World

  • PAKISTAN: Brick-kiln workers face state oppression

    Farooq Tariq, Lahore A criminal case was registered against 60 leaders of the Pakistan Bhatta Mazdoor Union (covering brick kiln workers) on January 24 in Qasur. Their only crime was organising a rally. Police claimed the slogans raised by the

  • In brief

    Cuba severs ties with Panama On August 27, Cuban authorities announced that country had severed diplomatic ties with Panama, in reaction to outgoing Panamanian [resident Mireya Moscoso's pardon to four Cuban terrorists. The four had been convicted

  • CHILE: Students continue to pressure Bachelet

    Roberto Jorquera As of June 7, Chilean high-school students continued to strike and occupy schools throughout the nation, demanding the repeal of the Organic Constitutional and Teaching Law (introduced under the Pincohet regime) and improvements in

  • SRI LANKA: Attacks on Tamils increase

    Chris Slee The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) have accused the Sri Lankan army of using paramilitary groups to create violence in eastern Sri Lanka, as part of a strategy to expand the army's area of control. LTTE officials claim that

  • WESTERN SAHARA: Political prisoners launch hunger strike

    On January 31, Saharawi political prisoners launched a 48-hour hunger strike to protest their treatment in Moroccan jails. The activists issued a media release citing torture, repression, humiliation and threat of assassination by prison authorities.

  • Our Common Cause: Education should be a right, not a privilege

    For the last two weeks, there has been considerable discussion in Melbourne's Age comparing the success and role of independent and Catholic schools versus state schools. The discussion began on July 26, with the release of the "On Track" survey.

  • PALESTINE: PFLP willing to join Hamas government

    On May 28, the left-nationalist Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine announced that it had informed Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh that it was willing to enter into negotiations on joining the Hamas-led Palestinian Authority government. AFP

  • SCOTLAND: Socialists launch European election campaign

    Alex Miller On June 10, Scottish voters will go to the polls to elect seven new members of the European Parliament. The Scottish Socialist Party (SSP), which has six members in the Scottish Parliament, launched its MEP election campaign on May 17.

  • INDONESIA: Union leaders jailed

    After workers at the giant plantation and refinery in Pelalawan owned by the world's largest palm oil company, Musim Mas, dared to organise a union, the union leaders were sacked. The company brought in scabs and more than 700 union members were

  • In brief

    ZIMBABWE: Trade unionists arrested On August 5, five union leaders were arrested under the Public Order and Security Act for "conducting a riot, disorder or intolerance". The four leaders were attending a Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions workshop

  • CUBA: 'Prove that I have one single dollar!'

    Maria Julua Mayoral, Pedro de la Hoz & Jose de la Osa, Havana Cuban President Fidel Castro has challenged US President George Bush, the CIA, the 33 US intelligence agencies, the thousands of banks in the world and the "servants" of Forbes magazine

  • ISRAEL: Thousands rally against occupation

    Sol Salbe After a week of rallies and demonstrations, Israelis opposed to their army's attack on Rafah were still protesting. The week's final protest was a 1000-strong rally at the entrance to the Gaza strip. The week of action began on the late