World News
Thirty-one dead as Hurricane Florence continues to ravage the Carolinas
By Matthew Taylor, 18 September 2018
Cities cut off from aid, police guarding storefronts against desperate refugees, widespread power outages—this scene is now a routine during America's Hurricane season.
Typhoon Mangkhut kills dozens in the Philippines, leaves trail of destruction in China and Hong Kong
By Oscar Grenfell, 18 September 2018
As in previous natural disasters, the poor and workers in low-paid precarious industries have been the hardest hit.
Assault allegation puts question mark over Kavanaugh nomination to Supreme Court
By Patrick Martin, 18 September 2018
The Senate Judiciary Committee will call Kavanaugh and his accuser to testify Monday, delaying a confirmation vote originally set for this Thursday.
Russian aircraft shot down during Israeli missile attack on main Syrian government port
By Bill Van Auken, 18 September 2018
Russian sources have reported that they tracked missiles launched by a French frigate at the time their aircraft was attacked.
“We have to join our struggles together”
Chicago Ford autoworkers support hotel workers on strike
By George Marlowe and Marcus Day, 18 September 2018
Workers at the Chicago Ford Assembly Plant spoke out in support of striking hotel workers and the common struggles all workers face.
Quebec: Right-wing populist CAQ exploits disaffection with traditional parties
By Laurent Lafrance, 18 September 2018
The CAQ is able to posture as the “party of change” only because the unions have derailed a series of explosive social struggles against big business’ austerity agenda.
South Korean president in Pyongyang for summit on denuclearization
By Ben McGrath, 18 September 2018
Whatever the result of this week’s talks, it will do nothing to resolve the dangerous tensions in the Asia-Pacific.
China’s $60 billion in aid and loans to Africa in context
By Gabriel Black, 18 September 2018
While China’s role in Africa has grown significantly in the past two decades, the United States and its allies remain the principal issuers of debt.
Hundreds arrested as construction workers at Turkish airport clash with security forces
By Jerry White, 17 September 2018
Thousands of workers downed their tools Friday after the latest in a series of fatal and near-fatal accidents at a construction site near Istanbul.
Israel bombs target near Damascus as Syrian war threatens to escalate
By Jordan Shilton, 17 September 2018
Washington supports Israel's aggression in Syria as part of its strategy to drive back Iranian influence in the country and throughout the Middle East.
Manafort guilty plea, cooperation deal rock Trump White House
By Patrick Martin, 17 September 2018
In return for his guilty plea, prosecutors agreed to limit the total prison sentence for 69-year-old Manafort to 10 years, for all the charges against him.
“All the hotel workers should go on strike”
Chicago hotel workers continue walkout as workers throughout the US vote to strike
By George Marlowe and George Gallanis, 17 September 2018
Hotel workers in Chicago continue to fight for year-round healthcare and higher wages, even as the union keeps them isolated from hotel workers' struggles across the country.
Residents of Chicago’s Little Village speak out against increasing poverty and unaffordable housing
By our reporters, 17 September 2018
Three weeks after a deadly house fire killed 10 children on Chicago’s west side, residents still have no answers as to its causes, or resources to help them recover.
Growing anger over injury of autoworker in Kokomo, Indiana
By Shannon Jones, 17 September 2018
Both management and the UAW have maintained complete silence on the serious injury suffered last week by Eric Parsons at the Fiat Chrysler plant in Kokomo, Indiana.
New Zealand primary teachers’ union presents sellout offer
By Tom Peters and Sam Price, 17 September 2018
The Labour government’s proposal does not begin to address stagnant wages and the staffing crisis afflicting schools.
Texas special education students face teacher shortage and budget shortfall
By Todd Denton, 17 September 2018
The state of Texas is in violation of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act for its failure to educate disabled children.
Portland officials fail to indict two university police for murder of 45-year-old worker
By Kayla Costa, 17 September 2018
Far from an unavoidable tragedy, the killing of Jason Washington is a direct consequence of the growing militarized police apparatus in cities and schools across the United States.
Peru: Pseudo-left promotes anti-corruption protests to cover for anti-worker policies
By Armando Cruz, 17 September 2018
The pseudo-left has adapted itself to President Vizcarra’s proposals, praising his preparedness to "listen" to the people.
UN special rapporteur to examine extreme poverty in the UK
By Barry Mason, 17 September 2018
That the UK now requires such a visit demonstrates the impact of more than £110 billion in austerity cuts and the destruction of one million public sector jobs.
UK Food Foundation: Four million children have poor diets
By Liz Smith, 17 September 2018
The situation worsened during the summer school holidays, with an estimated 3 million children nationwide at risk of going hungry.
