World News
Bangladeshi police attack garment workers’ protest
By K. Ratnayake, 21 May 2013
Police fired rubber bullets at tens of thousands of workers demanding higher wages and protesting the April 24 garment factory collapse that killed 1,127 workers.
Devastating tornado kills dozens in Oklahoma City
By Niles Williamson, 21 May 2013
On Monday afternoon, a massive tornado struck Moore, Oklahoma, leaving a mile-wide swath of devastation.
Washington’s hacking charges escalate pressure on China
By Alex Lantier, 21 May 2013
The New York Times on Monday published a front-page article reiterating unsubstantiated allegations that the Chinese military is carrying out cyberwarfare against US corporations.
New revelations of US government spying on the press
By Ed Hightower, 21 May 2013
The FBI followed and obtained emails from Fox News chief Washington correspondent James Rosen as part of an investigation of a 2009 leak of information from the State Department.
Employers to offer bare-bones coverage under health care law
By Kate Randall, 21 May 2013
US employers will be able to avoid penalties under the Obama-backed health care legislation, while offering token plans to their workforces.
Obama to college graduates: “No room for excuses”
By Andre Damon, 21 May 2013
US President Barack Obama used his commencement speech at Morehouse College on Sunday to insist that if young people are poor or unemployed, it’s their own fault.
Germany: Parliamentary inquiry into neo-Nazi murders concludes
By Peter Schwarz, 21 May 2013
The federal prosecutor and judges in the neo-Nazi NSU trial want to limit further revelations about state involvement in the group’s series of murders.
Guatemala’s high court overturns dictator Rios Montt’s genocide conviction
By Rafael Azul, 21 May 2013
Guatemala’s Constitutional Court has overturned former dictator José Efraín Rios Montt’s 80-year sentence for genocide and crimes against humanity.
The crisis of Venezuela’s “Bolivarian” revolution and the political independence of the working class
By Bill Van Auken, 21 May 2013
Venezuelan workers can rely only on their own independent strength to defend social gains won over the past period and defeat the threat of a right-wing coup.
Spain’s Popular Party faces wave of strikes and demonstrations
By Alejandro López, 21 May 2013
A social explosion is brewing in Spain, where there have been at least 27 demonstrations since the beginning of the year.
Slovenian government adopts another austerity programme
By Markus Salzmann, 21 May 2013
Seven weeks after taking power, Slovenia’s centre-left governing coalition adopted a new austerity programme and presented it to the EU commission.
Hedge funds eye Detroit for “hostile takeover”
By Zac Corrigan, 20 May 2013
Detroit’s $8.6 billion in junk bond debt is being eyed by hedge funds eager to play their part in the looting of the city.
Greek teachers defy military mobilisation orders
By Christoph Dreier, 16 May 2013
Greek teachers have voted to oppose the mobilisation order of the government and begin strike action on Friday.
Video shows US-backed opposition fighter cannibalizing Syrian soldier
By Alex Lantier, 16 May 2013
The video makes clear the barbaric character of the Islamic fundamentalist forces the US has mobilized in its proxy war against Syria.
House hearing whitewashes US government seizure of AP phone records
By Barry Grey, 16 May 2013
A House committee that heard testimony from Attorney General Eric Holder on Wednesday initiated a bipartisan whitewash of the virtually unprecedented assault on press freedom carried out by the Obama administration.
US Defense Department to furlough 650,000 civilian workers
By Naomi Spencer, 16 May 2013
US Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel on Tuesday announced plans to impose 11 days of unpaid leave for most of the Pentagon’s 800,000 civilian employees beginning in July.
Nationwide protests against austerity in Israel
By Jean Shaoul, 16 May 2013
The budget aims to cut the deficit that reached US$11 billion in 2012.
Incoming Pakistani prime minister pledges loyalty to Washington
By Sampath Perera, 16 May 2013
Pakistan’s incoming prime minister has moved quickly to signal his readiness to work with Washington in prosecuting the AfPak War and with the International Monetary Fund in imposing punishing austerity measures.
Russia: Deputy Prime Minister Surkov resigns
By Clara Weiss, 16 May 2013
On May 8, President Vladimir Putin approved the “voluntary resignation” of Deputy Prime Minister Vladislav Surkov, universally regarded as “number two in the Kremlin”.
Schools in Buena Vista, Michigan may reopen after board approves cuts
By Shannon Jones, 16 May 2013
The state of Michigan restored funding to the district after the school board agreed to a drastic deficit reduction plan.
