* Yesterday Russian President Boris Yeltsin scrapped the death penalty in Russia giving the last prisoner scheduled for the death sentence a prison term instead. (The Times)
* The government of Guatemala has banned the sale of “Vermagest” a morning-after type pill recognizing it as an abortion drug. (Zenit News)
* Despite a 1997 Supreme Court ruling against the legalization of lap dancing in Ontario, the Quebec Court of Appeal has just struck down a Quebec law which effectively banned the practice. (The Globe and Mail)
* Pro-Life E-News distributed a report indicating that nearly 130 Lancaster, Pennsylvania churches are protesting the local Planned Parenthood office’s plan to start doing abortions in this summer. (Lancaster News)
* American Family Radio News alerted readers to a New York Times article today which says that the European Union announced yesterday a decision to create an EU army by next year, complete with its own command headquarters, staffs and forces for peacekeeping.
* Despite the known human rights abuses in China including forced abortion and sterilization, as well as the latest espionage scandal involving nuclear secrets, President Clinton has informed Congress that he will seek to continue China’s Most Favored Nation trading status.