21 November 2009

Obama leaves Asia empty-handed

By John Chan, 21 November 2009

South Korea, the final leg of Obama’s Asian trip, was no more successful that his other stops. Obama failed to make any advance toward a free-trade agreement between the two countries.

European Union selects president and foreign minister

By Stefan Steinberg, 21 November 2009

The nomination of political lightweights to the top posts in the European Union is primarily aimed at creating favourable conditions for European states, with France, Germany and Great Britain in the lead, to pursue their own nationalist agendas.

UC protestUniversity protests continue in California

By Andrea Peters, 21 November 2009

Protests continued Friday at university campuses across California in opposition to a 32 percent hike in fees.

German government plans sweeping social attacks

By Peter Schwarz, 21 November 2009

The recent meeting at Schloss Merseburg between leading representatives of the parties in the German coalition government has set the stage for a redistribution of income and wealth from those at the bottom of society to those at the top.

Civil liberties attorney Lynne Stewart ordered to prison

By Peter Daniels, 21 November 2009

A three-judge panel of a US federal appeals court has upheld the conviction of civil liberties lawyer Lynne Stewart, convicted of assisting terrorism by transmitting the contents of a press statement by her client, cleric Sheik Omar Abdel Rahman.

New York City homeless population at an all-time high

By Sandy English and Ali Ismail, 21 November 2009

The number of homeless housed by the city is 11 percent more than last year and is the highest number of people seeking shelter on record, even before cold weather has started.

Interviews with homeless families in New York City
“There is no safe haven from the crisis”

By Sandy English and Ali Ismali, 21 November 2009

WSWS reporters went to an office run by New York City’s Department of Homeless Services in the Bronx.

New in German

Obamas Besuch in China

Von Barry Grey, 21. November 2009

Am Beginn seiner achttägigen Reise durch Asien erklärte sich Präsident Obama selbst zum "ersten pazifischen Präsidenten" und kündigte an, dass seine Reise den amerikanischen Führungsanspruch in der Region bekräftigen werde.

Obama verhindert Abkommen zum Klimaschutz

Von Stefan Steinberg, 21. November 2009

Am vergangenen Sonntag stimmte Obama auf dem APAC-Gipfel in Singapur einer Vereinbarung zu, die effective Beschlüsse gegen die Erderwärmung auf der Kopenhagener Klimakonferenz im Dezember praktisch blockiert.

Der australische Imperialismus, die Intervention in Osttimor im Jahr 1999 und die so genannte "Linke"

Von Patrick O’Connor, 21. November 2009

Im September war der zehnte Jahrestag der militärischen Intervention Australiens in Osttimor. Ebenfalls vor zehn Jahren organisierten bestimmte pseudo"linke" Gruppen Demonstrationen für den Einsatz des australischen Militärs. Sie erwiesen damit der Howard-Regierung und der herrschenden Elite Australiens einen wichtigen Dienst.

New in French

De tragédies à propagande pour la guerre

Par Bill Van Auken, 21 novembre 2009

Des deux côtés de l’Atlantique, les médias ont été recrutés dans une campagne cynique visant à transformer des tragédies causées par la guerre en Afghanistan en une justification pour l’escalade de cette guerre.

Perspective

Obama’s public education race to the bottom

21 November 2009

Recent days have seen an unlikely threesome promoting the Obama administration’s “Race to the Top” public schools initiative.

Earlier Perspectives »

Commentary

Why are women being told to forgo cervical cancer screenings?

By Kate Randall, 21 November 2009

Only days after a government panel recommended cutting back screenings for breast cancer, another body has advised that women undergo less frequent screenings for cervical cancer, and begin them at a later age.

Cancer and class

19 November 2009

Monday’s recommendation by a US government panel that women under the age of 50 not undergo annual mammogram screenings should serve as a warning on the future of health care in America.

Royal Mail strike: Britain’s Socialist Party defends union capitulation

By Tony Robson, 21 November 2009

The Socialist Party has mounted a vociferous defence of the sellout of the national postal strike by the Communication Workers Union.

New fashions in Canadian politics: Guide for immigrants promotes the monarchy and the military

By Jack Miller, 21 November 2009

Canada’s new guide for prospective citizens no longer pretends that Canada is about social programs and saving the environment. Instead, it celebrates a land reigned over by a monarch and that possesses a tough, no-nonsense military.

