17 August 2018

New CDC estimates: A record 72,000 US drug overdose deaths in 2017

By Kate Randall, 17 August 2018

The catastrophic toll of opioid deaths, which is driving falling life expectancies, casts a grim light on the state of America in the 21st century.

Late Fiat Chrysler CEO Sergio Marchionne lied to federal investigators about gift to UAW official

By Marcus Day, 17 August 2018

The latest revelation of bribery in the UAW corruption scandal follows Monday’s statement by lawyers for an indicted Chrysler executive that the conspiracy “started long before” 2009.

UAW bribery predated 2009, lawyer for former Fiat Chrysler executive tells court

Facebook censors Telesur and Venezuela Analysis

By Andrea Lobo, 17 August 2018

As the Trump administration escalates its onslaught against Venezuela, technology corporations are stepping up censorship of sites critical of US policy.

US escalates trade war against Turkey as Ankara moves to attack workers

By Alex Lantier, 17 August 2018

Washington is waging trade war on Turkey even as the financial collapse of the lira currency tears apart the Turkish economy.

The global implications of the Turkish lira crisis

Political recriminations as death toll rises in Genoa bridge collapse

By Marianne Arens, 17 August 2018

Leaders of the right-wing coalition government of Lega and the FiveStars Movement rushed to the city to pretend concern for the victims ofthe tragedy.

At least 35 killed in Italy bridge collapse

Seoul and Pyongyang prepare for September summit while US intensifies campaign against North Korea

By Ben McGrath, 17 August 2018

Washington will only accept the complete subjugation of the North as it continues to raise tensions in the region with China.

Vehicle crashes claim lives of 16 migrant workers in Italy

By Allison Smith, 17 August 2018

The deadly vehicle crashes—caused by sheer greed for profit at the expense of the labourers—are linked to the extremely right-wing course of the government in Rome.

UK artists’ visa refusals highlight tightened legislation against migrants

By Paul Bond, 17 August 2018

Implementation of the repressive Control Order was confirmed in operational guidance to border staff last month.

Parti Quebecois makes “left” feint in hopes of averting electoral disaster

By Laurent Lafrance, 17 August 2018

With Quebec’s provincial election just weeks away, opinion polls continue to show the big business, pro-independence PQ facing an unprecedented electoral debacle.

Private prison corporation CoreCivic facing multiple lawsuits for endangering Tennessee inmates

By Keisha Gibbs, 17 August 2018

Nashville-based private prison company CoreCivic continues to reap profits despite numerous lawsuits.

Australian government facing defeat over energy policy and company tax cuts

By Mike Head, 17 August 2018

It is clear from the events of this week that the government’s two signature policies are in tatters.

Australia: Transport union cancels Victorian bus drivers strike

By Oscar Grenfell, 17 August 2018

The TWU’s suppression of the stoppage was the outcome of a sordid back-room conspiracy, involving the union, the companies and the Victorian state Labor government.

New in Italian

Almeno 35 morti nel crollo del ponte a Genova

Allison Smith, 17 agosto 2018

Oltre ai 35 morti, ci sono almeno sette persone gravemente ferite e 440 costrette ad evacuare le loro case in seguito a una fuga di gas.

New in Norwegian

De globale implikasjonene av den tyrkiske lira-krisen

Nick Beams, 17 august 2018

Ti år etter finanskrisen i 2008 truer den økende intensitet av økonomisk krigføring med å kollapse det finansielle korthuset som ble opprettet av multi-billioner-dollar-kausjoneringene av det globale banksystemet.

Den tyrkiske krisen rammer arbeidstakerne

Halil Celik, 17 august 2018

Tyrkiske liras frie fall mot US-dollaren og euroen har umiddelbare konsekvenser for prisene på varer og tjenester.

Storjury påstår: Hundrevis av katolske prester misbrukte tusenvis av barn i Pennsylvania

Patrick Martin, 17 august 2018

Ifølge storjury-rapporten: «Prester voldtok små gutter og jenter, og de Guds menn som var ansvarlige, ikke bare gjorde de ingenting: de dekket over alt sammen. I flere tiår.»

New in French

La crise turque frappe les travailleurs

Halil Celik, 17 août 2018

La chute libre de la livre turque par rapport au dollar américain et à l'euro a des répercussions immédiates sur les prix des biens et des services.

