14 November 2018

As death toll rises to 48
Evacuees in California wildfire share their stories

By Evan Blake and Ben McGrath, 14 November 2018

There is a growing mood of anger among survivors over the indifference of the state and federal governments.

California wildfire deadliest and most destructive in state history

Sri Lanka crisis escalates as Supreme Court overturns Sirisena’s dissolution of parliament

By K. Ratnayake, 14 November 2018

The Supreme Court made its ruling after hearing 12 fundamental rights petitions challenging Sirisena’s dissolution of parliament on November 9.

Sri Lankan political crisis deepens: Prime minister splits from president

Israeli terror raid provokes new clashes in Gaza

By Bill Van Auken, 14 November 2018

Israeli strikes on Gaza, in blatant violation of international law, have demolished civilian structures and forced hundreds of families from their homes.

Chinese regime cracks down on student labour activists

By Robert Campion, 14 November 2018

The repression is another sign of growing unrest in the working class and fear in the CCP regime that the involvement of students will politicise the strikes and protests.

Macron and Facebook announce joint social media censorship plan in France

By Alex Lantier, 14 November 2018

The French President’s proposal aims to provide pseudo-democratic cover for the building of a regime of police-state censorship targeting peaceful domestic political opposition.

Kansas City health officials, police destroy food meant for homeless

By Josh Varlin, 14 November 2018

Footage of Kansas City Health Department officials and police pouring bleach on food being distributed by Free Hot Soup KC for homeless people sparked national outrage.

Court battles over ballot counts in Georgia, Florida

By Patrick Martin, 14 November 2018

One week after the November 6 elections, one Senate contest, two governor’s races and as many as a dozen House seats remain undecided.

As lame duck Congress convenes
Democrats seek agreements with Trump administration

After midterm elections, Democrats call for bipartisan unity with Trump

Amazon worker dies of heart attack at facility in Murfreesboro, Tennessee

By E.P. Milligan, 14 November 2018

Mike Gellasch, 61, allegedly died because no one could find a working communication device to call for help in time.

Amazon announces new headquarters in metropolitan New York City and Washington D.C.

By Trévon Austin, 14 November 2018

The culmination of Amazon’s year-long pageant is indicative of the immense power of giant transnational corporations and the oligarchs who head them.

“It’s honestly scary going to work because you’re not safe anymore”
Kentucky Ford worker describes hazardous working conditions

By Keisha Gibbs and Marcus Day, 14 November 2018

The erosion of health and safety conditions throughout the auto industry has been imposed with the willing assistance of the UAW.

“Someone is getting paid millions to provoke racism and hatred”
US autoworkers oppose anti-immigrant campaign

Fort Wayne GM worker alleges UAW-management collusion in unjust termination

Prosecutor points to UAW “culture of corruption” as union officials face sentencing

More on autoworkers issues »

Albanian immigrant worker, forced to hide in Detroit church for 10 months, fights deportation

By Will Morrow, 13 November 2018

Ded Rranxburgaj, the sole caregiver and provider for his wheelchair-bound wife and two sons, is seeking to prevent his deportation.

British prime minister tries to minimise cabinet rebellion against draft Brexit agreement

By Robert Stevens, 14 November 2018

So acute is the crisis facing May’s government that sections of the ruling class and the state apparatus are factoring in the possibility that a general election might be unavoidable, and that a Corbyn government is becoming a distinct possibility.

Canada Post union silent on Trudeau’s threat to outlaw strike

By Keith Jones, 14 November 2018

The CUPW’s silence must be taken as a warning that the union is preparing to bow before the government and torpedo the strike just as did it in 2011.

Trudeau threatens to criminalize Canada Post strike

New in Turkish

11 Kasım 1918 ateşkesi ve günümüz için çıkarılacak dersler

Nick Beams, 14 Kasım 2018

İnsanlık tarihinde, on milyondan fazla askerin ve altı milyon sivilin yaşamına mal olan; milyonlarca insanı kalıcı olarak sakat bırakan ve yaralayan böylesine kanlı bir cehenneme daha önce tanık olunmamıştı.

Almanya’daki Kasım Devrimi’nin 100. yıldönümü

Ulrich Rippert ve Peter Schwarz, 14 Kasım 2018

Yüz yıl önce, 9 Kasım 1918’de, Alman işçi sınıfının savaşa ve monarşiye karşı devrimci ayaklanması doruk noktasına ulaştı ve kapitalist sistemi temellerine kadar sarstı.

New in German

Großmächte gedenken des Ersten Weltkriegs und planen den nächsten

Andre Damon, 14. November 2018

Die Rede von Merkel und Macron über die „Tragödie“ des Ersten Weltkriegs kann nicht darüber hinwegtäuschen, dass die imperialistischen Mächte sich aktiv auf einen neuen und tödlichen Weltkrieg vorbereiten.

