Tuesday, June 24, 2008

• Senate Moves to Deal with Housing Crisis
• Accountability for Crimes Against Humanity
• Amnesty Blasts European Governments for Aiding CIA Secret Rendition Program
• Czech Anti-Missile Demonstrations
• Small-Scale Farmers Strategize their Future

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Senate Moves to Deal with Housing Crisis

The Senate voted today to move on a bill that would provide $300 billion in aid for federal housing administration loans to bailout struggling homeowners, create increased regulation for mortgage companies and give grants for states to take over foreclosed homes. FSRN's Karen Miller has more.

Accountability for Crimes Against Humanity

As the humanitarian crisis in Darfur grows steadily worse in its sixth year, some in a Senate subcommittee on Human Rights examine what the United States can do to help prosecute crimes against humanity. Tanya Snyder has the story.

Amnesty Blasts European Governments for Aiding CIA Secret Rendition Program

Amnesty International is accusing European governments, including the UK and Ireland, of complicity and inaction in relation to the CIA's secret rendition program, which includes the detention and torture of suspected terrorists. Amnesty's report highlights six cases, involving 13 individuals including that of German national, Khaled el Masri. All the victims say they
suffered from ill treatment or torture during their detention. Cinnamon Nippard has more.

Czech Anti-Missile Demonstrations

U.S. plans to build a radar base in the Czech Republic are meeting resistance from Czechs who do not want their country to be part of the missile defense program. They're not alone: demonstrations took place around the world yesterday, as concerns rise about the militarization of space. Elise Hugus has more from Prague.

Small-Scale Farmers Strategize Their Future

Some 1,000 farmers from 25 countries are meeting in Jakarta demanding greater land rights for small-scale farmers. The week-long conference is organized by LaVia Campesina, which represents millions of farm workers around the world. They argue the current global food crisis is a result of food market liberalization and say the solution is to empower small-scale farmers with incentives, subsidies and land ownership. Rebecca Henschke reports from Jakarta.