World News
Syrian army, Iran threaten counterattack against Turkish invasion of Syria
By Alex Lantier, 14 October 2019
A large-scale Middle East war could strangle the world's oil supply and escalate into a war between nuclear-armed powers. The working class is coming face to face with the real possibility of a Third World War.
Mack Truck, copper miners, Chicago teachers, gig economy workers
Spreading strike wave shows potential for GM workers to expand struggle to Ford and Fiat-Chrysler
By Jerry White, 14 October 2019
If the month-long strike is to be won, autoworkers must take the fight into their own hands, end the isolation imposed by the UAW, and fight for an industry-wide shutdown.
“It’s like the UAW is management:” GM strikers speak out as union moves towards sellout
By Tom Hall, 14 October 2019
Reporting teams for the World Socialist Web Site Autoworker Newsletter spoke to striking GM workers throughout Southeast Michigan over the weekend, as news emerged that the UAW is preparing to move towards a tentative agreement to shut down the four-week strike and enforce concessions.
As GM strike enters fifth week, Mack Truck-Volvo workers launch first strike in more than 35 years
By Nick Barrickman, 14 October 2019
The two American automotive strikes are part of an international movement of the working class against austerity, including 70,000 auto parts workers in Mexico and rolling strikes at GM’s South Korean plants.
Large Berlin solidarity protests against anti-Semitism and right-wing terrorism.
By our reporters, 14 October 2019
This weekend’s protests underscored, once again, the widespread opposition that exists to the return of fascism in Germany.
Wildfires and forced blackouts lead to multiple deaths in California
By Evan Blake, 14 October 2019
In total, Pacific Gas and Electric cut power to over 700,000 homes or businesses in two phases last Wednesday and Thursday, likely equivalent to over two million people.
Mass arrests continue in London and other cities in global Extinction Rebellion protests
By Robert Stevens, 14 October 2019
By Sunday afternoon, police had arrested 1,309 protesters in London, more than were arrested in the first wave of demonstrations in April.
Nationalists win parliamentary elections in Kosovo
By Markus Salzmann, 14 October 2019
The turnout of just 44 percent shows that the majority of the population rejects the policies of the narrow layer that runs the country.
Trump backs China’s handling of Hong Kong protests
By Peter Symonds, 14 October 2019
Trump’s comments demonstrate that US imperialism, far from defending democratic rights, cynically and selectively exploits “human rights” as the means for prosecuting its own interests.
Conflict erupts over European Central Bank’s return to “quantitative easing”
By Nick Beams, 14 October 2019
According to initial reports of the September meeting, as many as nine members of the 25-member governing council opposed the ECB's decision to return to “quantitative easing.”
Two dead, one missing after hotel worksite collapses in New Orleans
By Aaron Murch, 14 October 2019
The area remains under evacuation, with at least 100 people being forced from their nearby homes due to the danger of further collapses.
Four homeless men murdered in New York City’s Chinatown
By Owen Mullan and Sandy English, 14 October 2019
The tragic incident, involving six of the poorest people in the United States, is a product of the city’s social decay, the most unequal large American city.
NDP advocates spending tens of billions on Canada’s military
By Roger Jordan, 14 October 2019
Canada’s social democrats are full-throated supporters of the Trudeau Liberal government’s plans to buy new fleets of warships and fighter jets.
M.I.A. visits Julian Assange in prison: “It’s about truth—and that’s something people have to uphold and fight for”
By Laura Tiernan, 14 October 2019
Speaking at a press conference outside Belmarsh late Saturday afternoon, M.I.A.—Sri Lankan-born Mathangi ‘Maya’ Arulpragasam—condemned Assange’s tormentors, indicting the US and UK governments, the courts and the corporate media.
Prominent Australian parliamentarian declares extradition of Julian Assange to US “totally unreasonable”
By James Cogan, 14 October 2019
Barnaby Joyce admitted this morning that the attempt to extradite Assange is a flagrant attack on his rights as an Australian citizen.
Protest in New Zealand six months after Assange’s arrest
By our reporters, 14 October 2019
The Socialist Equality Group’s Tom Peters denounced the New Zealand government’s support for US imperialism and the persecution of Julian Assange and Chelsea Manning.
