28 October 2017

Spain imposes military rule in Catalonia to preempt independence bid

By Alex Lantier and Alejandro López, 28 October 2017

The Senate vote marks a historic collapse of democratic forms of rule in Western Europe and a return to authoritarianism, posing an urgent threat to the working class.

As protests mount against Madrid, Catalan parliament declares independence

By Alejandro López, 28 October 2017

The Catalan regional parliament on Friday voted a resolution for independence from Spain and the start of a “constituent process” to draft a new constitution.

Madrid's talks with Catalan premier collapse as Spain threatens military rule

After Madrid’s violent crackdown:
An independent class strategy for the Spanish and Catalan working class!

More on the crisis in Spain »

Newly released documents point to state cover-up and complicity in assassination of John F. Kennedy

By Barry Grey, 28 October 2017

The documents released on Thursday make clear that both the FBI and the CIA were well aware of Oswald’s activities and were closely tracking him in the period leading up to the assassination.

“I have no choice”: Trump bows to CIA pressure to withhold documents related to Kennedy assassination

High Court disqualifies five MPs, demanding “single-minded loyalty” to Australia

By Mike Head, 28 October 2017

The entire political establishment has immediately lined up behind the anti-democratic and deeply reactionary ruling.

The dual citizenship furore in the Australian parliament: What is at stake for the working class?

Memorial in Detroit for young autoworker who died in Ford plant

By Jerry White, 28 October 2017

The alleged suicide of Jacoby Hennings at Ford’s Woodhaven Stamping plant has generated widespread sympathy along with anger over the cruel conditions facing young workers.

Detroit area Ford worker dies in apparent suicide at stamping factory

Autoworkers speak on suicide of young Ford worker at Detroit area plant

More on auto workers struggles »

Twitter bans RT and Sputnik from advertising

By Trévon Austin, 28 October 2017

The move sets a chilling precedent, giving Twitter the ability to decide which news outlets are allowed to promote their content, limiting free speech and freedom of the press online.

Trump administration’s CMS head leads assault on Medicaid

By Kate Randall, 28 October 2017

Seema Verma sees the expansion of Medicaid under Obamacare as having extended coverage to millions of low-income Americans who should not be getting government-sponsored health insurance.

Trump declares opioid epidemic “will get worse before it gets better”

New reports document declining life expectancy and worsening health of US workers

“I think the government is trying to kill us off”
Hundreds line up for free medical care in West Virginia

Merchants of Death: The pharmaceuticals, Congress and the US opioid epidemic

More on healthcare in the US »

UN Ambassador Haley visits Africa amid US military escalation, social catastrophe

By Eddie Haywood, 28 October 2017

The tour happened against the backdrop of the Trump administration’s expansion of US military operations on the continent.

Washington exploiting Green Beret deaths to escalate Africa intervention

Slain US special forces troops on apparent assassination mission in Niger

US and European military operations in West Africa set the stage for broader war

Tillerson delivers stern warning to Pakistan

By Sampath Perera, 28 October 2017

In a visit of just four hours, Tillerson spelled out Washington’s demand Pakistan join the US in dramatically escalating Afghan war violence or brace itself for reprisals.

Survey of UK nurses exposes staff crisis in National Health Service

By Ajanta Silva, 28 October 2017

214 out of 224 acute hospitals operated without an adequate level of nursing staff during day shifts last October, while 85 percent of them did not have proper staff levels on night shifts.

New in Spanish

Washington utiliza la muerte de los boinas verdes para escalar su intervención en África

Por Bill Van Auken, 28 octubre 2017

El imperialismo estadounidense se está preparando para infligir en África una carnicería de la misma magnitud que la de Oriente Medio, donde destruyó sociedades enteras.

