1 July 2010

US Congress withholds billions from Medicaid, jobless benefits

By Tom Eley, 1 July 2010

The failure of Congress to pass a bill providing Medicaid relief to the states and jobless benefit extensions to millions of long-term unemployed workers ensures that the social crisis will intensify in the coming weeks and months.

German government receives a drubbing in the presidential election

By Stefan Steinberg, 1 July 2010

Wednesday’s presidential election was a clear warning to the Merkel government that its life span is limited should it prove incapable of overcoming its internal divisions and intensifying its attacks on the working class.

Gulf oil crisis

Video: The Gulf oil spill
Part 3—The social impact

By C. W. Rogers and Andre Damon, 1 July 2010

This video, part three of a series, explores the social consequences of the BP oil spill. The disaster has destroyed the livelihoods of tens of thousands of fishermen and small business people, and experts say it may uproot whole communities and trigger mass migrations.

Part 1—The economic impact




Part 2—The effect on human health




Hurricane Alex sends oil onto shores of Gulf states

By Hiram Lee, 1 July 2010

Hurricane Alex pushed oil onto the shores of Gulf coast states and forced the suspension of cleanup efforts throughout the region.

Full coverage of the Gulf oil disaster »

Signs of new recession throw stock markets into turmoil

By Barry Grey, 1 July 2010

US stocks fell sharply again Wednesday following a panicky selloff on global markets Tuesday.

Fears of a Chinese economic slowdown

By John Chan, 1 July 2010

There are mounting global concerns over China’s frenzied property speculation and the sustainability of its government’s stimulus measures, compounded by strikes in the auto industry.

Supreme Court ruling encourages right-wing campaign on gun possession

By Don Knowland, 1 July 2010

The US Supreme Court ruled Monday that state and municipal governments are precluded by the Second Amendment of the Constitution from banning possession of handguns in the home. This is the latest in a series of decisions aimed at encouraging right-wing groups like the gun lobby.

Spain: Striking Metro workers face military intervention and union betrayal

By Paul Mitchell, 1 July 2010

The vice-chair of the Popular Party-run Madrid regional government, Ignacio González, has warned that he is “not going to discard the option” of the military taking control of Madrid’s Metro system, which has been brought to a standstill by striking workers and brought chaos to the streets of the capital.

Aquino installed as Philippine president

By Joseph Santolan, 1 July 2010

Lurking behind Aquino’s insipid rhetoric of change and an end to corruption is a continuation of the anti-working class policies of his predecessor.

Global corporations compete for West African minerals

By Trevor Johnson, 1 July 2010

West Africa has become the scene of intense competition between international mining companies as the price of minerals has risen after the recession of 2009. At the centre of this development is a region that covers parts of Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea, recognised as the biggest of the world’s remaining undeveloped minerals deposits.

New in French

Grande-Bretagne : l’enquête Saville continue le maquillage du massacre du « dimanche sanglant »

Par Chris Marsden, 1 juillet 2010

Le rapport Saville sur les événements du « dimanche sanglant » du 30 janvier 1972 perpétue le maquillage de l’un des massacres les plus honteux jamais perpétré par l’impérialisme britannique.

New in German

 

G 20-Gipfel: Regierungschefs versuchen, Differenzen zu vertuschen

Von Nick Beams, 1. Juli 2010

Die Regierungschefs der größten Wirtschaftsmächte der Welt haben beim Gipfeltreffen der G 20, das am Wochenende in Toronto stattfand, versucht, unterschiedliche Auffassungen in einer Reihe von Schlüsselfragen zu vertuschen.

           

Tariq Ali auf der Konferenz "Socialism 2010"

Von David Walsh, 1. Juli 2010

Die Teilnahme von Tariq Ali als Redner an der Konferenz "Socialism 2010" ist aufschlussreich. Ali ist ein politischer Opportunist der schlimmsten Sorte, wie sich an seiner jahrzehntelangen politischen Laufbahn deutlich ablesen lässt.

 

Historische Grundlagen der Partei für Soziale Gleichheit

1. Juli 2010

Die Historischen Grundlagen der Partei für Soziale Gleichheit wurden am 23. Mai 2010 von einem Bundesparteitag der PSG nach ausführlicher Diskussion einstimmig verabschiedet.

Other Languages

Perspective

G20 summit exposes deep trans-Atlantic differences

1 July 2010

While international leaders sought to put the best face on the G20 summit held in Toronto at the end of last week, there was no disguising the extent of divisions between major global players, particularly the United States and Germany.

