Archive - Oct 17, 2008

• New Voting Systems Worry Watchdogs
• California's Prop 6 Would Try Some 14-Year-Olds as Adults
• White House and Iraq's PM Strike Draft Agreement for Withdrawal
• New Film Highlights Voices of Dissent against the War
• Food and the Financial Crisis
• Mining Law Controversy in Ecuador

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• US Supreme Court Sides with Ohio Secretary of State in Voter Registration Case
• Food Convoys to Refugees in Sri Lanka Delayed by Artillery Fire
• Canadian Natural Gas Pipeline Bombed
• Tunnels Offer Dangerous Cross-Border Trade Routes in Gaza
• EPA Issues New Lead Restrictions – First in Thirty Years

The election is just 18 days away – and with higher than average turn out expected, new data shows that 40 percent of voters will mark their ballots on a new voting system. As Washington Editor Leigh Ann Caldwell reports, this raises concerns for some election watchdog groups.

A controversial proposition on California's ballot would expand penalties for gang-related offences and require some children as young as 14 years of age to be tried as adults. Proponents say the bill is crucial to combating gang activity in the state – but critics say it will grab money away from vital social programs. Africa Jones reports.

The global economic meltdown, high unemployment levels, inflation and rising fuel costs are making it difficult for low income households to meet basic nutritional needs. The cost of fresh fruits and vegetables, dairy products and meat has lept over the past year, far outpacing the moderate raise in the federal minimum wage. During a forum at Cooper Union in New York last night, a panel of independent farmers, labor activists and scholars presented ideas on how to address hunger through community empowerment, worker organizing and sustainable development. FSRN's Ari Paul has more.

A new award-winning film that documents the voices of dissent against the War has just been released – "Finding Our Voices" captures the motivations behind eight people who have taken a stand to challenge the so-called War on Terror. Filmmaker Vicki Hughes recently dropped by our Washington Bureau office and talked about her new film. For more information, go to www.findingourvoices.com