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Lack of shelters a factor in Oklahoma tornado death toll

Wed, 22 May 2013 05:00:00 GMT

As Moore, Oklahoma residents grapple with the destruction from Monday’s tornado, politicians are issuing the usual platitudes of “hope” and “resilience.”

Argentina’s General Videla and the “war on terror”

Wed, 22 May 2013 05:00:00 GMT

Gen. Jorge Videla was undoubtedly mourned within military and intelligence circles as a pioneer in the “war on terror.”

Israel, US threatens war with Syria as sectarian fighting spreads across region

Wed, 22 May 2013 05:00:00 GMT

Israeli and Syrian forces exchanged fire in the Golan Heights yesterday, amid rising US and Israeli threats of direct intervention in the US-led proxy war in Syria.

Hundreds killed in upsurge of terror bombings, sectarian killings in Iraq

Wed, 22 May 2013 05:00:00 GMT

Sectarian tensions in Iraq are being inflamed by the imperialist intervention in neighbouring Syria.

Apple CEO defends multi-billion-dollar tax dodge

Wed, 22 May 2013 05:00:00 GMT

Apple CEO Tim Cook used his appearance before the Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations to call for a sharp reduction in corporate taxes.

ThyssenKrupp to slash 3,000 jobs

Wed, 22 May 2013 05:00:00 GMT

ThyssenKrupp CEO Heinrich Hiesinger announced the axing of a further 3,000 jobs worldwide.

Protest opposes London-wide National Health Service cuts

Wed, 22 May 2013 05:00:00 GMT

The Save our NHS demonstration showed the bankruptcy of the Labour Party and trade unions campaign in defence of health care.

Six million suffer fuel poverty in UK

Wed, 22 May 2013 05:00:00 GMT

The number of people in fuel poverty in England is expected to rise from 6 million today to 9 million by 2016.

Australian Education Union pushes sell out through delegates’ meetings

Wed, 22 May 2013 05:00:00 GMT

The substantial “no” vote gave some indication of the growing hostility among teachers to the union’s betrayals.

Canada: NDP suffers debacle in British Columbia election

Wed, 22 May 2013 05:00:00 GMT

In an election with one of the lowest voter participation rates in British Columbia history, the trade union-backed NDP suffered a debacle, losing badly to an unpopular Liberal opponent.

Britain’s victims during Kenya’s Mau Mau uprising expect compensation

Wed, 22 May 2013 05:00:00 GMT

Thousands of Kenyans are expecting to receive reparations for the abuses they suffered at the hands of British imperialism during the suppression of the Mau Mau resistance movement.

Emergency Meeting: A workers program to answer the crisis in Detroit

Wed, 22 May 2013 05:00:00 GMT

A call for all workers and youth to attend an emergency meeting on the crisis in Detroit.

Beppe Grillo agitates against immigrants

Wed, 22 May 2013 05:00:00 GMT

On May 14, Beppe Grillo published a racist blog post appealing to far-right forces.

Let the Fire Burn and The East: The MOVE bombing in 1985 and present-day anarchism

Wed, 22 May 2013 05:00:00 GMT

Let the Fire Burn, about the police bombing of the MOVE compound in Philadelphia in 1985, was one of the most outstanding and challenging documentaries at the San Francisco film festival this year.

Bangladeshi police attack garment workers’ protest

Tue, 21 May 2013 05:00:00 GMT

Police fired rubber bullets at tens of thousands of workers demanding higher wages and protesting the April 24 garment factory collapse that killed 1,127 workers.

Financial bubbles creating conditions for new crash

Tue, 21 May 2013 05:00:00 GMT

The very measures put in place to avert a crisis are creating the conditions for a new financial meltdown.

Devastating tornado kills dozens in Oklahoma City

Tue, 21 May 2013 05:00:00 GMT

On Monday afternoon, a massive tornado struck Moore, Oklahoma, leaving a mile-wide swath of devastation.

Washington’s hacking charges escalate pressure on China

Tue, 21 May 2013 05:00:00 GMT

The New York Times on Monday published a front-page article reiterating unsubstantiated allegations that the Chinese military is carrying out cyberwarfare against US corporations.

New revelations of US government spying on the press

Tue, 21 May 2013 05:00:00 GMT

The FBI followed and obtained emails from Fox News chief Washington correspondent James Rosen as part of an investigation of a 2009 leak of information from the State Department.

Employers to offer bare-bones coverage under health care law

Tue, 21 May 2013 05:00:00 GMT

US employers will be able to avoid penalties under the Obama-backed health care legislation, while offering token plans to their workforces.

