Headlines for Wednesday, June 17, 2009

Berlusconi tours Italy’s earthquake site following protests by homeless survivors
More than two months after an earthquake hit central Italy, killing 300 and leaving tens of thousands homeless, the government is still debating a plan to rebuild the region.  FSRN’s Diletta Varlese reports.

Reporter:
“Yes we camp!” shouted almost a thousand people from the Abruzzo region, as they demonstrated in front of the Parliament building in Rome.  They are representatives of nearly 55,000 who were left homeless and have been living in a tent camp for two months.  The camp lacks hygienic services and bakes in the 95-degree heat of an early summer.  The Abruzzo people say the Berlusconi administration has not kept its promise of a quick recovery.  The only construction in the area is related to the coming G8 meeting, planned for the 8th and9th of July.  On Wednesday, Berlusconi toured Abruzzo by plane and met with local government representatives.  Homeless residents say they are waiting for the G8 presidents to come and have a coffee with them at the tent camp.  Diletta Varlese, FSRN, Brescia, Italy.

North Korea renews threat against US and allies
North Korea has once again threatened an attack if the US and other nations continue to reign in their nuclear program, saying the technology is not a monopoly of the US.  In a statement released in a state-controlled North Korean newspaper, the government said, “If the US and its followers infringe upon our Republic's sovereignty even a bit, our military and people will launch a one hundred or one thousandfold retaliation with [a] merciless military strike."

The renewed threats come shortly after President Obama and South Korean Pres. Lee Myung Bak stood side by side in Washington to discuss ways to move forward.

“North Korea has abandoned it’s own commitments and violated international law.  It’s nuclear and ballistic missile programs pose a great threat to peace an security of Asia and to the world.”

In addition to North Korea being labeled a nuclear threat, the US also considers the country a top offender when it comes to human trafficking.

Economic crisis intensifying human trafficking concerns
In a report released yesterday, the US cites the economic crisis as a major contributing factor to the proliferation of human trafficking.  Ambassador Luis DeBaca is the Director of the US Office to Monitor and Combat the Trafficking of Persons.

“In a time of economic crisis, victims are more vulnerable, affected communities are more vulnerable.  And persons who are under economic stress are more likely to fall victim to the traffickers who often get their victims through promises of a better life.”

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said the problem is global.

“Trafficking is a crime that involves every nation on earth, and that includes our own.  Trafficking and forced labor are grave problems here in the US.  And we’ve been reminded of this in recent weeks where authorities uncovered a scheme to enslave foreign workers as laborers for hotels and construction sites in 14 midwestern states.”

Twelve people have been indicted in that case – which actually involves trafficking in 14 states from Colorado to Florida to Massachusetts.

House passes war funding bill
The US House has approved controversial war funding legislation that includes a $5 billion credit line for the International Monetary Fund – with the intention that they use the money to help developing countries weather the economic downturn. The US has pledged $108 billion in total to the IMF.  The $106 billion bill now goes back to the Senate for final consideration.  

Activists take over Detroit park for Peoples’ Summit
This week, Detroit is home to two national summits addressing the current U.S. economy and visions for the future.  The National Summit convened by the Detroit Economic Club featured the CEOs of Citigroup, Dow Chemical, and Ford.  While attendees say the messages of the National Summit have been positive, activists don’t feel the meeting is addressing the real problems.  In response, they have convened an alternative People’s Summit and Tent City, which continues through today.  Sacajawea Hall reports from Detroit.

Reporter:
Activists in Detroit, joined by supporters from 10 different states have taken over Grand Circus Public Park in the heart of the city - around the clock - as an alternative to what they call a big business summit. Kris Hamel, People's Summit organizer

On Tuesday, 200 people, the majority of them retired or laid off autoworkers, demonstrated in front of the National Summit at GM headquarters.  Organizers plan to address the needs of workers and the poor by developing a People’s Stimulus Plan and Economic bill of Rights.  Sacajawea Hall, FSRN, Detroit.