Colombia: hostages freed but troubles remain
The July 2 liberation of hostages held by the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) was welcomed by world leaders, ranging from U.S. officials and French President Nicolas Sarkozy to Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, who earlier negotiated the release of six hostages held by FARC.
World Notes
Leaders of India’s left parties and India’s governing United Progressive Alliance are at a stand-off over the Indo-U.S. nuclear deal. Left parties have been meeting with UPA’s Congress Party and its allies to overcome the impasse. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, after securing the support of one of Congress’ old foes, threatened to take the deal to the International Atomic Energy Agency, a move that would force the left to withdraw its support for the UPA. Left parties oppose the nuclear deal for a basket of reasons, including, they say, it would undermine India’s long-standing independent foreign policy and make the country a “junior” partner in the Bush administration’s drive for domination of Asia.
Extreme weather to increase with global warming
As John McCain campaigns on a pledge of increasing greenhouse gas emissions by launching new offshore oil drilling while at the same time refusing to make caps mandatory on emissions by big polluters, new government data indicates that the effects of global climate change, caused by greenhouse gas emissions, are intensifying.
World notes: June 28, 2008
Iraq: Refugees are silent scandal Canada: Unions say out of Afghanistan Bolivia: Justice is stymied Sweden: Report calls for arms control Cuba: EU drops sanctions China: Negotiations with Taiwan
In France, undocumented workers strike for rights
PARIS — Undocumented workers here have done what was once considered unthinkable. Starting in mid-April, they have organized a series of strikes and work stoppages. In some cases the workers, many of whom are African, even occupied their workplaces.
African unions urge action on Zimbabwe
Labor unions from southern Africa have called on the regional Southern African Development Community to send peacekeepers to Zimbabwe to ensure presidential elections take place democratically.
Nepal goes from Hindu kingdom to secular democracy
Millions of Nepali people live in abject poverty but the deposed king is widely believed to have a fortune invested in tea, tobacco and casinos. That, plus the fact that he seized absolute power and imposed an autocratic, military rule, means most Nepalis are glad he’s gone.
World notes: June 21, 2008
South Korea: Conservative president confronts outrage Spain: High fuel costs trigger trucker strike Iraq: U.S. occupation treaty still secret Cuba: World Trade Organization hears dissent Morocco: Troops rout demonstrators Chile: Pinochet-era censorship persists
Highlights from Cannes Festivals 61st season
Cannes is a term that has come to represent celebrities, new international films, recognition of actors and actresses and, of course, money and power as represented by the outrageous expenditure of capital in that southern French town.
UN backs Puerto Ricos right to self determination
The United Nations Special Committee on Decolonization unanimously approved a resolution June 9 calling on the United States to allow the Puerto Rican people to exercise their right to self-determination and independence.
