Newscast for Monday, March 9, 2009

Obama reverses stem cell research ban
In a ceremony at the White House today, President Obama signed an executive order reversing the Bush Administration's severe limitations on stem cell research. The president also issued a memorandum that directs Administration officials to restore scientific integrity to government decision making. Throughout the Bush Administration, many scientists said they were ignored or silenced, and that their data was manipulated for political reasons. Now, many in the scientific community are hoping this period has come to an end. Tanya Snyder reports from Washington.

British aid convoy arrives in Gaza
Israel carried out three air strikes on Gaza Sunday, after militants there fired two rockets into Israel. No death or injury has been reported on either side.  Meanwhile, Gazans welcomed a British convoy which arrived to the territory with much-needed aid. FSRN's Rami Almeghari is in Gaza.

International kidnap-to-adoption ring uncovered
An investigative journalist working in Chennai, India has uncovered a massive kidnap-to-adoption ring. Scott Carney followed the story of one child named Sabash who was kidnapped from a slum in Chennai when he was just two years old, and then taken to an orphanage where he was sold to an adoptive family in the United States. It’s unclear just how far international law goes in terms of protecting children who have been kidnapped and sold into adoption – and in the U.S., the FBI has done little follow-up on the case. Aura Bogado spoke with Scott Carney, whose feature in Mother Jones is titled “Meet the Parents: the Dark Side of Overseas Adoption” (http://www.motherjones.com/politics/2009/03/meet-parents-dark-side-overs...).

South African textile workers making ends meet - Special longer web version here
The majority of textile workers internationally are women, working in low paying, unskilled jobs. Erna Curry is in Cape Town, South Africa – home to a massive garment factory, where a mother and daughter both clock in and out to make ends meet.

Solar power in southern Utah
Solar Power has caught on with people in Southern Utah. The city of St. George has a metro population of about 90-thousand and growing: and more people means the need for more energy. Jon Pike reports from Southern Utah on people who are finding ways to harness the sun’s rays to provide power for the people there.