Archive - Apr 19, 2010

• Supreme Court hears case on religious freedom on campus
• The SEC lawsuit against Goldman Sachs and accountability on Wall Street
  (click here for web only version)
• Protests in Bangkok mirror deep divisions in Thai society
• Disclosure required for pregnancy centers in Austin
• SNCC celebrates 50 years of civil rights struggles

• Two al-Qaeda commanders killed in joint force attack
• Eight year old among dozens killed in Pakistan, Pak President signs 18th amendment
• People’s Conference on Climate gets started in Bolivia
• Guilty verdict on lesser charge in hate crime death of Ecuadorean immigrant
• Air travel to ease over Europe tomorrow as criticism flies
• Wartime contracting hearings:  Chair finds unnecessary risk of fraud and abuse
• Former Blackwater bosses indicted on weapons charges

The Supreme Court today heard oral arguments on whether a university has to recognize a student group whose faith-based policies may limit the participation of gay students. FSRN's Karen Miller has more from Washington DC.

(extended version)

The Securities and Exchange Commission has filed a lawsuit against Goldman Sachs accusing the financial firm of deliberately misleading investors in a hedge fund that was allegedly designed to fail. The civil suit states the company helped to set up an investment composed of packages of toxic subprime loans for client and hedge fund manager, John Paulson. Investors lost $1 billion in the scheme. Paulson and his company are not named in the lawsuit.

This is the first time the government has taken legal action against a Wall Street giant since the collapse of the housing market.

Shannon Young spoke with Nomi Prins, former investment banker and author of the book It Takes a Pillage: Behind the Bonuses, Bailouts, and Backroom Deals from Washington to Wall Street for more on the substance of the lawsuit and its implications.

The Securities and Exchange Commission has filed a lawsuit against Goldman Sachs accusing the financial firm of deliberately misleading investors in a hedge fund that was allegedly designed to fail. The civil suit states the company helped to set up an investment composed of packages of toxic subprime loans for client and hedge fund manager, John Paulson. Investors lost $1 billion in the scheme. Paulson and his company are not named in the lawsuit.

This is the first time the government has taken legal action against a Wall Street giant since the collapse of the housing market.

Shannon Young spoke with Nomi Prins, former investment banker and author of the book It Takes a Pillage: Behind the Bonuses, Bailouts, and Backroom Deals from Washington to Wall Street for more on the substance of the lawsuit and its implications.

Political pressure is building again in Thailand amid fears of further clashes between anti-government protestors and the military. There have been few signs of compromise after bloodshed on April 10 left over 20 people dead. As Ron Corben reports from Bangkok there are also growing pro-government rallies reflecting the deep divisions within Thai society.

Starting today in Austin, Texas; pregnancy centers that do not offer nor refer people for birth control or abortion services will be required to post signs stating so. The unique city ordinance is seen as a step forward by abortion rights advocates...and a violation of religious free speech by opponents. FSRN's Ann Raber has more.