22 October 2009

Karzai bows to US pressure on Afghanistan runoff

By Patrick Martin, 22 October 2009

In an action that was as predictable—and as degrading—as a serf prostrating himself before his master, the president of Afghanistan, Hamid Karzai, bowed to relentless pressure from the Obama administration and agreed Tuesday to a runoff election.

US Fed Chairman Bernanke demands austerity

By Barry Grey, 22 October 2009

In remarks Monday to a conference on Asia and the global economic crisis Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke called for austerity policies to rein in US budget deficits and the ballooning national debt.

Iran makes significant concession to defuse nuclear standoff

By Peter Symonds, 22 October 2009

A draft agreement was finalised yesterday to ship Iran’s low-enriched uranium to Russia and France for processing into fuel for its Tehran research reactor.

Sun Microsystems to cut 10 percent of workforce

By Andre Damon, 22 October 2009

Sun Microsystems, maker of servers and database software, announced plans Tuesday to lay off 3,000 people ahead of its merger with Oracle Corp.

India: Official corruption and negligence tied to 34 deaths in firecracker explosion

By K. Sundaram, Sasi Kumar, and Arun Kumar, 22 October 2009

Thirty-four people perished last Friday in a massive explosion and fire at an unlicensed firecracker store and warehouse in Pallipattu, Tamil Nadu. The WSWS interviewed family members of some of the victims.

US college tuition skyrockets

By Tom Eley, 22 October 2009

A new study reveals sharp college tuition increases across the US in the 2009-2010 academic year.

Germany: Armed Forces memorial unveiled in Berlin

By Bernd Reinhardt, 22 October 2009

Leading political and military circles in Germany are conducting a systematic campaign to revive militarism.

Bernard Kerik jailed on eve of corruption trial
Former head of NYPD, Homeland Security nominee

By Bill Van Auken, 22 October 2009

Bernard Kerik faced an inevitable outcome of his career in law enforcement and the “war on terror” Tuesday, being thrown into jail by a New York federal judge.

The British National Party and “Question Time”

By Julie Hyland, 22 October 2009

Media lawyers this week rejected a warning by Welsh Secretary Peter Hain that the British Broadcasting Corporation could face legal action if it allowed Nick Griffin, leader of the British National Party, to appear on its flagship “Question Time” programme, scheduled for this evening.

Australia: Five men convicted of terrorist “conspiracy”

By Mike Head, 22 October 2009

Following one of the longest jury deliberations ever recorded—23 days—five Sydney Islamic men were convicted last week on terrorist “conspiracy” charges.

Norwegian election dominated by debates over oil fund

By Jordan Shilton, 22 October 2009

On October 13, Norway’s re-elected coalition government led by Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg announced its 2010 budget amid claims that the country had weathered the global economic downturn.

New in German

 

Europäische Trotzkisten gedenken des 70. Jahrestags des Zweiten Weltkriegs

Von unserem Korrespondenten, 22. Oktober 2009

Am 11. Oktober führten die europäischen Sektionen des Internationalen Komitees der Vierten Internationale in London eine gemeinsame Veranstaltung über die Lehren aus dem Zweiten Weltkrieg durch.

 

Lehnt die von Ford und UAW geforderten Zugeständnisse ab!
Wählt Basiskomitees zur Verteidigung von Arbeitsplätzen und Lebensbedingungen!

Erklärung der amerikanischen Socialist Equality Party, 22. Oktober 2009

Die amerikanische Automobilarbeitergewerkschaft UAW hat mit dem Autokonzern Ford weitgehende Zugeständnisse vereinbart, über die die Belegschaften in dieser Woche abstimmen. Die Socialist Equality Party ruft in dem folgenden Flugblatt dazu auf, die Vereinbarung abzulehnen.

Die Politisierung des britischen Militärs

Von Chris Marsden, 22. Oktober 2009

Der britische General Sir Richard Dannatt, bis vor kurzem der Chef der Armee, hat bekanntgegeben, dass er auf den Bänken der Konservativen im House of Lords Platz nehmen und sich einer zukünftigen Tory-Regierung anschließen werde. Das ist ein sehr deutlicher Ausdruck der Politisierung des Militärs in Großbritannien.

New in Spanish

 

Capitalism: A Love Story, de Michael Moore

Por Joanne Laurier y David Walsh, 22 Octubre 2009

En su ultimo documental, el veterano director de cine Michael Moore se propone analizar el reciente colapso financiero. Su objetivo, nos sugiere, es una crítica del actual entramado económico.

New in French

Le moral des troupes américaines et britanniques en Afghanistan s'effrite

Par James Cogan, 22 octobre 2009

Ce mois-ci a vu plusieurs reportages traitant du front afghan qui laissaient entrevoir combien la démoralisation gagnait les troupes américaines et britanniques là-bas pour tuer et se faire tuer au service d'une occupation néo-coloniale.

Plus d’un milliard de personnes souffrent de la faim

Par Tom Eley, 21 octobre 2009

Deux organismes des Nations Unies ont rapporté mercredi que plus d’un milliard de personnes souffriront de sous-alimentation en 2009, soit une augmentation d’environ 100 millions de personnes en un an.

Perspective

The great unmentionable

22 October 2009

The past week has seen a proliferation of worried comments from liberal supporters of Obama on the state of social and political relations in the United States.

Earlier Perspectives »

Commentary

The “Balloon Boy” hoax, celebrity culture, and the American media

By Hiram Lee, 22 October 2009

The “Balloon Boy” hoax has been the subject of wall-to-wall coverage by the major US news networks. Yet another episode in which an unhealthy celebrity culture and media sensationalism have revealed themselves.

Workers Struggles

France: CGT’s industrial policy means workers will pay for the crisis

By Pierre Mabut and Antoine Lerougetel, 22 October 2009

The French General Confederation of Labour national day of action, in collaboration with the Sarkozy government, is an attempt to deal with the economic crisis at the expense of the working class.

Los Angeles city unions back concessions agreement

By Dan Conway, 22 October 2009

The Los Angeles Coalition of City Unions has agreed to a Memorandum of Understanding with the city that will destroy jobs and reduce wages.

Britain: Postal workers face a political struggle against Labour government

Statement by the Socialist Equality Party, 20 October 2009

Postal workers confront a coordinated campaign to defeat their strike in defence of jobs and conditions, drawn up and executed by Royal Mail and the Labour government.

Correspondence

Letters from our readers

22 October 2009

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

•••••

Videos and Images

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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
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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
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GM workers on bankruptcy and plant closings MI auto vid
Michigan auto workers and families speak on plant closures GM vid
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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
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Over 100,000 demonstrate in London against Sri Lankan war Joanne
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Bay City, Michigan residents speak on death from utility shut-off London protesters speak to the WSWS
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London demonstrators protest Israeli assault on Gaza Chrysler workers denounce pay cuts
Chrysler workers denounce pay cuts Griffiths and Walsh
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