Headlines for Monday, June 29, 2009

Bernie Madoff sentenced to 150 years in prison
After hearing emotional testimony this morning from a scant few of the thousands of people bilked by Bernie Maddoff, a judged sentenced the architect of the largest fraud in US history to 150 years in prison. Spectators in the courtroom erupted in cheers when the sentence was read. Federal law requires an inmate to serve at least 80 percent of a sentence before becoming eligible for parole. The Ponzi-scheme administered by Maddoff robbed investors of at least $65 million dollars.

Argentina’s ruling party suffers unanticipated blow at polls
Argentina’s ruling party was stunned by the results in this weekend’s mid-term elections – Marcos Federman reports from Buenos Aires.

Beirut quiets down after weekend clashes in reaction to PM appointment
Clashes between Shiite and Sunni Muslims continued today in the streets of Beirut. The violence erupted yesterday after Sunni leader Saad Hariri was appointed Lebanon's next Prime Minister. Don Duncan reports.

Afghanistan: 41 private Afghan guards in US employ accused of  killing police chief
In Afghanistan today, President Hamid Karzai said Afghan guards employed by  US forces of killing a police chief, along with at least four others this morning. The governor of Khandahar said that the 41 private guards surrendered their weapons and were arrested. The US military said it was not involved – and called the attack an “Afghan-on-Afghan incident. Karzai’s suggestion that the guards sought refuge at a US base after the attack on the government complex came as

Student loan repayments eased under new program
On Wednesday, the Department of Education will launch a program that makes it easier to repay federal college loans.  The program includes a provision that allows loan payments to be put on hold for people making less than 150% of the national poverty level.   FSRN’s Matt Pearson reports.