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Jailed activist on hunger strike in Peru

Jailed activist on hunger strike in Peru Lori Berenson, a United States activist serving a life sentence for treason in Peru, launched a hunger strike on January 11, the fourth anniversary of her jailing. She is demanding to be transferred to

Action updates

Queensland rail workers stop work BRISBANE — Rail workers around Queensland stopped work on January 19 to discuss a pay claim for 12% over two years. The meetings voted for possible ongoing rolling stoppages if Queensland Rail fails to improve

Behind Putin's war on Chechnya

By Steve Myers Many commentators are saying that the replacement of Boris Yeltsin by Vladimir Putin, as acting president of Russia, represents a "new millennium turn" in Russian politics — a turn to a more assertive, nationalistic and militarist

Wollongong Uni backs down

By Andy Gianniotis and Chris Latham WOLLONGONG — Students have halted an attempt by the University of Wollongong administration to increase the number of students who refuse to join the Student Representative Council (SRC). The administration was

Education in the firing line

Now the government wants to reduce government funding to education again. This will mean higher student fees, cuts to courses and services, and decreasing staff wages and conditions. But the next steps in the privatisation of higher

and ain't i a woman?: Can Howard put the feminist genie back in the bottle?

Can Howard put the feminist genie back in the bottle? Between 1900 and 1910, an average of 400 divorces were granted in Australian courts each year. Between 1961 and 1970, that figure averaged around 9000 per year. No-fault divorce laws were

Protesters demand release of Iraqi prisoners

Protesters demand release of Iraqi prisoners By Paul Benedek and Susan Barley SYDNEY — Forty people demonstrated at Greece's consulate here on January 19 to protest against the ill-treatment of 69 asylum seekers detained in the Greek island

Stormont returns

By John Meehan DUBLIN — In early June 1998, the Good Friday agreement (GFA) was endorsed by huge majorities in parallel referendums on both sides of the border dividing Ireland. One month later elections to a new devolved Northern Ireland

Ecuadorans rise up against 'another kind of slavery'

Ecuador's President Jamil Mahuad was ousted late January 21. The country's defence minister and head of the military Carlos Mendoza removed Mahuad after the president refused to resign earlier in the day. In a series of rapid developments provoked by

MUA court victory in WA

By Dave Andrews FREMANTLE — In a significant victory for the union movement, the Western Australian state government has been ordered to pay costs to the Maritime Union of Australia (MUA) for the union's defence of its members in Geraldton. The

The system's not working — time for a change

Erin Killion Growing worldwide inequality and hunger, sexism, racism and environmental destruction explode the lie that the 21st century heralds a new era of peace and prosperity. According to the government and mainstream media, Australia is a

Taliban are still brutal 'villains'

Taliban are still brutal 'villains' By Lynette Dumble Since its seizure of Afghanistan in 1996, the Islamic fundamentalist Taliban has rapidly become the world's most despised regime. In August, a United Nations investigation revealed that the