Fownhope’s Heart of Oak Society traces its roots to the age of friendly societies, when communities provided their own safety net. Its anniversary celebrations reveal a tradition still very much alive, says MARK SEDDON
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The ‘why’ questions in local government today
There is a failure by local leaders in Wales to challenge Westminster's austerity agenda, argues DAVID MORGAN
ANGUS REID explains the significance of Cuba’s egalitarian in letter and spirit Family Code and the pertinent lessons it holds for democracies anywhere in the world
Special report by PEOPLE’S WORLD
NICK WRIGHT considers how the isolation of Israel and a new film on the controversial Italian communist leader are creating new reference points for Italy’s left
CARLOS MARTINEZ says Cuba’s achievements in the face of a criminal blockade are startling, but the island’s future if the United States succeeds in crushing it looks bleak
AMNON BROWNFIELD STEIN reports that far-right MPs who mobbed the event organised by Hadash may have helped raise awareness of the brutality of the Israeli right
I TAKE the bus to work sometimes, remembering the days before I had a car when it was the only option. Behind me some older people are having a conversation. Older people are a key demographic on the bus these days. They have a free bus pass.
“D’ya hear they’re takin’ the bus passes off the youngsters?”
“Pam? [Why?]” the other fella says.
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