WFW News

Friday, May 9, 2008 - The Washington Post - Lori Montgomery

The House yesterday approved an ambitious plan to rescue hundreds of thousands of homeowners at risk of foreclosure by helping them trade exotic loans with rapidly rising monthly payments for more affordable mortgages backed by the federal government.

Bucking a White House veto threat, 39 Republicans joined Democrats in supporting the bill, the centerpiece of a broader housing package that represents Washington's most aggressive response to the nation's housing crisis. The measure aims to unfreeze mortgage markets by expanding the Federal Housing Administration's reach and strengthening mortgage giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. It also would create a $7,500 tax credit for first-time home buyers to try to boost sales and slow plummeting home prices.

For the complete story, click here.

Thursday, May 8, 2008 - International Herald Tribune -  David Stout

WASHINGTON: As the House prepared to vote on a housing-relief bill offered by Democratic leaders, President George W. Bush on Wednesday told the lawmakers, in effect, not to bother.

"I will veto the bill that's moving through the House today if it makes it to my desk," the president said at the White House, after meeting with Republican House leaders. "I urge members on both sides of the aisle to focus on a good piece of legislation that is being sponsored by Republican members."

For the complete story, click here.
 

Wednesday, May 7, 2008 - The Politico - Lisa Lerer

Congress has fast-tracked legislation to stave off a potential crisis over student loans by ensuring their availability for millions of students.

The legislation, approved by Congress last week, authorizes the Education Department to buy outstanding federally backed loans from private lenders. President Bush signed the bill Wednesday, and the Education Department said Monday that it should start processing the emergency advances by June 1.

For the complete story, click here.

May 10th is World Fair Trade Day! 

World Fair Trade Day is a celebration of Fair Trade internationally, with events organized worldwide. Events including Fair Trade breakfasts, talks, music concerts, and fashion shows are held to promote Fair Trade and campaign for justice in trade.

For more information or to find an event near you, click here.

Thursday, May 1, 2008 - The Wall Street Journal

A new poll from the Pew Research Center finds Americans turning largely bearish on free-trade agreements, as Nafta and trade have taken on renewed importance in the 2008 presidential campaign amid the economic downturn.

Nearly half of respondents (48%) said that free-trade agreements are having a negative impact on their personal financial situations, compared with just 27% who say it has helped. The number of people saying free trade has hurt their situation is up from 36% in December of 2006.

For the complete story, click here.

Monday, April 28, 2008 - The New York Times - Alex Berenson

In Unalakleet, Alaska a local dental clinic offers basic dental work like cavity fillings.  However, the woman that runs this facility is not a dentist.  Instead, Aurora Johnson completed a two year training program that is unique to Alaska.  This issue of therapists performing basic drilling and fillings is one that the Alaska Dental Society and the American Dental Association do not approve. 

Some dentists who specialize in public health, noting that 100 million Americans cannot afford adequate dental care, say such training programs should be offered nationwide.

For the complete story, click here.

Thursday, April 24, 2008 – Politico – Victoria McGrane & David Rogers

The House Financial Services Committee approved a $15 billion foreclosure aid package Wednesday, but only after it survived a behind-the-scenes regional fight in which Chairman Barney Frank (D-Mass.) invoked House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) to stave off Midwest efforts to claim a larger share of funds, at the expense of California.

The battle — and the hair-splitting — illustrates tensions raised by a subprime mortgage crisis that has slammed some states with recently booming economies and others that had long been struggling.

For the complete story, click here.

Thursday, April 24, 2008 - The Wall Street Journal - Market Watch - Thomas Kostigen

This article discusses genetically modified organisms (GMOs), particularly in reference to seeds and plants. Typically agricultural products are engineered to be more resistant to pests or environmental conditions or to grow more quickly and bountifully. With soaring food prices and global grain shortages, more attention is being shifted towards GMOs. The article describes the trade policies that control the GMO industry that produces a costly profit from the poor.

For the complete story, click here.

Thursday, April 24, 2008 - The Washington Post - Lori Montgomery

Senate Republicans yesterday blocked legislation to make it easier for women and others alleging discrimination to sue their employers over unequal pay.  The measure aimed to reverse the Supreme Court ruling from last May limiting how long workers can wait before suing for pay discrimination.

For the complete story, click here.

Friday, April 18, 2008 - Huffington Post - Gerardo Cajamarca Alarcón

This blog post, written by Gerardo Cajamarca Alarcón, describes from a first hand account some of the effects that free trade has had on Colombia. 

For the complete story, click here.

Wednesday, April 23, 2008 - The Hill - Manu Raju

Congressional Democrats are backing away from healthcare reform promises made by their two presidential candidates, saying that even if their party controls the White House and Congress, sweeping change will be difficult.

For the complete story, click here.

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