24 November 2008

Obama’s jobs plan: A band-aid for an economic catastrophe

By Patrick Martin, 24 November 2008

The economic plan announced Saturday by President-Elect Barack Obama, with the goal of “saving or creating” 2.5 million jobs in 2009 and 2010, is a measure that has already been outstripped by events. The deepening crisis of American and world capitalism could destroy that many US jobs in the next six to nine months.

German media, political parties debate Opel rescue package

By Ludwig Weller, 24 November 2008

A fierce debate is taking place in Germany over whether the weakened automobile industry should receive any support from the government. The discussion has intensified since GM subsidiary Opel demanded €1.8 billion in government support.

Britain: New round of job losses announced as part of global cutbacks

By Julie Hyland, 24 November 2008

Last week saw a fresh wave of job losses in the UK, some 3,600 in total, as part of mainly global cutbacks. The latest announcements mean that in the last fortnight, major household names have announced job cuts totalling some 25,000.

Italy: Judgement in G8 police raid trial

By Marianne Arens, 24 November 2008

The second trial dealing with the outbreaks of severe police violence at the G8 summit of 2001 has ended, once again with acquittals and mild judgements for those involved.

Signs of political radicalisation in Japan, despite its confused direction

By John Chan, 24 November 2008

There are signs of a growing radicalisation among young people in Japan provoked by their own worsening prospects and the deepening gulf between rich and poor, amid the worst global economic crisis since the 1930s.

US: University presidents’ pay rises to record levels

By Jeff Lassahn, 24 November 2008

Ohio State University President E. Gordon Gee is the highest paid public university president, hauling in more than $1.3 million last year in salary. Twelve more public university presidents take in more than $700,000 annually.

New in French

Alain Krivine explique le rôle du « Nouveau Parti anticapitaliste 

Par Peter Schwarz, 24 novembre 2008

Une interview d’Alain Krivine, le dirigeant de longue date de la Ligue communiste révolutionnaire (LCR), jette la lumière sur le programme et le rôle politique du Nouveau Parti anticapitaliste (NPA).

Le Parti socialiste reste profondément divisé à l’issue du congrès de Reims

Par Francis Dubois, 24 novembre 2008

Le congrès du Parti socialiste français (PS) qui s’est tenu du 14 au 16 novembre à Reims et auquel participèrent environ 4000 personnes s’est terminé dans une complète division.

Perspective

Auto workers need an international strategy

24 November 2008

Auto workers around the world confront layoffs, plant closures and new demands for wage and benefit cuts and speedup as the transnational automakers attempt to make them pay for the global capitalist crisis.

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Arts Review

In Spitting Distance: war, exile and other daily realities for Palestinians

By Richard Phillips, 24 November 2008

In Spitting Distance is an emotional and at times darkly ironic exploration of the situation facing a Palestinian actor/playwright in Ramallah, Paris and Tel Aviv in 2002.

“Good theatre makes you ask questions”
An interview with Khalifa Natour and Ofira Henig

By Richard Phillips, 24 November 2008

In Spitting Distance, a one-man show performed by Khalifa Natour and directed by Ofira Henig, was recently staged at the Sydney Opera House. Henig and Natour discussed the production with Richard Phillips.

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