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This is Columbia Radio News, I'm Megan Hauser
Malaysia has joined the wave of protest against Danish cartoons that depict the prophet Mohammed as a terrorist. AHB-doo-lah, AH-mahd, bah-DAH-wee, the country's Prime Minister, called for respect and understanding from the West during a conference in his nation's capital, Kuala Lumpur. Outside the meeting, thousands of Malaysians protested It was the biggest protest the predominantly Muslim country has seen in years. The Prime Minister recently shut down a paper that published the cartoon, and made mere possession of the image a crime.
In Haiti, election officials are tallying results, and a former leader may have his day again. Former President REH-NAY pray-VAHL has taken a strong a lead in Haiti's first presidential election in two years. This election came off without the disorganization and violence that has plagued previous votes. Hatians came out to the polls in record numbers. Their new president will face the task of leading the poorest nation in the Western Hemisphere.
Michael Brown, the former chief of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, testified today about the federal government's response to Hurricane Katrina. Brown defended the agency's actions, but Minnesota Republican Senator Norm Coleman attacked him:
[TAKE SOT
NAME: Coleman
NUMBER: 1
OUTCUE: That wasn't the case here
DURATION:0'08"]
Also in Washington, an updated version of the Patriot Act is up for renewal. The Bush Administration has suggested revisions, including limiting the government's ability to demand records from libraries. The act - which was set to expire last year - was temporarily extended into 2006. Republican Senator John Sununu of New Hampshire supports the changes, including one that would allow people to disclose whether the FBI has ordered them to provide information:
[TAKE SOT
NAME: Sununu
NUMBER: 2
OUTCUE: in a court before a judge
DURATION:0'09"]
But some Democrats, such as Senator Russell Feingold of Wisconsin say it still isn't enough.
In New York, the pro-choice organization NARAL endorsed New York Attorney General Eliot Spitzer in this November's Democratic gubernatorial primary. The abortion rights group praised Spitzer for his desire to keep abortion safe and legal.
The 20th Winter Olympics get under way tonight in Turin, Italy. First Lady Laura Bush will be one of the many V-I-Ps attending the opening ceremonies. More than 3 billion people are expected to watch the global games. And a record 25-hundred athletes will participate in the sporting events, which kick off tomorrow.
But U.S. athlete Zach Lund was banned from competing in this year's Olympic games. The bobsledder was charged with taking steroids disguised in a pill for hair restoration. This loss cripples the American skeleton team, that many thought had a good chance at winning the gold medal
(IT IS CURRENTLY 37 DEGREES AND CLOUDY IN MORNINGSIDE HEIGHTS)
Megan Hauser, Columbia Radio News