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GOP and Iranian Hardliners Aim to Kill International Iran Nuclear Deal
Interview with Paul Kawika Martin, political director with Peace Action, conducted by Scott Harris
In a long-awaited announcement, the group of nations, known as the P5+1 – the U.S., Britain, France Russia, China and Germany – revealed on April 2 that a framework had been agreed upon, ensuring that Iran’s nuclear program remains peaceful. The negotiations with Tehran, which began in November 2013, temporarily froze the Iranian nuclear program in place while negotiators worked to hammer out a long-term agreement. Story continues
Programs to Eliminate Homelessness Within Reach, But Require Funding
Interview with Steve Berg, vice president for programs and policy at the National Alliance to End Homelessness, conducted by Melinda Tuhus
The economic recovery in the U.S. has meant more jobs, lower official unemployment rates, and along with that, a small drop in the number of the nation’s homeless population. According to a new report from the National Alliance to End Homelessness, the rate of homelessness fell by just 2.3 percent, and the number of people at risk of homelessness has yet to return to pre-recession levels. The downside of the recovery is that housing prices are heading upward again. The federal government defines the homeless as those without a permanent place to live, including those on the street, in shelters, or doubling up with family or friends. Story continues
Citizen Groups Urge President to Issue Executive Order Mandating Federal Contractors Disclose Political Spending
Interview with Aquene Freechild, co-director of Public Citizen’s Democracy Is For People Campaign, conducted by Scott Harris
Ever since the controversial Supreme Court rulings in the Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission and McCutcheon v. FEC cases that opened the floodgates of unlimited and unaccountable money in U.S. election campaigns, activists across the country have been working to reverse the decisions. But short of a constitutional amendment, which requires approval by a two-thirds vote in both the Senate and House, followed by two-thirds of the 50 states ratifying the measure, progress will be incremental. Story continues
This week’s summary of under-reported news
Compiled by Bob Nixon
- Romania’s anti-corruption prosecutors hit pay-dirt when they found 80,000 euros, three gold bars and a Renoir painting in a safe belonging to Finance Minister Darius Valcov, who had earlier resigned after being accused of corruption. (“Romanian prosecutors find gold, Renoir painting in minister’s safe,” Reuters, March 24, 2015; “Romanian Finance Minister quits amid corruption scandal,” Deutsche Welle, March 25, 2015; “Romania get serious about ending its notorious corruption,”Christian Science Monitor, Feb. 25, 2015)
- In a rare sign of labor unity, as many as 90,000 workers in Vietnam launched a strike on March 26 targeting a giant footwear factory outside of Ho Chi Minh City, which makes athletic shoes for Nike, Reebok and Adidas. (“Vietnam hit by rare strike at major footwear factory,” Reuters, March 31, 2015; “Vietnam factory workers in rare strike protest new insurance law,” Radio Free Asia, March 31, 2015; “Vietnamese workers continue strike for pension change,” Chicago Tribune, April 1, 2015)
- Lucas County Ohio, which includes the city of Toledo, is adopting alternatives to incarcerating juveniles and referring at-risk youth to counseling, drug treatment and other services. (“Keeping kids from crime,” Christian Science Monitor, Feb. 16, 2015