World Socialist Web Site

2 July 2009

US seeks deal between Honduran coup leaders and deposed president

By Barry Grey, 2 July 2009

The standoff between deposed Honduran President Manuel Zelaya and the “interim government” installed by the military intensified Wednesday, following resolutions passed by the UN General Assembly and the OAS condemning the coup and demanding Zelaya’s reinstatement.

US credit card companies jack up rates 

By Andre Damon, 2 July 2009

US credit card companies are raising rates for borrowers behind on their payments, as default rates have hit a record high.

Shooting near a Detroit school injures seven youths

By Walter Gilberti and Joe Kishore, 2 July 2009

Tuesday’s tragic shooting on Detroit’s west side highlights the social decay of the poorest large city in the United States.

Corrupt election campaign unfolds in US-occupied Afghanistan

By James Cogan, 2 July 2009

Amid the chorus of denunciations in US and European ruling circles over the alleged theft of the Iranian elections, the Obama administration and its NATO allies are presiding over an election campaign in Afghanistan that is as corrupt as it is illegitimate.

Governor of Bank of England warns government on debt

By Chris Talbot, 2 July 2009

Governor of the Bank of England Mervyn King has publicly warned the Brown Labour government that “the truly extraordinary” level of UK public debt must be brought down rapidly.

Australia: Global institutions tell Rudd government to cut spending

By Mike Head, 2 July 2009

Warning of continuing “weak” and “fragile” conditions in the Australian and world economy, global financial institutions have insisted that the Rudd government must make deep spending cuts in coming years to pay off mounting debts.

Britain: Glasgow primary schools blockaded and occupied by parents

By Steve James, 2 July 2009

Parents, children, their friends and supporters have blockaded two Glasgow primary schools scheduled for closure.

New in German

Die USA und der Putsch in Honduras

Von Alex Lantier, 2. Juli 2009

Zelaya wurde gestürzt, weil der konservative Flügel der Bourgeoisie in Honduras seinen Populismus als Bedrohung empfand, und weil die Vereinigten Staaten ihn für ihre strategischen Interessen in Lateinamerika und in der Karibik für gefährlich hielten.

Kriegsgeflüster
Bundeswehr soll in Afghanistan offensiver vorgehen

Von Marius Heuser, 2. Juli 2009

Während deutsche Soldaten in Afghanistan laut Bundeswehrangaben bisher angehalten wurden, auf Gefahren defensiv zu reagieren, sollen sie jetzt den Kampf mit den Gegnern der Besatzung suchen.

Joschka Fischer wird Berater des Nabucco-Pipeline-Projekts

Von Ulrich Rippert, 2. Juli 2009

Fischer soll das Nabucco-Projekt beschleunigen, das neben der EU auch von der amerikanischen Regierung unterstützt wird und – unter Umgehung Russlands – Erdgas aus der kaspischen Region nach Europa bringen soll.

New in French

La mort de Michael Jackson

Par David Walsh, 2 juillet 2009

La mort du chanteur Michael Jackson à l’âge de 50 ans est véritablement attristante, sans être toutefois une très grande surprise. Ce ne serait pas commettre une injustice envers les cadres de l’industrie musicale, une couche réputée pour son comportement prédateur, que de supposer que la mort de Jackson fut immédiatement perçue dans certains milieux comme une occasion en or d’améliorer les ventes de disques.