Japanese prime minister seeks improved relations with Russia
By Ben McGrath, 17 September 2018
Japan is coming under increased pressure as a result of Washington’s protectionist measures, which are compounding instability throughout the Asia Pacific region.
Australian government calls royal commission into aged care but numerous reports have already exposed major crisis
By Clare Bruderlin, 17 September 2018
Neglect, mistreatment and shocking conditions are an everyday reality for many now living in residential aged care.
Silicon Valley’s corrupt nexus: War, censorship and inequality
By Andre Damon, 17 September 2018
The appearance of Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos at the Air Force Association’s annual conference embodies the fusion of America’s technology monopolies with the apparatus of state repression.
In France, Mélenchon advisor hails Wagenknecht’s anti-immigrant Aufstehen group
By Alex Lantier, 17 September 2018
Kuzmanovic applauded Aufstehen’s xenophobic line as a strategy for Melenchon's Unsubmissive France (LFI) to win workers’ votes.
Ten years after Lehman: New financial crises in the making
By Nick Beams, 17 September 2018
Commentaries on the anniversary of the Lehman Brothers collapse voice fears of another meltdown.
US schools hiring private companies to spy on students’ social media
By Trévon Austin, 17 September 2018
Monitoring students’ social media accounts is a violation of privacy, revealing the partnership of the US government and tech companies in internet surveillance and censorship.
Russia postpones Syrian offensive in Idlib as NATO threatens escalation
By Alex Lantier, 15 September 2018
Turkey and the major NATO imperialist powers made clear that they are ready to counterattack against Syrian and Russian forces in Idlib.
United Steelworkers block strike of US steelworkers
By Samuel Davidson, 15 September 2018
Ignoring the demands of their members, the USW leadership reopened talks with the steelmaker this week.
Canada’s trade unions deepen corporatist alliance with government during NAFTA talks
By Roger Jordan, 15 September 2018
While stoking reactionary Canadian nationalism and boasting of their role as official government advisers during the NAFTA talks, leading union bureaucrats are pulling out all the stops to prevent an eruption of class struggle.
Hurricane Florence makes landfall in North Carolina
By Patrick Martin, 14 September 2018
A storm surge of as much as 11 feet of water was accompanied by winds approaching 120 miles per hour.
Washington state strikes continue as Tumwater teachers defy back-to-work order
By Hector Cordon, 14 September 2018
Four hundred teachers in the small Washington State town of Tumwater are courageously defying a judge’s strikebreaking order as educators continue walkouts in Tacoma and other cities.
“This should be a mass movement if we want to get what we want”
Chicago hotel workers’ strike continues for eighth day
By our reporting team, 14 September 2018
WSWS reporters visited and spoke to picketing workers at the JW Marriott Chicago hotel and Palmer House hotel in Chicago’s downtown.
New owner at low-wage Detroit auto parts supplier DMS
By David Rodriguez, 14 September 2018
Detroit Manufacturing Systems, which opened to great fanfare in 2012, is typical of the low wage sweatshops that predominate in the auto parts industry.
Republican war criminals endorse CIA Democrat Slotkin
By Patrick Martin, 14 September 2018
Democrat Elissa Slotkin has used her three tours of duty for the CIA in Iraq as her main credential for election to Congress.
Facebook censors ThinkProgress
By Trévon Austin, 14 September 2018
Facebook labeled a story from the left-wing ThinkProgress web site as “false” based on a “fact check” by the far-right Weekly Standard.
Proposed methane rule repeal continues Trump’s deregulation of polluters
By Daniel de Vries, 14 September 2018
The EPA announced a plan Tuesday to enable oil and gas companies to release more greenhouse gases.
Duisburg, Germany: Social democratic mayor agitates against refugees and migrants from Eastern Europe
By Elisabeth Zimmermann, 14 September 2018
Mayor Sören Link was able to broadcast his racist demagogy on one of Germany’s leading TV channels, claiming citizens from other EU countries were flocking to Germany to cash in on social benefits.
Trial starts five years after fascist murder of French student Clément Méric
By Anthony Torres, 14 September 2018
As they try to integrate neo-fascist politicians into official mainstream politics, the police and the ruling elite are whitewashing the murder of Méric.
Grenfell Fire: Fire Brigades Union warned of cladding dangers 19 years ago
By Paul Bond, 14 September 2018
The FBU report proves that every aspect of fire safety had failed at Grenfell Tower, due to decades of deregulation and cuts, long before the fire broke out.
Scandal erupts over Dutch state’s funding of Islamist terror group in Syria
By Kumaran Ira, 14 September 2018
The Dutch government spent nearly 70 million euros to fund jihadist groups as part of the US-NATO led regime change war against Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.
