10 October 2009

US Afghanistan commander requested as many as 60,000 more soldiers

By Tom Eley, 10 October 2009

The top-end request for an increase in US troop levels in Afghanistan presented to President Obama by Gen. Stanley McChrystal is substantially larger than the 40,000 previously reported, according to anonymous government sources.

US builds “coalition of like-minded nations” against Iran

By Peter Symonds, 10 October 2009

While the US is publicly backing continued international talks with Iran over its nuclear programs, preparations are continuing apace for the imposition of draconian new penalties should Tehran fail to meet American demands.

In wake of IMF meeting
Dollar plunge highlights fault lines in global economic “recovery”

By Barry Grey, 10 October 2009

The US dollar fell to a 14-month low against other currencies Thursday, capping several days of downward volatility in the immediate aftermath of the semi-annual meetings of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank, held in Istanbul.

Britain’s Conservatives outline plans for an “age of austerity”

By Chris Marsden, 10 October 2009

The Conservatives’ annual conference saw the party campaigning to win power in next year’s General Election with a message directed to the wealthy and the business elite.

Sri Lanka: The JVP and the executive presidency

By K. Ratnayake, 10 October 2009

The JVP’s call for the abolition of the executive presidency is a desperate attempt to divert attention from its support for President Rajapakse and his war, its backing for state repression particularly of Tamils, and its lack of any policies to address the deepening social and economic crisis facing the majority of working people.

Ten thousand unemployed apply for 90 jobs in Louisville, Kentucky

By Hiram Lee, 10 October 2009

Ten thousand workers rushed this week to apply for 90 job opening at a Louisville, Kentucky General Electric plant.

New in German

           

Der Fall des Cap-Anamur-Präsidenten Elias Bierdel und seiner Crew
Vor Gericht, weil sie Flüchtlingen das Leben retteten

Von Stefan Steinberg, 10. Oktober 2009

Ein Gericht in Sizilien sprach den ehemaligen Präsidenten von Cap Anamur, Elias Bierdel, und zwei seiner Mitarbeiter frei. Sie hatten afrikanische Einwanderer aus einem Boot gerettet, mit dem diese im Mittelmeer in Seenot geraten waren.

 

New York Times wärmt Fälschungen über Irans Atomprogramm auf

Von Peter Symonds, 10. Oktober 2009

Die Verbreitung von Halbwahrheiten und Fälschungen über das iranische Atomprogramm erreichten vergangenes Wochenende eine neue Stufe.

 

IG Metall stimmt Tausenden Entlassungen in der Druckmaschinenindustrie zu

Von Gustav Kemper, 10. Oktober 2009

Tausende von Arbeitsplätzen bei den weltgrößten Herstellern von Druckmaschinen, der Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG (HDM) und Manroland, werden vernichtet, wenn die von den Banken geplante Fusion der beiden Firmen verwirklicht wird.

 

Rumänien: Generalstreik vertieft politische Krise

Von Markus Salzmann, 10. Oktober 2009

In Rumänien sind am Montag rund 800.000 Angestellte des Öffentlichen Dienstes in einen eintägigen Generalstreik getreten. Zahlreiche Ämter, Behörden und Schulen blieben geschlossen. Krankenhäuser behandelten nur Notfälle. Am Mittwoch protestierten erneut etwa 15.000 Beamte und Angestellte in Bukarest und brachten den Verkehr in der Hauptstadt für Stunden zum Erliegen.

 

Schäbiges Komplott verfolgt Filmemacher Roman Polanski

Von David Walsh, 10. Oktober 2009

Die Verleumdungskampagne gegen Roman Polanski wird zum Kristallisationspunkt für Künstler, Intellektuelle, Nonkonformisten und so genannte "Hollywood-Liberale". Sie alle fordern, dass der Regisseur, der zurzeit in der Schweiz inhaftiert ist, in die USA ausgeliefert werde.

New in French

Tensions entre la Maison-Blanche et l’armée à propos de l’Afghanistan

Par Patrick Martin, 10 octobre 2009

Les tensions croissantes entre des sections de l’état-major et l’administration Obama ont éclaté au grand jour dans le conflit opposant le commandant en chef en Afghanistan, le général Stanley McChrystal, et la Maison-Blanche.

Perspective

The Nobel War Prize

10 October 2009

The awarding of the Nobel Peace Prize to Barack Obama, an American president who is presiding over two wars and preparing to escalate the US intervention in Afghanistan, has provoked astonishment around the globe.

