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Back to Newscast May 23, 2008

Back to Newscast May 23, 2008

• South African Xenophobic Violence Spreads to Cape Town
• Peruvian Congress Approves Measure to Allow US Soldiers into Coca Growing Region
• Burmese Junta Vows to Allow in "All Aid Workers" Ahead of Donor Conference
• NOAA Scientists Predict Busy Hurricane Season
• Air Pollution in California Linked to Premature Deaths
• Memorial Day Parade Organizers Ban Anti-War Vets Group

Back to Newscast May 23, 2008

After a year of protests and campaigns, the Coalition of Immokalee Workers and Burger King signed the penny-per-pound agreement today in Washington DC. But, questions remain as to whether the growers will negotiate the payouts. Katharine Jarmul reports.

Back to Newscast May 23, 2008

Colombia’s oil-refining capitol, Barrancabermeja, lies on the banks of the Magdalena River. Once known as one of the most violent cities in the world, citizens there are remembering one of Colombia’s worst massacres. Ten years ago, on Mother's Day, paramilitary groups entered the city, executed seven civilians and took some two dozen others hostage. "Barranca" is more peaceful now, but human rights groups say that political violence is returning to this and other areas of Colombia. Some say the return of violence is due to multinational corporations seeking to exploit the area’s natural resources. Manuel Rueda sent us this report

Back to Newscast May 23, 2008

Heavy rains and flooding have killed five people and displaced thousands in south-central Chile. Road and rail bridges have collapsed many in the capital are without drinking water. Many schools remained closed today. Despite the deluge, hundreds of high school and university students protested a new education reform bill in Congress that they say prioritizes profits at the expense of education. Demonstrators shut down a number of high schools, and earlier this month students at four universities went on strike. FSRN's Jorge Garretón has more from Santiago.

Back to Newscast May 23, 2008

Agents with the U.S. Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement, acting on a judge's order issued in 2004, this week deported a popular Boston high school teacher. Obain Attouoman [read: oh-ben ' ah-two'-ah-min] came to the United States in 1992 fleeing repression against teachers in his native Ivory Coast. In 2005, following protests by staff and students from his school, and intervention by Senators John Kerry and Ted Kennedy, the math teacher was granted a two year stay of the judge's order. But since March 2007, he has been living and working in legal limbo. Dave Goodman has our story.

Back to Newscast May 23, 2008