World

Ben Reid There is growing political turmoil in the Philippines as the government of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo has become increasingly besieged by critics. Broad coalitions of political forces are beginning to emerge calling for her ouster

Alex Miller On June 15, the Scottish Socialist Party (SSP) lodged a bill in the Scottish Parliament to require councils to provide free, nutritious meals to every Scottish schoolchild. The bill, lodged by SSP member of the Scottish parliament

Katie Cherrington The Bolivarian revolution in Venezuela, which is working to change the political and economic structures of Venezuelan society in favour of the poor majority, is also creating a mini-revolution in the nation's labour movement.

As Mexico redeployed a massive number of troops in the Chiapas region, around the 1111 villages declared to be in self-government with the Zapatista Army of National Liberation (EZLN), communiques released on June 19 and 20 by EZLN leader

On June 21, President Alfredo Palacio declared that Ecuador will not be signing a treaty granting US troops in the country immunity from prosecution for crimes against humanity before the International Criminal Court. The decision, which followed a

Roger Annis & John Riddell, Toronto Revelations contained in a federal commission of inquiry, headed by Justice John Gomery, have deeply shaken the stability of capitalist politics in Canada, and placed the issue of Quebec independence again at the

Harry Huijsmans, Amsterdam A resounding 62% of Dutch voters rejected the European Constitution in the May 31 referendum, with a turnout of 63% of those eligible to vote. This margin — even greater than the May 29 vote in France, where 55% voted

Karol Florek & Steph Mawson, Warsaw On June 11, 5000 protesters took part in an act of civil disobedience in support of gay and lesbian rights. The march's successful execution was a decisive victory in defence of civil rights and democracy; given

Duncan Meerding Musician Bob Geldof has announced a sequel concert to the charity concert of 1985, Live Aid. The concert, named Live 8, will be demanding the G8, the world's eight most powerful nations, end Third World debt. Unlike Live Aid, Live

Stuart Munckton "When the Argentine economy collapsed in December 2001, doomsday predictions abounded. Unless it adopted orthodox economic policies and quickly cut a deal with its foreign creditors, hyperinflation would surely follow, the peso

Duroyan Fertl After almost five years, and countless thousands of people dead and disappeared, the US$7.5 billion initiative known as "Plan Colombia" has failed — politically and militarily — to bring an end to the crisis that characterises

On June 12, the International Labor Organization rejected a request by Fedecameras, Venezuela's largest employer group, to open an investigation into supposed abuses of workers' rights in Venezuela. Fedecameras's ILO delegate walked out in protest at