Archive - Apr 27, 2009

• Mexico grapples with outbreak of swine flu
• Ecuador re-elects Socialist President Correa in historic win
• Energy bill struggles to tackle thorny environmental concerns
• A look back: Obama’s first 100 days in office
• Africans question the intentions of  a new U.S. military base

• GM to lay off 21,000 workers
• Same sex marriages begin in Iowa
• Hamid Karzai will run for re-election, and will review Afghanistan’s ‘family law’
• Bolivia and Paraguay sign peace pact ending 74 year old border dispute
• Members of congress arrested at sudan protest
• Iceland elects worlds first openly gay prime minister

Countries are taking major steps to prevent an outbreak of swine flew after the new strain of influenza swept over Mexico killing more than 140 people in just days. The U.S. Government has already declared a public health emergency and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton urged caution today over travel to Mexico after 40 cases were identified in New York, California and Texas. Linda Gibbs is New York City's Deputy Mayor for Health and Human Services. She says the city wants people who aren't sick to remain calm.

In Ecuador, President Rafael Correa won more than 50 percent of the votes in Sunday’s election, landing him a solid second term in office. The U.S.-educated economist and socialist told supporters after his win that he is “here for the poor.” In a country where nearly 40 percent of the population is living in poverty, Correa is popular among the lower and working classes. And because the last three Ecuadorian presidents were ousted by revolt, Correa is seen by many as someone who offers the country political stability. But to Washington, Correa is not their favorite choice. He has strongly rejected any interference from the IMF and World Bank. Correa has also warned the United States that it will have to move its military base out of Ecuador, famously saying that the U.S. can keep its base there on the condition that Ecuador be allowed a similar base in Miami. To understand more about the significance of this election, FSRN spoke to Director of the Council on Hemispheric Affairs Larry Birns.

Congress is in the beginning stage of crafting important energy legislation to address climate change. The House Energy Committee spent most of last week hearing from 60 people on what direction the legislation should go. Although the bill is still being worked on, the proposal fails to address major issues of contention. FSRN’s Leigh Ann Caldwell reports.

Wednesday marks the end of President Obama’s first one hundred days. FSRN’s Tanya Snyder brings us analysis of what he’s accomplished, where he’s blundered and what changes are yet to come.

Defense department officials said they are creating plans for a land based assault on alleged pirate bases in Somalia. This follows years of U.S. military actions in Africa, including aerial attacks on Somalia and a mission in Mali in which U.S. soldiers were fired on. A new U.S. military unit called The African Command was activated late last year, but as Africa Jones reports, U.S. military presence on the continent has not been well received by the locals.