Political showdown erupts in the Philippines
By Joseph Santolan, 14 September 2018
The battlelines between President Duterte and Senator Trillanes express the twin pressures upon the Filipino ruling class of geopolitical tensions and mounting social unrest.
Australian unions amass wealth as membership plummets
By Mike Head, 14 September 2018
The transformation of the unions into corporate operations cannot be explained by corruption and it is not unique to Australia.
Australia: Union calls one-day stoppage at University of Newcastle
By John Harris, 14 September 2018
The National Tertiary Education Union’s demands centre on maintaining the “consultative” and “committee” structures through which it has helped management impose restructuring and job cuts.
12,800 immigrant children detained in American internment camps
By Eric London, 14 September 2018
While the Trump administration is preparing for a massive expansion of immigrant internment camps, the Democratic Party has abandoned the issue.
Twenty-five years after Oslo, a deepening catastrophe for the Palestinians
By Bill Van Auken, 14 September 2018
The anniversary has coincided with a series of increasingly punishing measures by Washington to back the Netanyahu regime in Israel and starve the Palestinians into submission.
SEP congressional candidate Niles Niemuth campaigns at Wayne State University in Detroit
By our reporter, 14 September 2018
Niles spoke with students at Wayne State University about the fight for socialism and the struggle against war and social inequality.
Invergordon whisky distillery in Scotland demands workers accept a £10,000 pay cut or lose their jobs
By Darren Paxton and Sandy Campbell, 14 September 2018
The GMB trade union has been pushing for the modernisation for some time, effectively functioning as a regional investment agency.
Chelsea Manning speaks in New Zealand
By Tom Peters, 13 September 2018
After being denied entry to Australia, Manning spoke to audiences in New Zealand about her decision to leak US military documents, her time in prison and her political activism over the past year.
Hurricane Florence exposes disastrous state of US infrastructure
By Tom Hall, 13 September 2018
Trump’s self-congratulation for his response to last year’s devastation of Puerto Rico, even as Carolina residents brace for one of the worst Atlantic storms in history, sums up the callousness and criminality of the American ruling class.
UN report on food security
One in every nine human beings goes hungry
By Patrick Martin, 13 September 2018
Wars and civil wars, generally instigated or fueled by the US and other imperialist powers, climate change and poverty are the leading causes of deepening food insecurity.
China and Russia strengthen ties to counter US threats
By Peter Symonds, 13 September 2018
After their meeting, neither Xi nor Putin named Trump but they left no doubt that their closer ties are a reaction to Washington’s punitive measures.
“Monster” Hurricane Florence approaches South Carolina
By Ed Hightower, 13 September 2018
A major regional energy firm warned that up to 75 percent of its 4 million customers in North and South Carolina could lose power during the storm.
Over 1,000 Ryanair cabin crew and pilots strike in Germany
By our reporters, 13 September 2018
While the workers are fighting for wage increases and better working conditions, the trade unions want to cut a deal with Ryanair as quickly as possible.
In new cost-cutting move, PSA subcontracts Opel operation in Germany
By Marianne Arens, 13 September 2018
The subcontracting of research and development operations in Rüsselsheim is another significant step towards the dismantling of Opel.
Fiat Chrysler Kokomo casting plant cited for safety violations before latest worker injury
By Marcus Day, 13 September 2018
The plant where a Fiat Chrysler worker was severely injured last week was cited for several serious safety violations last year by the Indiana Occupational Safety and Health Administration.
Five million deaths a year due to poor-quality health care
By Kate Randall, 13 September 2018
As social inequality continues to widen, millions are dying because adequate resources are not allocated to promote public health.
Teachers strike in East Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania
By our reporter, 13 September 2018
The district’s teachers are being asked to shoulder increased health care costs.
Nearly 200 clean-up workers sickened or dead from 2008 Tennessee coal ash spill
By Warren Duzak and Zackary Thorton, 13 September 2018
A press investigation has exposed what can only be called a social crime against the working class in eastern Tennessee.
Bloody siege of Yemeni port resumes as US certifies Saudi concern for civilians
By Bill Van Auken, 13 September 2018
Aid groups have warned that the renewed assault on Hodeidah threatens not only to kill tens of thousands of civilians, but to push millions more into starvation.
Washington and Pyongyang in talks for second summit
By Ben McGrath, 13 September 2018
Trump is under pressure to ramp up the offensive against the targets of US imperialism.
British nationalist Nigel Farage addresses co-thinkers in Australia
By James Cogan, 13 September 2018
Farage was sponsored by corporate interests and welcomed by prominent powerbrokers within the governing Liberal Party.
