World Socialist Web Site

2 February 2009

Global crisis threatens to break up the Eurozone

By Ulrich Rippert, 2 February 2009

The Eurozone and the project of a united Europe are being undermined by the deepening financial crisis.

Over 100,000 demonstrate in London against Sri Lankan war

By Ajay Prakash and Paul Mitchell, 2 February 2009

Over 100,000 people, mostly Tamils, came from across the UK to march in central London on Saturday demanding an end to the war in Sri Lanka and the atrocities carried out by the military.

Video: London demonstrators denounce massacre of Tamils in Sri Lanka

2 February 2009

Over 100,000 people, mostly Tamils, came from across the UK to march in central London on Saturday demanding an end to the war in Sri Lanka and the atrocities carried out by the military. The WSWS interviewed participants on the protest.

Large demonstration in India against Sri Lankan war

By Arun Kumar, 2 February 2009

Around 20,000 people took part in an eight-hour funeral march in Chennai for K. Muthukumar—a young Tamil who set himself alight in front of the city’s government office complex in protest against the communal war in neighbouring Sri Lanka.

Thousands of Sri Lankan soldiers perish in northern offensive

By our reporters, 2 February 2009

Thousands of Sri Lankan soldiers, nearly all of them poverty-stricken rural youth, have been killed on the front lines of the war in the country’s north over the past three months.

For top 400 Americans, combined income of $105 billion in 2006

By Tom Eley, 2 February 2009

In 2006, the year before the emergence of the financial crisis, the combined income of the 400 top-earning Americans—who comprise about .0001% of the population—stood at more than $105 billion, or $263 million a head.

Australian heat wave kills 60 people, triggers power and transport chaos

By Tania Baptist, 2 February 2009

A severe heat wave across south-eastern Australia last week resulted in the deaths of more than 60 people and precipitated a breakdown of electricity distribution and public transport systems in the states of Victoria and South Australia.

South Africa: Zuma faces corruption charges after court reverses previous judgment

By Patrick O’Keefe, 2 February 2009

The Supreme Court of Appeals has effectively reinstated criminal charges against African National Congress (ANC) President Jacob Zuma.

Australia threatens Fiji with suspension from Pacific Islands Forum

By Frank Gaglioti, 2 February 2009

A “special leaders’ retreat” of the 16-member Pacific Islands Forum, convened in Papua New Guinea on January 27, concluded with a threat to suspend Fiji from the regional body unless the military junta announces elections by May 1 and conducts the poll by the end of the year.

US: Nationwide salmonella outbreak forces major recall, plant closure

By Naomi Spencer, 2 February 2009

Last week the US Food and Drug Administration opened a criminal investigation into food safety violations at the Georgia peanut processor responsible for a nationwide salmonella outbreak that has sickened more than 500 people and killed at least 8 since September.

New in French

Canada : Les leçons vitales de la crise politique au Parlement

Par Keith Jones, 2 février 2009

La prorogation du parlement canadien en décembre 2008 était une attaque flagrante sur les normes parlementaires et les droits démocratiques. Son but explicite était d’empêcher les députés de défaire le gouvernement conservateur lors d’un vote de confiance le 8 décembre.

France : Les cercles dirigeants secoués par l’ampleur des manifestations du 29 janvier

Par Antoine Lerougetel, 2 février 2009

Les cercles dirigeants français ont réagi avec une grande nervosité devant l’ampleur de la mobilisation de jeudi dernier. Au moins 2,5 millions de travailleurs et de jeunes sont descendus dans les rues pour protester contre l’augmentation des chiffres du chômage et la politique d’austérité.