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> Tue., Feb. 15, 2005
FSRN
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Today's lead stories:
Arms Control Advocates Warn About Mini Nukes
Rural American Preservation Act
New Concerns Over Immigration Bill
Canadians Criticize US Patriot Act
Massive Student Protests in France
Rally Against UC Budget Practices
FSRN Headlines
Activists Get New Trial in McDonald's Libel Suit
The European Court of Human Rights ruled today that two activists
found guilty of libeling McDonald's had an unfair trial. Naomi
Fowler reports from London.
US Sends UN to Sudan, Justice to Tanzania
The United States has issued a draft resolution in the United
Nations Security Council to send “peacekeeping”
troops to Sudan, but recommends redirecting justice for war
criminals away from the International Criminal Court. Haider
Rizvi has more from the U.N.
Lula and Chavez Sign Pact
The leftist leaders of Brazil and Venezuela established a
26 point treaty that covers defense and energy. Greg Wilpert
has more from Caracas.
Bush to Push Environmental Law
George W. Bush is getting ready to push his Clear Skies amendment
in an attempt to water down the Clean Air Act. Stephanie Edgerly
reports from D.C.
Son of Star Wars Fails Another Test
Another test for the coveted missile defense system failed
yesterday. It is the second test within a month and the third
in a row to fail. The missile defense program, ignited by
the Regan administration and nicknamed Star Wars, is a key
multi-billion dollar program in George W. Bush’s plan
to keep the United States safe from what he calls “rogue
nations.” Each test costs an estimated 85-million dollars.
To date, it is the nation’s single largest defense research
and development project. White House officials are seeking
8 point 8 billion dollars for the program in 2006 because
Bush wants to make the program operational immediately.
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Arms Control Advocates Warn About Mini Nukes
(3:27)
The Bush administration has returned this year with another
budget request to study the capabilities of low yield nuclear
weapons, also known as mini nukes. Last year Congress eliminated
such funding, but some Congressional Republicans say such
research is needed as other countries are allegedly building
their own nuclear arsenals. However, as Mitch Jeserich reports,
arms control advocates say that further development of nuclear
weapons only galvanizes other countries to do the same.
[top]
Rural American Preservation Act (1:54)
Meanwhile, in the US Senate, small farmers may be one of
the few groups in the country who could stand to gain from
the fiscal budget. A bi-partisan bill called the Rural America
Preservation Act seeks to end corporate farmers from monopolizing
federal subsidies. From the DC Radio Co-op, Selina Musuta
explains.
[top]
New Concerns Over Immigration Bill (3:58)
The controversial HR 418 immigration bill passed last week
by the House of Representatives not only affects asylum seekers
and restricts access to drivers licenses, but also contains
some far-reaching consequences for the U.S./Mexico border
region. From Mexico, FSRN's Shannon Young explains why.
[top]
Canadians Criticize US Patriot Act (3:59)
During Alberto Gonzales' official swearing in as United
States Attorney General last night, President Bush heralded
the USA Patriot Act as a key tool in the fight against terrorism.
Bush's statement comes as grassroots groups are mobilizing
with national organizations and bi-partisan politicians to
overturn some of the Act's more controversial provisions when
Congress votes on whether to renew it later this year. In
Canada, groups are also mobilizing to protect themselves from
the reach of the USA Patriot Act, as Ingrid Drake reports
from the DC Radio Co-op.
[top]
Massive Student Protests in France (3:26)
Over 50,000 students and teachers demonstrated in Paris
today, as parliamentarians discussed changes to the country's
education system. Last Thursday, after massive nationwide
protests, the government was forced to amend its own draft
of the education reform bill, claiming to drop the most controversial
proposals- including changing the 200-year old graduation
exam, which opponents say would create a two-tier system.
Today thousands of students took to France's streets, including
14,000 protesters in Bordeaux as well as 5,000 in the French
Indian Ocean island of Reunion- calling for Education Minister
Francois Fillon to resign As FSRN correspondent Tony Cross
in Paris reports, demonstrators want Fillon's entire plan
cut.
[top]
Rally Against UC Budget Practices (2:58)
Several hundred people gathered yesterday outside the office
of Denice Denton, on Day One of her new job as Chancellor
at the University of California Santa Cruz. The Student and
Worker Coalition for Justice, an ad-hoc group on campus, organized
the rally to highlight what they say are misguided budget
priorities and hiring practices throughout the UC system.
FSRN's Vinny Lombardo reports.
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