June 27, 2005
Headlines (4:50)
In numerous supreme court rulings today, one decision ruled that an appeals court should not have re-opened a death penalty case for a Tennessee man. The majority ruling said the appeals court infringed on the states rights to open the case which has already been heard by the appeals court and the Supreme Court. [AS] part of the dissenting argument, Justice Stephen Breyer said that the majority decision sends a message to lower courts that they are not to intervene where justice went wrong. We will have a report on additional Supreme Court rulings later in the news cast.
Jewish settlers set up a new camp to protest the evacuation of the Gaza Strip for the Palestinians. Manar Jibreen reports.
…And a former Israeli soldier was convicted of killing a British activist in the Palestinian town of Rafah in 2003. The Israeli military tribunal convicted a Taysir Hayb of manslaughter for shooting Tom Hurndall. Hurndalll was working with a pro-Palestinian group, International Solidarity Movement when a bullet hit him in the head. He died 9 months after the shooting.
In Paraguay, workers conducted a nationwide strike to oppose privatization. Mat Goldin has more from Buenos Aires.
Workers are also striking to oppose privatization in South Africa. Rupert Cook has this story.
A report released today criticizes the U.S. government for prolonging the detention of material witnesses. Stephanie Zarecky reports.
Features
Supreme Court Issues Final Rulings for this Session (3:12)
The U.S. Supreme Court came out with a split decision today in two cases concerning the display of the Ten Commandments in government places. In one case, the Court ruled that Texas may exhibit the Commandments at its State Capitol. In the other case, the Court ruled that Kentucky may not display the Commandments in a courthouse. On its final day of session, the Court also ruled on cases affecting the internet file-sharing by deciding that makers of on-line file sharing software can be sued for copyright infringement and that cable operators may control the internet content provided by its services. Mitch Jeserich reports from Washington.
African Human Rights Activists Launch Campaign of Shame (3:22)
African human rights activists meeting in the Uganda capital Kampala for a series of activities to mark the UN International Day in Support of Victims of Torture have launched a campaign of shame against governments that torture their citizens. Joshua Kyalimpa has the story from Kampala.
Congress Holds Hearings over Halliburton Subsidiary KBR (2:26)
Democratic members of Congress on Capitol Hill today, held a hearing to examine allegations of questionable billings by Halliburton subsidiary KBR for Iraq-related work. As Darby Hicky reports, witnesses testified that Halliburton managers deliberately overcharged for dining services and fuel transportation.
Iran’s New President: Mahmoud Ahmadinejad (2:54)
Iranian President elect, hard-line conservative Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, said he will resume Iran’s nuclear program and demand respect from the international community while he promised economic relief to the Iranian people. FSRN Headlines editor Leigh Ann Caldwell spoke with reporter Saeedeh Jamshidi about what the implications of Ahmadinejad’s victory.
CUT
…Leigh Ann Caldwell interviewing FSRN reporter Saeedah Jamshidi in Iran.
Oaxacan Newspaper Workers Locked In (2:49)
Newspaper workers in Oaxaca City, Mexico, remain sequestered in their building for the 11th day in a row. People from a neighboring town, including children and elderly people, were brought in by a local politician to say they are on strike with the newspapers – yet not one of them actually works there. 31 of 102 Noticias workers remain trapped in their building, one of the only local sources reporting the issue is the local Teacher’s Free Radio. FSRN attempted to obtain comment from several Mexican Consulates in the United States – none of them had heard about the sequestered journalists and declined to give comment. Octavio Velez is one of the journalists blockaded inside the Noticias building on Oaxaca City. Octavio, what have the last 11 days been like for you?
(CUT)
There’s a few of us, that have had some gastro-intestinal problems- 3 of us. But fortunately, they’ve been able to get better little by little. Another 2 have had some respiratory problems. But we have our first aid kit and some medicines, so little by little they’ve been getting better. And I say thank you to the solidarity of some people – I can’t say who, for fear of repression on the part of the aggression against us. But still, despite everything, we’re doing well. We haven’t lost our spirits… we keep fighting inside with our fellow workers who are fighting outside… and I think this fight is on a good path that we are going to win. Can you talk about the independent media and corporate media in Mexico, as well as Oaxaca.
(CUT)
Octavio Velez is one of 31 journalists with the Noticias newspaper sequestered inside their building since June 19.
Phillipine President Arroyo Apologizes Over Last Year’s Elections (1:16)
Philippine president Gloria Arroyo has apologized for a lapse in judgment in last year’s elections which has triggered calls for her Resignation. Girlie Linao in manila reports.
US-Based Filipinos Call for Arroyo’s Removal (4:00)
Meanwhile Filpino activists took the call to remove president arroyo from office to the united states. From Los Angeles, KPFK’s Leilani Albino files this report.
