World Socialist Web Site

24 June 2009

US Supreme Court issues first ruling to limit Voting Rights Act

By Patrick Martin, 24 June 2009

The 8-1 ruling by the US Supreme Court Monday on the Voting Rights Act has opened the door to gutting the most fundamental US civil rights law, whose passage in 1965 marked a watershed in the struggle against institutionalized racial discrimination.

The propaganda war against Iran

By Bill Van Auken, 24 June 2009

The US media, including its supposedly “left” representatives, is continuing a concerted propaganda campaign against Iran over allegations that the June 12 presidential election was rigged.

World Bank cuts forecast for 2009 growth

By Tom Eley, 24 June 2009

On Monday, the World Bank released a report revising downward its estimates of global economic activity for the coming years.

Sri Lankan Tamil detainees give eye-witness accounts

By our correspondents, 24 June 2009

Despite claims by the Sri Lankan government that Tamil detainees would be resettled within six months, permanent internment facilities are being constructed. Eye-witnesses have given the WSWS accounts of the appalling conditions in the camps and the military’s shelling of civilians during the final stages of the war.

Washington DC: Nine killed, scores injured in subway accident

By Jeff Lassahn, 24 June 2009

Two subway trains violently collided in Washington DC Monday night, killing nine and injuring dozens more.

How France’s petty-bourgeois “left” betrays workers
The experience of Goodyear and Continental

By Pierre Mabut and Antoine Lerougetel, 24 June 2009

France’s “far left” parties are supporting redundancy packages organised by the trade unions in manufacturing industries hit by the global economic crisis.

Coal mine blast in Indonesia kills at least 32

By Carol Divjak, 24 June 2009

A gas explosion at a coal mine in the Sawahlunto district of West Sumatra on June 16 killed at least 32 people. The tragedy is the outcome of the appalling safety standards that prevail in much of the Indonesian mining industry.

Australia: Rudd reshuffles cabinet in response to economic crisis

By Patrick O’Connor, 24 June 2009

The most prominent personnel to be brought forward, from both the left and right factions, are ruthless and tested defenders of big business from the Labor and trade union bureaucracies.

Spain: Immigrant worker claims boss threw his severed arm in bin

By Vicky Short, 24 June 2009

A Bolivian immigrant worker in Spain has accused bakery bosses of throwing his severed arm into a rubbish bin.

New York: Behind the tragic death of a social worker

By Tony Bell, 24 June 2009

The tragic slaying of a social worker at a Buffalo, New York, youth home has triggered a wave of law-and-order rhetoric from local politicians and media.

Detroit City Council member under investigation for corruption

By Jack Cody, 24 June 2009

Monica Conyers is under investigation by the FBI for allegedly taking more than $6,000 in bribes in exchange for her support on a sludge contract.

University of California faces scandal over chancellors

By Oliver Richards, 24 June 2009

Among a number of recently hired high-paid chancellors is one who has been linked in media reports to the special admission of well-connected students at the University of Illinois.

New in German

Wahlparteitag der Linkspartei
Lafontaine wärmt alte reformistische Konzepte auf

Von Peter Schwarz, 24. Juni 2009

Die Linkspartei will in Thüringen und im Saarland mitregieren. Das reichte aus, um die Programmdebatte zum Verstummen zu bringen.

Iran:
Straßenproteste lassen nach - aber im Regime nehmen Konflikte zu

Von Bill Van Auken, 24. Juni 2009

Zwar haben die Massenproteste wegen der staatlichen Unterdrückung nachgelassen, aber das herrschende Establishment des Iran bleibt gespalten.

Nordkoreanische Nuklearkrise erreicht neues Stadium

Von John Chan, 24. Juni 2009

Eine UN-Sicherheitsratsresolution vom letzten Freitag, die schärfere Sanktionen gegen Nordkorea verhängte, und die Drohungen Pjöngjangs zeigen, dass die Krise auf der koreanischen Halbinsel in eine gefährlichere Phase eingetreten ist.

New in French

La France offre une protection nucléaire aux Emirats arabes unis

Par Peter Schwarz, 24 juin 2009

Le 26 mai, la France a ouvert sa propre base militaire à Abou Dhabi. A présent, le quotidien français Le Figaro rapporte que Paris a fourni des garanties aux Emirats arabes unis de les défendre « avec tous les moyens militaires » c’est-à-dire également avec le recours à l’arme nucléaire.

Plus d’un milliard de personnes dans le monde souffrent de la faim en 2009

Par Joe Kishore, 24 juin 2009

L’humanité parviendra cette année à obtenir la distinction douteuse d’avoir plus d’un milliard de membres de son espèce à souffrir de la faim pour la première fois de l’histoire.

La loi Bachelot poursuit la destruction du système de santé français

Par Francis Dubois, 24 juin 2009

La loi de réforme de la santé en discussion au Parlement depuis plusieurs mois et votée par le Sénat le 5 juin contient une multitude de mesures disparates touchant de nombreux aspects en rapport avec la santé, mais ses principales mesures visent à réduire les dépenses et à permettre au secteur privé de se développer.

New in Spanish

El jefe del Estado Mayor estadounidense prevé que las ocupaciones estadounidenses de Iraq y Afganistán continuarán durante una década

Por Bill Van Auken, 24 Junio 2009

El jefe del Estado Mayor del ejército estadounidense, el general George Casey, afirmó esta semana que los militares estadounidenses se están preparando para continuar sus intervenciones en Iraq y Afganistán al menos durante otra década.

Gobierno Peruano deroga decretos para explotar la Amazonía

Por Luis Arce, 24 Junio 2009

Ante la protesta masiva dirigida por los pueblos indígenas, el gobierno del Presidente Alan García y el parlamento peruano derogaron dos decretos llamados a abrir la explotación de los vastos recursos naturales amazónicos a manos de la transnacionales.