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On strike at the Volkov mine

By Renfrey Clarke KEMEROVO, Russia — Gennady Filatyev, director of the Volkov coalmine near this city in the Kuzbass industrial region of Siberia, is a bull of a man. When he leans across a lectern, gesticulating as he makes a point, he could be

Organising Reclaim the Night

Organising Reclaim the Night Melbourne By Lynne Kennedy Organising this year's 1998 Reclaim the Night has had its share of problems and successes. The fact that we have been unsuccessful in all our requests for funding highlights, yet again,

Coober Pedy says no to nuclear dump

Coober Pedy says no to nuclear dump By Lyn Hovey The people of Coober Pedy, in outback South Australia, are organising to oppose the National Radioactive Waste Repository (i.e. dump) proposed for Billa Kalina. A public meeting was organised in

Dorf workers push company back

Dorf workers push company back By Chris Spindler MELBOURNE — After two weeks of being locked out, about 200 workers at the Email Dorf plant in Melbourne's south-east have returned to work after the company accepted most of the workers' demands.

Neglect and exploitation led to Nigerian oil carnage

By Norm Dixon By any calculation, the October 17 oil pipeline disaster in southern Nigerian rates amongst the worst industrial accidents ever. As of October 21, the death toll was estimated at 700; it is expected to climb above 1000. The western

The 'new' John Howard

By Peter Boyle The Howard government returns with very little political legitimacy. That's why PM John Howard is now desperately trying to refashion his image. He's changed! No more Mr Apologist-For-Pauline-Hanson. Now (after he has nearly

Transgender debate: against exclusion

By Emma Murphy and Sarah Lantz MELBOURNE — There has been widespread opposition to a decision to exclude transgender women from the NOWSA (Network of Women Students Australia) collective. This opposition has come from numerous alternative

Indonesian regime suffers further setbacks

Indonesian regime suffers further setbacks By Max Lane The Habibie-Wiranto regime suffered another major setback on October 22 when the parliament finally passed a law on "public expression of opinion". The final version of the law undid

Looking out: Pulling strings

Pulling strings By Brandon Astor Jones "The poet's heart, it is said, must find and be in agreement with the reader's intellect." — Irving Elmer Bell From time to time, as a new feature in this space, I will compose a poem in the hope of

Rally to defend native title

Rally to defend native title By Jo Williams MELBOURNE — About 450 people gathered on the steps of Parliament House on October 22 to protest against Victorian Premier Jeff Kennett's attempts to ram through native title extinguishment in

Chilean dictator Pinochet arrested

Chilean dictator Pinochet arrested By Roberto Jorquera The dictator General Augusto Pinochet, who ruled Chile for more than 16 years, was arrested in a London hospital on October 19. The arrest by Interpol came on a request from Spanish

Arguments for Socialism: Another 'theory' wears thin

Another 'theory' wears thin By Allen Myers The Japanese ruling Liberal Democratic Party on October 11 announced plans for the government to spend ¥67 trillion rescuing and/or taking over banks threatened with collapse by massive bad loans.