Newscast for Thursday, July 16, 2009

Supreme Court Justice nominee Sotomayor faces questions on discrimination case
Republicans are paving the way for an easy confirmation of Judge Sonia Sotomayor to be the next Supreme Court Justice, making her the third woman and the first Latina to sit on the high court.
But first, Republicans quizzed Sotomayor on her role in the case of the white New Haven firefighters who sued the city government for employment discrimination.  The lead plaintiff in the case was Frank Ricci, he testified against Sotomayor today.  FSRN´s Leigh Ann Caldwell reports.

Sotomayor supporters question Republican concerns over Ricci case
US Supreme Court Nominee Sotomayor has come under fire from Republicans over the past week over her role in the Ricci vs De Stefano discrimination case.
Republicans who oppose the Supreme Court nominee say the Ricci case generates doubts about Sotomayor´s understanding of equal opportunity and civil rights. Sotomayor supporters say Republicans are blowing things out of proportion and some civil rights groups like People for the American Way support her decision in the Ricci case.
Pacifica Radio's Mitch Jesserich spoke to Marge Baker, the policy director at People for the American Way.

Former Treasury Secretary Paulson, faces tough questions on Bank of America bailout
Today former Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson faced tough questions from lawmakers about his involvement in the government’s bailout of Bank of America and its merger with Merrill Lynch.  During heated exchanges congressmembers accused Paulson of  threatening Bank of America's CEO, deceiving Congress and withholding information from US taxpayers.  FSRN´s Karen Miller has more.

University of California staff and students fight budget cuts
The ongoing financial crisis is taking its toll on public education across the country and in California, faculty, service workers and students  are mobilizing to curb budget cuts. The Regents of the University of California are at the end of a three-day meeting to decide the fate of salaries, furloughs and layoffs for the faculty and staff of one of the largest public university systems in the country.   From KCSB in Santa Barbara, Daniel Alvarenga reports.

War against Taliban affects education in Pakistan´s tribal belt
In Pakistan, around 3 million people fled their homes recently, following military operations in the northwest tribal belt. The Pakistani military is trying to oust Taliban militants from the area but as usual, civilians are paying a heavy toll for the war, as houses, hospitals and schools are targeted by militants and the military.
FSRN´s correspondent in Pakistan recently traveled to the Bunir district, where the fighting and exodus of people has decimated the public education system. Nathan Moore read for our reporter, Gabe Mathhews.