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> Fri., Aug. 4, 2006
FSRN
FREE SPEECH RADIO NEWS
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Today's lead stories:
Mid East Peace Accord Not Likely
Workers continue to work for $5.15
Pension Overhaul Heads to the President
What's Congress done for you this year?
Anti-War Candidate Takes the Lead
Somalia's Transitional Government Near Collapse
FSRN Headlines
Iraqis March for Hezbollah
Tens of thousands of Iraqis marched through the streets of
Baghdad today to show their support for Hezbollah in Lebanon.
The march took place in the Shiite dominated Sadr city in
the Iraqi Capitol. Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki, has
also criticized Israel over its assault on Lebanon and Gaza.
We'll have more on Lebanon later in the newscast.
Humanitarian Crisis in Gaza
In Palestine, Israel carried out air and ground strikes in
the Rafah area, and troops have been carrying out house-to-house
searches. The operations are causing a humanitarian crisis
in Gaza and the UN reports that Israel fires more than 150
shells a day into the region. Saed Bannoura has more.
Fighting in Mosul After US Leaves
Meanwhile in Iraq, fighting has broke out in the northern
town of Mosul between insurgents and police. 3 police officers
have died. The fighting began as the US has begun to pull
its troops out of Mosul to bring them to Baghdad.
Ugandan Parliament Ends Private Iraq Recruitment
The Ugandan Parliament has ordered a private company called
Askar Security Services to stop recruiting Ugandans to serve
under the US military in Iraq. Emmanuel Okella reports from
Kampala.
Escalating Violence in Sri Lanka
In Sri Lanka, thousands of people are fleeing the fighting
in the north-eastern town of Muttur. Fighting between the
army and the Tamil Tigers, that began over a water dispute,
has been spreading.
Monsoon Hits Victims of Earthquake in Pakistan
Some might say the weather is acting strange all over the
world. A record heat wave has killed over 150 people across
the United States. And it snowed for the first time in 25
years in the South African capitol of Johannasberg. But the
weather is taking its highest toll on the victims of last
year's major earthquake in Pakistan as a monsoon rolls through
the Kashmiri area. Shanawaz Khan reports.
Argentina Human Rights Violator Sentenced
The first military officer during Argentina's military dictatorship
from 1976 to 1983 has been sentenced of human right violations.
Marie Trigona reports.
[top]
Mid East Peace Accord Not Likely (4:21)
The Israeli offensive against Lebanon entered the 23rd day.
More than 10,000 Israeli ground troops attacked villages in
southern Lebanon to create what Israel says will be a 4-mile
buffer zone to stop Hezbollah rocket attacks on northern Israel
and make way for an international peace force. In an attack
in eastern Lebanon this afternoon, Israeli warplanes killed
as many as 35 civilians in the city of Baalbek. Meanwhile,
The United Nations Security Council is deciding on the final
language to a ceasefire agreement. Both Hezbollah and the
Lebanese government condition long-term peace on the return
of Lebanese prisoners languishing in Israeli jails. Israel
has indicated that it is not interested in a prisoner exchange.
But, as FSRN's Khaled Sid Mohand and Jackson Allers report,
a prisoner exchange is what's needed for the release of the
two Israeli soldiers captured by Hezbollah on July 12 - the
start of the three week old conflict.
[top]
Workers continue to work for $5.15 (3:23)
In a late night session before Congress takes off for summer
break, Senate Democrats blocked a vote to raise the minimum
wage from $5.15 to $7.25 per hour. They opposed the measure
because Republicans attached an extension of the estate tax.
It would give tax breaks to those with properties worth 5
million dollars, which Democrats call relief for the wealthiest
Americans. The measure fell 4 votes short of the 60 votes
necessary. As Selina Musuta reports from Washignton DC, where
the District, Virginia, and Maryland have been caught up in
their own minimum wage fights.
[top]
Pension Overhaul Heads to the President
(Anchor Read)
Also last night, Congress completed the final step in a
pension overhaul. The Senate passed the bill last night 93-5,
sending the bill to the President's desk for signature. Congress
hopes the increased regulation will protect an estimated 45
million workers in risk of loosing their pension. It's the
largest reconfiguration of the program since it was created
thirty years ago. It tightens regulations so companies can't
bail out of paying worker pensions. Employers must fund 100
percent of an employees pension, if employers don't have the
money to do so, they have seven years to come up with the
funds. The struggling airline companies will find relief in
this bill, they will have additional time to fund their pensions.
[top]
What's Congress done for you this year? (4:02)
Now both bodies of Congress have left Washington. Once they
return in September, there are few working days left before
the mid-term elections, meaning they will have time to accomplish
little else. We're going to take a look at what Congress has
accomplished so far this year. Joined on the line is reporter
Chad Pergram. Chief Correspondent on Capital Hill for Capitol
News Connection.
[top]
Anti-War Candidate Takes the Lead (3:58)
The Connecticut Democratic Primary for US Senate has been
called the hottest election race in the country. Political
newcomer and anti-war candidate Ned Lamont has now surged
13 points ahead of three-term incumbent Senator Joe Lieberman.
The election is August 8. The latest poll, released yesterday,
suggests voters disapprove of Lieberman's support for the
war in Iraq as well as other Bush policies he has supported.
And as Melinda Tuhus reports from New Haven, Lieberman's vow
to run as an independent if he loses the Democratic primary
has angered many Democratic voters.
[top]
Somalia's Transitional Government Near Collapse
(3:21)
The transitional government in Somalia is on the verge of
collapse. Circumstances have worsened with more resignations
in the already weak government. The latest resignations happened
during a meeting in neighboring Kenya. Prime Minister Ali
Mohamed Ghedi's refusal to hold talks with the political group,
Union of Islamic Courts, has left him increasingly isolated.
In the past week, more than 30 members of his government have
resigned. Joshua Kyalimpa reports.
[top]
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