Posted: January 15, 2002
Updated: January 18, 2002

Northern Alliance warlords charged with extorting, settling scores by calling in US air strikes - Chris Johnson
  Afghani businessman says warlord told the US army his family had ties to the al-Queda, resulting in a bombing attack.

Occupation at Queen's!
  Students have occupied the principal office at Queen's University to protest deregulation.

We don't want no ivy league - Adam Davidson Harden
  The tuition de-regulation protest song.

Canada bottom of the barrel on green issues - Janice Harvey
  When it comes to the environment, Canada's effort is dismal.

Will EI be there for you in the recession coming down on us? - Paul Weinberg
  It's more difficult to qualify for benefits than it was during the last recession - and some workers are already caught in the system.

The Straight Goods Cyber Forum with Larry Solway It's called a mixed economy, stupid   Government, especially in perilous times, must do what private enterprise can't do, won't do, and perhaps should not be asked to do. Are you a free-market believer? Join the Straight Goods Cyber Forum with your views. Take the Straight Goods Cyber Survey. Tell us what you think: 'Free Market' or 'Mixed Economy'? ... and qualify for a prize in the weekly Straight Goods draw.

Commentary

Bronfmans untaxed - Linda McQuaig
  Wealthy Canadian family jumps through multi-million dollar tax loophole.
 
 

Scandal is the key to Cabinet tenure - Aaron Freeman
  "Subterranean" ethical standards help ministers hang on to their portfolios.
 
 

BC Governments must not leave problem of hunger to food banks - Graham Riches, CCPA
  Canada's social contract has collapsed.

Environment and health

Poison-treated lumber - Deborah Barrie
  The health hazards of pressure treated wood.

Deborah's letter in support of U.S. legislation to address the hazards

Environmental, Health Groups Petition EPA to Ban Hazardous Wood Preservative

Saskatchewan organic farmers make history - Don Kossick
  Farmers file class action lawsuit against Monsanto, Aventis.
 

The ills of car idling - Suzanne Elston
  The best way to warm up your car is to drive it.
 

Canadian government sued for banning pesticide - Pesticide Action Network Updates Service
  U.S.-based Crompton Corp sues Canada under NAFTA.

Remembering Irene - Wynn Walters
  A poem written by Irene's friend.
 
 

Biodiversity threatened - Environment News Service
  North America's natural environments face a "widespread crisis" due to vanishing biodiversity, says a new report by the North American Commission for Environmental Cooperation, a part of NAFTA.

Media watch
A new year without CNN
  Barrie Zwicker won't be tuning in US news channels this year - unless he hears they're running a logo "America reflects" or "America reconsiders".
 

Dark tales from the ministry of truth - Counterpunch
  If you want to study the techniques of effective propaganda, you could hardly do better than the War on Terror.

Canadians urged to boycott CanWest media
  CanWest papers the worst offenders in anti-Islamic usage, says the Canadian Islamic Congress.

Consumer watch
BC drivers await auto insurance rate hikes
  BC Liberals prepare to sell off private auto insurance.

Hiding sensitive data can be tough in a digital age - New York Times
  It is now remarkably difficult to hide data from a determined investigator.

Argentina a warning to Canada - Toronto Star
  The lesson of Argentina: beware of 'dollarization'.

Afghanistan
Oil company advisor named US rep to Afghanistan - Corpwatch
  The appointment of a former aide to American oil company Unocal underscores oil's role in the US military intervention in Central Asia.

Post-Taliban Afghanistan - CounterSpin
  Northern Alliance warlords will still impose Islamic law but executions and amputations won't be carried on in public stadiums now, and small stones will be used for stoning.

World
The US: Rogue Nation - Centre for Research on Globalisation
  America's appalling track record of broken treaties and quashed international efforts, from antiballistic missiles, to environmental protection, to the rights of women.

Civil liberties watch
Civil liberty lock-down is global - Malcolm Rogge
  Like the US and Canada, governments around the world are passing their own broad anti-terrorism laws at breakneck speed.

Summit police receive souvenir video - CBC News
  Quebec's provincial police are sending souvenir videotapes containing footage of violent clashes between police and demonstrators to more than 4,000 officers who took part in last spring's Summit of the Americas.

Seniors and Health Care
Drug company dollars threaten doctors' independence - Dr. Gordon Guyatt
  What are the consequences if critics like medical researcher David Healy no longer fit leadership positions in hospitals and universities?

Eat well and protect your eyes - Natural Life Magazine
  There is growing evidence that the intake of certain foods and nutrients may help maintain eye health.