Green Left Weekly - International News

United States: No one had to die in Oklahoma

stuart_m — Sun, 26 May 2013 11:44:35 +0000

Fri, 24/05/2013

When my eyes caught the words “thoughts are with Oklahoma” on a friend's Facebook status update, my heart skipped a beat. As I hurriedly scanned the first article that I found, I saw the words “devastation” and “Moore”, and my stomach tightened.

I dialed my father's house and got that line-disconnected signal. The tears followed. I was pretty sure that the Moore Medical Center, which the article had described as “destroyed”, was where my father worked.

Spain: Two-party system in trouble

mel_b — Sat, 25 May 2013 12:30:31 +0000

Sat, 25/05/2013

By Dick Nichols

Jose Maria Aznar, Spain’s messianically neoliberal former prime minister, announced during a television interview on May 21 that he was ready again to serve his country.

“I will act in accordance with my responsibility, my conscience, my party and my country, regardless of consequences, have no doubt about that”, intoned the Popular Party (PP) leader who took Spain to war in Iraq. Aznar was defeated in the 2004 national election after claiming that the Madrid train bombing was the work of Basque Homeland and Freedom (ETA).

Haiti: Sweatshop 'development' worsening poverty

stuart_m — Thu, 23 May 2013 10:11:47 +0000

Wed, 15/05/2013

By Alexis Erkert & Beverly Bell

"Haiti offers a marvelous opportunity for American investment," reported Financial America in 1926. "The run-of-the-mill Haitian is handy, easily directed and gives a hard day's labor for 20 cents, while in Panama the same day's work costs [US]$3."

That may be the most honest portrayal of the offshore industry in Haiti yet.

WikiLeaks cables dismantle Labor's Iraq withdrawal spin

stuart_m — Tue, 21 May 2013 15:23:19 +0000

Tue, 21/05/2013

By Linda Pearson

Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd fulfilled his campaign pledge to withdraw Australian “combat” forces from Southern Iraq on June 2008. Rudd used the occasion to condemn former Prime Minister John Howard for joining the war, but US diplomatic cables published by WikiLeaks show the Rudd government wanted to keep more Australian forces in Iraq than it had withdrawn.

Bolivia earns $16 billion since nationalising energy

peter_b — Tue, 21 May 2013 04:17:30 +0000

Mon, 20/05/2013

Bolivia has earned more than US$16 billion from the energy industry since President Evo Morales nationalised the sector in 2006, Spanish newsagency EFE reported government officials as saying.

EFE reported that hydrocarbons minister Juan Jose Sosa said: “Seven years before the nationalisation, from 1999 to 2005, the state received around $2 billion. After these seven years, the state received more than $16 billion.”

EFE said: “Morales issued an executive order on May 1, 2006, nationalising the seven oil companies, the majority of them foreign firms, operating in Bolivia.”

NYT must investigate biased reporting on Venezuela, Honduras

stuart_m — Mon, 20 May 2013 07:17:47 +0000

Mon, 20/05/2013

The open letter printed below, which was sent to the New York Times public editor Margaret Sullivan was signed by more than a dozen experts on Latin America and the media. Signatories to the letter, released on May 14, signatories included academic Noam Chomsky, filmmaker Oliver Stone, Venezuela Analysis founder Gregory Wilpert and several other experts. To join the campaign, visit New York Times Examiner.

* * *

Dear Margaret Sullivan,

Israel: Childhood field trip reveals ethnic cleansing

mel_b — Mon, 20 May 2013 06:51:46 +0000

Mon, 20/05/2013

By Guy Gillor

Nothing is more exciting that a field trip when you are a schoolchild; a temporary escape from the classroom to a field or a forest, enjoying (hopefully) the sunshine and the outdoors.

Growing up in Israel, the only downside to the whole experience was the talks. Every so often (too often, if you ask kids as sugared-up as we were), we would all have to sit down and hear a long explanation from a guide or a teacher, about the trees, flowers, rocks and the occasional heroic war story of the Israeli army.

Venezuela: New labour law 'part of transition to socialism'

stuart_m — Mon, 20 May 2013 06:50:25 +0000

Mon, 20/05/2013

By Ryan Mallett-Outtrim, Merida

Venezuela's new Labour Law for Workers came into effect on May 7, guaranteeing shorter working hours, longer maternity leave and pensions for all Venezuelans.

Described by the Venezuelan government as the “most advanced labour law in the world”, the law reduces the working week from 44 hours to 40, and requires that employers provide two consecutive days a week off.

When the law came into effect, labour minister Maria Iglesias said the new working hours are part of the process towards a “just distribution of wealth”.

New Zealand: Workers McStrike over pay, homophobia

stuart_m — Mon, 20 May 2013 06:13:01 +0000

Mon, 20/05/2013

McDonald's workers and supporters held a picket on May 10 outside the Britomart McDonald's store in Auckland, said activist Socialist Aotearoa activist Nico on a May 12 post at Unite news.

Nico said a group of about 30 people created a physical picket line across the two entrances of the store, holding banners and placards reading “25c won't pay the rent” (in reference to the company's pay rise offer), and “McStrike”.

Western Sahara: The UN remains 'blind, deaf and dumb'

stuart_m — Mon, 20 May 2013 05:54:42 +0000

Mon, 20/05/2013

By Ryan Mallett-Outtrim

After 40 years of struggle, in the place known as “Africa's last colony”, human rights abusers continue to be given a free hand by the international community.

As Western Sahara's independence movement, the Polisario Front, commemorated four decades of struggle on May 10, news broke of a Sahrawi activist who died in a Moroccan prison three days earlier.