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Review: ‘What Happened, Miss Simone?’ Documents Nina Simone’s Rise as Singer and Activist

Manohla Dargis New York Times
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 Fight for $15 Spreads

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.

Republicans Are in Retreat

David Russell The Hill
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.

United Church of Christ Votes to Boycott & Divest from Companies Profiting from Israel's Occupation

United Church of Christ Palestine/Israel Network
"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 Greek Referendum: Two Articles

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.

California Appeals Court Rules Farm Worker Law Unconstitutional

David Bacon The Reality Check
On May 18 in Fresno, California, the state's Court of Appeals for the 5th District ruled that a key provision of the state's unique labor law for field workers is unconstitutional. Should it be upheld by the state's supreme court, this decision will profoundly affect the ability of California farm workers to gain union contracts. At issue is the mandatory mediation provision of the state's Agricultural Labor Relations Act.

Iran’s Nuclear Deal: First Step? Iranian Revolution Was Not Islamic!

G. Reza Ghorashi Portside
The Iranian revolution was not "Islamic" and "Islamist" forces who took over needed pseudo crises to implement their agenda. The "hostage crisis" was the first and "nuclear policy" is the latest of such crises that portray "Iran vs. the world." The other side, the US and some regional powers, too, welcome such a "bogeyman" role by Iran. This scheme, due to its economic and political costs could not continue further.

Building a Movement Together: Worker Centers and Labor Union Affliliations

Victor Narro, Saba Waheed, Jassmin Poyaoan UCLA Labor Center
June 22 kicked off AFL-CIO Worker Center Advisory Council. There, UCLA Labor Center’s Victor Narro presented the center’s most recent analysis of labor-worker center partnerships, Building a Movement Together: Worker Centers and Labor Union Affiliations.