Newscast for Thursday, November 19, 2009

Senate unveils health care bill that includes public option
In Washington today, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid unveiled health care legislation. The bill would cost $849 billion over the next decade but supporters it will be completely paid for. It is also projected to save $127 billion from the federal deficit. Reid's proposal would cover 31 million people and it includes a public option. But the bill still has a long way to go before it reaches the president's desk. FSRN’s Leigh Ann Caldwell has more.

Obama wraps up Asian tour in South Korea with host of issues
In South Korea today, President Barrack Obama wrapped up his four-nation tour of Asia by meeting with President Lee Myung-Bak and visiting with US troops at Osan Air Base. While Obama and Lee discussed nuclear negotiations with North Korea during a press conference, some South Koreans wanted Obama to address a different issue: why their nation is once again sending troops to Afghanistan. FSRN's Jason Strother has the story from Seoul.

Afghans express effects of war as Karzai begins second presidential term
Afghan President Hamid Karzai was inaugurated to a second term today, stating he would battle corruption and drug trafficking that runs rampant in the country.  He also made promises about the country’s military effort against the Taliban – setting goals that encouraged US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, who was in Kabul for the event.

"I was very pleased to hear today when President Karzai said that he hopes that within three years, the Afghan security forces will have the lead in important areas and within five years -- which is an ambitious goal, but he stated it -- the Afghan security forces would have the lead throughout the country."

Karzai’s reelection came amid controversy and widespread voter fraud, but a run off vote was cancelled after his primary opponent dropped out of the race.

The inauguration comes as President Obama is weighing options in the country, including an increase in US troops.

As policy is debated in the capitols, the people of Afghanistan are rarely heard in the debate. A new report that draws on the work of NGOs and development groups working on the ground in Afghanistan documents those voices. It's called "The Cost of War: Afghan Experiences of Conflict 1978 - 2009" and it was written by Oxfam International and Afghan NGOs.

To discuss the report's findings, we're joined by Shannon Scribner, a senior policy advisor with Oxfam International.

Protesters fight California regents' vote to increase university fees
At California campuses students and union activists faced off with university police. Some gathered yesterday at the University of California - Los Angeles to protest a 32 percent increase in student fees. The Board of Regents voted today to approve the hike, which would raise tuition to more than $10,000 a year for undergraduate students. Police in riot gear confronted protesters. Fourteen were arrested.

The move is part of a pattern across the country, where lower acceptance rates, tuition increases, and cuts to college classes have made a four year degree out of reach for many students. In California, a coalition of teachers, students, and worker unions has formed to demand drastic changes to save the state’s university system. FSRN'S Africa Jones reports.