TRNS Investigates: Building The Border Wall

TRNS Reporter Sofia Sanchez takes a close look at the logistics surrounding building a wall along the U.S./Mexico border. Sanchez interviews lawmakers, government officials and immigration experts in an attempt to probe whether or not there is a need for a wall, and what its net effects would be on the nation's immigration situation. (6:21)
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Mississippi Republican Discusses New Website, BP Spill With TRNS

Rep. Gregg Harper (R-Miss.) discusses the new GOP launched website "America Speaking Out" and the massive Gulf Coast oil spill with the Talk Radio News Service. (9:00)
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TRNS Interviews: Diana Jean Schemo

TRNS Military Correspondent Cholene Espinoza interviews former New York Times reporter Diana Jean Schemo about her new book, SKIES TO CONQUER: A Year Inside the Air Force Academy. Schemo's book offers the first ever in-depth look at the experiences of cadets at the United States Air Force Academy, in their own voices.

The author, a veteran journalist and foreign bureau chief at the Baltimore Sun and the New York Times, who has covered poverty and child abuse, culture, religion, and education and has written from more than twenty-five countries and regions, followed the Fighting Bulldawgs of Squadron 13, through a year at America's youngest and most embattled service academy. (15:30)
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TRNS Discusses Jewish Acheivement With Author And CEO Steven L. Pease

Talk Radio News Service discusses the book "The Golden Age of Jewish Achievement" with author and CEO Steven L. Pease. Pease's book details the effects of Jewish culture on politics, art and the world at large. (9:51)
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World Health Organization Takes On Pharma Accusations

Beginning this week, the World Health Organization (WHO) is taking on a major review of its decision last year to raise the threat level of the H1N1 (Swine Flu) virus to a full blown global pandemic. The final review will likely be completed by May 2011 but the process of investigation is well underway. An external committee reviewing the WHO’s actions is planning to submit an interim report next month.

TRNS reported in February 2010 on allegations that the WHO beefed up the threat of H1N1 in order to secure contributions from pharmaceutical companies who stand to gain from the increased demand for vaccinations. The article underscored that the Council of Europe was investigating the WHO for allegations that members of the WHO Emergency Committee had a vested interest in helping boost sales for pharmaceutical companies including Novartis, Cadila and BioSante, to name a few.  Several members of the Executive Committee had at one time or another worked for the private sector in the pharmaceutical industry.

WHO Spokesman, Gregory Hartl, denied the accusations: “Has there been any undue influence exercised on the WHO? The answer is no.”

India, among other countries including the United States, has requested a full and transparent investigation into the claim that the WHO hyped up the global H1N1 pandemic scare.

Since the pandemic supposedly began in April 2009, the WHO reports nearly “all” the countries in the world have become infected.

Dr. Keiji Fukuda head of the WHO Influenza Department, told the European Council panel back in February that “the influenza pandemic policies and responses recommended and taken by WHO were not improperly influenced by the pharmaceutical industry.” Fukada, however, changed his tone this week to add that there were “shortcomings” in the WHO’s declaration of a full blown H1N1 pandemic scare. He added, “confusion about phases and level of severity remains a very vexing issue. The reality is there is a huge amount of uncertainty. I think we did not convey the uncertainty.”

By overstocking nervous countries including the United States, Mexico and India, big pharmaceutical companies made billions in profits.

Dr. David Nabarro, UN Global Coordinator for Influenza responded today to a TRNS question on the allegations:

“Quite simply when this started in April (2009), we were in a situation and we had limited information on the epidemiology and we could not make confident predictions on how it was going to go.”

The 29 member expert investigation committee will be utilizing the legally binding International Health Regulations - drawn up in 2005- and will decide whether the WHO was at fault.

Harvey Fineberg, Chairman of the investigative committee and a US scientist added. “We want to hear from informed critics.”

Experts will also look fully into the direct causes of the “confusion” cited by Fukuda this week, which apparently resulted in chaos in the first months of the outbreak.

