COUNCILLORS POWERLESS IN FACE OF CORPORATIONS?
As the general election approaches a timely reminder comes from Slough about who really runs the country. May 2004 : councillors elected on a platform to oppose a proposed waste incinerator. December 2004: councillors decide...not to block planning permission. Democracy rules OK? Not quite. Read more:  http://www.corporatewatch.org/news/councillorspowerless.htm

VICTORY NEWS IN BRIEF
Here at Corporate Watch we try to sometimes give you a bit of positivity in your news updates -- to make up for the stories of massive planet abuse that we usually send slamming into your inbox. This week we report on two cases of the mighty McDonalds and bio-giant Syngenta running home with their tails between their legs. Read more...  http://www.corporatewatch.org/news/victoriesmarch05.htm

WATER NEWS

British Waterways is trying to close the Castlemill Boatyard in North Oxford to allow Bellway Homes to build the usual posh flats. The boatyard seves a river boat community of over 70 boats, and has been around for over 160 years, forming the backdrop for part of Philip Pullman's Northern Lights book, and the author was recently seen at a protest against the boatyard's closure. indymedia story
Contact the campaign:  info@arbib.org

Penarth Marina, near Cardiff has evicted a family and their houseboat for being unsafe -- after admiting they were responsible for wrecking the boat in an accident in the first place. The Shalom family have subsequently staged protests outside Crest marina's offices, plus those of their main backer, UBS bank. indymedia story
Contact the campaign:  wwwnoahsark@aol.com

NEWS IN BRIEF

Keep up to date with Tasmanian logging company Gunns' attempt to silence critics on www.gunns20.org

BAA appoints companies to work on expansion of Stansted Airport in Essex: TPS Consult (pavement and infrastructure design);Turner & Townsend (cost consultant); Whitbybird (structural engineer) and WSP Group (building services).

For more info about the plans to build vast aluminium smelting plants in Iceland check out www.killingiceland.org... Read the Corporate Watch article...

The Matrix finally confirmed to be pseudo-philosphical corporate pap as original author Sophia Stewart successfully sues the Wachowski Brothers, Joel Silver and Warner Brothers for stealing her story.

More companies exploiting prison labour: B&Q and Debenhams paying prisoners in HMP Winchester 25p/hour. Prisoners in Long Lartin working for Dextra assembling strip-lighting are required to sign away their rights to day-time education and gymnasium plus stand up all day. Other companies recently named by prisoners: Juicy Packaging, Captive Recycling, and Vinegar Packing (Backfield Trading Estate, Bristol); British Textile Service (BTS) of Springfield Industrial Estate, Stroud, plus company Churngold Industries.