trial on murder charges, reports the Daily Telegraph .
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Former Indonesian dictator takes critical turn for the worse
AFP Jan 12, 08 11:53 AM CST
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Longtime Indonesian dictator Suharto's health worsened yesterday as he suffered multiple organ failure. Suharto's condition improved slightly as workers rushed to prepare for what they believed to be his imminent funeral, AFP reports. Suharto, 86, was forced from power a decade ago after ruling Indonesia with an iron fist for three decades.
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Lawyer calls charges 'politically motivated'; party crisis intensifies
Guardian (UK) Dec 28, 07 10:39 PM CST
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South African prosecutors hit a new ruling party leader with corruption charges today, threatening his shot at the presidency and risking a prolonged legal and political crisis, the Guardian reports. ANC leader Jacob Zuma was ordered to stand trial next year on charges including racketeering and fraud linked to a $7.1 billion arms deal in 1999. Zuma's lawyer called the move politically motivated and the timing suspicious.
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Polarizing figure
booted in coup may return from exile
Reuters Dec 23, 07 6:15 AM CST
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Deposed former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra is poised to return from exile now that the party supporting him won the most seats in parliament in today's elections, according to exit polls. It was unclear, however, whether the pro-Thaksin People Power party gained an absolute majority. If not, opposition parties still have a chance to cobble together a coalition government.
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South African prosecutor says indictment is 'imminent'
Mail & Guardian (South Africa) Dec 20, 07 7:03 AM CST
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The annual conference of the African National Congress isn't even over yet, and already newly elected leader Jacob Zuma is facing the prospect of new criminal charges. South Africa's head prosecutor said he has gathered enough evidence to charge Zuma with corruption linked to a 1999 arms deal, reports the Mail and Guardian . An aide is currently serving a 15-year sentence for soliciting bribes for Zuma.
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Current finance minister tied to bribery bust of former defense honcho
Associated Press Nov 28, 07 10:14 AM CST
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In a growing corruption scandal, a former vice defense minister and his wife were arrested today over charges that he awarded contracts to companies that wined and dined him, the AP reports. Takemasa Moriya admits he enjoyed free golf trips and expensive dinners on the tab of the recently arrested owner of two defense companies, but argues the gifts were not bribery.
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Satellite TV station part of media blitz by outlawed Falun Gong
Wall Street Journal Nov 15, 07 2:20 PM CST
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A US-based satellite TV station staffed mainly by members of spiritual movement Falun Gong is broadcasting a dissident message into China, the Wall Street Journal reports. With Falun Gong called an "evil cult" and outlawed by the Chinese government, its members have started New Tang Dynasty, a radio station, newspaper, and dozens of websites to deliver pro-democracy messages.
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