25 August 2018

Trump cancels secretary of state’s trip to North Korea one day after its announcement

By Ben McGrath, 25 August 2018

The US president has directly linked its pressure on North Korea with the trade war with China, exposing the fraudulent nature of the “peace talks” with Pyongyang.

Trump threatens North Korea, issues ultimatum to China

“The Teamsters is not a voice for us”
UPS workers respond to Teamsters campaign of blackmail

By our reporters, 25 August 2018

UPS workers throughout the US continue to express opposition to the sellout deal that Teamsters officials and corporate management are trying to strong-arm them into ratifying.

“We need a united front of auto and UPS workers”
Autoworkers warn UPS workers: Don’t trust the union

The United Auto Workers corruption scandal and the case for rank-and-file committees

Teamsters blackmails UPS workers: Strike and you will lose your health insurance

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

More on the struggle at UPS »

Teachers across Washington state prepare to strike over wages and conditions

By Alec Andersen, 25 August 2018

The opposition of Washington teachers and support staff is a continuation of the teacher revolt that started at the beginning of 2018 and comes amid an upsurge of working class struggle.

Los Angeles teachers vote on strike authorization

Puerto Rico’s teachers hold one-day strike

As students return to school, US teachers face nationwide struggle to defend education

More on the defense of public education »

Google shuts down YouTube channels in expansion of state-directed online censorship

By Kevin Reed, 25 August 2018

Google announced on Thursday that it had shut down 58 social media accounts that the company claimed were part of an Iranian government-sponsored “influence campaign.”

One year after WSWS open letter to Google
Facebook escalates censorship of left-wing, anti-war organizations

Google employees protest plans to build censored search engine in China

Facebook censors Telesur and Venezuela Analysis

More on internet censorship »

German government and police unite with far-right to clamp down on press freedom in Dresden

By Peter Schwarz, 25 August 2018

The grand coalition of the CDU, CSU and SPD has largely adopted the AfD’s policies, and is going out of its way to praise the right-wing extremist party.

How the secret service and the far-right AfD control German politics

Musicians’ group calls for shutdown of the German secret service

More on the growth of the extreme right in Europe »

UK foreign secretary uses US visit to support Boris Johnson replacing Theresa May as prime minister

By Robert Stevens, 25 August 2018

For the hard Brexit faction, the future of May’s premiership is understood in terms of days and weeks—with Johnson’s leadership challenge gathering pace.

Nearly 90,000 retail jobs lost in UK in 12 months

By Barry Mason, 25 August 2018

Retailers are shifting employees from secure full-time contracts to less secure ones with “less rigidity and more flexibility.”

New Trump coal regulations will kill as many as 1,400 Americans annually by 2030

By Alec Andersen, 25 August 2018

According a report by the US Environmental Protection Agency, the agency’s recent rule change will lead to 1,400 more premature deaths by 2030.

Verizon throttled emergency data during California wildfires

By Henry Allan, 25 August 2018

While many workers have lost their homes and lives, the telecommunications giant has seen the disaster as an opportunity to make some extra profits.

Firefighter casualties mount from California wildfires

California’s burning: The social and political background of the deadly infernos

US service workers who rely on tips more susceptible to depression

By Alex Johnson, 25 August 2018

A recent study found that the uncertain nature of tips and irregular schedules contributes to higher rates of stress and depression among service workers.

Manila moves toward major arms purchase from Russia

By Joseph Santolan, 25 August 2018

The Pentagon, which has been systematically escalating military tensions with Russia, has not taken kindly to Washington’s former colony improving relations with Moscow.

New Zealand transport workers’ jobs and conditions under attack

By our correspondents, 25 August 2018

Rail and bus workers face a sustained assault by companies hired by the Greater Wellington Regional Council to run passenger services.

New in French

Le gouvernement Macron annonce de nouvelles mesures de démolition sociale

Francis Dubois, 25 août 2018

Le gouvernement Macron, isolé mais encouragé par la suppression des grèves par les syndicats, renforce ses attaques contre les systèmes de santé et de retraites.

La dynamique de classe du marché haussier

Nick Beams, 25 août 2018

La hausse boursière record est l’aboutissement de la guerre de classes sans relâche menée par l’élite au pouvoir après le krach financier de 2008.

Sixième Premier ministre australien évincé en 11 ans

Mike Head, 25 août 2018

Un schisme politique et idéologique s’est ouvert au Parti libéral, poussé par la désintégration de l’ordre mondial de l’après-guerre.

