Why are gasoline prices high?
As gas prices in the U.S. shoot up to record levels, the official explanation is that there is a supply and demand imbalance. Limits on production by oil-producing countries and growing petroleum usage by developing nations such as China are said to be responsible for skyrocketing gas prices for U.S. consumers. This storyline, however, hides more than it explains.
Pakistanis protest Rice visit
Supporters of Pakistan’s Labour Party protest near the U.S. consulate in Lahore, March 17, to condemn the visit of the Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice.
WORLD NOTES
Britain: Rail union calls for public ownership. Bosnia-Herzegovina: CP leader fights firing from university. Pakistan: National strike against unemployment, privatization. Guatemala: Protest killings of demonstrators. S. Africa: Solidarity with food workers grows.
Haiti elections set to exclude key opponents
Haiti’s Provisional Electoral Council (CEP) recently announced that elections will take place later this year. Up for grabs will be local and regional posts in October and the presidency and legislative seats in November. One hundred forty parties are registered to participate and 100 candidates will run for president.
Joint appeal for a just peace in Mideast
The Communist parties of Israel and Jordan and the Palestinian People’s Party met March 13 in Amman, Jordan, to discuss a coordinated approach to U.S. imperialism and its strategy of “war, occupation, the theft of national resources, privatization and the enslavement of the people as a cheap work force for the multinational corporations.”
Brazil rejects Rumsfelds criticisms of Venezuela
Shortly after statements by Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld questioning Venezuela’s recent weapons purchase, Brazil’s ruling Workers Party (PT) issued a statement in defense of Venezuela, asserting that Latin America is no longer an extension of the Unites States.
Parties cite dangers from U.S. policy toward Iran
A statement initiated by the Tudeh Party of Iran and joined by 62 left, Communist and workers parties around the world warns that U.S. policy toward Iran is part of Washington’s drive to control the Middle East politically, economically and militarily, and pledges solidarity with the popular movement for freedom and democracy in Iran.
Mothers recall the disappeared
Members of the group Mothers of the Plaza de Mayo lead a rally of hundreds, March 24, at Buenos Aires’ main square to remember the victims of a right-wing military coup in Argentina 29 years ago.
Report says poverty rife in Northern Ireland
A recently published study has found that poverty in the north of Ireland is worse than in the south of Ireland or Britain.
Antiwar actions span the nation
The March 18-20 weekend marked the two-year anniversary of the U.S. invasion of Iraq. At least 765 towns and cities, in all 50 states, held antiwar actions. Last week’s PWW reported from a national action in Fayetteville, N.C., and other cities. Here are a few more reports.
