WORLD NOTES: August 11
Vanuatu: Pacific island nations slam ‘free trade’ Israel: U.S. arms corps. are big winners South Africa: Falling HIV rates, or flawed data? Indonesia: Corporate bio-fuel firms grab land Bolivia: Socialist government propels agrarian reform
Right wing suffers election setback in Japan
Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s ultra-right Liberal Democratic Party suffered a devastating loss in the elections to Japan’s House of Councilors July 29, becoming a minority party in the process.
Sudanese rebels, minus a few, unite for talks
WASHINGTON (IPS) — Leaders of Darfur’s fractious rebel groups have settled on a common negotiating position following a four-day round of talks in Tanzania, United Nations and African Union mediators announced Aug. 6.
Kucinich stands up for child citizens
Last week, Congressman Dennis Kucinich (D-Ohio) became the first 2008 presidential candidate to co-sponsor a bill that protects U.S.-born children from being forcibly separated from their parents who face deportation.
Auto giants have the money, workers say
BELVIDERE, Ill. — As the United Auto Workers and the Big Three car companies hammer out a new contract, Tom Daniels is one of many thousands of workers who realize that the drive to cut wages and benefits is not warranted by the facts. Labor expenses for General Motors, Ford and Chrysler, even by company accounts, do not amount to more than 10 percent of the price of a new car
Justice, finally, in police beating case
MILWAUKEE — Three white former city police officers were convicted July 27 on federal charges of beating to near death a biracial man, Frank Jude Jr. A fourth suspended officer, Ryan Packard, was acquitted.
THE ROAD TO SOCIALISM USA, Program of the Communist Party USA
This 78 page booklet containing the Communist Party USA’s program is a guide to action for today’s main challenge: to defeat the ultra-right and expand democracy on the road to an anti-monopoly coalition and socialism.
Working Class Strategy in the Era of Capitalist Globalization
Based on a four-day joint ‘think tank’ of the Labor and Economics Commissions of the Communist Party, USA, this pamphlet explores important questions of globalization facing workers, unions and their communities. Can workers find a global response? Can we make “Workers of the World, Unite” a practical reality?
MEDICARE FOR ALL! A Guide to Single Payer National Health Insurance
A lively 36 page pamphlet explaining universal health care, particularly the single-payer plan (HR 676, “Expanded and Improved Medicare for All Act”) advocated by Rep. John Conyers and 76 others. Written by health care activist B.S. Rosen & illustrated by Peggy Lipschutz.
Workers beat back Waste Managements challenge
OAKLAND, Calif. — Residents and businesses here and in neighboring cities heaved a collective sigh of relief this week as garbage workers returned to work July 30 at Waste Management of Alameda County, proud that with support from other unions and the community they had turned back a corporate giant’s all-out union-busting drive.
