March 17, 2004
Headlines
Clashes in Kosovo
At least 7 people have been killed and up to 200 injured in the worst street clashes between Kosovo Serbs and ethnic Albanians in the four years since the United Nations assumed administrative control of the region. Jackson Allers reports from Kosovo’s capital, Pristina.
Gearing Up to El Salvador’s Elections
International monitors for El Salvador’s upcoming elections on Sunday are being stopped at the airport. Rebecca Myles has more.
Powell in India
Secretary of State Colin Powell arrived in Afghanistan today. But, before he left India, he faced off with university students over outsourcing and open markets. Binu Alex reports from Ahmedabad.
Water Contamination in DC
More than 23-thousand residents with lead contamination in the nation’s capitol may be receiving water filters per orders from the mayor. Darby Hickey with the D.C. Radio Coop reports.
Interest Burden on College Loans
Republicans on the Hill want to take away low interest rate education loans from mostly middle class college students. From the D.C. Bureau, Jenny Johnson reports.
Features
Groups Move to Censure Bush (4:04)
According to reports – a car bomb destroyed a hotel in central Baghdad today. At least ten people were reportedly killed when the attack toppled the 5-story Hotel Jabal Lebannon, where many foreigners have stayed in. The attack comes just three days before the anniversary of the Iraqi invasion. In Washington, Chairman of the Joint Chief of Staff General Richard Meyers claimed that Iraq is on the road to democracy and economic prosperity. Meanwhile, the advocacy groups Move On.org and Win Without War have delivered over five hundred thousand petition signatures to Congress calling for the censure of President Bush. Mitch Jeserich has more from Capitol Hill.
Halabja Remembers Bombing (4:47)
This week marks the 16th anniversary of one of the worst chemical attacks in world history. On March 16, 1988, the Iraqi military dropped deadly ‘Serin’ gas on the Kurdish city of Halabja instantly killing 5,000 civilians and making the rest of the area’s population refugees. In Halabja yesterday for anniversary commemorations, US Administrator Paul Bremer said the bombing served as proof that last year’s US-led invasion of Iraq was justified and asked peace activists to see how a peaceful village was, quote “turned into hell over-night by evil.” What Bremer failed to mention in his speech – is that at the time – America was supporting Saddam Hussein. From the refugee camps of Northern Iraq, Aaron Glantz has the story.
Iranian Elections Criticized (3:45)
A high-ranking delegation from the Iraqi Governing Council arrived in Tehran on Monday for five-day talks on bi-lateral co-operation. Among the most important issues discussed will be the exchange of pilgrims for Holy sites. Meanwhile, the assembly elections of Islamic Republic of Iran ended up with a victory for the conservative party. But this victory does not indicate that the majority that will be represented in the new 7th assembly corresponds to the majority of the people’s will. The elections are now subject to both national and international criticisms on the basis that it was undemocratic. Ezgi Saritas files this report.
U Texas wants to Manage Los Alamos Nuclear Weapons Facilities (3:30)
The Los Alamos National Laboratory in northern New Mexico is the birthplace of the atomic age. The Manhattan Project, at Los Alamos, developed the nuclear bombs dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. The lab today, under the University of California’s management, is pursuing new nuclear weapons, like the bunker buster bomb. While the U.S. nuclear program has a clear mandate from the Bush administration to create a new generation of nuclear arms, what’s unclear is whether the University of California will continue to manage Los Alamos, as it has for more than 60 years. The University of Texas has its eyes on the nation’s premiere nuclear weapons facility. Stefan Wray has more.
Social Promotion Ended in NYC Schools? (2:52)
On Monday night New York’s Panel for Educational Policy voted to adopt a controversial plan ending social promotion in New York City schools, hours after Mayor Michael Bloomberg orchestrated the last minute replacement of three members who planned to vote against the proposal. Meanwhile, those who oppose the way the Mayor stacked the panel in his favor, plan to question the legality of Bloomberg’s replacements for the three panel members he fired. Gail Walker has the story.
