June 10, 2005
Headlines
Bhopal activists still seeking retribution from Dow Chemicals are seething over a new deal the corporate leviathan has made with the Indian government. Binu Alex has more from Ahmedebad.
The government of Brazil is reeling from a corruption scandal that some say is proving to be more than just embarrassing for the President. Natalia Viana reports from Sao Paulo.
United Nations officials are cautiously warning the Zimbabwe government that causing 200-thousand people to be homeless is a violation of human rights. Haider Rizvi reports from the UN.
The numbers of people in the United States without health insurance will rise, as will the cost of insurance for those who have it. Sehvilla Mann has more.
Philadelphia public schools will now require high school students to take African-American studies as part of the standard curriculum. Dante Toza reports from Philadelphia.
Features
Fierce Congressional Hearing Over Treatment of Immigrants Post 911
A Congressional hearing turned contentious today as several immigration and human rights lawyers testified on the treatment of immigrants in the post 9/11 environment. Pollster James Zogby told the committee that the US’s treatment of immigrants and detainees has inflamed animosity towards the country throughout the Middle East and has damaged its reputation as a leader in human rights. Several House Republican representatives assailed members of the panel, which included Amnesty International, for their critiques of US policies. The Chair of the Committee then cut the witnesses testimony short, saying it wasn’t relevant to the topic of the hearing: the Patriot Act. Mitch Jeserich has more from Washington.
New Interim President in Bolivia Calms Some Demonstrations
Bolivia has a new interim President. Eduardo Rodriguez, formally Supreme Court Chief, was sworn in late last night, replacing Carlos Mesa who resigned last week. Rodriguez has promised to hold early elections, prompting protestors throughout the country to begin lifting roadblocks which have paralyzed some cities after weeks of protest. Linda Farthing has more from La Paz.
Tribal Leader Killed in Kirkuk
In Iraq, the leader of a tribe in Kirkuk was killed yesterday. The targeted shooting is the latest in what US officials are now calling guerilla war. Two senior police officials were shot down in Kirkuk’s center by unknown gunmen. Eliana Kaya has the story.
Oil Prospecting in Nigerian National Park Draws Criticism from Community
Communities living around Nigeria’s largest national park are opposing moves to weaken the existing law protecting the park. Western oil companies have in the past carried out seismic operations around the park. The communities fear that a lax law will enable multinational oil companies like Shell and Chevron which have concessions near the park to move into it. Sam Olukoya reports from Bauchi.
Rally Against Millstone Nuclear Station
Anti-nuclear activists, including cancer survivors and nuclear whistleblowers, held a rally yesterday in a small Connecticut town whose beach on Long Island Sound is a popular spot with both tourists and locals. The problem, they say, is that the beach is practically next door to the Millstone nuclear power station, whose discharges make it unsafe for swimming. Rally organizers, the Coalition Against Millstone and the Sierra Club of Connecticut, want the plant shut down. In the short term, they’d like the government to put up warning signs on the beach. Melinda Tuhus reports from East Lyme, Connecticut.
Washington DC Begins to Consider Living Wage Policy
Washington, DC’s local government began deliberations on a living wage policy. If the measure passes in the coming months, DC would join 300 municipalities across the US who say today’s federal minimum wage of $5.15 per hour is not enough for a worker to make a living. From the DC Radio Coop, Ingrid Drake reports.
