World News
Macron to deploy French army against “yellow vest” protests
By Anthony Torres, 21 March 2019
This is the first time since the 1954–1962 Algerian war that the army is to be mobilized in policing operations on French soil against the population.
Far right attacks on UK Muslims following New Zealand massacre
By Paul Mitchell, 21 March 2019
The attacks were preceded by the claim of Assistant Commissioner Neil Basu, head of the UK’s Counter Terrorism Policing, that “there is no intelligence linking these appalling events in Christchurch to the UK.”
On the eve of the presidential elections
Ukrainian far right mobilized in inter-oligarchic infighting
By Jason Melanovski and Clara Weiss, 21 March 2019
Incumbent president Petro Poroshenko currently occupies third place in polls leading up to the March 31 election.
Amid deepening economic and political crisis, Turkey holds local elections
By Ulas Atesci, 21 March 2019
The ruling AKP faces bitter tensions with Washington and Turkey’s other NATO allies and an economic crisis triggered by the Trump administration’s trade war measures.
Thousands hold one-day strike at University of California schools and health systems
By Evelyn Rios, 21 March 2019
Yesterday, thousands of the lowest paid workers struck throughout the University of California’s ten campus system, the largest public higher education institution in the world.
Striking musician: “Art is what makes us human”
Chicago Symphony Orchestra musicians strike in its second week
By Michael Walters, 21 March 2019
As the strike by CSO musicians in opposition to concessions entered week two, the Democratic Party and the trade unions feigned support for the strike.
University of Illinois at Chicago graduate student workers go on strike
By Andy Thompson, 21 March 2019
Graduate student workers walked out Tuesday to demand increases to pay and benefits and a reduction in fees.
Historic flooding across US Midwest leaves thousands homeless, four dead
By Jacob Crosse, 21 March 2019
At least four people have died, thousands remain in emergency shelters or trapped in their homes, and states of emergency have been declared in four states.
Amid scandal and federal investigations, Nashville, Tennessee charter school closes in the middle of the school year
By Zachary Thorton, 21 March 2019
The largely unregulated charter school edu-business industry took another hit with the sudden closure of the scandal-ridden New Vision Academy in Nashville, Tennessee.
Massive police presence for trial of cop in murder of Antwon Rose
By Samuel Davidson, 21 March 2019
A massive show of police force is being staged for the trial of former East Pittsburgh police officer Michael Rosfeld, who killed 17-year-old Woodland High School honor student Antwon Rose last year, shooting him three times in the back.
Officials, media call for school militarization, censorship after mass shooting in Brazilian school
By Miguel Andrade, 21 March 2019
The tragic school shooting has exposed the Brazilian establishment’s indifference to the social distress engulfing wide layers of the population.
Australian state election dominated by alienation and discontent
By Mike Head, 21 March 2019
Years of widening social inequality and deteriorating living conditions have created widespread social disaffection, which finds no voice in the official political setup.
Australia: DP World stevedoring workers set to take industrial action
By Terry Cook, 21 March 2019
Facing deepening competition, DP World is stepping up its drive to slash costs at the expense of its workforce.
The Boeing disasters: 346 more victims of capitalism
By Bryan Dyne, 21 March 2019
In the wake of two deadly airplane crashes, it has become clear that Boeing subordinated considerations of safety to the dictates of profit and market share.
After far-right terror attack, New York Times glorifies New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern
By Tom Peters, 21 March 2019
Internationally, the media is covering up the Labour Party-led government’s encouragement of xenophobia and its alliance with the right-wing nationalist, anti-immigrant NZ First Party.
Plantation workers demand freedom for Julian Assange and Chelsea Manning and for jailed Maruti Suzuki workers
By our correspondent, 21 March 2019
Last Sunday’s conference in Sri Lanka’s central hills district endorsed resolutions condemning the persecution of Assange, Manning and Maruti-Suzuki workers in India.
