World Socialist Web Site

24 February 2009

Obama outlines policy of austerity at budget summit

By Tom Eley, 24 February 2009

President Obama’s Federal Budget Summit, held Monday, announced the next step in his administration’s approach to the economic crisis—placing the burden of skyrocketing budget deficits on the working class through an attack on social programs and entitlements.

Hillary Clinton presses China to keep buying US debt

By Bill Van Auken, 24 February 2009

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton concluded her weeklong Asian tour with an appeal to Beijing to keep up its purchases of US treasury notes or risk the onset of an even deeper economic crisis that would engulf China as well the US.

Coal mine explosion in China kills 74

By John Chan, 24 February 2009

China’s notoriously dangerous coal industry recorded another tragedy last Sunday, when at least 74 miners died and 114 were injured in a gas explosion.

European financial summit dominated by national divisions

By Stefan Steinberg, 24 February 2009

The leaders of Britain, France, Germany, Italy, Spain and the Netherlands met in Berlin last Sunday to work out a joint European stance in advance of the Group of 20 meeting on April 2.

Britain: More charges of union complicity in mass sackings at BMW’s Oxford plant

By Liz Smith and Elaine Gorton, 24 February 2009

Workers reported for shifts at the BMW plant in Cowley, Oxford, on Monday, still uncertain as to the future of some 500 agency staff.

An unholy alliance at Australian Workers Union conference

By Terry Cook, 24 February 2009

Why would the Australian Workers Union invite Cardinal Pell to be the keynote speaker at its national conference? Pell is certainly not known for his support for unions and was an ardent supporter of the former Howard government.

New in German

Obama-Regierung seit einem Monat im Amt

Von Patrick Martin, 24. Februar 2009

Eine Bilanz der ersten dreißig Tage der Obama-Regierung enthüllt, dass sie das Profitsystem stützt und die Dominanz der Banken und Finanzhäuser sichert. Das geht nur auf Kosten der arbeitenden Bevölkerung.

Anmerkungen zur politischen und wirtschaftlichen Krise des kapitalistischen Weltsystems
Perspektiven und Aufgaben der Socialist Equality Party 2009

Von David North und Joseph Kishore, 24. Februar 2009

Der folgende Bericht wurde auf der Versammlung des -Bezirks Mittlerer Westen der Socialist Equality Party am 10. Januar in Ann Arbor, Michigan gegeben. David North ist der nationale Vorsitzende der SEP, Joseph Kishore ihr nationaler Sekretär.

New in Russian

Чавес выигрывает референдум на фоне углубляющегося кризиса в Венесуэле

Билл Вэн Оукен, 24 февраля 2009 г.

В прошедшее воскресенье президент Уго Чавес одержал очередную победу в ходе голосования, на котором венесуэльцы проголосовали за внесение поправки в конституцию, снимающей ограничения на количество президентских сроков. Это позволит Чавесу баллотироваться на третий шестилетний срок. Голосование прошло на фоне углубления экономического кризиса и усиления классовой борьбы.

New in Portuguese

Chavez vence referendum em meio ao aprofundamento da crise na Venezuela

Por Bill Van Auken, 24 de fevereiro de 2009

O presidente Hugo Chavez registrou outra vitória nas urnas no último domingo (15.02), com o voto dos venezuelanos para modificar a constituição e acabar com o limite para reeleição, permitindo-lhe concorrer a outro mandato de seis anos. A votação se deu em meio ao avanço da crise econômica mundial e ao acirramento da luta de classes.

New in French

Grande-Bretagne : devant la complicité des syndicats dans le licenciement de 850 travailleurs de BMW, la colère gronde

Par Niall Green, 24 février 2009

Lundi, à l’annonce de la suppression immédiate de 850 emplois dans leur usine, des centaines de travailleurs ont confronté les responsables syndicaux. La confrontation a été filmée par l’un des travailleurs présents et a compté des milliers de visites sur You Tube.