February 9, 2010
- Food aid in Haiti still slow, one month after earthquake
- Iran begins process of enriching uranium, US to push for sanctions
- Post-election unrest continues in Sri Lanka
- Costa Rica elects first woman, social conservative as next president
- Senate rejects nominee for National Labor Relations Board
HEADLINES
Troops poised to launch operation in Helmand Province, civilians warned to stay inside
US troops began initial operations in southern Afghanistan today in advance of a major offensive on the town of Marjah. NATO warned any civilians still in the region to keep their “heads down.” The Taliban prevented residents who had not already fled from doing so today, saying they had already set mines along the surrounding roads. Many villagers had not yet evacuated the area for fear of leaving their crops. And in northern Afghanistan, officials say as many as 70 people are dead and more than 400 injured after an avalanche. Military helicopters are dropping food rations to stranded travelers, and rescue efforts are ongoing.
India effectively bans genetically modified eggplant
India announced an indefinite moratorium on the commercial release of genetically modified eggplant — or Bt. Brinjal — today. Bismillah Geelani has more.
The government’s decision to put a moratorium on Bt. Brinajl comes after a series of public meetings across the country. People turned out in large numbers and registered their protest against the plan to introduce the country’s first genetically modified food crop. Environment minister Jairam Ramesh announced the decision in New Delhi today. He said the government cannot ignore public sentiment.
“It’s a mindset change that we need to bring that it is not necessary for us to clear everything that comes to us.”
The minister said the moratorium will not be reviewed unless independent scientific studies establish the safety of the product for human health and the environment. Farmers’ organizations and environmental groups have welcomed the decision. Bismillah Geelani, Free Speech Radio News, New Delhi.
Philippines charges 196 in political massacre
Prosecutors in the Philippines formally charged 196 people today in connection with a political massacre last November. Those charged include Andal Ampatuan Sr, a close political ally of the Philippine President. Along with the 195 others, Ampatuan is charged with conspiracy to kill members of a rival clan. 57 people died in the politically motivated attack.
Detainees on hunger strike at UK immigration center for women
An immigration detention center for women in the UK remains on lock-down today. Detainees are protesting separation from their children, extended incarcerations and poor living conditions. Naomi Fowler has more.
Protests at the notorious Yarls Wood detention center are nothing new. The center holds 405 women and children who are guilty of no crime other than falling foul of immigration laws. Around 40 women are believed to be in their 4th day of a hunger strike. Several who tried to escape out of a window are still locked outdoors with few clothes to keep them warm. According to one of the women, some women have collapsed and have received no medical attention. Campaigners are calling for an urgent inquiry into the centre and the response of the authorities to the disturbances. The centre and the government have denied any ill-treatment. Naomi Fowler, FSRN, London.
Protests at the notorious Yarls Wood detention center are nothing new. The center holds 405 women and children who are guilty of no crime other than falling foul of immigration laws. Around 40 women are believed to be in their 4th day of a hunger strike. Several who tried to escape out of a window are still locked outdoors with few clothes to keep them warm. According to one of the women, some women have collapsed and have received no medical attention. Campaigners are calling for an urgent inquiry into the centre and the response of the authorities to the disturbances. The centre and the government have denied any ill-treatment. Naomi Fowler, FSRN, London.
Israel steps up West Bank operations
As the stalemate continues in the Palestinian Israeli peace talks, Israel’s army stepped up its operations in West Bank communities this week. FSRN’s Ghassan Bannoura reports.
The Israeli military detained 16 Palestinian civilians during invasions targeting a number of West Bank communities, today. And at the Shufat camp for Palestinian refugees in Jerusalem city, clashes renewed. One Palestinian boy was arrested; one Israeli soldier was lightly wounded. Yesterday Israeli police raided the camp injuring residents and arresting around 60 others. Meanwhile the Israeli military continued its crackdown on nonviolent popular struggle organizers when troops ransacked the offices of the Stop the Wall campaign in Ramallah. On Sunday soldiers attacked the offices of International Solidarity Movement and arrested two international activists. They have since been released. Nata Golan is a co-founder of the ISM:
“The crackdown on the ISM and Stop the Wall is a continuation of an arrest campaign of the leadership of the popular struggle because it’s clear that the popular struggle is gaining legitimacy and widening. They have done many things to try to stop it in the past including killing people and now they are using violence to try to stop it. But obviously, they failed in the past and they will fail this time as well.”
Ghassan Bannoura, FSRN, Bethlehem.
