27 December 2017

Health care threatened for nine million low-income US children

By Patrick Martin, 27 December 2017

The temporary “fix” to the Children’s Health Insurance Program, applied by Congress in legislation passed December 21, could actually speed the program’s collapse.

UK steps up provocations against Russia

By Steve James and Chris Marsden, 27 December 2017

The effort to play up the passage of a Russian warship through the North Sea on Christmas Day is only the latest example of the UK’s escalating propaganda campaign against Russia.

Romanian Ford worker speaks to WSWS about wildcat strike at Craiova plant

By Eric London, 27 December 2017

“We have a corrupt union that works for the company.”

Wildcat strike stops production as workers eject union leaders at Ford Romania

Massive job cuts at Opel and Vauxhall

Holidays painful for family of young Ford worker killed in Detroit area plant

By Jerry White, 27 December 2017

December 27 would have been the 22nd birthday of Jacoby Marquis Hennings, who tragically died at Ford’s Woodhaven Stamping Plant on October 20.

Autopsy report refutes claims young Ford worker was on drugs at time of factory shooting

More on auto workers issues »

European Union threatens to impose sanctions on Poland

By Clara Weiss, 27 December 2017

The conflict between Brussels and Warsaw is an expression of the ongoing breakup of the European Union.

UK Conservatives seek closer economic ties with China

By Jean Shaoul, 27 December 2017

The announcement points to the divergence between Britain’s commercial interests and those of its foremost ally, the United States.

Police kill over a thousand for fourth year in a row

By George Gallanis, 27 December 2017

The killing of thousands in the span of a few years is an indication of growing fear and hatred of the working class in ruling class circles.

Notes on police violence
Bexar County, Texas police shoot and kill six-year-old boy

More on police violence in the US »

Court quashes subpoena of reporter who uncovered Chicago police murder coverup

By George Marlowe, 27 December 2017

An anti-press subpoena against independent journalist Jamie Kalven would have forced him to disclose his confidential sources.

South Korea’s deadliest fire in a decade leaves 29 dead

By Ben McGrath, 27 December 2017

The tragedy highlights the ruling elite’s utter disregard for safety and public planning in the quest for profits.

Australian retail union reportedly signs another wage-cutting deal with Woolworths

By Oscar Grenfell, 27 December 2017

The Shop, Distributive and Allied Employees Association is acting as an arm of Woolworths management in its drive to slash wages in response to Amazon’s Australian opening.

Left Alliance wins Nepal’s elections

By W. A. Sunil, 27 December 2017

In response to the alliance’s victory, the US and India will intensify their interventions to combat China’s growing influence in the country.

New in Spanish

Partido Demócrata encabeza cacería de brujas contra Jill Stein del Partido Verde

Declaración del Comité Político del Partido Socialista por la Igualdad (EUA), 27 diciembre 2017

El Partido Socialista por la Igualdad condena la acometida contra Jill Stein, la candidata presidencial del Partido Verde en las elecciones del 2016, de los demócratas en la comisión de inteligencia del Senado.

La Asamblea General de las Naciones Unidas rechaza el anuncio de Trump sobre Jerusalén

por Jordan Shilton, 27 diciembre 2017

El voto de 128-9, con 35 abstenciones, refleja el aislamiento extremo de Estados Unidos y propicia un confrontamiento violento en Oriente Próximo.

Las contradicciones del frenesí de la criptomoneda bitcoin

por Eric London, 27 diciembre 2017

La propuesta viene al final de una semana marcada por ataques despiadados contra los inmigrantes.

Inestabilidad política en España sigue las elecciones catalanas

por Paul Mitchell, 27 diciembre 2017

El presidente Rajoy se encuentra bajo presión de algunos sectores de considerar unas negociaciones; sin embargo, nada indica que retrocederá.

El Pentágono admite la presencia de tropas estadounidenses en Yemen, cuando los casos de cólera superan el millón

por Bill Van Auken, 27 diciembre 2017

Washington está profundizando la catástrofe en Yemen como parte de sus preparaciones de guerra contra Irán, lo cual amenaza la vida de millones.

