Democracy Now: Egyptians Vote in 2nd Day of Presidential Election

Voters are heading to the polls for the second day in Egypt’s first competitive presidential election following the ouster of Hosni Mubarak 15 months ago. The first day of voting saw numerous reports of minor violations, but was largely hailed as free of fraud and violence. Ahmed Shafik, Mubarak’s last prime minister and now a leading candidate, was swarmed by protesters outside his polling station who hurled shoes and debris at him.

Democracy Now: EU Summit Split on Bonds, Shared Debt

European leaders have wrapped up a regional summit in Brussels without agreement on a response to the sovereign debt crisis that threatens to tear apart the Euro Zone. A dispute has opened up between German Chancellor Angela Merkel and newly inaugurated French President François Gérard Hollande over Hollande’s call for eurobonds to help member states with crushing debt. Ahead of the upcoming Greek elections, the President of the European Council, Herman Van Rompuy, said the EU expects Greece to adopt the austerity measures required for loans.

Herman Van Rompuy: “We will ensure that European structural funds and instruments are mobilized to bring Greece on a path towards growth and job creation. Continuing the vital reforms to restore debt sustainability, foster private investment and reinforce its institutions is the best guarantee for a more prosperous future in the euro area. We expect that after the elections the new Greek government will make that choice.”

Democracy Now: Suspect Arrested in Mexico for Murder of U.S. Journalist Brad Will

In Mexico, an arrest has been made in the 2006 killing of independent U.S. journalist Brad Will. The 36-year-old Will was shot and killed while covering the popular uprising against then-Oaxaca Gov. Ulises Ruiz. Will’s own camera captured the shooting, with armed men firing into the crowd from a distance. On Wednesday, Oaxaca attorney General Manuel de Jesus Lopez said the findings of a human rights group had helped resolve the case.

Manuel de Jesus Lopez: “We followed a line of investigation which hadn’t previously been explored. A hypothesis that had been provided by the CNDH (National Commission for Human Rights) at the time, and, as has been explained, when that line of investigation was followed, we arrived at the same hypothesis. But it was also strengthened throughout the course of the investigation with the testimony of eyewitnesses.”

The suspect has been identified as Lenin Osorio. Oaxacan prosecutors had previously charged a Mexican activist for the killing, but Will’s own family had been among those to call for the activist’s release. Jose Luis Garcia of the Oaxaca teacher’s union called the arrest a vindication for the group.

Jose Luis Garcia: “Once again, we have to say that this is a victory for the teachers, in that today they have in custody the man believed to be responsible for the murder of American Brad Will which took place in 2006. The teacher’s union repeatedly said that our companion Juan Manuel Martinez Moreno was innocent.”

Will’s supporters have long believed pro-government paramilitaries were responsible for his killing, saying images captured at the scene show government and police officials shooting directly at demonstrators.

Democracy Now: Pakistan Faces U.S. Warning for Sentencing of Doctor Who Aided CIA

Two top lawmakers have warned Pakistan over the sentencing of a doctor who ran a fake vaccination campaign to help the CIA locate Osama bin Laden. The doctor, Shakil Afridi, was sentenced to 30 years in prison this week for setting up the vaccination effort in an attempt to get DNA from the bin Laden family. In a statement, Senators John McCain of Arizona and Carl Levin of Michigan, the ranking members of the Senate Armed Services Committee, said Afridi’s imprisonment could “diminish Congress’s willingness to provide financial assistance to Pakistan.” At the State Department spokesperson Victoria Nuland was questioned on the Obama administration’s handling of Afridi’s case.

Reporter: “Since he was helping the U.S. on various matters in the CIA, how come you left him to die or to be in prisons to sentenced by the Pakistanis on treason on other charges? How come you didn’t give him some kind of protection or—, or just like the Chinese Chen, Mr. Chen, just like him, to bring him somewhere, give him some safe haven rather than leaving him behind?”

Victoria Nuland: “I think we’ve said that we don’t see any basis for what’s happened here. And so you know, we will continue to make those representations to the government of Pakistan.”

Democracy Now: Obama Hails “New Era of American Leadership” in Speech to Air Force Grads

President Obama delivered a commencement address to graduating Air Force cadets in Colorado on Wednesday by touting his administration’s policy and declaring “a new era of American leadership.” In his remarks, Obama said he had shored up so-called U.S. exceptionalism by winding down the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

President Obama: “We can say with confidence and pride the United States is stronger and safer and more respected in the world, because even as we’ve done the work of ending these wars, we’ve laid the foundation for a new era of American leadership. And now, cadets, we have to build it. We have to build on it. You have to build on it.”

Democracy Now: Poll: U.S. Support for Same-Sex Marriage at All-Time High

A new poll shows U.S. support for same-sex marriage is at an all-time high. According to the Washington Post and ABC News, 53 percent of Americans say gay marriage should be legal while a record-low 36 percent say it should not be allowed. The findings come shortly after President Obama declared his support for same-sex marriage earlier this month.

Democracy Now: Protest Planned After N.C. Pastor Calls for LGBTQ Concentration Camp

A protest is being organized outside a North Carolina church this Sunday after the church’s pastor called for placing gays and lesbians inside a concentration camp. The Reverend Charles Worley made the remarks in a Mother’s Day Address to the Providence Road Baptist Church.

Rev. Charles Worley: “I figured a way out, a way to get rid of all the lesbians and queers but I couldn’t get it past the Congress: Build a great big large fence, 50 or a hundred miles long. Put all the lesbians in there, fly over and drop some food. Do the same thing with the queers and the homosexuals. And have that fence electrified till they can’t get out. Feed ’em. And you know what? In a few years they will die out. You know why? They can’t reproduce.”

Worley’s sermon was delivered just days after North Carolina voters passed a gay marriage ban. A group calling itself Catawba Valley Citizens Against Hate says it will picket Worley’s church on Sunday.