Italys Communists grapple with political realities
RIMINI, Italy — The recent general elections here resulted in a defeat for the ultra-right Silvio Berlusconi, former prime minister, and his supporting parties. But the government, now run by a coalition of center-left parties and headed by Prime Minister Prodi, won by the barest of margins. Italy is a divided country.
Communists lift every voice for Black equality
ST. LOUIS — Eighty activists, including trade unionists, elected officials, religious leaders and workers of all races, ages and genders gathered here June 9-10 for an extraordinary Communist Party conference on African American equality.
What is causing the dramatic decline in honeybee populations?
Kids everywhere may revel in the fact that bees are no longer stinging them as frequently on playgrounds and in backyards, but the decline in honey bee populations in the U.S. and elsewhere signals a major environmental imbalance that could have far-reaching implications for our agricultural food supply.
What is the terminator seed proposed for use in agriculture?
Technology developed in 1998 by the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture and the Delta & Pine Land Co. genetically-engineers seeds to produce sterile offspring after the given crops yield their annual harvest. This would force farmers to purchase new seeds every year, ensuring greater sales for seed companies.
Bush campaigns to revive immigration bill
In his June 9 national radio address, President Bush strongly endorsed the “Grand Bargain” immigration bill, S 13, that stalled in the Senate June 7 when just 45 of a necessary 60 senators were ready to bring the issue to a vote after two weeks of debate.
Turning the tide of reaction in Texas
HOUSTON — The recent meltdown of the Texas Legislature, dubbed “the Austin Tea Party,” may be the opening shot of a resurgence of the power of Texas progressives.
Oaklanders demand local control of schools
OAKLAND, Calif. — Parents, teachers, elected officials, students and community leaders gathered June 1 at Oakland Unified School District headquarters to demonstrate their support for returning the schools to local control and halting the school closings and reorganizations that have affected nearly half of the city’s 98 schools during the last five years.
Proud soccer girls united as one
CHICAGO — On May 12, the lives of 16 young women changed forever. After long months of training, sweating and working hard, the Little Village Lawndale High School women’s sophomore soccer team celebrated an undefeated, unscored-on season and headed into the playoffs.
Governor Spitzer and the police state
Gov. Eliot Spitzer is proposing a major expansion of New York’s bank of DNA samples. Currently, New York state collects DNA from those convicted of serious crimes. Spitzer is proposing to include people convicted of most crimes (including those found guilty of any misdemeanor, such as drug offenses, harassment and unauthorized use of a credit card).
