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> Tue., Apr. 18, 2006
FSRN
FREE SPEECH RADIO NEWS
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Today's lead stories:
Clashes Continue in Baghdad
India’s Prime Minister Yields to Bhopal Survivor’s
Demands
Chinese President Arrives in US
Chinese President’s Visit Also Closely Watched Back
Home
South Africans Concerned About US Free Trade Deal
Pre-Election Violence in Indian-Administered Kashmir
FSRN Headlines
NEW IMMIGRATION MEASURES IN GEORGIA
Georgia governor, Sonny Perdue, has signed into law a set
of new immigration measures. Known as the Georgia Security
and Immigration Compliance Act, the law requires all persons
over 18 years of age to prove their legal residence to receive
services provided at the local, state or federal level. Anyone
receiving state benefits must sign an affidavit regarding
their citizenship or legal immigration status. The law also
requires a six percent state withholding tax for all workers
who cannot document their legal residence. Trained police
officers at the state level will also be authorized to perform
federal immigration enforcement and customs duties.
THE GRILLING OF SKILLING
Former Enron executive, Jeff Skilling, remains on the stand
today as his cross-examination continues. Lisa Cohen reports
from the Enron trial in Houston.
(no transcript available)
EPA REPORT ON GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS
The Environmental Protection Agency has released its latest
report on greenhouse gas emissions in the US. While optimistically
pointing to a slight decrease in methane and nitrous oxide
emissions, the report shows an overall increase of 15.8% from
1990 to 2004. Fossil fuel combustion accounts for 80 percent
of the total emissions. The report is part of a requirement
under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.
OIL PRICES AND GEOPOLITICS
Oil prices hit a record high of over $72 a barrel today. Analysts
cite fears about Iran's nuclear program and possible cuts
in supply from the world's fourth largest crude exporter.
This, as reports suggest that Venezuela could soon be considered
the new world leader in oil reserves. Mike Fox has more from
Caracas.
Venezuelan president, Hugo Chavez says that if OPEC formally
recognizes his country's extra-heavy crude deposits, Venezuela
will surpass Saudi Arabia as the world leader in proven oil
reserves. According to BBC journalist, Greg Palast, an internal
study from the US Department of Energy has determined that
Venezuela could have reserves of over one trillion barrels.
This news comes as the Bush administration is exerting increased
pressure on oil-rich Iran over the development of its nuclear
program. The Venezuelan government has publicly opposed any
military action against Iran. Meanwhile, the Venezuelan paper,
2001 reported today that US intelligence claims to have discovered
the existence of a secret agreement between Iran and Venezuela,
whereby Iran will send nuclear weapons to Venezuela and Cuba.
This morning, Venezuelan Minister of Foreign Affairs, Alí
Rodríguez Araque, called the claims part of a chain
of absurd accusations fired at Venezuela over the past few
years. Caracas has denied various rumors over the past year
that Venezuela is sending Uranium to support Iran's nuclear
program. Mike Fox, FSRN, Caracas.
ARREST OF PIQUETERO LEADER IN ARGENTINA
Buenos Aires city officials impeded unemployed workers known
as piqueteros from inaugurating of a soup kitchen in a city
neighborhood yesterday. Five demonstrators were arrested and
several injured by police. FSRN's Marie Trigona has more from
Buenos Aires.
Police arrested piquetero leader, Raul Castells during the
opening of a soup kitchen and primary school in a chic Buenos
Aires neighborhood yesterday. Castells' group, the Independent
Movement of Pensioners or MIJD, planned to open a soup kitchen
in the central flea market that had been closed down for safety
violations. Police violently evicted demonstrators while they
tried to enter the Flea Market. Castells was arrested on charges
of "aggravated destruction and robbery". Castells
spent several months in prison on similar charges last year
for taking over a McDonald's restaurant demanding hamburgers
for the unemployed. MIJD recently opened a soup kitchen the
exclusive Puerto Madero; the most expensive neighborhood in
Argentina. Meanwhile, human rights groups blocked a central
intersection to mark international day in solidarity with
political prisoners and to press for the release of some 20
political prisoners currently held in Argentina. For Free
Speech Radio News, I'm Marie Trigona in Buenos Aires.
[top]
Clashes Continue in Baghdad (3:22)
Clashes between insurgents and Iraqi police and army, as
well as US troops, continued for a second day in Adamiyah,
a north-Baghdad neighborhood that has seen frequent attacks
against US troops and Iraqi government forces during the last
three years. Seven people were also killed by a bomb in a
Baghdad restaurant, and twelve bodies were found in various
neighborhoods, apparently victims of militia or government
executions. FSRN’s David Enders is in Baghdad, and files
this report.
[top]
India’s Prime Minister Yields to Bhopal Survivor’s
Demands (3:19)
Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh announced he will concede
some demands to survivors of the 1984 Bhopal Gas Disaster.
The announcement comes days after Bhopal city residents marched
500 miles to Delhi and engaged in a hunger strike. Survivors
have been demanding that their town be cleaned after A pesticide
plant, owned by Union Carbide, leaked 40 tons of toxic gasses,
killing 3,500 people at it's onset and another 15,000 in its
aftermath from disease. 150 to 600,000 people are said to
have been harmed from the spill, and the World Health Organization
determined last year that the amount of contamination in Bhopal’s
water supply is 500 times the recommended level. Pragya Vats
is a volunteer with the International Campaign for Justice
in Bhopal, she spoke with FSRN's Leigh Ann Caldwell about
the Prime Minister’s announcement.
[top]
Chinese President Arrives in US (4:17)
Chinese President Hu Jing Tao arrives in the United States
today. After dinner at Microsoft CEO Bill Gates' mansion tonight,
he’ll meet with President Bush on Thursday in DC. The
White House says there's a great deal on the plate whenever
the leaders of the world's leading developed nation and the
world's leading developing nation meet. But with that much
said, how much can actually be done? From Washington, Yanmei
Xie has a preview of each side's agenda.
[top]
Chinese President’s Visit Also Closely Watched
Back Home (2:48)
The Chinese president's visit to the US is not only being
watched closely here, it’s also hot news in China, although,
as FSRN’s Severine Bardon reports from Beijing, China's
priorities for this visit seem to be far away from the United
States’.
[top]
South Africans Concerned About US Free Trade Deal
(2:14)
President Bush announced that he would nominate US Trade
Representative Rob Portman to head the Office of Management
and Budget. Susan Schwab, who is currently Portman’s
deputy, is expected to replace him as the top US trade official.
As Bush made staff changes at the office of the US trade representative
in Washington, in Johannesburg, he US is continuing their
3-year long negotiation for a free trade deal with the regional
Southern African Customs Union which is made up of South Africa,
Botswana, Namibia, Swaziland and Lesotho. FSRN’s Selina
Musuta reports on the concerns of many South African activists
on the terms of the agreement.
[top]
Pre-Election Violence in Indian-Administered Kashmir
(3:52)
The upcoming election in Indian-administered Kashmir is
attracting violence as anti-India guerrillas attempt to disrupt
the process. On April 24, voters will choose representatives
for 4 open seats in the Legislative Assembly. FSRN’s
Shahnawaz Khan has more from Kashmir, where candidates are
still campaigning despite the violence.
[top]
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