Workers and youth oppose Australian government ban on Chelsea Manning
By our reporters, 13 September 2018
“The government wants to shut all dialogue down and uses the ogre of terrorism as a shield to do that.”
Ronan Farrow’s #MeToo campaign brings down Leslie Moonves at CBS
By Fred Mazelis, 13 September 2018
The ousting of Moonves is part of an ongoing struggle for power and wealth within the media and entertainment industries.
UK: Rival Socialist Party members vie for position as deputy leader of civil servants union
By Robert Stevens, 13 September 2018
The sordid episode demonstrates that the pseudo-left organisations have no independence from the trade union bureaucracy.
“Why the working class needs socialism” Large turnout to hear SEP candidate Niles Niemuth at University of Michigan
By our reporters, 13 September 2018
The meeting addressed by Niemuth, who is running for Congress in Michigan’s 12th Congressional District, reflected the growing interest in socialism among students and young people.
Australia: Reject NTEU sellout at Macquarie University! For a unified national struggle against cuts!
By the Committee For Public Education, 13 September 2018
The rush for a vote on the union-negotiated agreement is a warning of its thrust and content.
Seventeen years after 9/11: From “war on terror” to “great power conflict”
By Andre Damon, 12 September 2018
On the anniversary of the September 11, 2001 terror attacks, Washington is on the verge of launching a massive new Syrian offensive in defense of Al Qaeda-linked forces.
Chicago hotel strike pits workers against Democrats’ billionaire candidate for governor
By Jerry White, 12 September 2018
Striking workers are in a battle against the major hotel operators, including Hyatt, which is owned by the Pritzker family.
“Gas, rent and milk goes up and we’re still making the same money”
Striking Chicago hotel workers speak out
By George Gallanis, 12 September 2018
WSWS reporters spoke to striking hotel workers at the Hyatt Regency McCormick Place hotel in Chicago.
Hundreds protest fatal shooting of unarmed man in Dallas, Texas
By Trévon Austin, 12 September 2018
Off-duty police officer Amber Guyger fatally shot unarmed 26-year-old Botham Jean inside his own apartment.
German government plans combat mission against Syria
By Johannes Stern, 12 September 2018
Behind the backs of the German people, the Grand Coalition government is preparing a massive combat mission against the Syrian regime of President Bashar al-Assad.
Fifteen thousand protest throughout Germany against war, police repression and the fascist right
By our reporters, 12 September 2018
The mass demonstrations took place in Hanover, Munich and Dachau and were directed against both the Grand Coalition and the fascistic AfD.
Trades Union Congress in Britain silent on anti-Corbyn coup plot
By Robert Stevens, 12 September 2018
The TUC crowed that this year’s congress marked the 150th anniversary of its founding, but not one platform speaker even referred to the attack on the leader of the Labour party established by the unions.
UK: Journalists exposing police collusion in Loughinisland massacre arrested
By Steve James, 12 September 2018
Relatives of the six men killed in 1994 protested the arrests, holding a vigil outside the bar in Loughinisland, Northern Ireland where they were shot.
Russian government cracks down on protesters during regional elections
By Clara Weiss, 12 September 2018
The crackdown on supporters of Navalny is meant to intimidate the millions of Russian workers and youth who oppose Putin’s pension reform.
Ontario invokes anti-democratic “notwithstanding clause” to override court ruling
By Roger Jordan, 12 September 2018
The vow of Ontario’s right-wing premier to nullify democratic rights in order to push through his big business agenda must serve as a warning to the working class.
Brazil’s Workers Party drops Lula as candidate for president
By Miguel Andrade, 12 September 2018
Faced with a legal deadline, the PT substituted ex-São Paulo Mayor Fernando Haddad for the jailed former president.
Washington bullies Central American countries for adopting “One China” policy
By Andrea Lobo, 12 September 2018
Having respected the “One China” policy since 1979, US measures against countries pursuing the same course constitute a remarkable level of imperialist bullying and hypocrisy.
Pacific Islands Forum intensifies anti-China push
By John Braddock, 12 September 2018
The forum’s enhanced “regional security” agreement signals deepening tensions in the Pacific between Washington and its allies, Australia and New Zealand, and Beijing.
Australia: The pseudo-left Victorian Socialists and its pro-capitalist election manifesto
By Patrick O’Connor, 12 September 2018
What is underway ahead of the November state election is a somewhat desperate effort by the pseudo-left to revive illusions in Labor, the Greens and the trade unions.
Poor and unhealthy: Australia’s artists in social free-fall
By Kaye Tucker, 12 September 2018
Professional performing artists and support crews have a 74-year average life expectancy, ten years less than the general Australian population.