Les implications mondiales de la crise de la livre turque

Nick Beams, 17 août 2018

Dix ans après la crise financière de 2008, l’intensité croissante de la guerre économique menace de causer l’effondrement du château de cartes financier créé par le renflouement de plusieurs milliards de dollars du système bancaire mondial.

Parcoursup bloque l’inscription de dizaines de milliers d’étudiants en France

Kumaran Ira, 17 août 2018

Le risque que des milliers d’étudiants soient privés d’études supérieures souligne le caractère réactionnaire de la réforme ORE de Macron.

La campagne accusant Corbyn d’antisémitisme fait l’amalgame entre opposition aux crimes d‘Israël et soutien au terrorisme

Chris Marsden, 17 août 2018

Le dirigeant du Parti travailliste britannique cherche à apaiser au lieu d‘affronter ses adversaires dont les attaques sont axées sur l’affirmation que toute opposition à Israël équivaut à de l « antisémitisme ».

Récit de campagne
Le candidat du Parti de l’égalité socialiste fait campagne parmi les travailleurs d'UPS au Michigan

Niles Niemuth, 17 août 2018

J'ai parlé avec des travailleurs d'UPS qui ont exprimé une profonde colère au sujet de leurs conditions et du contrat de concessions que le syndicat des Teamsters tente d'imposer.

New in German

Die globalen Auswirkungen der türkischen Lira-Krise

Nick Beams, 17. August 2018

Mit zunehmender Intensität des Wirtschaftskrieges droht zehn Jahre nach der Finanzkrise von 2008 das Kartenhaus zusammenzubrechen, das seither durch die milliardenschwere Rettungsaktion des globalen Bankensystems geschaffen wurde.

Die Krise in der Türkei trifft die Arbeiterklasse

Halil Celik, 17. August 2018

Der freie Fall der türkischen Lira gegenüber dem US-Dollar und dem Euro hat unmittelbare Auswirkungen auf die Preise von Waren und Dienstleistungen.

Pennsylvania: Katholische Priester haben tausende Kinder missbraucht

Patrick Martin, 17. August 2018

Im Bericht der Grand Jury heißt es: „Priester vergewaltigten kleine Jungen und Mädchen. Und die verantwortlichen Gottesmänner haben nicht nur nichts dagegen unternommen, sie haben jahrzehntelang alles vertuscht.“

Das Debakel der Neonazis in Washington

Patrick Martin, 17. August 2018

Nach einer riesigen Medienkampagne tauchten bei der „Kundgebung“ am Sonntag vor dem Weißen Haus nicht einmal zwei Dutzend Neonazis auf.

New in Russian

Документам кандидата Партии Социалистического Равенства в Мичигане не выдвинуто претензий

От нашего корреспондента, 9 августа 2018 г.

Государственная избирательная комиссия штата Мичиган не ранее 7 сентября примет решение, будет ли кандидат Партии Социалистического Равенства Найлс Нимут включен в избирательные бюллетени. Однако срок подачи претензий со стороны других групп, таких как Демократическая партия, истек.

New in Arabic

المجلس العسكري المصري یمد حالة الطوارئ ويسيطر على وسائل الاعلام الاجتماعیة

٢٢ تموز يوليو ٢٠١٨

بعد خمس سنوات من الانقلاب العسكري الذي وقع في 3 یولیو / تموز 2013 ضد الرئیس الإخواني محمد مرسي والمذبحة التي راح ضحیتها أكثر من 1000 تابعا له في شوارع القاهرة ، یقوم النظام العسكري للدكتاتور عبد الفتاح السیسي ، المدعوم من القوى الغربية ، بتكثیف إرهابه المعادي للثورة.

Other Languages

Perspective

Trump revokes security clearance for former CIA chief Brennan: Ruling class warfare intensifies

17 August 2018

The warfare within the American state pits against each other two deeply reactionary factions of the capitalist ruling elite, personified by Trump and Brennan.

Earlier Perspectives »

Socialist Equality Party (Germany)

German government places Socialist Equality Party on subversive watch-list

By the Sozialistische Gleichheitspartei, 17 August 2018

Last month Germany’s domestic intelligence agency added the Socialist Equality Party to its official list of “left-wing extremist” organizations subject to state monitoring.

