March 24, 2005
Headlines (5:30)
The U.S. Supreme Court announced they are rejecting the Terry Schaivo case. This is the fifth and likely the last time the issue can go before the high court. A Florida state court rejected a bid to reinsert her feeding tube later in the day and a request by the states’ governor Jeb Bush and the Department of Children and Families to take control of Terry Schaivo.
U.S. government officials kept quiet about several hundred tons of genetically modified corn that was mistakenly distributed to U.S. farmers and ultimately into the U.S. food supply. Avishay Artsy reports from Omaha, Nebraska.
California high school officials are intentionally using misleading statistics on high school graduation and drop out rates. Sarah Olson reports from Oakland.
Reporters threatened with jail unless they reveal their sources should only be jailed if the information is illegal, according to 36 news organizations. Brian Zinn reports from D.C.
U.S. officials are in a standoff with the rest of the United Nations Security Council over how to move forward on the internal horror in Sudan because the Bush administration is categorically rejecting granting any authority to the International Criminal Court. Haider Rizvi reports from the U.N.
Protestors in Kyrgyzstan stormed the Presidential compound and assumed power as the President left the country. The Prime Minister has also resigned. Members of Parliament are reportedly meeting over night to work towards restoring order and holding new elections in the Spring. Contested elections held in February sparked the popular protests around the country that have been taking place over the past week. At least 30 people have been injured in the capitol Bishkek.
Features
Rumsfeld in Latin America Seeking to Strengthen Military Ties (3:26)
US Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld arrived in Guatemala today as part of his Latin American tour. He talked with Guatemalan President Oscar Berger about strengthening military ties- and announced that the US will resume providing military aid to the country. Ten years ago, the US halted aid to Guatemala citing human rights abuses. Resuming military ties appears to be a regional theme for Rumsfeld’s visit in Latin America- he has already met with officials in Argentina and Brazil earlier this week to discuss the topic. On Tuesday, Rumsfeld and his Argentine counterpart Jose Pampuro met in Buenos Aires. In a brief meeting, the secretaries looked at the possibility of resuming joint military exercises, discussed Argentina’s troops in Haiti, a satellite program and the planed ahead of the Summit of the Americas.
Nigerian Legislators Seek to Stop External Debt Payment (3:26)
A face-off between Nigeria and its external creditors seems imminent. The country’s legislators want President Olusegun Obasanjo to stop the repayment of Nigeria’s debt. The country’s debt, owed mainly to the Paris and London clubs, is about thirty five billion US dollars. Nigeria’s legislators say further debt repayment should stop because the creditors have placed the country in perpetual slavery. Sam Olukoya reports from Lagos.
Slavery in Angola’s Mining Industry (4:09)
A new human rights report shows that the diamond industry, the United Nations and the United States have all allowed human rights abuses and human slavery to go unchecked in Angola’s diamond mining industry. Angola is one of the top diamond producing countries in the world. Mitch Jeserich speaks with the report’s author, who is currently in the Washington trying to bring world recognition to the crisis.
GM and Fiat Split – Fiat Workers Strike Continues (2:11)
A split has been declared between General Motors and Italian car-maker Fiat. The announcement puts a Master Document to rest, which could have forced General Motors to buy out the car-maker that is struggling to recover from an economic crisis in 2003. Fiat’s production remains at a standstill however, as workers in Italy have been on strike since January, contending that their government is not providing the company the necessary financial support. In Brescia, FSRN’s Diletta Varlese has more.
Students On Strike at Georgetown University Demand Fair Wages for Janitors (2:30)
Georgetown University students are in the second week of a hunger strike, demanding a living wage for janitors on campus. Students say the school’s values should compel the administration to grant the janitors a fair wage. Doug Cunningham reports.
Mumia Abul Jamal Commentary: Why Women’s History Month Means Little (3:42)