Germany: The election of the SPD leader and the decline of social democracy
By Ulrich Rippert, 14 October 2019
A glance at the list of candidates for the leadership of the Social Democratic Party (SPD) makes clear the wealthy social layers that set the tone and whose reactionary programme they represent.
Six months since the brutal arrest of WikiLeaks’ publisher Julian Assange
By Oscar Grenfell, 12 October 2019
While Assange is subjected to what amounts to torture in a British prison, the war criminals he has done so much to expose walk free.
US sends 3,000 more troops to defend Saudi monarchy
By Bill Van Auken, 12 October 2019
The escalation of the US troop deployment in the region followed on the heels of a missile attack on an Iranian oil tanker in the Red Sea.
Auto strike in peril: UAW, GM prepare to end strike and impose contract betrayal
By Tom Hall, 12 October 2019
Having isolated the strikers for four weeks, the UAW is moving to end the walkout on GM’s terms.
Five dead and almost 1,000 arrested as repression mounts in Ecuador
By Andrea Lobo, 12 October 2019
The Ombudsman Office of Ecuador confirmed that the repression has left 5 demonstrators killed, 554 injured, and 929 arrested. These numbers, however, conceal the brutality of the repression.
India: Thousands of Telangana transport workers strike; Darjeeling tea estate workers demand higher pay; New Zealand medical laboratory workers strike
Workers Struggles: Asia, Australia and New Zealand
12 October 2019
The World Socialist Web Site invites workers and other readers to contribute to this regular feature.
Right-wing extremist network behind fascist synagogue attack in Germany
By Ulrich Rippert, 12 October 2019
The reality is that the “ideological inciters” of the right-wing terrorist attack in Halle hold top positions within the state and security apparatus, the intelligence agencies, the military and the federal government.
European Union continues talks with Johnson government over possible Brexit deal
By Robert Stevens, 12 October 2019
Labour MPs are reported to be “blitzing” party leader Jeremy Corbyn with demands that he support a fresh Brexit referendum being held before a general election.
As wildfires, power outages spread throughout California, tens of thousands ordered to evacuate
By Dan Conway, 12 October 2019
Fires burned throughout the Southern California region on Thursday and Friday, leading to deliberate power outages with dozens of homes and buildings destroyed.
US and China reach limited trade deal
By Nick Beams, 12 October 2019
The markets responded enthusiastically with the Dow finishing up by more than 300 points, but for all the celebrations, the agreement is very limited.
US immigration policies sending thousands of children, including babies, back to Mexico
By Kevin Martinez, 12 October 2019
The Trump administration has ordered 16,000 migrants under the age of 18 to await their US immigration court hearings in Mexico, including nearly 500 infants.
Canada’s NDP spouts “progressive” rhetoric while planning to prop up minority Liberal government
By Roger Jordan, 12 October 2019
NDP leader Jagmeet Singh’s push for a de facto coalition with Trudeau’s Liberals is in keeping with the NDP’s traditions as a nationalist, pro-capitalist party allied with the union bureaucracy.
Official cover-up continues of Australian paramedic’s suicide
By Cheryl Crisp, 12 October 2019
Undisclosed disciplinary action against senior managers over the death of Tony Jenkins is at odds with a NSW Ambulance report that identified systemic deficiencies.
Ahead of ruling in Catalan show trials
Catalan nationalists, Spanish unions and pseudo-left demobilize opposition
By Alejandro López, 12 October 2019
The Catalan bourgeois nationalists are terrified of growing opposition in the working class to the austerity and police-state policies of the Spanish ruling class. Jordi Sànchez,
Dortmund, Germany withdraws prestigious award from the author Kamila Shamsie over support for BDS
By Sybille Fuchs, 12 October 2019
The withdrawal of the prize is yet another case of censorship by the German state and local authorities, which claim to oppose anti-Semitism but in fact suppress and criminalise any criticism of the Israeli government’s right-wing policies.
New Anti-capitalist Party demands military escalation against Turkey in Syria
By Alex Lantier, 12 October 2019
The Pabloite NPA bitterly opposes a struggle to unify the working class internationally in a movement against imperialist war and the Middle Eastern bourgeoisie.
