November 18, 2004
Headlines
New Possibility of Mad Cow in U.S.
Officials at the U.S. Department of Agriculture announced they might have confirmed another case of mad cow disease in the United States. They added that they need several more days to analyze the findings even though the newest tests are considerably more stringent. Mad cow, also known as bovine spongiform encephalopathy, is a fatal brain wasting disease that can be passed from cows to humans. The President of the American Meat Institute said, “Regardless of the outcome of this test result, U.S. beef is safe.” Government officials said the sample came from a high-risk calf population and that the disease never entered the “food chain.”
3 Egyptian Police Officers Killed by Israeli Military
Egyptian officials are upset over the killing of their police officers by the Israeli military. Paul Schemm reports from Cairo.
Protests in Chile Over Economic Summit
Chilean high school students staged a quickly organized protest yesterday over the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in Santiago. Without a warning, police quickly and firmly broke up the demonstration with water cannons and tear gas. The city is closed down for the 21 leaders, and 500 corporate chiefs who plan to complete so-called free trade talks. Free Speech Radio News correspondent Jorge Garreton says there is more to come in Santiago as George W. Bush makes his way to the city tomorrow. — Tonight Women for Peace have organized a candle light vigil against Bush’s visit to Chile.
Human Rights Watch Says US Housing Rules Unjust
Human Rights Watch is highly critical of existing federal housing rules that disproportionately deny people of color the ability to put a roof over their heads. Victoria Hood reports from D.C.
Hard Evidence That Ozone Kills People
Ozone smog has been directly linked to human deaths according to a report in the Journal of the American Medical Association. Erika McDonald has more.
Features
Immigration Investigations Target Middle Easterners? (4:20)
In the month of October, the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agency conducted over 900 investigations into suspected immigration status violators, making 237 arrests as part of a stepped up enforcement effort that began in the lead up to the elections and will last at least until the Presidential inauguration in January. Some immigrant rights groups say the increased investigations are targeting people who appear to be from the Middle East. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, also known as ICE, denies the accusation. Mitch Jeserich has more from Washington D.C.
Federal Debt Ceiling Increase (3:39)
Yesterday, a divided US Senate approved an $800 billion dollar increase of the federal debt ceiling, which will allow the government to continue running on a negative balance. Dolores Bernal of our DC bureau has more on this story from Capitol Hill.
Iraq: The Psychology of Terror (2:23)
DNA tests are being conducted on a mutilated woman’s body found in Fallujah to figure out if it is that of CARE International Aid worker Margaret Hassan. While many grieve over Hassan’s apparent death, some are starting to question the motivations for her execution. Diane Perlman is a clinical and political psychologist and co-chair of the Committee on Global Violence and Security for a division of the American Psychological Association. She joins us today from Washington.
Indian Prime Minister Singh Visit to Kashmir (3:28)
Indian Prime minister Manmohan Singh concluded his two day visit to the trouble torn state of Jammu and Kashmir today. This is Singh’s first visit to the region after assuming office in May and comes while a peace process between India and Pakistan is being negotiated. Prior to the visit, Singh announced a reduction in the number of troops in Jammu and Kashmir. And, as Shanawaz Khan reports, violence has already erupted around the Prime Minister’s visit to the contested territory.
Impact on Free Trade in Ghana (4:05)
Globalization and free trade are frequently cited by governments in the industrialized world as crucial for the development of nations on the African continent. Yet, in the West African nation of Ghana, economic liberalization and the subsequent influx of subsidized goods from the west have had a catastrophic impact on the agriculture-based economy. Rupert Cook reports.
Bank Bombings in Argentina (2:19)
Bombs exploded at three banks in the Argentine capital of Buenos Aires yesterday. Two of the three banks targeted are operated by U.S. giant Citibank. One bomb killed one security guard, and another injured a bomb squad officer. Mat Goldin has more from Buenos Aires.
