Welcome to the Overnight News Digest.
USA:
Deborah Jeane Palfrey, owner of a Washington D.C. escort service and alleged madam, will identify "her high-profile clients" and "call them as witnesses at trial to back up her claim that the services provided never crossed the line to prostitution." Federal authorites have filed civil and criminal charges against Palfrey, claiming her escorts worked as prostitutes. Yesterday, Deputy Secretary of State Randall Tobias resigned after admitting using Palfrey's escort service for "massages".
Senators Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama spoke at the California Democratic Convention in San Diego. The "two Democratic candidates delivered addresses that, while different in style, were surprisingly similar in substance."
USA, continued:
The Bush Administration declined most offers of foreign aid after Hurricane Katrina. "Allies offered $854 million in cash and in oil that was to be sold for cash. But only $40 million has been used so far for disaster victims or reconstruction, according to U.S. officials and contractors. Most of the aid went uncollected, including $400 million worth of oil... Of $454 million in cash that was pledged by more than 150 countries and foreign organizations, only $126 million from 40 donors was actually received... [and] most has not yet been used."
George W. Bush's "unpopularity and a string of political setbacks have created a toxic climate for the Republican Party as it struggles to raise money and recruit candidates". A toxic climate is usually always the result of letting Republicans run things.
Prosecutors have dismissed the gun case against Senator Jim Webb's (D-VA) top aide.
A memorial was dedicated today, after more than 142 years, at the site of the Sand Creek Massacre on Big Sandy Creek in Kiowa County, Colorado. The massacre happened on November 29, 1864 when state militia volunteers massacred 150 sleeping Southern Cheyenne and Arapaho peoples.
"A developer expanding a marina without approval on Lake Pend Oreille in northern Idaho destroyed one of the last healthy spawning bed areas for the lake's struggling kokanee salmon."
A 22.66 carat sapphire that belonged to Mary and James J. Hill was sold for $3.064 million at auction leaving the Minnesota Historical Society in "a pleasant state of shock".
Middle East:
In the Shiite holy city of Karbala, Iraq a car bomb killed at least 56 people. "The U.S. military reported the deaths of seven soldiers and two Marines in other attacks."
George W. Bush's "fabulously wealthy" friend, Prince Bandar bin Sultan, is out of touch with Saudi Arabia politics. "Bush administration officials have been scratching their heads over steps taken by Prince Bandar’s uncle, King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia, that have surprised them by going against the American playbook, after receiving assurances to the contrary from Prince Bandar during secret trips he made to Washington." This probably would be funny, if it only impacted Bush.
South Asia:
In Sri Lanka, "Tamil Tiger rebels have carried out an air raid on targets in and around Sri Lanka's capital, Colombo. Two fuel facilities were bombed in what the rebels said was in response to an army strike on their positions."
In the North West Frontier Province, Pakistan, a suicide bomber killed at least 22 people and injured Pakistan's Interior Minister Aftab Khan Sherpao.
Europe:
In fears of a "nightmare kidnapping scenario", British "Army special forces have been sent to Iraq to provide increased protection for Prince Harry ahead of his tour of duty in the country."
The European Union warned Turkey's army not to interfere in their country's politics, saying "the controversy was a test case for the military to respect democracy." The Turkish parliament is on the verge of electing Abdullah Gul, as the country's next president. Gul is a member of the Islamist-rooted party AK party.
A German lingerie maker has developed solar-powered women's swimsuit — "perfect" for recharging iPods and cellphones while at the beach.
Asia-Pacific:
"Chinese President Hu Jintao has called for closer economic and cultural exchanges between China and Taiwan" at a "forum in Beijing, aimed at improving ties between the two rival neighbours."
Anti-mine protesters halted a coal train near Christchurch, New Zealand. The protesters chained themselves to a rail line and swarmed over the train. The protesters said they hung a 22m-metre banner that said "Solid Energy: Govt Sponsored Climate Chaos".
As a campaign promise, Australia's Labor Party leader Kevin Rudd promised that about "200,000 households will be able to get cheap loans of up to $10,000 from a Labor Government to install solar panels, water tanks and other 'green' climate friendly devices."
Americas:
Peru's congress has overwhelmingly approved legislation that grants President Alan Garcia "emergency powers" to deal with "drug trafficking and organised crime". Before the vote, 20 congress members walked out in protest.
Al Gore criticized the Conservative government's environmental plan as "a complete and total fraud... designed to mislead the Canadian people."
Africa:
By the numbers:
As always, treat this as an open thread.