France: Three die in fire at Roma squat
By Antoine Lerougetel, 16 May 2013
Three Roma, two women and a 12-year-old child, died in a fire in an abandoned factory in Lyon.
Obama, Cameron hold Syria war summit in Washington
By Alex Lantier and Chris Marsden, 14 May 2013
The US and British heads of government discussed stepping up their campaign for war in Syria as well as plans for intervening throughout the Middle East.
Reports suggest Syrian opposition involvement in Turkish bombings
By Thomas Gaist, 14 May 2013
Despite evidence that groups involved in the campaign against the Syrian regime were behind the bombings, Turkish leaders are pushing to use them as a pretext for war.
Greek protests against ban on strikes
By Christoph Dreier, 14 May 2013
Greek police served 88,000 high school teachers with civil mobilization orders on Monday.
Detroit’s emergency manager outlines slash and burn “restructuring” plan
By Jerry White, 14 May 2013
Kevyn Orr released a report on Monday, outlining a “comprehensive restructuring plan” for the city involving savage cuts to city workers’ jobs, wages and pensions and the elimination of services to a large section of the population.
Mother’s Day shooting in New Orleans injures 19 people
By Fred Mazelis, 14 May 2013
Eight years after Hurricane Katrina, poor and working class sections of the city remain devastated by unemployment and poverty.
Philippine coast guard kills Taiwanese fisherman in disputed waters
By Joseph Santolan, 14 May 2013
Relations between Taiwan and the Philippines soured dramatically over the weekend after Philippine forces shot and killed an unarmed Taiwanese fisherman.
Pontiac, Michigan school crisis provokes outcry from parents, teachers
By a WSWS reporting team, 14 May 2013
The district has agreed to massive budget cuts as a condition for receiving state aid.
Philadelphia mayor threatens elimination of school programs, staff
By Nick Barrickman, 14 May 2013
City officials have seized upon the school system’s $300 million budget deficit to demand further cutbacks in education.
Twenty-four dead in Mexican truck explosion
By Rafael Azul, 14 May 2013
A tanker truck carrying pressurized LP gas careened off a highway near Mexico City killing 24 people.
Karzai reveals US plan for permanent Afghanistan bases
By Bill Van Auken, 11 May 2013
The Afghanistan president’s statement underscores the intention of the Obama administration and the Pentagon to maintain a permanent military presence.
Congressional hearing confirms
FBI, Homeland Security withheld information on Boston bombing suspects from local, state police
By Barry Grey, 11 May 2013
The Boston police commissioner and a top Massachusetts Homeland Security official told Congress Thursday that the local and state police were never informed by the FBI or the Department of Homeland Security of multiple warnings about Tamerlan Tsarnaev.
Germany: Opel Bochum workers denounce union sellout
By our correspondents, 11 May 2013
GM Opel workers are incensed over the betrayal carried out by the IG Metall trade union.
Britain’s Queen’s speech: Anti-immigrant rhetoric in support of austerity
By Julie Hyland, 11 May 2013
By scapegoating immigrants as undeserving “scroungers”, the government intends to deny people, including European Union citizens, the right to access public services, including welfare, health care and housing.
Irish Labour Party in deep crisis
By Jordan Shilton, 11 May 2013
Since entering government with Fine Gael in 2011, Labour has taken the lead in wielding the axe to public spending.
Ontario: NDP preparing to support another Liberal austerity budget
By Keith Jones, 11 May 2013
With strong backing from the trade unions, the New Democratic Party is again preparing to enable Ontario’s minority Liberal government to impose a big business austerity budget.
German Left Party’s Oskar Lafontaine calls for return to national currencies
By Christoph Dreier, 11 May 2013
The founder and former chair of the Left Party, Oskar Lafontaine, is proposing the reintroduction of national currencies to drive down wages.
Marx 21 Congress: Anti-Marxists meet in Berlin
By Johannes Stern, 11 May 2013
The congress of the Marx 21 group taking place this weekend in Berlin is a shabby operation aimed at promoting right-wing and imperialist policies under a pseudo-left garb.
Unions, ministers organize protest in Detroit over fast-food worker pay
By Shannon Jones, 11 May 2013
The Detroit protests held Friday at locations across the city shut down several fast-food restaurants.
