World Socialist Web Site

10 November 2009

Speculative recovery sows seeds of an even greater economic crash

By Barry Grey, 10 November 2009

The connection between soaring stock and other asset prices and a falling dollar points to the extraordinarily speculative and unstable character of what is being called a global economic recovery.

Ratification of Lisbon Treaty provokes crisis for Britain’s Conservatives

By Julie Hyland, 10 November 2009

The Czech Republic’s ratification of the European Union’s Lisbon Treaty created a political maelstrom in the UK, exposing major divisions within the Conservative Party and the crisis facing British foreign policy more broadly.

Sri Lankan government attempts to dupe voters by delaying budget

By Nanda Wickremasinghe, 10 November 2009

In the lead up to elections early next year, the Sri Lankan government has delayed the 2010 budget.

US appellate court blocks lawsuit against extraordinary rendition and torture

By John Andrews, 10 November 2009

A federal appellate court has denied Canadian citizen Maher Arar the right to sue former Attorney General John Ashcroft and other US officials responsible for his “extraordinary rendition” to Syria.

Germany: The Left Party in power implements massive job cuts

By Ludwig Weller, 10 November 2009

Following their long-standing collaboration with the SPD in Berlin, the Left Party has now entered a coalition with the SPD in the state of Brandenburg, pledging to axe thousands of public sector jobs.

Australia: Julian Moti defence closing submission outlines “oppressive and unfair” prosecution

By Patrick O’Connor, 10 November 2009

Defence counsel for former Solomon Islands’ attorney general Julian Moti issued its closing submission to the Queensland Supreme Court on Friday.

California’s Gov. Schwarzenegger backs new tax breaks for the rich

By Reem Nour and Dan Conway, 10 November 2009

The Commission on the 21st Century Economy, created by California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and members of the Democrat-controlled state legislature, has proposed an overhaul of the state’s tax code to benefit the state’s most affluent layers at the expense of the working class, professionals, and smaller businesses.

US: Experts warn of dementia risks from football injuries

By Dan Brennan, 10 November 2009

A recent survey of former professional football players indicated worrisome rates of dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, and other memory-related disease.

New in French

La signification du « changement d’allure » de l’Europe en Afghanistan

Par Chris Marsden, 10 novembre 2009

L’Union européenne a approuvé un plan d’action pour l’Afghanistan et le Pakistan en soutien à la guerre néo-coloniale menée sous la conduite des Etats-Unis

New in German

Massenmord in Fort Hood: Kollateralschaden der Kriege im Irak und in Afghanistan

Von David Walsh, 10. November 2009

Der schwere Gewaltausbruch in Texas, der dreizehn Männer und Frauen das Leben kostete und 30 weitere verwundete ist eine Folge der brutalen Kriege im Nahen Osten und in Zentralasien. Er ist eine Art "Kollateralschaden", für den das politische und militärische Establishment der USA letztlich die Verantwortung trägt.

Italienisches Gericht verurteilt US Agenten im CIA-Entführungsfall

Von Stefan Steinberg, 10. November 2009

In einer Grundsatzentscheidung mit weltweiten politischen Auswirkungen hat ein italienisches Gericht 23 amerikanische Agenten in Abwesenheit für ihre Rolle bei der Entführung des italienischen Staatsbürgers Abu Omar 2003 durch die CIA verurteilt.

Doppelmoral der US-Regierung in der Auslieferung von CIA-Agenten oder Roman Polanski

Von David Walsh, 10. November 2009

Die US-Regierung will die CIA-Agenten, die wegen Entführung und der Begünstigung von Folter verurteilt wurden, nicht nach Italien ausliefern. Ganz anders verhält sie sich im Fall des Filmregisseurs Roman Polanski.

New in Portuguese

Um ano desde a eleição de Barack Obama

Por Patrick Martin, 10 de novembro de 2009

Há um ano atrás, em 4 de novembro de 2008, Barack Obama ganhou a eleição presidencial dos EUA no que era, para todas as finalidades práticas, um recuo político. O candidato Democrata derrotou seu rival Republicano por uma margem de 10 milhões de votos, a maior vitória em mais de 50 anos. Foi vitorioso em 28 estados e seu partido, o Partido Democrata, ganhou a mais ampla maioria no congresso em 30 anos, tanto na Câmara quanto no Senado.

Taxa oficial de desemprego nos EUA atinge o maior nível em 26 anos

Por Andre Damon, 10 de novembro de 2009

A taxa oficial de desemprego nos EUA atingiu 10,2% em outubro, de acordo com o relatório apresentado na sexta-feira, dia 6, pelo Departamento do Trabalho do país. Trata-se da segunda vez apenas, desde a II Guerra Mundial, em que a taxa atinge dois dígitos. Trata-se, assim, do mais alto índice desde 1983.