Headlines for Wednesday, November 18, 2009

Iran turns down nuclear deal
After weeks of hedging, Iran announced today it would not send its nuclear material abroad for processing.  Iran, Russia, France, and the United Stated had come to a preliminary agreement to allow the country to develop its nuclear capabilities for medical and research purposes, while assuaging fears of weapons development.  Today, Iran’s foreign minister said the country would be amenable to a nuclear material swap within its borders.  It is unclear whether the other negotiating countries will accept this alternative.

In other news from Iran, the country’s judicial system has sentenced five more protesters to death for their role in post-election demonstrations.  At least three others have been similarly sentenced.

Mexican states move to pass anti-abortion laws
US states have taken it upon themselves to recognize or prohibit same sex marriage.  A similar scenario has been playing out in Mexico, but with the issue of abortion.  Shannon Young has more.

The state legislature of Veracruz passed a measure Tuesday evening to reform its constitution in order to grant legal guarantees to life - quote - "from conception until natural death."  The debate attracted protestors from both sides of the issue.

A majority of legislators also approved a change to the state's penal code so that any woman found guilty of an abortion has to undergo mandatory psychological counseling and pay a fine.  Repeat offenders will be subject to 1-4 years in prison.

Veracruz is the 17th state to pass anti-abortion measures since a 2008 decision by Mexico's Supreme Court determined that states can make their own laws on the issue.  Mexico City is the only place in Mexico where first-trimester abortions are available without legal conditions.

In addition to the reforms passed Tuesday, the state legislature of Veracruz decided to send a recommendation to Mexico's Congress urging it to include a similar amendment in the federal constitution.  Shannon Young, FSRN, Mexico.

Clinton stops in Afghanistan to advocate corruption fight
US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton made an unannounced visit to Afghanistan today, ahead of tomorrow’s inauguration of President Hamid Karzai.  There she called on the war-torn country to fight corruption and restore the peoples’ trust in the government.  Earlier this week the NGO Transparency International released a report naming Afghanistan the second most corrupt country in the world – behind only Somalia.

Iraqi elections threatened as Kurds and Sunni’s fight for greater representation
Iraqi parliamentary elections, scheduled for this January, could be delayed after the country’s Vice President vetoed part of the recently-passed elections legislation.  Sunni VP Tariq al-Hashemi is calling for Iraqis living abroad – a large number of whom are Sunni – to have a larger stake in the government.  Shiite Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki is calling the veto a - quote - “threat to the political process.”   The Iraqi Parliament had worked for months to hash out the highly controversial elections legislation.  Kurdish officials have also taken umbrage with their lack of representation in the proposed parliament – saying yesterday they will boycott the vote if not allotted more seats.

Transport workers strike in Bucharest
Commuters in the Romanian capital are making alternate transportation plans as the city’s subway workers strike.  And although a Romanian court has now ordered the workers back to their posts, the general unrest in the country seems likely to continue as this Sunday’s Election Day approaches.  FSRN’s Dana Lapadat reports from Bucharest.

The tube hasn’t run here for two days now, as employees of the Metrorex Company strike over salary disputes.  The strike has forced an estimated 600-thousand commuters to use buses and their own cars, which has created traffic jams all over the city.

The workers are striking because, according to the law, they should have been given a raise on November 15th.  Despite this, a Bucharest court ruled today that the strike is illegal, and ordered the Metrorex employees back to work.

Romania is currently functioning without a formal government and budget legislation has been pushed aside as political issues are resolved.  Dana Lepadat, FSRN, Bucharest.

SC ethics panel considers impeachment evidence against Governor
An ethics panel in South Carolina today is considering if there is enough evidence to impeach Republican Governor Mark Sanford.  Sanford is accused of using government funds and transportation for personal and political reasons.  The movement to impeach Sanford has so far only received lukewarm support within the State’s republican-controlled legislature.  Although the state’s Republican Party voted to censure the Governor.