Politics
As stock indexes continue their climb
US unemployment supplement expires, setting the stage for mass hunger and homelessness
By Barry Grey, 1 August 2020
The congressional stalemate over an extension of the unemployment pay supplement, which is certain to result in the total elimination or a major cut in the benefit, is a declaration of war against the entire working population.
Department of Homeland Security assembles intelligence reports on US journalists covering Portland protests
By Jacob Crosse, 1 August 2020
Such reports have been traditionally used to share information regarding wanted criminals or terrorists across federal and local law enforcement agencies.
UK government forced to enact new restrictions after pandemic let loose
By Thomas Scripps, 1 August 2020
Around 4,200 people are catching COVID-19 each day in England, up 68 percent on the estimated 2,500 daily infections two weeks ago.
Grenfell Tower inquiry reveals more criminality by corporations involved in refurbishment
By Charles Hixson, 1 August 2020
An entire culture within corporations, built up over decades, which viewed regulations as impediments to reaping greater profits was evident in Rydon’s testimony.
Royal commission into Australia’s bushfires promotes greater use of the military
By Margaret Rees, 1 August 2020
The inquiry will ignore the underfunding of fire and emergency services while justifying rapid and expanded military interventions in domestic “emergencies.”
Socialist Equality Party (US) National Congress adopts resolution on the coronavirus pandemic and the fight for socialism
The Political Committee of the Socialist Equality Party (US), 1 August 2020
The Congress resolution provides an unequaled analysis of the crisis triggered by the pandemic, directed toward the development of socialist class consciousness and the independent action of the working class.
SEP (US) Congress resolution
The global pandemic, the class struggle, and the tasks of the Socialist Equality Party
1 August 2020
This resolution was adopted unanimously by the Sixth National Congress of the Socialist Equality Party in the US, held July 19–24, 2020.
Canada’s Liberal government shaken by WE Charity scandal
By Roger Jordan, 29 July 2020
The scandal has exposed a web of corrupt ties between the Liberal government and WE, and between WE and corporations like the Royal Bank of Canada and Dow Chemical.
Australian state government bans protest against police violence
By Oscar Grenfell, 27 July 2020
The authorities are cynically invoking the pandemic to block political protests, while at the same time proceeding with a pro-business “reopening of the economy.”
US secretary of state sets out case for conflict with China
By Peter Symonds, 25 July 2020
By ruling out a return to the policy of “containment,” Pompeo’s speech marks a strategy aimed at regime change in Beijing.
US demands even greater support from Australia in confrontation with China
By Mike Head, 25 July 2020
Despite the intensifying COVID-19 danger in the US, Australia’s foreign and defence ministers will personally attend the annual AUSMIN talks in Washington next week.
Illinois Democrats embrace Trump’s law enforcement “surge”
By Kristina Betinis, 25 July 2020
Illinois Democratic lawmakers have made public statements aimed at assuaging public fears that the federal forces will crack down on anti-police violence protesters in Chicago, just as they have in Portland.
Canadian medical experts provide ideological justification for homicidal back-to-work drive
By Laurent Lafrance, 25 July 2020
Exploiting their professional qualifications to give their arguments credibility, the experts have fully endorsed the corporate elite’s reactionary dictum: “The cure cannot be worse than the disease.”
Trump signs executive order on 2020 Census declaring undocumented immigrants are not persons
By Meenakshi Jagadeesan, 25 July 2020
The order would affect the distribution of federal funding as well as the apportionment of congressional seats.
Judge orders former Trump enforcer Michael Cohen to be released from prison
By Jacob Crosse, 25 July 2020
In a slap at President Trump and Attorney General Barr, Federal District Court Judge Alvin Hellerstein has ordered the release of former Trump confidant and disbarred lawyer Michael Cohen.
150,000 dead in the US and no end in sight
By Andre Damon, 25 July 2020
The resurgence of COVID-19 is a result of the campaign by the Trump administration—with the assistance of the Democrats and the media—to force workers back on the job as the pandemic continues to rage.
SEP files appeal to Federal Sixth Circuit Court in Michigan ballot access case
By Kevin Reed, 25 July 2020
The Socialist Equality Party candidates Joseph Kishore for US President and Norissa Santa Cruz for US Vice President have appealed to the US Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit for review of the July 8 ruling of Judge Sean Cox rejecting their lawsuit against Michigan ballot access requirements during the pandemic.
