Archive - Nov 1, 2007

• Democrats Celebrate the First Anniversary of Winning Congress
• US Diplomats Protest Required Service in Iraq
• Burmese Monks March Again as the US Considers Further Sanctions Against the Country
• A Constitutional Amendment in Zimbabwe Allows the President to Choose Successor
• South Korea's Intelligence Service Found in Violation of Human Rights
• Yale Hospital Workers Win 4.5 Million in Union Arbitration

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• Japan Pulls Navy Out of Afghan Military Operation
• At Least 430 Iraq, Afghanistan Veterans Have Committed Suicide
• Fundamentalists Ordered to Pay for Funeral Protests
• American Anti-War Activist Barred from Canada
• SCHIP on Senate Floor
• Severe Flooding in Southern Mexico

Monks in Burma are once again risking their lives in the name of
democracy. A group of about 250 defied the country's military junta and
staged a peaceful march in a small, central town. This is the first
public protest since the violent end to ten days of peaceful
demonstration in September. Officially the Burmese government killed 13
people, but many argue that number is actually in the hundreds. They
also arrested thousands of marchers, who are now being held as
political prisoners. The UN envoy to Burma, Ibrahim Gambari, is
scheduled to arrive in the country this weekend to engage in and
facilitate dialogue between the government and pro-democracy groups.
But overall, the international community has been quick to condemn the

Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe has been chief executive of his
country for 27 years. And recently, he has come under increasing
international pressure to implement democratic reforms. In the face of
this, the 83-year old Mugabe, has signed into law a constitutional
amendment that would allow HIM to pick a successor to his post. From
Cape Town, Davison Makanga explains…

"Hell no we won't go" was once a popular slogan among anti-war
demonstrators. But somewhat ironically, a few US diplomats now have
reason to use it. They're protesting a recent decision by the State
Department that requires them to serve in Iraq - or risk losing their
jobs. Karen Miller has more from Washington DC.

Democrats marked their one-year anniversary of gaining the majority
back in Congress today. They pointed to a list of accomplishments,
calling their work new direction for America. But the celebration may
be bitter-sweet - they are still locked in intense battle with the
President and the Republicans on a number of issues. And all while, the
war is still raging in Iraq. FSRN's Leigh Ann Caldwell reports.

Local 1199/SEIU and the Yale New Haven Hospital have been locked in
a ten-year battle over the unionization of the hospital's 1,800 service
workers. A neutral arbitrator was chosen by both sides to settle any
disputes arising from the parties; 2006 election conduct agreement. The
arbitrator ruled last week that the hospital must pay a 4.5 million
dollar fine for egregious violations of that agreement. Half that money
will go directly to the workers. This is a victory for the union, but
the ruling contained some bad news for the organizing effort as well.
Melinda Tuhus reports from New Haven, Connecticut.