Archive - Apr 1, 2009

• Petraeus outlines Afghanistan and Pakistan strategy
  
• Congress to continue funding fusion centers
• Bernanke reminded that minorities, women should be included in recovery plan
• Sacramento’s tent city residents say they will not be moved
• Egypt’s top film poses the prickly topic of divorce on the big screen

• G20 protest large and spirited
• DOJ moves to dismiss indictment against former Senator Ted Stevens
• “Personhood Bill” loses traction in North Dakota Senate
• Russia and the US to reopen nuclear talks
• UN Rights Council welcomes US interest
• Palestinians react to new Israeli government
• Argentina’s symbol of democracy dies

The number one movie in Egypt now has caused a stir because of a scene in the film that addresses the thorny issue of divorce among Christians of the Coptic Orthodox Church. Egypt is home to at least 10 million Coptic Christians, making that community the largest religious minority in the country. In a report on the obstacles facing Coptic couples seeking divorce, FSRN’s Aya Batrawy speaks with the movie’s screenwriter and director and those opposed to the issues raised by the film.

The National Alliance to End Homelessness says that an additional 1.5 million people could be left homeless, a third of them children, because of rising foreclosures and the recession. By one estimate the tent city in California’s capital, Sacramento, is growing by 20 to 50 people a week. Recent media attention on the encampment prompted the Sacramento city council last week to provide additional shelter beds in order to shut down the privately-owned site. But as Africa Jones reports, many of tent city's homeless say they will remain outdoors.

During this recession, the Congressional Black Caucus is reminding the Administration that it’s not just their portfolios that need diversifying. Caucus members charge that minority and women-owned businesses have been left out of economic recovery plans. As Tanya Snyder repots, the Caucus convened a meeting between business owners and Fed Chair Ben Bernanke to try to design a more inclusive program.

The Bush administration created more than 40 fusion centers following the September 11 attacks. These offices are created to expedite the sharing of information between different local, state and national security agencies. The centers also collect data from the private sector.

The Bush administration created more than 40 fusion centers following the September 11 attacks. These offices are created to expedite the sharing of information between different local, state and national security agencies. The centers also collect data from the private sector.