WHO Director-General Margaret Chan said on Monday she wants a “a frank, critical, transparent, credible and independent review.”

Hundreds of heated accusations from countries across the globe have plagued the Geneva headquarters of the World Health Organization in recent weeks. The idea that a fake panic over a virus that turned out to be mild in nature and infected fewer people than had been predicted by the WHO has greatly angered many within the Organization and among its global partners.

TRNS questioned Dr. Chan today about the current investigation and whether she feels the WHO made the right decision in raising the threat level of the disease:

“You raise an important question. H1N1 is causing morbidity and pregnant women and babies should be provided with information. It is important to realize that WHO needs to work with industries, technology and others to provide solutions. WHO will use all means to guard its independence, a  strong declaration of interest, and to protect all stakeholders with the best available evidence.”

A major pharmaceutical lobby, the European Scientific Working Group on Influenza (ESWI) is believed to be a central force in persuading the WHO to classify H1NI as a level 5 pandemic. Albert Osterhaus, ESWI’s chairman, is a senior adviser to WHO on influenza.

Head Of UN's Humanitarian Office Talks With TRNS About Latest Israeli Settlements

John Holmes, Head of the UN's OCHA (Organization for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs), recently returned from a mission in the Middle East. He met with Palestinian and Israeli officials to talk about the blockade of shipments into Gaza, the latest Israeli settlements of 1600 new homes in East Jerusalem, and the wall in the West Bank. (2:20)
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Presidents Obama, Bush and Clinton Come Together For Haiti Relief Efforts

President Obama, joined by former presidents George W. Bush and Bill Clinton, is pleased that they have agreed to lead a major long term fundraising effort for Haiti.
This time of suffering can and must be a time of compassion. We will help them to recover and rebuild, Obama said.
President Bush commented on Obama's swift and timely response to the disaster, and said that instead of blankets, " just send your cash". President Clinton talked about the Haitians escaping their history and a chance to build a better future if we, the United States, do our part.
www.clintonbushHaitifund.org
(14:16)
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Attorney General Holder: DoJ Has Formed Domestic Violence Prevention Units

Attorney General Eric Holder tells TRNS that the Department of Justice is attempting to combat domestic violence by forming specialized units geared towards dealing with the unique situations related to the crime. (0:40)
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Obama Touts Health Care Victory, New Iraqi Election Law

President Barack Obama praised the House of Representatives Sunday for passing the Affordable Health Care for America Act the previous night.

The president added that he was "absolutely confident" the Senate will pass similar legislation.

Obama also discussed a new election law recently passed by the Iraqi parliament that establishes national elections next year, a step that the president says will pave the way for the eventual withdrawal of U.S. forces. (4:55)
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President Barack Obama Responds To Fort Hood Shooting

President Barack Obama responded Thursday to the shooting at the Fort Hood military post that left 12 dead and 31 wounded.

"My immediate thoughts and prayers are with the wounded, and the families of the fallen, and those who live and serve at Fort Hood," Obama said during an appearance at the Department of the Interior. "There is no greater honor, but also no greater responsibility for me than to make sure the extraordinary men and women in uniform are properly cared for, and that their safety and security when they are at home is provided for."
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Iran's Foreign Minister: "No One Can Deny Other Country's Rights"

Mr. Manouchehr Mottaki, Foreign Minister of Iran, spoke with United Nations correspondents today about the current crisis in his country and on the nuclear debate.  He was questioned on his recent trip to Washington to meet with officials to discuss opening up dialogue.

"Enjoyment of a peaceful nuclear program is the right of all member states. All of these issues (nuclear, economic sanctions) require comprehensive dialogue. Naturally, such dialogue is important among countries that play a leading role in the international scene. Therefore we are not going to lose any opportunity to address these issues. And we are trying to find holistic solutions. " Mottaki said.

The Head of the IAEA (International Atomic Energy Agency) made strong statements this week regarding Iran's failure to disclose the new nuclear facilities that are under construction. Mr. Mottaki responded that there is still no sufficient evidence to show that Iran has not respected its obligations to the IAEA.

