Portside

As the United States and Cuba start to restore full diplomatic relations, here is a picture of an aspect of the dysfunctional relationship that has existed between our two countries. The release and return to Cuba of the last of the "Cuban Five" helped pave the way for the new stage in US-Cuba relations. Here is the backstory of that group, told, as Chris Serres says, by Fernando Morais in a new, well-researched, "cinematically vivid" account.

Employees of Newton based Medical Resources Corp in Boston voted to Unionize. They will be members of Service Employees International Union Local 1199.

She showed us that we liberate ourselves through our actions. She reminded us, in the midst of deep sorrow, that we, who want to see a better America, must keep living, fighting, breathing, doing.

Tsipras’ spectacular decision late on Friday to fly back to Athens and put the Eurogroup’s final bailout offer to a referendum — with the government advising voters to reject the deal — has stunned friends and foes alike. An analysis, and a view from the street.

"In approving this resolution, the UCC has demonstrated its commitment to justice and equality,” said Rev. Mitri Raheb, a Christian Palestinian and Pastor of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land, who travelled to Cleveland for the synod. It comes as a response to the Christian Palestinian community’s call for Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions, which seeks to achieve Palestinian freedom and rights by peaceful means...

The lead articles are now appearing across the major news outlets that the week's events may force the Republicans to change opinions. According to The Washington Post, the Republicans need to "evolve" their positions to keep up with public opinion, and The New York Times says that they have lost the culture war.

Hate Inc.; Ford Foundation restructures; Comedians lead; Surviving in Brooklyn; Ramadan Mubarak

Personal care attendants will see their wages increase to $15 per hour in Massachusetts, while fast food workers in New York State may soon see a large pay increase as well.

From 100 hours of recently unearthed audiotapes recorded over decades, the Liz Garbus film weaves together Nina’s narrative, told largely in her own words. Rare concert footage, archival interviews, along with diaries, letters, interviews with Nina’s daughter, Lisa Simone Kelly, friends and collaborators, make this the most authentic, personal and unflinching telling of the extraordinary life of one of the 20th century’s greatest recording artists.

The 2016 election will be the first in 50 years where voters will not have the full protections of the VRA, Since the Shelby decision, onerous new laws have been passed or implemented in states like North Carolina and Texas, which have disenfranchised thousands of voters, disproportionately those of color. In the past five years, 395 new voting restrictions have been introduced in 49 states. Half the states in the country adopted measures making it harder to vote.