Security and the Fourth International

An “Exemplary Comrade”: The Socialist Workers Party’s 40-year-long cover-up of Stalinist spy Sylvia Callen: Part four

By Eric London, 17 August 2018

This is the final part in a four-part series examining the cover-up by the Socialist Workers Party, beginning in 1947, of information exposing the role of Sylvia Callen, the personal secretary of long-time party leader James P. Cannon, as a Stalinist agent.

An “Exemplary Comrade”: The Socialist Workers Party’s 40-year-long cover-up of Stalinist spy Sylvia Callen: Part three

An “Exemplary Comrade”: The Socialist Workers Party’s 40-year-long cover-up of Stalinist spy Sylvia Callen: Part two

An “Exemplary Comrade”: The Socialist Workers Party’s 40-year-long cover-up of Stalinist spy Sylvia Callen: Part one

SEP 2018 Election Campaign

Socialist Equality Party campaign for Michigan’s 12th congressional district launches website

16 August 2018

Visit our new website to find out how you can get involved in Niles Niemuth’s campaign against war, inequality and dictatorship, and for the socialist transformation of society.

Tragic house fire takes three lives in Lincoln Park, Michigan

By Niles Niemuth, 14 August 2018

Notes from the campaign trail
Socialist Equality Party candidate campaigns among UPS workers in Michigan

By Niles Niemuth, 15 August 2018

I spoke with UPS workers who expressed deep anger over their conditions and the sellout contract that the Teamsters union is seeking to impose.

The New York Times and the specter of socialism

Socialist candidate for Congress Niles Niemuth submits thousands of signatures for ballot access in Michigan

Socialist Equality Party to run Niles Niemuth for Michigan’s 12th Congressional district

International Committee of the Fourth International

Resolution of the SEP (US) Fifth National Congress
The Resurgence of Class Struggle and the Tasks of the Socialist Equality Party

8 August 2018

This resolution was unanimously adopted by the Socialist Equality Party Congress, held from July 22–27, 2018.

Opening report to the Fifth National Congress of the Socialist Equality Party (US)

By David North, 4 August 2018

Socialist Equality Party (US) holds Fifth National Congress

Resolution of the SEP (US) Fifth National Congress
Free Julian Assange!

Preface to the Russian edition of In Defense of Leon Trotsky

Workers Struggles

UK rail strikes continue; non-academic staff strikes at three Nigerian universities; Kenyan teachers to strike
Workers Struggles: Europe, Middle East & Africa

17 August 2018

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

Opposition mounts to UPS-Teamsters conspiracy as union announces contract for airline mechanics

By Will Morrow, 16 August 2018

Break the UPS-Teamsters conspiracy! Mobilize opposition to the sellout contract!

UPS pays out $700 million to stockholders: An object lesson in the operation of capitalism

More on the struggle at UPS »

Fifteen workers hospitalized after explosion at US Steel mill south of Detroit

By Jessica Goldstein, 13 August 2018

Commentary

Australian Daily Telegraph lawyers plead “truth defence” in Geoffrey Rush defamation case

By Richard Phillips, 16 August 2018

More on the sexual misconduct witchhunt »

Mueller investigation seeks to implicate WikiLeaks and Julian Assange in “Russian interference”

By James Cogan, 15 August 2018

Growing support for socialism in the United States

By Joseph Kishore, 14 August 2018

What the neo-Nazi debacle in Washington showed

By Patrick Martin, 14 August 2018

Defend the Student Council! Stop the right-wing conspiracy at Berlin’s Humboldt University

By the International Youth and Students for Social Equality and Sozialistische Gleichheitspartei, 9 August 2018

US: The “public charge” rule’s effects on legal immigrant families

By Jill Lux, 13 August 2018

More on the attack on immigrants »

Arts Review

Spike Lee’s BlacKkKlansman: The illogic of racialism

By David Walsh, 16 August 2018

Acoustic Classics—the new old songs of Rodney Crowell

By Hiram Lee, 15 August 2018

Mehring Books

Two new pamphlets from Mehring Books

15 August 2018

Mehring Books is pleased to announce that two new pamphlets—The World Socialist Web Site and the Defense of Julian Assange and WikiLeaks and The 2018 Teacher Rebellion—are available for online purchase.