Ten South Africans allege discrimination in Colorado Wal-mart
Ten South African men in Colorado have filed a complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission against Wal-mart. They say they were fired to make jobs available for locals. The also claim that they were denied prayer breaks. Wal-mart officials deny the claims. Wal-mart has been the focus of dozens of discrimination claims in as many years, and is currently named in the largest class-action discrimination suit in US history.
FEATURES
Food aid in Haiti still slow, one month after earthquake
Today marks the four-week anniversary of the devastating earthquake in Haiti. And food aid still remains a challenge. The World Food Program is currently operating 16 food and water distribution points throughout Port Au Prince. American troops are in charge of the distribution of that aid with cooperation from UN forces on the ground. But as FSRN’S Dolores M. Bernal reports, many Haitians are having to resort to selling some of the food they are receiving to supplement their diet.
Iran begins process of enriching uranium, US to push for sanctions
Today, Iran announced that it has begun enriching uranium for use in a medical reactor. In a notification to the UN Monday, Iran said that it needs the fuel at a research reactor that produces medical isotopes for kidney, heart and cancer patients.
In response, the US said that it will pursue renewed sanctions on Iran through the United Nations within the coming weeks. The UN’s International Atomic Energy Agency, which had inspectors on-site during the enrichment today, says that it is “seeking clarifications” from Iran on the production of materials and other technical details.
A spokesperson for Iran’s Foreign Minister told Al Jazeera that the work is moving forward, but at a measured pace.
“We never said that everything will be ready in no time and that, for example, the twenty percent cycle of enrichment would be begin on Tuesday. What we said is that we are preparing the ground for the necessary measures in order for us to produce twenty percent enriched fuel.”
The action comes just one week after President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad expressed a willingness to negotiate on fueling the research reactor. The US and its allies favor a plan to swap low-enriched uranium for fuel rods with Iran as a way of blocking Iran from building up stockpiles that could be used for bomb fuel.
Speaking yesterday in Paris, US Defense Secretary Robert Gates said that he hoped international sanctions would stop a need for a military strike.
“The key is persuading Iranian leaders that their long term best interests are best served by not having nuclear weapons as opposed to having them. So I think an approach along these lines, as long as the international community is seen pressing vigorously to resolve this problem, my hope is we will be able to keep this in economic and diplomatic channels.”
That audio from Voice of America.
This news also comes as Iran is preparing to mark the anniversary of the 1979 Islamic revolution, which could mean renewed protests and pressure on the government that has intensified since last June’s disputed presidential elections.
Post-election unrest continues in Sri Lanka
The Sri Lankan president dissolved the parliament today setting the stage for new elections to fill 225 seats. Meanwhile post presidential election violence is on the rise. Arrests, intimidation, killings and repression of free speech have all taken place, since Mahinda Rajpakase was re-elected last month. International and local concern for the safety of the arrested opposition candidate, former army Chief Sarath Fonseka, is mounting. FSRN’s Ponniah Manikavasagam reports.
Costa Rica elects first woman, social conservative as next president
Voters in Costa Rica have elected Laura Chinchilla as the next president. The former vice-president was elected with 47 percent of the vote over the weekend and will now become the country’s first female head of state. During the campaign, Chinchilla promised to continue Costa Rica’s free trade policies and highlighted fighting crime as a top priority, by pledging to raise spending on security by fifty percent. She follows the welfare policies of her party, The National Liberation Party, but comes down conservatively on other social issues. She’s against gay marriage and a woman’s right to an abortion.
To discuss what the election of Laura Chinchilla means for the Costa Rican people, we’re joined by Nicole Fillion-Robin, Research Associate at the Council on Hemispheric Affairs; and Larry Birns, Director at the DC-based organization.
Analysis of election in Costa Rica from the Council on Hemispheric Affairs: http://www.coha.org/costa-rica-elections2010/
Senate rejects nominee for National Labor Relations Board
Senator Richard Shelby, Republican of Alabama, has dropped his hold on most of President Obama’s 70 nominees. He made the move after receiving the attention from the White House he wanted in regards to two projects for his state, one a multibillion dollar contract with Northrup Grumman. Some of the nominees have been blocked for more than a year now.
With the process back on track, the Senate took up and rejected Obama’s controversial nominee to sit on the National Labor Relations Board by a vote of 52 – 33. The debate over Craig Becker to sit on the board was a proxy debate on the Employee Free Choice Act, also known as “Card Check”. The measure, supported by unions and opposed by business, is also stalled in the Senate. FSRN’s Leigh Ann Caldwell reports.