Video: Detroit tenants denounce mass evictions
By Jerome White and James Brewer, 11 May 2013
Hundreds of low-income Detroit residents are being forced from their homes as part of a plan by Detroit officials to gentrify the downtown area.
Seattle transit agency proposes deep cuts in service
By Angelo Bosworth, 11 May 2013
Seattle’s Metro Transit plans to slash service by one third to address a $75 million funding shortfall.
UN says US-backed opposition, not Syrian regime, used poison gas
By Alex Lantier, 7 May 2013
UN investigator Carla del Ponte’s statements explode the propaganda lie that the US is preparing to attack Syria to defend its people from chemical weapons.
Obama warns against “cynicism” at Ohio State commencement address
By Andre Damon, 7 May 2013
The US president, whose tenure in office has underscored the corporate control of both political parties, counseled students not to be “cynical” about government.
US preexisting conditions health plan closed for enrollment
By Kate Randall, 7 May 2013
An estimated 40,000 people with serious medical conditions will be turned away from a federal insurance plan that is running out of funds.
Guatemala imposes state of siege against mine protests
By Bill Van Auken, 7 May 2013
The Guatemalan government has imposed a 30-day state of siege to repress protests against a Canadian-owned mining operation.
Germany: Verdi union accepts cuts to real wages at Lufthansa
By Ernst Wolff, 7 May 2013
Following strikes by its Lufthansa members, Verdi has capitulated to management.
Obama education secretary, Michigan governor promote school “reform”
By Jerry White, 7 May 2013
Obama administration Education Secretary Arne Duncan joined Michigan’s Republican Governor Rick Snyder on Monday to promote the attack on teachers and public education.
French unions back closure of PSA Aulnay auto factory
By Anthony Torres, 7 May 2013
On Monday, auto maker PSA’s central works council authorized a redundancy scheme to close PSA’s plant at Aulnay, near Paris.
Euro zone unemployment hits record high for 23rd consecutive month
By Andre Damon and Stefan Steinberg, 2 May 2013
Unemployment in the euro zone hit another record in March, with no end in sight to the economic and social catastrophe gripping Europe.
Greek unions hold one-day general strike
By Robert Stevens, 2 May 2013
Public transport ground to a halt in the capital Athens, with no train or ferry services operating.
Obama hails police lockdown, covers up state role in Boston bombings
By Barry Grey, 2 May 2013
In his White House press conference, Obama sought to divert attention from the connections of the bombing suspects to US intelligence agencies.
Guantanamo hunger strike, force feedings continue
By Bill Van Auken, 2 May 2013
At least 100 detainees at the Guantanamo prison camp remained on hunger strike a day after President Obama claimed he would “re-engage Congress” on closing the facility.
UAW chief stabs German Opel workers in the back
By Jerry White, 2 May 2013
United Auto Workers President Bob King called on workers at General Motors’ Opel factory in Bochum, Germany to vote again on a concessions-laden contract.
Quebec unions mount nationalist campaign against savage cuts to jobless benefits
By Eric Marquis and Richard Dufour, 2 May 2013
Tens of thousands of workers from New Brunswick and all parts of Quebec joined a mass protest in Montreal last Saturday to oppose the federal Conservative government’s dismantling of Employment Insurance.
American GM worker supports German Opel workers
By Jerry White, 2 May 2013
In August 2010, workers at General Motors stamping plant in Indianapolis, Indiana rebelled against the efforts of the United Auto Workers to push through a 50 percent wage cut to entice a new owner to buy the plant, which was being shuttered by GM. With the support of the World Socialist Web Site , workers organized a rank-and-file committee independent of the UAW to oppose the wage cut and threatened factory closure.
Free health screening in Detroit draws thousands
By a WSWS reporting team, 2 May 2013
Both the uninsured and underinsured turned out at the event held this week at Cobo Convention Center.
University of California medical workers hold strike vote
By Norisa Diaz, 1 May 2013
Medical workers at a UC Medical Center spoke to the WSWS about the alarming conditions facing both workers and patients.
US moves to expand Internet wiretaps
By Andre Damon, 30 April 2013
The Federal Bureau of Investigation is seeking to force companies such as Google, Dropbox and Facebook to create backdoors for wiretapping users’ communications.
More mass layoffs in Greece
By Christoph Dreier, 30 April 2013
The Greek parliament has voted to dismiss 15,500 public service workers and slash the minimum wage.
