Search

The article discusses lawsuits filed against AT&T Inc., Verizon Communications Inc., and BellSouth Corp. by consumers who charge the companies with violating their privacy rights. The issues are that domestic calling records were given to the National Security Agency illegally and plaintiffs could win billions of dollars in damages. There is speculation that the NSA surveillance program will be given "state secrets" privilege by the George W. Bush administration.

Focuses on the rise to power of Calisto Tanzi, the founder of dairy company Parmalat SpA, and examines the Italian power alliance between business and politics that gave Tanzi such prominence. Amount of political donations made yearly by Parmalat in an effort to curry favor and clout among the political system of Italy; Details of the fraud allegations against Tanzi that has landed him in jail; View of author that businessmen can rise to power in Italy by building relationships with politicians and the Catholic Church; Details of the deals Tanzi made that resulted in his arrest and the arrest of family members. INSET: All in the Family.