Warnings of New Zealand neo-Nazi attack were ignored
By John Braddock and Tom Peters, 20 March 2019
The question must be raised: has the far-right been allowed to operate freely because it enjoys sympathy and support from the police and intelligence agencies in Australia and New Zealand?
US Supreme Court rules government can indefinitely detain immigrants years after release from criminal custody
By Niles Niemuth, 20 March 2019
The ruling emboldens the Trump administration in its fascistic war on immigrants, giving Immigration and Customs Enforcement a free hand to detain any migrant who has served time for an offense.
May asks Brussels for Brexit extension amid worsening political crisis
By Chris Marsden, 20 March 2019
If May’s extension is rejected by Brussels at a summit on Thursday, Brexit is set for March 29, in just nine days.
Reports underscore how close India and Pakistan came to all-out war in late February
By Keith Jones, 20 March 2019
Just three weeks ago, India and Pakistan became the first nuclear-armed powers to ever attack each other with warplanes.
Mozambique, Zimbabwe and Malawi face a humanitarian catastrophe in the wake of Cyclone Idai
By Meenakshi Jagadeesan, 20 March 2019
Mozambique’s president, Filipe Nyusi, reported that more than 1,000 people had been killed by high winds and widespread flooding.
Massive Houston chemical fire burns indefinitely, spreading smoke across Texas
By Trévon Austin, 20 March 2019
With at least seven tanks still ablaze, officials have categorized the situation as “volatile.”
California university workers in one-day strike across the state
By Evelyn Rios, 20 March 2019
Thousands of low-paid workers will strike on Wednesday throughout the University of California’s 10-campus system, the largest public institution of higher learning in the world.
Sacramento, California teachers authorize strike
By Dan Conway, 20 March 2019
The overwhelming strike vote in California’s state capital expresses the militancy of teachers across the country fighting the bipartisan assault on public education.
Ontario government savages public education
By Roger Jordan, 20 March 2019
According to teacher union estimates, the Ford government’s education “reform” will result in the elimination of nearly 10,000 teaching jobs and class sizes of up to 40 students.
Russian Pabloites push for a “broad left” amid growing social discontent, advanced US preparations for regime change
By Clara Weiss, 20 March 2019
The ultimate aim of the Russian Socialist Movement’s proposed “broad left” is to divert the growing social and political opposition within the Russian working class into right-wing channels.
Trump, Bolsonaro and the danger of fascism
By Patrick Martin, 20 March 2019
Trump hailed the “shared values” between his government and that of a former military officer, who praises the Brazilian military dictatorship that jailed, tortured and murdered tens of thousands of workers and students.
London’s Foyles Bookshop: Attendees discuss UK launch of Why Are They Back?
By our reporters, 20 March 2019
World Socialist Web Site reporters spoke to attendees at the launch of the English-language edition of Why Are They Back? Historical Falsification, Political Conspiracy and the Return of Fascism in Germany at London’s Foyles bookshop.
One hundred years since the formation of the Communist International
By Peter Schwarz, 20 March 2019
One hundred years ago this month, from March 2 to March 6, the founding congress of the Third, Communist International took place in Moscow.
Captain Marvel: Money, feminism, militarism and previously “independent” filmmakers
By David Walsh, 20 March 2019
The production and release of Captain Marvel, the new science fiction adventure from Marvel and Disney, has a number of remarkable features, but none of them involve the film’s drama, action or characters.
Sri Lanka: Abbotsleigh Estate Workers Action Committee and SEP hold powerful conference
By our correspondents, 20 March 2019
Over 100 people participated, including estate workers, workers from a diverse range of trades, students and a delegation from Sri Lanka’s war-ravaged northern province.
UAW corruption scandal expands to Vice President Norwood Jewell, who rammed through 2015 sellout
By Jerry White, 19 March 2019
Norwood Jewell is the highest United Auto Workers official to be indicted to date in the corruption scandal engulfing the entire organization.
