July 5, 2008

India: Left stands firm on nuke deal
Israel: Rights group documents torture
Ireland: Unions help defeat Lisbon Treaty
Nigeria: Oil production down 50 percent
Haiti: Drinking water shortage
Cuba: Free lung cancer drug

As worry mounts that the same right-wingers who got us into the Iraq war are now pushing for war with Iran, journalist Seymour Hersh has revealed that the Bush administration is supporting terrorist groups in Iran that are believed to be linked to al Qaeda and the Taliban.

A scandal is brewing that connects right-wing Cuban exiles in the United States with violent Mexican drug gangs trained by the U.S. military. The story first broke in the left-wing Mexico City daily, La Jornada

Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe’s ZANU-PF party held a widely condemned election on June 29 in which the opposition dropped out because of widespread violence and intimidation. The African Union on June 30 joined the international chorus in rejecting the outcome. South African President Thabo Mbeki is mediating a power-sharing deal between ZANU-PF and the opposition Movement for a Democratic Change.

Gentrification
Increasing PWW readership
Question/pregunta
Who speaks for Mother Earth?
Get back Charlie Black

It’s that time of year when Americans of all cultures and creeds take the day off (if they can) to barbecue, watch fireworks and maybe drink a few beers or soft drinks.

This is not a good year to be running for election or reelection to the U.S. House or Senate as a Republican. George W. Bush’s approval ratings are at record lows, the economy is in the tank, gasoline prices and mortgage foreclosures are skyrocketing and the Iraq war grinds on without end. The GOP has lost special House elections in three congressional districts they have held for decades in Illinois, Mississippi and Louisiana. And Democratic candidates are ahead in 35 “battleground” districts now held by Republicans.

Should Independence Day be a cause of celebration for Americans? What does this commemoration of the Declaration of Independence really mean in a nation whose history is tainted with criminal wars, greed, racism and slavery?

With 8,000 homeowners hit by foreclosure each day, legislation to meet the crisis ought to be high on the Capitol Hill agenda. But fighters for decent, affordable housing say the Bush administration and Republican lawmakers are blocking action.