U.S. Newswire

National Council On Disability Monthly Bulletin (Part 1 of 2)

WASHINGTON, July 6 /U.S. Newswire/ -- The National Council on Disability (NCD) has released its monthly bulletin. The Bulletin, which is free of charge and at NCD's award-winning Web site ( http:/ /www.ncd.gov ), provides the latest issues and news affecting people with disabilities. Following is a listing of highlights in the current edition (Part 1 of 2). ---

National Council On Disability Monthly Bulletin (Part 2 of 2)

WASHINGTON, July 6 /U.S. Newswire/ -- The National Council on Disability (NCD) has released its monthly bulletin. The Bulletin, which is free of charge and at NCD's award-winning Web site ( http:/ /www.ncd.gov ), provides the latest issues and news affecting people with disabilities. Following is a listing of highlights in the current edition (Part 2 of 2). ---

Study: School Reform Initiative Increases Student Achievement in Kansas City, Kan.; Too Early to Tell If Replication of 'First Things First' Is Working in Other Districts

NEW YORK, July 6 /U.S. Newswire/ -- Middle and high school students in Kansas City, Kansas b where a comprehensive school reform initiative called First Things First was first adopted b registered increased rates of student attendance and graduation, reduced student dropout rates, and improved student performance on state tests of reading and mathematics, according to a new study from MDRC, a nonprofit, nonpartisan research organization. First Things First seeks major changes in school struct...

G8 Summit Background, Photos, Contacts Available Online From Actionaid International

News Advisory: G8 Summit Background, Photos, Contacts Available Online from ActionAid International

Philip Clapp, President of the National Environmental Trust, Available for Comment On the G8 Summit July 6 - July 8

News Advisory: Philip E. Clapp, president of the National Environmental Trust, is available throughout the Group of Eight Summit for print, radio and TV interviews. This years Summit is focused on global warming and Africa poverty and runs from July 6 until July 8.

Photo Advisory: Amazon.Com Celebrates 10th Anniversary with 'Special Delivery' Program

News Advisory: Photo Editors: A high-resolution, publication-ready photograph supporting the following caption is available for free editorial use at:

Spirituals Expert Arthur Jones Featured at Washington Programs Sponsored by the Faith & Politics Institute

WASHINGTON, July 6 /U.S. Newswire/ -- Dr. Arthur Jones, a clinical psychologist, author and expert on the history and meaning of the spirituals created by African slaves, will be the featured speaker and performer at The Faith & Politics Institute's 13th Annual Congressional Reception on July 19. In addition, Dr. Jones will take part in a special children's program earlier in the day at the Robert V. Murray Boys and Girls Club in Southeast Washington. That program is sponsored by The Institut...

Merchant Advisory On Final Approval and Payout of Settlement of Visa Check/Mastermoney Antitrust Litigation

NEW YORK, July 6 /U.S. Newswire/ -- The law firm of Constantine Cannon has released the following advisory to merchants involved in the Visa Check/MasterMoney Antitrust Litigation: Dear Merchant,

Pending Home Sales Index Eases but Historically High Says National Association of Realtors(R)

WASHINGTON, July 6 /U.S. Newswire/ -- The Pending Home Sales Index, the leading indicator for the housing market, slipped from near-record levels but remains historically high, according to the National Association of Realtors(r). The Pending Home Sales Index, (see note 1) based on data collected for May, stands at 124.9, which is 2.0 percent below April but 3.7 percent above May 2004. April's downwardly revised reading of 127.5 was second only to a record of 128.1 in October 2004.

Epa Cites H. Kramer for Clean-Air Violations

CHICAGO, July 6 /U.S. Newswire/ -- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region 5 has cited H. Kramer and Co. for alleged clean-air violations at the company's bronze manufacturing plant at 1339 - 1359 W. 21st St., Chicago, Ill. EPA alleges that H. Kramer failed to comply with testing and notification requirements when it installed furnaces used in melting scrap to make bronze. In addition, EPA said that a June 9 test of opacity (the amount of light obscured by smoke particles) exceeded the 2...

'2005 State of the First Amendment' to Be Discussed July 11, 6:30 P.M. In Washington, D.C.

News Advisory: WHAT: The love/hate relationship between Americans and the First Amendment has fueled much of the nation's social and political progress over the centuries. With the news media accused of biased reporting fromm the right and left and high-profile scandals and errors making headlines, where does the nation stand on press freedom? Journalists and media experts examine issues raised in the "2005 State of the First Amendment" survey from the Freedom Forum's First Amendment Center. ...