La crisis del Partido Republicano y las fracturas del sistema bipartidista de Estados Unidos

Por Joseph Kishore, 28 octubre 2017

Los conflictos políticos dentro de Estados Unidos reflejan procesos globales. En país tras país, los movimientos ultraderechistas han podido explotar el vacío político creado por la marcha derechista de los partidos socialdemócratas y laboristas.

La AFL-CIO clausura su convención en St. Louis

Por Trévon Austin, 28 octubre 2017

Una parte significativa de la burocracia sindical es abiertamiente aliada de Trump sobre la base del nacionalismo del “Estados Unidos primero”.

A medida que Estados Unidos avanza hacia abolir el impuesto al patrimonio, los multimillonarios del mundo acumulan otro billón de dólares

Por Andre Damon, 28 octubre 2017

Al tiempo que los ultra-ricos envejecen y se vuelven más ricos, se preocupan cada vez más por la cuestión de la “sucesión”.

New in German

Washington nutzt Tod von vier US-Soldaten in Niger für Vorpreschen in Afrika

Bill Van Auken, 28. Oktober 2017

Der amerikanische Imperialismus will das Gemetzel im Nahen Osten, das ganze Länder zerstört hat, auf dem afrikanischen Kontinent wiederholen.

Übungsstadt „Schnöggersburg“: Bundeswehr bereitet sich auf Bürgerkrieg vor

Johannes Stern, 28. Oktober 2017

Am Donnerstag fand auf einem Gelände nördlich von Magdeburg die Teilübergabe der Stadt „Schnöggersburg“ an das deutsche Heer statt.

Milliardäre raffen eine weitere Billion und USA planen Abschaffung der Erbschaftssteuer

Andre Damon, 28. Oktober 2017

Die Profiteure des Börsenbooms kommen in die Jahre und wollen noch über den Tod hinaus nichts von ihrem Reichtum abgeben. Wenn es nach ihnen ginge, könnte die Gesellschaft ins Mittelalter zurückkehren.

Lufthansa will nach Air Berlin auch Alitalia schlucken

Marianne Arens, 28. Oktober 2017

Das aktuelle Pokerspiel um Alitalia läuft im Endeffekt auf die Zerschlagung der Arbeiterrechte wie bei Air Berlin hinaus.

New in Italian

I referendum sull'autonomia nel Nord Italia

Marianne Arens, 27 ottobre 2017

Dopo che entrambi Maroni e Zaia hanno cantata vittoria, Maroni ha detto che il risultato significa che le Regioni potrebbero unire le proprie forze per “la battaglia del secolo”.

New in Norwegian

Tsar til Lenin vises for fulle saler i London og Manchester

Av våre reportere, 27 October 2017

Dokumentarfilmen ble vist 14. oktober på HOME, Manchesters senter for internasjonal samtidskunst, teater og film, og på Barbican Center i London den 22. oktober.

Utviklingen mot spansk militærstyre i Catalonia avslører Podemos sin fallitt

Av Alejandro López og Alex Lantier, 27 October 2017

Til tross for at de vant 5 millioner stemmer, hverken ønsket eller forsøkte Podemos å mobilisere til motstand mot Madrids dreining mot autoritært styre, støttet av EU.

USA bykser mot militærdiktatur

Av Andre Damon, 27 October 2017

General John Kellys militaristiske tirade på en pressebrifing i Det hvite hus forrige uke ga innblikk i en åpen hemmelighet om amerikansk politikk: bak fasaden av demokratisk styre ligner USA i stadig større grad et militærdiktatur.

Høyreorientert EU-motstander vinner det tsjekkiske parlamentsvalget

Av Markus Salzmann, 27 October 2017

Tjueåtte år etter den såkalte fløyelsrevolusjonen har det overveldende flertallet av befolkningen mistet all tillit til landets borgerlige demokratiske institusjoner.

New in Portuguese

DreamHost recebe mandado para entregar dados sobre site anti-Trump: a criminalização da dissidência política

Joseph Kishore, 27 de outubro de 2017

A decisão judicial de que a DreamHost deve entregar informações sobre os indivíduos associados com o disruptj20.org é um ataque assustador à liberdade de expressão.

