Newscast for Friday, August 7, 2009

Department of Labor releases new unemployment figures
Figures released today by the US Bureau of Labor Statistics show a slight decrease in the national unemployment rate. July´s numbers dropped a tenth of  a percentage point to 9.4 percent.  These figures refer to non-farm payroll positions and account for about 14.5 million people out of work.

While some lawmakers on Capitol Hill characterized the news as a sign that the economy is improving, the White House cautioned that Americans have a long road ahead.

“Today we´re pointed in the right direction, we´re losing jobs at half the rate we were when I took office…we´ve enabled families to reduce the payments on their mortgages making their homes more affordable and reducing the number of foreclosures, we helped revive the credit markets and opened loans for families and small businesses…while we rescued our economy from catastrophe, we´ve also begun to build a new foundation for growth…”

The Labor Department figures most frequently cited when discussing unemployment only show part of the picture.  To take a deeper look at the jobless situation in the US, FSRN spoke to Chris Tilly. He directs the Institute for Research on Labor and Employment at UCLA.

Commission for Civil Rights mired in partisan politics
President Eisenhower created the US Commission on Civil Rights in 1957, in part, to investigate complaints of citizens denied their right to vote.  When the commission convened on Friday, some members indicated that its activities have now become mired in partisan politics. FSRN´s Sam Greenspan reports.

Senate doubles budget for Cash for Clunkers bill
Old car owners have another shot to upgrade to a new, fuel efficient car. The Senate doubled down on the original Cash for Clunkers bill, approving $2 billion dollars for the program. But critics say this environmental initiative, might not be achieving its goals. FSRN´s Tanya Snyder reports.

Philadelphia community groups protest closure of swimming pools
With temperatures reaching the high 80s, Philadelphia’s pools are a popular destination for the city’s youth and adults alike.   However, Mayor Michael Nutter’s budget decisions have delayed people’s swimming plans in 27 neighborhoods across the city, where pools are closed for the year.  Residents from these neighborhoods, along with a broad coalition of community activists, are demanding that the city open all of the closed pools.  FSRN’s Andalusia Knoll has more from Philadelphia.

Court favors landowners on Texas borderAs the controversial border wall nears completion, a decision by a district court offered some relief to south Texas landowners, whose land could be divided by the fence. FSRN'S Ann Raber reports.

US missile attack kills Taliban chief in Pakistan
A US missile strike in Pakistan has killed Taliban chief Baitullah Mehsud. The news was confirmed by an aid to Mehsud, who talked to the Associated Press by telephone. He said the attack also killed one of Mehsud's wives.

The Pakistan Foreign Minister and intelligence officials have confirmed the death, however the US government said they await further evidence before confirming Mehsud was indeed killed in the attack.

The 37-year old was a powerful Taliban leader in Waziristan. On Wednesday, an unmanned US drone fired at a farm house and killed several people including one of Mehsud's wives. Earlier reports from people at the scene denied that Mehsud was in the house when it was hit.

In North West Frontier Province, many are happy, but there's no public celebrations in the streets. Many live in fear of the Taliban and are extremely cautious about expressing their views, including this youth who spoke to FSRN on the condition of anonymity.

"I do not know what to say about his death. I am worried and afraid if I would say anything bad about him than I am afraid of one party and if I say good about him than I am afraid of other group. I am not concerned with his death but only with my earning and business."

Taliban violence and clashes with the government have displaced some three million people in Pakistan. Ishtiaq Khan lectures at a university in Islamabad and works for a local NGO. But he's originally from South Waziristan, the home town of Baitullah Mehsud. Kahn left his home town two years ago due to growing militancy in the area.

“The killing of Baitullah Mehsud to the Taliban in Pakistan but it is yet to be seen what is the reaction of the Taliban because it can prove to be very counterproductive…”

There's also concern, says Khan, that a new Taliban leader could be worse.

“…maybe a new leader emerges with a new strategy and a new modus operandi who can avenge the death of Baitullah Mehsud, only time will tell that because Baitullah proved to be a better leader than the previous leaders.”

Many Taliban militants revered Mehsud because he considered himself a common man, rather than a commander. He was also known to distribute money to poor local villagers. Mehsud led a number of militant networks that Pakistani and US government officials believe were behind suicide bombings that killed hundreds of civilians and security personnel. Mehsud was also on the US most wanted list, with the State Department offering a $5 million reward for information leading to his location, arrest or conviction.