Wednesday, April 16, 2008

• Congress Passes Jubilee Act to Relieve Poor Countries' Debt
• Supreme Court Upholds Lethal Injection; Considers Expanding Death Penalty for Crimes Other Than Murder
• Fuel Crisis Forces Gaza University to Cancel Classes
• Discrimination Faced by Children of Lebanon's Domestic Workers
• Dollarization's Role in El Salvador's Economic Crisis

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Congress Passes Jubilee Act to Relieve Poor Countries' Debt

From Bono to the Pope to a vast network of grassroots organizations, debt relief for poor countries has supporters all over the world. Congress has now heard their call, and approved legislation to cancel the debt of several poor countries - the vote was timed to coincide with the Pope's visit to Washington. FSRN's Tanya Snyder has the story.

Supreme Court Upholds Lethal Injection; Considers Expanding Death Penalty for Crimes Other Than Murder

The death penalty debate is prominent in the Supreme Court today" the court considered whether crimes other than murder can be punished by death; and in a blow to human rights advocates, the Supreme Court upheld the use of lethal injections. FSRN Anchor Aura Bogado spoke with Carol Chodroff is the Advocacy Director of the US Program of Human Rights Watch about both cases.

Fuel Crisis Forces Gaza University to Cancel Classes

Israeli army attacks on the Gaza Strip have claimed the lives of at least 21 Palestinians, including 5 children. Israel decided to renew emergency fuel into the territory after a week long delay. The fuel crisis has already taken its toll on higher education: four major universities have now cancelled classes, since students, professors and versity staff are simply unable to get to their campuses. Israel blames Hamas, which controls Gaza, of holding back the supply of fuel already in the territory – they say Hamas wants to pressure Israel to lift the blockade it tightened after Hamas came into power last June. FSRN's Rami Al-Maghari reports from Gaza.

Discrimination Faced by Children of Lebanon's Domestic Workers

While it's hard enough being a domestic worker in Lebanon – the experience may be even more difficult for their children. As FSRN's Simba Russeau reports from Beirut, many young people face marginalization and racism within Lebanese society, because of their parents' social status.

Dollarization's Role in El Salvador's Economic Crisis

Hundreds of people have taken to the streets in El Salvador to protest increased prices for basic goods and fuel. Analysts say the causes of the crisis are directly linked to the current recession in the United States and the dollarization" of the Salvadorian economy in 2001. FSRN's Ricardo Martinez was at the protests and spoke to some of the marchers. Goods and fuel. Analysts say the causes of the crisis are directly linked to the current recession in the United States and the "dollarization" of the Salvadorian economy in 2001. FSRN's Ricardo Martinez was at the protests and spoke to some of the marchers.