Archive - Sep 9, 2010

• Challenge to US secret rendition and torture program set for higher court
• Environmentalists, scientists call for stricter national emission standards for vehicles
• Hindus face challenges in Pakistan flood recovery
• European Parliament calls on France to halt deportations of Roma
• Reporter’s Notebook: media crackdown in Rwanda

• Iran to release one of three detained US hikers
• Judege awards main defendant in largest US human trafficking case bond
• Federal stem cell research funding allowed again
• Colorado wildfire continues to destroy homes near Boulder
• Videographer sentenced to 300 days in prison after filming public event
• Terrorist blast in Russia’s North Ossetia kills 17
• Newborn is first in Latin America to have two legal same-sex parents

A challenge to the US government’s secret rendition and torture program was thrown out by the 9th circuit court of appeals. The government claimed state secrets would be exposed if the case moved forward. That's an argument first put forth by the Bush Administration and maintained under Obama. On Wednesday, the 9th circuit court agreed. FSRN’s Leigh Ann Caldwell reports.

Environmental groups and scientists are calling for higher fuel efficiency for American cars and trucks. They’re pushing government agencies and car manufacturers to commit to at least 60 miles per gallon for vehicles by 2025. In May President Obama directed the EPA and the Department of Transportation to come up with joint proposals for increased fuel efficiency. Preliminary findings are expected from the agencies by this Fall.

In Pakistan’s Sindh Province, more than half a million people are living in relief camps. Many are getting desperate, saying the government is not dispersing critical aid, like food and water. Sindh is also home to the largest population of Hindus in Pakistan, a group that follows a caste system. Those in the lower caste are faring even worse. Scott Pham reads for our reporter in Pakistan, Gabe Mathews, who visited relief camps in Hyderabad.

And in other news from Pakistan, two more drone strikes were reported today in North Waziristan. That makes four drone strikes in the past 24 hours. According to the Pakistan news outlet, Dawn, and AFP, one of the strikes today killed six people. Residents in the area said they heard three huge explosions and later the villagers pleaded for help at the local mosques. The total number killed from the recent four strikes is 24.

Today the European Parliament called on France to halt deportations of its Roma population. The deportations have been criticized by human rights groups, the UN and the Roman Catholic Church. Today's resolution, expresses "deep concern" with the French actions. It also faulted the European Commission for what it called a "late and limited response." According to the AP, France's immigration minister called the resolution a "political measure" and vowed that the deportations would continue.

Across Africa, pressure on media workers has been increasing. A court in Togo suspended a newspaper after it published an article that linked the president’s brother with drug trafficking. In Somalia, a reporter was stabbed to death recently after leaving his radio station. The 25-year-old was the third journalist killed there this year.

Today, we’ll examine media repression in Rwanda, though the experiences of an FSRN reporter who covered the recent elections in the country. Zack Baddorf files this reporter’s notebook.