Author: Gerardo Burke

A TUC Congress fringe meeting organised by campaign group, Stand up to Racism, called for trade unions to mobilise to counter the far-right. At a Congress fringe meeting last night (10) PCS president Martin Cavanagh said that the latest tragedy in the Channel where 12 people died, including six children and a pregnant mother, was the result of a political culture in which the globally recognised right to seek asylum has been demonised. He said: “They weren’t killed by accident. They were killed by politics.” Referring to our union’s calls for a safe passage for refugees, Martin added, “the solution…

In the German-speaking world, the election season began just in time for the start of September. Nerves are on edge. In the regional elections in Thuringia and Saxony, two eastern-german Länder, the far-right Alternative für Deutschland (AfD) won over 30 per cent of the votes and even became the strongest party in Thuringia. Although this was anticipated, the shockwaves hit hard, their impacts going far beyond those of peripheral elections. The ruling centre-left, three-party coalition in Berlin no longer knows how to help itself and is dragging itself into the last year of its term, while the ultra-right—including barely camouflaged Nazis—has been…

There are fears that far-right extremists could be securing footholds in Scottish politics through community councils. A thorough report carried out by Hope Not Hate has branded the Patriotic Alternative (PA) group as the “dominant fascist group in the UK”. However the report also focuses on how a new split in the anti-immigration group has lead to the formation of a Scottish group named “Homeland”, which already claims to have three community councillors across the country. Simon Crane who has entered local politics through the East Calder and District Community Council in West Lothian is one such member. Hope Not Hate believe that far-right…

The UK government proposed a tougher set of visa rules to lower the country’s immigration numbers. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said the “radical action” would ensure that migration only benefits the country. The UK government on Monday tabled stricter visa rules for foreign workers to lower the nation’s immigration numbers. The new rules include a much higher salary threshold for foreign workers to access skilled visas and a clampdown on bringing family members as their dependants. Citing high immigration, UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said the radical rules will help bring down migration and make sure it only benefits the…

Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said Thursday that the “extreme left” is governing in Spain and questioned if the rule of law is respected in Madrid. Tajani’s remarks came in response to = statements by Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez in which he categorized the Italian government as “ultra-right” and “reactionary.” “In Spain the far left governs. In Italy we defeated it. We respect the rule of law. Is the same happening in Madrid?” Tajani wrote on X. He also called those who govern in Spain “secessionists.” Sanchez told Spanish public broadcaster, TVE, on Thursday that the last elections saved…

Hundreds of pro-Palestinian protesters stood outside of Columbia University in New York City on Wednesday, holding signs while chanting and demanding the removal of Jewish people from Gaza, while others boycotted the suspension of two far-left student-led groups by the school’s administration. The “emergency protest” was shared on the social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, by groups such as WOLPalestine (Within Our Lifetime) and CUNYPalestine, noting the event was scheduled for Wednesday at 2 p.m. “All Out for Gaza at Columbia University,” the post read. “In solidarity with Columbia SJP (Students for Justice in Palestine) and JVP (Jewish Voices for…

Venezuela’s Supreme Justice Tribunal said on Monday it has suspended the results of an opposition presidential primary that took place this month, despite an electoral deal between the government and the opposition that allows each side to choose its candidate. The ruling could risk the wrath of the United States, which this month rolled back some oil and gas industry and bond trading sanctions in exchange for the electoral deal. The U.S. State Department has already said it will reinstate sanctions if the government of President Nicolas Maduro does not lift bans on some opposition candidates and free political prisoners…

Tens of thousands of people, many waving Spanish flags, rallied in Madrid on Sunday against plans to grant an amnesty to Catalan separatists in a protest called by far-right party Vox. The divisive amnesty question follows an inconclusive July general election which left acting Socialist Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez needing the support in parliament of Catalan separatist parties ERC and JxCat to be sworn in for another term. In exchange, the two parties demand an amnesty for hundreds of people who faced legal action over their often minor roles in Catalonia’s failed push for independence in 2017 which sparked Spain’s…

Residents of Janbako, an agrarian community in Maradun Local Government, Zamfara State have resorted to prayers after terrorists refused to release members of the community after collecting a ransom of N17 million and a motorcycle. The captives have spent more than 40 days in captivity. The residents of the community said they expected the victims to be released after the ransom was paid but the terrorists are still holding on to the captives The terrorists attacked the community on 15 August and abducted 21 residents of the community mostly women and children. Three days later, the terrorists reached out to the community…

Thousands of protesters are to take to the streets of Manchester as the Conservative Party Conference gets underway in the city. The four-day event being held at the Manchester Central convention centre begins on Sunday. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, members of the cabinet as well as hundreds of delegates and party members will attend for debates and keynote speeches. However, their arrival will be marked by a ‘huge’ demo which will make its way into the city centre and pass the conference venue. Campaign group The People’s Assembly are holding a ‘national demonstration’ due to start at noon, at All…