World Socialist Web Site

30 July 2009

US-China talks: a fragile relationship

By John Chan, 30 July 2009

The US-China Strategic and Economic Dialogue in Washington highlighted the dependence of heavily-indebted US capitalism on China as a major source of financing. At the same time, the forum revealed the increasingly conflicting strategic and economic interests of the two countries.

Obama, Congress back deeper attacks on health care for workers

By Barry Grey, 30 July 2009

The corporate response to the erosion of popular support for the Obama health care plan has been to campaign more energetically for its adoption and urge quick action by the Senate Finance Committee.

Iraqi prime minister: US forces can stay after 2011

By James Cogan, 30 July 2009

Maliki made explicit that the so-called December 2011 “deadline” for the withdrawal of all American forces from Iraq was not worth the paper it was written on.

Dozens of Haitian immigrants drown off Turks and Caicos

By David Walsh, 30 July 2009

In the largest tragedy involving Haitian refugees at sea in several years, dozens of people remain missing after a boat on which they were traveling broke up on a reef near the Caribbean islands of Turks and Caicos.

California governor imposes new cuts in social programs

By Alfonso Santana and Joe Kishore, 30 July 2009

California governor Arnold Schwarzenegger signed a budget on Tuesday, using his veto to impose more draconian cuts on top of the $15 billion already agreed by the state legislature.

Pennsylvania state workers go without pay

By Samuel Davidson, 30 July 2009

Due to the state budget crisis, 44,000 Pennsylvania state workers received only two days pay last Friday for a pay period covering two weeks.

Obama’s Homeland Security chief invokes “terror threat”

By Bill Van Auken, 30 July 2009

In a speech Wednesday, Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano echoed the terror warnings of her Republican predecessors while making clear that little has changed in the department since the Bush administration.

Cuba: more cuts in public spending announced

By Carlos del Rocío, 30 July 2009

In a message to the Cuban nation on the 56th anniversary of the assault on the Moncada Barracks, President Raúl Castro announced a second major cut in public spending.

German government contemplates Opel insolvency

By Dietmar Henning, 30 July 2009

The German government is eager to give the impression it is working on a “socially compatible solution” for Opel, but evidence is emerging that the government is intent on allowing the auto company to go bankrupt.

New in German

Obamas Krankenversicherung - ein klarer Rückschritt

Von Kate Randall und Barry Grey, 30. Juli 2009

In einem ganzseitigen Leitartikel vom Sonntag unter dem Titel "Die Gesundheitsreform und Du" versucht die New York Times Obamas Pläne, die Kosten zu senken und die Versorgung zu verschlechtern, als Wohltat für die amerikanische Bevölkerung zu verkaufen.

Wer ist Klaus Franz?
Ein Blick auf Herkunft und Tätigkeit des Opel-Gesamtbetriebsratsvorsitzenden

Von Marianne Arens, 30. Juli 2009

Klaus Franz, Leiter des Gesamtbetriebsrats und zweiter Aufsichtsratsvorsitzender von Opel, ist typischer Vertreter einer gesellschaftlichen Schicht, die sich in den siebziger Jahren sehr radikal gebärdete und seit einiger Zeit eine scharfe Rechtsentwicklung vollzieht.

Islands Parlament beschließt, die Mitgliedschaft in der Europäischen Union zu beantragen

Von Jordan Shilton, 30. Juli 2009

Das isländische Parlament beschloss, die Aufnahme in die EU zu beantragen. Gleichwohl sind damit die der Finanzkrise geschuldeten Probleme in keiner Weise gelöst.

New in French

L’offensive allemande en Afghanistan

Par Ulrich Rippert, 30 juillet 2009

L’armée allemande a considérablement renforcé ses interventions en Afghanistan au cours de ces quelques derniers jours, utilisant de l’armement lourd pour la première fois.

Le premier ministre japonais dissout le Parlement et fixe la date des élections

Par Peter Symonds, 30 juillet 2009

Le LDP au pouvoir est derrière le Parti démocratique du Japon (DPJ) d'opposition dans les sondages et risque de voir la fin de 53 années de pouvoir quasi-ininterrompu.