Home > Programs
> FSRN
> Thu., Aug. 17, 2006
FSRN
FREE SPEECH RADIO NEWS
Thanks to FSRN.org
for making the daily programs available to Pacifica.org
Today's lead stories:
Federal Budget Flusher Than Thought
Former Generals Stand Against Bush
Iraqi Government Fights Iraqi Militia
California Lawmakers Want National Guard to Return from Iraq
Nigeria Political Killings Could Drive Oil Prices Up
Canadians Rally Against Colin Powell
Spike Lee Film Documents Katrina Survivors
FSRN Headlines
JUDGE RULES AGAINST WARRANTLESS WIRETAPPING
A federal judge in Detroit today ruled that the National Security
Agency's warrantless wiretapping program is unconstitutional
and must stop immediately. The Honorable Anna Diggs Taylor
said that the eavesdropping program violates the Constitutionally-protected
rights to free speech and privacy. The American Civil Liberties
Union brought the lawsuit on behalf of attorneys, academics,
and journalists who argued that the program hampers their
ability to work, as contacts in other countries would be reluctant
to speak over the phone.
LEBANESE TROOPS MOVE SOUTH
Lebanese soldiers are stepping back into the south of the
country after decades of absence. However, the issue of the
disarmament of the Hezbollah is far from resolved, as the
militia's popularity within Lebanon has increased after the
Israeli invasion. Khaled Sid Mohand.
CLEAN-UP PLAN FOR LEBANESE OIL SPILL
The International Maritime Organization and the United Nations
Environment Programme held a joint meeting in Athens, Greece
today to adopt a plan to begin the clean-up of a massive oil
spill that has contaminated the Lebanese coastline. The Israeli
bombardment of a power plant south of Beirut sent more than
10,000 tons of fuel oil into the Mediterranean Sea. The current
ceasefire has provided Lebanese authorities with the first
opportunity to work on cleaning up the month-old spill.
ISRAELI COMMISSION INVESTIGATES HANDLING OF WAR
As Israeli troops continue their withdrawal from southern
Lebanon, Israel's Defense Minister has called for an investigation
of Israeli actions during the war. Jenka Soderberg reports
from Jerusalem.
EX-CIA CONTRACTOR FOUND GUILTY OF DETAINEE ABUSE
A federal jury in North Carolina today found former CIA contractor
David Passaro guilty of assaulting an Afghan prisoner during
an interrogation session. The detainee, Abdul Wali, died two
days after the beating. Passaro was the first US civilian
charged with detainee abuse since the beginning of the war
in Afghanistan.
HEALTH WORKERS JOIN TEACHERS IN STRIKE IN OAXACA
In Oaxaca, Mexico, the movement calling for the resignation
of the state's governor is gaining momentum - as the governor
continues to refuse to leave office. Vladimir Flores reports.
[top]
Federal Budget Flusher Than Thought (2:13)
The Congressional Budget Office or CBO released their revised
outlook for the U.S. budget and economy on Thursday. According
to the CBO, which is the federal agency that projects the
budgetary effects of proposed legislation, the deficit for
2006 will be 112 billion dollars lower than estimated in March.
The new deficit estimate is due mostly to higher than anticipated
revenues--mostly from individual and corporate income taxes--that
have come in this year. However, the U.S. budget deficit is
expected to rise in fiscal 2007. Selina Musuta has more from
Washington.
[top]
Former Generals Stand Against Bush (:26)
actuality
Twenty one former generals and high ranking national security
officials called on President Bush to reverse course today
and embrace a new area of negotiation with Iran, Iraq, and
North Korea. In a telephone press conference this morning,
the group told reporters Bush's 'hard line' policies have
undermined national security and made America less safe. General
Joseph Hoar was the Commander in Chief of US Military Central
Command under Presidents Bill Clinton and George H. W. Bush.
[top]
Iraqi Government Fights Iraqi Militia (4:00)
Two more American soldiers were killed in Iraq today. Stepped
up patrols have done little to stem the tide of violence in
Iraq. At least ten people died in car bombs in the Iraqi capital
today. Seven of the dead were killed and 15 were wounded when
a car bomb exploded at midday near an outdoor market in Sadr
City, Baghdad's biggest Shiite district. Meantime, the South
of Iraq saw the biggest outbreak of government violence against
Shi'ite groups as Iraqi Government troops attacked followers
of Ayatollah Mahmoud Hassani al-Sarkhi. Host Aaron Glantz
reports with Salam Talib.
[top]
California Lawmakers Want National Guard to Return
from Iraq (3:21)
A resolution to bring home California National Guard troops
serving in Iraq died in a state legislative committee Wednesday.
The measure by a Democratic lawmaker from Berkeley called
for Arnold Schwartzenegger to urge Congress and President
George W. Bush to return California's guard members to the
state so they can respond to local disasters. Republican criticized
the resolution as sending a message of weakness in a "clash
of civilizations." Christopher Martinez reports from
Sacramento:
[top]
Nigeria Political Killings Could Drive Oil Prices
Up (2:18)
Nigeria is witnessing a spate of political assassinations
as the country prepares for general elections scheduled for
early next year. There are fears political instability in
Africa's largest oil exporter may affect the international
oil market. Sam Olukoya reports from Lagos.
[top]
Canadians Rally Against Colin Powell (2:39)
About 15,000 Lebanese troops have headed to the south of
their country to take control of Hezbollah bastions alongside
UN peacekeepers as Israeli forces gradually withdraw after
a 34-day war. But even as the fighting calms down, global
fallout from the conflict continues. When former Secretary
of State Colin Powell visited Montreal this week as a key
note speaker at a large scale event organized by the Jewish
National Fund, hundreds of protesters gathered outside to
protest. FSRN's Stefan Cristoff was there.
[top]
Spike Lee Film Documents Katrina Survivors
(3:23)
Filmmaker Spike Lee presented the first public screening
of his four-hour documentary on Hurricane Katrina to several
thousand in New Orleans last night. The raw, graphic film
has already generated national controversy, but many in New
Orleans say the presentation is accurate. Christian Roselund
has more.
[top]
|
Listen
to the show 
Help
stream
download
