Clean up that truck pollution, coalition urges
OAKLAND, Calif. — Environmental, labor, faith and community groups are stepping up efforts to make sure the air quality improvement plan now being drafted by the Port of Oakland does enough to clean up pollution from trucks operating there. Truck diesel pollution is five times higher in West Oakland, near the port, than in other parts of the county, and one in five youngsters has asthma.
Wiretapping fight: its not over
Civil libertarians are demanding that Congress use its September session to undo damage it did to Americans’ Fourth Amendment rights.
A Call to Action in Defense of Immigrant Workers Rights
The August 10 declaration by the Bush administration of a more repressive immigration policy, if put into effect, will create fascist-like conditions for 12 million undocumented workers and their families.
Texas Set to Execute Innocent Man on August 30
SAN ANTONIO, Tex.—Kenneth Foster, Jr., whose adopted name is Haramia KiNassor, is scheduled to be executed by lethal injection on August 30 for a crime he did not commit.
WORLD NOTES: August 25
Myanmar: Red Cross condemns human rights abuses Iraq: Unions to launch new federation South Africa: Communist Party head lambastes AFRICOM Chile: Striking copper miners gain victory Sweden: Conference warns of world water crisis
CARE assails U.S. food program
The charity organization CARE has announced that after 2009 it will no longer accept U.S.-donated food aid to Africa. The announcement has caused a stir among food aid agencies and spotlighted a festering controversy, especially in recipient countries.
Peru earthquake uncovers government failings
On arrival in Pisco, Aug. 16, to set up a command post, Peruvian President Alan Garcia announced, “No one is going to die of hunger, that I can guarantee.” The day before, Peru’s worst earthquake in 37 years had leveled 80 percent of Pisco’s houses.
North Korea devastated by floods
Torrential rains and heavy flooding have resulted in a national disaster for the North Korea, killing hundreds, destroying homes and crippling production. But the government says it is determined to quickly minimize the effects, with help from international aid institutions.
Venezuela to debate constitutional changes
August 15 is important in Venezuela. It’s the day Simon Bolivar dedicated himself to Venezuelan independence in 1805, the day President Hugo Chavez won a presidential recall vote by a 59 percent majority in 2004, and the day this year Chavez submitted proposed constitutional changes to Venezuela’s National Assembly.
