Protests mark G-8 summit in Germany
Security measures for the G-8 summit, which was attended by leaders of the eight largest world economic and military powers — the United States, Britain, Germany, France, Italy, Japan, Canada and Russia — were overwhelming, and reportedly included the largest massing of armed force in one place in Germany since the Second World War.
Missile base flap shows Czech rightward trajectory
A dispute has arisen within the Czech Republic over Bush administration plans to set up a “Star Wars”-type anti-missile base south of the capital, Prague, and another in Poland
Senate debate on immigration begins
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) has upped the ante in the national debate on comprehensive immigration reform by setting May 14 as the start of floor debate on the issue.
Cheney leaves country in midst of Libby trial
In his Washington Post column, Eugene Robinson writes, “If you’ve been following the … Lewis ‘Scooter’ Libby perjury trial, I can understand how you might confuse Dick Cheney with Tony Soprano. Cheney’s office is beginning to sound a lot like the Bada Bing, minus the dancers.”
Yugoslavia: a historic view
When the term “balkanization” is used, it has long meant to break a territory or a region up into hostile, unmanageable parts. The Balkans has long been portrayed by imperialist ideology as a region filled with colorful, violent, backward people — the “hillbillies” of Europe
Mexicos tortilla crisis: harvest of NAFTA
More than 120,000 people protested in Mexico City, Jan. 31, against massive hikes in the price of white maize (called “corn” in the U.S.) and other basic foodstuffs — up nearly 100 percent since Christmas on top of a 700 percent increase since 1994.
House moving to restore workers rights
The AFL-CIO and the Change to Win unions have launched a full-court press to restore workers’ rights to join a union and bargain a contract.
Venezuelans contemplate unitary party of the left
After a resounding re-election victory on Dec. 3, in which leftist Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez Frias defeated his right-wing opponent by 63 percent to 37 percent, Chavez has called for the consolidation of all political forces on the left into a “unitary party” to work for a transition to socialism.
Killed by NYPD: The system, its problems and the fightback
NEW YORK — “No justice, no peace! No justice, no peace!” protesters chanted Dec. 6 as they rallied in Manhattan’s Foley Square. The event was planned months in advance to bring attention to the issue of police brutality in New York City. But following the shooting death of groom-to-be 23-year-old Sean Bell, the event took on new meaning and urgency.
Ellison win a rebuff to Bushs policies
MINNEAPOLIS — The success of the Keith Ellison congressional campaign here was noteworthy from several perspectives.
