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Published by the International Committee of the Fourth International (ICFI)

2 April 2009

US-Europe tensions erupt on eve of G20 summit

By Chris Marsden, 2 April 2009

French President Nicolas Sarkozy and German Chancellor Angela Merkel held an extraordinary joint press conference on Wednesday, the eve of the G20 summit of leading economies, to underscore their common opposition to US demands that they implement larger stimulus programs.

Israel: Netanyahu threatens war on Iran, spurns “two-state solution”

By Bill Van Auken, 2 April 2009

Sworn in Tuesday as prime minister in the most right-wing government in Israel’s history, Benyamin Netanyahu threatened a military strike against Iran and signaled a break with the so-called “two-state solution” to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

US commander seeks 10,000 more troops for Afghanistan

By Patrick Martin, 2 April 2009

The top US military commander in Afghanistan, Lt. Gen. David McKiernan, has formally requested the deployment of an additional 10,000 US combat troops for the increasingly bloody war in the Central Asian country.

IMF and World Bank reports predict bleak future for Africa

By Trevor Johnson, 2 April 2009

The IMF predicts the global economic crisis will have a huge and disproportionate impact on sub-Saharan Africa.

France: Caterpillar workers detain bosses

By Antoine Lerougetel, 2 April 2009

Workers Caterpillar’s two plants in Grenoble, France, detained five of their management team in their offices on Tuesday morning and held them until 1 a.m. the next day.

More than one billion to go hungry in 2009

By Hiram Lee, 2 April 2009

The financial and economic crisis threatens to sharply increase the number of people suffering from hunger, despite a recent decline in food prices.

Scientists issue dire warning on rising sea levels

By Dan Brennan, 2 April 2009

Scientists meeting in Copenhagen last month issued dire warnings about the rapid rate of climate change and the growing threat of rising sea levels.

Najib Razak to take over as Malaysian prime minister

By Dante Pastrana, 2 April 2009

Najib Razak is due to be sworn in tomorrow as Malaysia’s new prime minister following his election as president of the ruling UMNO party. Despite his near unanimous approval, UMNO continues to be wracked by sharp internal tensions.

Australian government dilemma over Chinese investment

By John Chan, 2 April 2009

Several major Chinese investments in Australian mining are being held up as the Australian government attempts to balance economic benefits against strategic concerns over Chinese involvement in the key minerals sector.

New in Russian

Коррупция и капиталистическая Россия

Владимир Волков, 2 апреля 2009 г.

В начале марта этого года исполнился год с момента избрания Дмитрия Медведева президентом России. Хотя одним из своих основных приоритетов он с самого начала провозгласил борьбу с коррупцией, прошедший период ясно показал, что это - как и в годы президентства Ельцина и Путина - не более чем пропагандистский лозунг.

New in German

OECD zeichnet düsteres Bild von der Weltwirtschaft

Von Peter Symonds, 2. April 2009

Am Vorabend des G-20-Gipfels in London hat die Organisation für Wirtschaftliche Zusammenarbeit und Entwicklung (OECD) ein düsteres Bild der Zukunft der Weltwirtschaft gezeichnet. Sie ist dabei deutlich pessimistischer als die Vorhersagen von diversen Regierungen in aller Welt.

Anstieg der Arbeitslosigkeit auf über 5 Millionen erwartet
Dramatische Auswirkungen der Wirtschaftskrise

Von Ludwig Weller, 2. April 2009

Neue Prognosen über den Wirtschaftseinbruch in Deutschland schokieren Experten und Politiker. Die weltweite Finanz- und Wirtschaftskrise hat weitaus schlimmere Auswirkungen als bisher angenommen.

Erfolgreiche Europawahl-Kampagne
PSG sammelt 4680 Unterstützungsunterschriften

Von unseren Korrespondenten, 2. April 2009

Am vergangenen Montag hat die Partei für Soziale Gleichheit (PSG) 4680 gültige Unterstützungsunterschriften beim Bundeswahlleiter eingereicht und damit ein wichtige Etappenziel im Europa-Wahlkampf erreicht.

New in French

L'OMC prévoit une chute brutale du commerce mondial

Par Peter Symonds, 2 avril 2009

Dans un rapport publié cette semaine, l'Organisation mondiale du commerce (OMC) prévoit une baisse de 9 pour cent du volume du commerce mondial pour cette année, soit le déclin le plus important depuis la Seconde Guerre mondiale.

Perspective

The Nation and “socialism”

2 April 2009

For examples of intellectual and political bankruptcy, one could hardly do better than peruse the pages of the Nation, the American liberal publication. An excellent starting-point would be the magazine’s ongoing series, “Reimagining Socialism.”

Earlier Perspectives »