Chinas party congress stresses balanced growth
The 17th Congress of the Communist Party of China was held Oct. 15-19 in Beijing. Over 2,200 delegates, representing 73 million party members, discussed far-reaching goals for economic, political, social and international work. Amendments were made to the party’s constitution. Lastly, central committee members were elected by secret ballot and a new top leadership was announced.
Death penalty widely seen as fatally flawed
Only 15 minutes before Earl Wesley Berry was to be executed by lethal injection in Mississippi’s Parchman state prison, the U.S. Supreme Court issued a stay of execution. The high court has recently blocked three executions.
NATIONAL CLIPS: November 10
CHARLESTON, W.Va.: Protest demands hate crime charge HOUSTON: Commit a racist act, lose your job EVANSVILLE, Ind.: Voters ‘step up’ to halt climate change ATLANTA: Majority of Southern students are poor
Civil liberties advocates urge defeat of Mukasey
WASHINGTON — Defenders of the Bill of Rights called on the U.S. Senate, Nov. 6, to reject Michael Mukasey, President Bush’s choice to replace the disgraced Alberto Gonzales for U.S. attorney general. They cited Judge Mukasey’s evasive answers on whether waterboarding — the practice of repeatedly bringing a prisoner to the point of drowning — is torture, suggesting that he will continue Gonzales’ practice of trashing the Constitution to satisfy Bush’s drive for total power.
Anti-immigrant tactic flops, Dems advance in Virginia
Democrats made significant electoral advances in Virginia Nov. 6, as the key Republican tactic of harping on undocumented immigration appears to have fizzled.
LA 8 case ends in exoneration
On Nov. 1, attorneys for the two last remaining defendants in the famous LA 8 case announced an agreement with the Department of Homeland Security whereby all government proceedings against the two Palestinian immigrants would be dropped. This ended a 20 year ordeal.
Colorado, D.C., New Jersey and Wisconsin go over the top and keep on going!
NEW YORK — The 2007 People’s Weekly World/Nuestro Mundo Fund drive is moving ahead steadily, fueled by the enthusiasm and contributions of grassroots supporters.
Minsk hosting Communist and Workers parties
Minsk, Belarus, is welcoming delegations participating in the annual international meeting of Communist and workers’ parties. This year’s forum, with the theme “The 90th Anniversary of the Great October Socialist Revolution; Its Urgency and vitality; Communists Combating Imperialism and Backing Socialism,” will be held in Minsk Nov. 3-5.
UN spurns U.S. blockade of Cuba, again
UNITED NATIONS (IPS) — The United Nations General Assembly snubbed the United States for its hostility towards Cuba, Oct. 30, amid fresh calls for an end to the 45-year economic and financial embargo imposed on the socialist island.
Mexican museum honors Day of the Dead
CHICAGO — I recently visited the National Museum of Mexican Art’s 21st annual “Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead): A New Beginning,” an exhibition here, so I could reflect on one of the most important traditions celebrated in Mexico.
