To the Point
New 'Safety Zone' in the Gulf: Who's It Protecting?
One of the latest developments in clean-up efforts in the Gulf is a controversial safety zone announced last week. The 65 square-foot area effectively blocks reporters and photographers from getting close enough to do their jobs. Off-duty police officers hired by BP to run security details have also been criticized for harassing journalists trying to cover the story. BP now says efforts to stop the spill may pay off in the next few weeks, but what’s happening to the flow of information about the disaster? Also, terror suspects with links to al Qaeda are arrested in Norway, and echoes of the Cold War. A spy swap is underway. Guest host Sara Terry sits in for a vacationing Warren Olney.
By Sara Terry • • 50m ListenOne of the latest developments in clean-up efforts in the Gulf is a controversial safety zone BP announced last week. The 65 square-foot area effectively blocks reporters and photographers from getting close enough to do their jobs well. Off-duty police officers hired by BP to run security details have also been criticized for harassing journalists trying to cover the story. BP now says efforts to stop the spill may pay off in the next few weeks, but what’s happening to the flow of information about the disaster? Also, terror suspects with links to al Qaeda are arrested in Norway, and the largest US-Russia spy swap since the Cold War. The game is on -- or is it? Guest host Sara Terry sits in for a vacationing Warren Olney.
Banner image: Support ships are seen near where efforts continue to recover oil and cap the Deepwater Horizon spill site on July 3, 2010 in the Gulf of Mexico off the coast of Louisiana. Photo: Joe Raedle/Getty Images
In this episode
3 storiesTerror Suspects with Links to al Qaeda Arrested in Norway
Norwegians are reeling over the news that police officials have arrested three men suspected of having links to al Qaeda. The men were detained as part of an alleged conspiracy tied to plots in the United States and Britain. Journalist Harald Klungtveit is covering security for the Norwegian newspaper Dagbladet.
Read the story1 minNew Coast Guard Rules Hampering Coverage in the Gulf
It was a story the news media largely overlooked last week, just before the Fourth of July holiday weekend. The US Coast Guard announced that a 65-square foot " safety zone " would be put in place against unauthorized persons to protect clean-up efforts in the Gulf.
Read the story35 minA Good Old-Fashioned Spy Swap?
In the biggest US-Russian spy swap since the Cold War, ten alleged spies arrested in the United States last month may on their way to Moscow. Reports are emerging today about a possible swap, involving the ten suspects arrested last month on charges of being part of a Russian espionage ring.
Read the story8 min