News In Brief

Hot(ish) off the press - Corporate Watch 7 -the magazine for updates on the corporate baddies. Contact Corporate Watch 01865 791391.

Tiny wide-angle cameras with microphones, fitted to police helmets, are being tried out in Cleveland. Images can be stored on a Walkman-sized device attached to an officer's belt or sent via microwave link to other 'uniformed friends' up to two miles away.

Lancaster folk have been demonstrating each Friday about nuclear waste trains going though their town on the way to Hesham power station. Contact 01524 849 313.

A camp has been set up in Cohb, Ireland, against plans by the Electricity Supply Board to erect a 15 mile ring of pylons around Cork harbour. Electromagnetic fields could affect residents' health and campaigners are asking for the cables to be laid underground. Contact +353 (087) 451065.

The first issue of URGENT , newsletter of Urban Regeneration and Greenfield Environment NeTwork (promoting sustainable and appropriate housing policies which contribute to urban renewal) is out now. Contact 01865 721366.

The decision on the Bingley Bypass has been put back yet again - until this autumn. The road is to service a proposed greenbelt housing development of 10 000 properties. A camp has existed on route for a while now featuring walkways, tree houses, lock-ons, communal bender and nearby squat. People needed. Contact 01274 504626 / 0961 3674211.

Every home on earth does not contain a TV or computer; but each home has some food which is destined to be changed by gene splicing. A Day Workshop on genetic engineering is being held in Cambridge on 7th June. To book your place contact 01223 570873.

The Gandalf 3 were unexpectedly released on bail on 27th March pending their appeal against their conviction and 3 year sentence. The G3 reckon that they have a strong case for their conviction to be quashed. The other 2 defendants in the trial go to court on 11th May. Contact 01442 240246.

Reclaim The Streets is updating its database - to not miss out in any future insurrection contact 0171 281 4621.

On May 17th 1649 Corporal Perkins, Cornet Thompson and Private Church were executed in Burford churchyard. They were Levellers , a radical political party and wing of Cromwell's army, and died for their ideals of government by 'Agreement of the People' and for refusing to go to oppress the Irish. See Events for 16th May action.

The camp at Bury St Edmunds , set up to stop a proposed access road for local brewery Greene King, disbanded during April, tatting down before their eviction date. The campaign continues however. Contact 01359 240365.

Hundreds of thousands of peasants, agricultural labourers, tribal people and industrial workers from all regions of India took the streets of Hyderabad on May 2nd to show their rejection of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) and its neoliberal policies, and to demand the immediate withdrawal of India from the WTO. The rally took place in the context of increasing state violence against peoples' movements all over India.

Tom McDermott, Monsanto's head of European Public Affairs , has been quoted as saying "Our genes are incorporated into approximately nineteen million acres around the world, covering an area larger than Switzerland and the Netherlands combined. Can Europe at this stage really resist?"

Paul Gill, the artist formerly known as Busker Paul , has released a tape 'Solid Ground'. Available for £6 inc p&p (cheques payable to R.Taylor) from End Cottage, Wood Green, Long Stratton, Norfolk NR15 2RR.

The next West Country Activist Gathering is planned for August 7-9. Contact 01626 363844.

Critical Mass

Birmingham - first Saturday each month, Victoria Square, 12 noon

Manchester - last Friday each month, St Peter's Square, 5pm

Glasgow - last Saturday, Byres Road/University Avenue, 2pm