Newscast for Wednesday, February 1, 2012

Obama expands mortgage relief program for struggling homeowners

President Barack Obama unveiled new plans today to help struggling homeowners pay their mortgages and avoid foreclosure. The announcement comes a day after the Congressional Budget Office released its economic outlook study—which predicts many more years of high unemployment, low consumer confidence and many tough policy choices ahead. FSRN’s Alice Ollstein has the details, in Washington, D.C.

New York students stage walkout to protest school closures

Across the country cuts to education are threatening programs and services. Texas school officials say arts and culture programs could get hit after lawmakers approved a $4 billion drop in public education funding. And in Los Angeles, the city’s long-running Adult Education program - which serves many from the city’s immigrant and low-income communities - could be virtually wiped out if a current budget proposal is approved. But the cuts are also prompting action. In New York, high school students have called for a city-wide walkout today to protest the latest round of school closings and budget cuts. Community News Production Institute Reporter Jaisal Noor visited some of the schools taking part and brings us this report.

Free trade deal in Asia Pacific could hit labor, environment, public health

This week activists in Southern California are drawing attention to what they call secret negotiations taking place for a free trade deal shaping up in the Asia Pacific region. The Trans-Pacific Free Trade Agreement could affect policies in Malaysia, Australia, Peru, Vietnam, the United States and other countries with vast implications for labor, the environment, and public health. FSRN sat down with Tim Robertson in downtown Los Angeles. He’s the director of the California Fair Trade Coalition.

In the Philippines, impeachment trial tests government’s pledge to fight corruption

In The Philippines, officials continue the country’s first-ever impeachment trial of the chief judge of the Supreme Court. Renato Corona faces a number of charges, including failure to disclose assets, blocking the investigation against former President Gloria Arroyo for electoral fraud, and misuse of a multimillion dollar World Bank loan. The trial has riveted the country with demonstrations both in support of and against impeachment. Some activists have used a technique that may be familiar in the US - they’ve set up a tent near the Senate - and they’re pressing for an end to corruption and for integrity of the judicial process. FSRN’s Madonna Virola reports.