• US Senate Grills Potential News Bailout Manager
• Begich Wins Alaska Senate Race
• Tom Daschle Tapped for Secretary of Health and Human Services
• Cheney and Gonzales Indicted by Texas Grand Jury
• Slum Residents in Argentina Block Major Highway
• Flooding in Ethiopia Displaces Thousands

US Senate Grills Potential News Bailout Manager
The Senate moves one step closer to appointing someone to oversee the 700 billion dollar bailout, now referred to as TARP.  A Senate panel heard from the nominee, Neil Barofsky and key lawmakers threw in their support – with some reservations.  Sam Greenspan reports from Washington, DC.

Reporter:
Most concerns came not about Barofsky himself, but the nature of the position he would fill.  Senator Jim Bunning, Republican of Utah, raised questions about Barofsky's power, particularly since he would not have jurisdiction over Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. 

"I wonder why taxpayers should have to pay $50 million to a watchdog who will have nothing to watch.  … I don't want that to happen to you, that you'll get stuck saying 'I'm sorry, I don't have any jurisdiction in this place'…

But Barofsky assured the Senate panel he would have legitimate authority to oversee how the bailout is used by financial institutions.

"Senator, I wouldn't leave my job in the southern district of New York to come here to do a job where I wouldn't have the authority and ability to be a complete and comprehensive watchdog of the 700 billion.  I believe I do have the responsibility and the authority to do my job…Senator, no one has ever accused me of being a shrinking violet and I wouldn't start with this job.  And I would not hesitate…being stonewalled."

Barofsky agreed to maintain transparency, and agreed to submit a report detailing how the money was being spent within 60 days. His acceptance of the oversight role is pending Senate approval.  For FSRN, I'm Sam Greenspan.

 
Begich Wins Alaska Senate Race
Alaska is closing in on final results from the Senate race between Mark Begich and republican incumbent Ted Stevens.  Begich pulled ahead last week as absentee and early ballots were counted – and victory now appears to be his by approximately 4000 votes.  Stevens is the longest serving US Senator in US history, but his popularity and reputation was hurt by a felony conviction earlier this fall.  But the race isn't over yet – there will likely be a recount because of the small margin of victory.

 
Tom Daschle Tapped for Secretary of Health and Human Services
And today sources close the discussions, say President-elect Barack Obama has tapped Senate majority Leader Tom Daschle to take the roll of Secretary of Health and Human Services.  The South Dakota Senator worked closely with Obama during his campaign on his Health Care platform.  Daschle is also overseeing Obama's health policy working group – which is charged with developing policies for the Obama Administration when they take office.     

 
Cheney and Gonzales Indicted by Texas Grand Jury
A grand jury in Willacy County, Texas has indicted vice president Dick Cheney and former US Attorney General Alberto Gonzales on charges of "organized crime activities."  The charges are related to their alleged role in the physical abuse of inmates at privately managed federal prisons in the area.  Ann Raber of has more from Texas.

Reporter:
The grand jury accused Cheney of profiting from private prisons by investing with the Vanguard Group that, in turn, invested in private prison companies. They cite Alberto Gonzales for obstructing investigations into the abuses, which resulted in the death of at least one inmate in a Willacy County federal prison in 2001.  Willacy County prosecutor Juan Angel Guerra brought the case to the grand jury.  Guerra has worked several cases involving the private prison system over the years, pushing for indictments of officials who profited unfairly from their construction, and turned a blind eye to the welfare of inmates.  But some are calling the indictments an act of political revenge.  The Vice President's office had no formal comment on the matter. The attorney representing Alberto Gonzales called the charges "bogus" and "an abuse of the legal system."  As of yet, the indictment has not been reviewed by a judge, who could dismiss it without further action. For Free Speech Radio News, I'm Ann Raber in Austin, Texas.

 
Slum Residents in Argentina Block Major Highway
Residents of a shantytown in Argentina blockaded a major highway today. FSRN¨s Marie Trigona reports from Buenos Aires.

Reporter:
The blockade began during morning rush hour on a highway bordering a shantytown known as Villa 31. Neighborhood organizers with banners criticizing business tycoon turned city mayor, Mauricio Macri, stood behind burning tires blocking all traffic.  Residents took action after a court ordered that construction in the community halt. City government officials say that buildings within the Villa are unsafe and unregulated. Neighborhood organizers claim THE government has been pushing for evictions in Villa 31 and want to use the property for real estate development along the booming port district. More than 30,000 live in Villa 31 – one of dozens of shantytowns in the city limits. Despite economic growth for Argentina in recent years, the population in slums has grown by more than 20 percent. For Free Speech Radio News, I'm Marie Trigona.

 
Flooding in Ethiopia Displaces Thousands
Massive flooding in Ethiopia has displaced over 50-thousand people, aid agencies said today.  Three people have died in the natural disaster.  The flooding is the result of weeks of heavy rains in the Somali region of the country.  Thousands of acres of crops have also been destroyed.