Portside

Coverage on unfolding events in Venezuela from the Guardian (UK). Nicolás Maduro accuses opposition of coup plot as poll protests turn deadly. Venezuela's president-elect likens demonstrations to 2002 attempt against Chávez as seven die in post-election violence. Venezuela's opposition make noise against Nicolás Maduro's victory. Election loser Henrique Capriles calls off march in favour of pots-and-pans protest as both sides trade accusations.

Judge's ruling is being celebrated by a national movement working to reverse 127 years of law that gave corporations the constitutional protections of real human beings. Pennsylvania state constitution says men and women come into this world with "certain inherent and indefeasible rights'

The struggle for structural reforms is essential to changing the "common sense" of the US political arena. But it is not enough to wound the rabid beast; one must ultimately bring it down. Alperovitz's views are shaped by several assumptions. First, actually existing capitalism is not working. Second, socialism, as we have known it, did not work. Third, people need to actually see what an alternative world would look like in order to be encouraged to fight for one.

Refugee Council says new category would protect those fleeing the effects of global warming and warns Australian government to prepare for thousands forced from low-lying Pacific islands.

Google is bringing a fiber-optic data network to homeowners in Kansas City, Mo., and Kan., but without the usual regulations. That means underprivileged neighborhoods may be left in the digital dust.

The Chilean student movement roared back to life on Thursday, with organizers and media outlets reporting that hundreds of thousands of people joined students in the nation's streets calling for a free and quality education for all.

At Cairo conference, opposition figures and left-leaning economists decry current government's commitment to free trade, call for ending Egypt's 'neo-liberal' agenda

The Nov. 24 blaze in Bangladesh killed 112 garment workers and increased pressure on Wal-Mart and other Western retailers to help improve factory conditions and take more direct responsibility for their suppliers. Clothing bound for Wal-Mart and Sears was found in the charred ruins. Both companies have said suppliers used the Tazreen factory without their permission and were fired.