Archive - Apr 22, 2009

• Chinese Communist regime methods used on detainees in U.S. custody
• South Africans vote in provincial, national elections
• Israel’s internal investigation says it did not violate international law
• Patient Referral Crisis in Gaza
• Latin American analysts respond to recent summit
• Electric hybrid Salamandra soon hits South American roads
  

• SCOTUS hears reverse discrimination case
• Animal rights activist added to FBI “Most Wanted” terrorists list
• NC town becomes second in US to adopt “Universal Declaration of Human Rights”
• Contaminated fish caught at MI festival to go to food banks
• Taliban gaining ground in Pakistan
• West Bank update: infighting, demolitions and nonviolent resistance conference

Today marks the 39th annual Earth Day in the United States and President Obama is using the occasion to tell people that renewable energy is vital to the nation’s prosperity. The President presented an Earth Day speech at a factory that produces wind energy towers – connecting clean energy to the economy. Meanwhile, other nations around the world are already moving forward on new and green technologies, and Colombia is now the latest to enter the green car market. The Salamandra – or Salamander – is expected to hit South America’s roads in the middle of this year.

The Fifth Summit of the Americas held last weekend in Trinidad and Tobago marked the beginning of a new relationship between the U.S. and Latin America. Obama charmed regional leaders and appears to have listened to long-standing demands – including the call to end the 47-year old U.S. trade embargo on Cuba. Venezuela's Hugo Chávez announced his country will send back its ambassador to Washington. FSRN's Jorge Garretón is in Chile, where some South American analysts are weighing in on how things might move forward in the hemisphere.

In the Gaza Strip, people with advanced health problems who need treatment from specialists outside of the territory can’t leave without first getting permission. The Hamas-run health ministry has now taken over the coordination office for these referrals. As FSRN’s Rami Almeghari reports, hundreds of patients who are awaiting treatment at hospitals outside of Gaza could be affected.

South African voters headed to the polls today to elect local and national leaders. Jacob Zuma, the controversial but popular presidential candidate from the ruling African National Congress Party will likely take the ticket – the biggest question now remains whether the party will hold on to its absolute majority in Parliament. FSRN’s Davison Makanga reports from Cape Town.

A Congressional report details wide spread, coordinated, and deliberate approval of harsh interrogation techniques used on detainees in U.S. custody from the highest ranks of the Bush Administration. The inquiry reveals that some of the techniques were based on methods the Chinese Communist regime used during the Korean War. As FSRN’s Leigh Ann Caldwell reports, the Department of Justice has been asked to investigate.