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PAPUA NEW GUINEA: Government shields BHP-Billiton

BY BOB BURTON In an extraordinary move the Papua New Guinea government has passed legislation that prevents any government agency from taking or supporting "in any way" proceedings against BHP-Billiton "in respect of an environmental claim" over

Israel: 'Refuseniks' oppose Sharon's terrorist war

"We hereby declare that we shall continue serving in the Israel Defence Forces in any mission that serves Israel's defence. The missions of occupation and oppression [in the occupied territories] do not serve this purpose — and we shall take no part in them."

Pressure grows for change on refugee detention policy

BY SARAH STEPHEN Immigration minister Philip Ruddock lied when he said that processing of Woomera detainees' asylum claims was halted due to changed conditions in Afghanistan. On February 4, Marc Purcell, the executive director of the Catholic

Students to protest for refugees' rights

BY MARIA VOUKELATOS BRISBANE — Young people will vote with their feet against the Coalition government's racist and inhumane policy of mandatory detention of refugees. In Brisbane, Geelong and Sydney high school students from the socialist youth

BRITAIN: Socialist Alliance targeted as press sees red

BY PHIL HEARSE LONDON — On January 28-29, 2500 workers at South West Trains, which daily brings 250,000 commuters to Central London, struck over pay and against the demotion of local union leader Greg Tucker. Over the same two-day period,

Socialists condemn proposed curfew

BY GARY MEYERHOFF DARWIN — Socialists, youth workers and human rights activists are alarmed at proposals by Northern Territory police and businesspeople for curfews to be placed on young people aged under 16 in Darwin. Proponents of "zero

Loose cannons

Sorry "I'm sorry that we didn't liquidate him." — Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon on Palestinian Authority leader Yasser Arafat. Embarrassed "He can't leave his home. He is so embarrassed about this." — Tom Skilling on his brother,

Partial victory for GLW

BY SHUA GARFIELD HOBART - The Policy and Intergovernment Committee of the Hobart City Council decided on February 5 against holding a public consultation about activities in city's Elizabeth Street mall. The consultation was originally proposed

BRAZIL: World Social Forum calls for end to globalisation

BY BEN REID PORTO ALEGRE — The outstanding success of the second World Social Forum dealt a severe blow to the proponents of the "end of the anti-globalisation movement after September 11" pundits. Some 51,300 people from all over the world and

Trades Hall backs refugees

BY TIM GOODEN GEELONG — At its February 5 meeting, the executive of Geelong's Trades Hall Council recommended to affiliated unions that they call for a more humane approach to the treatment of refugees than that pursued by the federal Coalition

Free the Refugees Campaign needs you!

Do you want to help free the refugees? Do you have spare time, some ideas or skills you would like to share? The Free the Refugees Campaign (FRC) is active in many communities, high schools, workplaces and universities. It organises protest

On the box

Actively Radical TV — Sydney community television's progressive current affairs producers tackle the hard issues from the activist's point of view. CTS Sydney (UHF 31), every Sunday, 9pm. Ph 9565 5522. Visit <http://www.channel31.org> for