Home > Programs
> FSRN
> Thur., May. 18, 2006
FSRN
FREE SPEECH RADIO NEWS
Thanks to FSRN.org
for making the daily programs available to Pacifica.org
Today's lead stories:
CIA Head Nominee Michael Hayden Defends NSA Surveillance Program
Electronic Frontier Foundation Files Suit Against AT&T
The Debate over Internet Neutrality
Maoist Guerillas Take Control of Nepal
Seattle Debates Ports Stadiums
FSRN Headlines
TRIPLE LAYER FENCE
President George W. Bush today asked Congress for $1.9 billion
dollars to fund border security measures. This comes after
the Senate approved legislation yesterday to build a triple-layer
fence along 370 miles of the US border with Mexico. The amendment's
sponsor, Senator Jeff Sessions of Alabama, estimates the triple
fence will cost approximately $3.2 million per mile.
NEPAL'S PARLIAMENT REIGNS KINGS IN
In Nepal, the newly reconvened Parliament today unanimously
endorsed a landmark proclamation that would restore the supremacy
of the House of Representatives and take away nearly all of
the king's powers. Carey Biron has more from Kathmandu.
The changes to be ushered in by today's resolution are truly
historic, and will significantly sideline both the current
king and the future of the monarchy in Nepal. Among other
things, the new proclamation would drastically reduce the
palace's funding allowance, make the king's income taxable,
and take away the monarch's ability to choose his heir. Perhaps
most importantly, the king would no longer control the national
army. The new resolution will trump the country's 1990 constitution,
while also paving the way for the election to a constituent
assembly that will decide the monarchy's future role. After
the announcement of the proclamation was delayed earlier this
week -- ostensibly to allow officials to finish appointing
a cabinet -- thousands of protesters flooded back onto the
streets to demand immediate action. The public reaction seems
to have alarmed the government: not only did it proceed with
today's announcement in lieu of a completed cabinet, yesterday
it also moved to ban any future rallies in front of either
the Parliament building or the royal palace. While an important
step, today's move does fall far short of the physical restructuring
of the army that many observers say is critical to safeguard
the future of democracy in Nepal. Carey Biron, Kathmandu.
NEW HAMAS SECURITY FORCE
In a move seen as a widening of the gap between the legislative
and executive branches of the Palestinian government, Palestinian
President Mahmoud Abbas has deployed thousands of police throughout
the Gaza Strip. Manar Jibreen reports.
The massive police deployment came just hours after the Hamas-led
government sent its own special security force Into Gaza streets.
The new controversial Special Forces are made up of 3 thousand
men; most are members of the Al Qassam Brigade, the armed
wing of Hamas. The new force is led by Jamal Abu Samahdana,
who is wanted by the Israeli army for his role in the armed
Popular Resistance Committees. Hamas says that the security
force was formed to support the police forces and other security
units and to stop the chaos and instability in Gaza's streets.
The formation of the new security force has heightened tension
between the Hamas-led government and the administration of
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas because Abbas did not
agree to the formation and the deployment of the new force.
As president, Abbas is responsible for overall security.
VIOLENCE CONTINUES IN SAO PAULO
Tensions remain high in Sao Paulo after 6 days of violence
between the police and members of a criminal gang. Natalia
Viana reports.
Even after the agreement between leaders of the crime organization
First Command of the Capital (PCC) and the government, attacks
occurred last night in some cities in São Paulo State.
Official sources say PCC leaders were guaranteed physical
integrity to stop the attacks. But last night, 5 buses were
set on fire in São Paulo city, which caused some some
bus lines to temporarily suspend service. The transport situation
is back to normal today. But the populations in the favelas
and city outskirts are living in constant fear. Since Friday,
police have killed over 100 people "suspected" of
involvement with the PCC. 122 people have been arrested. Neighborhood
sources have told FSRN that some groups of policemen wearing
civilian clothes and black ski masks have shot several innocent
people. People are afraid to talk about what is happening,
but those who do, say the police are out for revenge for the
33 police officers killed. For FSRN, I'm Natalia Viana in
São Paulo, Brazil.
