• Texas Mayors File Lawsuit against Homeland Security
• Taliban Stabilizes Flour Prices in Pakistan
• Migrant Organizations Work to Lower Money-Wiring Fees
• Islam Seeing New Influence in Indonesian Politics
• Division Remains Over 60th Anniversary of Israel

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• Chinese Earthquake Toll Rises to 21,500 as Aftershocks Trigger Landslides
• Myanmar Junta Increases Official Death Toll by Tens of Thousands
• Suicide Bombing in High Security Zone of Sri Lankan Capital
• Iraqi PM Offers Cash and Amnesty for Militant Weapons in Mosul
• WWF Report Documents Huge Losses in Biodiversity
• Burger King Fires 2 Employees After Public Relations Scandal Involving Florida Farmworkers

Back to Newscast Friday, May 16, 2008

Back to Newscast Friday, May 16, 2008

A coalition of Texas mayors filed a civil lawsuit today against Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff. They asked for a judicial ruling to stop the construction of a fence along the Texas-Mexico border and a declaration of illegality for the connected land seizures. Katharine Jarmul reports from Washington, DC where the suit was filed.

Back to Newscast Friday, May 16, 2008

Flour shortages are still a serious problem in Pakistan. As in other parts of the country, the governments in tribal areas have had little success in controlling prices. But the Taliban has been stepping up – arranging lower prices for the local community. Consequently, security analysts fear the Taliban's humanitarian assistance may make them heroes in eyes of the people, and increase their influence in Pakistan's tribal regions. Correspondent Rahmanullah has more from Peshawar.

Back to Newscast Friday, May 16, 2008

Wiring money around the world is big business. And money transfer companies like Western Union and Money Gram have been taking their cut from migrants' earnings for years. To counter that, over 100 community-based organizations convened in Mexico City this week to form an association that would lower the cost of sending money home to a $3 flat fee. Additionally, the newly-formed Global League of Community Sustainers plans to establish a fund, and terms by which local communities can pay for development projects in migrants' home countries. Monica Lopez has more from Mexico City.

Back to Newscast Friday, May 16, 2008

Under the Soeharto New Order regime, Indonesia's secular constitution was strongly enforced. Islamic groups were suppressed by the military. But over the last ten years, a small hard-line Muslim fringe has been pressuring the government. And the Indonesian President has been accused of succumbing to the pressure. Rebecca Henschke reports on the struggle over the future of Islam in democratic Indonesia.

Back to Newscast Friday, May 16, 2008