Home > Programs
> FSRN
> Wed., Aug. 31, 2005
FSRN
FREE SPEECH RADIO NEWS
Thanks to FSRN.org
for making the daily programs available to Pacifica.org
Today's lead stories:
Hurricane Katrina Refugees Head West
US Announces Release of Emergency Oil Stock
Rising Oil Prices Takes Toll on the Poor in the Philippines
Homeland Security Makes Case Against Posada Carriles
Netenyahu and Sharon Row Over Likud Party Leadership
25th Anniversary of Literacy Campaign in Nicaragua
FSRN Headlines
At least 800 Shiite Iraqi's died today during a stampede
on a bridge over the Tigris River. The crowds were traveling
to a religious ceremony in Northern Baghdad when people started
frantically running because of rumors that a suicide bomber
was about to detonate a bomb. People were trampled over while
others began jumping over the bridge into the river. Eventually
the bridge fell. Many of the dead are women and children.
The Shiites were celebrating the martyr Musa Al-Kadhim, a
religious symbol among Shiites.
Prime Minister Ibrahim Jafaari declared three days of national
mourning for the dead. The stampede comes as tensions between
different religious groups are high amidst disagreements over
the Iraqi constitution.
Today the NAACP announced its opposition to the nomination
of John Roberts to the Supreme Court. The long time civil
rights organization says Roberts has a track record of deciphering
civil rights laws. Mitch Jeserich reports.
An opposition attempt to impeach Philippine president Gloria
Macapagal Arroyo over vote-rigging allegations was shot down
today. Her opponents, however, are not giving up the fight.
Girlie Linao in Manila reports.
In a breakthrough in diplomacy, Indian Prime Minister Manmohan
Singh invited the moderate faction of Kashmiri separatist
alliance, the All parties Hurriyat Conference, for peace talks.
Shahnawaz Khan reports.
Parliament in Zimbabwe has approved sweeping constitutional
changes that tighten government control in that country. Restrictions
include decreased property rights and the ability to deny
passports to government opponents. Joshua Kyalimpa reports
A senior Food and Drug Administration official resigned today
over the government's stance on emergency contraception, known
as the morning after pill. Susan Wood, director of the FDA's
office of Women's Health wrote in an email statement she could
no longer work at a place when scientific and expert advise
is overruled. The FDA postponed a vote on Friday that would
decide whether or not to offer the drug over the counter.
[top]
Hurricane Katrina Refugees Head West (3:38)
Emergency workers hope to empty New Orleans of its final
evacuees by the end of the day, as flood waters continue to
rise there. Many of the refugees are heading west to the nearest
major city. Renee Feltz has the latest from KPFT in Houston.
[top]
US Announces Release of Emergency Oil Stock
(2:15)
The US government announced that it will release oil from
the country's emergency stocks to help offset production cuts
caused by Hurricane Katrina. Yet the issue of high gasoline
prices remains on the agenda, since the decision does not
help to alleviate problems with the refinery. Anastasia Gnezditskaia
in DC has more.
[top]
Rising Oil Prices Takes Toll on the Poor in the Philippines
(3:44)
With some analysts predicting global oil prices could soon
top $80 a barrel, the impact is being felt across the world,
especially in countries dependent on imports for their fuel.
As Rupert Cook reports from the Philippines, it's often the
poor who are hit the hardest.
[top]
Homeland Security Makes Case Against Posada Carriles
(2:47)
Alleged terrorist and CIA asset, Luis Posada Carriles faced
a second day of hearings yesterday on his request for asylum
in the US. The Department of Homeland Security, which is prosecuting
the case, presented evidence to the judge that Posada Carriles
had failed to write-in in one his previous applications for
asylum that he had used aliases and different passports in
the past - a move that could result in perjury and a denial
of asylum. FSRN's Dolores M. Bernal reports from the hearings
at El Paso.
[top]
Netenyahu and Sharon Row Over Likud Party Leadership
(2:34)
Right wing Israeli politician Benjamin Netenyahu has challenged
Prime Minister Ariel Sharon for the leadership of the Likud
Party. The former treasurer launched a blistering attack on
Israel's withdrawal from Gaza, and accused Sharon of adopting
leftist policies and endangering Israel's security. Irris
Makler reports from Jerusalem.
[top]
25th Anniversary of Literacy Campaign in Nicaragua
(3:52)
When the Nicaraguan people overthrew the Somoza Dictatorship
in 1979, the first task of the new revolution was to teach
the people to read and write. This month, Nicaraguans are
celebrating the twenty-fifth anniversary of their world renowned
literacy campaign. Nan McCurdy has more from Niquinohomo,
birth place of Nicaraguan national hero, Augusto Sandino.
[top]
|
Listen
to the show 
Help
stream
download