Earlier Perspectives »

Arts Review

Toronto International Film Festival 2009—Part 4
More human (and artistic) problems

By David Walsh, 10 October 2009

Where are the extraordinary and captivating film dramas, and comedies, that go to the heart of our time?

Toronto International Film Festival 2009
An interview with Asli Özge, director of Men on the Bridge

By David Walsh, 10 October 2009

Asli Özge is the director of Men on the Bridge, a Turkish film screened at the recent Toronto film festival. We spoke during the festival.

The sordid coalition pursuing filmmaker Roman Polanski

By David Walsh, 8 October 2009

The effort to vilify film director Roman Polanski and have him extradited to the United States has become the rallying point for a broader campaign against “Hollywood liberals,” intellectuals, artists, and non-conformists of all sorts.

Obituary

Mercedes Sosa, 1935-2009

By D. Lencho,
10 October 2009

Latin American music lost one of its greatest exponents with the death of Argentinean singer Mercedes Sosa last Sunday. The singer’s career, which spanned over five decades, came to fruition during one of the most critical periods in the continent’s history.

Socialist Equality Party

Sri Lanka: Vote SEP in the Southern Provincial Council election

Statement of the Socialist Equality Party (Sri Lanka) , 9 October 2009

The SEP calls on workers, farmers and youth in the Galle district to vote for its slate of candidates in the Southern Provincial Council elections on Saturday.

Political Statements

The socialist answer to unemployment and poverty

9 October 2009

Wednesday’s lineup of tens of thousands of people seeking housing assistance in Detroit is one of those events that suddenly reveals the social reality in America that is ignored and concealed by the media and the political establishment.

Video

Video: Tens of thousands line up for housing assistance in Detroit

8 October 2009

Tens of thousands of Detroit residents lined up at the city’s Cobo complex for a chance to get financial assistance against evictions and utility shutoffs.

Workers Struggles

Workers Struggles:
Asia, Australia and the Pacific

10 October 2009

The World Socialist Web Site invites workers and other readers to contribute to this regular feature.

Correspondence

Letters from our readers

10 October 2009

A selection of recent letters sent to the World Socialist Web Site.

•••••

Videos and Images

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ISSE members speak on education cuts at rally Detroit residents speak on utility bills, social crisis
Detroit residents speak on utility bills, social crisis OU video
Michigan’s Oakland University faculty strike has student support Detroit teachers denounce pay cuts
Detroit teachers denounce pay cuts D'Art
Detroit city workers oppose concessions, layoffs Interviews at Los Angeles health care clinic
Interviews at Los Angeles health care clinic Workers continue Vestas occupation on Isle of Wight
Workers continue Vestas occupation on Isle of Wight A conversation with Windsor municipal workers
A conversation with Windsor municipal workers New York City workers speak against cuts in healthcare and social services
NYC workers speak against cuts in social services Flint vid
Flint, Michigan and the bankruptcy of General Motors MI auto vid
GM workers on bankruptcy and plant closings MI auto vid
Michigan auto workers and families speak on plant closures GM vid
GM workers speak out on concessions contract Protesting students and parents speak to the WSWS
Protesting students and parents speak to the WSWS Chrysler workers speak on concessions vote
Chrysler workers speak on concessions vote UK Visteon workers speak on occupation
UK Visteon workers speak on occupation GM and Chrysler workers oppose more concessions
GM and Chrysler workers oppose more concessions Chrysler workers oppose Obama auto plan
Chrysler workers oppose Obama auto plan
WSWS interviews G20 protesters in London Donovan
Pontiac residents speak on schools crisis Detroit jobs fair
Workers interviewed at Detroit jobs fair
Ford workers: “Now the fight is with our own union.” GM workers videoGM workers denounce concession demands Chrysler workers oppose cuts
Chrysler workers oppose pay cuts, concession demands London demonstration against Sri Lankan war
Over 100,000 demonstrate in London against Sri Lankan war Joanne
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Exposing Franco's mass graves Bay City, Mich.: “Shutting somebody's electricity off in the dead of winter is criminal”
Bay City, Michigan residents speak on death from utility shut-off London protesters speak to the WSWS
WSWS interviews London protesters London demonstrators protest Israeli assault on Gaza
London demonstrators protest Israeli assault on Gaza Chrysler workers denounce pay cuts
Chrysler workers denounce pay cuts Griffiths and Walsh
The Writer and Revolution: A conversation with Trevor Griffiths

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