August 22, 2005
Headlines (5:15)
President Bush left Crawford to speak at the Veterans of Foreign Wars Convention in Salt Lake City. While he defended the war in Iraq, protestors outside questioned his plans. Troy Williams has more from KRCL in Salt Lake City.
Oil exports in southern Iraq have stopped because of an electricity outage caused by vandalism. As Eliana Kaya reports, this will have a devastating effect on Iraqi’s as summer temperatures soar.
In Ecuador, protestors, government officials, and oil company executives opened talks on the oil destabilization there. Oil production has restarted, but exports are still suspended. Sixty protest leaders traveled from the Amazon region to Quito to talk about oil profit distribution. Last week, the protestors destroyed pipelines and damaged refineries. They demanded a share of oil profits in the form of infrastructure and environmental cleanup.
The U.S. Coast Guard is searching for 30 Cubans who might have drowned off the coast of Florida. Mitch Perry reports from WMNF in Tampa.
The family of an alleged India ‘spy’ on death row in Pakistan threatens suicide. Vinod K. Jose has more from New Delhi.
The state of Connecticut has filed a lawsuit against the federal government for No Child Left Behind. The state claims that the federal legislation is illegal because it requires expensive testing and programs they don’t pay for. The lawsuit states that the federal government cannot impose requirements they don’t provide funds to implement them. The No Child Left Behind Act requires every state to use standardized testing to measure proficiency by 2014. Connecticut is the first state to file suit over the legislation. Utah has signed a measure against the legislation.
Features
Palestinians Examine Ways to Revive Economy in Gaza (4:06)
Thirty-eight years of occupation in Gaza officially ended today as the Israeli Army reported that it had finished evacuating Netzarim—the last of 21 settlements. Now, Palestinians and the Palestinian government look to revive their economy, crippled by years of Israeli closures. Experts warn that’s easier said than done, however. Laila El-Haddad has more From Gaza.
Israeli Youth Used By Settlers During Evacuation From Gaza (3:10)
Another issue of concern during the evacuation has been the prominent role of children among the settlers. From teenagers who made up the bulk of those who infiltrated into the settlements, to the many toddlers forced by their parents to take part, the use and abuse of children has aroused criticism from Israel’s Prime Minister and it’s chief of staff. Irris Makkler reports from the Gaza Strip.
Iraq’s Parliament Receives a Draft Constitution With “Pending Points” (4:08)
The Iraqi Parliament received a final draft of the constitution before the appointed deadline… but not without further issues to be resolved in the document. Negotiators now have another 3 days to try to resolve the concerns from the Sunni Arab community. Kurdish and Shia factions of the Assembly would have enough votes combined to push the draft through, however the Sunnis could reject the constitution when the people vote whether to ratify it. The split does not bode well for the Bush administration that is hearing increased calls for a withdrawal from Iraq by lawmakers. Mitch Jeserich has this update from Washington.
Halliburton’s KBR Recruits Workers In Florida (4:06)
A subcontractor for Halliburton subsidiary KBR has pled guilty TO taking kickbacks from an Iraqi company in exchange for a 600 thousand dollar contact to renovate four buildings into office and warehouse space. Houston-based Halliburton nor its KBR subsidiary was named in the Indictment. Meanwhile, the company’s role in Iraq continues to grow. FSRNs Andrew Stelzer spent an afternoon at a Tampa, Florida open call for job applicants who want to work for Halliburton in iraq and Afganistan.
Court Hears Arguments Over Medical Marijuana (2:37)
A University plant and soil sciences professor is challenging the US Food and Drug Administration in court today in order to begin research of prescription medicinal marijuana. Ingrid Drake has more from Washington DC.
Formerly Interned Japanese Americans Receive High School Diplomas (2:25)
And we go to Los Angeles for recognition long overdue. During World War II, some 120 thousand Japanese Americans were forcibly removed from their homes and placed in internment camps. There, many young people finished high school. Yesterday, at LA Trade Technical College, 70 and 80 year-old high school graduates were finally awarded their diplomas. KPFK’s Janet Nakano was there and files this report.