Arts Review

TIFF protestA conversation with organizers of the Toronto film festival protest
The issues around the spotlight on Tel Aviv

By David Walsh, 21 November 2009

At the recent Toronto film festival, a number of film and video artists protested the event’s spotlight on Tel Aviv, accusing the festival of colluding with Israel’s “re-branding” effort. David Walsh spoke to some of the protest organizers.

An evaluation of Roman Polanski as an artist

By David Walsh, 20 November 2009

Filmmaker Roman Polanski remains in a Zurich jail cell, while his lawyers fight the efforts by US authorities to extradite him. The director has a half-century-long artistic career that needs to be assessed.

“Baby Fae,” who received baboon heart transplant, dies

Stephanie Fae Beauclair, known to the world as "Baby Fae," dies on November 16, 1984, two weeks after an initially successful operation to replace her failing heart with that of a baboon.


More »

Algerian rebel government names prisoners peace envoys

AlgeriaAlgeria's Tunisia-based rebel government on November 20, 1959 names five prisoners of France, including Mohammed Ben Bella, as envoys for peace discussions. French President Charles de Gaulle rejects the request.

More »

Roosevelt administration plans works programs to create jobs

WPAWith unemployment in the US at nearly 22 percent in 1934, the Roosevelt administration indicates its intention to expand major public works projects in order to provide jobs.

More »

United States moves to depose Zelaya

ZelayaOn November 18, 1909 the US administration of William Howard Taft sends war ships to the Caribbean coast of Nicaragua as it prepares to depose the regime of President José Santos Zelaya.

More »

Workers Struggles

Workers Struggles:
Asia, Australia and the Pacific

21 November 2009

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

Correspondence

Letters from our readers

21 November 2009

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

Videos and Images

Handful of jobs offered at Detroit jobs fair
Handful of jobs offered at Detroit jobs fair
H1N1 distribution interviews
Thousands line up for Swine Flu vaccine in Michigan
Ford workers speak on contract rejection
Ford workers speak on contract rejection
Ford workers speak out against concessions contract
Ford workers speak out against concessions contract
50,000 line up for housing assistance in Detroit
50,000 line up for housing assistance in Detroit
ISSE members speak on education cuts at rally
ISSE members speak on education cuts at rally
Detroit residents speak on utility bills, social crisis
Detroit residents speak on utility bills, social crisis
OU video
Michigan’s Oakland University faculty strike has student support
Detroit teachers denounce pay cuts
Detroit teachers denounce pay cuts
D'Art
Detroit city workers oppose concessions, layoffs
Interviews at Los Angeles health care clinic
Interviews at Los Angeles health care clinic
Workers continue Vestas occupation on Isle of Wight
Workers continue Vestas occupation on Isle of Wight
A conversation with Windsor municipal workers
A conversation with Windsor municipal workers
New York City workers speak against cuts in healthcare and social services
NYC workers speak against cuts in social services
Flint vid
Flint, Michigan and the bankruptcy of General Motors
MI auto vid
GM workers on bankruptcy and plant closings
MI auto vid
Michigan auto workers and families speak on plant closures
GM vid
GM workers speak out on concessions contract
Protesting students and parents speak to the WSWS
Protesting students and parents speak to the WSWS
Chrysler workers speak on concessions vote
Chrysler workers speak on concessions vote
UK Visteon workers speak on occupation
UK Visteon workers speak on occupation
GM and Chrysler workers oppose more concessions
GM and Chrysler workers oppose more concessions
Chrysler workers oppose Obama auto plan
Chrysler workers oppose Obama auto plan

WSWS interviews G20 protesters in London
Donovan
Pontiac residents speak on schools crisis
Detroit jobs fair
Workers interviewed at Detroit jobs fair

Ford workers: “Now the fight is with our own union.”
GM workers videoGM workers denounce concession demands Chrysler workers oppose cuts
Chrysler workers oppose pay cuts, concession demands
London demonstration against Sri Lankan war
Over 100,000 demonstrate in London against Sri Lankan war
Joanne
Funeral for Michigan man frozen following utility shut-off
Montserrat
Exposing Franco's mass graves
Bay City, Mich.: “Shutting somebody's electricity off in the dead of winter is criminal”
Bay City, Michigan residents speak on death from utility shut-off
London protesters speak to the WSWS
WSWS interviews London protesters
London demonstrators protest Israeli assault on Gaza
London demonstrators protest Israeli assault on Gaza
Chrysler workers denounce pay cuts
Chrysler workers denounce pay cuts
Griffiths and Walsh
The Writer and Revolution: A conversation with Trevor Griffiths

more Videos »

Other Languages