Free Speech Radio News

Obama picks Sotomayor for Supreme Court
UN condemns North Korea’s nuclear test
What’s next for North Korea?
Colombians to sue US-based Drummond Coal
Brazil celebrates National Roma Day

Obama picks Sotomayor for Supreme Court
President Barack Obama nominated the first Latina to the Supreme Court today: federal appeals Judge Sonia Sotomayor. If confirmed by the Senate, Sotomayor would replace Justice David Souter, who recently announced his retirement. Obama praised Sotomayor for having far-reaching legal experience and a personal background which he calls inspiring. FSRN’s Leigh Ann Caldwell has more about Sotomayor, and what sort of war might be waged to keep her off the high bench.

UN condemns North Korea’s nuclear test
North Korea has tested two short-range missiles, just one day after conducting a nuclear test. The United Nations’ Security Council has issued a statement in opposition to latest nuclear test. FSRN’s Karen Miller reports.

What’s next for North Korea?
North Korea’s nuclear test and subsequent short-range missile tests have been condemned by the international community – as we just heard, Russia and China, two close allies, have stated their opposition North Korea’s actions. So what does this mean for North Korea? Aura Bogado speaks with John Feffer, Co-Director of Foreign Policy in Focus, at the Institute for Policy Studies in Washington D.C., about what’s next for North Korea.

Colombians to sue US-based Drummond Coal
More than 200 Colombians have announced plans to file a lawsuit against Birmingham, Alabama-based Drummond Coal Company, which operates an open pit coalmine in Colombia’s northern region. They charge the company financed right wing death squads in Colombia, which assassinated more than 200 civilians between 2000 and 2006. Manuel Rueda visited the region and files this report.

Brazil celebrates National Roma Day
Brazil celebrated National Roma Day Saturday, intended to raise awareness of Roma – or Gypsy – cultures and promote unity across different ethnic and religious groups. Between 250,000 to one million Roma live in Brazil, and many of them often face discrimination. Natalia Viana reports from São Paulo

While it’s hard to nail down an accurate number, the Department of Veterans Affairs estimates that one out of every three homeless people is a veteran. More than 150,000 vets are homeless at any given time, but many more experience homelessness at some point in their lives. Female vets often find the services that are available cater to men. Today, FSRN brings you an exclusive documentary: The Battle after Combat: Homeless Female Vets, with reporters Yasmin Madadi and Tami Woronoff.

*Sebelius testifies on health care reform

*Las Vegas schools aims to meet homeless children’s needs

*A look at Nepal’s political crisis

*Israel issues more demolition orders for Palestinian homes

*The debate over Rio de Janeiro’s shantytown music

*Cameroonian youth form human rights club

Sebelius testifies on health care reform
Newly sworn in Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius appeared before her first Congressional panel to discuss health care reform today. She was confronted with the difficulty of forming consensus on the politically thorny issue. She testified one day after eight single-payer advocates were arrested on Capitol Hill. Washington Editor Leigh Ann Caldwell reports.

Las Vegas schools aims to meet homeless children’s needs
The National Center on Family Homelessness reports that nearly one of every 50 American children is homeless, living on the streets, in cars, motels or substandard housing. As the recession deepens, school districts around the country have been reporting spikes in homelessness. Because of their chaotic lives, homeless children are far more likely to suffer from emotional problems, fall behind in their schoolwork and eventually drop out of school. As part of our “Getting By” series, FSRN’s Marc Dadigan reports on how one Las Vegas elementary school seems to have found a way to help children and their families meet their needs.

A look at Nepal’s political crisis
Nearly a year to the date that Nepal declared itself a federal democratic

Republic, the country is facing a governance crisis. Maoist Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal, known as Prachanda, resigned Monday. The president called yesterday for a new consensus government by the end of this week. Norman Stockwell and Steve Mikesell report.

Israel issues more demolition orders for Palestinian homes
The Israeli Jerusalem Municipality issued more demolition orders this week for homes owned by Palestinians in Jerusalem’s old city, and the area around it. Palestinians make up about 30 percent of the Old City’s residents, and despite a UN call for Israel to end these demolitions, it appears Israel will push forward and destroy the homes. FSRN’s Ghassan Bannoura is in Bethlehem.

The debate over Rio de Janeiro’s shantytown music
Funky is the kind of electronic music that emanates from Rio de Janeiro’s favelas, or shantytowns. It’s estimated that in Rio alone, the funky music industry generates more than $4.5 million dollars each month. Critics, however, deride funky’s lyrics for glorifying crime. But as Zoe Sullivan reports, community activists in the city are working to legitimize funky as a cultural movement and to create space within the music to address social issues.

