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IN TODAY’S EPISODE:

1.  United States
	Boston bombing suspect cites U.S. wars as motivation, officials say Martial law in Boston: American democracy in shambles Canadian government unveils “terror plot” as it adopts draconian new law New report on torture, extraordinary rendition The money helping CISPA through Congress CISPA’s immunity provision would allow corporate hacking
	Segment Start: 00 h 11 min 08 sec	Segment End: 00 h 48 min 22 sec
2. Syria
	Syria govt. forces clear more areas around Homs Qatar faces backlash among rebel groups in Syria Syria censures EU plan to buy oil from militants Kerry tells NATO to prepare for Syrian chemical weapons Crossing Obama’s “red line” on Syria will require concrete proof Israel accuses Syria of using chemical weapons against rebels Testimony reveals Hagel-Kerry rift on Syria Russia warns EU not to lift Syria arms ban, UK keeps pushing Pacific Fleet naval force to enter Mediterranean Sea in mid-May
	Segment Start: 00h 49 min 14 sec	Segment End: 01h 16 min 58 sec
3. Venezuela
	The United States shows its contempt for Venezuelan democracy Claims of fraud in Venezuela: The fake evidence of Henrique Capriles Venezuela’s Maduro announces “new cycle of the revolution”
	Segment Start: 01 h 18 min 12 sec	Segment End: 01 h 40 min 30 sec
4. Libya
	Car bomb targets French embassy in Libya, wounding 3 and reflecting deepening lawlessness Libya deposits $2 bln in Egypt cbank from investments The IMF releases its latest economic forecasts – Libya good in short term, but needs reform in long term Libya probe into pipelines blast points to sabotage Libya to build 11 stadiums for 2017 Africa Cup of Nations
	Segment Start: 01 h 43 min 17 sec	Segment End: 01 h 58 min 00 sec
5. Nigeria
	It’s Nigeria, Chad, Niger operation – army Nigeria Christians threaten religious war Nigeria signs deals to sell power assets in big drive to privatise
	Segment Start: 01 h 59 min 44 sec	Segment End: 02 h 13 min 25 sec
6. U.S. Labor
	At least 100 dead in latest Bangladesh garment disaster FedEx signs new $10.5 billion contract with USPS Proposed bill would end 40-hour work week Fruits and vegetables, but no health guarantees NPR attacks disability, bolsters ‘new consensus’ against welfare Mortgage relief checks go out, only to bounce
	Segment Start: 02 h 14 min 49 sec	Segment End: 02 h 39 min 33 sec
7. Under the Radar
	Former AFRICOM chief at Senate hearing: Using word ‘drone’ fuels Al Qaeda propaganda OVL, OIL may buy India energy ticket to Myanmar Malaria remains endemic in Democratic Republic of Congo Ecuador leader on drug war: We provide the dead, the U.S. the noses Family farmer and allies converge on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange to mark La Via Campesina’s International Day of Peasant Struggle UnFreedom Day in Cape Town
	Segment Start: 02 h 41 min 55 sec	Segment End: 02 h 57 min 26 sec

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“Tell the Truth, Shame the Devil” with Stephen Lendman

This week, Eric sits down with journalist and blogger Stephen Lendman to discuss some of the most pressing political and economic issues of the first part of 2013. Eric and Stephen provide their analysis of the legacy of Hugo Chavez and the elections in Venezuela which, at the time of the interview, had not yet taken place. They also examine the use of anti-Semitism as a weapon to marginalize critics of Western imperialism like Hugo Chavez. In addition, Eric and Stephen examine the global economic situation in terms of austerity and the role of the IMF in legitimizing and perpetuating the power of Western finance capital. They also critique the so-called “alternative” media for their unabashed servitude to corporate power and the imperial system. All of this and much more!

