World

  • Iraq: Pact to continue occupation signed

    On November 16 the Iraqi cabinet agreed to a final draft of a “security agreement” that would replace the current United Nations mandate — which has authorised the occupation since 2003 but that is scheduled to expire on December 31.

  • Ecuador: Mining, debt and indigenous struggles

    On November 17, thousands of indigenous and environmental activists rallied across Ecuador in protest against the introduction of a new mining law by the government of President Rafael Correa.

  • United States: The bailout farce

    The much-hyped US$700 billion bailout for the banks has become a grab-bag of policies and giveaways to corporations of all sorts as the Bush administration reels under the pressure of collapsing stock prices, frozen credit markets and skyrocketing unemployment.

  • Venezuela: Socialist campaign gathers momentum as vote nears

    At a mass rally of PSUV activists in the Poliedro Stadium on November 18, Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez called for “Operation Round Up” to gather the maximum number of votes for candidates of the United Socialist Party of Venezuela (PSUV) in the November 23 elections for state governors and municipal mayors.

  • Burma: 'Only 65 years?'

    One of Burma’s most prominent activists has been sentenced to 65 years jail, along with two other pro-democracy leaders, in connection with anti-government protests held last year.

  • Agrofuels: are we winning?

    With mounting evidence of environmental damage and grave social consequences, making fuel from plants no longer seems such a good idea. But is the widespread criticism of agrofuels forcing policy changes?

  • The US role in Somalia's misery

    Outgoing US President George Bush has often stated that history will be the rightful judge of his legacy. Some academics, such as John Lewis Gaddis and Fareed Zakaria, have already begun early revisions to the Bush years.

  • Basque activist fights extradition

    Basque nationalist Inaki de Juana Chaos voluntarily appeared in court in Belfast on November 17 following the issueing of a European arrest warrant by the Spanish authorities to the Police Service of Northern Ireland on November 13.

  • Three proud athletes in Mexico

    A race to remember: The Peter Norman story
    By Damian Johnstone and Matt Norman
    JoJo Publishing, 2008
    320 pages, $34.95 (pb)