Obama to college graduates: “No room for excuses”

Tue, 21 May 2013 05:00:00 GMT

US President Barack Obama used his commencement speech at Morehouse College on Sunday to insist that if young people are poor or unemployed, it’s their own fault.

Workers Struggles: The Americas

Tue, 21 May 2013 05:00:00 GMT

The World Socialist Web Site invites workers and other readers to contribute to this regular feature.

US seeks defence agreement with Maldives

Tue, 21 May 2013 05:00:00 GMT

The leaked agreement to build US bases on the Indian Ocean archipelago is part of a broader strategy to prepare war against China.

Germany: Parliamentary inquiry into neo-Nazi murders concludes

Tue, 21 May 2013 05:00:00 GMT

The federal prosecutor and judges in the neo-Nazi NSU trial want to limit further revelations about state involvement in the group’s series of murders.

New Zealand to increase military presence in South Pacific

Tue, 21 May 2013 05:00:00 GMT

New Zealand’s military integration with the US and Australia is the culmination of a process begun by the previous Labour government.

Tsar to Lenin to be shown at UK’s National Media Museum and at Cornerhouse cinema

Tue, 21 May 2013 05:00:00 GMT

The World Socialist Web Site is proud to announce that Tsar to Lenin is to be screened by two major independent cinemas in the UK, the Cornerhouse in Manchester on May 27 and the National Media Museum in Bradford on June 1.

Guatemala’s high court overturns dictator Rios Montt’s genocide conviction

Tue, 21 May 2013 05:00:00 GMT

Guatemala’s Constitutional Court has overturned former dictator José Efraín Rios Montt’s 80-year sentence for genocide and crimes against humanity.

The crisis of Venezuela’s “Bolivarian” revolution and the political independence of the working class

Tue, 21 May 2013 05:00:00 GMT

Venezuelan workers can rely only on their own independent strength to defend social gains won over the past period and defeat the threat of a right-wing coup.

Spain’s Popular Party faces wave of strikes and demonstrations

Tue, 21 May 2013 05:00:00 GMT

A social explosion is brewing in Spain, where there have been at least 27 demonstrations since the beginning of the year.

Slovenian government adopts another austerity programme

Tue, 21 May 2013 05:00:00 GMT

Seven weeks after taking power, Slovenia’s centre-left governing coalition adopted a new austerity programme and presented it to the EU commission.

Union limits UC Medical workers to two-day strike

Tue, 21 May 2013 05:00:00 GMT

Some 13,000 patient care workers are set to strike on Tuesday and Wednesday at University of California Medical Centers after voting by 97 percent to walk out.

Letters from our readers

Tue, 21 May 2013 05:00:00 GMT

A selection of recent letters to the World Socialist Web Site.

European powers fund Al Qaeda looting of Syrian oil

Mon, 20 May 2013 05:00:00 GMT

The European Union is funding Al Qaeda-linked groups in Syria by purchasing oil they have looted in eastern Syria.

The decomposition of American democracy

Mon, 20 May 2013 05:00:00 GMT

Testimony by a senior Pentagon official before the Senate and Obama’s press conference, both of which occurred on May 16, are stunning expressions of the deeply antidemocratic outlook of the political, military and intelligence establishment and the disintegration of American democracy.

Tens of thousands march in Rome against austerity

Mon, 20 May 2013 05:00:00 GMT

Trade union leaders used a large demonstration in Rome on Saturday to cover their tracks in supporting the recently formed coalition government led by Prime Minister Enrico Letta.

US Supreme Court rules for agribusiness giant Monsanto

Mon, 20 May 2013 05:00:00 GMT

A series of pro-business decisions announced by the US Supreme Court in recent weeks marks a continuation of the judicial branch’s steady movement to the right.

More Michigan schools on the brink of insolvency

Mon, 20 May 2013 05:00:00 GMT

Nearly 50 Michigan school districts are operating with a deficit.

Buffalo, New York students and teachers face attack

Mon, 20 May 2013 05:00:00 GMT

Buffalo students and teachers are facing sharp cuts and school closings as part of the push by the new superintendent to cut $50 million from the budget.

Hedge funds eye Detroit for “hostile takeover”

Mon, 20 May 2013 05:00:00 GMT

Detroit’s $8.6 billion in junk bond debt is being eyed by hedge funds eager to play their part in the looting of the city.

