Newscast for Wednesday, February 23, 2011

Libya’s Colonel Gaddafi struggles to remain in power and continues his crackdown on civilians
In Libya, Colonel Gaddafi continues a ferocious crackdown on protesters and many fear the death toll may be rising. Videos posted to the internet, which appears to be shot from cell phones, purport to show evidence of massacres over the last two days. One shows a crowd crying in anguish after discovering a number of charred and black remains. Another alleges the footage is of more than 18 soldiers who defied orders to kill protesters. Those bodies are shown lying face down in pools of blood, their hands tied behind their backs. Secretary of State Hilary Clinton condemned the violence.

“We join the international community in strongly condemning the violence as we’ve received reports of hundreds killed and many more injured.  This bloodshed is completely unacceptable.  It is the responsibility of the government of Libya to respect the universal rights of their own people including the right to free expression and assembly.”

Meanwhile thousands of foreigners are trying to flee the country.  Some countries are sending military planes to pick up their citizens, others are dispatching ships.

There are reports that more parts of the country and some areas of the Capital are falling into control of opposition forces. Many people are armed and there is growing concern about more weapons and mercenaries entering the country and attacking civilians.

Libyan-New Yorkers talk about the experiences of their families in Libya
In the United States, Libyans are gathering in front of the UN building in New York to protest the killings of civilians in their country by the Gaddafi regime.  FSRN’s Manuel Rueda went along to talk to them and spoke with Tia Cibani, Ahmed Hasin, Ali Mohammed and Ahmed Matri.

Ohio lawmakers consider a bill like Wisconsin’s that would strip workers’ rights
In Ohio, State lawmakers are considering a bill that would restrict state and local employees’ collective bargaining powers. The proposals are similar to bills in other states, including Wisconsin. Proponents of Ohio's Senate Bill 5 want to end collective bargaining for all state workers and restrict if for local employees including firefighters and police.  Sehvilla Mann has more from Columbus.

Koch Industries and the Wisconsin bill that would restrict collective bargaining rights
From Columbus, Ohio to Madison, Wisconsin, where tens of thousands have been demonstrating against a bill to strip workers of their collective bargaining rights.  Democrats in the State Assembly are in the process of introducing dozens of amendments in an attempt to slow the passage of Governor Scott Walker’s controversial bill.   Earlier this week, Democratic lawmakers fled the State to avoid voting on the bill.   But during a debate that lasted into the early hours of this morning, Republicans voted to defeat one Democrat proposal that would have sent the Governor’s bill back to committee. Among the Governor’s supporters, IS the powerful business duo, the Koch brothers.   For more on their role in this unfolding struggle over workers’ rights, we go to AlterNet's Washington bureau chief, Adele Stan.  She’s written about the connections between Governor Walker and the Koch Brothers.

In Honduras, a new draft constitution calls for the official recognition of indigenous and Garifuna people
In Honduras, hundreds of Indigenous people and Garifuna - who are descendants of Carib, Arawak and West Africans -  have been meeting in a constitutional assembly. Today, they're putting the finishing touches on proposals for a new Honduran Constitution which calls for recognition of Indigenous and Garifuna peoples.  The assembly has emphasized issues fundamental to indigenous and Garifuna autonomy, education and health care for marginalized communities.   Tim Russo brings us more from Honduras.

The US budget impasse and the possibility of the government shutting down
Although Congress is not in Washington this week; the possibility of a government shutdown grows each day. An impasse over the budget could cause the federal government to close. FSRN’s Leigh Ann Caldwell explains what that could like.