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Published by the International Committee of the Fourth International (ICFI)

28 July 2010

One day after WikiLeaks exposures of US war crimes
Congress ratifies Obama escalation of Afghanistan war

By Patrick Martin, 28 July 2010

One day after the release of 92,000 documents detailing US military atrocities in Afghanistan, the Democratic-controlled House of Representatives gave final approval to an emergency funding bill to pay for further escalation of the war.

British politicians and media dismiss WikiLeaks details of Afghanistan war crimes

By Julie Hyland, 28 July 2010

Britain’s political elite are attempting to play down the so-called Afghan War Diary—the 92,000 documents published by WikiLeaks, details of which are being serialised in the Guardian newspaper.

BP oil disaster

BP’s Hayward out, with golden parachute

By Tom Eley, 28 July 2010

BP announced that CEO Tony Hayward will be replaced by American Robert Dudley on October 1. Hayward will be given a multi-million dollar pension and a lucrative new position with a BP venture in Russia.

BP to take $10 billion tax write-off for cleanup

By Tom Eley, 28 July 2010

BP’s billions of dollars in tax write-offs in the US and UK will essentially shift the burden of paying for much of the clean-up and compensation onto the public.

Full coverage of the Gulf oil disaster »

Australia: Labor’s mental illness plan and the healthcare crisis

By Joe Lopez, SEP candidate for Swan, 28 July 2010

Yesterday’s pledge by Prime Minister Gillard to spend just $69 million more a year on suicide prevention measures underscores the government’s utter contempt for people suffering from mental illness, and points to its wider plans to cut health spending.

Indian security forces crack down on Kashmiri protests

By Arun Kumar, 28 July 2010

Demonstrations and strikes are continuing in Indian-ruled Kashmir despite the deployment of Indian troops to the state.

IMF and EU step up the pressure on Hungary

By Markus Salzmann, 28 July 2010

The International Monetary Fund and the European Union have tightened the screws on Hungary following a government decision to introduce a levy on banks and insurance companies, and delay the introduction of some of its planned austerity measures.

“Priority Schools” in Detroit: A thin disguise for charters and privatization

By Walter Gilberti, 28 July 2010

The emergency financial director of the Detroit public schools is poised to implement a sweeping reorganization of the district that will trample on the working conditions and democratic rights of teachers.

New in French

Le voyage de Merkel en Chine

Par Stefan Steinberg et Alex Lantier, 28 juillet 2010

Avec le pouvoir économique et financier des Etats-Unis en déclin, l’impérialisme allemand se tourne de plus en plus vers l’Est pour satisfaire ses besoins en matière de marché, d’énergie et de finance. C’est en cela que réside la signification du dernier voyage de la chancelière Merkel en Chine et en Russie.

New in German

Loveparade-Katastrophe: "Kein Unglück, sondern ein Verbrechen"

Von Ulrich Rippert, 28. Juli 2010

Unzählige Zeugenaussagen belegen, dass sich die Veranstalter und die politisch Verantwortlichen skrupellos über die Bedenken und Warnungen von Fachleuten hinwegsetzten.

Kriegsverbrechen aktenkundig

Von Bill Van Auken, 28. Juli 2010

Zehntausende von WikiLeaks veröffentlichte Dokumente zeichnen ein detailliertes Bild des kriminellen Kriegs der Obama-Regierung

Von der Konjunkturförderung zu Sparmaßnahmen: Eine internationale Klassenkriegspolitik

Von Barry Grey, 28. Juli 2010

Die vergangenen Monate haben eine Verschiebung in der Sozialpolitik der internationalen Bourgeoisie noch weiter nach rechts hervorgebracht, die durch eine Wende weg Konjunkturpaketen hin zu brutalen Sparmaßnahmen gekennzeichnet ist.

Bundesverwaltungsgericht segnet Überwachung von Linkspartei-Abgeordnetem ab

Von Justus Leicht, 28. Juli 2010

Das Urteil des Bundesverwaltungsgerichts ist ein Angriff auf demokratische Rechte und eine ernste Warnung. Wer Opposition zum Kapitalismus auch nur toleriert, muss damit rechnen, ins Visier des Geheimdienstes zu geraten.

Italien: Spannungen in Berlusconis Regierung

Von Marianne Arens, 28. Juli 2010

Im italienischen Regierungslager gibt es Bestrebungen, Regierungschef Berlusconi los zu werden und ihn durch den Postfaschisten Gianfranco Fini zu ersetzen.

Venezuela bricht wegen Guerilla-Vorwürfen mit Kolumbien

Von Bill Van Auken, 28. Juli 2010

Venezuelas Präsident Hugo Chavez hat die diplomatischen Beziehungen zum Nachbarland Kolumbien am Donnerstag abgebrochen. Grund war der Vorwurf der kolumbianischen Regierung, Caracas beherberge kolumbianische Guerillas auf seinem Gebiet.

Other Languages

Perspective

Australian election takes place in a ‘parallel universe’

28 July 2010

As the Australian federal election campaign enters its second week, the major political parties and corporate media, followed obediently by the Greens and “ex-left” groups, have already sharply narrowed the terms of permissible debate.

Earlier Perspectives »

Commentary

The New York Times and the Afghan documents

By Bill Van Auken, 28 July 2010

The posting by WikiLeaks of some 92,000 secret documents on the Afghanistan war has sparked comparisons with the leaking nearly 40 years ago of the Pentagon Papers, which provided a devastating exposure of US policy in the Vietnam War.

