throughout the entire modern world." The government plans to invoke emergency legislation that forces strikers to return to work or face arrest. But protesters were clear in their message, " Disobey and strike" they chanted outside parliament. The teachers are also protesting against plans to extend their working hours by an extra two hours a week and the transfer of 4000 teachers around Greece to fill staffing holes. The transfers they say will split families. The emergency legislation has been used twice by the 11-month old government. The administration has said it will adopt a zero tolerance attitude towards disruptive strikes, as it tackles to improve the dire economic situation.
Thousands of Palestinians take to the streets in rallies and protests to mark Nakba Day. May 15 is commemorated annually to mourn the displacement of Palestinians and the dispossession of Palestinian land that accompanied the founding of Israel in 1948. Many of those marching in the demonstration held up keys that symbolised the homes they lost when they fled or were forced to flee. This protester says that after 65 years the Palestinian people still want to go back to their lands. Sporadic violence erupted across the West Bank and East Jerusalem, as stone-throwing Palestinian youths faced up to Israeli soldiers firing rubber bullets, tear gas and stun grenades. Some 700,000 people were forced from their homes when Israel was created, but now as many as 5 million refugees and their descendants live in nearby countries. Their hopes for a return are one of the thorniest issues in efforts to create a Palestinian state.
After an eruption overnight, residents in a town some 50 miles -- or 80 kilometers -- outside Mexico City brace for a major eruption. The alert level for the towering volcano dubbed "El Popo" was raised to yellow phase three from yellow phase two, on orders from the country's Interior Ministry. It is the third-highest warning on the center's seven-step scale. (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) TOWN RESIDENT, JOSE LUIS VAZQUEZ, SAYING: "Until now we have been continuing with our daily activities, we are wearing our normal clothes because we can't carry around a suitcase just our important documents, in case of a possible evacuation." Authorities say the recent change in the volcano's activity could provoke major explosions.
Muddy waters gush down onto towns and villages in the north and east of Sri Lanka -- after a deadly cyclone on Wednesday. At least eight people were killed and over a dozen injured by the cyclone, which brought with it heavy rains and landslides. Government officials said over 11,500 Sri Lankans had been affected. The cyclone is expected to ease within the next few days, according to the national Disaster Management Centre. But more damage could be inflicted as the cyclone travels northeast, on a course to hit Bangladesh and Myanmar later this week.
Hundreds of Greek residents rush to fill bags with free produce, handed out by protesting street market vendors in Athens on Wednesday. This is all part of a symbolic 24-hour protest by farmers who run the street market. The farmers are angry over Greek government plans to end the permanency of vendor permits, which could flood the market with sellers. The government says the move will create competitiveness and improve the economy. But vendors say the increased competition will eventually put an end to street markets as it will affect cheap prices. (SOUNDBITE) (Greek) PRESIDENT OF THE STREET MARKET VENDORS ASSOCIATION PANDELIS MOSKOS SAYING: "85 percent of consumers say that the street market is necessary, it is a staple for both for producers and consumers. We have cheaper prices than supermarkets, we provide affordable prices each day, so people are fond of them and they want them." The economic crisis in Greece has reduced many to poverty and reduced the standard of living of others, due to wage and pension cuts and increased property taxes. Street food markets are a popular tradition in Greek society. They take place every week in neighbourhoods throughout the country and many Greeks still rely on them for their fruits and vegetables.
Since a May 2011 Supreme Court ruling, gay couples in Brazil can legally marry-- although no actual federal legislation permitting same sex unions has been passed. But some registry offices have refused to comply with the Supreme Court decision allowing same sex unions, citing non-existence of a law as grounds. On Tuesday, Brazil's National Council of Justice passed legislation to remove some of these obstacles. Under the resolution, registries are forbidden to refuse the authorization and execution of civil marriages or conversions of same-sex unions into civil marriage. (SOUNDBITE) (Portuguese) PRESIDENT OF BRAZIL'S SUPREME COURT, JOAQUIM BARBOSA, SAYING: "The council (CNJ) here is removing administrative obstacles for a decision that was taken by the supreme court and that is being looked at by others." The notion was approved by a vote of 14-1. The ruling means Brazil is one step closer to becoming like Argentina and Uruguay, which have both legalized same-sex marriages.
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