Seattle Democrats endorse Socialist Alternative’s Kshama Sawant
By Julio Patron, 12 October 2019
As the working class moves to the left, Kshama Sawant and Socialist Alternative are even more fully integrating themselves into the Democratic Party.
Edward Snowden: The man who exposed the electronic surveillance of everyone by US intelligence
By Kevin Reed, 12 October 2019
The memoir Permanent Record by the former intelligence contractor and whistleblower Edward Snowden is an important account of the life of the man behind the exposure of secret global electronic surveillance programs run by the NSA and CIA.
Crisis mounts over Turkish offensive against Kurdish forces in Syria
By Bill Van Auken, 11 October 2019
Trump’s green light for the Turkish invasion has prompted heated condemnations from his Republican allies as well as within the US military.
CIA spied on Assange’s lawyers, visitors in Ecuadorian embassy
By Oscar Grenfell, 11 October 2019
The El País report indicates that the US pursuit of Assange has included the illegal surveillance of American lawyers and journalists, in violation of the US Constitution.
Spanish Supreme Court approves exhumation of fascist dictator Francisco Franco
By Alejandro López, 11 October 2019
Despite the legitimate hatred that millions of workers feel for Franco, the fascist dictator and mass murderer, the exhumation ruling is a dangerous political fraud.
Australian government ministers call for protesters to be cut off welfare
By Mike Head, 11 October 2019
While the remarks referred to “Extinction Rebellion” demonstrators who temporarily blocked some traffic in major cities, they have a wider anti-democratic logic.
Ecuador’s president retreats from capital in face of growing mass protests
By Andrea Lobo, 9 October 2019
In the face of a continuing strike and mass indigenous mobilization, Moreno took the unprecedented step of moving his government from Quito to Guayaquil.
UAW keeps GM contract proposal secret from workers at company’s request
By Eric London, 9 October 2019
The UAW is keeping workers in the dark as the strike has forced furloughs or layoffs of at least 150,000 workers across the auto industry.
India: Motherson autoworkers strike at cross roads
By Arun Kumar, 9 October 2019
Motherson workers should break the isolation imposed upon them by All India Central Council of Trade Unions and fight for the broadest mobilization of workers in India and internationally behind their struggle.
Why do the CIA assassins and coup-plotters love this “whistleblower”?
By Patrick Martin, 9 October 2019
The CIA official who filed a formal whistleblower complaint against Trump is being defended by those who spent eight years under the Obama administration persecuting whistleblowers.
US protects NSA spy’s wife wanted in UK over teenager’s death
By Laura Tiernan, 9 October 2019
Anne Sacoolas is wanted by police over the death of the young motorcyclist in Northamptonshire on August 27 but left the UK claiming diplomatic immunity
Hundreds of Extinction Rebellion protesters arrested in central London
By Steve James, 9 October 2019
Over 500 peaceful climate protestors have been arrested in central London in just two days as part of an escalating response from the British state aimed at outlawing mass environmental protest as a form of terrorism.
Brazilian unions push “green and yellow” chauvinism in education strike against austerity, political interference
By Miguel Andrade, 9 October 2019
A range of issues, from austerity measures to privatizations, have repeatedly brought students to the streets, causing panic not only in the government, but in the unions and the opposition.
Mass protests against endemic poverty, government corruption convulse Haiti
By Richard Dufour, 9 October 2019
Moïse and his corrupt and repressive regime cling to power thanks only to the support of Washington, and its French, and Canadian allies.
Amazon workers in California win job back for fired co-workers
By Kayla Costa, 9 October 2019
The development is a result of a recent group formed by workers at a delivery center in Sacramento, California, who submitted a petition of 78 signatures demanding the rehiring, full back pay, and paid time off for all part-time workers.
Sri Lankan railway unions end strike, after “promises” from President Sirisena
By Pradeep Ramanayake and K. Ratnayake, 9 October 2019
Sirisena’s assurances are worthless but always seized on by the union bureaucracy to shut down industrial action and impose a sell-out.
Student protests in Indonesian Papua suppressed by police violence
By Owen Howell, 9 October 2019
As social tensions in the West Papua region continue to escalate, authorities are trying to conceal the true nature of the state violence used to quell protests.