Comment les services secrets et l’AfD d’extrême droite contrôlent le politique allemande

Peter Schwarz, 25 août 2018

Les entretiens entre le chef des services secrets, Hans-Georg Maaßen, et les membres de haut rang de l’AfD montrent clairement que la décision de prendre pour cible le Parti de l’égalité socialiste (SGP) fait partie d’une conspiration de droite dans l’appareil étatique.

L'élite dirigeante canadienne attise l'hystérie anti-réfugiés pour pousser la politique encore plus à droite

Laurent Lafrance et Roger Jordan, 25 août 2018

Tout en se présentant comme un grand ami des réfugiés, le gouvernement Trudeau a déporté des milliers de demandeurs d'asile désespérés qui tentent de fuir la répression brutale de Trump contre les immigrants.

New in Spanish

La dinámica de clase de la racha alcista en la bolsa de valores

Por Nick Beams, 24 agosto 2018

Las nuevas alturas alcanzadas por el mercado bursátil son el resultado de la despiadada guerra de clases emprendida por la élite gobernante tras el colapso financiero de 2008.

Cómo el servicio secreto y la ultraderechista AfD controlan la política alemana

Por Peter Schwarz, 24 agosto 2018

Encuentros entre el jefe del servicio secreto Hans-Georg Maaßen y miembros de rango superior de AfD dejan claro que la decisión de señalar al Partido Socialista por la Igualdad (SGP) es parte de una conspiración derechista en el aparato del Estado.

“Necesitamos un frente unido de los trabajadores automotores y los de UPS”
Los trabajadores automotores advierten a los trabajadores de UPS: No confíen en el sindicato

Will Morrow, 24 agosto 2018

Un trabajador automotor de 36 años de edad de Toledo, Ohio nos dijo que “si los trabajadores de UPS pudieran encontrar la manera de desembarazarse de su sindicato, los trabajadores automotores los seguirían”.

Teamsters chantajea a trabajadores de UPS: vayan a la huelga y perderán el seguro de salud

Por Will Morrow, 24 agosto 2018

Teamsters está amenazando a los trabajadores con perder la prestación de salud si van a la huelga, y que el contrato de concesiones respaldado por el sindicato es el “mejor que pudimos conseguir”.

Dos inmigrantes mueren mientras Marruecos desata represalias en nombre de España y la Unión Europea

Por Alejandro López, 24 agosto 2018

La catástrofe que se desarrolla en Marruecos es resultado directo de la política de la “Europa Fortaleza” de la UE y del cierre de otras vías de entrada a Europa.

New in German

Die Klassendynamik der Börsen-Hausse

Nick Beams, 25. August 2018

Der Rekordaufschwung an der Börse ist das Ergebnis eines unerbittlichen Klassenkriegs der herrschenden Elite seit der Finanzkrise von 2008.

Die neue „Konzeption der Bundeswehr“: Vorbereitung auf den Dritten Weltkrieg

Johannes Stern, 25. August 2018

Das 87-seitige Dokument des Verteidigungsministeriums unterstreicht, dass die Große Koalition hinter dem Rücken der Bevölkerung eine massive Aufrüstung der Bundeswehr und „sehr große“ Militäroperationen plant.

Australien: Sechster Sturz eines Premierministers in elf Jahren

Mike Head, 25. August 2018

Mit dem Zerfall der globalen Nachkriegsordnung hat sich innerhalb der Liberal Party eine politische und ideologische Kluft aufgetan.

Russische Duma treibt trotz überwältigender Opposition der Bevölkerung Rentenreform voran

Clara Weiss, 25. August 2018

Neunzig Prozent der Bevölkerung lehnen die Rentenreform ab, aber in der Duma-Debatte hatten die Befürworter das große Wort.

New in Norwegian

Ett år etter WSWS’ åpne brev til Google
Facebook eskalerer sensur av venstreorienterte, antikrigorganisasjoner

Andre Damon, 23. august 2018

På tirsdag annonserte Facebook fjerningen av hundrevis av brukerkontoer og sider, mange av dem som motsatte seg USAs, Saudi Arabias og Israels regjerings forbrytelser i Midtøsten.

Musikeraksjonister krever nedleggelse av det hemmelige tyske politi

Dietmar Henning, 23. august 2018

Musikeraksjonistene Lebenslaute avsluttet tirsdag morgen en to-dagers protest mot BfV – det tysk hemmelige politi – med en stor avslutningskonsert ved BfVs hovedkvarter i Köln.

Other Languages

Perspective

US-backed Saudi regime set to behead female activist and four others

25 August 2018

The barbaric beheadings, like the slaughter of the civilian population in Yemen, are carried out with the blessings of a US government that routinely pursues its predatory policies under the phony banner of human rights.

