United States
Alcoa lays off 15,000, US economy moves toward depression
By Tom Eley, January 7, 2009
As layoffs mount, including 15,000 by aluminum maker Alcoa, new economic data indicate the US will not quickly rebound from the crash of 2008.
US Congress opens under Democratic control
By Patrick Martin, January 7, 2009
The 111th Congress opened Tuesday with the Democratic Party in firm control of both houses.
Obama stimulus plan to include major corporate tax cuts
By Jerry White, January 6, 2009
US president-elect Barack Obama announced on Monday that he favors an economic “stimulus” plan of about $775 billion, a large proportion of which will consist in corporate tax cuts.
US: New reports of police spying on activist groups
By Hiram Lee, January 6, 2009
New reports detail the activities of an FBI informant during the 2008 Republican National Convention and the police infiltration of activist groups in the Maryland area.
Most job losses in US last year since 1945, with more to come
By David Walsh, January 5, 2009
Economists are estimating that the US lost 2.4 million jobs in 2008, which would be the most lost in any year since the end of World War II. Other analysts are predicting the elimination of as many or...
Thousands march through New York City as Israel invades Gaza
By a reporting team, January 5, 2009
Thousands marched Saturday through New York City, rallying outside the Israeli consulate just as the ground assault on Gaza began.
Six die in New Year’s Day house fire in Washington DC
By Kate Randall, January 3, 2009
Six people died in a New Year’s Day house fire in Washington DC. Authorities suspect “a catastrophic electrical failure” as the cause of the blaze.
Protest in Dearborn, Michigan denounces Israeli attack on Gaza
By Tom Eley, December 31, 2008
A protest against the Israeli attack on Gaza attracted approximately 5,000 people in Dearborn, Michigan. The demonstration marked a spontaneous and largely independent outpouring of anger against the ...
US: Economic stress drives rise in child abuse and domestic violence
By Kate Randall, December 30, 2008
Social service agencies across the US are seeing growing numbers of domestic violence and child abuse cases as the economic crisis deepens.
SAG leadership postpones strike authorization vote
By Ramon Valle and David Walsh, December 30, 2008
On December 22, leaders of the Screen Actors Guild (SAG) announced a postponement of a scheduled strike authorization vote until the guild’s national board meets in Los Angeles to discuss the matter...
American painter Robert Rauschenberg 1925-2008: Avant-garde to Pop
By Lee Parsons, December 29, 2008
Noted American artist Robert Rauschenberg died May 12 this year of heart failure at his home in Captiva, Florida at the age of 82. The passing of this influential artist obliges us to consider his wor...
US: Homelessness on the rise in San Francisco
By Marge Holland, December 29, 2008
Local charities in the San Francisco Bay Area are seeing a sharp increase in those without shelter or food, as well as a change in the composition of the needy.