A Geneva Summit which took place today with the 5 permanent members plus one (Germany) and representatives from Iran, drew a mixed response from the members (United States, France, Untied Kingdom, Russia and China) and put increasing pressure on the Iranians to respect the recommendations of the IAEA and to show transparency in its nuclear producing interests.

Mottaki underlined that Iran has been a member of NPT (Non-Proliferation Treaty) for 40 years and  a committed member of the IAEA. He outlined Iran's action to inform the IAEA has taken place for over a year and a half.

"Iran announced nuclear sites and facilities 18 months earlier that it needed based on IAEA regulations" he said.

Mottaki added Iran has the right to defend itself and is doing everything in compliance of the United Nations Charter and IAEA regulations.

"In the talks I had with foreign ministers from the P-5 countries, it was clear expectations should not be high about this October 1st meeting and the hope was for the continuation of such talks. Iran supports this will."
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Democrat Stark: Blue Dogs "Brain Dead" On Health Care Reform

Rep. Pete Stark (D-Calif.) attacks moderate Blue Dog Democrats for being against the public option in health care reform legislation simply to gain campaign contributions from insurance companies. (0:17)
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Health Care Spending Has Risen More Than 5% Over Twenty Years

According to Dr. Neeraj Sood, the Senior Economist for the RAND Corporation, Americans spent 10.8% of the U.S. GDP on health care in 1987. Twenty years later the U.S. spent 16.2% of the country's GDP on health care (0:13).
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Bill Nye The Science Guy Explains The Need For Science Education and Enthusiasm

Bill Nye The Science Guy explains the need for students to learn and become enthusiastic about science at a young age at the ExploraVision awards. The ExploraVision awards are part of a national science fair put on by Toshiba and the National Science Teachers Association. (0:51)
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America's Future Now Radio Row: Bob Ney Interviews Heather Smith, Executive Director for Rock the Vote

Bob Ney interviews Heather Smith, Executive Director of Rock the Vote about America's youth who show an active political interest post Generation X. (11:51)
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Analyst: China Key To Stopping North Korea

By Celia Canon- Talk Radio News Service

Celia Canon talks to Bruce Klingner, an analyst for the Heritage Foundation, about North Korea’s recent underground nuclear tests and what can be done to halt Pyong Yang’s recent acceleration in its technological developments and trials. Klingner insists that China will be pivotal is sanctioning and stopping North Korea’s nuclear program.

However, Klingner also warns that this will not be an easy task, but that the government needs to stop praising China for its efforts when it could really do much more to involve itself in the international community’s sanctions. (1:01)
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Law Professor: Sotomayor Is A Capable Judge

By Annie Berman, Talk Radio News Service

With the recent announcement of Sonia Sotomayor's nomination to the US Supreme Court, Annie Berman talks to Professor Gregory Magrarian of Washington University in St. Louis about her qualifications and the Republicans who criticize her legal opinions as being too liberal.

Magrarian believes that she is well qualified and that her liberal personal leanings should not interfere with her legal decisions, and thus should not stand in the way of her confirmation. (1:00)
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Boehner: No Truth Commission

House Minority Leader John Boehner (R-Ohio) explains how he believes that the Truth Commission would be counter productive for the nation as America must "look forward and not back." But if this committee does move forward, Boehner wants all the information to be released, specifically what Speaker Pelosi knew. (0:25)
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Pelosi: CIA Shifting The Spotlight To Congress

Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) explains how the CIA created the laws allowing them to implement waterboarding as an interrogation technique, but it failed to tell Congress what was happening. She believes that the CIA is attempting to shift the spotlight from themselves and onto other groups, like Congress. (0:27)
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Holder: Next Supreme Court Judge Ought To Be A Lawyer

Attorney General Eric Holder discusses the qualifications that he believes the next Supreme Court Justice will have. He believes that President Obama ought to choose a lawyer, but no necessarily a judge. (0:24)
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