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> Fri., Nov. 18, 2005
FSRN
FREE SPEECH RADIO NEWS
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Today's lead stories:
Low to Moderate Income Families Face New Budget Cuts to Federal
Programs
California Activists Continue to Fight Death Row Inmate's
Execution
Ugandan Government Set to Rearrest Treason Suspects
Liberia Elects the First Woman President in Africa
Nicaraguans Protest the Rise in Electricity
Vancouver's Bus Rider's Union End Strike
FSRN Headlines
South Koreans Protest APEC
Several thousand South Koreans, many of them rice farmers,
demonstrated at the two-day summit of the Asia-Pacifica Economic
Cooperation in Busan. The summit is an attempt to restart
talks on free trade agreements in the region. Demonstrators
clashed with police who used water cannons to drive the protesters
back. Many of the rice farmers say that free trade would be
a death blow to their industry and livelihood.
South Korea Partial Withdrawal from Iraq
Meanwhile, the South Korean Defense Minister has announced
the country will withdraw about a third of its 3,000 troops
now in Iraq by next year.
More Casualties in Iraq
A series of suicide bombings in Iraq today has left over 80
people dead and another 100 injured. Two attacks on Shia mosques
during Friday prayers in the town of Khanaqin near the Iranian
border killed over 70. Six people were killed in Baghdad in
two car bomb attacks. Today’s violence has caused the
most Iraqi deaths in a single day in over two months.
House to Vote on Withdrawal
Meanwhile, the House Republican leadership announced it will
bring a version of the bill by Democratic Representative of
Pennsylvania John Murtha for an immediate withdrawal from
Iraq to the floor for a vote tonight. The GOP leadership says
a vote will show how little support either party has for an
actual withdrawal. Today Democratic Senator John Kerry of
Massachusetts defended Murtha from attacks by both Republicans
and the White House.
Objections Over Patriot Act
Also in Congress today, a bi-partisan group of lawmakers reiterated
their opposition to the Patriot Act Reauthorization bill.
Gus Chas more from Capitol Hill.
Serbs Found Guilty for War Crimes
Marking the first human rights violations conviction in connection
to the Bosnian Serbian war, several Serb police officers have
been sentenced for war crimes. Zoran Culafic reports from
Belgrade.
Aid Workers Jailed in New Orleans
More aid workers have been arrested in New Orleans. Mayaba
Liebenthal reports.
[top]
Low to Moderate Income Families Face New Budget
Cuts to Federal Programs (3:24)
The House of Representatives voted for significant budget
cuts to student loans, health care, and other social programs
well past 1 am this morning - while the US Senate voted to
support tax breaks for high income residents. In the coming
weeks, the House and Senate must come together to reconcile
their two proposed budgets, and as Ingrid Drake reports from
Washington DC, advocates are hoping to reduce the negative
impact on low to moderate income families.
[top]
California Activists Continue to Fight Death Row
Inmate's Execution (4:15)
Stanley Tookie Williams, death row inmate and Crips gang
co-founder, is set to be executed on December 13. Convicted
of four murders in 1981, Tookie has maintained his innocence.
Members of the “Save Tookie Committee” renewed
calls urging California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger to
grant clemency for the Nobel Peace Prize nominee and anti-gang
educator. FSRN's Leilani Albano takes a look at allegations
made by William's supporters.
[top]
Ugandan Government Set to Rearrest Treason Suspects
(4:22)
Nineteen treason suspects including Uganda 's opposition
leader Dr. Kizza Besigye face re-arrest by military officials
after applying for bail from the high court. The judge had
authorized bail but the men refused once they realized the
military was waiting outside the court premises to re-arrest
and charge them with terrorism. It is not clear if Besigye
will also be taken from the civilian court and charged in
the military court. Joshua Kyalimpa reports from Kampala.
[top]
Liberia Elects the First Woman President in Africa
(2:54)
The election of 67 year old Ellen Johnson Sirleaf as President
of Liberia will be the first time the African continent has
had a female president. In West African Senegal, this historical
event represents a successful fight for women's rights. In
Senegal, Ndiaga Seck reports.
[top]
Nicaraguans Protest the Rise in Electricity
(4:07)
The International Monetary Fund representative in Nicaragua,
Humberto Arbulu-Neira, demanded that Nicaragua apply a 25%
rate hike to the population’s electric bills. Growing
unrest over the cost of electricity in Nicaragua has now spurred
protests in front of the offices of the Spanish owned private
electric company, Union Fenosa. Nan McCurdy has more from
Managua.
[top]
Vancouver's Bus Rider's Union End Strike
(2:04)
Vancouver's Bus Rider's Union - riders who say they are
dependant on public transportation - end their strike today.
The fare strikers are demanding lower fares and increased
accessibility on public transit, but Vancouver's public transportation
authority says their demands are unrealistic. The five day
protest comes as Vancouver residents prepare to elect a new
local government this Saturday. Alison Benjamín reports
from Vancouver, Canada.
[top]
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