Unions Sue Illinois Government for 'Pension Theft'

A coalition of labor unions sued the government of Illinois Tuesday for mass “pension theft” that it says violates the state’s constitution. In a 55-page complaint delivered to Sangamon County Circuit Court in Springfield, plaintiffs with the We Are One Illinois coalition — whose members include the Illinois AFL-CIO, Illinois Federation of Teachers, and Illinois Education Read more about Unions Sue Illinois Government for 'Pension Theft'[…]

Big Pharma Lobbies to Punish Makers of Affordable Drugs

Multinational pharmaceutical corporations are pressuring the U.S. government to directly block cheaper, generic varieties of life-saving drugs in India. The Indian government is “reviewing patented drugs of foreign firms to see if so-called compulsory licenses, which in effect break exclusivity rights, can be issued for some of them to bring down costs,” according to a Read more about Big Pharma Lobbies to Punish Makers of Affordable Drugs[…]

Newly Found Coal Ash Spill Pouring Arsenic Into NC River

North Carolina authorities believe that a second storm pipe has burst at the Eden coal ash dumping pond owned by Duke Energy, sending another mass discharge of arsenic and lead-laden waste into the Dan River, which is still severely polluted from a similar spill in early February. The N.C. Department of Environment and Natural Resources Read more about Newly Found Coal Ash Spill Pouring Arsenic Into NC River[…]

Scientists: Melting Ice May Unleash Giant, Ancestral Viruses

More terrifying than super storms, killer droughts and rising seas, researchers revealed Monday that global warming-induced ice melt can potentially unleash ancient viruses, prompting future threat to human health. Husband and wife evolutionary biologists Jean-Michel Claverie and Chantal Abergel have revived a giant virus trapped in 30,000 Siberian permafrost, according to research published in Monday’s Read more about Scientists: Melting Ice May Unleash Giant, Ancestral Viruses[…]

US Quietly Ships Hellfire Missiles, Rifles, and Ammo to Iraq

This month alone, “the United States delivered nearly 100 Hellfire missiles together with hundreds of thousands of rounds of ammunition and M4 rifles” to the Iraqi government, the U.S. Embassy to Iraq revealed Sunday. In a public statement, the U.S. Embassy claimed the shipments were sent to aid the Iraqi government and military’s so-called “counter-terrorism” Read more about US Quietly Ships Hellfire Missiles, Rifles, and Ammo to Iraq[…]

Former KKK Leader Charged in Shootings at Jewish Centers

Police have arrested a man with a long history of involvement in racist and neo-Nazi groups for the shooting deaths of three people outside two separate Jewish community centers near Kansas City, Missouri on Sunday. According to reports, authorities have charged Frazier Glenn Cross, 73, with first degree murder after he opened fire at a Read more about Former KKK Leader Charged in Shootings at Jewish Centers[…]

NJPW G1 Climax 30 A Block winner crowned

Kota Ibushi has won the A Block in NJPW’s G1 Climax 30 tournament and is advancing to this weekend’s finals. Ibushi defeated Taichi in the semi-main event of this morning’s A Block finals. He still needed help to advance, with Jay White and Tomohiro Ishii facing off in today’s main event. After a back-and-forth match, Read more about NJPW G1 Climax 30 A Block winner crowned[…]

Switzerland Makes Push for World's Highest Minimum Wage

Voters in Switzerland next month will decide if their nation enacts the world’s highest minimum wage. In a national referendum, the Swiss could make the minimum wage $25 per hour, or 4000 francs per month. About 330,000 people, 10 percent of workers, currently earn less than that. SCROLL TO CONTINUE WITH CONTENT Those opposed to Read more about Switzerland Makes Push for World's Highest Minimum Wage[…]

Trailblazing Church Leads Challenge to North Carolina Same Sex Marriage Ban

A mainline Protestant denomination is leading a landmark challenge to North Carolina’s ban on same sex marriage, charging that it is unconstitutional and restricts the ministers’ freedom of religion. The Cleveland-headquartered United Church of Christ (UCC), which in 2005 adopted a marriage rights for all resolution, filed its suit Monday in U.S. District Court in Read more about Trailblazing Church Leads Challenge to North Carolina Same Sex Marriage Ban[…]

House Members Join Hands to Pass 'Weak' NSA Reform

A “watered down” NSA reform bill that may curb, but certainly not end, the bulk surveillance of innocent people passed the House Thursday morning with bi-partisan support. The USA Freedom Act passed with a final vote of 303 to 121, thanks to backing from a majority of Republicans and Democrats. In the end, 51 Republicans Read more about House Members Join Hands to Pass 'Weak' NSA Reform[…]