Democratic Party Lacks Diverse Representation

Minority voters are often considered the bread and butter of the Democratic Party's constituency. But the party has been less successful at getting those voters involved in party politics. States across the country are in the process of selecting delegates to attend the Democratic National Convention in August. And the results will determine if minority voters will see themselves represented on the convention floor in Denver. Jes Burns Reports

Cut

• Supreme Court Rules in Favor of Gitmo Detainees
• UN Report – Corruption in Asia-Pacific Region
• Paris Conference Nets 20 Billion in Afghan Aid
• US Drone Strikes in Pakistan
• Police in Washington DC have started using check points

Click here for Headlines Package
Click here for 13 Meg Version
Click here for Dial-Up Version

• Irish Vote on Lisbon Treaty
• House Passes Measure to Extend Unemployment Benefits
• Protests Across Peru Against Mining Reforms
• Canadian Govt Officially Apologies to Native People
• Albert Woodfox of Angola 3 Could Get A New Trial

Click here for June 12, 2008 Newscast  

French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner announced that eighty donor-countries and international organisations pledged 20 billion dollars in aid to Afghanistan at a one-day conference in Paris today. The Afghan government presented a new strategy which aims to pass responsibilities from US-led troops and international aid organisations to Afghans. Tony Cross reports from Paris.

Click for Newscast for Thursday, June 12, 2008

WE'RE HURTING - PLEASE DONATE TO FSRN !

Cleaning up the police, health, education and environment sectors
should be a top political priority in the Asia-Pacific region, in order
to loosen the stranglehold of corruption on the lives of the poor.
That's according to a new United Nations regional report released in
Indonesia today. Titled Tackling Corruption, Transforming Lives the
report looks at how everyday 'petty' corruption smothers opportunities
for the most vulnerable people, limiting their access to education and
compromising basic health services. Rebecca Henschke has the story.

Click for Newscast for Thursday, June 12, 2008

Analysts believe Tuesday’s airstrike on a Pakistani tribal area has
strained relations between US and its front-state ally in the
war-on-terror. US drones have launched four attacks in the past two
months in Pakistani tribal areas claiming many lives. However, this
week’s attack that killed eleven soldiers and injured nine others
sparked great anger in Pakistan. From an Army Spokesman to the
country’s Prime Minister, nearly every leader has condemned the attack.
FSRN correspondent Rahman Ullah spoke with a Taliban fighter who was
injured in the attack who says that US drone fire first hit the
Pakistani security forces check post.

Click for Newscast for Thursday, June 12, 2008

Police in Washington DC have started using check points to limit
public access to residential neighborhoods they deem to be violent
areas. The first such roadblock opened on Saturday. On the day the
checkpoint was closed, FSRNs Naji Mujahid visited the neighborhood and
talked with residents.

Click here for the newscast for Thursday, June 12, 2008

In a major blow to the Bush Administration, The Supreme Court ruled
that detainees held at Guantanamo Bay have the right to challenge their
detention. In a 5-4 decision, justices said that habeas corpus hearings
should quickly be given to detainees. Legal scholars predict that this
could mean the end of the Guantanamo Bay Detention Center. Leigh Ann
Caldwell reports from the nation’s capitol. In another ruling released
by the High Court released today, Justices decided against two U.S.
citizens detained in Baghdad who tried to use American courts to
challenge their detention. The men, who are being held by the US
military, claim they will face torture if they are turned over to Iraqi
authorities. The court rejected the administration's arguments that the