Searching for justice, not theater
[Oct. 6] marks the 32nd anniversary of the cold-blooded assassination of 73 innocent people aboard a Cubana de Aviacion passenger flight over the waters of Barbados. Thirty-two years of impunity for Luis Posada Carriles, the mastermind behind this sinister act of terrorism who enjoys White House protection and is free in the streets of Miami despite the overwhelming evidence and Venezuela's extradition requests.
Economy is key issue in Canadas elections
With less than a week to go before Canada’s Oct. 14 federal elections, the country’s faltering economy has become an issue. The Conservative Party is claiming that Canada’s economy is on a sound footing, and is promising further measures such as tax cuts, deregulation and encouraging foreign investment to foster economic growth.
Hurricanes over Cuba, a month later
Hurricanes Gustav and Ike raked Cuba Aug. 30 and Sept. 7-9, causing the country’s worst natural disaster in recorded history. Officials pegged losses at $5 billion, 10 percent of GDP.
Ecuador celebrates new constitution
“Today Ecuador has decided on a new country.” — President Rafael Correa President Correa had promised to resign if voters failed to approve Ecuador’s new constitution in the Sept. 28 referendum. That evening celebrations filled city streets as 64 percent of Ecuadorians affirmed the document, completed in July after eight months of deliberation by a constituent assembly. The no vote totaled 28 percent. Observers from the European Union, Andean Parliament, Carter Center and Organization of American States indicated that balloting by 10 million citizens — 165, 000 of them living in 47 foreign countries — unfolded peacefully and efficiently.
WORLD NOTES: October 4
Venezuela: Human Rights Watch official expelled South Africa: Controversial health minister out Belgium: Launch new immigration plan Iraq: Medical disaster prevails Laos: Planners see Mekong River dammed Cuba: Wives of the Five gain British labor backing
Billy Bragg sounds off on Wall Street mess
'The response of Main Street to the idea of bailing out Wall Street is all about Main Street wanting some accountability from the capitalist system,' said musical legend and political activist Billy Bragg in a recent interview with Political Affairs magazine.
An appeal from the Cuban Five
We arrive at the 10th anniversary of the arrest of the Cuban Five at a crucial moment of our legal process (That is what they call it, although perhaps 'illegal process' would be more appropriate.) The 11th Circuit Court of Appeals, based in Atlanta, has just ended our appeal.
Crisis in Germanys Social Democratic Party
The big weekend blowout in Germany’s Social Democratic Party (SPD) demonstrates how to cut off your nose to spite your face. In a series of small, smaller and smallest secret gatherings the party leaders — facing a disastrous seepage of members and voters because of their switch rightwards in recent years — got rid of party chief Kurt Beck, who had tried to repair things by risking a few timid steps in a vaguely ‘leftish’ direction, and put the party’s future into the hands of two unabashed right-wingers, Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeyer and the former Vice-Chancellor and party head Franz Muentefering.
Austria, Bavaria and Brandenburg go to the polls
Berlin — Bavaria, Germany’s largest state, borders on Austria: Both have countless Alpine peaks, lots of men in lederhosen, and many right-wing Roman Catholic traditions. Both had elections on Sunday. Before nightfall many an otherwise happy yodeler showed tightly compressed lips and a grim look.
For Canadian elections, left parties urge green economy, social spending
VANCOUVER, British Columbia — The country’s political parties are on the campaign trail in the wake of Conservative Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s recent surprise call for an election to be held Oct. 14.