Governments and media seek to cover up culpability for fascist attack in New Zealand
By James Cogan, 19 March 2019
Anti-immigrant demagogy has been used by the ruling class internationally to divide the working class and scapegoat migrants for social inequality.
Three killed, five injured in Netherlands shooting
By Will Morrow, 19 March 2019
Before any substantive information came to light, Dutch and European authorities were alleging the shooter was linked to terrorism and religious extremism.
“Think of how many lives and families were ruined”
Autoworkers react to new UAW corruption charges
By Marcus Day, 19 March 2019
The announcement of charges against former UAW Vice President Norwood Jewell has provoked widespread disgust and anger among workers.
Trump administration expands leasing for oil, gas, coal extraction
By Patrick Martin, 19 March 2019
The latest assault on the environment took place on the day of worldwide protests over climate change.
US defence secretary takes aim at China
By Peter Symonds, 19 March 2019
Shanahan’s focus on China as the chief “threat” parallels the Trump administration’s trade war measures, aimed at shoring up US global dominance.
Australian government targets China in new “foreign influence” register
By Mike Head, 19 March 2019
More than 700 political parties, universities, lobbying firms, media companies and politicians have been warned of serious legal consequences if they fail to register.
Hungary hit by strikes in public sector and auto industry
By Markus Salzmann, 19 March 2019
Nearly 10,000 public sector employees went on strike in Hungary last Thursday, protesting poverty wages and government policy.
Germany: 3,000 Bosch workers protest in Stuttgart against job cuts
By K. Nesan, 19 March 2019
The Bosch company is using the introduction of electric-powered autos to press ahead with the biggest job cuts in its history.
“Yellow vest” protesters support revolutionary movement in Algeria
By our reporters, 19 March 2019
At protests coinciding with the end of Macron’s fraudulent “grand debate,” “yellow vests” supported the developing struggle by Algerian workers and youth.
Grocery workers in Colorado vote overwhelmingly to authorize strike action
By Jesica Goldstein, 19 March 2019
The strike authorization vote covering over 12,000 grocery workers at King Soopers and City Market stores is an expression of the mounting class struggle beginning to erupt across the United States.
Mehring Books launches English-language edition of Why Are They Back? in London
By our reporter, 19 March 2019
Why Are They Back? by Christoph Vandreier documents the promotion of the extreme right in Germany and the ICFI’s struggle against it.
Socialist Equality Party of Germany certified to stand in European elections
By our reporter, 19 March 2019
The Sozialistische Gleichheitspartei (Socialist Equality Party), German section of the International Committee of the Fourth International, will appear on the ballot throughout Germany in the May 26 European elections.
Trump presses UAW to impose immediate concessions in bid to reopen Lordstown GM plant
By Shannon Jones, 19 March 2019
In an exchange of tweets between Trump, General Motors and UAW officials over the weekend, the billionaire president called for reopening the UAW contract to “save” the Lordstown plant.
Ocean degradation accelerated by global warming
By Henry Allan, 19 March 2019
The decline in oceanic oxygen caused by climate change is at least as dangerous to marine life as ocean acidification.
Legendary “Wrecking Crew” drummer Hal Blaine dead at 90
By Hiram Lee, 19 March 2019
Drummer Hal Blaine died March 11, one month past his 90th birthday. Blaine was an incredibly prolific studio musician who appeared on countless recordings during the 1960s and 1970s.
Victimized Indian autoworker and leader of fight to free framed-up workers speaks to WSWS:
Jailing the Maruti Suzuki workers for life “is meant to encourage the capitalists to further enslave the working class”
By our reporters, 18 March 2019
Jitender Dhankhar—a victimized Maruti Suzuki worker and leader of the fight to free the 13 of his former co-workers at the Manesar car assembly plant who have been jailed for life on frame-up charges—has provided the following interview to the World Socialist Web Site.
The New Zealand terrorist attack and the international danger of fascism
By Tom Peters, 18 March 2019
The gunman prepared and carried out the terrorist atrocity on behalf of an international network of fascists and white supremacists.
