Archive - Aug 27, 2010

• New shift in US immigration policy could halt deportation of thousands
• Kenya’s new constitution limits presidential powers, expands civil and land rights
  (Click here for web-only version)
• Leaders meet over Collective Security Treaty Organization in Armenia
• Protest over homeless rights brings issue to Santa Cruz’s City Hall
• Photo exhibit marks five-year-anniversary of Katrina

• Russia’s president does 180-degree-turn on Khimki forest highway issue
• As Pakistan flooding spreads, residents seek help rebuilding
• UN suggests Rwandan and Congolese Hutu massacre could be genocide
• Mexican prosecutor on Tamaulipas massacre case found dead
• FDA begins regulatory hearing on genetically engineered salmon

In a shift in immigration policy, federal authorities say they won’t deport some immigrants who are eligible to be granted legal status. The new rule by the Department of Homeland Security could affect an estimated 17,000 people who are married or related to a legal resident or US citizen – but who are also facing deportation. Tanya Snyder has the details.

(extended version)

Today Kenya's new constitution goes into effect. Earlier this month voters approved it by a wide margin. It's the culmination of a process put in place after clashes in 2007-2008 killed more than 1,000 people. The new constitution reigns in the powers of the president, creates a bill of rights and addresses the long-simmering issue of land reform.

To discuss how it could change the country we're joined by Njonjo Mue, head of the Kenya chapter of the International Centre for Transitional Justice. That's an international human rights organization. He joins us from Nairobi.

Today Kenya's new constitution goes into effect. Earlier this month voters approved it by a wide margin. It's the culmination of a process put in place after clashes in 2007-2008 killed more than 1,000 people. The new constitution reigns in the powers of the president, creates a bill of rights and addresses the long-simmering issue of land reform.

To discuss how it could change the country we're joined by Njonjo Mue, head of the Kenya chapter of the International Centre for Transitional Justice. That's an international human rights organization. He joins us from Nairobi.

We go now to Armenia, where leaders recently met to refine an agreement described by some as a counter to NATO.

The presidents of six Eastern European, Caucasian and Central Asian countries met last weekend in the Armenian city of Yerevan to discuss what's next for The Collective Security Treaty Organization, or CSTO. Officials discussed the possibility of increasing the organization’s jurisdiction and developing joint military response plans. Garegin Khumaryan reports.

In Santa Cruz, California a two-month long protest continues in front of City Hall.

Since July 4, a group of homeless people and their advocates have been holding “peace camp 2010” to protest a four-decades-old law prohibiting people from sleeping in public places and vehicles overnight. Groups say law enforcement is targeting the homeless and ticketing them for sleeping outside, even though they have no place else to go. FSRN's Judith Scherr has the story.