A record of war crimes

27 July 2010

The tens of thousands of documents posted online by WikiLeaks have provided a detailed, documentary portrait of the criminal war being waged by the Obama administration.

The Sherrod affair and American social reality

By David Walsh, 27 July 2010

The Shirley Sherrod affair, the case of the black US Department of Agriculture official fired July 20 because of an allegedly racist remark, is profoundly discrediting to every wing of the American establishment.

The refoundation of Spain’s United Left: A turn to the banks

By Paul Stuart and Alex Lantier, 27 July 2010

The Stalinist United Left signalled at it June congress that it was prepared to shift decisively to the right, backing the policies of social-democratic Prime Minister José Zapatero as he carries out massive austerity policies in the interests of the banks.

Report rubber-stamps bonuses
On Wall Street, crime pays very well

Socialist Equality Party (Australia) Election Campaign

Australian election: The fraud of Labor’s “Work Choices” scare campaign

By Noel Holt, SEP candidate for Newcastle, 27 July 2010

Labor’s legislation actually strengthens the anti-strike provisions of Work Choices. It outlaws all industrial action except during the limited bargaining periods for enterprise agreements at individual workplaces.

Implications of Rudd coup discussed at SEP meeting in Newcastle

By our reporter, 27 July 2010

SEP national secretary Nick Beams and Noel Holt, the SEP candidate for the federal seat of Newcastle, addressed workers, students and professionals at a well-attended meeting on Sunday.

Socialist Equality Party election meetings
The socialist alternative to austerity, social inequality and war

26 July 2010

The SEP candidates will be addressing public meetings over the next four weeks and final rallies in Melbourne and Sydney.

Full coverage of the SEP (Australia) election campaign »

Investigative Report

The social crisis in Appalachia
Part 3: Environmental disaster and private profit

By Naomi Spencer and Rosa Lexington, 27 July 2010

Reckless surface mining operations in close proximity to communities has exposed residents of the coalfields to water contamination, flash flooding, and other dangers.

“Massey has destroyed the wells and the water”
Williamson, West Virginia, residents speak to the WSWS

By a WSWS reporting team, 27 July 2010

Residents of Williamson spoke to the WSWS about declining conditions, environmental destruction, and corruption in Williamson.

Book Review

Diane Ravitch’s The Death and Life of the Great American School System
An insider’s critique of education “reform”

By Walter Gilberti and Jerry White, 27 July 2010

Diane Ravitch’s book presents a summary on the attack on public education, from its origins during the Reagan era to Obama’s Race to the Top.

Arts Review

I am Love and The Leopard: Italian cinema new and old

By Joanne Laurier, 27 July 2010

Numerous critics argue that director Luca Guadagnino’s I am Love represents something of a revival of Italian cinema, and compare the new film favorably to Luchino Visconti’s 1963 masterpiece, The Leopard.

Socialist Equality Party

SEP candidate to be placed on the ballot in Detroit

26 July 2010

SEP candidate D’Artagnan Collier, will be on the ballot for the 9th district of the Michigan state house of representatives.

SEP public meetings in New Orleans and Mobile
The Gulf oil disaster and capitalism

21 July 2010

The SEP will hold public meetings in the US Gulf Coast states of Louisiana and Alabama in early August to discuss the causes and consequences of the BP oil spill disaster.

Committee Against Utility Shutoffs (CAUS)

Michigan governor signs law witch-hunting workers for “energy theft”

Statement of the Committee Against Utility Shutoffs (CAUS), 23 July 2010

The Committee Against Utility Shutoffs (CAUS) condemns legislation signed into law by Michigan’s Democratic governor, Jennifer Granholm, sanctioning a crackdown on poor residents in Detroit and other cities for alleged “energy theft.”

Visit the CAUS web site »

25 years
50 years
75 years
100 years

25 years ago: GM, UAW deepen collaboration with Saturn car brand

On July 26, 1985, the Executive Board of the United Auto Workers (UAW) approved a new, more highly exploitative labor contract for workers to be hired at General Motors’ Saturn venture, to be based in Tennessee.

More »

50 years ago: War threat after South Korean elections

South Korea attacked a North Korean naval vessel, killing 14, on July 31, 1960, the first naval conflict since the signing of the 1953 armistice. One South Korean sailor died in the exchange. The attack came the day after the Liberal party of former South Korean dictator and US puppet Syngman Rhee suffered a stinging electoral defeat.

More »

75 years ago: New Deal establishes jobs program for unemployed writers

On July 27, 1935, President Franklin D. Roosevelt established the Federal Writers Project, one of several programs enacted under the Works Progress Administration (WPA) for the purpose of employing cultural workers. Collectively known as “Federal One,” the other cultural programs of the WPA included the Federal Theatre Project, the Federal Art Project and the Federal Music Project.

More »

100 years ago: Rupture between Spain and the Vatican

This week in 1910 Spain recalled its ambassador to the Vatican after the Holy See issued an ultimatum demanding Madrid reverse a new law granting rights to non-Catholic religious organizations.

More »

Gulf Oil Crisis

Video series: The human toll of the BP blowout

The BP blowout has devastated the economy, environment and health of the entire Gulf region. WSWS reporters C. W. Rogers and Andre Damon interviewed residents, small businessmen and environmental and health experts on the Gulf coast and compiled this video report.

Full coverage of the Gulf oil disaster »

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