Home > Programs
> FSRN
> Wed., May. 4, 2005
FSRN
FREE SPEECH RADIO NEWS
Thanks to FSRN.org
for making the daily programs available to Pacifica.org
Today's lead stories:
Capitol Hill Lobbyist Illegally Paid for Trips Made by Politicians
Making Marijuana a Key Policy Concern
French Citizens Still Divided on EU Referendum
Community Campaigners Attend Gold Mine Company's Share Holder's
Meeting
Telephone Obstacles Facing Families in Divided Kashmir
Corruption at Nuclear Power Plant in the Philippines
FSRN Headlines
Suicide Bombing in Northern Iraq
A suicide bomber hit a police station in the Kurdish city
of Irbil in northern Iraq. It is the largest explosion in
the normally peaceful town in over a year. 50 people were
killed and 150 wounded in the blast. Political analysts say
the planned attack is an attempt to intimidate Kurds. The
Kurds have enjoyed a well-established government in the north
since more than a decade ago the U.S. instituted the no-fly
zone in Iraq. Kurds from the north have been fighting along
side U.S. troops during the occupation and gained more political
power in the new, intermingled Iraqi government. Now, Kurds
are looking to increase their power further by pushing Arabs
out of the ethnically mixed, oil-rich city of Kirkuk.
Oil Spill in Mexico
Mexicans are cleaning up another oil spill accident as President
Vicente Fox seals a deal with Bolivia for natural gas. Latin
American correspondent Shannon Young has more.
Cuban Terrorist Extradited from US to Venezuela
The Venezuelan Supreme Court says the government may seek
extradition of a man the Cuban government considers a terrorist
and the US may be harboring. Greg Wilpert reports from Venezuela.
Journalist Shot in Philippines
Another journalist was ambushed in the Philippines on World
Press Freedom Day. Girlie Linao has more from Manila.
Drug Companies Cut Studies
Pharmaceutical companies are performing fewer scientific studies
before releasing drugs to consumers and there are fewer investigators,
according to a new report. The report performed by researchers
at the Tufts Center for the Study of Drug Development is based
on data from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Industry
sponsored clinical trials rose during the 1990’s but
dropped off significantly after the year 2001. According to
the study’s author, Kenneth Getz, the decrease in scientific
studies performed is due to cancellations of the final phases
of drug trials. He also found that the numbers of women investigators
is dropping significantly and the numbers of trials taking
place overseas is rising considerably.
[top]
Capitol Hill Lobbyist Illegally Paid for Trips Made
by Politicians (4:08)
Newly disclosed documents indicate that a top Capitol Hill
lobbyist illegally paid for trips made by Republican House
leader Tom Delay as well as other lawmakers including Democrats.
This as the relatively new Congressional year has already
seen major legislative victories for the most powerful lobbying
groups on Capitol Hill. Mitch Jeserich reports.
[top]
Making Marijuana a Key Policy Concern (2:21)
A new study, as well as a bill introduced in Congress has
led to a renewed interest on the status of marijuana. In the
midst of changing public perception of the drug, contrasted
with law enforcement crackdown on its use, some want to make
marijuana a key policy concern. Jenny Johnson reports.
[top]
French Citizens Still Divided on EU Referendum (3:50)
French President Jacques Chirac said it would be impossible
to re-negotiate the European Union's Constitution if voters
in his country say "No" to the proposal in a May
29 referendum. A new opinion poll puts support for the constitution
at 53%, that's a 1% rise on another poll published last Saturday.
France, along with the 24 other EU member countries, must
approve the constitution through a popular or parliamentarian
vote- if not, the EU Constitution becomes invalid. Raphaël
Krafft reports from Paris
[top]
Community Campaigners Attend Gold Mine Company's
Share Holder's Meeting (3:51)
The Newmont Mining Corporation is the world's largest gold
producer, with international operations including Indonesia,
Ghana, Peru and Romania. They have been accused of causing
environmental and social damage. Community campaigners from
around the world came to Newmont's share holders meeting in
Denver Colorado recently, to address these issues. Maeve Conran
reports.
[top]
Telephone Obstacles Facing Families in Divided Kashmir
(2:01)
Although bus service was resumed last month between the
Indian and Pakistan- administered parts of Kashmir last month,
telephone restrictions continue to limit communication for
divided families in the region. It is currently impossible
for residents from Indian or Pakistan-administered Kashmir
to simply pick up the phone and call someone on the other
side. Shanawaz Khan has more.
[top]
Corruption at Nuclear Power Plant in the Philippines
(4:06)
Since the mid-1980s, the Philippines has been paying hundreds
of thousands of dollars a day for a nuclear power plant that
has never produced any electricity. Critics have long contended
that the project was corrupt from the start and that international
funders should be brought up on charges of fraud. Philippine
Supreme Court Associate Justice Reynato Puno recently reiterated
a long-standing plea to stop payments for the nuclear power
plant. From Manila, FSRN's Carey Biron reports.
[top]
|
Listen
to the show 
Help
stream
download
