27 July 2009

The specter of a police state
Bush administration considered using military to arrest “Lackawanna Six”

By Joe Kishore, 27 July 2009

Discussions over using the military to arrest six US citizens outside Buffalo, New York in 2002 were part of a concerted effort to expand presidential power and the domestic role of the Armed Forces.

Honduran military appears to back plan to restore Zelaya to office—not to power

By Rafael Azul, 27 July 2009

At Washington’s instigation, the military of Honduras has weighed in independently in support of the San José accord for restoring the country’s ousted President José Manuel Zelaya to office—though not to power.

Massive austerity measures approved by California Legislature

By Dan Conway, 27 July 2009

The California Assembly approved drastic cuts in social programs and education following an agreement between state Democrats and governor Arnold Schwarzenegger.

France: Near win for neo-fascists in Hénin-Beaumont by-election

By Antoine Lerougetel, 27 July 2009

The Front National had a near-win in the municipal by-election in Hénin-Beaumont July 5. Under conditions where masses of people see no credible alternative to the discredited Parti socialiste and the Parti Communiste Français, the FN can attract significant support.

Sri Lankan workers hard hit by export downturn

By our correspondents, 27 July 2009

The Katunayake Free Trade Zone has been badly affected by the world recession. Several factories have closed, jobs are uncertain in many other plants, and pay and working hours have been cut in most factories.

Dozens arrested in New Jersey corruption probe

By Peter Daniels, 27 July 2009

A two-year federal investigation of political corruption concluded last week with the arrest of 44 individuals in the state of New Jersey.

Minnesota balances budget on the backs of workers and the poor

By Michael Stapleton, 27 July 2009

The state of Minnesota has balanced a $4.6 billion budget deficit through cuts to healthcare, education and programs that benefit the poor.

Australian government boosts terror laws, while modifying “lexicon”

By Mike Head, 27 July 2009

While expanding the former Howard government’s “anti-terrorism” laws that the Labor Party helped introduce between 2002 and 2006, the Rudd Labor government has moved to abandon the term “war on terrorism”.

New in French

Le discours d’Obama devant la NAACP

Par Tom Eley, 27 juillet 2009

L’idée maîtresse du discours prononcé jeudi par Barack Obama devant la NAACP (l’Association nationale pour l’avancement des personnes de couleur) jeudi a été de rejeter sur la classe ouvrière afro-américaine la responsabilité de la crise sociale qui la frappe.

Réunion publique réussie du PES sri lankais à Jaffna

Par nos correspondants, 27 juillet 2009

Le Parti de l'égalité socialiste (PES) a tenu une réunion publique sur « La crise économique mondiale et l'agression impérialiste » samedi dernier à Jaffna, la capitale, sous occupation militaire, de la partie nord du Sri Lanka. Près de 60 personnes ont participé à la réunion, dont des ouvriers, paysans, étudiants, pêcheurs, enseignants et femmes au foyer.

Perspective

The German offensive in Afghanistan

27 July 2009

The German army has dramatically intensified its intervention in Afghanistan in the past few days, employing heavy weaponry for the first time.

Earlier Perspectives »

Arts Review

Brüno: Another series of pranks at everyone’s expense

By Hiram Lee, 27 July 2009

The latest film from Sacha Baron Cohen finds the comedian pranking unsuspecting victims with a new, provocative character.

Workers Struggles

Britain: Workers occupying Vestas factory ordered to court

By Paul Mitchell, 27 July 2009

Workers occupying the Vestas Blades wind turbine factory in Newport on the Isle of Wight have received a summons demanding they appear in court on Wednesday, July 29.

Video: Workers continue Vestas occupation on
Isle of Wight

27 July 2009

Workers are continuing their occupation of the Vestas Blades wind turbine factory in Newport on the Isle of Wight, England. Some 25 workers began the sit-in on July 20 to oppose the closure of the plant, which is scheduled for July 31 with the loss of over 500 jobs.supplies and force them out.

South Korea: Riot police sent to break Ssangyong occupation

By Terry Cook, 27 July 2009

Thousands of heavily-armed riot police have laid siege to Ssangyong Motor’s factory in Pyeongtaek where around 900 workers and supporters continue to occupy a major building.

CUPE leadership isolating Toronto city workers’ strike

By Carl Bronski, 27 July 2009

As the bitter strike by 24,000 Toronto municipal workers enters its sixth week, there is a growing disquiet amongst the membership.

“The union is not being responsible to its members”
Interviews with striking Toronto municipal workers

By a WSWS reporting team, 27 July 2009

As the strike has progressed, more and more workers have rejected their leadership’s gag order and spoken out, sometimes quite bitterly, about their experiences on the picket line.

Canada: Windsor city workers strike betrayed

By David Walsh, 27 July 2009

The 1,800 municipal workers in Windsor, Ontario, on strike for 101 days, were betrayed by the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE), the Canadian Auto Workers (CAW) union and the entire union apparatus in Ontario and Canada.

Bemis workers on strike in Terre Haute, Indiana

By Kristina Betinis, 27 July 2009

Over 700 workers went on strike at the Bemis manufacturing plant in Terre Haute, Indiana on July 21. It was the first strike at the plant since the 1980s.

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