On May 29, the French will vote for the EU constitution. A "non" vote in one of the most pro-Union countries will probably spell the end for this particular draft, if not delay further the process of European intergration for many years to come. At the moment polls suggest a small lead for those opposed to the constitution, including an unholy alliance of Right and Left wing groups.

In a recent article, the German philosopher Jürgen Habermas has urged the European Left to vote "yes" for a European constitution. His point is a simple one - the only way to protect the "European social model" against the excesses of neo-liberal economic reform is through the political will of united Europe, one strong enough to resist the globalisation agenda which is being dictated by the U.S. As we know, the individual nation-state is powerless to counter the pressures of global market forces in this respect. But on a European scale the Left will have the opportunity to push for their own economic agenda in favor of proper regulations.

Dinitia Smith
New York Times News Service

Evolutionary scientists have never had difficulty explaining the male orgasm, closely tied as it is to reproduction.

But the Darwinian logic behind the female orgasm has remained elusive. Women can have sexual intercourse and even become pregnant - doing their part for the perpetuation of the species - without experiencing orgasm. So what is its evolutionary purpose?

Over the last four decades, scientists have come up with a variety of theories, arguing, for example, that orgasm encourages women to have sex and, therefore, reproduce, or that it leads women to favor stronger and healthier men, maximizing their offspring's chances of survival.

But in a new book, Dr. Elisabeth A. Lloyd, a philosopher of science and professor of biology at Indiana University, takes on 20 leading theories and finds them wanting.
[..]
The female orgasm, she said, "is for fun."

Από το σημερινό ΕΘΝΟΣ (3η Σελίδα)

Οπως είπε και ένας από τους "εγκλωβισμένους" του Πολυτεχνείου: "Ευτυχώς, η κυβέρνηση δεν μπορούσε να κάνει πολλά πράγματα, και έτσι βγήκαμε ζωντανοί..."

In a commendable example of original reporting and service journalism, today Sports by Brooks tells its readers the very sad story of former Croatian National Rhythmic Gymnastics Champion Stefany Hohnjec.

At the tender age of 18, Stefany finds herself no longer able to compete in gymnastics because of a tragic glandular problem that has caused her to gain nearly twenty-five pounds - almost entirely in her breasts. In clinical terms, her boobs freaking exploded.

Just a few years ago Miss Hohnjec was a (flat as a) board member of the Eastern European Regional Itty Bitty Titty Committee, as well as a world class gymnast. But today, sadly, she is neither. Hohnjec has been forced into retirement by the oppressive weight of her newly gigantic gazongas, each of which has grown larger and heavier than her head. Hohnjec’s entire center of gravity has been thrown off, and since rhythmic gymnastics does not add points for mammary undulation, jiggling, gainaxing, or general bodaciousness, she’s out. At the age of 18, her gymnastics career is over.