New in German

Hexenjagd gegen amerikanische Grünen-Politikerin Jill Stein

Erkklärung des Politischen Komitees der Socialist Equality Party (USA), 27. Dezember 2017

Die Socialist Equality Party verurteilt die Kampagne der Demokratischen Partei gegen die grüne Spitzenpolitikerin Jill Stein.

Brüssel leitet Sanktionsverfahren gegen Polen ein

Von Clara Weiss, 27. Dezember 2017

Der Konflikt zwischen Brüssel und Warschau ist ein Symptom des fortschreitenden Aufbrechens der Europäischen Union.

Trump genehmigt Verkauf von tödlichen Waffen an Ukraine

Von Niles Niemuth, 27. Dezember 2017

Die Entscheidung, Kiew den Kauf von „tödlichen Verteidigungswaffen“ zu ermöglichen, ist eine Eskalation des seit vier Jahren andauernden Bürgerkriegs.

Pentagon gibt Präsenz von US-Truppen im Jemen zu

Von Bill Van Auken, 27. Dezember 2017

Die USA unterstützen die mörderische Aggression Saudi-Arabiens, weil sie sich auf Krieg gegen den Iran vorbereiten.

Wilder Streik bei Ford in Rumänien
Arbeiter werfen Gewerkschaftsführer hinaus und stoppen Produktion

Von Eric London, 27. Dezember 2017

Zu der spontanen Aktion kam es, nachdem sich Konzern und Gewerkschaft auf einen Vertrag geeinigt hatten, der ganz im Sinne des Unternehmens ist. Weltweit sind Arbeiter mit derselben Situation konfrontiert.

Wahlauftakt der IYSSE an der Berliner Humboldt-Universität

Von unseren Korrespondenten, 27. Dezember 2017

Die International Youth and Student for Social Equality an der Berliner Humboldt-Universität haben auf ihrer ersten Veranstaltung zur Wahl des Studierendenparlaments über die Rückkehr des deutschen Militarismus und die internationale Kriegsgefahr diskutiert.

New in Norwegian

Krisevalg i Catalonia
Nei til diktatur og nasjonal separatisme! For foreningen av katalanske og spanske arbeidere!

Alex Lantier, 21 December 2017

Med dagens valg har Madrid som mål å gi en «demokratisk» ferniss til pådrivet mot politistatregimer og rehabiliteringen av ytrehøyre-krefter over hele Europa.

Trumps nasjonale sikkerhetsstrategi: Tilbake til militær konflikt mellom stormaktene

Bill Van Auken, 20 December 2017

Den nye amerikanske Nasjonale sikkerhetsstrategien og Trumps tale mandag utgjør en grim advarsel for menneskeheten om at amerikansk imperialisme har lagt ut på en vei som fører til en kjernefysisk tredje verdenskrig.

New in Russian

Профессор Шон МакМикин и констриурование исторической лжи (Часть II)

23 декабря2017 г.

Утверждение профессора Шона МакМикина, согласно которому Ленин был агентом германского империализма, основано на преднамеренно ложной интерпретации исторического исследования, не оставляющего камня на камне от мифа о «германском золоте».

Эта неделя в русской революции
11–17 декабря: Белая армия захватывает Ростов

23 декабря 2017 г.

В то время как вооруженные силы под командованием контрреволюционного генерала Каледина оккупируют Ростов, крупный промышленный центр на юге России, в руководстве большевиков продолжается конфликт по вопросу об Учредительном собрании.

New in French

Les nationalistes catalans remportent les élections de crise par une courte majorité

Alex Lantier et Alejandro López, 23 décembre 2017

Les résultats enterre les espoirs à Madrid que les élections allaient rapidement résoudre le conflit entre le gouvernement espagnol et celui de la région catalane.

L’Assemblée générale de l’ONU rejette la position de Trump sur Jérusalem

Jordan Shilton, 23 décembre 2017

Le vote par 128 voix contre 9, avec 35 abstentions, reflète l’isolement extrême des Etats-Unis et renforce la perspective d’un affrontement violent au Moyen-Orient.