From Selma to the CIA
John Lewis, civil rights militant turned big-business politician, dies at 80
20 July 2020
The outpouring of tributes from reactionaries and war criminals demonstrates the class role that Lewis came to play, despite his youthful part in asserting the democratic rights of African Americans.
US escalates economic warfare against Russia and China
By Nick Beams, 18 July 2020
After securing a decision by the UK government to ban the Chinese firm Huawei from its 5G rollout, the US is pressuring the Merkel government in Germany to take the same decision.
US moving to ban China-based TikTok social media app
By Kevin Reed, 18 July 2020
There is bipartisan support in Congress for the Trump administration’s aggressive efforts against the Chinese app.
COVID-19 spread accelerates across Europe as EU summit opens
By Alex Lantier and Johannes Stern, 18 July 2020
The back-to-work policy implemented by governments and trade unions across Europe since lock-downs ended in May is leading to a collapse of social distancing.
New terrorist threats against politicians, artists and journalists
Neo-Nazi network in police covered up at highest levels of German state and politics
By Christoph Vandreier, 18 July 2020
The threats are intended to intimidate the widespread opposition to the right-wing policies of the grand coalition of the Christian Democrats (CDU/CSU) and Social Democrats (SPD).
Unsubmissive France leader Jean-Luc Mélenchon calls for massive French military build-up
By Will Morrow, 18 July 2020
Mélenchon’s criticism of the Macron administration is from the right: that it is not sufficiently aggressive in its pursuit of French imperialist interests.
Johnson’s return-to-work speech: UK ruling class opts for mass murder
By Laura Tiernan, 18 July 2020
Johnson’s homicidal plans to end home working and lift public transportation restrictions reveal a financial oligarchy hell-bent on driving millions back to work no matter what the cost in human life.
New Zealand’s opposition National Party in turmoil after another leadership change
By John Braddock and Tom Peters, 18 July 2020
The National Party, which supports stronger business links with China, has been thrown into chaos by the escalating US-led preparations for war.
US pushes fabricated claims of Russian hacking of virus research
By Barry Grey, 18 July 2020
The United States is most nakedly pursuing a nationalistic course, aimed at enriching American oligarchs and deploying the vaccine not as a means to save lives, but as a weapon against countries in the crosshairs of US imperialism.
UK MPs submit early day motion on Assange
By Thomas Scripps, 18 July 2020
The signatories have all either hitherto kept a criminal silence over Assange’s persecution, or, in the case of Corbyn, McDonnell, Abbott and Long-Bailey, found their voice only after losing leading positions in the Labour Party.
“Palace letters” point to the plotting behind the 1975 constitutional coup in Australia
By Mike Head, 17 July 2020
Together with the military coup in Chile in 1973, the Labor government’s dismissal was one of the first acts in what became an international counter-offensive against the working class.
SEP candidates Joseph Kishore and Norissa Santa Cruz respond to California state officials in ballot access lawsuit
By Alan Gilman, 17 July 2020
In a set of court filings Wednesday, the SEP candidates refuted point by point the arguments made by California state officials in an effort to keep them off the November ballot.
Trump wages war against science and Dr. Fauci, not coronavirus
By Patrick Martin, 14 July 2020
At an appearance Monday, Trump continued to deny that the coronavirus is actually spreading in the United States, claiming the skyrocketing number of cases is due entirely to more testing.
Duda wins Polish presidential election after campaign attacking Jews, LGBTQ rights and Germans
By Clara Weiss, 14 July 2020
The fact that Duda and PiS could carry the day in the most right-wing election campaign in recent Polish history is above all the result of the policies of the liberal opposition.
Mr. López Obrador goes to Washington
Mexican president kowtows to his “friend” Donald Trump
By Eric London, 9 July 2020
Obrador’s appearance with Trump yesterday will rank in history as among the most demeaning and sycophantic Washington visits by any Latin American head of state.
US Supreme Court decisions attack separation of church and state and workers’ rights
By Ed Hightower, 9 July 2020
The court’s assault on workers takes the form of an assault on secularism.
Wall Street, Republicans and militarists back Biden campaign
By Patrick Martin, 9 July 2020
The presumptive Democratic nominee has outraised President Trump for two months in a row, thanks in part to a flood of corporate and billionaire money.