Washington endorses Malaysian ruling party’s election “victory”

Mon, 20 May 2013 05:00:00 GMT

If the Malaysian government had been regarded as an obstacle to the US drive against China, the disputed election would have been seized upon for a regime change campaign.

Big business demands lower wages in South Korea

Mon, 20 May 2013 05:00:00 GMT

Led by General Motors, CEOs at major corporations in South Korea demanded wage cuts for workers at a meeting with President Park Geun-hye.

Stalemate after elections in Bulgaria

Mon, 20 May 2013 05:00:00 GMT

The Bulgarian parliamentary elections of May 12 have exposed the deep divide between the population and the country's political elite.

On network news show, Nation editor rushes to the defense of Obama

Mon, 20 May 2013 05:00:00 GMT

Katrina vanden Heuvel, the editor and publisher of the Nation magazine, sprung to the defense of the Obama administration and dismissed charges that its attacks on democratic rights were comparable to those of Nixon and Watergate.

Why the SEP does not endorse the WikiLeaks Party

Mon, 20 May 2013 05:00:00 GMT

WikiLeaks’ founder Julian Assange has launched a new party ahead of Australia’s federal election in September.

Thousands of mining jobs in Scotland in danger

Mon, 20 May 2013 05:00:00 GMT

Thousands of jobs are threatened in what remains of the Scotland coal industry, following the collapse of Scottish Coal, the largest surviving mine operator in Scotland.

UK: Rotherham Hospital spends £3 million on consultants advising on cuts

Mon, 20 May 2013 05:00:00 GMT

Rotherham Hospital in South Yorkshire is implementing a programme of 750 job cut and attacks on pay and conditions.

Connecticut commuter rail collision injures 72

Mon, 20 May 2013 05:00:00 GMT

Some 700 people were on board the Metro-North trains in suburban New York when one derailed, causing the trains to collide.

Detroit mayoral candidate D’Artagnan Collier campaigns at Eastern Market

Mon, 20 May 2013 05:00:00 GMT

Collier spoke to workers and youth about his mayoral campaign, the fight against the emergency manager and the conditions facing Detroiters.

Workers must reject emergency manager’s plan for Detroit

Mon, 20 May 2013 05:00:00 GMT

The Socialist Equality Party candidate for mayor of Detroit is calling on the city’s working class to reject the economic plan put forward by the city’s emergency manager, Kevyn Orr.

Why I read the WSWS

Mon, 20 May 2013 05:00:00 GMT

Archivist, Houston, Texas, USA. WSWS reader since 2002.

The Left Party: A party of German imperialism

Mon, 20 May 2013 05:00:00 GMT

In a joint foreign policy statement of all parliamentary parties, the Left Party supports the expansion of German militarism.

This week in history: May 20-26

Mon, 20 May 2013 05:00:00 GMT

This Week in History provides brief synopses of important historical events whose anniversaries fall this week.

Mira Nair’s The Reluctant Fundamentalist: A clash of rival “fundamentalisms”

Mon, 20 May 2013 05:00:00 GMT

Mira Nair’s latest film provides a vivid but limited view of the tension between the US and Pakistan

Ontario elevator technicians continue strike action

Mon, 20 May 2013 05:00:00 GMT

Elevator technicians across Ontario are entering their fourth week on strike against transnational elevator companies Otis, KONE, Schindler and ThyssenKrupp

Pentagon tells US Senate wars will continue for decades

Sat, 18 May 2013 05:00:00 GMT

The Pentagon claims that “war on terror” legislation gives it sweeping powers to wage war around the world without congressional authorization.

The betrayal of the Greek teachers’ strike

Sat, 18 May 2013 05:00:00 GMT

The decision by leaders of the OLME teachers union to abandon an agreed strike in the face of civil mobilisation orders has delivered a serious blow to the entire Greek working class.

Pew report shows decline in retirement security for most Americans

Sat, 18 May 2013 05:00:00 GMT

The study predicted increasing wealth inequality for each of five successive age groups as they approach retirement.

FBI director continues cover-up of contacts with Boston bombing suspects

Sat, 18 May 2013 05:00:00 GMT

Knowing he had nothing to fear from the Senate committee, FBI Director Mueller defended the FBI’s handling of the Tsarnaevs and failure to alert state or local authorities.

China challenges Japanese sovereignty over Okinawa

Sat, 18 May 2013 05:00:00 GMT

China’s state-owned People’s Daily published a provocative article last week implicitly asserting Chinese claims over Okinawa.