STUDENT WALKOUTS IN CHILE
In Chile, High school students took to the streets for the
second time in a week seeking answers to their demands of
free University entrance exams, unlimited use of the student
bus pass and free bus trips for all students. From Santiago
FSRN's Jorge Garretón has more.
Some 150 students have been arrested so far today after high
school students across the country walked out of their classes
demanding the government response to their demands. But today's
demonstration, declared illegal by the government, failed
to attract the large numbers of last week's massive demonstration.
Last week, over 1200 students were arrested by police throughout
the country. Following last week's demonstration, the leadership
of high school students met with Ministry of Education officials
in an effort to reach an agreement on the student's demands.
But two days ago, student negotiators broke off talks on free
bus fare for students and free university entrance exam fee
and called for a demonstration for next week. However, yesterday
student leaders moved the demonstration for today. Ministry
of Education officials told the students that free bus fares
would cause a raise in rates to regular users. On the free
university entrance exam fees, the Ministry told students
that it would double the number of fee waivers to low income
students to 35 thousand. Today's demonstrations did not have
the impact of last week's massive walkout. According to the
Ministry of Education, 80 percent of all students remained
in class. For FSRN, this is Jorge Garretón in Santiago.
PROTESTS AT HALLIBURTON SHAREHOLDER MEETING
Protests continue to dog the Halliburton shareholders meeting,
even after the company moved the annual meeting from Houston,
Texas to Duncan, Oklahoma. Sixteen demonstrators, including
Veterans for Peace member, Hiram Myers were arrested yesterday
by local police. Fifteen were charged with trespassing after
they left the designated protest pen and attempted to enter
the shareholder meeting to deliver an indictment to Halliburton´s
CEO. The indictment accuses the CEO of racketeering, corruption
and endangerment of US troops. All of those arrested have
been released.
[top]
CIA Head Nominee Michael Hayden Defends NSA Surveillance
Program (4:18)
At his confirmation hearing for CIA Director, Michael Hayden
insisted that the National Security Agency’s surveillance
program is legal. But he deferred many questions, saying he
would answer them when the committee recesses into a closed
session. Furthermore, he defended the US' treatment of detainees
saying the US follows the law. FSRN's Leigh Ann Caldwell reports.
[top]
Electronic Frontier Foundation Files Suit Against
AT&T (3:04)
Motions to dismiss a lawsuit against AT&T for handing
millions of its customer’s calling records over to the
National Security Agency’s surveillance program without
a warrant, were heard in a San Francisco Federal Court yesterday.
The Electronic Frontier Foundation is alleging AT&T broke
the law. Both AT&T and the Bush Administration have asked
the courts to dismiss the suit and withholds evidence in the
interest if national security. Christina Aanestad reports.
[top]
The Debate over Internet Neutrality (4:12)
The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation
held a first hearing today to introduce the Communications
Act Reform Bill, which aims to profoundly change the way the
telecommunications industry is regulated in this country.
One of the bill’s most debated provisions deals with
Internet neutrality, and the concern that the cable industry
would privatize the Internet by charging more for preferential
data delivery. Anastasia Gnezditskaia reports from DC.
[top]
Maoist Guerillas Take Control of Nepal (4:22)
The Nepalese parliament declared itself the supreme cradle
of authority today, reducing King Gyanendra’s power.
Yet the control of the country seems to have slipped into
the hands of the Maoist guerrilla leaders, whose parallel
government holds the most sway over the psyche and physical
resources of the people. Maoist guerrillas have stepped up
their extortion spree, and are garnering money from anyone
who owns something – leaving even the parliamentarians
vulnerable, who have declared so on the floor of the Parliament.
PC Dubey reports.
[top]
Seattle Debates Ports Stadiums (2:49)
The City of Seattle is asking itself if the public financing
of sports stadiums good public policy – deciding whether
to spend hundreds of millions of dollars on sports teams,
or to fund low income housing, classrooms, transportation
and open spaces. Martha Baskin reports.
[top]
|
Listen
to the show 
Help
stream
download
