Topic: Political Scandals

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Briefing
Five things to know about Freedom House's latest global rankings

A look at the 2012 Freedom House ranking of 197 countries according to their relative freedom.
'Game Change': 5 revelations from the book

As the bestselling book 'Game Change' becomes an HBO movie, here are the 5 most interesting stories from the book.
Women's history month: 10 women making history today

March is known as Women's History month, meant to recognize the contributions and progress of women across history and around the world. Women today are playing some significant roles, from making peace to crafting economic policy in the midst of a crisis. Here are 10 women who are making history, today.
Newt Gingrich ethics investigation: 4 facts you haven't heard from him

Recently on the campaign trail, Newt Gingrich has made a number of forceful claims about the 1997 "reprimand" he received from the House Ethics Committee and challenged anyone to "go read the 1,300 pages” of the report. We did. Here’s what we found:
Egyptian revolution anniversary: 4 activists explain the work left

On the anniversary of the Egyptian uprising that swept former President Hosni Mubarak from power, many of those who protested are not celebrating. Four activists tell the Monitor why.

All Content

John Edwards trial: Day 7 for jury deliberations (+video)

The eight men and four women are expected to go back to work Tuesday as they consider campaign finance charges against the former presidential candidate.
Sixth day of deliberations in John Edwards begin

Prosecutors say Edwards used nearly $1 million from donors in a plan to hide his pregnant mistress as he sought the White House in 2008.
Secret Service chief denies 'culture' of impropriety

Secret Service Director Mark Sullivan said the scandal involving agents and prostitutes in Colombia was not part of a 'systemic issue.' But Sen. Susan Collins said it 'was almost certainly not an isolated incident.'
No verdict yet in Edwards trial

Jurors will begin a third day of deliberation on Tuesday as they decide whether or not John Edwards committed campaign finance violations by funneling money to his mistress.
John Edwards trial jury deliberations continue Monday

The jury of eight men and four women will resume their deliberations in the campaign finance case against the former Democratic presidential contender.
John Edwards trial: Prosecution, defense deliver closing arguments

Jurors are now deliberating to decide whether or not Edwards is guilty of diverting campaign funds to his mistress.
John Edwards trial: What will verdict mean for campaign finance? (+video)

Closing arguments in the John Edwards trial are set to begin Thursday. But the political significance of the trial in defining the limits of campaign finance has been greatly dampened.
Edwards doesn't testify in campaign finance trial

The former senator's defense rested without putting on John Edwards, accused of illegally funneling money to his mistress.
John Edwards trial: Defense rests without calling former senator or mistress

Defense lawyers concentrated on whether former US Senator John Edwards broke federal campaign finance laws.
Latin America Monitor
Slain American's legacy continues in Nicaragua

Ben Linder, the only US citizen killed by US-backed contras during Nicaragua’s war in the 1980s, continues to inspire a new generation of foreign activists working with the country's poor.
North Carolina ready for constitutional ban on gay marriages, says poll

North Carolina will vote Tuesday on a constitutional amendment to ban same-sex marriages and civil unions. One North Carolina poll shows only 38 percent oppose the ban.
Edwards trial: Interior designer testifies about money funneling scheme

Bryan Huffman described receiving checks in excess of federal contribution limits and then passing them on to the campaign.
Briefing
Five things to know about Freedom House's latest global rankings

A look at the 2012 Freedom House ranking of 197 countries according to their relative freedom.
Edwards trial: Aide's wife breaks down on stand

Cheri Young began to cry when asked why she went along with the cover-up of Edwards' affair.
White House Correspondents Dinner: Obama mocks Romney, Secret Service, himself

Everyone is fair game for humorous jibes at the annual White House Correspondents Dinner. Saturday night was no exception as President Obama and MC Jimmy Kimmel made fun of the political class.
Edwards trial: aide spent hush money on himself

Andrew Young admitted under cross-examination that he spent much of the million dollars in campaign funds diverted to John Edwards' mistress to build himself a new house.
Edwards aide testifies boss seemed nervous, erratic

Andrew Young continued his testimony Wednesday, saying he was shocked when the candidate denied knowing about the payoffs at the center of the trial.
Aide: Edwards doubted he was father of mistress's child

Andrew Young testified that former Senator John Edwards initially disbelieved he was the father of his mistress' child.
Decoder Wire
John Edwards's trial: a cad, or a cad and a felon?

John Edwards' trial turns on whether $1 million from heiress Bunny Mellon and another donor was a bid to influence an election – hence an illegal campaign contribution – or merely an effort to cover up an extramarital affair.
John Edwards on trial over $1 million used to support mistress (+video)

John Edwards faces six criminal counts over the use of $1 million. John Edwards says the donations were gifts. Prosecutors say they were campaign donations.
Key congressman, Peter King, defends head of Secret Service

Congressman Peter King says this is no time to oust the agency director, based on what is known so far about the recall of 11 agents from Colombia.
Trayvon Martin case: George Zimmerman in bandages, say neighbors

Trayvon Martin case: Neighbors saw bandages on George Zimmerman's nose and head the day after Trayvon Martin was killed.
George Zimmerman saga's bizarre twist: lawyers have 'lost contact' with him

The lawyers for George Zimmerman hastily announced that they are not representing him, and that he is no longer in contact with him – though he has apparently called Fox News.
No grand jury: What does that mean for George Zimmerman? (+video)

Special prosecutor Angela Corey will not convene a grand jury in the Trayvon Martin case, she announced Monday. So far, George Zimmerman hasn't been charged with any crime.
Putin's Russia: What I saw as an election observer

A volunteer election observer for Russia's presidential election, which Putin won, shares her insights on ballot-stuffing, absentee ballots, and civic-minded citizens.