UN Correspondent Tala Dowlatshahi will be covering the launch of the UN Population Fund (UNFPA) World Population Report 2009.

The Washington Bureau will be covering the following:

-The Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee holds a hearing on “The Fort Hood Attack: A Preliminary Assessment.”

-Senators Joe Lieberman (I-Conn.) and Susan Collins (R-Maine) hold a news conference about the HSGAC hearing regarding the Ft. Hood attacks.

-Attorney General Eric Holder testifies before the Senate Judiciary.

-Senators Sam Brownback (R-Kan.), Patty Murray (D-Wash.), Kit Bond (R-Mo.), Roberts (R-Kan.), and House members hold a news conference about a recent WTO ruling regarding aircraft subsidies.

-Reps. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-Fla.), Scott Garrett (R-N.J.) host a members’ briefing on Cuba.

-The House Energy and Commerce Committee Health Subcommittee holds a hearing on H1N1 Preparedness.

-GOP House members hold a news conference about Gitmo.

-Reps. Louise Slaughter (D-N.Y.), Michaud (D-Maine) hold a news conference about WTO and trade.

-GOP women hold a news conference about mammograms and health care.

-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), Dr. Jill Biden, et al. hold a news conference about the USO Care Package event for women soldiers.

-The House Oversight and Government Reform Committee holds a full committee markup of the “Domestic Partner Benefits and Obligations Act of 2009.”

The Washington bureau will be covering:

- A joint discussion with the UN Correspondents Association and the American Moroccan Institute on “Women Leaders in the Arab World.”

- A pen and pad briefing with Senators Lamar Alexander and Jim Webb on bipartisanship in furthering national clean energy technology.

- A stakeout following Chief of Staff of the Army Gen. George Casey Jr. and Secretary of the Army John McHugh’s testimony before the Senate Armed Services Committee on circumstances surrounding the Ft. Hood shootings.

- The Coalition for Religious Freedom’s news conference held to “condemn [the] Stupak-Pitts Amendment”

- A Natural Resources Defense Council discussion on “President Obama’s Trip to China and Climate Issues.”

- The American Enterprise Institute and National Chamber Foundation discussion on “Challenges to Creating 20 Million New Jobs.”

- Carnegie Endowment for International Peace discussion on “Restoring the Non-Proliferation Treaty.”

- A discussion hosted by the Center for American Progress on unifying diplomatic, development and military strategy under the Obama administration.

- and the AAAS and University Corporation for Atmospheric Research hosts a discussion on “Climate Change: Health and Policy Implications.”

Chip Fishernt, President of Fisher Wallace Laboratories, says that U.S. soldiers are facing high levels of post-traumatic stress disorder when coming back to the U.S.

Fishernt attributes this to continuious tours of duty coupled with unconventional combat, such as facing IEDs. (0:33)

 

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Council on American-Islamic Relation spokesperson Corey Saylor says the organization has recieved a spike in hate calls and emails following the shooting at Ft. Hood.

“The volume of hate calls has intensified, as have the hate emails, but that is to be expected,” said Saylor. (0:09)

 

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A spokesperson for the Council on American-Islamic Relations says that the organization is prepared for possible anti-Islamic attacks following Thursday’s shooting at Ft. Hood.

“We are expecting that, unfortunately, some people will choose to target more innocent individuals by trying to seek pay-back from the Muslim community,” said Saylor. (0:21)

 

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Council on American-Islamic Relations spokesperson Corey Saylor says that speculation Thursday’s tragic shooting at Ft. Hood could be potentially dangerous.

“Speculation on motivation at this point in time is unhelpful, and even some that we’ve seen at this point in time is downright dangerous,” said Saylor. (0:13)

 

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At 1934 Zulu, there will be a moment of silence to reflect the carnage of the shootings at Ft. Hood. All military personnel will comply even those overseas.

The Army is sending support personnel to Ft. Hood. This includes 13 Ministry Teams, 35 Life Consultants, 13 Behavioral Therapists, 17 Critical Health Specialists and 5 Combat Control Teams. A muslim cleric is part of the Ministry Team.

A general biography on the shooter will be released later today.

The Army CID is currently heading the investigation but the FBI may take over the investigation.

Commanders of all military installations are looking at there Force Protection Procedures.

The shooter was not confirmed dead or alive for 4 hours yesterday. This was due to the fog and friction of the situation.

The Army will be releasing details of the investigation as they see fit to do so.The Army, Pentagon and other investigative bodies will not be releasing any information until they feel ready. Day to day details of the official investigation will not be given.

The shooter had never been deployed to Iraq or Afghanistan. He was in a deployment window.

An Army ballistics team is currently at Ft. Hood putting together a timeline of the type of weapons used as well as when and where.

Rep. Bob Latta (R-Ohio) extends his deepest sympathies to the families and friends of those who either lost their lives or were injured during Thursday’s mass shooting at Ft. Hood military base in Texas. Latta calls the tragegy a “disaster.” (:29)

 

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