Attorney Susan Burke, lead attorney for four former Abu Ghraib detainees, poses with details of a complaint, Monday, June 30, 2008 in Boston. Three Iraqis and a Jordanian filed federal lawsuits Monday alleging they were tortured by U.S. defense contractors while detained at the Abu Ghraib prison in Iraq in 2003 and 2004. (AP Photo/Lisa Poole)

HAGERSTOWN, Md. (AP) — Three Iraqis and a Jordanian filed federal lawsuits Monday alleging they were tortured by U.S. defense contractors while detained at the Abu Ghraib prison in Iraq in 2003 and 2004.more

Barack Obama speaks at the Truman Memorial Building in Independence, Missouri, 30 Jun 2008

Democratic U.S. presidential candidate Barack Obama is defending himself against questions about his patriotism, and vows to never use the issue against his opponents.

Senator Obama said Monday during an address in Independence, Missouri that he has always had a deep and abiding love for the United States.  

Obama said he will never question the patriotism of others in the campaign and will not stand idly by when others question his own.more

French demonstrators today’s cherish the spirit of 1968

The unrest that shook France in 1968 was both spectacular and short-lived.

For a few heady weeks cobblestones flew, a workers’ strike paralysed the country, General de Gaulle’s government tottered - until its authority was restored by a snap election on 30 June.

The voters had clearly had enough agitation. The conservative majority was increased, the revolution was postponed, and everyone headed for the sun.

But although the radical flame rapidly burnt itself out - its memory is very much alive.more

[Editor’s note: In the weeks leading into national polls, VOA Khmer will explore a wide number of election issues. The "Election Issues 2008" series will air stories on Tuesday and Wednesday, followed by a related "Hello VOA" guest on Thursday. This is the second in a two-part series examining the state of Cambodian health care.]

Parties hope the poor healthcare system, especially in rural areas, will take votes away from the ruling party.

As the country heads into a campaign period, competing parties have found an easy target as they search for failings in the current administration: a weak healthcare system they call unethical and corrupt.

Government health officials say they are improving the ethics and practices of the nation’s doctors step by step, but competing parties are using the rural hospitals, which are often rundown, and underpaid doctors, to build campaign platforms against the ruling party.more…

When Unesco’s World Heritage committee meets in Canada next month, they will review an application for Preah Vihear temple that was the product of years of work and a delicate agreement between two neighbors.

The World Heritage application took seven years to complete, officials told reporters on Friday, and there is no clear sign it will be accepted at a meeting in Quebec from July 2 to July 12. Meanwhile, the two governments have reached a detante over the application, even if not all their citizens have.more…

The National Assembly is not likely to meet in an emergency session following a request issued by Phnom Penh Municipal Court that opposition leader Sam Rainsy have his parliamentary immunity suspended, a lawmaker said Wednesday.

The National Assembly also has not yet received the request, said Nguon Nhel, first vice president of the parliamentary body.

The Sam Rainsy Party late Tuesday issued a copy of a letter from Phnom Penh Municipal Court deputy prosecutor E Chheng Huot, addressed to National Assembly President Heng Samrin through Justice Minister Ang Vong Vattana.more….

Prime Minister Hun Sen, a candidate for Kandal province, joined Cambodian People’s Party rallies in Phnom Penh Thursday.

Five major parties undertook noisy, elaborate campaigning in Phnom Penh Thursday, sweeping supporters through the capital’s thoroughfares and side streets to the banging of drums, shouting of supporters and blasting of songs, new and old.

Party supporters followed their leaders, bedecked in new T-shirts and ball caps bearing party logos, and adorned with face stickers of party symbols or, simply, the numbered slot each party holds on the ballot.

Police sedans, sirens silent, headlights flashing, led the convoys, along with National Election Committee vehicles, keeping the streets relatively snarl free and preventing clashes between opposing supporters.more…