North America
Child deaths from abuse and neglect rise in the US
By Naomi Spencer, October 28, 2009
Five children died from abuse or neglect every day on average in the United States between 2001 and 2007, according to a new report. Over the period, 10,440 child deaths were linked to abuse or neglec...
America’s crumbling infrastructure
By Jeff Lassahn, October 28, 2009
America’s roads, bridges, and sewerage are in advanced state of decay, according to a 2009 report by an association of civil engineers.
Mass opposition to Ford-UAW concessions contract
By Andre Damon, October 27, 2009
Workers at three US plants have rejected a concessions contract backed by the United Auto Workers and Ford, including a 92 percent “no” vote at a major local in Kansas City, Missouri.
Nine thousand homes and lots at auction
Detroit: A city for sale, and very few takers
By Patrick Martin, October 27, 2009
Over a four-day period a huge portion of the city of Detroit was put on the auction block, but very few bids were submitted. Of the 9,000 homes and lots put up for sale for prices as low as $500, only...
The reality behind the US “success” in Iraq
By James Cogan, October 27, 2009
The massive explosions in central Baghdad on Sunday are a particularly bloody reminder of the sectarian, ethnic and political conflicts that have been generated in Iraq by six-and-a-half years of US o...
White House promotes tax on “Cadillac” health care plans
By Kate Randall, October 27, 2009
The top White House economic forecaster argued Monday that cutting government health care costs is key to addressing the federal budget deficit, and that taxing so-called Cadillac health care plans is...
US casualties rise as Obama prepares Afghan escalation
By Bill Van Auken, October 27, 2009
Eleven US soldiers and three drug agents were killed in the space of 24 hours in Afghanistan as the Obama administration’s war cabinet prepared to meet Monday on escalating the war.
In defiance of US federal order
Arizona sheriff carries out immigrant raid
By Josué Olmos, October 27, 2009
A sheriff in Phoenix, Arizona, this weekend carried out an immigrant round-up in open defiance of a federal decision limiting his office’s power to enforce immigration laws.
As “free market” fails to deliver enough vaccine
Obama declares US national emergency over H1N1 flu
By Tom Eley, October 26, 2009
Major pharmaceuticals that contracted with the US government to provide vaccines against the swine flu have delivered only a fraction of what was anticipated, leaving thousands to wait in lines for a ...
“This is the direct result of bad public policy”
Atlanta shelter director speaks on the homeless crisis
By Naomi Spencer, October 26, 2009
Emergency shelter providers in Atlanta, Georgia, are confronted by a huge increase in need. Anita Beaty, director of the Metro Atlanta Task Force for the Homeless, spoke to the World Socialist Web Sit...
UAW says key local passed Ford contract by 51 percent
Many workers call vote a “fraud”
By Andre Damon, October 24, 2009
Local media reported that United Auto Workers Local 900 narrowly ratified the latest concessions contract. The vote passed by only 51 to 49 percent, prompting allegations of fraud from workers intervi...
As unemployment claims rise
White House rejects new measures to stem jobs crisis
By Barry Grey, October 24, 2009
Even as the Labor Department reported an unexpected rise in initial claims for unemployment benefits, the Obama administration and Democratic congressional leaders reiterated their opposition to any s...