Neonazi-Terrorzelle in der Bundeswehr umfassender als bisher bekannt

Christopher Lehmann und Johannes Stern, 14. November 2018

Die Focus-Autoren Josef Hufelschulte und Alexander Rackow zeichnen das Bild eines umfassenden Terrornetzwerks, das sich ähnlich wie die „schwarze Reichswehr“ in der Weimarer Republik auf die Ermordung von Politikern und die gewaltsame Niederschlagung revolutionärer Unruhen vorbereitet.

Polnische Regierungsvertreter demonstrieren gemeinsam mit Rechtsextremen

Clara Weiss, 14. November 2018

Dass sich die polnische Regierung offen auf die Seite von faschistischen Kräften stellen, ist beispielhaft für den extremen Rechtsruck in der herrschenden Klasse Europas.

New in Spanish

Las grandes potencias conmemoran la Primera Guerra Mundial y planean la próxima

Por Andre Damon, 14 noviembre 2018

La retórica de Merkel y Macron de la “tragedia” y el “suicidio” de la Primera Guerra Mundial no bastó para encubrir que las potencias imperialistas están preparando activamente nuevos conflictos militares globales.

Bolsonaro en Brasil prepara al gobierno más derechista desde el final de la dictadura apoyada por Estados Unidos

Por Miguel Andrade, 14 noviembre 2018

Mientras Bolsonaro prepara su gobierno ultraderechista, el derrotado Partido de los Trabajadores está intentando encontrar terreno común con sus oponentes dentro de los círculos gobernantes de Brasil.

New in French

Des tensions âpres entre les États-Unis et l’Europe marquent le centenaire de l’armistice de la Première Guerre mondiale à Paris

Alex Lantier, 13 novembre 2018

Les chefs d’État de 70 pays se sont réunis à Paris pour marquer le centenaire de la fin de la Première Guerre mondiale, mais l’ombre des conflits croissants entre les grandes puissances planait sur ce rassemblement.

Des milliers de manifestants contre la venue de Trump à Paris le 11 novembre

nos reporters, 13 novembre 2018

Pendant la visite du président américain à Paris, dimanche, plusieurs milliers de personnes ont manifesté leur opposition, place de la République.

L’armistice du 11 novembre 1918 et les leçons pour aujourd’hui

Nick Beams, 13 novembre 2018

Quand les armes se sont tues il y a 100 ans, cela n’a pas mis pas fin à l’effusion de sang et au carnage, ce fut simplement la conclusion de la première phase de ce qui allait devenir une guerre internationale de trente ans entre les grandes puissances capitalistes.

Une enseignante mobilisée s'exprime sur l'austérité de Macron et les luttes

nos reporters, 13 novembre 2018

Des journalistes du WSWS ont rencontré Nadia, une enseignante dans un lycée professionnel de la région parisienne mobilisée hier contre les réformes de Macron.

Les enseignants mobilisés face à l'attaque de Macron sur l’Education nationale

Anthony Torres, 13 novembre 2018

C'était le première fois que l'ensemble des syndicats appelaient à une journée de mobilisation dans l'Education nationale depuis 2011.

Les négociations américano-chinoises révélent l’aggravation de l’épreuve de force

Peter Symonds, 13 novembre 2018

Pendant des années, d’abord sous Obama, puis sous Trump, les États-Unis se sont engagés dans un effort agressif pour saper économiquement la Chine et l’encercler militairement en vue d’une guerre.

New in Norwegian

Våpenhvilen den 11. november 1918 og lærdommene for idag

Nick Beams, 12. november 2018

Opphøret av kanontordenen for 100 år siden var ikke slutten på årelatingen og blodbadet, men ganske enkelt slutten av første fasen av det som skulle bli en trettiårig internasjonal krig mellom de vesentlige kapitalistmaktene.

Bitre USA-Europa spenninger preget hundreårsmarkeringen av våpenhvilen etter Første verdenskrig i Paris

Alex Lantier, 12. november 2018

Statsoverhoder fra 70 land samlet seg i Paris for å markere hundreårsdagen for våpenhvilen etter Første verdenskrig, i skyggen av stigende konflikter mellom stormaktene.

IBMs oppkjøp av Red Hat understreker teknologigigantenes voksende makt

Mike Ingram, 10. november 2018

Med sitt oppkjøp av Red Hat, et åpen-kildekode-Linux-foretak, håper IBM å kunne konkurrere med de rivaliserende teknologigigantene Amazon, Microsoft og Google, spesielt i området militære sky-kontrakter.

New in Russian

Депопуляция Украины

Джейсон Мелановски, 10 ноября 2018 г.

Спустя боле четверти века после упразднения СССР эмиграция из Украины не сокращается, поскольку рабочие уезжают за границу, спасаясь от нищеты и войны.

