Global briefs

IRAQ: USA authorities in Iraq spent hundreds of millions 
of dollars of Iraq's money much of it without documentation. For 
example, officials in the US occupation authority had no records 
to justify a $24.7 million item for the replacement of Iraq's 
currency. A report released at the end of July is the first 
formal audit of contracting procedures under the authority which 
oversaw "reconstruction" spending. The US occupation authority 
used seized funds from government sources and oil revenues to pay 
for 1928 contracts worth about $847 million. At the same time the 
US authorities have spectacularly failed to provide the 
population with such basics as electricity, clean water and a 
working sewerage system.

* * *

RUSSIA: Thousands of people staged protests against 
legislation that would rob millions of pensioners and war 
veterans of benefits such as the right to free transport and 
medicines. The additional payment being offered as compensation 
is far from adequate and will quickly be wiped out by inflation. 
For many of those already struggling below the poverty line it 
could be a death sentence. Those supporting the cruel cuts claim 
they are central to President Putin's aim to slash bureaucracy 
and corruption. Protests continue with many younger people going 
on hunger strike in different parts of the country in defence of 
the old and the sick.

* * *

INDIA: More than 3000 peasants have committed suicide in 
Andhra Pradesh as a result of neo-liberal policies of the ruling 
classes in the last 15 years. Thousands of children in tribal 
areas are malnourished and have many died. Soon after the reports 
of starvation deaths, peasant suicides and severe drought started 
coming in, the Left Front organised a wide campaign of actions 
and prepared a charter of demands. The Left mobilised in strength 
throughout the state on the issue of agrarian distress.

* * *

CANADA: Workers at a Wal-Mart store in Jonquiere, Quebec, 
have won the right to a union, after the Quebec Labour Relations 
Board ruled on August 2 to grant them union certification with 
the United Food and Commercial Workers Union (UFCW) Canada. The 
union said this is the first unionised Wal-Mart in North America. 
Accreditation was won after a majority of the store workers 
signed UFCW Canada membership cards. "The Quebec certification 
shows that when workers' rights are protected, Wal-Mart workers 
will exercise those rights for a voice at work", said UFCW 
International President Joseph Hansen.