Archive - Nov 5, 2007

• Political Unrest in Pakistan Leads to Mass Arrests and the Suspension of the Constitution
• Extreme Flooding Causes a Humanitarian Crisis in Mexico
• Announcement of Final Media Ownership Hearing Date Calls the FCC's Definition of "Public Process" into Question
• Hundreds of Cities Mark the National Climate Day of Action
• Chavez's Constitutional Reform Proposal Faces Heated Public Protest

Dial-Up Listeners Click Here

• 2007 Set to Become Deadliest Year for US Forces in Iraq
• Turkish PM in DC
• Mukasey Clinches Support of Key Senate Democrats
• Colom Wins Guatemalan Presidential Runoff
• Huge Riot in Argentine Jail
• FARC Delegation Arrives in Venezuela
  

On Saturday night, Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf declared a state of emergency in the country, suspending the constitution. Musharraf justified his actions by citing increasing militancy in the population and hostile judges. Today the US and Britain are pressuring Musharraf not to delay January's scheduled elections. But widespread arrests continue in Pakistan – of lawyers, judges, human rights activists, political workers – and of Free Speech Radio News Reporter Devin Theriot-Orr, who brings us this report from Lahore.

A million people in the southern Mexican state of Tabasco are facing what President Felipe Calderon has called, one of the worst natural catastrophes in the country's history. It's estimated that 80 percent of the state is currently underwater and 800-thousand people have been left homeless. Mexican rescue crews continue the search for missing residents, but with an estimated 80-thousand still trapped in their homes, local and national governments are overwhelmed by the events. Ricardo Martinez reports from Tobasco.

Late Friday night, the Federal Communications Commission announced the date and time for its final hearing on media ownership. It will be held this Friday in Seattle, and will inform what could be an exceedingly important FCC decision on media ownership rules. With only seven days notice for the hearing, public interest groups are now scrambling to prepare. FSRN's Leigh Ann Caldwell takes a look at just how public the FCC's process really is.

The National Climate Day of Action happened this Saturday, with hundreds of local actions taking placed across the United States. The national organizer, a non-profit called Step It Up, designed the day as a call to the country's leadership to take action on climate change.

(Ambient Sound)

In Eugene Oregon, nearly 200 people gathered on a crisp-clear afternoon at the University of Oregon. At the football stadium across the Willamette River from the main campus, the Oregon Ducks were warming up to take on Arizona State. At the rally, protesters were warming up as well – listening to speeches and getting their voices ready for a march to the Stadium.

(Sound Clip)

Venezuelans are once again protesting in the streets. This time over a Constitutional Reform Proposal initiated by Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez. The packet of almost 70 reforms has passed the National Assembly and is headed for nation-wide referendum in December. Over the weekend, Venezuelans kicked off a month of campaigning with large demonstrations. Opponents of the reforms, say they take the power away from the people – especially the provision that would increase term limits. Some of the protests have turned violent, and in response Chavez has warned he may ban future opposition-led demonstrations. Mike Fox has more from Caracas.