Grandes empresas e os militares aumentam seu controle sobre Washington

Patrick Martin e Joseph Kishore, 27 de outubro de 2017

A classe dominante está buscando canalizar a oposição popular a Trump para um golpe palaciano com o objetivo de consolidar a dominação política dos militares e da elite empresarial/financeira.

A ameaça de guerra nuclear de Trump contra a Coréia do Norte

Bill Van Auken, 27 de outubro de 2017

Com as declarações incrivelmente imprudentes de Trump e seus assessores, um estopim foi preparado e pode levar à erupção de uma guerra nuclear na Ásia com consequências globais incalculáveis.

O colapso do Sindicato dos Trabalhadores Automotivos na fábrica da Nissan no Mississipi

Jerry White, 27 de outubro de 2017

Os trabalhadores tiraram conclusões sobre o UAW depois de décadas nas quais ele concentrou todos os seus esforços na supressão da luta de classes e em associar-se às companhias automotivas para destruir empregos e padrões de vida.

New in French

La crise du Parti républicain et la fracture du système bipartite américain

Par Joseph Kishore, 27 octobre 2017

Les conflits politiques aux États-Unis reflètent les processus mondiaux. Dans un pays après l’autre, les mouvements d’extrême droite exploitent le vide politique créé par le virage à droite des partis sociaux-démocrates et travaillistes.

Québec «clarifie» l’application de la loi antimusulmane

Par Keith Jones, 27 octobre 2017

La loi 62, qui prive les femmes portant le voile de l’accès aux services publics, est une attaque contre les droits démocratiques visant à inciter les préjugés et à diviser la classe ouvrière.

Un sénateur républicain qualifie Trump de « dangereux pour la démocratie »

Par Andre Damon, 26 octobre 2017

Le discours du sénateur Jeff Flake, un républicain de l’Arizona, marque une escalade des divisions au sein de l’État qui s’est développée tout au long du mandat de Trump.

Les soldats des forces spéciales américaines tués au Niger auraient été en mission d’assassinat

Par Bill Van Auken, 26 octobre 2017

Au fur et à mesure que les détails de l’opération bâclée émergent, il y a de plus en plus de battage pour que le Congrès vote une nouvelle Autorisation d’utilisation de la Force militaire.

Xi Jinping consolide son emprise sur l’appareil du Parti communiste chinois

Par Peter Symonds, 26 octobre 2017

L’élévation de Xi comme chef suprême est un signe de crise du régime PCC, qui est assailli de l’intérieur comme à l’extérieur de problèmes insolubles.

Adoption de la loi 62: Québec condamne des femmes musulmanes à vivre en parias

Par Richard Dufour, 26 octobre 2017

Cette attaque frontale sur la liberté de religion va encourager la montée de l’islamophobie à travers le Canada.

Le film « Du tsar à Lénine » joue à guichets fermés à Londres et à Manchester

Par nos journalistes, 26 octobre 2017

Le documentaire a été présenté le 14 octobre à « HOME », le centre international d’art contemporain, de théâtre et de cinéma de Manchester, et au « Barbican Centre » de Londres le 22 octobre.

New in Russian

Эта неделя в русской революции
16–22 октября: Большевики во главе с Троцким выходят из Предпарламента

26 октября 2017 г.

Кампания Ленина за восстание становится известной все более широким слоям партии и толкает большевиков влево, подготовляя решение о выходе партии под руководством Троцкого из Предпарламента, что стало, по его словам, «историческим разрывом пролетариата с государственной механикой буржуазии».

Other Languages

Perspective

America’s oligarchy: No money for opioid crisis, endless funds for corporate tax cuts

28 October 2017

On the same day that Congress moved forward on nearly $6 trillion in tax cuts to the super-rich, the Trump administration declined to allocate any funds to address the opioid crisis.