Free the Maruti Suzuki Thirteen!
Two years since Indian court condemned autoworkers to life-in-prison in monstrous frame-up
By Keith Jones, 18 March 2019
The Maruti Suzuki 13 are class war prisoners, who have already had to endure six and a half years in the nightmare that is India’s penal system.
No training for pilots on new automated system
Boeing, FAA, pilots unions complicit in rushing doomed jets into service
By Trévon Austin, 18 March 2019
Southwest pilots union official: “They were building the airplane and still designing it.”
Thousands of New Zealand students join climate change protests
By our reporters, 18 March 2019
Students defied pressure from school principals and the media to join climate strike walkouts on Friday in cities across New Zealand.
More voices from the Australian climate strike
By our reporters, 18 March 2019
“We have people in power, not just the government, but massive corporations, who are about profit and power.”
Australian royal commission into aged care begins second hearing
By Clare Bruderlin, 18 March 2019
Government cost-cutting has led to chronic under-staffing and poor care, particularly in facilities run for profit.
Fascist terrorists murder 49 in Christchurch, New Zealand
By Tom Peters and John Braddock, 16 March 2019
The attack is the outcome of the rise of far-right, fascistic networks that have developed around the world, with the collusion of the state apparatus.
Anti-Semitic propaganda distributed at Polish parliament as government witch-hunts Holocaust historians
By Clara Weiss, 16 March 2019
The Polish government is engaged in an unprecedented witch-hunt of historians of the Holocaust and promotion of anti-Semitism.
Israel mounts savage air bombardment on Gaza
By Jean Shaoul, 16 March 2019
Hamas denied any responsibility for the two ineffectual rockets launched against Tel Aviv.
Millions of students and youth march against climate change
By Bryan Dyne, 16 March 2019
The internationally coordinated protests, the largest in sixteen years, were organized in response to the failure of world governments and the ruling class to do anything to halt global warming.
Youth at global climate protests speak out on capitalism, socialism and scientific planning
By our reporters, 16 March 2019
Reporting teams from the World Socialist Web Site interviewed students who protested in countries around the world for action on climate change.
Tens of thousands of Australian students join climate strike protest
By Oscar Grenfell, 16 March 2019
Labor, the Greens and the unions are seeking to head-off a mass political radicalisation of students and young people.
Corbyn props up May government after more Brexit vote defeats
By Robert Stevens, 16 March 2019
Ever since May took office as a minority dependent on the DUP, she has headed a government of permanent crisis, with her survival dependent on Labour leader Corbyn’s suppression of the class struggle amid a rising tide of anti-Tory sentiment.
Over one million protest extension of Bouteflika’s term in Algeria
By Will Morrow, 16 March 2019
Reports indicate that the demonstrations were even larger than last Friday, when more than one million people protested in Algiers alone.
California governor announces moratorium on death penalty
By Alan Gilman, 16 March 2019
The 737 condemned inmates in the nation’s largest death row will have their death sentences stayed for the duration of a moratorium issued by Governor Gavin Newsom.
Canada: Train derailment kills three, exposes terrible working conditions
By Penny Smith, 16 March 2019
CP Rail is lobbying Transport Canada to abandon a new rule it introduced following last month’s derailment, calling it too "time-consuming."
Dreams for Change: A San Diego shelter for the vehicular homeless
By Marko Leone and Kevin Martinez, 16 March 2019
An increasing number of homeless families, students and workers are relying on nonprofits to find a safe space to sleep and live in their cars.
Strike looms for University of Illinois at Chicago graduate students
By George Gallanis, 16 March 2019
The Graduate Employees Organization (GEO) is determined to avoid a strike at all costs and ram through a sellout agreement.
In vetoing bill to overturn national emergency, Trump makes fascist appeal
By Barry Grey, 16 March 2019
Trump is seeking to establish an authoritarian regime outside of the normal constitutional and political channels and largely independent of both traditional big-business parties.
“Free Chelsea Manning and Julian Assange now!”
