Ecuador court rules pollution violates rights of a river running through capital

Ruling, based on constitutional rights for natural features like Quito's Machangara River, appealed by government

A ruling described by activists as historic," a court in Ecuador has ruled that pollution has violated the rights of a river that runs through the country's capital, Quito.

The city government appealed the ruling, which is based on an article of Ecuador's constitution that recognizes the rights of natural features like the Machangara River.