Newscast for Thursday, September 9, 2010

Challenge to US secret rendition and torture program set for higher court
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.

Environmentalists, scientists call for stricter national emission standards for vehicles
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.

Debbie Sease, legislative director with the Sierra Club, spoke to reporters today during a teleconference.

“Setting the strongest possible fuel efficiency and carbon pollution standards for new cars and trucks is going to save people money at the pump, it’s going to create new jobs, it will protect the environment and it’s going to enhance our national security.”

President Obama announced regulations in April that set a goal of 35.5 miles per gallon for cars and light trucks by 2016, but some environmentalists are pushing for stricter guidelines.

David Friedman with the Union of Concerned Scientists said manufacturers already have the technology to create more fuel efficient vehicles, with techniques like turbo charged engines, lighter materials, aerodynamic design, climate friendly air conditioning and six and seven speed dual clutch transmissions.

Friedman said the increase in efficiency would cut back on pollution that contributes to global warming.

“If we meet the standards of at least 60 miles per gallon by 2025, cars and light trucks would save about 44 billion gallons of gasoline in 2025 alone. And would cut global warming pollution by more than 450 million metric tons. That’s equivalent of taking nearly 70 million of today’s cars off the road.”

There has been push back from the auto industry and some lawmakers. California Republican Congressmember Darrell Issa called the April announcement on fuel standards the result of “back room deals” and said it would cause people to lose their jobs, according to the Washington Post.

According to the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers, automakers are already reducing carbon dioxide output by 30 percent by 2016 under the new federal mileage standards.

But Nathan Willcox, Federal Global Warming Program Director for Environment America said concern over climate change and national security could influence the push for stricter standards.

“The rulemaking occurring in the coming months presents a new opportunity to make our cars even cleaner and even more fuel efficient and we fully expect the public support to be just as strong if not stronger than it was for previous clean car standards. Americans want cars that go farther on a gallon of gas, they want to save money at the gas pump, they want our country to be less dependent on oil and they want our politicians doing more to address the problems of global warming, not less.”

The EPA told FSRN that the agency is preparing a letter of intent on fuel efficiency standards. That’s the next stage before a final proposal. It will be released in the coming months.

Hindus face challenges in Pakistan flood recovery
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.

European Parliament calls on France to halt deportations of Roma
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.

To discuss the issue, we called Robert Kushen, Executive Director of the European Roma Rights Center, a research and advocacy group.

Reporter’s Notebook: media crackdown in Rwanda
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.