Support continues to pour in for Julian Assange and Chelsea Manning
By our reporters, 16 March 2019
Students and workers across the United States and internationally continue to speak out against the jailing of whistleblower Chelsea Manning and the ongoing persecution of WikiLeaks publisher Julian Assange.
Mehring Books exhibits at London Book Fair
By our reporters, 16 March 2019
The Mehring Books stand attracted a great deal of attention and interest, and the association of Mehring Books with the heritage of Trotskyism and its concern with fundamental historical questions was apparent.
Socialist Workers Party seeks to derail movement against Algerian regime
By Will Morrow and Alex Lantier, 16 March 2019
Algeria’s Socialist Workers’ Party seeks to tie protests to discredited bourgeois parties and block a revolutionary working class challenge to the regime.
The Beto O’Rourke campaign for the Democratic Party presidential nomination: “Nothing will come of nothing”
By David Walsh, 16 March 2019
On Thursday, former Texas congressman Beto O’Rourke became the 15th declared candidate for the 2020 Democratic Party presidential nomination. The 15th so far .
Support grows for Sri Lankan plantation workers’ conference
By our correspondents, 16 March 2019
Campaign teams hold discussions with workers on estates across the country’s central hill district.
69th Berlin International Film Festival—Part 7
German films: Economic and social tensions on the rise
By Bernd Reinhardt, 16 March 2019
The pursuit of naked profit interests and government-imposed austerity dominate an ever broader swath of life. Some of the German films at this year’s Berlinale point to the consequences.
Over 35,000 jute mill workers strike in Bangladesh; 200,000 Sri Lankan teachers and principals walk out for higher pay; Telstra technicians strike in Australia
Workers Struggles: Asia, Australia and the Pacific
16 March 2019
The World Socialist Web Site invites workers and other readers to contribute to this regular feature.
Auto workers in China face job losses and closures
By Gary Alvernia, 15 March 2019
A slowing Chinese economy and lower car sales, compounded by US trade war measures, has resulted in domestic and foreign auto manufacturers closing factories and laying off workers.
São Paulo teachers’ union shuts down one-month strike
By our reporters, 15 March 2019
The union called an end to the strike after a clear majority of teachers voted to continue it.
James Cogan to participate in Unity4J online forum to defend Assange and Manning
Watch from Friday, 4 p.m., US eastern time, Saturday: 7 a.m., Australian eastern time
15 March 2019
The vindictive re-imprisonment of Chelsea Manning underscores the urgency of the fight to free Julian Assange from his arbitrary detention by the British government.
Rifts in Australia’s ruling coalition engulf rural-based National Party
By Mike Head, 15 March 2019
Factional warfare erupted publicly within the Nationals this week, laying bare conflicts that go far beyond the current government’s electoral prospects.
The US reinforces political and military relations with the Maldives
By Rohantha De Silva, 15 March 2019
The foreign minister’s US trip illustrates how far the new Maldivian government is distancing itself from China.
Volkswagen announces thousands of layoffs
By Dietmar Gaisenkersting, 14 March 2019
The slashing of up to 7,000 jobs by the world’s second largest automaker is part of an escalating assault on jobs throughout global auto industry.
US grounds Boeing 737s involved in Indonesian, Ethiopian crashes
By Barry Grey, 14 March 2019
The position of Boeing and the US carriers, backed by the Federal Aviation Administration, that the planes were perfectly safe had become untenable.
More demagogy and bluster as UAW bargaining convention adjourns
By Shannon Jones, 14 March 2019
The supposed fight proclaimed by UAW leaders to “save jobs” is based on lowering the automakers' production costs in the US by imposing new give-backs on workers.
Closure of Brazil Ford plant to destroy up to 27,000 jobs
By Miguel Andrade, 14 March 2019
The devastating plant closure has laid bare the abysmal economic situation in Brazil and offered yet another opportunity for the unions to spread nationalist poison.
