Archive - Jan 20, 2010

• Rescue and relief efforts continue in Haiti as aftershocks continue to shake region
• Gaza families denied visits to Israeli jails
• Federal trial on California’s Prop 8 enters second week
• Republican win in Massachusetts senate race threatens health care reform
• Report on Ft. Hood shooting released

• Obama announces contract restrictions to companies delinquent on taxes
• Obama TSA head nominee withdraws
• Republican Scott Brown dominates in MA Senate election
• Wind could supply 20% of eastern US power within 15 years
• Thousands pushed from homes during Nigerian religious riots

A strong aftershock hit early this morning just west of Port au Prince, Haiti, causing panic for survivors who have been sleeping outside and sending those who were inside buildings fleeing into the streets. The quake hit around 6 am and registered 6.1 magnitude. There were no immediate reports of additional deaths or damage.

For the last three years, Israel has denied hundreds of Palestinian families entry into the country to visit people in jails and detention centers. Human rights experts say this is a violation of international law. FSRN's Rami Almeghari has the story.

The federal trial over same-sex marriage is entering its second week in a case that raises issues of gay rights, the meaning of marriage, and whether voters can repeal rights for a minority group. The latest phase of the trial began with testimony from a Republican mayor who says governments should not discriminate against gay and lesbian couples by banning same-sex marriage. Christopher Martinez reports from San Francisco.

As we’ve already reported, Republican Scott Brown is the big winner in Massachusetts. This drops the Senate Democrats from supermajority status.  With 59 members, they still hold an overwhelming majority not seen since the 1970s. But, they will now have to work to pass legislation with at least one Republican. Joining us to talk about the impact the Massachusetts election has on politics and policy in Washington is FSRN’s DC Editor Leigh Ann Caldwell.

Today the House Armed Services committee held a hearing on the Defense Department’s review of the Fort Hood shooting. Some Republican committee members grilled military officials defense review representatives on what they thought was missing from the report. Major Nidal Malik Hasan's alleged connections to radical Islam. Karen Miller has more.