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Australians protested around the country last week in solidarity with the 43 West Papuan refugees who have been detained by the federal government on Christmas Island. The protesters called on the government to immediately release the asylum seekers
Jim McIlroy & Chris Kerr, Caracas Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez proclaimed "socialism or death" in finishing his rousing speech to a rally of around 10,000 people at the Polihedro Stadium on January 27. The rally was a feature of the Latin
The Socialist Alliance calls on the federal Coalition government and the ALP opposition to learn the lesson of East Timor in relation to West Papua. Alliance spokesperson Pip Hinman said: "Last week's arrival on Cape York of 43 West Papuan asylum
Eva Cheng Despite police repression thwarting a January 20 protest against the king's autocratic rule, a defiant demonstration of 10,000-50,000 people burst onto the streets of Nepal's capital Kathmandu on January 21. This was followed by more mass
Sue Bolton The Coalition government's anti-worker Work Choices legislation, rammed through federal parliament just before Christmas, is due to be enacted on March 29. Many unionists believe that the union movement needs a national stoppage to
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
Kerryn Williams The arrival on Australian shores of 43 West Papuan refugees on January 18 has put the spotlight on the long suffering — and determined resistance — of the people of West Papua. For more than two centuries West Papua was a
Ready to snap "Stretched by frequent troop rotations to Iraq and Afghanistan, the [US] Army has become a 'thin green line' that could snap unless relief comes soon, according to a study for the Pentagon. Andrew Krepinevich, a retired army officer
Maria Voukelatos Five innocent Cuban men are in prison, while the terrorists they tried to stop are free. An article on the Canadian Network on Cuba website <http://www.canadiannetworkoncuba.ca> explained: "The five Cubans are Gerardo
The following is abridged from a statement issued in Sydney last week by the Marrickville Peace Group. Twenty-O-Three is an initiative of the Marrickville Peace Group (MPG). Its title reflects the way the numbers repeat in the date on which news
Kim Bullimore, Melbourne On February 24, 35 people attended a legal briefing by Brian Walters, president of Liberty Victoria and lawyer for one of the "Melbourne 10" arrested in the November 8 "terrorism" raids. The meeting was organised by
Roberto Jorquera Last December's National Assembly elections in Venezuela marked a significant step forward for the revolution that is unfolding there. It was the 10th consecutive electoral victory for the supporters of Venezuelan president Hugo