Teacher sickouts in Kentucky, protests in Maryland and Texas
By E.P. Milligan, 14 March 2019
Thousands of teachers are fighting for more school funding, higher wages, and an end to attacks on public education.
Pelosi dismisses efforts to impeach President Trump
By Patrick Martin, 14 March 2019
The top Democrat in the House is wary of the political upheaval that impeachment could spark under conditions of a growing movement of the American working class.
Trump proposes slashing public education by $7 billion
By Shelley Connor, 14 March 2019
Trump’s proposed budget, released earlier this week, would cut education spending by over $7 billion while transferring billions to charter and private schools.
A tirade against China at US Senate committee hearing
By Nick Beams, 14 March 2019
The questioning of US Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer centred almost exclusively on the content and progress of trade talks with Beijing.
West Virginia coal miner killed in fall
By Naomi Spencer, 14 March 2019
Adam DeBoard, 38, died of head injuries after falling from a highwall at a Greenbrier County, West Virginia surface mine last week.
Free dental clinic draws hundreds in Nashville, Tennessee
By Warren Duzak and Keisha Gibbs, 14 March 2019
A joint effort of Meharry Medical College School of Dentistry and Remote Area Medical Corps provided more than $162,000 in services to more than 330 patients last Saturday.
Canada ever more deeply implicated in US-engineered coup attempt in Venezuela
By Laurent Lafrance, 14 March 2019
Like its US partner, Canadian imperialism covets Venezuela’s vast oil resources and is determined to prevent Russia, China, and other “strategic rivals” from expanding their influence in the Americas.
Rise in UK opioid prescriptions contributes to surge in overdose fatalities
By Margot Miller, 14 March 2019
Nine out of 10 of the areas of England recording the highest number of prescriptions for opioids are in the largely de-industrialised and poverty-stricken north.
IMF endorses Sri Lankan government budget
By Saman Gunadasa, 14 March 2019
In line with the IMF’s austerity demands, the government budget contains new taxes and rate rises as well as increased spending on the military and the police.
The Youth Climate Strike and the fight against global warming
By Bryan Dyne, 14 March 2019
That the demonstration planned for Friday has evoked a broad response is an indication of both the serious nature of the ecological crisis and the radicalization of youth all over the world.
IYSSE holds rally at University of Michigan to defend Chelsea Manning
By the International Youth and Students for Social Equality at University of Michigan, 14 March 2019
The rally at the University of Michigan advanced an international strategy to mobilize youth, students and the broadest layers of the working class against the imprisonment of Chelsea Manning.
Extinction Rebellion: “Green” capitalism versus world socialism
By Steve James, 14 March 2019
The global environmental crisis is a powerful argument for the socialist reorganisation of society.
The struggle to stem climate change is the political fight to end capitalism!
Join the International Youth and Students for Social Equality!
By the IYSSE (Australia), 14 March 2019
The IYSSE will distribute the following statement tomorrow at high school student strikes demanding immediate action to resolve climate change and environmental destruction.
Profits over people
US refuses to ground Boeing jet despite second crash in five months
By Barry Grey, 13 March 2019
There are immense financial interests bound up with the profitability and stock price of Boeing that far outweigh the danger of more destruction of human life and suffering for victims’ friends and family.
UK: May’s Brexit deal rejected by parliament again
By Robert Stevens, 13 March 2019
With just 16 days to go before the UK is scheduled to leave the EU, no deal has been agreed on trading relations after Brexit.
Cambridge University’s planned involvement with military propaganda programme exposed
By Emanuele Saccarelli and Meenakshi Jagadeesan, 13 March 2019
The Varsity student newspaper has exposed the proposed involvement of Cambridge University in England in a Ministry of Defence propaganda programme.
Students and youth across the US demand freedom for Chelsea Manning
By a WSWS reporting team, 13 March 2019
The International Youth and Students for Socialist Equality is leading the fight to organize opposition to the imprisonment of whistleblower Chelsea Manning by holding a series of meetings and rallies.
Follow the WSWS