New in Turkish

Katalonya’da kriz seçimi
Diktatörlüğe ve ulusal ayrılıkçılığa hayır! Katalan ve İspanyol işçilerin birliği için!

Alex Lantier, 22 Aralık 2017

Madrid, bugünkü seçimle, polis devleti rejimi yönelimine “demokratik” bir maske takmayı ve AB genelindeki aşırı sağcı güçlere saygınlık kazandırmayı amaçlıyor.

Eşitsizlik ülkesi: Amerika Birleşik Devletleri

Andre Damon, 22 Aralık 2017

Geçtiğimiz hafta, Kongre trilyonlarca doları mali oligarşiye aktaracak bir vergi yasasını geçirmek için koştururken, uzmanlar ABD’deki toplumsal eşitsizliğin büyümesini belgeleyen mahkum edici raporlar yayınladı.

Yoldaş Keerthi Balasuriya’nın 30. ölüm yıldönümü üzerine

22 Aralık 2017

Aşağıdaki mektup, WSWS Yayın Kurulu Başkanı David North tarafından, Keerthi Balasuriya’nın 30. ölüm yıldönümünü anmak üzere toplanan Sosyalist Eşitlik Partisi’ne (Sri Lanka) gönderildi.

Trump’ın Kudüs’ü İsrail’in başkenti olarak tanıması Arap önderlerin krizini derinleştiriyor

Jean Shaoul, 22 Aralık 2017

Trump’ın Kudüs açıklaması, yalnızca İsrail ile Filistin arasında yeni ve kanlı bir çatışma değil; Arap, Musevi, İranlı ve diğer ulusal ve etnik grupların birbirleri ile karşı karşıya geleceği bölgesel bir savaş yönünde artan tehlikeye işaret etmektedir.

Other Languages

Perspective

The US government and the Russian election

27 December 2017

The United States, the most unequal and undemocratic developed country in the world, the leading force for war and dictatorship worldwide, is in no position to lecture others about “democracy.”

Earlier Perspectives »

WSWS Holiday Schedule

Over the holiday period, we will not publish on Monday, December 25 and Tuesday, December 26, and on Monday, January 1 and Tuesday, January 2. We will resume our regular schedule of postings on January 3. The WSWS extends season's greetings to all of our readers.

Centenary of the Russian Revolution

This week in the Russian Revolution
December 25-31: Soviet government nationalizes the banks

27 December 2017

The year 1917 closes with the Russian Revolution in a precarious situation. The new Soviet government is menaced on all sides by hostile armies. Meanwhile, the imperialist war rages on, and the October insurrection catalyzes revolutionary struggles around the world.

Chronology of the Russian Revolution »

History

How former Nazi official Reinhard Gehlen erected a state within a state in post-war Germany

By Wolfgang Weber, 27 December 2017

Over 100,000 pages of documents relating to the post-World War II head of the German Federal Intelligence Service and ex-Nazi official Reinhard Gehlen have been leaked to the Süddeutsche Zeitung.

Commentary

Democratic Party witch-hunters target Green Party candidate Jill Stein

23 December 2017

Social inequality and Germany’s government crisis

By Peter Schwarz, 23 December 2017

German Social Democratic Party follows the path of far-right Alternative for Germany

The contradictions of the bitcoin-blockchain frenzy

By Nick Beams, 23 December 2017

Bitcoin speculation continues to surge

Drug deaths drive down US life expectancy for second year

By Eric London, 22 December 2017

US workplace fatalities rose 7 percent in 2016

Jury acquits all six defendants in first trial of Inauguration Day protesters

By Patrick Martin, 22 December 2017

UK: Pro-Corbyn councillors sabotage fight against Labour’s social cleansing

By Robert Stevens and Margot Miller, 22 December 2017

Court ruling allows Canadian spies to conduct mass surveillance of cellphones

By Laurent Lafrance, 22 December 2017

UK: Deputy Conservative leader Damian Green forced to resign by manufactured sex scandal

By Robert Stevens, 22 December 2017

Actor Matt Damon comes under attack for his criticisms of the sexual misconduct campaign