New in Portuguese

A vitória de Bolsonaro e o colapso do Partido dos Trabalhadores

Bill Van Auken, 6 de novembro de 2018

A eleição do fascista ex-capitão do exército sinaliza uma grande guinada à direita da classe dominante brasileira.

Quem é responsável pela ascensão do fascista Bolsonaro no Brasil?

Bill Van Auken, 6 de novembro de 2018

Uma série de grupos da pseudo-esquerda, muitos dos quais envolvidos na fundação do PT, estão defendendo o voto nesse partido capitalista de direita contra Bolsonaro.

O caminho na luta contra o perigo da extrema-direita na Alemanha

Ulrich Rippert e Johannes Stern, 6 de novembro de 2018

A enorme manifestação do último final de semana em Berlin expressou ampla oposição popular ao retorno do fascismo e do militarismo na Alemanha.

A ameaça da extrema-direita no Brasil e a responsabilidade do Partido dos Trabalhadores

Bill Van Auken, 6 de novembro de 2018

Os impressionantes 46% de votos válidos obtido pelo fascista ex-capitão do exército Jair Bolsonaro no primeiro turno da eleição brasileira é o resultado de décadas de traições do Partido dos Trabalhadores e seus cúmplices e defensores da pseudo-esquerda.

Other Languages

Perspective

Washington’s censorship regime goes global
Facebook deletes WSWS post on Sri Lanka

14 November 2018

Facebook is acting as an agent of the US intelligence agencies, which see the growing audience for international socialism as an obstacle to their efforts to exploit ethnic divisions in developing countries.

Earlier Perspectives »

Security and the Fourth International

The origins and findings of the Security and the Fourth International investigation

By Eric London, 14 November 2018

This is the text and audio of a lecture delivered by Eric London in Detroit, Michigan reviewing the monumental investigation conducted by the International Committee of the Fourth International titled Security and the Fourth International, which exposed the infiltration of the movement by agents of the FBI and Stalinist GPU.

Featured Commentary

German president defends alliance against November 1918 Revolution between Social Democrats and right-wing reaction

By Peter Schwarz, 14 November 2018

At a memorial meeting of the German parliament, President Steinmeier justified the suppression of the proletarian revolution of November 1918.

One hundred years since the November Revolution in Germany

Great powers commemorate First World War, and plan the next one

By Andre Damon, 13 November 2018

The armistice of November 11, 1918 and the lessons for today

By Nick Beams, 12 November 2018

Thousands protest Trump’s visit to Paris for centenary of World War I armistice

Bitter US-European tensions mark centenary of World War I armistice in Paris

French President Macron hails fascist dictator Philippe Pétain

By Alex Lantier, 10 November 2018

History of the Fourth International

Growing interest in socialism at Chicago meeting on 80th anniversary of Fourth International

By the IYSSE at University of Illinois at Chicago, 14 November 2018

David North spoke to youth and workers on the need to assimilate the lessons of the 20th century to build a movement for socialism today.

David North lecture tour
Nearly 100 attend meeting in New York City on the 80th anniversary of the Fourth International

By our reporters, 13 November 2018

David North lecture tour
More than 100 attend meeting at MIT on anniversary of the Fourth International

By Kate Randall, 9 November 2018

David North, the chairperson of the international editorial board of the World Socialist Web Site, will be speaking in the United States this fall to mark the 80th anniversary of the founding of the Fourth International.

Friday, November 30, 6pm for 6:30. Admission free, please RSVP to Gleebooks.

Indian Trotskyists to hold meeting on 80 years of the Fourth International

6 November 2018

Eighty Years of the Fourth International: The Lessons of History and the Struggle for Socialism Today

By David North, 9 October 2018

Large Colombo audience hears David North’s lecture on the history of the Fourth International

On the 80th anniversary of the founding of the Fourth International

By David North, 3 September 2018

Meetings in Australia and New Zealand to celebrate the 80th anniversary of the Fourth International

19 October 2018

Arts Review

David Hare’s political thriller Collateral: “War has entered the blood”

By David Walsh, 14 November 2018

The series begins with the shooting death of a south London pizza delivery man. The murderer, we soon learn, is a female British army captain, who believes she has killed an Iraqi “terrorist.”

The Hate U Give: Police brutality in America and its consequences

By Nick Barrickman, 12 November 2018

House of Cards Season 6: The King is dead, long live the Queen!

By Joanne Laurier, 10 November 2018

Workers Struggles

After campaign of threats and intimidation, Teamsters announces “yes” vote on sellout UPS Freight contract

By Will Morrow, 12 November 2018

Break the isolation of UPS Freight workers! Form rank-and-file committees to unite workers against the company!