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Stephen Lendman, BFP contributing author & analyst, was born in 1934 in Boston, MA. He received a Harvard BA in 1956 and a Wharton MBA in 1960. Since 2005, Mr. Lendman has been writing on vital world and national topics, including war and peace, American imperialism, corporate dominance, political persecutions, and a range of other social, economic and political issues. He hosts The Progressive Radio News Hour on The Progressive Radio Network. Visit Mr. Lendman’s blog site here. He can be reached at lendmanstephen@sbcglobal.net

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IN TODAY’S EPISODE:

1. Venezuela
	Maduro proclaimed Venezuelan President-Elect amid opposition claims of ‘illegitimacy’ Venezuela’s Maduro accuses opposition leader Capriles of planning a coup Chavismo outlives Chavez in Venezuela
	Segment Start: 00 h 11 min 46 sec	Segment End: 00 h 38 min 42 sec
2. Syria
	Syrian troops break militants siege of two military bases in Idlib Pan-Syrian dialogue may begin in near future – internal opposition President al-Assad issues general amnesty on crimes committed before April 16 Syria’s al-Nusra Front ‘part of al-Qaeda’ Jordan condemned for backing anti-Syria terrorists Arms airlift to Syria rebels expands, with aid from CIA
	Segment Start: 00h 47 min 27 sec	Segment End: 00h 59 min 00 sec
3. North Korea
	Russia agrees with US on N. Korea, but warns against military drills Kerry invites North Korea to resume disarmament talks BBC tactics in covering North Korea are faulted The Korean crisis: Washington’s hidden agenda David Cameron warns Trident needed as deterrent to North Korea The danger of defense cuts: North Korea just a reminder
	Segment Start: 01 h 00 min 42 sec	Segment End: 01 h 23 min 40 sec
4. Iran
	Earthquake: 7.5 quake rocks Sistan-Baluchistan, Iran Ahmadinejad in West Africa Iran to supply water to 16 cities via 762km pipeline MP blames Ahmadinejad’s administration of Iran’s economic problems India in talks with Iran, US over gas pipeline project
	Segment Start: 01 h 25 min 13 sec	Segment End: 01 h 43 min 48 sec
5. Iraq
	Black Monday in Iraq: 55 killed, almost 300 injured in series of attacks Maliki seeks ‘majority government’ in Iraq Maliki’s stand on Syrian question divided Iraqi political scene, Nujaifi MKO members to be expelled from Iraq soon: Maliki
	Segment Start: 01 h 45 min 05 sec	Segment End: 02 h 01 min 56 sec
6. Health & the Environment
	Obama approves raising permissible levels of nuclear radiation in drinking water. Civilian cancer deaths expected to skyrocket Even low-level radioactivity is damaging, scientists conclude WHO suspends vaccine after 26 children die in the developing world Paralysis haunts ‘polio free’ India
	Segment Start: 02 h 03 min 29 sec	Segment End: 02 h 25 min 02 sec
7. GMOs & Agriculture
	If we rely on corporate seed, we lose food sovereignty Monsanto lifts outlook, citing profit Sen. Roy Blunt: Monsanto’s man in Washington Pesticides definitively linked to bee colony collapse
	Segment Start: 02 h 26 min 36 sec	Segment End: 02 h 46 min 47 sec
8. Under the Radar
	Gazprom, Shell ink Arctic cooperation deal Kenyatta pledges to unite Kenyans Virginia votes restructure, not privatization Central African intrigue Viva Tierra Colorada! Mexican workers win ownership of tire plant with three-year strike
	Segment Start: 02 h 48 min 12 sec	Segment End: 03 h 05 min 58 sec

“More Than Music” with Rebel Diaz

This week, Eric sits down with hip hop group Rebel Diaz for a wide ranging discussion on a number of topics. Eric and the guys discuss the political and class nature of hip hop and why we should be wary of romanticizing the legacy of resistance in the genre. They also tell us about the Rebel Diaz Art Collective (RDAC) and the politically motivated assault against the space. Later, Eric and the guys explore the legacy of Hugo Chavez and the global impact he had. Specifically, they examine the importance of the Bolivarian Revolution both in the context of Latin America and poor people around the world.

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Rebel Diaz (RodStarz & G1) is an independent hip hop group based in the Bronx, New York. They are activists and community organizers as well as respected performers with fans all over the world. Follow all their work at rebeldiaz.com. Donate to their IndieGoGo campaign here http://www.indiegogo.com/projects/i-am-rdac-bx.