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Congo denies UN 'smears' over human rights

By Norm Dixon Leaders of the Democratic Republic of Congo have angrily denied claims by the United Nations and western governments that investigations into rumours of human rights violations (during the uprising that deposed the Mobutu

Behan's classic revived in Sydney

The HostageBy Brendan BehanNIDA Final Year Students' ProductionParade Theatre, Sydney Review by Brendan Doyle Written in 1958, this is the play in which Pat, ex-hero of the Republican cause and now Dublin brothel-keeper, says: "The IRA and the

Eddie's Country

Eddie's Country Eddie, where are you?Are you walkabout out westwith your brother the snake;shedding scales on the rockswhere your blood runs to the sea? Oh Eddie, where can you be?Are you dancing with spiritsin gleaming desert sands?Are

Cancel Congo's debt

Cancel Congo's debt "My country, whose foreign debt amounts to $14 billion, calls upon the major donors to demonstrate greater solidarity and a more responsible and consistent approach to possible solutions", Congo's foreign minister, Bizima

Rio Tinto attacks the right to picket

By James Vassilopoulos Coal & Allied, a subsidiary of Rio Tinto, has begun its attempt before the NSW Supreme Court to severely limit the right to picket in the strike against the Hunter Valley No 1 mine. The case began in the courts on

NZ students arrested outside parliament

NZ students arrested outside parliament By Francesca Alice WELLINGTON — Baton-wielding police arrested 74 students on September 25 at a peaceful protest outside parliament. The protest, organised by the Victoria University of Wellington

Democratic rights at stake in Basque trial

Democratic rights at stake in Basque trial On October 6, Spain's Supreme Court postponed the start of the trial of 23 national executive members of the legal Basque pro-independence party, Herri Batasuna. Defence lawyers asked that one of the

Reclaiming the night

Reclaiming the night By Rachel Evans MELBOURNE — Supporters of the Reclaim the Night collective here packed out Cinema Nova to watch Career Girls on October 2. The screening, attended by 220 people, raised much-needed funds and publicised

... and ain't i a woman?: Window-dressing

Window-dressing The hollowness of the Liberal Party's gloating last year when it appointed four women to its ministry — the largest number in any Australian government — was clearly revealed by Howard's cabinet reshuffle on October 5.

Police violence at Hanson meeting

By Peter Robson and Nick Everett BRISBANE — Around 1000 people rallied against the Pauline Hanson One Nation party's "Prosper Australia" meeting in Festival Hall on October 4. The protesters were peaceful. The same cannot be said for the

Telstra workers to strike

By Tim E. Stewart At stop-work meetings on October 8, more than 3000 Telstra members of the Community and Public Sector Union voted overwhelmingly in favour of a national 24-hour strike on October 17. The Communications, Electrical and Plumbing

Large turnout for vote on fees

By Marcel Cameron MELBOURNE — Activists are celebrating an encouraging turnout of students and staff for the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (RMIT) referendum on up-front fees. More than 10,000 students and staff voted on whether they