Archive - Jun 3, 2009

• Tianannmen Square anniversary: witnesses recall democracy movement´s rise and fall
• Israel conducts its largest ever military exercise
• Professor Stephen Zunes talks about the “new” US empire
• Oil rich Nigeria running out of fuel; citizens angered by shortages
• Rep. John Conyers tours US promoting health care act

• Obama Administration offers housing relief for Katrina victims
• Human rights groups renew call for Administration action following death of Guantanamo prisoner
• Disgraced federal judge to draw salary from jail for one year barring Congressional action
• Proposed bill would grant immigration rights to same-sex couples
• India elects first female Parliamentary Speaker

Twenty years ago, the Chinese government extinguished one of the world´s largest democracy movements.

Students and political activists set up a massive pro-democracy campsite for months in Beijing's Tiananmen Square. But on the night of June 3rd 1989, Chinese troops marched into Tiananmen square to break up the peaceful demonstrations.

Many were killed and injured - estimates vary widely, from hundreds to thousands. FSRN´s Daniel Bastard reports.

While Congress was in recess, Rep. John Conyers took the time to visit six cities advocating House Resolution 676, the United Sates National Health Care Act.

The bill is also known as Medicare for All, a single payer insurance paid for by the federal government with money from taxes, and medical bills going directly to a government insurance plan, similar to Medicare.

There´s an acute fuel scarcity in Nigeria, and workers are taking to the streets to demand the government resolve this situation.

FSRN´s Sam Olukoya reports from Lagos.

As military drills take place in Israel, President Obama makes a much anticipated visit to the Middle East.

Obama´s discussing Iran´s nuclear program with Saudi Arabia´s king Abdullah and he is also expected to pressure Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to stop the development of Jewish Settlements in the West Bank.

On Thursday, Obama will deliver a speech in Cairo where many expect the President will unveil a new Arab-Israeli peace plan.

But how´s this different from George Bush´s approach to the region?

The Israeli military is conducting a five-day military exercise this week called "Turning Point 3" to simulate an attack on the country. According to military officials the drills simulates a three-front attack on Israel, from Hamas in Gaza, Hezbollah in Lebanon, and the Syrian army.

Israel started the drills after the war with Hezbollah in Lebanon in 2006. The military simulation also comes immediately before the Lebanese elections, in which some analysts predict Hezbollah could win. FSRN's Ghassan Bannoura reports.