World Socialist Web Site http://www.wsws.org/ The World Socialist Web Site features daily news and analysis written from a socialist perspective, and commentary on the arts, culture, history, and politics. It is published by the International Committee of the Fourth International. en Australian government instability points to worsening political crisis http://www.wsws.org/articles/2012/feb2012/gill-f10.shtml The volatile political situation has deep roots, inseparably bound up with the US-backed removal of Rudd as prime minister in 2010. IMF warning: European “storm” would halve Chinese growth http://www.wsws.org/articles/2012/feb2012/chin-f10.shtml The International Monetary Fund this week predicted that a European recession would trigger a sharp Chinese slowdown. Pentagon plans US-backed war against Syria http://www.wsws.org/articles/2012/feb2012/syri-f10.shtml The Pentagon has drawn up plans for military intervention in Syria. Sri Lanka: Military continues intimidation of SEP in Jaffna http://www.wsws.org/articles/2012/feb2012/sril-f10.shtml After banning an SEP public meeting in Jaffna, the military has intensified its threats against party members. Toronto municipal union accepts Mayor Ford’s layoff and privatization-promoting contract http://www.wsws.org/articles/2012/feb2012/toro-f10.shtml The Canadian Union of Public Employees has accepted a “framework” contract for outside municipal workers that includes virtually every item on the Toronto mayor’s concessionary agenda—beginning with the gutting of job security. The looting of the Greek working class http://www.wsws.org/articles/2012/feb2012/pers-f10.shtml The “troika” of the European Commission, the International Monetary Fund and the European Central Bank is demanding no less than the complete ruination of the Greek working class. Obama administration brokers pro-bank mortgage fraud settlement http://www.wsws.org/articles/2012/feb2012/mort-f10.shtml The terms of the agreement announced Thursday are entirely favorable to the banks, while doing little or nothing to aid the millions of people who have been devastated by the collapse of the US housing market. Young adults hardest hit by recession, US study shows http://www.wsws.org/articles/2012/feb2012/youn-f10.shtml A Pew study finds that young adults in the US are less likely to be employed than at any time since World War II. Global layoffs hit workers at GM, Nokia and Pepsico http://www.wsws.org/articles/2012/feb2012/jobs-f10.shtml A week after American Airlines announced 13,000 job cuts in the US, a new round of mass layoffs is hitting workers in the auto, food and mobile phone industries around the world. UK-Argentine tensions rise over Malvinas Islands http://www.wsws.org/articles/2012/feb2012/malv-f10.shtml On the eve of the 30th anniversary of the war between Britain and Argentina, tensions over the Malvinas Islands are rising once again. Maldives president ousted in US-backed coup http://www.wsws.org/articles/2012/feb2012/mald-f10.shtml Right-wing forces in the Maldives, aided by the military and police, have ousted President Mohamed Nasheed in a US-backed coup. France’s New Anti-capitalist Party echoes NATO propaganda against Syria http://www.wsws.org/articles/2012/feb2012/npas-f10.shtml The NPA published in January a series of articles on Syria, lining up directly with the imperialist propaganda campaign against that country. Appointment of new US ambassador heightens tensions with Russia http://www.wsws.org/articles/2012/feb2012/russ-f10.shtml The appointment of Michael McFaul as new US ambassador to Moscow has fueled fresh tensions between Washington and Moscow. Polanski’s Carnage: Not a dispute about fundamentals http://www.wsws.org/articles/2012/feb2012/carn-f10.shtml In New York City, cordiality turns to anger and chaos when two sets of parents meet to discuss an altercation between their 11-year-old sons. Bird flu scientists respond to media hysteria, suspend critical research http://www.wsws.org/articles/2012/feb2012/h5n1-f10.shtml The investigators discovered how a mutation of the deadly virus could lead to its airborne transmission between human beings. Detroit schools manager names schools to close this fall http://www.wsws.org/articles/2012/feb2012/detr-f10.shtml Sixteen Detroit school buildings were listed for closure this fall by the Detroit Public Schools emergency manager. ISO covers for New York nurses union http://www.wsws.org/articles/2012/feb2012/nurs-f10.shtml The “pseudo-left” finds a silver lining in concessions for New York nurses. Workers Struggles: Europe, Middle East & Africa http://www.wsws.org/articles/2012/feb2012/wkrs-f10.shtml The World Socialist Web Site invites workers and other readers to contribute http://www.wsws.org/wsws/dd-formmailer/dd-formmailer.php to this regular feature.