Canada’s NDP denounces China, signals support for Obama’s “Asia Pivot”

Sat, 18 May 2013 05:00:00 GMT

The NDP has mounted its campaign against Chinese investment in Canada to convince the US ruling elite that they will find in it a reliable ally in their war preparations against China.

Chicago Teachers Union files lawsuit alleging school closings are racist

Sat, 18 May 2013 05:00:00 GMT

The Chicago Teachers Union, whose leaders include members of the International Socialist Organization, is seeking to stifle opposition to school closings by promoting racial politics.

Philippines man killed by store security for alleged theft of sandals

Sat, 18 May 2013 05:00:00 GMT

The killing of a young man by security guards in one of the largest shopping centres in Cebu is a product of the vast social inequality in the Philippines.

Workers Struggles: Asia, Australia and the Pacific

Sat, 18 May 2013 05:00:00 GMT

The World Socialist Web Site invites workers and other readers to contribute to this regular feature.

Seattle: Hundreds condemn Metro Transit service cuts

Sat, 18 May 2013 05:00:00 GMT

Over 400 people attended a public hearing on May 14 to oppose a proposed 17 percent cut to Seattle’s Metro Transit.

Federal judge rejects lawsuit opposing Washington DC school closures

Sat, 18 May 2013 05:00:00 GMT

A proposed injunction to halt the closure of one in ten public schools in the District of Columbia has been denied in federal court.

Four children and two adults killed in Pennsylvania house fire

Sat, 18 May 2013 05:00:00 GMT

Water service had been shut off two weeks before a tragic Mother’s Day house fire took the lives of four children and two adults in the small town of Pottsville, Pennsylvania.

Spanish government rejects unions’ pleas for anti-crisis pact

Sat, 18 May 2013 05:00:00 GMT

With 6.2 million out of work, the trade unions are appealing for unity with the right wing Popular Party government.

Sao Paulo teachers’ strikes confront union betrayal

Sat, 18 May 2013 05:00:00 GMT

Teachers remain on strike in the municipal school system of the city of Sao Paulo after the strike by their counterparts in the Sao Paulo state system was betrayed by their union.

German unions agree on engineering industry contract

Sat, 18 May 2013 05:00:00 GMT

The IG Metall has signed a contract which excludes short-term workers.

SEP mayoral candidate outlines socialist program at Detroit election forum

Sat, 18 May 2013 05:00:00 GMT

D’Artagnan Collier, the Socialist Equality Party’s candidate for Detroit mayor, spoke at a mayoral forum on the emergency manager, the social crisis in Detroit and the way forward for the working class.

Why I read the WSWS

Sat, 18 May 2013 05:00:00 GMT

Student, Detroit, Michigan, USA.

The NSU neo-Nazi gang and the German intelligence service

Sat, 18 May 2013 05:00:00 GMT

The effort in the NSU trial to ignore the role of the German secret service and other state agencies makes clear that the object of the proceeding is to cover up rather than reveal the truth.

15 years of the WSWS: Public meeting in Zurich

Sat, 18 May 2013 05:00:00 GMT

The World Socialist Web Site is pleased to announce its first public meeting in Switzerland will be held June 1.

Sharp increase in US jobless benefit claims

Fri, 17 May 2013 05:00:00 GMT

Negative economic figures released this week point to continuing stagnation in the US amidst a worsening slump internationally.

The AP spying scandal and the crisis of American democracy

Fri, 17 May 2013 05:00:00 GMT

The Obama administration’s secret seizure of the phone records of Associated Press reporters is the latest attack on core democratic rights in the United States.

South African miners mount new wave of wildcat strikes

Fri, 17 May 2013 05:00:00 GMT

In the second wildcat strike to break this week, miners at Amplat refused to go underground Thursday evening.

OECD reports growing inequality worldwide

Fri, 17 May 2013 05:00:00 GMT

The latest OECD report confirms that inequality in most industrialised nations has grown significantly since the world economic crisis broke out in 2007-8.

UK Conservatives shaken by revolt over European Union referendum

Fri, 17 May 2013 05:00:00 GMT

Including ministerial aides, 116 Conservatives, half of the party’s Members of Parliament, voted against the Cameron government.

Unions sabotage Irish bus workers strike

Fri, 17 May 2013 05:00:00 GMT

According to reports, up to 95 percent of services were affected, including major routes in Dublin and longer inter-city connections.

Austrian Social Democrats suffer massive losses in local elections

Fri, 17 May 2013 05:00:00 GMT

In regional elections in Salzburg, the Social Democrats and the Austrian Peoples’ Party recorded the largest loss of support since the Second World War.