Nra Executive Vice President Wayne Lapierre to Hold News Conference in Washington July 20

News Advisory: National Press Club "Newsmaker" News Conference: Americans and Guns: The NRA Agenda in 2005

World Jewish Congress Welcomes Osce Call for End to Arab Boycott Ofisrael; 'As Long As There Is Demonization of Israel, There Will Beanti-Semitism'

NEW YORK, July 6 /U.S. Newswire/ -- The World Jewish Congress today welcomed a measure by parliamentarians from 55 nations promoting an end to the 50-year-old Arab League boycott of Israel. They adopted the call at the conclusion of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE). WJC President Edgar M. Bronfman said, "The Arab boycott against Israel must end. It must be ended. Demonization of Israel through this boycott is a form of anti-Semiti...

Children's Defense Fund-Ohio Announces Partnership with Generations United to Raise Awareness of Older Adults Raising Children in Foster Care

COLUMBUS, Ohio, July 6 /U.S. Newswire/ -- Children's Defense Fund- Ohio today announced "Uniting Generations to Support Children in Foster Care," a new state-wide initiative to raise awareness of the need to help grandparents and other relatives raising children in foster care. Children's Defense Fund-Ohio, Ohio Grandparent/ Kinship Coalition and Cuyahoga County Department of Senior and Adult Services will partner with Generations United to educate state and local policymakers, the media and...

New World Bank Guidelines Should Mainstream Climate Change in Loan Portfolios, Says Wri Report

WASHINGTON, July 6 /U.S. Newswire/ -- As the Group of 8 Summit opens in Gleneagles, Scotland, a new World Resources Institute (WRI) report offers a recommendation for world leaders seeking to address climate change: require the World Bank to mainstream climate change considerations into its global operations in partnership with developing countries. In just the last year, the World Bank Group has spent $7.6 billion in fossil fuel intensive sectors (37 percent of total lending for the year) wi...

Federal Report Ranks States for Chemical Terrorist Threat; 'Pre- Positioned Weapons' of Mass Destruction Face New Congressional Scrutiny

WASHINGTON, July 6 /U.S. Newswire/ -- A new report released by the Congressional Research Service today details the number of chemical facilities in each state that could make a tempting target for terrorists. The report comes on the heels of an admission from the Bush Administration that its voluntary approach to securing chemical plants has failed. A Senate Committee is drafting proposed new rules for chemical security. "The report shows that this is not just a problem along the New Jersey ...

Oxfam Welcomes Us Move On Cotton

WASHINGTON, July 6 /U.S. Newswire/ -- International agency Oxfam today welcomed the Bush administration's proposal to eliminate all cotton export subsidies and urged Congress to enact these changes as soon as possible. Oxfam hailed the move as an important first step and a welcome signal of the US government's willingness to work through the WTO to make trade fairer for developing countries. However, Oxfam said that further reforms would be necessary to fully resolve the case taken by Brazil ...

Cbc Chair Commends Blair for Efforts to Raise Awareness of African Poverty and Urges Stronger Focus On Fighting Hiv/Aids Epidemic

WASHINGTON, July 6 /U.S. Newswire/ -- In a letter sent to British Prime Minister Tony Blair, today, Rep. Melvin Watt (D- N.C.), Congressional Black Caucus Chairman, commended his efforts to raise awareness of African poverty and requested that a stronger focus be placed on fighting Africa's HIV/AIDS epidemic. The letter, sent as the leaders from the Group of Eight industrialized nations convene for a three-day summit in Scotland, requests that the Prime Minister consider adopting a policy tha...

Is the Road Getting Riskier? Poll Analyzes Drivers' Attitudes and Behaviors, Identifies Emerging Hazards; July 7 at the National Pressclub

News Advisory: The new Drive for Life annual poll, to be released tomorrow, will show the vast majority of Americans admit to dangerous and distracted driving behaviors -- even while blaming those behaviors in other drivers for growing aggravation and risk on the road. The poll documents a growing tendency to multi-task behind the wheel, with a startling number of drivers eating, talking on cell phones and even reading while driving. And the threat is growing as new high tech devices offer ...

United Church of Christ Leadership Slammed for Resolutions Against Israel

ATLANTA, July 6 /U.S. Newswire/ -- Dexter Van Zile, director of the Judeo-Christian alliance, an affiliate of the David Project, has accused the United Church of Christ (UCC) of adopting resolutions at its Synod in Atlanta on Tuesday, July 5th that endanger Israelis and are, in effect if not intent, anti- Semitic. Van Zile is a member of the UCC. Van Zile said a compromise, which avoided divestment had been worked out in committee, but was overturned by activists after the one invited Jewish ...