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Hello, welcome to Podcast Free Earth. My name is Eric D'Entremont, reporting today from Munich Germany. This week's news summary includes a new EU treaty, Putin's choosen successor, a new president in Argentina, an admission by the Somali government, and a vote on abolishing the death penalty in New Jersey.
EU Leaders Sign Lisbon Treaty
The leaders of the European Union's 27 member states signed the so-called Lisbon Treaty in the Portuguese capital on Thursday. The treaty is meant to be a replacement for the 2005 European constitution, which was rejected 1 by voters in France and Holland. The treaty keeps many of the ideas put forth in the 2005 document, such as a movement toward a common foreign policy, an increase in EU decisions requiring a majority rather than a unanimous vote, and the replacement of a rotating six month presidency with an elected 2.5 year post. Before the treaty can come into effect, all 27 countries must ratify it. Ireland is the only country planning to hold a public referendum.
Putin Picks Successor
Although the next Russian presidential election is not until March, current president Vladamir Putin has already selected his preferred successor: the first deputy prime minister Dmitry Medvedev. Medvedev is considered to be loyal to Putin. He worked under the president, when Putin was mayor of St. Petersburg in the 90s, and during Putin's presidency he has served as chairman of Gasprom, the giant Russian gas company, as Putin's chief of staff and as deputy prime minister. A day after Putin's announcement, Medvedev called on Putin to become Russia's prime minister after he steps down as president. Observers speculate that if Putin became prime minister, he could retain much of his current power. 2
Kirchner Becomes Argentina's First Female President
Argentina has a new president, though one would not know by looking at her name. Christina Fernandez de Kirchner became president on Sunday, taking the post her husband Nestor Kirchner has held since 2003. Ms. Fernandez was elected last month, riding a wave of popularity generated by a period of strong economic growth under her husband. Upon taking office she promised to work on issues such as inflation,corruption, and foreign affairs.
Somali Government Admits Weakness
The Somali government has announced that they do not control 80% of the country, and the Islamists who do, are regrouping and planning 3 a large attack. The current government has been in power since the Ethiopian military helped them take the capital and parts of southern Somalia six months ago. In that time, Mogadishu has suffered violent clashes between the Islamists and the coalition of Ethiopian and government forces. On Thursday, a mortar shell, reportedly fired by the Ethiopians, fell on a crowed market killing at least 17 people. Ethiopia denies firing the mortar, and in contrast to the Somali government, claims that the Islamic insurgents are getting weaker.
New Jersey Assembly Votes to Abolish Death Penalty
The State Legislature in the American state of New Jersey voted on Friday in favor of a bill that would abolish the death penalty. It now needs only to be signed by Governor John Corzine for it to become law, and he has promised to do that as early as next Monday. The bill would make New Jersey the 14th state that does not use the practice, though a few states where it is still legal have a moratorium against it. Supporters of the bill claim that the practice does not deter murder, can lead to an innocent person being killed, and because of the expensive appeal process costs more than sentencing someone to life in prison. Currently, executions in the United States have been delayed awaiting a decision from the Supreme Court on whether an execution by lethal injection is 'cruel and unusual punishment,' and therefore unconstitutional.