Cameroonian youth form human rights club
In Western Africa, Cameroon is a country noted for relative political and social stability compared to its neighbors. But while the country’s politics stay out of global headlines, it’s on the radar of human rights watchdogs. Child trafficking, persecution of LGBT people, sexual assault, and torture of prisoners are on the list of alleged abuses. With little government support around educating the public about human rights, some young people are taking the challenge into their own hands. Tanya Castle reports.

Swine flu continues to spread around the world
San Diego/Tijuana border remains calm despite imminent pandemic
Progressives call for accountability for authors of U.S. torture
Bank lobby blocks mortgage reform for those facing foreclosure
House passes Credit Card Holders Bill of Rights
Pakistani youth fight for victory on a different field
Pakistani troops take town out of Taliban control
Reporter’s notebook: covering Aceh’s separatist movement turned political party

Swine flu continues to spread around the world
New cases of the so-called swine flu indicate the virus is spreading. Authorities in Britain confirmed three new cases today, and Switzerland and the Netherlands both confirmed their first cases today. So far, the potentially deadly strain has reached 11 countries around the world. World Health Organization Director-General Margaret Chan told reporters in Geneva that every nation is at risk. Back in the U.S., the Pentagon has confirmed its first case of the virus – although so far, it is impossible to tell how the servicemember contracted the flu. Marine Commandant General James Conway said the Marine has not traveled to Mexico but has moved around the San Bernardino Valley in California, which is close to Los Angeles. The 37 Marines that came into contact with the carrier are now on restricted duty and are being treated – his roommate is in quarantine. The Centers for Disease Control confirmed today 109 cases in 11 states throughout the country, up from its previous count of 91 cases in 10 states yesterday.

San Diego/Tijuana border remains calm despite imminent pandemic
Now to the U.S.-Mexico border, a place that in spite of the imminent pandemic, has seen little in the way of policy changes. FSRN’s Victoria Martinez is in Tijuana, and reports on the lack of screenings or public health surveillance efforts in that border area.

Progressives call for accountability for authors of U.S. torture
Last night, President Obama said that the waterboarding used on detainees in US custody authorized by former President Bush was torture.Today, progressive activists and lawmakers say “moving on” is not an option. As FSRN’s Karen Miller reports, some want the perpetrators of US torture policy to be held accountable and brought to justice.

Bank lobby blocks mortgage reform for those facing foreclosure
Intense lobbying from the banking industry successfully blocked mortgage reform that would have benefited homeowners facing foreclosure. The Senate rejected the measure known as “cramdown”, which would have allowed homeowners to renegotiate with banks. It is the one proposal that would have given struggling homeowners an opportunity to rectify a troubled housing situation. FSRN’s Leigh Ann Caldwell reports.

House passes Credit Card Holders Bill of Rights
One piece of good news for consumers: the House of Representatives passed the Credit Card Holders Bill of Rights. The bill would impose regulations on credit card companies, making them unable to raise interest rates with out notifying the customer and only after the customer breaks the contract with the credit card company. The bill now heads to the Senate where banking industry opposition hopes to kill it.

Pakistani troops take town out of Taliban control
Violence continues to grip parts of Pakistan, where government troops took control of the town of Dagger, in the Buner district, after Taliban militants took the town hostage. The militants have gained control of a police station, and are holding several officers hostage in the town, some 80 miles away from the capital of Islamabad.

Pakistani youth fight for victory on a different field
Meanwhile, in Pakistan’s tribal areas, Taliban militants are conducting door-to-door campaigns to garner public support. They’re also offering young people key positions and money – lucrative propositions for the region’s jobless youth. Among the chaos, some groups are developing options for young people. One of those options is organized sports – and the matches in Pakistan are providing an alternative to athletes, fans and musicians. FSRN’s Catherine Komp reads for out reporter in Peshawar, Gabe Matthews.

Reporter’s notebook: covering Aceh’s separatist movement turned political party
In Indonesia, the former leaders of Aceh’s separatist movement, GAM, are celebrating. The legitimate political party set up by former GAM rebels, Partai Aceh, has secured at least 30 of the 69 provincial parliament seats. The win represents something of a moral victory for the ex GAM leaders, who spent decades fighting the Indonesian military. FSRN’s Belinda Lopez has been following the Partai Aceh party, and shares some notes from her.