Earlier Perspectives »

Fund appeal

The WSWS is under attack. Help us fight back!

Google's move to block the WSWS and other left-wing sites is part of a campaign to censor the Internet, involving powerful corporations and governments around the world. We need your financial support to fight against the greatest threat to free speech since the Second World War.

Centenary of the Russian Revolution

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Notice: Final centenary lecture date changed to November 11

The final online lecture in the ICFI's series on the centenary of the Russian Revolution, "The Place of the October Revolution in World History and Contemporary Politics" will now be held on November 11 at 1:00 pm EST. The date of the third lecture, "Lessons of October: The Political Crisis within the Bolshevik Party on the Eve of the Seizure of Power" remains October 28, at 5:00 pm EDT. For full information and to register, visit wsws.org/1917.

Commemorations in Australia and New Zealand
100 years on: The significance of the 1917 Russian Revolution for today

28 October 2017

The Russian Revolution stands as irrefutable proof that the working class—providing it is guided by a genuine Marxist perspective and leadership—can overthrow the outmoded social relations of capitalism.

On the eve of revolution: The Bolshevik Party, factory committees, and the mass movement of the working class

By Tom Carter, 27 October 2017

From the July Days to the Kornilov coup: Lenin’s The State and Revolution

Tsar to Lenin screens to sold out audiences in London and Manchester

By our reporters, 25 October 2017

US public meeting series: Why Study the Russian Revolution?

24 October 2017

Sri Lankan SEP/IYSSE calls public meetings to mark the centenary of the Russian Revolution

27 October 2017

This week in the Russian Revolution
October 23-29: Bolshevik Central Committee votes for armed insurrection

23 October 2017

Chronology of the Russian Revolution »

Australian Senate formally denounces commemorations of the Russian Revolution

David North delivers address on Russian Revolution at University of St Andrews, Scotland

Socialist Equality Party

The Sri Lankan garbage disaster: A crime of capitalism

By Vilani Peiris—convenor of the Committee of the Independent Workers Inquiry, 28 October 2017

The Meethotamulla disaster was the result of criminal negligence by successive Colombo governments and finds its parallels in similar catastrophes around the world.

Free, high quality public education is a social right! Join the Committee For Public Education!

By the Socialist Equality Party (Australia), 27 October 2017

Auto Workers’ Struggles

Lessons of the CAMI autoworkers’ strike in Canada

By Carl Bronski, 28 October 2017

The strike did not fail to achieve its goals due to a lack of readiness among GM workers to fight, but because it was sabotaged by Unifor with its pro-corporate and nationalist agenda.

The Canadian split from the UAW—Lessons for today

Worker killed in Indiana auto parts plant

By Jessica Goldstein, 26 October 2017

Temporary shutdown of GM Detroit-Hamtramck plant signals new threat to auto jobs

By Shannon Jones, 13 October 2017

Political lessons of the Australian car industry closure

By Oscar Grenfell, 20 October 2017

More on auto workers struggles »

Workers Struggles

Apple iPhone workers protest in China
Workers Struggles: Asia, Australia and the Pacific

28 October 2017

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

Google Censorship

New York Times and Wall Street Journal demand censorship of YouTube

By Andre Damon, 26 October 2017

Public meetings in Michigan, California and New York
Google: The new face of Internet censorship

24 October 2017

The new McCarthyism and the suppression of political dissent

By Andre Damon, 29 September 2017

Google escalates blacklisting of left-wing web sites and journalists

Over 5,000 sign WSWS petition against Google blacklisting

By Trévon Austin, 23 October 2017

The conspiracy to censor the Internet

By Andre Damon and Joseph Kishore, 18 October 2017

The elites “have no credibility left:” An interview with journalist Chris Hedges

An open letter to Google: Stop the censorship of the Internet! Stop the political blacklisting of the World Socialist Web Site!

