World Socialist Web Site

1 May 2009

Spanish judge launches new torture probe of Bush officials

By Paul Mitchell and Chris Marsden, 1 May 2009

Spain’s top investigative judge, Baltasar Garzón, has launched a criminal investigation into allegations of torture at Guantánamo Bay that will target high-level Bush administration officials.

Chrysler declares bankruptcy

By Jerry White, 1 May 2009

Chrysler—the third largest US automaker—filed for bankruptcy in New York Thursday, announcing that it would close its manufacturing facilities until it emerges from a Chapter 11 reorganization.

May Day 2009: Reports on rising class struggle from around the world

By our reporters, 1 May 2009

This year’s May Day, the workers’ holiday celebrating the traditions of international proletarian solidarity, is being marked as the global economic crisis is pushing larger sections of the world working class into social struggle.

Why did France resort to violence off the coast of Somalia?

By Olivier Laurent, 1 May 2009

The use of force in April to recover five French hostages held off the Somali coastline, on the yacht, the Tanit, demonstrates the contempt of the Nicolas Sarkozy government for the lives of the French hostages and the Somali pirates, as well as for French and Somali public opinion.

Algerian presidential election gives Bouteflika a third term in office

By Francis Dubois and Pierre Mabut, 1 May 2009

The presidential election in Algeria on April 9 gave Abdelaziz Bouteflika a third term of office.

Unemployment takes growing toll in New York City

By a reporting team,
1 May 2009

With New York City’s unemployment soaring, the jobless have turned out by the thousands at job fairs held in the city, even though the chances of finding work are slim amid the mounting layoffs.

German trade union implements wage cuts at Opel

By Dietmar Henning, 1 May 2009

The German engineering workers’ trade union IG Metall has enacted wage cuts for its members employed at Opel, General Motors’ European subsidiary, in spite of considerable worker opposition.

The credit card crisis and the false promise of the Obama administration

By William Moore, 1 May 2009

As banks have suffered major losses in mortgages and other “toxic assets,” they have continued to make money on credit card debt by increasing interest rates and fees and through a range of deceptive practices.

Solomon Islands report demands legal immunity of RAMSI occupation force be revoked

By Patrick O’Connor, 1 May 2009

In a major blow to the Australian government, the Commission of Inquiry report into the 2006 riots recommends that the legal basis of the Australian-dominated occupation force, the Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands, be revised and that immunity of RAMSI personnel from local laws be revoked.

New in German

Eine sozialistische Antwort auf die kapitalistische Krise
Aufruf der Partei für Soziale Gleichheit zur Europawahl 2009

1. Mai 2009

Die Partei für Soziale Gleichheit (PSG) tritt am 7. Juni mit einer eigenen bundesweiten Liste zur Europawahl an. Ziel unserer Wahlteilnahme ist der Aufbau einer neuen Partei, die die arbeitende Bevölkerung Europas in die Lage versetzt, unabhängig von den etablierten Parteien ins politische Geschehen einzugreifen.

PSG startet Onlinewahlkampf

Von Marius Heuser, 1. Mai 2009

Mit dem heutigen ersten Mai hat die Partei für Soziale Gleichheit (PSG) ihre neue Wahlseite freigeschaltet und damit den Onlinewahlkampf eröffnet