June 30, 2005
Headlines (5:53)
In Gaza, Israeli police raided buildings that Israeli activists have been occupying to protest the Gaza evacuation plan. The protestors handcuffed themselves to each other and to furniture to resist orders to leave. The settlers’ Yesha council demanded that the Israeli Defense Forces re-open the Gaza strip. Earlier in the day, Israel declared it a closed military zone, allowing no one to enter, including Israelis who live in the area. It is reported that many of the right wing activists traveled from the
West Bank.
EMBATTLED PHILIPPINE PRESIDENT GLORIA MACAPAGAL ARROYO HAS LOST A KEY CABINET MINISTER AMID A POLITICAL CRISIS TRIGGERED BY VOTE-RIGGING ALLEGATIONS AGAINST HER. GIRLIE LINAO IN MANILA REPORTS.
Time Magazine has agreed to turn over information to a grand jury to avoid jail time for one of its reporters. The information Matthew Cooper will reveal led to a report that exposed the identity of a CIA operative. Time’s decision comes 3 days after the Supreme Court ruled that the journalists’ refusal to hand over documents holds them in contempt of court. After the Supreme Court ruling, the judge gave Cooper of Time Magazine and Judith Miller of the New York Times one week to hand over their documents. At this time, the New York Times has no intention of complying.
US President Bush has taken steps to create an agency for domestic spying, despite objections from Congress, the 9/11 Commission, and several key former intelligence officials/civil liberties groups. Ingrid Drake has more from Washington, DC.
Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez signed an oil pact with 14 Caribbean nations to help foster their energy needs. Greg Wilpert has more from Caracas.
The World Health Organization says that they will not be able to meet their goal of obtaining HIV medicine to 3 million people in developing countries by the end of 2005. They blame the drug supply chain and lack of health care workers for the shortfall. But as Vinod Jose reports from New Dehli, HIV is spreading quickest in Asia.
Features
A Look At the Dominican Republic Central American Free Trade Agreement (4:17)
The U.S. Senate is on the verge of passing the Central American Dominican Republic Free Trade Agreement today, and a key House committee also approved the measure, putting the country closer to ratifying the controversial free trade agreement. Supporters call the passage in the Senate a victory for economic globalization. However, DR-CAFTA’s fate in the House remains questionable as concerns for the sugar industry and worker rights protections persist. Washington Editor Mitch Jeserich has the story.
No Child Left Behind’s Hidden Clause (3:35)
School districts around the United States are struggling to comply with the No Child Left Behind Act. The Act threatens to cut federal funds if they fail to provide military recruiters with phone numbers and other personal information about students. But a little known clause gives parents and students the right to opt out of the military listing. In Watsonville, California, last night, the Pajaro Valley School Board voted 4-3 to improve the notification process to parents that their child’s information will be handed over to recruiters. FSRN’s Vinny Lombardo has more.
Carpenter’s Union Joins Coalition Challenging the AFL-CIO (3:19)
The nation’s largest carpenter’s union is joining a coalition of other major unions, challenging the AFL-CIO on its commitment to building the labor movement. The debate represents the biggest split in the labor movement since the merger of the American Federation of Labor and the Congress of Industrial Organizations 50 years ago. Max Pringle reports.
No End in Sight for Trapped Mexican Newspaper Workers (3:48)
The standoff at Oaxaca, Mexico’s largest newspaper, Noticias, is about to enter into its third week. Although the issue has received international attention in recent days, there are no indication of an end to the blockade that has prevented 31 workers from leaving the newspaper’s offices since June 17th. Vladimir Flores and Shannon Young file this report from Oaxaca City.
Local Residents in Albuquerque Organizing to Place Minimum Wage on Ballot (1:47)
Members of the Albuquerque City Council hoped to join neighboring Santa Fe by passing an ordinance increasing the minimum wage in the city. But the proposal was defeated by a single vote. Now, Albuquerque residents of are taking up the issue themselves, and as Leslie Clark reports, are working to have the measure placed on the October ballot.
Mass Protests in Democratic Republic of Congo (2:13)
We close today’s newscast by marking the 45th anniversary of the independence of The Democratic Republic of Congo. That was when Patrice Lumumba burst onto the world stage as Congo’s dynamic leader who led his country to freedom after 75 years of brutal Belgian colonialism. Lumumba was assassinated after only 2-and-a-half months as Congo’s leader, would have turned 80 years old this Saturday. Meanwhile in Kishasa, thousands of Congolese are demonstrating at the capitol over the postponement of elections that should have been held today. Wake Up Call’s Elombe Brath and Deepa Fernandes spoke with DRC Ambassador Otakey Ulekah about the elections and the state of the country.
[CUT (2:13)]
Special thanks to Elombe Brath, Deepa Fernandes and Wake UP Call for that interview.