25 August 2017

Sign the petition and share it as widely as possible through email, online forums, and social media.

Watch: Stop online censorship!

More on Google Censorship »

Commentary

As US moves to abolish estate tax, world’s billionaires pile up another $1 trillion

By Andre Damon, 27 October 2017

Trump: US “totally prepared” for war with North Korea

By Peter Symonds, 26 October 2017

US prepares to put nuclear bombers on 24-hour alert

More on the war threat against North Korea »

US Senate votes to protect financial giants from consumer lawsuits

By Patrick Martin, 26 October 2017

The crisis in the Republican Party and the fracturing of the American two-party system

By Joseph Kishore, 26 October 2017

The far-right Alternative for Germany enters parliament

By Johannes Stern, 26 October 2017

The US lurches toward military dictatorship

By Andre Damon, 23 October 2017

Arts Review

Flint: How much of the social crime does the film present?
Lifetime movie on the water disaster will air October 28

By Joanne Laurier, 27 October 2017

Season 4 of Netflix’s BoJack Horseman: Social and individual psychology

By Josh Varlin, 25 October 2017

Mississippi school district removes To Kill a Mockingbird from curriculum

By Sandy English, 24 October 2017

Exhibition at American Jewish Historical Society in New York
“1917—How One Year Changed the World”

The Grenfell Tower fire

Grenfell Fire Forum launches Facebook page

By our reporters, 26 October 2017

One Forum participant said the Facebook page “will be important to give a voice to the survivors, many of whose terrible experiences have still to be told.”

Post-Grenfell: More than £400 million needed to make London residential buildings safe

By Tom Pearce, 20 October 2017

UK government refuses funds for unsafe tower blocks post-Grenfell

More on the Grenfell Tower fire »

Book Review

Thomas Mackaman’s New Immigrants and the Radicalization of American Labor, 1914-1924
Immigration and socialist strategy in America, past and present

By Eric London, 24 October 2017

Thomas Mackaman’s New Immigrants and the Radicalization of American Labor, 1914-1924 is an essential contribution not only to labor history, but also toward the development of a strategy of social revolution today.

Interview

“This anti-Russian campaign is horrible”: An interview with antiwar activist Cindy Sheehan

By David Walsh, 23 October 2017

Cindy Sheehan, the mother of a US soldier killed in Iraq in 2004, has had many bitter experiences with the Democratic Party.

History

Thirty years since Wall Street’s “Black Monday”

By Nick Beams, 19 October 2017

50 years since the murder of Che Guevara
Including a republication of Castroism and the Politics of Petty-Bourgeois Nationalism

The contradictions of Ken Burns and Lynn Novick’s The Vietnam War

Science

Neutron star merger observed through gravitational waves and light

By Don Barrett, 18 October 2017

Observation of gravitational waves wins Nobel Prize in physics

Featured Commentary

Forty years since the assassination of Tom Henehan (1951-1977)
Tom Henehan: A revolutionary life

By David North, 16 October 2017

Today marks the 40th anniversary of the assassination of Tom Henehan, a member of the Political Committee of the Workers League—the predecessor of the Socialist Equality Party in the US. We are republishing here a tribute delivered by David North at a meeting in 1997.

IYSSE

New club procedures at UC Berkeley give police effective veto power over campus events

By Gabriel Black and Joseph Santolan, 17 October 2017

UC Berkeley mobilizes police for “Free Speech Week”

Trump threatens UC Berkeley funding cut after protest against fascistic provocateur

International Amazon Workers Voice

Trudeau courts Amazon CEO to locate its second headquarters in Canada

Amazon workers force company to rehire unjustly fired worker after IAWV exposure

Watch: How can Amazon workers fight back?

Share this video widely! Like and Follow the International Amazon Workers Voice on Facebook

Is $12 an hour a fair wage for Amazon workers?

Price gouging at Amazon and the case for public ownership