Students oppose Trump’s threat to deport international students
By our reporters, 9 July 2020
The Trump administration’s effort to use international students as a bargaining chip to force the reopening of colleges is part of a push to get the economy back open while also scapegoating immigrants for the pandemic.
What is behind the New Zealand health minister’s resignation?
By Tom Peters, 9 July 2020
The resignation of David Clark just months before an election, in the middle of the coronavirus pandemic, points to political instability in the Labour Party-led government.
Trump’s back-to-work diktat threatens teachers’ lives
By Evan Blake, 9 July 2020
On Wednesday, US President Donald Trump demanded that US schools reopen in the fall amid a raging pandemic, threatening the lives of thousands of teachers.
Federal judge backs Democrats, rules against SEP challenge to Michigan ballot access requirements during pandemic
By Kevin Reed, 9 July 2020
A Republican-appointed federal judge sided with Michigan Democrats on Wednesday and ruled against the Socialist Equality Party in its lawsuit to block the state’s unconstitutional rules for ballot access in the 2020 presidential elections.
Letters demand Sri Lankan defence secretary stop military harassment of SEP candidates
By our correspondents, 9 July 2020
This campaign is part of broader struggle to defend the democratic rights of all working people against dictatorial measures.
British government’s token arts rescue package: A “back-to-work” agenda amid an ongoing catastrophe
By Paul Bond, 9 July 2020
The limited financial assistance provided is based on the Johnson government’s claim that the pandemic is on the wane and that theatre, dance and music venues will soon be able to get back to relying on revenue from the paying public.
UK: Coronavirus exposes Leicester’s sweatshops and government hypocrisy
By Thomas Scripps, 8 July 2020
Government ministers have struck a pose of outrage at a situation they have ignored for years and want to replicate across the country.
Democrats’ denunciation of America’s revolutionary heritage provides an opening for Trump
By Niles Niemuth, 7 July 2020
The campaign waged by the Democratic Party to discredit Jefferson, Lincoln and other leaders of America’s two revolutions allows Trump to package his extreme right-wing policies as a defense of democratic traditions.
As COVID-19 pandemic explodes out of control
Trump gives fascistic rant at Mount Rushmore event held in defiance of health experts
By Barry Grey, 4 July 2020
Trump sought to use recent attacks on monuments to leaders of the American Revolution and Civil War to brand protesters against police killings as "far-left fascists," while hailing the police and right-wing militia groups and pledging to crack down on opponents of his authoritarian and pro-corporate policies.
Millions in the US face catastrophe as federal unemployment relief set to expire amid surging pandemic
By Kevin Reed, 4 July 2020
The combined economic impact of the raging pandemic and the imminent cutoff of $600 weekly federal assistance is leading to a social catastrophe for millions across the US.
Naming new French prime minister, Macron coordinates austerity with unions
By Alex Lantier, 4 July 2020
Jean Castex is being brought in to coordinate with the unions the draconian austerity policies that Macron and the banks will impose amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
Trump administration gives private equity firms access to 401(k) retirement funds
By Gabriel Black, 4 July 2020
The $7.9 trillion in 401(k) retirement funds will be used to buttress private equity markets and further enrich the financial oligarchy.
Tories resurrect cynical “Clap for Carers” on 72nd anniversary of the NHS
By Rory Woods, 4 July 2020
Sunday’s event insults the memory of hundreds of health and social care workers who died of COVID-19 trying to save the lives of others.
Back-to-work policy accelerates spread of COVID-19 in Israel
By Jean Shaoul, 4 July 2020
The number of new coronavirus cases has doubled every 12 days over the last month and now averages more than 500 a day.
Australian government seeks to place country on war footing
By Mike Head, 4 July 2020
Prime Minister Scott Morrison has identified the Indo-Pacific as the likely arena for another world war, directed against China.
Sri Lankan president orders Central Bank to give more credit to big business
By Saman Gunadasa, 4 July 2020
While providing huge financial concessions to the banks and big business, the government is imposing greater economic burdens on workers and the poor.
Why Canada’s media is fawning over the war criminal John Bolton
By Roger Jordan, 4 July 2020
Canada’s ruling elite wants a more stable and strategic-minded partner in the White House, who can more effectively employ intrigue, intimidation and war in pursuing their common imperialist agenda.
