World Socialist Web Site

25 March 2009

Billions for Wall Street, budget cuts for working people
Obama press conference reveals right-wing consensus in Washington

By Patrick Martin, 25 March 2009

The presidential press conference held Tuesday night, nationally televised from the White House, was a demonstration of the vast social gulf that separates the financial and political establishment of the United States and the working people who constitute the vast majority of the population.

Obama’s “carrot and stick” approach to Iran

By Peter Symonds, 25 March 2009

The US administration made a much publicised gesture toward Iran last Friday with the release of a video by President Obama to mark Nowruz, the Persian New Year. While the tone was conciliatory, the essential strategy remains the “carrot and stick” policy outlined by Obama in his election campaign.

Democrats prepare to ditch AIG bonus bill

By Tom Eley, 25 March 2009

Leading Democrats have indicated that they will abandon legislation imposing a 90 percent surtax on bonuses awarded by AIG and other firms that have received government bailout funds.

EU leaders cancel “jobs summit” to avoid protests

By Stefan Steinberg, 25 March 2009

With unemployment increasing across Europe EU leaders decided to cancel “jobs summit” in order to avoid protests.

Australia: Rudd government tries to block Guantánamo torture case

By Mike Head, 25 March 2009

Like the Obama administration, the Rudd government is using every possible legal device to suppress evidence of torture at Guantánamo Bay. It is trying to block a compensation case by Mamdouh Habib, who was detained there for three years without trial or charge.

Sweden: Saab announces more layoffs as unions agree to wage cuts

By Jordan Shilton, 25 March 2009

Saab announced 750 job cuts at its main plant in Trollhätten on March 12.

Somalia: US policy shift towards Islamists after Ethiopian pullout

By Brian Smith, 25 March 2009

Somali MPs have elected Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed, leader of the Djibouti-based Alliance for the Re-liberation of Somalia (ARS), as the country’s new president.

Ontario: Growing numbers of “working poor”

By Daryus Jenkins, 25 March 2009

Even before the eruption of the world financial crisis and under conditions where Ontario was experiencing relatively rapid economic growth, working people’s living standards were stagnating and hundreds of thousands, including one child and youth in every nine, were forced to live in poverty.

New in German

Der Streit in der Großen Koalition und die Krise bei Opel

Von Ulrich Rippert, 25. März 2009

Der Streit innerhalb der Großen Koalition nimmt von Tag zu Tag heftigerer Formen an. Einer der wichtigsten Streitpunkte betrifft die Zukunft des angeschlagenen Autobauers Opel.

China kann die globale Krise nicht auffangen

Von John Chan, 25. März 2009

Die jüngste Voraussage der Weltbank macht die Hoffnung zunichte, dass China der Wachstumsmotor sein könnte, der die Weltwirtschaft aus ihrer tiefen Rezession zieht.

EU-Gipfel weist amerikanische Forderung nach größeren Konjunkturprogrammen zurück

Von Stefan Steinberg, 25. März 2009

Nach einem zweitägigen Gipfel in der vergangenen Woche gaben die 27 EU Staats- und Regierungschefs bekannt, dass sie sich auf eine Reihe von Maßnahmen gegen die internationale Finanz- und Wirtschaftskrise geeinigt hätten.

Versammlung in Paris legt sozialistisches Programm gegen Krieg in Sri Lanka vor

Von Antoine Lerougetel, 25. März 2009

Unter dem Motto: „Truppen raus aus dem Norden und Osten Sri Lankas!" fand am Sonntag, den 15. März 2009, in Paris eine Versammlung der World Socialist Web Site und des Internationalen Komitees der Vierten Internationale statt.

New in Portuguese

França: Milhões em greve e em manifestações contra a política do governo

Por Antoine Lerougetel, 25 de março de 2009

Muitos milhões de trabalhadores e jovens tomaram as ruas em 213 cidades e distritos por toda a França na última quinta-feira, 19/03, em oposição à crescente pobreza, miséria, crescimento acelerado do desemprego e polítcas do governo, que envolvem cortes nos auxílios sociais.

New in French

Montréal : des professeurs et des étudiants manifestent pour la défense de l’éducation

Par nos reporters, 25 mars 2009

Jeudi dernier, des professeurs en grève et des étudiants de l’Université du Québec à Montréal ont manifesté dans les rues de Montréal pour exiger de meilleures conditions de travail pour les enseignants et maîtres de langues qui sont sans contrat de travail depuis 2007.

New in Turkish

Ekonomik kriz derinleşirken 40.000 kişi Türk hükümetine karşı gösteri yaptı

Muhabirimiz bildiriyor, 25 Mart 2009

15 Şubat günü İstanbul’da toplanan yaklaşık 40.000 kişi, ülkenin yaşadığı muazzam ekonomik krizin ortasında, AKP’nin (Adalet ve Kalkınma Partisi) uyguladığı politikalara karşı gösteri yaptı.