Archive - Jul 22, 2009

• Health care reform stalled in Congress
• US Senate debates controversial amendments to defense spending bill
• Native American tribes seek ways to develop green economies
• North-South conflict affects Koreans in Japan
• Community activists respond to foreclosure crisis in hard-hit Detroit

• Lawyers denied access to Aung San Suu Kyi
• Zelaya urges the US to target potential sanctions to protect poor
• Oakland plans to initiate first city-wide marijuana tax
• Report cites ICE for Constitutional violations

In Washington, the House of Representatives is struggling to move forward with health care reform. Moderate Democrats have halted the progress because of concerns with costs.  As discontent with reform grows, single payer advocates see progress.  FSRN‘s Leigh Ann Caldwell reports.

As the US Senate is trying to complete the passage of a new defense spending bill, lawmakers are grappling over controversial amendments to the bill.  Today, senators narrowly voted against an amendment that would have allowed gun owners to carry concealed weapons across state lines.

Another amendment would expand federal hate crimes protections to crimes motivated by gender or sexual prejudice. But the amendment is in jeopardy, after Senator Jeff Sessions added a provision on the death penalty.  FSRN’s Matt Pearson reports.

In Arizona, the Navajo Nation Council voted to install a new environmental commission Tuesday. The Navajo Green Economy Commission will oversee the use of state, federal and private funds for green job initiatives, allowing community members to apply for funds that go towards environmental projects.

Native Americans are making several attempts to develop green economies.  Tribal leaders from across the country recently met with business leaders and representatives of federal agencies at the Tribal Energy Development Conference in Washington, DC.  FSRN´s Melissa Langer reports.

Foreign ministers from Southeast Asia, the US and Europe are set to meet in Thailand for the ASEAN Regional Security Forum. North Korea is at the top of the agenda, as Asian governments seek ways to convince the communist country to halt its nuclear program.

Koreans currently live in many Asian countries including Japan, where they make up one of the largest ethnic minorities. Koreans began to settle in Japan in the early 20th century and although many have never lived in Korea, the community has been affected by the Korean War, the Cold War and the tensions between North and South Korea. From Tokyo, FSRN´s Jason Strother reports on the divisions amongst Japan´s Koreans.

Default notices, auction sales and bank repossessions on US homes are increasing this year according to figures released by RealtyTrac, an online company specializing in foreclosure properties.

RealtyTrac says there were nearly two million foreclosure fillings in the first six months of 2009, a nine percent increase from the previous six months. RealtyTrac lists Michigan as the seventh state with the highest foreclosure rates.  Its largest city, Detroit, has been hit hard by the foreclosure crisis.

The motor city once boasted the highest rate of home ownership in the US, but last year it experienced the highest rate of foreclosures in the country. Some homes in Detroit are currently on sale for prices similar to a used car, with the median sales price at $6,500, according to real estate company Realcomp. But community activists and some government officials are responding to the crisis with new solutions. FSRN'S Sacajaweah Hall reports.