Workers Struggles

Engineering workers occupy three BiFab yards in Scotland

By Darren Paxton and Sandy Campbell, 23 December 2017

“If finding out what happened could save another life at least something good would come from our son’s death”
Family, co-workers want truth about Kentucky Ford worker’s death

By Jerry White, 23 December 2017

Mehring Books

WSWS publishes Urdu translation of Trotsky’s Lessons of October

Preface to the Urdu edition of Lessons of October

Arts Review

Downsizing: Alexander Payne’s take on climate change, overpopulation, social inequality … and more

By Joanne Laurier, 23 December 2017

Greta Gerwig’s Lady Bird and Todd Haynes’ Wonderstruck: “Small” films at a time of big crisis

By Carlos Delgado, 21 December 2017

One hundred years since the birth of Romanian pianist and composer Dinu Lipatti

Star Wars: The Last Jedi—The further business of the Disney franchise

Socialist Equality Party

Socialist Equality Party (Sri Lanka) stands for local government elections

By our correspondents, 23 December 2017

SEP in Sri Lanka pays tribute to Keerthi Balasuriya

By our correspondent, 20 December 2017

On the 30th anniversary of the death of Comrade Keerthi Balasuriya

By David North, 19 December 2017

Keerthi’s death on December 18, 1987 was an irreplaceable loss to the International Committee of the Fourth International and its Sri Lankan section.

Australian and New Zealand Trotskyists hold powerful Russian Revolution centenary meetings

SEP meeting attendees speak about the Russian Revolution

Puerto Rico

Puerto Rico governor orders review of official hurricane death toll

By Niles Niemuth, 19 December 2017

On-the-spot report
Over a million in Puerto Rico living without the necessities of modern life
“The island has been turned upside down since the storm”

“The poverty is no longer hidden by the trees”
Hurricane Maria exposes the conditions of life for the working class in Caguas, Puerto Rico

“The rich people are not going to do anything for us”
University of Puerto Rico students speak on inequality and the devastation caused by Hurricane Maria

More on Puerto Rico »

The Grenfell Tower Fire

Families and survivors hold six-month commemoration of Grenfell Tower fire

By Paul Mitchell, 18 December 2017

Oppose media witch-hunt against “the left” over Grenfell fire

By Robert Stevens, 18 December 2017

Six months since the Grenfell Tower fire

Film Review
“Grenfell changed everything”—Failed by the State: The Struggle in the Shadow of Grenfell

More on the Grenfell Tower fire »

Book Review

Ron Chernow’s Grant: An able and compelling new biography

By Andre Damon, 15 December 2017

Featured Video

Watch: Davino Watson, American Citizen, imprisoned by ICE for 3.5 years

International Amazon Workers Voice

Amazon worker dies after vomiting blood at Sacramento, California fulfillment center

By Kristina Betinis, 23 December 2017

OSHA dragging its feet investigating death of Pennsylvania Amazon worker Devan Shoemaker

Amazon conducts total surveillance of workers in new German plant

By Marianne Arens, 16 December 2017

Workers Struggles: Europe, Middle East & Africa
One day strike hits German and Italian Amazon distribution centres

Watch: How can Amazon workers fight back?

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

Google Censorship

Net neutrality and the drive to censor the internet

By Andre Damon, 25 November 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 »

Centenary of the Russian Revolution

Australia: Socialist Equality Party holds successful meetings on Russian Revolution

By our correspondents, 7 December 2017

Workers and youth discuss the Russian Revolution at SEP meetings

By our reporters, 7 December 2017

Russian television’s Trotsky serial: A degraded spectacle of historical falsification and anti-Semitism

By Fred Williams and David North, 25 November 2017

The eight-part serial is an exhibition of the political, intellectual and cultural depravity of all those involved in its production.

The Place of the October Revolution in World History and Contemporary Politics

By David North, 13 November 2017

IYSSE

IYSSE mounts campaign against university police censorship at University of California, Berkeley

By Evan Blake, 2 December 2017

International Youth and Students for Social Equality launches new website

6 November 2017

The IYSSE’s newly designed website includes an updated Statement of Principles for its US section. We urge all youth and students to join the IYSSE and take up the fight for socialism.