Trump White House declares it will not cooperate with impeachment inquiry
By Joseph Kishore, 9 October 2019
The Democrats have chosen quite deliberately to base their opposition to Trump on the most reactionary, anti-democratic grounds possible: support for the intelligence agencies and American imperialism.
Sri Lankan SEP announces presidential election campaign public meetings
9 October 2019
The Socialist Equality Party meetings will discuss the vital social and political issues confronting workers, youth and the poor.
As strike enters fourth week, UAW says talks with GM have “taken turn for the worse”
By Jerry White, 7 October 2019
The hard line by GM proves that the UAW is leading the strike to defeat and makes clear that workers must respond by expanding the struggle to Ford and Fiat Chrysler.
“Capitalism is the core of the problem:” Striking GM workers call for global struggle against auto companies
By Tim Rivers and Tom Hall, 7 October 2019
GM workers on the picket discussed the need for an international strategy for the expansion of their strike with the World Socialist Web Site Autoworker Newsletter this weekend.
Australian Labor Party courts big business
By Mike Head, 7 October 2019
Labor leaders are “blitzing” corporate boardrooms to win their backing in the wake of Labor’s election debacle.
Canada: Five thousand public sector workers strike in Saskatchewan
By Carl Bronski, 7 October 2019
The strike, involving workers at SaskPower, SaskTel, SaskWater, SaskEnergy, the Water Security Agency and two SaskTel subsidiaries, is the largest in Saskatchewan for decades.
Bone-crushing labor prevails across the American meatpacking industry
By Brian Brown, 7 October 2019
While the meatpacking industry has historically been a dirty and dangerous occupation, taking workers lives and limbs, a dangerous job will become a lot worse with the Trump administration pushing further de-regulation.
ICE arrests nearly 600 immigrants in enforcement surge, targeting “uncooperative” local jurisdictions
By Leslie Murtagh, 7 October 2019
The coordinated attack on immigrants by the Trump administration across 20 states at the end of last month was the largest multi-state operation reported so far this year.
UK: Inquest adjourned into death of Port Talbot steelworks contractor Justin Day
By Margot Miller, 7 October 2019
The events leading to the tragedy of Justin Day’s death are still unknown, but the circumstances of a machine switching on with an engineer working inside it points to a disastrous breakdown in health and safety protocol.
Disgraced academic Noah Carl spearheads far-right campaign on UK campuses
By Thomas Scripps, 7 October 2019
Eugenicist Carl has raised over $100,000 to begin a legal appeal against the St. Edmund’s College decision to rescind his appointment, on the grounds of wrongful dismissal.
Julian Assange’s life is in danger!
By James Cogan, 7 October 2019
John Shipton, the father of WikiLeaks’ founder Julian Assange, has warned that his son “may die” as a result of the conditions under which he is being imprisoned in Belmarsh Prison in London.
This week in history: October 7-13
7 October 2019
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Ecuadorian government arrests hundreds and deploys military against nationwide strike
By Andrea Lobo, 5 October 2019
The Moreno government has responded to protests triggered by a massive gas price hike by imposing a national state of exception for 60 days, involving the deployment of the military against demonstrators and the suspension of democratic rights.
Trump continues to defy Democrats’ impeachment inquiry
By Barry Grey, 5 October 2019
On Friday, President Donald Trump stepped up his defiance of the impeachment inquiry launched by the Democrats with the support of the intelligence agencies.
GM strike in danger of union-enforced defeat as UAW announces ‘good progress’ on temps, health care
By Tom Hall, 5 October 2019
The United Auto Workers (UAW) and General Motors are making “good progress” towards an agreement, UAW Vice President for GM Terry Dittes said in a letter published Friday evening.
Hong Kong’s chief executive invokes emergency law against protest movement
By Ben McGrath, 5 October 2019
The use of this British colonial era law is a warning that the ruling class in the Hong Kong and Beijing are preparing to suppress the months-long demonstrations for basic democratic rights.
20,000 jobs and six plants threatened at German tire maker Continental
By Marianne Arens, 5 October 2019
The company’s executive announced what is alleged to be its biggest ever reorganisation—a frontal attack on workers.