As pandemic rages, Trump administration calls on Supreme Court to strike down Obamacare
By Kate Randall, 27 June 2020
An overturn of the Affordable Care Act would wipe out health care coverage for as many as 23 million Americans.
British government suppressed daily pandemic death toll by thousands
By Simon Whelan, 27 June 2020
The government suppressed the extent of COVID-19 fatalities because its policies created the conditions for tens of thousands of needless deaths.
Why the rush to end the Canadian military’s deployment in coronavirus-ravaged nursing homes?
By Laurent Lafrance, 27 June 2020
From the start, the military’s more than 20,000-strong COVID-19 deployment has been focused on protecting the interests of Canadian imperialism, at home and abroad.
UK government refuses support to unemployed migrant workers facing destitution during pandemic
By Harvey Singh, 27 June 2020
Although exact figures are difficult to obtain, it is estimated that up to 250,000 children could directly be threatened with poverty due to the “no recourse to public funds” status of their parents.
UK Labour leader Keir Starmer uses bogus anti-Semitism accusation to sack Rebecca Long-Bailey
By Robert Stevens, 27 June 2020
The move demonstrates that no criticisms of the Israeli government will be allowed in the Labour Party and that Starmer will deal decisively with what remains of the Corbynites.
Australia’s US-backed anti-China witch hunt escalates with raid on MP’s home
By Mike Head, 27 June 2020
The operation is another step towards branding anyone who challenges Australia's involvement in the US offensive against Beijing as a “foreign agent.”
Contact tracing and capitalism’s response to the pandemic
By Benjamin Mateus, 27 June 2020
As the globe rapidly approaches ten million cases of COVID-19, the United States continues to ignore any public health measures to contain the pandemic.
YDSA develops ties with SYRIZA youth, Greek party of austerity and police repression
By Sam Wayne, 27 June 2020
Members of the Young Democratic Socialists of America have published a joint statement with the youth section of SYRIZA, the “Coalition of the Radical Left.”
The Salisbury Poisonings: Skripal drama framed as anti-Russian propaganda
By Thomas Scripps, 27 June 2020
The BBC’s three-part The Salisbury Poisonings uses drama as state propaganda and is designed to reignite the Skripal affair that dominated UK politics in 2018.
The Room Where it Happened: John Bolton’s account of the “palace coup” opposition to Trump
By Andre Damon, 26 June 2020
The book presents an account of the policy differences between John Bolton and Donald Trump that broadly reflect the policy differences between the president and dominant sections of the American state apparatus that led to Trump’s impeachment.
Bolton appeals for right-wing Republicans to break with Trump on foreign policy
By Patrick Martin, 22 June 2020
The former Trump national security advisor has given numerous anti-Trump press interviews to promote his newly launched—and lucrative—White House memoir.
US stokes India-China conflict, blames Chinese “aggression” for border clash
By Keith Jones, 20 June 2020
Senior US official David Stilwell provocatively told a press briefing that the Chinese army had “invaded” the “contested area” between India and China.
More provocations, threats from Trump ahead of Tulsa rally
By Barry Grey, 20 June 2020
In the run-up to his campaign rally in Tulsa, Oklahoma Saturday evening, President Donald Trump is focusing his energies on issuing threats against counter-protesters and incitements to fascistic elements and police officers.
“How can dissent be illegal when that is how the country was started?”
Oklahoma teachers oppose Trump and his Tulsa rally
By Phyllis Steele, 20 June 2020
Educators in Oklahoma, who waged a wildcat strike in 2018, are still ranked near the bottom in the US in pay and per pupil funding.
Amy Klobuchar ends bid to become Biden’s running mate in favor of a “woman of color”
By Genevieve Leigh, 20 June 2020
Neither Klobuchar nor the “women of color” being considered for vice president have anything to do with progressive politics.
Richmond, Virginia police chief ousted following days of violent attacks on protesters
By Ray Coleman, 20 June 2020
Top-level changes at US police departments are bound to continue as public opinion increasingly turns against repressive state measures against peaceful demonstrators.
Brazilian police arrest key ally of Bolsonaro
By Miguel Andrade, 20 June 2020
Several investigations are threatening the fascist president, who has rallied military ministers to declare “the army doesn’t follow absurd orders.”
