World Socialist Web Site

30 October 2008

US defense secretary expands pre-emptive war doctrine to include nuclear strikes

By Alex Lantier, 30 October 2008

In a remarkable speech on October 28, US Defense Secretary Robert Gates painted a dire portrait of international affairs and argued that Washington should expand the doctrine of pre-emptive war formulated by the Bush administration to include possible nuclear strikes.

US Federal Reserve cuts interest rates as recession deepens

By Patrick O’Connor, 30 October 2008

The rapidity of the economic downturn has alarmed a number of economists who are now warning of a potential deflationary crisis.

Advocate of Afghan “troop surge” selected as head of British Army

By Harvey Thompson, 30 October 2008

Gen. Sir David Richards, recent commander of the NATO’s ISAF in Afghanistan, has been appointed the new head of the British Army.

Ford Australia sackings signal a wave of auto job losses

By Terry Cook, 30 October 2008

Ford Australia is preparing a series of job cuts that are just the beginning of downsizing and restructuring throughout the industry amid the global economic downturn and collapsing new car sales internationally.

Video: Detroit residents denounce social decay in fire deaths

30 October 2008

This video is part of a series by the World Socialist Web Site reporters on the tragic fire in Highland Park and the dire social conditions prevailing in former auto production centers in Detroit.

Canadian Government defends export of asbestos to poorer nations

By John MacKay, 30 October 2008

The Canadian government has played a major role in keeping chrysotile asbestos off a United Nation’s list of dangerous substances.

World Bank places Sri Lanka among the “highly vulnerable” countries

By Saman Gunadasa, 30 October 2008

A World Bank report published just prior to a joint IMF-World Bank meeting on October 10 included Sri Lanka among 28 countries that are judged to be “highly vulnerable” to the ongoing global financial crisis and credit crunch.

Turkish court provides explanation of its ban on headscarves

By Sinan Ikinci, 30 October 2008

Turkey’s Constitutional Court has provided a long-awaited explanation of its annulment of constitutional amendments that served to ban Muslim headscarves.

New in French

1968 : Grève générale et révolte étudiante en France
Septième partie : La ligne centriste de l'OCI (4)

Par Peter Schwarz, 30 octobre 2008

Voici la huitième partie d'une série d'articles traitants des événements de mai-juin 1968 en France. Les quatre dernières parties, dont celle-ci, analyse le rôle de l'organisation de Pierre Lambert, l'Organisation communiste internationale (OCI).

New in German

Was steckt hinter den Gesprächen der USA mit den Taliban?

Von Alex Lantier, 30. Oktober 2008

Das Wall Street Journal hat von Plänen der USA berichtet, direkte Verhandlungen mit Talibanführern in Afghanistan aufzunehmen.

Italien: Generalstreik gegen Bildungsreform

Von Peter Schwarz, 30. Oktober 2008

In Italien hat sich erstmals seit dem Amtantritt der rechten Regierung Berlusconi im Mai eine massive Protestbewegung entwickelt. Seit Wochen gehen Schüler, Studenten, Eltern, Lehrer und Professoren gegen die Bildungsreform der Regierung auf die Straße.

Der EU-Aufruf für globale Finanzregeln übertüncht europäische und internationale Spannungen

Von Chris Marsden, 30. Oktober 2008

Die Europäische Union rief am 15. Oktober zu einen internationalen Wirtschaftsgipfel auf, um ein neues System globaler Finanzregeln festzulegen, ein "Bretton Woods II", wie es die Führer der Union nennen.