Johnson faces possible legal action as he plots to ensure UK leaves EU on October 31
By Robert Stevens, 5 October 2019
Stating last month that he would rather “die in a ditch” than request an extension, Johnson is set on a collision course with the dominant pro-Remain faction of the ruling elite that could end in legal action.
Redundant Thomas Cook workers speak out at Manchester jobs fair
By our reporters, 5 October 2019
WSWS reporters spoke to the company’s former employees attending the fair.
Ontario education workers set to strike Monday against Ford’s savage cuts
By Penny Smith and Roger Jordan, 5 October 2019
The Canadian Union of Public Employees and the teachers unions are terrified that a strike will result in a head-on clash with the hated Ford government and trigger a broader working-class challenge to the capitalist elite’s austerity agenda.
White supremacist Coast Guard officer pleads guilty to drug and weapons charges
By Matthew Taylor, 5 October 2019
A list of potential targets found on Paul Hasson’s computer included the Democratic Party politicians and media figures routinely attacked by President Donald Trump and his supporters.
Illinois steelworker killed on the job, police launch investigation
By Jacob Crosse, 5 October 2019
Police and government officials are investigating the death Adrian Gomez, 26, husband and father of two, who was killed when he became trapped in machinery.
New York City transit workers exposed to toxic asbestos for decades
By Philip Guelpa, 5 October 2019
Dangerous, antiquated conditions at the East New York bus depot are only one symptom of the severely deteriorated condition of the city’s transit system.
Iraq in flames
By Bill Van Auken, 5 October 2019
Iraqi security forces opened fire on unarmed civilians for the fourth day in a row Friday as protesters poured into the streets once again in defiance of Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi’s declaration of a round-the-clock curfew.
Behind the GM strike: Wall Street wants temps for hi-tech vehicles and the UAW agrees
By Jerry White, 5 October 2019
Striking workers are resisting Wall Street’s demands for “more flexible manufacturing systems” to build electric and self-driving cars, including lower-paid temporary workers that the UAW has already agreed to.
“Julian has reached a point where he may die”—Assange’s father John Shipton speaks with the WSWS
By Johannes Stern, 5 October 2019
On Thursday the WSWS met John Shipton, Julian Assange’s father, in Berlin to discuss the condition of his son’s jailing in London’s Belmarsh Prison.
Socialist Equality Party in Sri Lanka to contest the November presidential election
By the Socialist Equality Party (Sri Lanka), 5 October 2019
The election has been announced amid rising opposition to the government’s austerity measures and the eruption of mass strikes by public sector workers for higher pay.
Thousands of Assam tea workers strike over bonus payments; 17,000 non-academic university workers remain on strike in Sri Lanka
Workers Struggles: Asia, Australia and New Zealand
5 October 2019
The World Socialist Web Site invites workers and other readers to contribute to this regular feature.
Trump announces plan to further privatize Medicare
By Patrick Martin, 4 October 2019
The Democrats are basing their impeachment drive not on opposition to Trump’s fascistic attack on immigrants and pro-corporate social policies, but on claims that he is not pursuing US foreign policy aggressively enough.
John Deere announces layoffs at plants in Illinois and Iowa
By George Gallanis, 4 October 2019
With the assistance of the UAW, Deere is using a slump in sales to attack workers and increase profits.
Indonesia: Student unrest continues as tens of thousands of workers set to strike
By Oscar Grenfell, 4 October 2019
Police have responded to the largest student demonstrations since the movement that toppled the Suharto dictatorship in 1998 with violent repression and mass arrests.
Australia: Another “super union” merger—a bigger industrial policeman
By Terry Cook, 4 October 2019
Claims that the merger of United Voice and the National Union of Workers will serve the interests of workers are belied by the betrayals and sell-outs of both organisations.
A visit to the workers’ quarters at a Unilever tea plantation in Kenya
By our correspondents, 1 October 2019
Conrad Black decries Trudeau’s “weak” leadership, “evil campaign”
By Roger Jordan, 1 October 2019
Black’s National Post op-ed sheds light on the real motives behind the feigned outrage within the political and media establishment over Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s “blackface” photos.