“The Teamsters union is with the company”
UPS workers oppose Teamsters isolation of freight division, call for united struggle

More on the struggle at UPS »

“It’s about safety but the train operating companies want to save money”
UK rail worker speaks to the WSWS about dispute over Driver Only Operated trains

By our reporter, 13 November 2018

New York teachers union pushes through concessions contract

By Steve Light, 13 November 2018

Quebec: Talks to resume in ABI lockout under threat of state-imposed concessions contract

By Laurent Lafrance, 13 November 2018

Commentary

Sheffield Labour Students cancels anti-war meeting, citing police investigation of anti-Semitism allegations

By Laura Tiernan, 12 November 2018

US multinationals dodge $180 billion in taxes on foreign profits per year

By Barry Grey, 10 November 2018

Tensions mount over US election contests in Florida, Georgia, Arizona

By Fred Mazelis, 10 November 2018

More on US politics »

Asylum ban: Trump eliminates right to asylum for immigrants crossing without documentation

By Eric London, 9 November 2018

Child detainees speak out: “I just wanted a hug from someone”
The view from inside America’s child immigrant detention shelters

More on the attack on immigrants »

White House report on socialism
The specter of Marx haunts the American ruling class

By Barry Grey, 6 November 2018

This week in history: November 12-18

25 years ago: Abacha stages military coup in Nigeria

On November 17, 1993, General Sani Abacha, the minister of defense, removed interim President Ernest Shonekan through a military coup and declared himself president.

More »

50 years ago: US military begins new Laos bombing campaign

On November 15, 1968, the US military began Operation Commando Hunt, with the mission of destroying the Ho Chi Minh trail, the main supply route from North Vietnam through parts of Laos and into South Vietnam.

More »

75 years ago: Nazi troops capture the Greek island of Leros

On November 16, 1943, Allied forces, including British and Italian troops, surrendered control of the Greek island of Leros to Nazi troops after over a month of fighting.

More »

 

100 years ago: First American pro-Bolshevik newspaper is published

On November 16, 1918, members of the left wing of the American Socialist Party began to publish the Revolutionary Age to explain the ideas of Bolshevism to socialist-minded American workers.

More »

Mehring Books

David North in conversation with Nick Beams
Book launch of The Heritage We Defend in Sydney, Australia

9 November 2018

Why are they back?
New title from Mehring Books explains resurgence of fascism in Germany

By our reporters, 19 October 2018

Author Christoph Vandreier presented the book in a well-attended lecture at the Frankfurt Book fair last Saturday.

SEP 2018 Election Campaign

Significant vote for SEP candidate Niles Niemuth in Michigan’s 12th district

By our reporters, 8 November 2018

Final campaign meeting for Niles Niemuth reviews experiences from campaigning

By our reporters, 7 November 2018

Vote Niles Niemuth, Socialist Equality Party, for US House of Representatives in Michigan’s 12th district!

Democratic Party mailer removes SEP candidate Niles Niemuth from sample ballot

Campaign website »

International Youth and Students for Social Equality

The way forward for young people: Not Democratic Party politics, but the fight for socialism!

By Genevieve Leigh, 6 November 2018

Against the right-wing attacks of university administrators and the far-right
Successful solidarity event for the student union of Humboldt University

By our reporters, 2 November 2018

Socialist Equality Party (Australia)

Watch: Two Hundred Years Since the Birth of Karl Marx

By Nick Beams, 31 October 2018

Nick Beams delivers successful lectures on the contemporary relevance of Karl Marx at Australian universities

By our reporters, 31 October 2018

Science

World vertebrate populations have fallen 60 percent since 1970

By Bryan Dyne, 1 November 2018

The latest Living Planet Report demonstrates the far-reaching implications of human activity on both the climate and the degradation of the natural environment.

Book review

DSA covers for unions and Democrats in new book on walkout by West Virginia teachers
55 Strong, Inside the West Virginia Teachers’ Strike

By Nancy Hanover, 18 October 2018

A new book promoted by the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) is centered on the lie that the West Virginia teachers’ strike, which set off the series of strikes nationally last spring, was a “victory” in which the unions played a heroic role.

History

Vadim Rogovin and the sociology of Stalinism

By Andrea Peters, 25 September 2018

September 18 marked the 20th anniversary of the death of Soviet Marxist historian and sociologist Vadim Rogovin, the author of a seven-volume series on Stalinism and the Marxist opposition to the Soviet bureaucracy.

Twenty years since the death of Marxist historian and sociologist Vadim Rogovin

By David North, 18 September 2018

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

The 50th anniversary of the founding of the SEP (Sri Lanka)
The lessons of the Lanka Sama Samaja Party’s Great Betrayal

By Rohantha De Silva and Vilani Peiris, 24 September 2018


PART ONE | PART TWO | PART THREE

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

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.

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.

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.