• Democratic Debate Signifies a Rare Chance for Texans to Make their Mark in the Primaries
• Homeland Security Focuses it Attention and Budget on Securing the Mexican Border
• Massive Protests in Serbia against the Independence of Kosovo Fuels Nationalism and Violence
• Bolivia Joins Other South and Central American Nations and Withdraws from the School of Americas
• The Firing of the Progressive President of William and Mary College in Virginia Causes Outrage on Campus

13 Meg Version Click Here
Dial-up Listeners Click Here

• Turkish Troops Push into Northern Iraq
• Al-Sadr Extends Ceasefire
• Will New Coalition in Pakistan Affect US Military Operations There?
• EU Parliament Lambasts "Collective Punishment" in Gaza
• Signs that FARC May Release Another Hostage

Massive riots in Belgrade, Serbia protesting last weekend's Declaration of Independence of Kosovo, has triggered condemnation from much of the international community.  Today, the United States pulled all non-essential diplomats and American families out of the country in response to yesterday's burning of their embassy.  One charred body was found, but it doesn't appear to be of an embassy employee, instead, US officials believe it was one of the protesters.  The Turkish, Croatian, German and British embassies were also attacked

The European Union has demanded the Serbian government offer protection for foreign personnel, saying not doing so could hurt the country's prospects of ties with the EU.  Amy Miller reports from Belgrade.

Thursday's Democratic debate in Austin between Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama was a historic event for Texas voters. The state hasn't been a pivotal player in a national election since the 1970s. The prolonged primary season this year has brought the candidates' attention to the concerns of Texas progressives.

Although the debate focused primarily on national concerns, candidates did speak to an issue of particular interest to many in Texas: the construction of the so-called border wall in the Rio Grande Valley, a thriving area whose economy operates on both sides of the U.S. Border with Mexico. Ann Raber has followed the border wall issue for FSRN, and was at last night's debate.

The recent resignation of the President of the College of William and Mary has unleashed uproar about freedom of speech on campus. President Gene Nichol, who moved William and Mary in a progressive direction by promoting diversity and freedom of speech, resigned his post last week after being informed that the Board of Visitors would not renew his contract.  This week a member of that Board resigned in protest to the firing.  Many students have passionately denounced the firing as ideological, but criticisms of the president's management skills persist. Tanya Snyder reports.

This week, Bolivia formally withdrew from the U.S. Army's training institute in Fort Benning, Georgia, better known as the School of Americas.  The school was renamed the Western Hemisphere Institute for Security Cooperation in 2001.

Following Venezuela, Costa Rica, Argentina, and Uruguay, Bolivia is the fifth Latin American country to cut ties to the training center because of its historic links to military dictatorships and human rights abuses throughout the hemisphere.  Juliette Beck and Aldo Orellana Lopez file this report from Bolivia.

The Department of Homeland Security has released its annual report, which almost exclusively focuses on the Southwestern border.  Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff plans to increase prosecution of employers who hire undocumented workers, and continue to expand fencing and high-tech surveillance across the Mexican border.  At a press conference at the Department of Justice today, Chertoff revealed plans for the upcoming fiscal year.  Homeland security has seen a 6.8 percent increase in its federal budget, while nearly all other domestic programs have seen cuts or no increases at all.  From Washington DC, Katharine Jarmul reports...