2008 Woodie Awards
Vote Absentee
Week in Review
Mary Kate Nevin '09
Issue date: 4/17/08 Section: World
Local
Bottle Bill Proposed in R.I. General Assembly
A so-called "bottle bill" is back on the docket for the Rhode Island General Assembly.
The bill requires customers to pay five cents for all glass, plastic, and aluminum containers holding either carbonated or noncarbonated drinks. The bottles' costs could be redeemed at large retail stores and state-run redemption centers.
State Senator Teresa Paiva Weed (D-Newport), the bill's lead sponsor, says the bill is part of a comprehensive recycling overhaul focused on cutting down on waste.
"The bigger issue is that beverage containers comprise 40 to 50 percent of litter," she said, according to The Providence Journal. "I think this legislation is good because it's part of a bigger conversation."
National
Columbia Trade Pact Delayed
The U.S. House of Representatives voted on Thursday, April 10, to indefinitely delay action on a free trade deal with Colombia.
President George W. Bush sent the free trade agreement to Congress early last week, using a "fast-track" process which requires a vote within 90 days. The House instead voted to eliminate that clause and suspend action indefinitely on the agreement.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) said it cannot be considered "unless we address the economic insecurity of America's working families," according to The Associated Press.
President Bush continued to pressure Congress, however, explaining that "it is not in our country's interests that we stiff an ally like Colombia and that we do not encourage our goods and services to be sold overseas."
International
Berlusconi Wins Italian Elections
For the third time in less than 15 years, center-right leader Silvio Berl-usconi has gained power in Italy, winning the position of prime minister by a substantial lead, as well as a clear parliamentary majority, in general elections that closed Monday, April 14.
Berlusconi's spokesman Paolo Bonaiuti said all Italians had won with the results, citing a "clear and decisive turnaround" after the January collapse of the previous 20-month-old leftist government.
Bottle Bill Proposed in R.I. General Assembly
A so-called "bottle bill" is back on the docket for the Rhode Island General Assembly.
The bill requires customers to pay five cents for all glass, plastic, and aluminum containers holding either carbonated or noncarbonated drinks. The bottles' costs could be redeemed at large retail stores and state-run redemption centers.
State Senator Teresa Paiva Weed (D-Newport), the bill's lead sponsor, says the bill is part of a comprehensive recycling overhaul focused on cutting down on waste.
"The bigger issue is that beverage containers comprise 40 to 50 percent of litter," she said, according to The Providence Journal. "I think this legislation is good because it's part of a bigger conversation."
National
Columbia Trade Pact Delayed
The U.S. House of Representatives voted on Thursday, April 10, to indefinitely delay action on a free trade deal with Colombia.
President George W. Bush sent the free trade agreement to Congress early last week, using a "fast-track" process which requires a vote within 90 days. The House instead voted to eliminate that clause and suspend action indefinitely on the agreement.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) said it cannot be considered "unless we address the economic insecurity of America's working families," according to The Associated Press.
President Bush continued to pressure Congress, however, explaining that "it is not in our country's interests that we stiff an ally like Colombia and that we do not encourage our goods and services to be sold overseas."
International
Berlusconi Wins Italian Elections
For the third time in less than 15 years, center-right leader Silvio Berl-usconi has gained power in Italy, winning the position of prime minister by a substantial lead, as well as a clear parliamentary majority, in general elections that closed Monday, April 14.
Berlusconi's spokesman Paolo Bonaiuti said all Italians had won with the results, citing a "clear and decisive turnaround" after the January collapse of the previous 20-month-old leftist government.
Be the first to comment on this story