World Socialist Web Site

2 May 2009

Obama administration seeks extraordinary military powers in Pakistan

By Bill Van Auken, 2 May 2009

The Obama administration is demanding that the military be given a free hand in directing the escalating US intervention in Pakistan, rejecting congressional conditions or civilian control over billions of dollars in military aid to Islamabad.

As Chrysler shutters its factories
Workers denounce UAW concessions

By Andre Damon, 2 May 2009

Chrysler workers arrived at work on Friday to find their factories shut down. We interviewed workers to hear their responses to the bankruptcy and the concessions demanded by the UAW.

Workers march in May Day demonstrations around the world

By our reporters, 2 May 2009

Millions of workers marched in May Day demonstrations around the world Friday, celebrating international proletarian solidarity.

France: Up to a million people on May Day protests

By Antoine Lerougetel, 2 May 2009

As many as a million people took part yesterday in May Day demonstrations in towns and cities throughout France. This was the third mass mobilisation this year called by France’s eight main trade union federations.

Military investigations whitewash Israeli war crimes

By Jean Shaoul, 2 May 2009

Five military investigations into war crimes committed by Israeli Defence Force soldiers during Operation Cast Lead, the attack on Gaza in December-January, have ended in a whitewash.

US Supreme Court hears challenge to Voting Rights Act

By Don Knowland, 2 May 2009

In oral arguments April 29, the right-wing majority of the US Supreme Court indicated that it was prepared to strike down or weaken Section 5 of the landmark Voting Rights Act of 1965.

Indian Elections:
Tamil Nadu parties posture over plight of Sri Lankan Tamils

By Arun Kumar, 2 May 2009

With an eye to the national elections, the leaders of the dominant parties in the south Indian state of Tamil Nadu, the DMK and AIADMK, are seeking to outdo one another in posturing as defenders of the Sri Lankan Tamils.

Germany: ThyssenKrupp shareholders receive millions while workers face the sack

By Elizabeth Zimmermann, 2 May 2009

While the jobs of up to 10,000 workers are threatened at ThyssenKrupp, directors at Germany’s largest steel and armaments enterprise have agreed to pay shareholders €669 million in dividends this year.

Australian Labor government escalates military involvement in Afghanistan

By James Cogan, 2 May 2009

The Rudd Labor government announced on Wednesday a significant expansion of Australia’s military commitment to the US-led occupation of Afghanistan.

Spain: Zapatero government sends more troops to Afghanistan

By Paul Stuart and Paul Mitchell, 2 May 2009

Last month, Spain became the first European country to increase its military mission in Afghanistan.

France: Reports of police beatings at March 19 demonstrations

By Frank Dubois, 2 May 2009

Internet reports describe massive repressive action by French CRS riot police at the end of the March 19 mass demonstration in Paris. It resembles the British police’s “kettling” techniques at the April 1 G20 demonstration in London that led to the death of Ian Tomlinson.

Australia: Unemployment study highlights “new face of disadvantage”

By Tess Gordon, 2 May 2009

A research report has warned that suburbs in Australia’s middle and outer suburban mortgage belts could become “hot spots of home repossessions” as unemployment strikes.

New in French

1er mai 2009

Par Joe Kishore, 2 mai 2009

Le 1er mai 2009 se déroule dans le contexte d'une crise historique du système capitaliste.

Le syndicat des TCA impose des concessions draconiennes aux travailleurs de Chrysler

Par Keith Jones, 1er mai 2009

Le syndicat des Travailleurs canadiens de l’automobile, agissant de concert avec les patrons de Chrysler et Fiat, l’administration Obama, ainsi que les gouvernements du Canada et de l’Ontario, a rouvert le contrat de trois ans pour y inclure d’autres concessions draconiennes en termes d’avantages sociaux, de congés payés, d’intensité du travail et autres.

New in German

Erster Mai 2009

Von Joe Kishore, 2. Mai 2009

Der Erste Mai steht für die Vorstellung, dass die Arbeiterklasse ihre Interessen nur durch ihre internationale Einheit im Kampf gegen die Kapitalistenklasse durchsetzen kann.

Interessen von Politik und Wirtschaft dominieren Umgang mit der Schweinegrippe

Von David Walsh und Sean South, 2. Mai 2009

Die Schweinegrippe droht globale Ausmaße anzunehmen. Es ist ein Beispiel für die katastrophalen Folgen der Unterordnung sämtlicher Aspekte des gesellschaftlichen Lebens unter den kapitalistischen Markt.