Earlier Perspectives »

Socialist Equality Party

Attend SEP (Australia) conferences in Sydney and Melbourne
The World Economic Crisis, the Failure of Capitalism and the Case for Socialism

By the Socialist Equality Party (Australia), 1 July 2010

The sudden ousting of Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd is another expression of the political convulsions arising from the worsening global economic crisis. The SEP conferences in July will be forums to discuss the program necessary to build a genuine socialist movement of the Australian and international working class.

The Australian Labor Party coup: a warning to the working class

By the Socialist Equality Party (Australia), 28 June 2010

Julia Gillard’s installation as prime minister last Thursday through an unprecedented coup within the Labor apparatus stands as an ominous warning to the working class.

Commentary

The mass repression at the G20 summit in Toronto

30 June 2010

The violence and repression carried out this past weekend by the authorities in Toronto, where the G20 Summit was taking place, was worthy of a police state.

The New York Times and pacemaker “overtreatment”

By Kate Randall and David North, 30 June 2010

The News York Times continues its campaign against “unnecessary” medical treatments and procedures, this time targeting “overtreatment” with artificial pacemakers.

ISO Conferences

Comments and letters on “Socialism 2010: The politics of the International Socialist Organization”

The two-part series on the WSWS devoted to an analysis of the conferences sponsored by the International Socialist Organization—“‘Socialism 2010’: The politics of the International Socialist Organization”—has provoked a number of responses, both critical and supportive. We will continue to post these letters, and we encourage more.

Arts Review

An Ozark noir: Winter’s Bone

By Tom Blair, 29 June 2010

Winter’s Bone is a remarkable work, with stunning imagery and a good dose of social insight.

Committee Against Utility Shutoffs (CAUS)

DTECAUS campaigns among striking tree trimmers
Sylvia Young visits DTE contractors’ picket line

By Jerry White, 28 June 2010

Sylvia Young, who lost three children in a Detroit house fire earlier this year after DTE Energy cut off heat to her home, visited the picket line of tree trimmers locked out by DTE..

Visit the CAUS web site »

This Week in History: June 28 - July 4

25 years ago: Meeting of European states fails to advance integration

A meeting of European Common Market heads of state ended in acrimony this week in 1985 over bitter British opposition to plans to move toward a federal structure for the trade bloc, favored by France and West Germany.


More »

50 years ago: Cuba nationalizes US, British oil refineries

On July 1, 1960, the left nationalist government of Fidel Castro ordered the nationalization of oil refineries operated by US-owned Esso and British Shell, after doing the same to Texaco’s refineries days earlier.

75 years ago: Nazi regime deepens its persecution of homosexuals

On June 28, 1935, the Nazis’ Ministry of Justice revised Paragraph 175 of the German criminal code to provide a legal cover for the further persecution of homosexuals in the country.

More »

100 years ago: African American boxer Jack Johnson KOs Jim Jeffries

World heavyweight champion Jack Johnson defeated former champion Jim Jeffries in a title fight in Reno, Nevada on July 4, 1910, which became a major political event in the US.

More »

Correspondence

Letters from our readers

1 July 2010

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

•••••

Videos and Images


Vale Inco strikers and supporters in Sudbury, Ontario speak
Detroit resident speaks on utility shutoff
Friend of Detroit fire victim denounces utility shutoffs
Shutoff victim speaks to WSWS at DTE public relations stunt
Scientist says government policy contributed to Gulf Coast Spill
Louisiana workers denounce BP’s oil spill response
Lawyer for family of worker killed in blast says BP guilty of negligence
SEP candidate addresses Oxford Union
Hearing of the Citizens Inquiry into the Dexter Avenue Fire
Detroit firefighters discuss impact of utility shut-offs and budget cuts
Citizens Inquiry chairman speaks at press conference
Dexter Avenue fire victim’s son speaks to the WSWS
ISSE members speak at San Diego rallies
Neighbors of Detroit fire victims oppose utility shutoffs
Interviews with neighbors of Bangor Street fire victims
Sister of fire victims speaks on utility shutoffs NUMMI
NUMMI auto workers denounce UAW intimidation Borax
Locked-out California Borax workers oppose concessions Borax
Boron, California mine workers denounce company lock-out House fire
Family members denounce deaths in Detroit fire Detroit teachers
Detroit teachers speak out against DFT Contract 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 »