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> Thur., May 13, 2004
FSRN
FREE SPEECH RADIO NEWS
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Today's lead stories:
India’s Hindu Right Lose Election
Section 8 Housing to be Cut - War Funding Increases
More Iraqis Speak Out About Abuse
As Brown Anniversary Approaches, Schools Still Unequal
Libya Sentences Bulgarian Nurses to Death by Firing Squad
Mumia Abu Jamal Commentary: Of Secret Trials in a Democracy
FSRN Headlines
Illegal Strip Searches in NY
New York City’s Civilian Complaint Review Board, the
independent agency that investigates accusations of police
abuse, has uncovered evidence pointing to the inappropriate
usage of strip searches. Gail Walker has more from New York.
'Power' Being Delegated to Iraqis
The Wall Street Journal reports today that the Bush administration
has already installed a portion of the shadow government of
Iraq for the next five years. The licensing of television
stations, sanctioning of newspapers, and the
regulation of cell phone companies has been transferred to
one authority. Newly appointed commissions will also take
over the training and organizing of the new Iraqi army and
paramilitary forces. Others will run criminal investigations,
subpoena citizens and award contracts. According to the Journal
report, the new Iraqi government scheduled to take control
of their country on June 30th, will be unable to make major
decisions without specific and direct approval from the U.S.
government.
Mexican Troops to Iraq - If UN Says
The Mexican Foreign Secretary has admitted Mexico might send
soldiers to Iraq, when and if the United Nations is ever in
charge. Vladamir Flores reports from Mexico City.
Sri Lankan Peace Process Moves Forward
Sri Lankan peace efforts have taken another step forward today.
Ponniah Manikavasagam reports from Vavuniyah.
Prices Rise- So Does Unemployment
Key Financial Indicators are up for the average U.S. resident:
prices and the number of people without jobs. Bush administration
officials state first time unemployment claims dropped to
a 3 and a half-year low, or since Bush came into office, and
are declaring a “rosier job market.” However,
people who need unemployment benefits beyond the first week
rose to nearly 3-million. Meanwhile, the administration is
unable to curb rising prices of the most basics items like
food and gasoline. Dairy products alone shot up more than
10-percent. Federal Reserve chair Alan Greenspan, seeing the
writing on the wall, warns he may have to raise interest rates
for big dollar lenders hoping to slow down inflation. Bush
family allies in Saudi Arabia, responding to requests from
the White House say they will increase oil production eager
to stop the skyrocketing price of crude. Commodities brokers
and other analysts say the supply of oil is not responsible
for increasing prices and are unsure prices will come down
even if Saudi Arabia increases production.
[top]
India’s Hindu Right Lose Election
(2:35)
After five years of marching India to what many describe
as a an extreme right-wing position, today Indian Prime Minister
Atal Bihari Vajpayee resigned after his ruling coalition suffered
a resounding defeat in parliamentary elections. The Indian
National Congress, led by Sonia Gandhi, the Italian-born widow
of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi, emerged as the single
largest party in the poll results announced today. Left parties
have also gained significantly in this dramatic turn around
in Indian electoral politics. From New Delhi, our correspondent,
Vinod K. Jose has the details.
[top]
Section 8 Housing to be Cut - War Funding Increases
(4:26)
President Bush has officially come forward with his 25 billion
dollar supplemental request to help fund the war in Iraq until
the end of the year. Coupled with next year's defense budget
proposal and another expected war supplemental request at
the beginning of 2005, the military's entire budget could
be more than 500 billion dollars for 2005, nearly a quarter
of all government spending. Meantime, domestic programs such
as Section 8 Housing and veterans health care programs are
facing substantial shortfalls. Mitch Jeserich reports.
[top]
More Iraqis Speak Out About Abuse (4:03)
While pictures of the torture of Iraqi prisoners continue
to make news in the US, social taboos are being shattered
as more Iraqis speak out about being abused while detained
by US soldiers. And the torture sometimes has long-term effects.
David Enders has this report from Baghdad.
[top]
As Brown Anniversary Approaches, Schools Still Unequal
(3:06)
As the country prepares to celebrate the fiftieth anniversary
of Brown versus the Board of Education next week, a report
released today says millions of low income students and children
of color are still concentrated in unequal schools. Ingrid
Drake from Washington, DC has this report.
[top]
Libya Sentences Bulgarian Nurses to Death by Firing
Squad (3:00)
Libya has sentenced 5 Bulgarian nurses and a Palestinian
doctor to death by firing squad for deliberately infecting
some 400 children with HIV. Bulgaria’s government condemned
the verdict as “absurd and unfair”, the EU and
the UN have also voiced their concern. According to some analysts,
the prosecutions arose because the authorities needed someone
to blame for the tragedy that has caused outrage in Libya.
Others speculate that colonel Muammar Gaddafi, who is currently
moving to improve his country’s international standing
could pardon the nurses to win political credit and mend ties
with the West. But, as Danuta Szafraniec reports from Warsaw,
this may not be a simple test case to show Libya’s improved
human rights record, because many Libyans feel Gaddafi’s
chances for regaining political credibility are still slim.
[top]
Mumia Abu Jamal Commentary: Of Secret Trials in a
Democracy (3:06)
[top]
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