Archive - May 2005

Headlines
The Enron accounting firm charged with shredding documents has been absolved of wrong doing by the US Supreme Court.  Peter Larkin reports from D.C.

Immigrant rights activists are marching across the desert to highlight the arduous plight of those who attempt to reach the US.  Amanda Shauger reports from Tuscon.

Tens of thousands of protestors in Bolivia are still calling for the nationalization of their energy reserves.  Luis Gomez reports from La Paz.

Israeli police in the occupied West Bank faced off with demonstrators trying to halt the production of the separation wall.  Manar Jibreen with the International Middle East Media Center reports.

On this Memorial Day weekend FSRN brings you an exclusive documentary, "A Real Marine: No Place to Serve". Please stay with us. Philippe Louis Jean is a non-citizen Marine who was among the first battalions to roll into Iraq when the war was declared. On his return, this young Haitian-American was arrested by immigration authorities and spent 10 months in prison as the government tried to deport him to Haiti, a country he left when he was 5. He told his story to FSRN's Deepa Fernandes.

Headlines (6:50)
There have been verifiable incidents of what US Brigadier General Jay Hood describes as "mishandling" of the Qur'an at the US prison at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.  (TAPE 0:30) Hood added that none of the official's actions were in violation of the military's code for handling the Muslim holy book.  A Newsweek article that reported earlier this month about the desecration of the Qur'an led to protests around the world.  White House officials quickly called the report "inaccurate."

Today in Kashmir, Muslims continued to protest over accusations that US officials desecrated the Qur'an.   Shanawaz Khan reports from Srinagar.

Headlines (5:28)
Activists on different sides of the immigration debate clashed in Southern California leaving 7 protestors in jail, 3 run over by a car and the man who ran them over released without charge. From KPFK in Los Angeles, Sonali Kolhatkar has the story.

A Texas judge ruled a political action committee founded by Representative Tom Delay broke the law by failing to report corporate contributions used to influence state elections. Renee Feltz reports from KFPT in Houston.

3 cross-burnings overnight in Durham, North Carolina took local residents by surprise. Kimberly Pierce reports from WNCU in Durham.

Headlines (4:59)
The Bush Administration is winning Congressional votes for far right nominees after months of threats and compromises by Democrats.  Kelly Giddens reports from D.C.

The US House expands temporary nuclear holding plants around the country anticipating an unlimited approval process for the Yucca Mountain facility. Leigh Robartes reports from Moscow, Idaho.

Hundreds of teamsters in Connecticut join more than a thousand in California for protests against the Coca Cola Corporation.  Melinda Tuhus reports from New Haven.

Swedes protested in front of the first Euro-Atlantic Partnership Council Security Forum encouraging Swedish neutrality and discouraging US military dominance.  Ezgi Sirtas reports from Sweden.

Headlines
Protestors are amassing near the major government buildings in Bolivia’s capitol over the nation’s new hydrocarbon law for the second day in a row.  Linda Farthing reports from La Paz.

Zimbabwe’s police have rounded up nearly 10-thousand street vendors for illegally selling essential goods.  Na’eem Jeenah has more.

The US House of Representatives is scheduled to pass stem cell legislation over threats of a Presidential veto.  David Koppel reports from D.C.

Headlines
Top military officials in Iraq confirm reports that the U.S. is prepared to create 4 larger bases that will condense more than 100 sites currently being used.  However, officials reject the statement that they are creating a permanent presence in Iraq.  Rather the officials say the four super bases are part of the withdrawal plan.  Military officials also confirm that currently there is no timetable for when US forces will leave the country.  In a joint operation called “Squeeze Play,” US and Iraqi military soldiers rounded up nearly 300 people who are accused of attacks on the US detention facility in the Abu Gharaib region.

Headlines (5:00)
George W. Bush promised to veto pending stem cell research legislation that will be voted on next week in the House of Representatives. The legislation seeks to expand the number of federally funded stem cells available for research. In 2001, Bush stopped the creation of all new federally funded stem cells saying that he objects to destroying life even if it is to be used to save life. Scientists say that existing stem cells are contaminated and unavailable for research.

The Red Cross issued a statement confirming charges that US interrogators at Guantanamo Bay have, at least in the past, desecrated the Qumran in an attempt to break prisoners’ spirit. Kelly Giddens has more.