New industrial “integrity” laws seek to head off working class eruption in Australia
By Terry Cook, 1 October 2019
The Morrison government’s legislation is a pre-emptive move by the corporate establishment which is nervous about rising strike action by workers internationally despite the efforts of the unions to hold them back.
Democrats frame impeachment drive as defense of “national security”
By Patrick Martin, 30 September 2019
There is not the slightest democratic content to the Democrats’ impeachment inquiry.
“The UAW is allowing GM to take us back to before the sit-down strikes”
Striking GM workers on picket line discuss what is at stake in their battle
By our reporters, 30 September 2019
GM workers discussed their fight to overturn decades of UAW-backed concessions, end the exploitation of temporary workers, and support the victimized Mexican GM workers.
Wall Street gives GM and UAW time to wear down strikers and impose concessions
By Tom Hall, 30 September 2019
Investors are giving GM and the UAW the time they need to wear down strikers and enforce a defeat that would shape the future of global auto industry.
As US GM strike continues
Layoffs mount in Canadian auto industry
By Carl Bronski, 30 September 2019
Over 6,000 Canadian auto assembly and parts workers have been temporarily laid off as a result of the ongoing strike by 48,000 American UAW members against GM.
Tesla autoworkers in California support striking GM workers, denounce working conditions
By Evan Blake, 30 September 2019
The rise of Tesla is part of a global restructuring of the auto industry to prepare for the production of electronic vehicles, using fewer and more poorly paid workers.
London: Hundreds rally for Assange outside Belmarsh Prison
By Laura Tiernan, 30 September 2019
SEP National Secretary Chris Marsden emphasised that Assange’s persecution was a product of the drive to war and dictatorial rule by the US, British and world imperialism.
Half a million people join Montreal climate change protest
By our reporters, 30 September 2019
The scale of Friday’s protest attests to mounting popular anger at the failure of the world’s corporate-controlled governments to address this social and ecological crisis.
New Zealand PM promotes internet censorship at UN
By Tom Peters, 30 September 2019
Jacinda Ardern met with world leaders and tech companies to promote a new “crisis response protocol” to rapidly remove online content deemed “extremist.”
Striking Baltimore Symphony Orchestra musicians return to work, ending three-month work stoppage
By Dmitri Church, 30 September 2019
The one-year contract signed last week accedes to management’s demands to cut the symphony’s summer season, while doing nothing to guarantee salaries.
Drawing the lessons of the ICFI split—International Strategy and National Tactics: The change in the ICFI’s approach to national liberation movements
By Deepal Jayasekera, 30 September 2019
This lecture was delivered to the Socialist Equality Party (US) Summer School on July 25, 2019 by Deepal Jayasekera, Assistant Secretary of the Socialist Equality Party in Sri Lanka
French ex-President Jacques Chirac dead at 86
By Alex Lantier, 30 September 2019
The ubiquitous hailing of Chirac by the ruling establishment reflects above all the former Gaullist president’s ability to appeal to the political and class prejudices of the affluent middle class.
US Census report: Inequality grew rapidly in 2018 to record levels
By Eric London, 28 September 2019
The US is now as unequal as the Democratic Republic of the Congo and less equal than Kenya, Mexico and Malaysia.
CIA sets terms for Democrats’ impeachment inquiry into Trump’s crimes
By Joseph Kishore, 28 September 2019
Both factions in the political warfare that has erupted in Washington are hostile to the democratic and social rights of the working class.
Trump lowers cap on refugees to record low of 18,000
By Barry Grey, 28 September 2019
This latest move tightens the virtual ban on people fleeing poverty, violence and persecution around the world.
Spanish security firm spied on Julian Assange in the Ecuadorian embassy for US intelligence
By Kevin Reed, 28 September 2019
A defense and security firm based in Spain that was hired to protect the Ecuadorian embassy in London provided secret audio and video recordings of Julian Assange to US intelligence.
US and Mexican autoworkers call for united struggle against GM and auto companies
By Tom Hall, 28 September 2019
More than 200 autoworkers and other sections of the working class discussed an international perspective to win the General Motors strike in a call-in meeting Thursday hosted by the WSWS Autoworker Newsletter.
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