International Amazon Workers Voice

“I had to sell my cell phone to pay for food”
Spanish Amazon worker, fired for injury, faces prospect of homelessness

By Eric London, 13 August 2018

“I would not wish working for Amazon on my worst enemy”
Southern California Amazon worker reports company forcing employees to work despite fire evacuation orders

Following IAWV exposure at Texas warehouse
More Amazon workers speak out against atrocious working conditions

More on Amazon »

Defend Julian Assange!

Workers and youth in UK speak out against continued persecution of Julian Assange

By our reporters, 13 August 2018

Julian Assange reportedly asked to give secret interview to US Senate Intelligence Committee

By Mike Head, 9 August 2018

Ecuador’s president issues new threat to Julian Assange

By Mike Head, 7 August 2018

Moreno’s threats to “take measures” if Assange “intervenes” in the politics of other countries is a fraudulent attempt to justify turning the journalist over to the war criminals in Washington and London.

Julian Assange’s lawyer: Australian government has a “duty” to protect him

By Mike Head, 2 August 2018

Ecuador’s president ready to allow Julian Assange to be extradited to US

By Mike Head, 31 July 2018

Julian Assange and the betrayal of Latin America’s “left”

Christine Assange, mother of WikiLeaks editor: “I’ve not been able to speak to my son for four months”

By Richard Phillips, 24 July 2018

Protest in London against Ecuadorian President Moreno’s persecution of Julian Assange

By our reporters, 25 July 2018

The Turnbull government must act to repatriate Australian citizen Julian Assange to Australia

By James Cogan, 19 June 2018

Bringing Julian Assange Home

By John Pilger, 19 June 2018

More on the campaign to free Julian Assange »

Science

NASA spacecraft launched for close-up study of the Sun

By Bryan Dyne, 13 August 2018

This week in history: August 13-19

25 years ago: Clinton unveils health care “reform” to cut costs for corporate employers

In a speech to the National Governors Association on August 16, 1993, President Bill Clinton outlined the substance of his proposed health care reform program.

More »

50 years ago: Soviet Politburo agrees to invasion of Czechoslovakia

Meeting in Moscow August 17, 1968, members of the Soviet Politburo voted unanimously to “provide assistance and support to the Communist Party and people of Czechoslovakia through the use of armed forces.”

More »

75 years ago: Churchill, Roosevelt meet in Quebec

On August 17, 1943, British Prime Minister Winston Churchill and US President Franklin Roosevelt, along with military leaders from both countries, met in Quebec for a secret military conference.

More »

 

100 years ago: AFL and business leaders discuss how to fight Bolshevism

On August 13, 1918, a top-level conference between officials of the National Civic Federation and AFL President Samuel Gompers discussed “methods of counteracting Bolshevism.”

More »

Featured Video

Coby Day: Hundreds memorialize fallen Detroit autoworker Jacoby Hennings

Friends and family of Jacoby Hennings (1995 - 2017) want answers about the circumstances surrounding the young autoworker's death at Ford's Woodhaven stamping plant.

International Committee of the Fourth International

Preface to the thirtieth anniversary edition of The Heritage We Defend

By David North, 21 June 2018

We are posting the new preface written by David North for the soon to be released thirtieth anniversary edition of The Heritage We Defend: A Contribution to the History of the Fourth International.

Support the Socialist Equality group in Turkey!
Statement of the SE group, in sympathy with the International Committee of the Fourth International (ICFI), on the snap elections in Turkey

WSWS 20th Anniversary

Twenty years of the World Socialist Web Site: 1998–2018

By David North and Joseph Kishore, 14 February 2018

As the WSWS marks its 20th anniversary of daily posting, it is taking the lead in exposing the conspiracy by governments and corporations to censor the Internet as the ruling class prepares for war and domestic repression.

History

Lenin, Trotsky and the Marxism of the October Revolution

By David North, 19 March 2018

David North, chairperson of the International Editorial Board of the World Socialist Web Site and of the Socialist Equality Party (US), delivered this lecture at the University of Leipzig on March 16.