Newscast for Friday, October 12, 2012

On foreign policy, Biden and Ryan display difference in style, but little in substance

Mitt Romney and Paul Ryan hit campaign events today in Virginia and Ohio as Vice President Joe Biden attended an event in Wisconsin and President Obama began preparing for next week's debate. Last night, Biden and Ryan faced off in their one and only debate which touched on taxes, health care, reproductive rights, and foreign policy. The two clashed throughout the 90-minute debate. Ryan criticized President Obama’s record in the transitioning Middle East, including the President’s handling of events in Libya, Iran and Syria. Biden accused him of wanting to start another war the US can't afford. Yet the two men’s positions last night did not always match their voting histories. FSRN’s Alice Ollstein reports.

US, Israel adjust assessment of Iran nuclear program, but negotiations lag

In last night’s debate, the Vice Presidential candidates both addressed another key foreign policy topic: Iran. Paul Ryan said the country was “racing toward a nuclear weapon,” which Joe Biden refuted. Biden said both the US and Israeli intelligence and military agreed Iran was a “good way away” from getting a nuclear weapon. Ryan also accused the Obama administration of being too soft on Iran, while Biden touted the “most crippling sanctions in the history of sanctions,” which have been criticized by some economists for negatively affecting civilians. What the candidates omitted was any discussion on the ongoing negotiations with Iran, in which the country has offered concessions. To shed light on the issue, The Real News Network’s Paul Jay spoke to historian and investigative journalist Gareth Porter.

To watch the full interview, go to TheRealNews.com.

After widespread criticism, Puerto Rico halts controversial Via Verde pipeline project

In Puerto Rico, the government has cancelled plans to build a controversial natural gas pipeline that was set to criss-cross the island and has drawn protests from local residents, scientists and environmentalists. On Thursday, officials withdrew a request to the Army Corps of Engineers to build the 92-mile pipeline. According to the Spanish-language press, El Nuevo Dia, officials said the decision was based on finances and so far the government has invested $50 million on the project. But many residents of Puerto Rico said the pipeline would have damaged sensitive environmental areas and threatened local communities. And they question the use of limited funds for a project that was expected to benefit associates of Governor Luis Fortuño. For more, were joined by Arturo Massol. He’s a professor of Biology at the University of Puerto Rico and spokesperson with Casa Pueblo, one of the community groups critical of Via Verde project.

In India, plan to deal with toxic waste stalls as Bhopal residents call for action

In Bhopal, India the government is struggling to come up with a plan to deal with the hundreds of tons of toxic waste that remains from the Union Carbide plant.  The waste isn't from the deadly Bhopal disaster, but includes other chemicals that have been sitting on the factory premises for nearly three decades. The country experienced a recent set-back after the German company GIZ announced it was withdrawing its offer to dispose of the waste after three months of contract negotiations. From Bhopal, FSRNs Shuriah Niazi reports.