6 March 2007 | no. 481

Anger erupts over deadly airstrikes
NATO forces launched their biggest offensive yet as thousands of soldiers poured into the mountains of southern Afghanistan on March 6.   >> Full article

Harper's aid package nothing but a farce
Stephen Harper, facing increasing criticism about the war in Afghanistan, announced $200 million for reconstruction in the country.  >> Full article

Québec solidaire presents its alternative budget
On March 2, Québec solidaire revealed the financial aspects of its electoral platform.  >> Full article

Banking on bombs
On Thursday February 23, international delegates met in Oslo, Norway to develop an international treaty to ban cluster bombs.  >> Full article

Liberal budget rewards the rich, as usual
The Ministry of Finance website starts its description of the new provincial budget with the line: "Balanced Budget 2007 is dedicated to housing".  >> Full article

Minimum wage campaign gaining momentum
In an effort to raise Ontario's minimum wage from its current state as a poverty wage closer to that of a living wage, the Toronto and York Region Labour Council recently launched a successful campaign, calling on the provincial government to raise the current minimum wage to $10 an hour. >> Full article

Québec election kicks off
Liberal premier Jean Charest made a risky bet when he called a general election on February 21.  >> Full article

Soccer players take aim at racism
When a referee sent 11 year old Asmahan (Azzy) Mansour off the soccer field at a tournament in Laval, Quebec, her coach, teammates and rival players from four other soccer teams put solidarity first and withdrew from the tournament in protest. >> Full article

Major shakeup at US military hospital
While the US military has been hard at work for years trying to whitewash the gloomy reports of bloodshed and unrest in the Middle East, it now seems to have its hands full with a mess that has emerged in its own backyard.  >> Full article

Axis of lies behind threats to Iran
The world stands on a knife-edge: at any moment, a barbaric US bombing campaign could begin raining death on the people of Iran.  >> Full article

Israel launches seige in Nablus
On Sunday, February 25, the Israeli army launched its biggest operation in two years in the occupied Palestinian West Bank, laying siege to the city of Nablus with more than 60 military vehicles and bulldozers and hundreds of soldiers.  >> Full article

Debating the Bolivarian 'surge'
Not long ago, in the face of mounting opposition, George W. Bush announced a military 'surge' in Iraq. An additional 21,500 troops were committed to the deeping quagmire in Iraq, and Bush dared the Democrats to stop him.   >> Full article

Growing movements set stage for Cairo conference
The fifth annual Cairo conference promises to be another unique opportunity to coordinate international anti-war efforts and bolster the growing movement in Egypt itself for democracy and against neo-liberal globalization.  >> Full article

Italian left faces growing challenge
The mass movement protesting the expansion of US bases in Italy has exposed the crisis facing the Italian left.  >> Full article

Former Russian soldier speaks about Afghan wars
Socialist Worker's Valerie Lannon speaks with NIKOLAI LANINE about the similarities between the Russian and Canadian interventions in Afghanistan.  >> Full article

Reconstruction in Afghanistan - it's highway robbery
Roughly $10 million of Harper's newly announced aid money will go to construction of the Kandahar City to Spin Boldak road.   >> Full article

1917 - International Women's Day
Ninety years ago, women textile workers in St. Petersburg, Russia went on strike to mark International Women’s Day demanding bread and peace, writes PAM FRACHE.    >> Full article

The origins of International Women's Day
Women's Day was first marked in the United States to commemorate the 1857 strike of women textile workers in New York City where they were demanding decent wages and a 10-hour work-day.    >> Full article

Violence against women: a social disease
It has been twenty years. 'Jane Doe' stated on the occasion of the release of the man who raped her at knifepoint that the most serious danger facing women today is not this man or other individuals. Violence against women is endemic, and it demands systemic changes.   >> Full article

Women's voices from the movements
Women acitivists discuss significance of International Women's Day.   >> Full article

Right diagnosis, wrong prescription
Debates on Canada's role in Afghanistan have come a long way. A year ago, the anti-war movement was still struggling to be heard. Most mainstream media simply echoed Stephen Harper’s rhetoric that Canada was bringing freedom and democracy to Afghanistan, and that all was going well.   >> Full article

Left jab: Our name is mud
The economic future of Canada lies in boiling oil out of mud. It is official - the 'engine'of the economy is the development of the Alberta Tar Sands. We are 'energy' producers, the Saudi Arabia of the North.
   >> Full article