Archive - Sep 2007

Headlines
SENATE PASSES S-CHIP BY VETO-PROOF MAJORITY
In a major rebuke to the president, the US Senate has passed a measure to increase federal funding for healthcare coverage to low-income children. The legislation calls for raising taxes on cigarettes to fund an expanded State Child Health Insurance Program - or S-CHIP. President Bush has repeatedly threatened to veto the bill. It passed the Senate last night by a veto-proof margin.

US EMBASSY IN IRAQ RELEASES BLACKWATER REPORT
The US Embassy in Baghdad has released its report on a deadly Blackwater shooting incident that resulted in the Iraqi government moving to revoke the license of the private security contractor. FSRN's Zein El-Amine reports.

Headlines
ANOTHER SECTION OF PATRIOT ACT STRUCK DOWN
A federal judge in Portland has struck down the sneak and peek provision of the USA Patriot Act on constitutional grounds. Eoin Bastable has the story.

Headlines(4:50)
INTENSE FIGHTING IN SOUTHERN AFGHANISTAN

US and Afghan forces have reportedly killed more than 165 suspected Taliban militants in separate clashes in two provinces in Southern Afghanistan. The US military claims that more than 100 insurgents died during two days of intense fighting in the restive Helmand province. Another 65 suspected fighters were killed yesterday in the neighboring province of Uruzgan. The southern provinces have been the scene of intense struggles in the past two years, as foreign troops battle with a re-emergent Taliban for control of key areas. Afghan President Hamid Karzai met with President Bush this morning in New York to discuss security issues and to request continued US support.

Headlines(4:58)
SUPREME COURT TO RULE ON LETHAL INJECTIONS

The Supreme Court has announced that it will rule on whether lethal injections violate the constitution's ban on cruel and unusual punishment. The issue has been the subject of legal disputes in a number of states, but the country's highest court has yet to rule on it. The case will likely produce one of the most significant rulings to come out of the upcoming term.

MILITARY COMMISSIONS GET THE GREEN LIGHT

Headlines(5:35)
UAW CALLS NATIONAL STRIKE AGAINST GM

The United Auto Workers began a nationwide strike today after contract negotiations with General Motors broke down. The UAW contract with Gm expired on September 14th, but workers stayed on while negotiations continued. The union leadership cited job security as the most contentious issue in the talks. The UAW represents some 73 thousand workers at more than 80 GM facilities in the US. It is the first nationwide strike against an auto manufacturer since 1976.

PROTESTS ESCALATE IN BURMA

Headlines (7.50)
Funeral For Slain Lebanese Lawmaker
Thousands of Lebanese attended the funeral of a slain Christian Parliamentarian who was assassinated earlier this week. It is the third assassination of a pro-government MP in the last year. Jackson Allers has more from Beirut…

Withdrawal Bill Blocked in Senate

Headlines
BUSH THREATENS SHOWDOWN ON CHILD HEALTHCARE
President Bush has once again threatened to veto any attempts to expand federally funded healthcare for low income children. Both the House and the Senate approved measures to expand funding for State Children's Health Insurance Program - also known as S-CHIP. Bush says he plans to veto the bill because it would increase taxes for working Americans. Both measures passed by the House and the Senate would fund the children's heathcare program by raising taxes on cigarettes. Senator Harry Reid, reacting to Bush's comments: (sound) Congressional representatives may have to craft compromise legislation to override the presidential veto.