• Colombia Free Trade Agreement Stirs Trouble for Clinton's Campaign
• Bush-Putin Talks Reach No Agreement
• Pentagon Renews Blackwater Contract in Iraq
• Call for Nationwide Strike in Egypt Turns Bloody as Police Clash with Workers

• RELIEF WORKERS IN JORDAN STRIKE OVER WAGES
• ACTIVIST REFUSED ENTRY TO US
• PALESTINIAN ORPHANS AWAIT DECISION
• WORLD HEALTH DAY
• SRI LANKAN MINISTER ASSASSINATED

The US State Department has renewed Backwater's contract in Iraq for another year. The private security company is accused of opening fire and killing 17 Iraqi civilians in Baghdad last September – and an investigation by the Pentagon itself says that Backwater operatives killed all 17 Iraqis in an unprovoked shooting. Iraq's Prime Minister, Nuri al-Malaki, was not consulted about the Baackwater contract renewal, and is dismayed at the decision – saying the private contractor has yet to answer for the massacre. Hiba Dawood reports.

President Bush used his fast track trade authority in an attempt to rush a free trade agreement (FTA) with Colombia. This proposed FTA has become a source of contention in US presidential politics as Hillary Clinton's top strategist, Mark Penn, resigned Sunday after it was revealed that he met with Colombian representatives to promote the deal – Clinton has candidly opposed the trade agreement. Washington Editor Leigh Ann Caldwell reports.

Click here for the April 7, 2008 Newscast

President Bush met with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin this weekend at a resort in Sochi, Russia in attempt to narrow their deep opposing views over missile defense shields within Europe, the expansion of NATO and the status of Kosovo. With no agreements reached, the harsh differences that divide Moscow and Washington, particularly over security issues, impact various regions around the world. FSRN's Amy Miller has more.

Click here for the April 7, 2008 Newscast