Truthout - News

Venezuela Blows Up Two Bridges Along Colombia Border

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 16:17:20 -0500

Venezuelan forces destroyed two pedestrian bridges that spanned the border with Colombia, further heightening tensions between the two countries that have been at odds since Colombia agreed to allow the US military to expand its presence on Colombian bases.

Protests Don't Stop UC Regents' 32 Percent Fee Hike

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 14:24:03 -0500

Surrounded by campus police dressed in protective riot gear and armed with beanbag guns, hundreds of student protesters at UCLA Thursday chanted "Shame on You, Shame on You" toward the building where the UC Regents had just voted to raise tuition and fees by $2,500 over the next year.

Murder at Guantanamo?

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 13:46:05 -0500

With recent news reports centering on Attorney General Eric Holder's announcement that some Guantanamo detainees would be prosecuted in federal court and revamped, albeit flawed military commissions, important stories from previous months related to the prison facility continue to sink ever deeper into the swamp of our collective amnesia.

Vietnam Vet Stages Hunger Strike in Front of White House to Raise Awareness About PTSD

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 13:08:39 -0500

Since Veterans Day, Thomas E. Mahany, a 62-year-old Vietnam War veteran, has been on a hunger strike in front of the White House to raise awareness about post-traumatic stress disorder and protest the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

A Growing Climate Change Movement Emerges

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 13:06:18 -0500

Hundreds of climate activists swarmed down a hill toward Britain’s largest coal-burning power plant Oct. 17 with the intention of shutting it down. Within minutes, dozens had broken through the perimeter fence, erected specifically for this protest, and entered the site, known as Ratcliffe-on-Soar Power Station. But 650 police officers rapidly secured the breach and over the next six hours battled about 300 activists determined to topple other sections of the fence.

Economic Crisis Is Getting Bloody - Violent Deaths Are Now Following Evictions, Foreclosures and Job Losses

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 10:04:03 -0500

Despite ever rosier economic predictions and a surging stock market, the body count from the economic crisis is destined only to grow in the weeks and months ahead.

Hoping for Cloture: Senate Liberals Drop Reconciliation Weapon In Fight for Health Reform

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 09:19:53 -0500

What happens if Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid can't get the votes he needs from conservaDems and Joe Lieberman to shut down a filibuster before a final vote on health care reform?

Military Tribunals - Justice Lite?

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 18:46:50 -0500

While Sarah Palin and other right-wing opportunists create a cottage industry in drumming up public hysteria about Khalid Sheikh Mohammed and four other terror suspects from Guantanamo coming to New York for trial, many legal experts and human rights groups are being equally outspoken in their criticism of the "new and improved" Military Commissions designated to try five other detainees.

Report: Bush Officials Knew AIG Would Use Bailout Funds to Pay Counterparties

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 15:12:29 -0500

Government officials were aware that billions of dollars used to bail out American International Group (AIG) last year were used by the insurance giant to pay off its creditors, according to a newly released government watchdog report.

Ron Paul, Alan Grayson Beat Fed in House Committee Vote

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 14:48:12 -0500

The fight by financial reformers to hold the secretive Federal Reserve accountable for its role in allowing Wall Street and big banks to spiral out of control - and then keeping secret how it bailed them out - faced its first major test yesterday. The House Financial Services Committee considered two competing amendments on auditing the Fed. As the New York Times reported: