Newscast for Thursday, June 25, 2009

Congress questions Fed Chair over his role in Merrill Lynch bailout
Today, Federal Reserve Chair Ben Bernanke was in the hot seat as he answered questions from a House of Representatives oversight committee, about the government’s involvement in the purchase of Merrill Lynch by Bank of America. Committee members say Bernanke pressured Bank of America CEO Ken Lewis, to go through with the Merrill Lynch deal even though he didn’t want to, causing what was supposed to be a private deal to become a $20 billion bailout.  FSRN´s Karen Miller reports.

The Healthy School Food Brigade takes its case to Capitol Hill
This week, members of the Healthy School Food Brigade -which includes parents and other healthy food advocates- traveled to Capitol Hill to urge Congress to eliminate junk food from American schools.  Melissa Langer reports from Washington, DC.

Iran´s Mousavi says he will continue to challenge election results
In Iran, opposition candidate Mir Hossein Mousavi published a statement on his website, saying he will continue to challenge the June 12 election results, and called on his supporters to continue peaceful protests.

No reports surfaced Thursday of demonstrations after news was circulated Wednesday via social media and internet videos of riot police and pro-government militiamen using clubs and tear gas to break up an opposition rally in front of Iran´s Parliament.

Mousavi blamed those behind the “rigged elections” for the violence that has been unleashed against protestors. Iran´s state media reports that at least 25 people have died in clashes between opposition supporters and pro-government forces since the elections, but figures are difficult to confirm, as reporters face severe restrictions on where and when they can work.

Mousavi says the government shut down his newspaper and is restricting his access to his supporters.  The opposition leader hasn´t been seen in public for days and he said that authorities arrested 70 university professors who met with him yesterday.

Western countries have been severely critical of the Iran´s reaction to the protests, with President Obama recently saying he was “appalled and outraged” by the crackdown on protesters.  Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad called on Obama to stop interfering in Iran´s affairs and to stop behaving like President Bush.

Ahmadinejad held an election victory party in Tehran today, with state media reporting that almost two thirds of Iran´s MP´s did not attend. Iran´s 290 MP´s had been invited to the celebration but local sources say only a third showed up.

In Washington, the Obama administration said it will no longer invite Iranian Diplomats to attend a Fourth of July party at the White House.

Afghanistan police prepare for August elections
Violence is peaking in Afghanistan as the central Asian country approaches its Presidential elections.  The Afghan army reported it killed 23 Taliban fighters earlier this week during combats in Uruzgan province, while battles continue to take place in several parts of the country.

Concerned about this violence, the Afghan government has decided to train 35 thousand police to maintain security during the August 20th elections.  These will be only the second presidential elections in Afghanistan's turbulent history. Zubair Babakarkhail reports from Kabul.

Veterans share Iraq and Afghanistan war experiences
The White House yesterday confirmed President Obama´s plans to remove US soldiers from cities and towns in Iraq next week, despite two bomb explosions that killed two and injured more than 30 people today. And a motorcycle bomb that killed more than 60 people in Baghdad´s Sadr city on Wednesday.

At home, Iraq Veterans Against the War, a grassroots organization of vets opposed to US wars, continues to organize Winter Soldier hearings across the country. It´s a venue where veterans from Iraq and Afghanistan can tell stories from their war days, in an environment that´s safe and supportive.  Leo Paz reports from Los Angeles.