June 03, 2005
Headlines (5:18)
Bolivia’s President offered a major concession to demonstrators who are calling for the re-nationalization of the country’s resources. Linda Farthing has more from La Paz.
Chile’s center-left government signs another so-called free trade agreement with countries around the globe. From Jorge Garretón explains.
A leaked copy of a report from the group that monitors human rights in Europe is highly critical of the British government. From London, Naomi Fowler has some of the details in advance.
An internal shake up in Mexico’s government is making way for a new presidential candidate and a former foe of labor. Luz Ruiz has more from Chiapas.
A former Army Ranger is suing the Library of Congress for discrimination alleging a job offer was rescinded after disclosing she would come to work as a different gender. David Koppel reports from D.C.
Features
Violence Continues in Iraq (3:00)
A car bomb, targeting a restaurant where bodyguards of Iraq’s Kurdish deputy prime minister were eating, exploded Thursday in the northern Iraqi town of Tuz Khurmatu, killing 10 people and wounding 22. Joining us to talk about the continuing violence in the country is Moaad Alhamdany, an Iraqi journalist on the ground in Baghdad.
Genetically Modified Organisms: A Look at the Cartagena Protocol (4:05)
Representatives from over 115 countries will wrap up a meeting today in Montreal that could have a powerful impact on the policies governing international shipments of gene-altered food and feed. The Cartagena Protocol is a section of the United Nations Treaty on Biodiversity that deals specifically with genetically-modified organisms. Although the treaty took effect in September 2003, some of the details have yet to be defined by the member nations during a series of working sessions. Shannon Young takes a look at Mexico’s role in the negotiations.
New French Government Has Yet to Please Residents (3:27)
France’s new prime minister named a Cabinet packed with familiar faces Thursday. Former minister of foreign affairs Dominique De Villepin said he was launching his campaign to bring down unemployment and win back the confidence of the French people after a rebuke by voters who rejected the proposed European Union constitution. French president Jacques Chirac, meanwhile, has never been so low in opinion polls, as many voices criticize his lack of authority. As Raphaël Krafft reports from Paris, De Villepin’s new government is far from responding to French people’s expectations
Trafficking in Persons Report Released (2:26)
The US State Department released its Trafficking in Persons report today. Every year, somewhere between 1 and 2 million people are forced into prostitution, domestic labor, and a number of other abusive industries around the world. Human trafficking is said to generate huge profits for organized crime and individual exploiters. Ingrid Drake of the DC Radio Co-op has more.
Migrant Labor in Asia (3:50)
Like many other countries, Thailand is trying to crack down on undocumented workers. This month, the Thai government is requiring all migrant workers from countries such as Cambodia, Laos, and Myanmar (formerly known as Burma), to register for one-year work permits. All those who don’t register by the end of this month will likely face arrest and be sent back to their country of origin. FSRN’s Doualy Xaykaothao reports on some of the challenges facing migrant workers.
Costa Ricans Consider DR-CAFTA (3:42)
The Dominican Republic – Central American Free Trade agreement (DR-CAFTA) is becoming an issue of increasing importance for citizens in Costa Rica. As the strongest economy and most stable democracy in Central America, Costa Rica has managed to delay ratification of the mandate, with President Abel Pacheco promising nothing will be done until he is sure every Costa Rican will benefit. However, with increasing pressure from big business and multinationals, the debate over the pros and cons of free trade is gaining momentum. In San Jose, Costa Rica, Rachel Ingersoll has more.
