World Socialist Web Site

12 December 2008

Bush, Democratic auto bailout fails in Senate, talks continue

By Jerry White, 12 December 2008

After a bill backed by the White House and the Democratic congressional leadership failed in the US Senate, intense negotiations were reportedly continuing over a new deal that would impose immediate and devastating wage and benefit cuts on autoworkers in exchange for an emergency loan to stave off the bankruptcy of Detroit’s automakers.

As world slump deepens
US jobless claims soar to 26-year high

By Barry Grey, 12 December 2008

The Labor Department reported Thursday that the number of US workers filing new claims for unemployment benefits last week jumped 58,000 to a seasonally adjusted total of 573,000—the highest figure since November 1982.

WSWS speaks with Greek protesters in Berlin

By our correspondent, 12 December 2008

Demonstrators gathered outside the Greek consulate in Berlin on Tuesday—the day of the burial of Alexandros Grigoropoulos, the young man gunned down by Greek police last Saturday.

US: Relatives of September 11 victims condemn Guantánamo show trial

By Naomi Spencer, 12 December 2008

In a letter released December 10, 33 relatives of people killed in the September 11, 2001 attacks have condemned the Guantánamo military tribunals as illegitimate and politically motivated.

South Korean economy heading toward negative growth in 2009

By John Chan, 12 December 2008

There are growing signs that the world’s 13th largest economy, the Republic of Korea, is among the most vulnerable to the global financial crisis. The latest forecasts point to an economic contraction in 2009 for the first time since the Asian financial crisis 10 years ago.

Germany: Gulf between rich and poor is rapidly widening

By Dietmar Henning, 12 December 2008

Two recent studies reveal that social inequality in Germany is growing at a record tempo.

Britain: Right wing newspapers demand massive cuts in public spending

By Robert Stevens, 12 December 2008

Several right wing newspapers have launched a concerted campaign demanding that the jobs and benefits of workers employed in the public sector be slashed.

Australian welfare agencies warn of growing social crisis

By Mike Head, 12 December 2008

Australian welfare agencies say they have reached breaking point, with demand for services like housing, counselling and emergency relief doubling. They have made an urgent appeal to the Rudd government for a funding injection of $900 million to keep services running over the next three years.

New in German

Die USA, Pakistan und der "Terrorist" Hamid Gul

Von Peter Symonds, 12. Dezember 2008

Washingtons Attacken auf den ehemaligen Chefs des pakistanischen Militärgeheimdiensts ISI, Hamid Gul, machen vor allem eines deutlich: Die Beziehungen zwischen der pakistanischen Armeeführung und islamistischen Organisationen wurden während des von der CIA gelenkten heiligen Kriegs gegen die sowjetische Besatzung Afghanistans in den 1980er Jahren geknüpft.

Dessauer Landgericht spricht beschuldigte Polizisten frei
"Das hat mit Rechtsstaat nichts mehr zu tun"

Von Ludwig Weller, 12. Dezember 2008

Vor vier Jahren verbrannte der Asylbewerber Oury Jalloh gefesselt im Keller des Polizeireviers in Dessau. Nach 60 Prozesstagen, in denen Polizei und Staatsanwaltschaft alles taten, um eine Aufklärung zu behindern, wurden die beiden angeklagten Polizisten am Montag freigesprochen.

Generalstreik und Ausweitung der Proteste erschüttern Regierung in Griechenland

Von Chris Marsden, 12. Dezember 2008

Der Generalstreik am Mittwoch legte große Teile Griechenlands lahm. In Athen demonstrierten 10.000 Menschen gegen die rechte Regierung von Premierminister Costas Karamanlis.

New in Russian

Конституционный переворот в Канаде: Предупреждение для рабочего класса

Кейт Джонс, 12 декабря 2008 г.

Явным образом нарушив парламентские нормы и демократические права, канадское правительство Консервативной партии, представляющее меньшинство избирателей, в союзе с никем не избранным генерал-губернатором [назначается королевой Англии], объявило о прекращении работы национального парламента, стремясь не дать оппозиционным партиям возможности выразить этому правительству вотум недоверия.

New in French

Elections au Québec : Les libéraux remportent de justesse la majorité avec le plus faible taux de participation de l’histoire moderne

Par Guy Charron, 12 décembre 2008

Alors que se développe la plus importante crise économique mondiale depuis la Grande Dépression, l’élection québécoise de lundi dernier fut marquée par le plus faible taux de participation des derniers 80 ans (57 pour cent) et le quasi-anéantissement du parti populiste de droite, l’Action démocratique du Québec (ADQ).