Growing support for socialism among students across the US
By the International Youth and Students for Social Equality (US), 12 September 2018
Youth and students across the US spoke to the IYSSE on a wide range of issues, including social inequality, opposition to war and militarism, and above all, their interest in socialism.
US officials met with Venezuelan military to discuss coup plot
By Alexander Fangmann, 10 September 2018
Washington’s involvement in yet another Latin American coup plot makes plain the hypocrisy of the claims of Russian “meddling” by sections of the American bourgeoisie and media.
US Marines deploy to Syria for live fire exercise
By Jordan Shilton, 10 September 2018
The drill, which included air assaults backed by artillery fire, underscores that the seven-year war in Syria could rapidly escalate into a direct clash between the major powers.
US set to escalate trade war against China
By Nick Beams, 10 September 2018
Trump’s threat of further tariffs means that Chinese exports into the US would be subject to increased tariffs if China carries through on its threat of retaliatory measures.
Japan and China improve relations in face of US trade war measures
By Ben McGrath, 10 September 2018
The apparent thaw in what has been a frigid, and at times hostile, relationship underscores the destabilizing impact of Trump’s aggressive America First drive.
Police suppress protest over schools in debt-ridden Chinese city
By Pradeep Ramanayake, 10 September 2018
The immediate reason for the protest was a local government decision to cut costs in government schools by relocating all fifth and sixth grade students to private schools.
Seattle Education Association pushes through sellout deal
By Evan Blake, 10 September 2018
The Seattle Education Association, with the backing of its supposedly dissident faction, Social Equity Educators, forced through the agreement, undermining the momentum for a statewide strike.
Chicago hotel workers’ strike enters fourth day
By Marcus Day, 10 September 2018
Thousands of hotel workers have struck at 25 locations in and around downtown Chicago since Friday, fighting for better health care and wages.
“Capitalism is not working, and it never has for us”
Striking Chicago hotel workers speak out on fight for wages, health care
By our reporters, 10 September 2018
The WSWS spoke to striking hotel workers on the picket lines in downtown Chicago Saturday.
Syriza jails Syrian swimmer Sara Mardini for helping refugees in Greece
By Kumaran Ira, 10 September 2018
This blatant attempt to criminalize humanitarian aid to refugees is a devastating exposure of the European Union and Greece’s Syriza government.
Civil war clashes erupt in Libya
By Marianne Arens, 10 September 2018
A fragile truce prevails in the Libyan capital of Tripoli following fierce fighting last week. The city’s Mitiga airport remains closed and fighting is continuing in the south of the city.
Grand Coalition adopts plan for historic rearmament of German military forces
By Johannes Stern, 10 September 2018
Behind the backs of the population, the Grand Coalition of Christian Democrats and Social Democrats is planning a massive arms drive.
Podemos proposes to “co-govern” with Spain’s Socialist Party government
By Alejandro López, 10 September 2018
Podemos is signaling to the banks that it will try to stabilize the current pro-austerity government, with which it has at most minor differences.
As National Football League season opens
Nike unveils ad featuring blacklisted quarterback Colin Kaepernick
By Alan Gilman, 10 September 2018
The National Football League season has opened against the backdrop of Colin Kaepernick becoming the face of Nike’s new “Just Do It” campaign and a ruling allowing his collusion lawsuit against the NFL to go forward.
A warning to students and the working class
Who are California Governor Jerry Brown’s appointments to the University of California Board of Regents?
By Evelyn Rios, 10 September 2018
Brown appointed his chief fiscal policy advisor, a top union bureaucrat, a former EPA official, and prior vice president of Lockheed Martin, the weapons manufacturer.
Sri Lankan prime minister threatens increased internet and social media censorship
By Saman Gunadasa, 10 September 2018
Wickremesinghe’s comments are part of the escalating global censorship of the internet and social media, and other attacks on democratic rights.
Hundreds of Australian Aborigines killed in state custody
By Richard Phillips, 10 September 2018
Figures published last week by the Guardian reveal that over 400 Aborigines have died whilst in the custody of Australian police and prison officers since 1991.
A week of crisis and deepening dysfunction in US politics
By Patrick Martin, 10 September 2018
There is no progressive or democratic side in the conflict between Trump and his opponents within the military-intelligence apparatus, the corporate media, and the Democratic Party.
German Secret Service denies neo-Nazi violence in Chemnitz
By Johannes Stern, 10 September 2018
After thousands of neo-Nazis rampaged through the East German city of Chemnitz late last month, dominant sections of the German state and political establishment have come to the defence of the fascists.
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