Newscast for Friday, February 22, 2013

In Syria, fighting over territory blocks access to vital medicine, health services for residents

Rocket strikes in Syria’s northern city Aleppo killed at least 14, including children, and wounded dozens more today. That’s according to the UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights and video posted online by anti-government activists. The violence comes just a day after several car bombs shattered buildings in Damascus, one bomb exploded near the Mazraa district, by Russia’s embassy and the offices of President Bashar al Assad's ruling Baath Party. The Local Coordination Committees put the death toll Thursday in Damascus at more than 100. Also today, the Syrian National Coalition, a main opposition group, said it plans to name members of a transitional government in the coming days, according to Al Jazeera. Fighting and control of territory is disrupting aid organizations as they try to reach the four million people the UN says are in need of humanitarian assistance and medicine. For more, we’re joined by Kassia Queen, who leads the Doctors Without Borders mission for Syria. She’s just returned from northern Syria and joins us via Skype from near the border in Turkey.

Operation Streamline program, faulted or human rights abuses, could expand under immigration reform

In the US, deep automatic cuts from the budget sequester are set to go into effect in just one week, and lawmakers and activists are making last-minute appeals for saving some federal programs and eliminating others. Human rights and legal experts gathered on Capitol Hill today to make the case for cutting an immigration prosecution program they say wastes taxpayer money and violates the due process rights of undocumented people. Yet some lawmakers want to expand the program as part of comprehensive immigration reform. FSRN’s Alice Ollstein has the details.

Central American migrants face risks in Mexico on journey to US

Hundreds of thousands of Central American migrants pass through Mexico on their way to the US each year. Thousands never reach their destination and their families are left searching for answers to the whereabouts of their loved ones. But in a rare case, a missing Honduran migrant was recently found in Veracruz and reconnected to his family. The issue highlights the dangers faced by migrants as they seek better paying work in the North and the challenges faced by families and human rights advocates who try to find those who have gone missing. FSRN’s Andalusia Knoll reports.

Colorado gun control bills would strengthen background checks, limit high-capacity magazines

In Colorado, state lawmakers are considering a package of gun control bills that would strengthen background checks, limit high-capacity magazines and ban concealed weapons on campuses. The measures have provoked emotional debate in a state that has experienced two high profile mass shootings, one last year at a movie theater and another at Columbine high school in 1999. As in other states, the gun control bills are drawing resistance from Republicans and the gun industry. FSRN's Jim Pullen brings us the story.