Thursday, February 14, 2008

• House Passes Contempt of Congress Resolutions
• Police in Italy Seize Fetus and Interrogate Woman After Abortion
• Child Sexual Abuse and the State of Human Rights in Oaxaca
• Iranian Elections
• LA City Council Approves New Gang Intervention Model

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House Passes Contempt of Congress Resolutions

The House of Representatives passed contempt of Congress resolutions for two White House staffers for failing to testify on the political firings of US Attorneys. The Democrats passed the measure after Republicans walked out of the House chamber in protest. FSRN's Karen Miller reports.

Police in Italy Seize Fetus and Interrogate Woman After Abortion

Police raided a hospital in Naples, Italy yesterday, seized a fetus and interrogated an anesthetized woman who had just undergone a therapeutic abortion. Police say they went to the hospital after they were tipped off by a caller that the procedure was illegal. But doctors say the abortion of the mal-formed fetus was performed at 21 weeks – within the limits of Italy's law. FSRN's Diletta Varlese reports from Italy.

Child Sexual Abuse and the State of Human Rights in Oaxaca

After visiting San Salvador Atenco and Chiapas, a delegation of human rights observers from 10 countries concluded their visit to Oaxaca, Mexico yesterday saying that the human right situation (quote) "remains in an extremely critical state". In addition to meeting with Oaxaca's officials, interviewing political prisoners, and listening to testimonies of political violence, the international commission also received documentation relating to a scandal that has been brewing in the state: that of multiple cases of sexual abuse of children. The scandal first broke last year and has implicated figures with close ties to the state's government. Vladimir Flores has more from Oaxaca.

Iranian Elections

After a month-long negotiation between different fractions in Iran's government, the Guardian Council and Interior Minister released a new list of eligible candidates for Iran's upcoming parliament election. The new list includes some of the reformist candidates who had been previously barred from taking part in the race. Saideh Jamshidi has more.

LA City Council Approves New Gang Intervention Model

The Los Angeles City Council unanimously approved yesterday a new model and definitions for gang intervention personnel. This model, being billed as the first of its kind, was created by the intervention workers themselves on a committee created by the council last April. Dan Fritz reports from KPFK.