Amid jobs collapse, French President Hollande backs austerity in Europe
By Alex Lantier, 30 April 2013
With 26 million workers unemployed in Europe, Hollande is signaling that he will keep supporting social cuts that are devastating the French and European economies.
Explosion at Detroit oil refinery raises danger of wider disaster
By Bryan Dyne, 30 April 2013
The explosion of a diesel fuel tank at the Marathon Detroit Refinery raises the specter of a larger industrial disaster in the Detroit area.
Study finds nearly half of New Yorkers living in or near poverty
By Philip Guelpa, 30 April 2013
A new report by the New York City Commission on Economic Opportunity finds that over 20 percent of the residents in America’s most populous city live in poverty.
US student loan interest rates expected to double
By Trent Novak, 30 April 2013
Beginning on July 1, interest rates on subsidized Stafford loans for college undergraduates are expected to double from 3.4 to 6.8 percent.
UK base carrying out Afghan drone strikes
By Robert Stevens, 30 April 2013
A specially created mission base in Lincolnshire, England is directing drone strikes on Afghanistan.
University of California’s medical workers to hold strike vote
By Thomas Gaist, 30 April 2013
Thirteen-thousand patient care workers in the University of California’s medical system will vote on a possible strike starting April 30.
US ramps up plans for military intervention in Syria
By Joseph Kishore, 24 April 2013
The expansion of aid to US-backed oppositional forces in Syria and the deployment of hundreds of US troops to Jordan come amidst new threats against Iran.
70,000 Danish teachers locked out
By Helmut Arens and Christoph Dreier, 24 April 2013
In a historically unprecedented act, the Danish government has locked out 70,000 high school teachers for more than three weeks.
Canadian government unveils “terror plot” as it adopts draconian new law
By Keith Jones, 24 April 2013
Canadian authorities announced Monday afternoon they had broken up a terrorist conspiracy, just as the country’s parliament was to debate new anti-terrorism legislation that would give the state draconian new powers.
European Union cites Boston attack to justify major anti-terrorist operation
By Chris Marsden, 24 April 2013
On April 17 and 18, anti-terrorist units of numerous European Union member states participated in an operation involving simulated terrorist attacks in nine different countries.
Snyder administration plot to privatize Michigan schools exposed
By Jerry White, 24 April 2013
Officials in Governor Rick Snyder’s administration have been holding secret meetings to map out a strategy to finance corporate-run schools with public funds.
One-day Lufthansa strike grounds flights in Germany
By Ernst Wolff, 24 April 2013
A strike by Lufthansa ground crew on Monday led to the cancellation of flights at airports across Germany.
Spain: Polls show support for all parties, unions and monarchy at record low
By Alejandro López, 24 April 2013
The huge decline in support for the political parties, trade unions, and the monarchy can only mean huge social struggles are on the horizon.
Official opposition protests Montenegro presidential election result
By Ognjen Markovic, 24 April 2013
Both candidates in the recent presidential election in Montenegro support the austerity policies of the European Union.
350 working without a contract at Master Lock in Milwaukee
By Niles Williamson, 23 April 2013
Workers represented by the United Auto Workers (UAW) at the Master Lock facility in Milwaukee, Wisconsin have been working without a contract since April 3.
US sequester furloughs delay flights, threaten airport safety
By Kate Randall, 23 April 2013
Unpaid furloughs imposed on air traffic controllers will result in flight delays and cancellations at airports across the US.
Boston bombing suspect gets death penalty charge
By Bill Van Auken, 23 April 2013
Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, the 19-year-old surviving suspect in the Boston Marathon bombings, was formally charged Monday before a federal judge, who was brought to his hospital bed.
German media, politicians praise Obama for military-police lockdown of Boston
By Johannes Stern, 23 April 2013
Commentaries in the media and by leading political figures on the events in Boston throw a spotlight on the undemocratic character of the German ruling elite.
Detroit emergency manager proclaims power to end collective bargaining
By James Brewer, 23 April 2013
Emergency manager Kevyn Orr claims he is under no legal obligation to participate in bargaining with public safety employees, including police, firefighters and emergency medical responders.
UK: 50,000 march to save Stafford Hospital
By Ben York and Paul Mitchell, 23 April 2013
The massive turnout to protest plans to close Stafford Hospital testifies to the determination of local residents and hospital staff to protect services.
