Amazon Tribe Sues Texaco for $6 Billion
By Mariana Sanchez, Al Jazeera
What was once a pristine piece of the Ecuadorian Amazon rainforest is now an ecological disaster site, invaded by what Al Jazeera describes as, 'open-air pits that ooze toxic sludge.' The oil company Texaco has admitted to dumping 18 billion gallons of pollutants (30 times the amount of crude spilled by the Exxon Valdez) into an Amazonian swamp and river system where members of an indigenous tribe known as the Cofan obtain their water. The Cofan are seeking $6 billion in clean-up costs. -- Natalie Hudson
http://english.aljazeera.net/NR/exeres/74412E3C-AEDD-475C-91E0-C6EE7B84B792.htm

'It's Outright War and Both Sides Are Choosing Their Weapons'
Arundhati Roy interviewed by Shoma Chaudhury, Tehelka
From many vantages, including those of the state and guerrilla fighters, the political and social landscape of India is bursting with resistance and violence. In an interview with Tehelka, acclaimed novelist and activist Arundhati Roy offers a harsh critique of the current situation in her native country. She tells of the military occupation, civil war, mass starvation, and deforestation that she has seen in her travels across India. The government appears unmotivated by civil disobedience and, according to Roy, revolutionary groups are 'the only people making a dent' in the immense injustice. (Thanks, Common Dreams) -- Natalie Hudson
http://www.tehelka.com/story_main28.asp?filename=Ne310307Its_outright_CS.asp

It Could Have Been Me
By Elton John, TheNew Statesman
The day after his 60th birthday, Elton John released a plea in the New Statesman to support homosexual rights across the globe. He cites the suffering of gay people in El Salvador, Uganda, and India who have been beaten, harassed, threatened, and arrested. 'Gay sex is criminalised in more than 80 countries,' writes the famous pop musician, and homophobia still greatly impacts health education. John urges, 'whether the bigot is in our local pub or a thousand miles away, we should all stand up and speak out for basic human rights.' -- Natalie Hudson
http://www.newstatesman.com/200703260025