Newscast for Friday, June 5, 2009

• Low turnout expected in European Parliament elections
• Indian students protest “racist” attacks in Australia
• Muslim nations react to President Obama´s Cairo speech
• GAO says US food aid could hurt hungry people abroad
• Native American tribes in VA and NC encouraged by federal recognition bill

Low turnout expected in European Parliament elections
Europeans are going to the polls this week to elect 736 representatives to the European Parliament. Voters in the UK went to the polls yesterday, to vote for their 72 European MPs.But there seems to be a general lack of interest in the supranational parliament.Pollsters are predicting low turnout rates throughout the continent and small parties are poised to make gains. From London, Naomi Fowler reports.

Indian students protest “racist” attacks in Australia
For years, Australia has been a preferred destination for many Indian students aspiring to study abroad. But after a series of violent attacks security concerns are now forcing many students to rethink their plans.The latest victim of is a 25-year old student who is in a critical condition, after being stabbed with a screwdriver by a gang of people at a birthday party. Six more attacks against Indian students, occurred in the last week alone sparking protests and accusations of racism from both the students and parents. FSRN’s Bismillah Geelani has the story

Muslim nations react to President Obama´s Cairo speech
Pakistan´s army says it has arrested six senior aides of radical cleric Sufi Muhhamad, whose son in law commands Taliban forces in the Swat valley. This follows a suicide bombing during Friday prayers at a mosque in the Upper Dir district which killed dozens.

Dir is the hometown of Islamic leader, Maulana Sufi, who brokered a ceasefire in the neighboring Swat valley between Pakistan´s army and the Taliban.  But intense fighting began shortly after, when the pact fell apart. Since then an estimated 3 million have fled the violence and left their homes and are now living in camps for internally displaced people.Under these circumstances many in Pakistan – and in the region - listened to President Barack Obama´s speech in Cairo.

GAO says US food aid could hurt hungry people abroad
U-S food aid to other countries often does more to benefit U-S agribusiness than hungry people abroad. That’s what a new report by the Government Accountability Office says.   Experts say food shipments can actually decrease food security.  Tanya Snyder reports.

Native American tribes in VA and NC encouraged by federal recognition bill
Six American Indian tribes in Virginia and one in North Carolina could soon be granted federal recognition status., thanks to a bill that moved through the house this week. After years of struggle, tribe members are optimistic that they may finally achieve recognition at the national level. Sam Greenspan reports.