June 30, 2007

Cubans are debating a new set of proposals to update the country’s Family Code to include the legal recognition of same-sex relationships and transgender people. Supporters are hoping that the National Assembly will approve the reform package later this year.

Bolivian army commander Freddy Bersatti is worried about “subversive groups” and “abnormal movements.” His worries intensified after a two-day meeting in Santa Cruz of an Autonomous Council following which, on June 18, well-heeled right-wing separatist leaders issued a manifesto promising stepped-up attacks on Bolivia’s socialist government.

Nigeria: General strike settled
Palestine: Refugees still suffer
Australia: Military links grow with U.S., Japan
Canada: Afghanistan competes as uranium supplier
Haiti: Drivers’ strike reflects crisis

CHICAGO — Two leaders of Iraq’s labor movement placed a plaque at the Haymarket Memorial here June 23 as leaders of major U.S. labor organizations looked on. The presentation was the Iraqis’ way of remembering both Iraqi and American workers who have been killed defending human rights. In Arabic and English, the plaque reads, “May the bonds of international labor solidarity help us all in our struggles for justice, peace, democracy and workers’ rights.”

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — From the opening remarks by New Mexico AFL-CIO President Christine Trujillo to the speeches of various dignitaries at the state labor federation’s biannual convention here, June 15-16, it’s clear the labor movement is readying for the 2008 elections.

It’s always been hard for young people to find jobs. In the 1960s, the federal government began a summer jobs program for youth. In 1999, the program provided 500,000 jobs at the cost of $871 million. The next year, the Republican Congress effectively ended the program.

Labor support grows for single-payer health insurance
Warning: Popcorn ‘butter’ deemed health hazard
Nursing home workers take to the streets
Trade unionists head to U.S. Social Forum

CHICAGO — Harry Potter fans, eagerly awaiting the release of the seventh and final book by J.K. Rowling, “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows,” got a chance to make a 20-second video about their love for all things Potter at three Chicago public libraries. The Knight Bus, a purple, triple-decker bus featured in the Potter series, is making a U.S. library tour.

Israel is paying a heavy price for the continued occupation of the Palestinian territories, one that is sorely felt in most households. The Palestinians, as is well known, are paying a much heavier price, but this fact does not in any way make the price that Israelis are paying any smaller or less significant.

Though the Employee Free Choice Act could not gain the 60 Senate votes needed to end debate June 26 and move to a decision on final passage, its backing by a 51-48 majority contains hope for the future.