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> Thu., Oct. 28, 2004
FSRN
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Today's lead stories:
Iraqi Resistance Growing
RNC Under Pressure to Stop Intimidation Tactics
Palestinans React to Israeli Vote to End Gaza Settlements
Global Interest in US Elections: Ghana, West Africa
Election Special: Behind CA’s Prop 66
Ethanol Fuel a Gift to Win Votes in Swing States?
FSRN Headlines
DOD Ordered to Stop Anthrax Vaccine
The Department of Defense must immediately stop involuntarily
administering the anthrax vaccine, according to a judge’s
ruling. Heather Buckheim reports from D.C.
Non-Lethal Crowd Control Kills
The Seattle Police Department announced they will stop using
a particular piece of equipment referred to as non-lethal
crowd control while investigations are pending into the death
of a Boston Red Sox fan. According to a report released yesterday
the officers in Boston who used the pepper pellet guns, killing
one woman, were untrained in its proper usage. Chuck Rosina
reports from Boston.
SOA Grad Killed in Colombia
Colombian troops have killed a former US-trained Colombian
army officer who had become a leader in the country's largest
paramilitary group. From the Latin America News Service, Joe
Gardner Wessely has more.
EU Rejects Controversial Minister
The European Union has decidedly rejected a potential new
cabinet that included an outspoken critic of gay and lesbian
rights and single motherhood. Diletta Varlesce has more from
Naples.
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Iraqi Resistance Growing - 0:23
Iraqi Prime Minister Ayad Allawi said today that Iraq can
expect many more attacks before the January elections. His
comments came as more then 90 suicide bombs have targeted
foreigners and Iraqis seen to be collaborating with the US
over the last four months. A new armed-group has announced
via the internet that they will behead the Japanese hostage
in 48 hours if Japanese forces did not pullout from Iraq.
Japan’s prime minister says he will not withdraw his
troops. And today a new report of the kidnapping of a Polish
worker with a demand that Poland withdraw troops. Meanwhile,
in what is seen as the second step in the plan to attack Fallujah,
American troops have raided the neighboring city Al-Romadi.
Troops have forcibly entered houses saying they are searching
for weapons. According to witnesses, the US bombed one house
when they found explosive materials in it. The owner and his
three sons were detained. There are also reports that yesterday
in an aerial bombing of Fallujah, three civilians were killed.
FSRN’s Salam Talib reports from Baghdad.
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RNC Under Pressure to Stop Intimidation Tactics
- 3:38
Today in Washington advocates from civil right organizations
gathered outside of the Republican National Committee headquarters
to demand the end of minority voter disenfranchisement and
intimidation by the RNC. Dolores M. Bernal has more on this
story.
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Palestinans React to Israeli Vote to End Gaza Settlements
- 4:16
A team of Jordanian doctors, headed by Yasser Arafat's personal
physician are poised to transfer the Palestinian leader to
a Paris hospital. Late yesterday concern grew for Arafat as
he was having difficulty holding down food. He is said to
be very weak. This morning his aides said that Chairman Arafat
did not lose consciousness earlier today, but acknowledged
that his health has deteriorated suddenly. Israel has promised
to assist Yasser Arafat's departure from the West Bank for
treatment, but has given no undertaking he can return. Meanwhile,
outrage continues to grow in Israel’s settler strongholds
after the Israeli parliament voted for a pullout from the
Gaza Strip of all Israeli settlers. FSRN’s Awad Duabes
brings us the Palestinian reaction from Ramallah.
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Global Interest in US Elections: Ghana, West Africa
- 3:05
With US presidential elections now days away, there is considerable
global interest in the outcome. Especially so in Africa, where
there's hope that the US will take the lead in opening up
western markets to African goods, and further support the
continent's development. Rupert Cook reports from the West
African nation of Ghana.
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Election Special: Behind CA’s Prop 66
- 3:30
Next months general election, will have voters in California
choosing the fates of 16 ballot measures, on issues like Stem
Cell research, emergency medical funds, mental health care,
and open primaries. One of the closely watched initiatives
on the California ballot is Proposition 66, which would reform
the infamous Three Strikes, You're Out law, the toughest in
the US. Current law requires sentences to be doubled for any
felony, if the offender had one prior serious or violent felony
conviction, or a 25-year-to-life sentence for any felon with
two prior serious or violent felony convictions. This situation
has led to a bloated prison population, with around 42,300
people serving a doubled sentence or 25-years-to-life. If
passed, Proposition 66 would require the state to re-sentence
inmates whose third strike felony was nonviolent. In addition,
prison sentences for specified sex offenses against children
would be strengthened. FSRN's Vinny Lombardo examines the
rhetoric and reality of Proposition 66.
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Ethanol Fuel a Gift to Win Votes in Swing States?
- 3:56
While discussions of the country's increasing dependence
on foreign fuel sources continues to dominate this year's
election season, one alternative source got a big boost earlier
this month. The grain-based fuel Ethanol has become a renewable
resource with a reputation for rural economic development,
particularly in the Midwest. As part of a major tax bill passed
the second week of October, the US Senate included provisions
that will boost the ethanol industry in Minnesota. While many
environmentalists and farmers have lauded the move, others
have decried it as a politicized gift to swing states. From
Minneapolis, Carey Biron and Kristin Lerstrom file this report.
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