International News Update - March 21, 2010

China- Google stops censoring, risking conflict with government

• The move allows Chinese citizens to access uncensored search from Hong Kong based server.
• Conflict began when Google was victim of cyber-attack from within China
• Chinese officials counter with claims Google has links to US government.
• Google still remains #2 search engine behind domestic Baidu

Sudan- President threatens to kick out international monitors in upcoming election

• Recent suggestion by monitoring group to delay elections
• Carter Center, only legitimate monitoring group, said infrastructure is not adequately prepared for elections in one month.
• President al-Bashir intends to “cut off their fingers and crush them under our shoes” if monitoring groups attempt to interfere.

France- Sarkozy reshuffles cabinet after mid-term hit on party

• President Nikolas Sarkozy replaced his Labour Minister and Budget Ministers
• Decision following mid-term landslide wins in all but one region for Socialist opposition party.
• Serious implications for Sarkozy’s center-right UMP party and his presidential run in 2012.
• Regional president elections limited to certain voters, often making it a protest vote against incumbent.

United States- Hard tone continutes towards Israel, but crisis averted

• Sec. of State Hilary Clinton spoke at pro-Israel lobbying group, AIPAC.
• Made strong statements against Israel’s decision to move forward on housing projects in contested Jerusalem.
• Still maintained strong anti-Iranian tone, but strictness is unprecedented in recent years.
• Israel PM Netanyahu refuses to halt construction, though willing to negotiate “trust building measures” to return to diplomatic discussions.

United States- Health care reform bill passes, establishing universal health care

• Congress successfully passes a health care reform bill spearheaded by President Obama.
• The bill requires all citizens to have health care or pay a fine.
• If one cannot afford insurance, Medicare and other government subsidies will be established to provide insurance.
• Conservatives overwhelmingly rejected the bill, but a filibuster-proof majority in the House allowed for its passage. Some opponents describe the move as new socialism.