Newscast for Tuesday, December 1, 2009

Protestors voice outrage ahead of Obama's speech on Afghanistan
President Obama is expected to announce the deployment of an additional 30,000 troops to Afghanistan in a prime time address to the nation tonight from the military academy at West Point. On Capitol Hill, both Democrats and Republicans are expressing dissatisfaction. Republicans are upset by how long it has taken Obama to reach his decision and many Democrats are disappointed with the increase of troops. Meanwhile, Americans are taking to the streets to voice their outrage at the decision. FSRN’s Sharon Sabotta reports.

On World AIDS day, a shift in policy from South Africa
Today is World AIDS Day and across the globe, activists, government officials and NGOs are participating in hundreds of events to raise awareness about the disease. Some 33 million people are living with HIV worldwide. But Sub-Saharan Africa continues to be the region most heavily affected, accounting for sixty seven percent of all HIV cases. What’s more, 91 percent of all new infections are among children, according to UNAIDS. Another 14 million children have become orphans in Sub-Saharan Africa, after their parents died from the disease.

The rate of HIV-AIDS in South Africa is particularly startling where, according to the World Health Organization, 1 out of 5 people live with HIV. That's more than any other country. But policies could be shifting. Earlier today, President Jacob Zuma announced a new plan that would bring life-saving treatment to HIV-positive infants under 12 months old and to pregnant women. This comes, however, as international groups released a report criticizing President Obama for a lack of funding for AIDS/HIV programs in Africa. Assessing his first year in office, the report gave the president a grade of D-plus.

We’re joined by Dr. Paul Zeitz, executive director of Global AIDS Alliance, a non partisan advocacy network based in Washington DC.

Changes to Washington D.C. needle exchange program could leave out many
Washington DC has the highest rate of HIV/AIDS in the country. And there’s a battle brewing in Washington over the city's needle exchange programs. Many HIV-AIDS workers advocate the programs as a way to stem the spread of the disease. But proposed changes to the city’s needle exchange program could make it more difficult for those who need the services – many of whom are at risk for contracting HIV-AIDS through dirty needles. FSRN'S Karen Miller more.

Unemployed to lose assistance for health care
Unemployed people will lose subsidies to pay for health insurance today.  The government’s stimulus plan gave relief to people who lost their jobs so they could continue to buy health insurance.  But for many, those subsidies expired yesterday. FSRN’s Leigh Ann Caldwell reports.

Independent media, 10 years after the WTO protests
This week marks the 10 year anniversary of the protests in Seattle that took place during the World Trade Organization's meeting. The week brought together a coalition of environmentalists, labor activists and human rights groups and drew attention to the WTO's expanding influence throughout the world. It also led to new innovations in independent media and a growth in citizen journalism. In the second of a two-part series, FSRN's Jill Friedberg has more on the legacy of independent media centers, ten years later.