Archive - Jan 27, 2010

• In Haiti, children are vulnerable survivors in quake's aftermath
• Sri Lankan president re-elected, challenger disputes results
• Resistance movement in Honduras looks ahead as new president inaugurated
• Yemen focus of international talks in London
• Advocates weigh in on president’s address to the nation
• Geithner, Paulson defend roles in AIG’s use of government bailout money

• Proposition 8 trial testimony closes
• FL judge allows LGBT adoption despite state ban
• Oregon voters approve tax measures: sign of larger acceptance of tax increases?
• North and South Korea exchange fire along coast
• Hamas denies responsibility for war crimes during Gaza war
• World Economic Forum opens in Switzerland

The earthquake that shook Haiti two weeks ago left thousands of people homeless, including some of the most vulnerable members of society: children. Children make up nearly half of Haiti's population and have been injured, orphaned and at times, left to fend for themselves. According to UNICEF, 90 percent of the schools in the capital are damaged or destroyed. FSRN'S Dolores M. Bernal brings us this story from Port-au-Prince.

Sri Lankan president Mahinda Rajapakse was re elected for a second term today. His main challenger, his former army commander, rejected the tally and demanded a new vote. FSRN’s Ponniah Manikavasagam has the story.

Today, the new president of Honduras, Porfirio "Pepe" Lobo was inaugurated, ending the seven-month old political crisis that has consumed the country.

Many Hondurans, including those organizing against the presidential coup, boycotted November’s elections. While some countries have refused to recognize the new government, the US sent a delegation to today’s inauguration. FSRN'S Vincent Bevins reports on what's ahead for ousted President Manuel Zelaya and the resistance movement inspired by the coup.

Today the Yemeni government issued a statement renewing its pledge to confront militants within its country calling for "sustained and focused engagement." This comes as world leaders converge in London to discuss future strategy in both Yemen and Afghanistan. The conference was called by UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown after it was revealed that the Nigerian man who is accused of plotting to bomb an airline on Christmas day had studied in Yemen and possibly had contact with Al Qaeda members in the country. Meanwhile, US military involvement in Yemen is ramping up. Today, the Washington Post reports that over the past six weeks several dozen troops from the US military's Joint Special Operations Command have assisted Yemeni troops to target and kill scores of people.

To learn more about these issues, we're joined by Zachary Lockman, chair of the dept of Middle Eastern and Islamic Studies at New York University.

The President is scheduled to give his State of the Union address this evening at 9 pm eastern. He is expected to focus his speech on the economy, and like most State of the Unions, he'll likely lay out his vision for the year ahead. FSRN’s Leigh Ann Caldwell spoke with some GROUPS and individuals about what they would like him to say. Here’s what a People’s State of the Union would sound like.

You can tune into Pacifica’s live broadcast of the State of the Union tonight at 9 pm eastern. After the President's speech, you will hear reaction from analysts and lawmakers on Capitol Hill.  You can stream live at www.pacifica.org.