His evolution from fascist cheerleader to polished statesman is one of the most remarkable transformations in Italian politics. And now Gianfranco Fini's new-found role as a voice of moderation in Italy's centre-Right government makes him one of the most potent threats to Silvio Berlusconi as the prime minister recovers from injuries he received during an attack in Milan and looks ahead to 2010.While his political clout makes him a key ally in Mr Berlusconi's coalition government, Mr Fini's independent streak, and increasingly strident criticism of the administration, also makes him one of the prime minister's worst enemies.
And now Gianfranco Fini's new-found role as a voice of moderation in Italy's centre-Right government makes him one of the most potent threats to Silvio Berlusconi as the prime minister recovers from injuries he received during an attack in Milan and looks ahead to 2010.
While his political clout makes him a key ally in Mr Berlusconi's coalition government, Mr Fini's independent streak, and increasingly strident criticism of the administration, also makes him one of the prime minister's worst enemies.
His evolution from fascist cheerleader to polished statesman is one of the most remarkable transformations in Italian politics.
I thought they were talking about Berlu! Italian politics is just full of attractive characters, isn't it? Now where's the fun in that! - Megatron
US deregulation of toxic substances, such as lead in lipsticks, mercury in electronics, and phthalates (endocrine disruptors) in baby toys, may not only pose disastrous consequences to our health, but also to our economic and political status in the world. International markets are moving toward a European model of insisting on environmental and consumer safety. A European-led revolution in chemical regulation that requires that thousands of chemicals finally be assessed for their potentially toxic effects on human beings and the environment signals the end of American industry's ability to withhold critical data from the public. Europe has launched stringent new regulations that require companies seeking access to their lucrative markets eliminate toxic substances and manufacture safer electronics, automobiles, toys and cosmetics. Dangerous chemicals have been identified via the European Union's 2007 Registration, Evaluation, Authorization and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH) law, which requires the disclosure of all chemicals sold in the EU in quantities of more than one metric ton per year. Hundreds of companies located in the US produce or import hundreds of chemicals designated as dangerous by the European Union. Large amounts of these chemicals are being produced in thirty-seven states, in as many as eighty-seven sites per state, according to biochemist Richard Denison of Environmental Defense Fund, author of the report "Across the Pond: Assessing REACH's First Big Impact on US Companies and Chemicals."
US deregulation of toxic substances, such as lead in lipsticks, mercury in electronics, and phthalates (endocrine disruptors) in baby toys, may not only pose disastrous consequences to our health, but also to our economic and political status in the world. International markets are moving toward a European model of insisting on environmental and consumer safety. A European-led revolution in chemical regulation that requires that thousands of chemicals finally be assessed for their potentially toxic effects on human beings and the environment signals the end of American industry's ability to withhold critical data from the public.
Europe has launched stringent new regulations that require companies seeking access to their lucrative markets eliminate toxic substances and manufacture safer electronics, automobiles, toys and cosmetics.
Dangerous chemicals have been identified via the European Union's 2007 Registration, Evaluation, Authorization and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH) law, which requires the disclosure of all chemicals sold in the EU in quantities of more than one metric ton per year.
Hundreds of companies located in the US produce or import hundreds of chemicals designated as dangerous by the European Union. Large amounts of these chemicals are being produced in thirty-seven states, in as many as eighty-seven sites per state, according to biochemist Richard Denison of Environmental Defense Fund, author of the report "Across the Pond: Assessing REACH's First Big Impact on US Companies and Chemicals."