Mass evictions continue in Spain
By Franci Vier and Paul Mitchell, 23 April 2013
None of the main demands of the anti-evictions petition launched by the Mortgage Victims Platform have been included in a new law by the Popular Party.
Supreme Court bars US lawsuits against overseas human rights abuses
By John Burton, 23 April 2013
The Supreme Court ruled unanimously that foreign citizens subjected to human rights abuses outside the US cannot sue corporations or individuals in US courts.
Interview with Paul Hoffman, lawyer for the plaintiffs
By John Burton, 23 April 2013
Paul Hoffman, a partner in the Venice, California law firm of Schonbrun, DeSimone, Seplow, Harris, Hoffman & Harrison, has been representing plaintiffs in cases under the Alien Tort Statute for the last 30 years.
German Left Party supports imperialist intervention in Syria
By Johannes Stern, 23 April 2013
The Left Party has responded to the intensification of imperialist intervention in Syria by working more openly with right-wing Islamist forces and US imperialism.
Ontario Liberals to keep raising post-secondary tuition fees
By Dylan Lubao, 19 April 2013
Ontario’s NDP-backed minority Liberal government has announced plans to raise university tuition fees to $8,000 by 2016.
Child poverty in US among the highest in developed world
By Nick Barrickman, 18 April 2013
A new report by the United Nations details the growing levels of poverty facing children in the major capitalist countries, with the US ranking near the bottom on all metrics.
Media hysteria grows over Boston bombing
By Barry Grey, 18 April 2013
While the nation, including the people of Boston, have remained calm, deeply saddened and shocked by the bombings as they are, the media and their leading personnel present a picture of disorientation and panic.
IMF slashes world growth outlook
By Andre Damon, 18 April 2013
The International Monetary Fund downgraded its 2013 outlook for the world economy Tuesday amid mounting signs that the global slump is intensifying.
Sequestration cuts hit Michigan
By Lawrence Porter, 18 April 2013
As a result of the sequester cuts signed by President Obama, $150 million will be cut from programs that particularly affect the poor in Michigan.
German SPD conference approves election program
By Christoph Dreier, 18 April 2013
The Social Democratic Party Augsburg conference sent a clear message that the party agrees with the Merkel government’s austerity policy.
Britain’s involvement in assassination of Congo’s Lumumba confirmed
By Jean Shaoul, 18 April 2013
A senior British politician has revealed Britain’s involvement in the 1961 assassination of Patrice Lumumba, the Congo’s first prime minister.
Floods devastate Argentina
By Rafael Azul, 18 April 2013
Torrential storms and floods affected 450,000 people and killed 58 in Argentina.
New York stop-and-frisk trial bares massive police abuse
By Sandy English, 18 April 2013
Plaintiffs in an ongoing federal trial have alleged that New York’s Police Department has violated the constitutional rights of millions of people in its decade-long stop-and-frisk program.
Homeless in San Diego, California
Life on the street in “America’s Finest City”
By Jake Dean and Toby Reese, 18 April 2013
San Diego, California ranks third in the nation for the number of homeless, with estimates of 10,000.
Mass layoffs in Illinois
By Shane Feratu and Jeff Lusanne, 18 April 2013
A large number of companies in Illinois have announced closures and job cuts.
The US Justice Department brief for the assassination of US citizens
Part one
By Tom Carter and Eric London, 18 April 2013
Since the publication of the white paper, leading figures in the US political establishment have declared that the asserted power to assassinate includes the power to kill US citizens on US soil.
Locked-out American Crystal workers narrowly pass concessions contract
By Michael Stapleton, 18 April 2013
The ratification ended the 20-month lockout by American Crystal Sugar Company.
Media rush to judgment in Boston Marathon bombing
By Barry Grey, 16 April 2013
At least three people were killed and 144 wounded, including 15 with critical injuries, by two bomb explosions in downtown Boston.
Syrian opposition militia declares allegiance to Al Qaeda
By Niall Green, 16 April 2013
The leading fighting group in the US-backed war against the Syrian government has announced its loyalty to Al Qaeda.
German Defence Minister prevented from speaking at Berlin’s Humboldt University
By Ernst Wolff, 16 April 2013
Protesting students in Berlin prevented Germany’s Defence Minister Thomas from delivering a lecture.
US Head Start preschool program hit with sequester cuts
By Danielle DeSaxe, 16 April 2013
The Obama administration has announced that Head Start, a federally funded program that provides preschool for low-income families, will face cuts.
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