Newscast for Thursday, November 15, 2012

Israeli airstrikes hit Gaza for second day, deepening concern over crisis

Israeli attacks against the Gaza Strip continued unabated for the second day in row. The Israeli military escalation followed a targeted air strike on the vehicle of a top Hamas military leader in Gaza city yesterday claiming his life and that of his escort. The widespread attacks, mainly air strikes, have killed at least 15 Palestinians, including children, and injured more than 150 others. Armed factions in Gaza have responded with rocket fire. In one attack, three Israeli civilians were killed and an infant critically wounded, according to the Israeli military. As violence continues, many Gazans are worried about a repeat of the 2009 war. FSRN's Rami Almeghari has more.

Advocates demand protection of programs for elderly, poor as Obama meets on taxes and spending cuts

In Washington D.C., President Obama is holding meetings this week with CEOs from top corporations, union representatives and Republican and Democratic leaders in Congress, as efforts intensify to resolve the year-end tax break expirations and spending cuts some are calling the “fiscal cliff.” Prompted by anxiety over a bi-partisan deal that would slash the social safety net, progressive groups and lawmakers are holding their own meeting today on Capitol Hill, demanding that programs for the elderly and poor take precedence over tax cuts for the rich. In Washington, FSRN’s Alice Ollstein has more.

California launches cap and trade program in bid to reduce carbon emissions

Next week California companies that emit high levels of pollution will find out if they won permits under the state’s new cap and trade program. The Air Resources Board held an auction Wednesday, in which companies bid online for carbon allowances, which could determine how much a particular company emits and at what cost. It’s the most comprehensive cap and trade program in the nation and is central to the state’s 2006 AB32 law, which mandates a 30 percent cut to greenhouse gas emissions by 2020 and 80 percent by 2050. The auction went forward after a last-minute legal challenge by the California Chamber of Commerce failed to block it. While the program has been called a model for other regions, some environmentalists criticize the cap and trade model and instead call for a focus on low-carbon or carbon free energy. Cara Horowitz is executive director of the Emmett Center on Climate Change and the Environment at UCLA. She joins us to discuss the cap and trade program.

Quebec students, civil rights groups call for inquiry into police crackdown

The student strike that shook the Canadian province of Quebec wrapped up in September with the election of a new government that cancelled a proposed tuition hike. Still, hundreds of students and residents of Montreal live with criminal charges, injuries from police attacks and trauma related to the strike. Several student federations and civil rights groups in Quebec have renewed their call for a public inquiry into police repression during what became known as the “Maple Spring." FSRN’s Aaron Lakoff has the story from Montreal.