Earlier Perspectives »

SEP 2018 Election Campaign

Socialist Equality Party candidate Niles Niemuth speaks at election meeting in Brownstown, Michigan

By Tom Hall, 25 August 2018

The meeting, held in the predominantly industrial, working-class Downriver area of metro Detroit, saw a wide-ranging discussion with attendees.

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.

A socialist response to the opioid crisis

By Niles Niemuth, 23 August 2018

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

Arts Review

One of the greatest musical figures of the 20th century
The centenary of Leonard Bernstein—Part 2

By Fred Mazelis, 25 August 2018

There was no one else who combined Bernstein’s genius as a composer, conductor, educator and pianist.

One of the greatest musical figures of the 20th century
The centenary of Leonard Bernstein—Part 1

Sacha Baron Cohen’s “Who Is America?” on Showtime: Scattershot satire, with hits and misses

Robin Williams: Come Inside My Mind: “It’s too late to be sane. Too late.”

Darling in the FranXX: Japanese anime series about fighting for the survival of humanity

Aretha Franklin (1942-2018)—A tribute to the Queen of Soul

Commentary

The class dynamics of the stock market bull run

By Nick Beams, 24 August 2018

Sixth Australian prime minister ousted in 11 years

By Mike Head, 24 August 2018

As Trump attacks attorney general, Democrats seek to channel all opposition behind anti-Russia campaign

By Patrick Martin, 24 August 2018

Trump, Republicans exploit murder of Molly Tibbetts to stoke anti-immigrant racism

US political warfare intensifies after Cohen plea, Manafort conviction

Former CIA Director John Brennan’s brief for dismantling democracy

More on the Trump Presidency »

German government places Socialist Equality Party on subversive watch list

By the Sozialistische Gleichheitspartei, 17 August 2018

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

The “unmaking” of #MeToo’s Asia Argento

By David Walsh, 22 August 2018

More on the sexual misconduct witchhunt »

Security and the Fourth International

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

By Eric London, 14 August 2018

This is the first 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.

Part two | Part three | Part four

Seventy-eight years since the assassination of Leon Trotsky

By Eric London and David North, 21 August 2018

On August 21, 1940, Leon Trotsky, the founder of the Fourth International and the co-leader of the Russian Revolution, died from wounds inflicted the day before by an assassin, the Stalinist GPU agent Ramon Mercader.

Workers Struggles

Bangladesh jute mill workers demonstrate; Paradip port workers strike in Orissa
Workers Struggles: Asia, Australia and the Pacific

25 August 2018

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

New Zealand Nurses Organisation lashes out at critics on social media

By Tom Peters, 24 August 2018

Socialist Equality Group (New Zealand) to hold online forum: Lessons of the New Zealand Nurses Organisation’s sellout

Seattle-area crane operators strike following rejection of sellout deal

By our reporter, 24 August 2018

Anger over sell-out pay deal at Sheffield Supertram

International Amazon Workers Voice

Amazon Prime Day produces 209 percent increase in UK health and safety complaints

By Steve James, 24 August 2018

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

“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 »

New in Arabic

Arabic translation of preface to the thirtieth anniversary edition of The Heritage We Defend

We are publishing here the Arabic translation of the new preface written by David North for the thirtieth anniversary edition of The Heritage We Defend: A Contribution to the History of the Fourth International.

This week in history: August 20-26

25 years ago: Jury convicts two Detroit cops in murder of Malice Green

On August 23, 1993, a Detroit jury returned verdicts of second-degree murder against two white policemen for the beating death of Malice Green, a young black worker.

More »

50 years ago: Democratic Party convention opens in Chicago

On August 26, 1968, the crisis-torn Democratic Party opened its presidential nominating convention in Chicago amid a massive security build-up.

More »

75 years ago: Greek partisans oppose moves to restore monarchy

This week in August 1943, a delegation of partisans battling the Nazi occupation of Greece held talks in Cairo, Egypt, with British officials and the government in exile of King George II.

More »

 

100 years ago: Battle of Baku begins

On August 26, 1918, the an army the leadership of the Ottoman Empire, which was allied with imperialist Germany in the First World War, began an assault on the oil center of Baku in Azerbaijan.

More »

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

Lessons of the New Zealand Nurses Organisation’s sellout: Build rank-and-file committees! Unite the working class against the Labour government!

By the Socialist Equality Group (New Zealand), 18 August 2018

Autoworkers Issues

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

By Marcus Day, 17 August 2018

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

More on autoworkers issues »

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.

Defend Julian Assange!

London: Ecuador embassy vigil marks six years since Julian Assange granted asylum

By Paul Mitchell, 18 August 2018

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

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

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.