Hundreds of New York City Access-a-Ride workers lose their jobs

Fri, 17 May 2013 05:00:00 GMT

A month after the betrayal of the school bus workers in New York City, another group of transit workers have been hit with job losses and massive pay cuts.

Tornadoes rip through northern Texas

Fri, 17 May 2013 05:00:00 GMT

On Wednesday, 10 tornadoes tore through the ground of north central Texas leaving at least six people dead and dozens wounded.

Taiwan stages naval drills as tensions mount with Manila

Fri, 17 May 2013 05:00:00 GMT

Diplomatic relations between Taipei and Manila have rapidly worsened in an escalating war of words, sanctions and military exercises.

Australian opposition leader adopts Labor’s social spending cuts

Fri, 17 May 2013 05:00:00 GMT

Tony Abbott declared that a “budget emergency” required the imposition of Labor’s $43 billion cutbacks.

President Aquino’s Liberal Party coalition consolidates power in Philippine election

Fri, 17 May 2013 05:00:00 GMT

The Liberal Party coalition won nine of the available twelve senatorial seats, further strengthening President Aquino’s grip on political power.

Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby versus Prince Harry and his polo-playing American friends

Fri, 17 May 2013 05:00:00 GMT

During his recent trip to the US, Britain’s Prince Harry had time for a polo match in Greenwich, Connecticut.

Workers Struggles: Europe, Middle East & Africa

Fri, 17 May 2013 05:00:00 GMT

The World Socialist Web Site invites workers and other readers to contribute to this regular feature.

Greek teachers defy military mobilisation orders

Thu, 16 May 2013 05:00:00 GMT

Greek teachers have voted to oppose the mobilisation order of the government and begin strike action on Friday.

Euro zone contracts for sixth consecutive quarter

Thu, 16 May 2013 05:00:00 GMT

The euro area economy contracted by 0.2 percent in the first quarter of this year, which was followed by further calls for austerity.

Video shows US-backed opposition fighter cannibalizing Syrian soldier

Thu, 16 May 2013 05:00:00 GMT

The video makes clear the barbaric character of the Islamic fundamentalist forces the US has mobilized in its proxy war against Syria.

House hearing whitewashes US government seizure of AP phone records

Thu, 16 May 2013 05:00:00 GMT

A House committee that heard testimony from Attorney General Eric Holder on Wednesday initiated a bipartisan whitewash of the virtually unprecedented assault on press freedom carried out by the Obama administration.

US Defense Department to furlough 650,000 civilian workers

Thu, 16 May 2013 05:00:00 GMT

US Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel on Tuesday announced plans to impose 11 days of unpaid leave for most of the Pentagon’s 800,000 civilian employees beginning in July.

Nationwide protests against austerity in Israel

Thu, 16 May 2013 05:00:00 GMT

The budget aims to cut the deficit that reached US$11 billion in 2012.

Incoming Pakistani prime minister pledges loyalty to Washington

Thu, 16 May 2013 05:00:00 GMT

Pakistan’s incoming prime minister has moved quickly to signal his readiness to work with Washington in prosecuting the AfPak War and with the International Monetary Fund in imposing punishing austerity measures.

Letters from our readers

Thu, 16 May 2013 05:00:00 GMT

A selection of recent letters to the World Socialist Web Site.

Japanese government promotes “Sovereignty Restoration Day”

Thu, 16 May 2013 05:00:00 GMT

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe commemorated the anniversary of the end of the US occupation by reviving symbols of Imperial Japan.

Indian minister visits China after patch-up of border dispute

Thu, 16 May 2013 05:00:00 GMT

India’s external affairs minister made a long-scheduled visit to China late last week, but only after the two countries reached a deal to defuse a three-week long crisis over their rival border claims.

Union seeks sellout deal at South Milwaukee Caterpillar plant

Thu, 16 May 2013 05:00:00 GMT

A week after the collapse of negotiations between Caterpillar and the United Steelworkers in South Milwaukee, the union is determined to push through a concessions contract.

Benghazi and the deepening crisis of the Obama administration

Thu, 16 May 2013 05:00:00 GMT

The controversy over last year’s assault on US facilities in Benghazi, Libya has been revived, even as the real issues underlying it remain hidden.

David North speaks in Berlin on the 15th anniversary of the World Socialist Web Site

Thu, 16 May 2013 05:00:00 GMT

North emphasized the struggle by the ICFI and the WSWS to defend historical materialism.