15 October 2009

More than 1 billion hungry, UN agencies report

By Tom Eley, 15 October 2009

More than 1 billion people will go hungry in 2009, two UN agencies reported on Wednesday, an increase of over 100 million people in one year.

Afghan election crisis enters new stage

By James Cogan, 15 October 2009

Two months after voting took place, matters are coming to a head. A decision has to be made over the fate of Washington’s puppet government in Kabul.

Britain: Brown’s £16 billion asset sale a vain effort to appease big business

By Julie Hyland, 15 October 2009

Prime Minister Gordon Brown unveiled an “asset sale” worth £16 billion on Monday.

Solidarity meetings in Germany for dismissed shop worker
An interview with Emmely

By Marius Hauser, 15 October 2009

Last weekend a series of solidarity meetings were held across Germany for the shop worker Emmely, who was sacked for allegedly pocketing bottle coupons with a value of €1.30.

Mexican government closes electric utility, sacks 44,000 workers

By Rafael Azul, 15 October 2009

Earning praise from Mexico’s financial sector and Wall Street, President Felipe Calderón ordered the sudden liquidation of Mexico’s Luz y Fuerza del Centro public electrical utility, wiping out the jobs of 44,000 workers.

Norwegian pension fund breaks silence on Volkswagen-Porsche takeover scandal

By Patrick Richter, 15 October 2009

Volkswagen is rescuing the oligarch clan Piëch/Porsche from its failed speculation and giving it more than €4.5 billion.

Swedish government to provide backing to Saab sale

By Jordan Shilton, 15 October 2009

Sweden’s right-wing Alliance government announced on October 7 that it would provide support to the bid of the Koenigsegg Group to take over automaker Saab.

Australia: Contradictory witness testimonies in Julian Moti hearing

By Patrick O’Connor, 15 October 2009

The Queensland Supreme Court resumed hearings yesterday on the application by former Solomon Islands’ attorney general Julian Moti, for a permanent stay of proceedings in the attempt by Australian prosecuting authorities to try him on charges relating to statutory rape allegations that were discharged by a Vanuatu magistrate in 1998.

New in French

Huit ans après l'invasion

Par Bill Van Auken,15 octobre 2009

Huit ans après l'invasion américaine de l'Afghanistan, la Maison blanche d'Obama et le Pentagone sont engagés dans un débat animé sur la question de savoir s'il faut envoyer 40 000 soldats supplémentaires dans une tentative de sauver une intervention qui n'a réussi qu'à intensifier la résistance à l'occupation sous commandement américain.

New in German

           

US-Kommandeur will noch 60.000 Soldaten mehr nach Afghanistan schicken

Von Tom  Eley, 15. Oktober 2009

General Stanley McChrystal, Oberbefehlshaber in Afghanistan, fordert offenbar noch weit mehr zusätzliche US-Soldaten als die 40.000, die Barack Obama bisher in der Öffentlichkeit genannt hat.

 

Die Linkspartei und das Primat der Wirtschaft
Berliner Senat setzt drastischen Sparhaushalt durch

Von Andy Niklaus, 15. Oktober 2009

Seit fast neun Jahren unterstützt die Linksartei im Berliner Senat ein Sparprogramm nach den anderen und unterwirft sich dem Diktat der Wirtschaft.

 

Srilankischer Präsident erfindet "internationale Verschwörung"

Von Vilani Peiris, 15. Oktober 2009

Der srilankische Präsident Rajapakse spielt sich als Gegner der Großmächte auf. Gleichzeitig will er es sich mit den "ausländischen Mächten, die die Ehre der srilankischen Armee in den Dreck ziehen", nicht verderben.

Perspective

A record year for Wall Street pay

15 October 2009

According to the Wall Street Journal, the major US banks and financial firms are on track to hand out a record $140 billion in compensation this year.

Earlier Perspectives »

Commentary

“Obama’s War”: A glimpse of US debacle in Afghanistan

By Bill Van Auken, 15 October 2009

“Obama’s War,” the hour-long television documentary aired on “Frontline” Tuesday, provides a telling glimpse of the debacle facing the US intervention in Afghanistan, but no real explanation of why the war is being fought.

Workers Struggles

Sri Lanka: Plantation employers drive up productivity under union agreement

By our correspondents, 15 October 2009

The character of the recent collective agreement imposed by the plantation unions on workers has been quickly exposed as companies exploit its productivity clauses to boost profits and undermine the nominal wage rise.

Sri Lanka PhotoPhoto essay
A day in the life of a Sri Lankan plantation worker

15 October 2009

The following images which provide a glimpse into the harsh conditions of life and work confronting Sri Lankan tea workers were taken by photojournalist Shantan Kumarasamy during a recent visit to the Nuwara Eliya District, about 125 kilometres from Colombo.

News Feature

The American way of debt: Turning a profit by preying on the poor

By Nancy Hanover, 14 October 2009

A section of business has turned the growth of poverty into a gold mine. Standing behind the big banks are several layers of an increasingly complex and parasitic finance industry. At the bottom are the collection agencies, the scavengers who relentlessly pursue individual workers.

Correspondence

Letters from our readers

15 October 2009

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

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Videos and Images

50,000 line up for housing assistance in Detroit
50,000 line up for housing assistance in Detroit ISSE members speak on education cuts at rally
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
Funeral for Michigan man frozen following utility shut-off Montserrat
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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