ANC imposes back to work drive amid sharp rise in South Africa’s coronavirus cases
By Stephan McCoy, 20 June 2020
More than 84,000 people—25 percent of Africa’s confirmed cases—have now been infected with the virus, which has claimed the lives of almost 1,800 people.
Canada’s political establishment inject racialist narrative into protests against police violence
By Roger Jordan, 20 June 2020
Prime Minister Trudeau and NDP leader Jagmeet Singh are working to divert the mass anger over police brutality and racism along reactionary racialist lines.
Socialist Equality Party challenges undemocratic ballot access laws in Michigan
By Joseph Kishore and Norissa Santa Cruz—SEP candidates for president and vice president, 20 June 2020
The lawsuit is part of the SEP’s fight against an undemocratic electoral system that is designed to prevent any opposition to the two parties of the ruling class, the Democrats and Republicans.
Johnson government mounts offensive against mass opposition to police violence and racism
By Thomas Scripps, 20 June 2020
Home Secretary Priti Patel is linked with a Facebook group providing a platform for the far-right thugs who attacked Black Lives Matter protesters.
Protests erupt in Atlanta, Georgia after police fatally shoot fleeing man
By Matthew MacEgan, 15 June 2020
The Atlanta police chief resigned after officers killed Rayshard Brooks in the parking lot of a fast food restaurant Friday night.
Washington, DC’s Democratic mayor renames city street “Black Lives Matter Plaza”
By Dmitri Church and Nick Barrickman, 15 June 2020
Mayor Muriel Bowser’s co-option of the slogan as protests surge throughout the US and internationally is an attempt to cover up the record of the Democratic Party.
Striking Spanish Nissan workers boo unions and Podemos mayor of Barcelona
By Alejandro López, 15 June 2020
This points to the explosive conflict emerging between the working class and the pseudo-left and the unions in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic and an upsurge of class struggle.
140 Trump admin sanctions ICC officials
15 June 2020
Fascistic candidates gain in Republican Party
By Patrick Martin, 15 June 2020
Marjorie Taylor Greene’s campaign produced an ad last week in which she brandished an assault rifle and warned “antifa” demonstrators to “stay the hell out of northwest Georgia.”
Protests against police violence and racism continue in New Zealand
By Tom Peters, 15 June 2020
Tens of thousands of people joined another day of protests as part of the global movement sparked by the murder of George Floyd by US police.
East Timorese government realignment shuts Xanana Gusmão out of power
By Patrick O’Connor, 15 June 2020
The sudden reversal of fortune for Gusmão has raised tensions in Timor’s capital Dili.
German Left Party leader Sahra Wagenknecht calls for de-globalisation
By Peter Schwarz, 11 June 2020
“Protecting workers and domestic suppliers from cheap imports and hostile takeovers is not nationalist, but a democratic duty,” Wagenknecht declares.
Anticapitalistas leave Spain’s Podemos-Socialist Party government
By Alejandro López and Alex Lantier, 11 June 2020
Anticapitalistas is being sent out of Podemos to function as a paid political agency of the state, intervening in protests and strikes against Podemos in order to strangle them.
Brazil’s President Bolsonaro calls demonstrators “terrorists,” threatens military repression
By Miguel Andrade, 6 June 2020
Gen. Hamilton Mourão viciously attacked protests against the murder of George Floyd and social inequality, calling for the arrest of demonstrators.
Australian governments try to block demonstrations against police violence
By Oscar Grenfell, 6 June 2020
The bans and police threats are outright attacks on the right to protest, a basic democratic right, aimed at establishing a precedent for suppressing mounting social and political opposition.
UK: Prime Minister’s Questions reveals Labour’s complicity in Tory back-to-school campaign
By Thomas Scripps, 6 June 2020
Every capitalist party in the world is working on behalf of the corporations to impose a reckless return to “the new normal.”
New York Times in crisis over op-ed backing military takeover
By Patrick Martin, 6 June 2020
In publishing a fascistic diatribe by Senator Tom Cotton, headlined, “Send in the troops,” the Times editorial page tacitly sided with a military takeover of the United States.
Trump intensifies campaign to brand domestic opposition as terrorism
By Patrick Martin, 5 June 2020
The White House’s planned use of anti-terrorism units to apprehend “agitators” is aimed at criminalizing opposition to police violence and the policies of the oligarchy.
Trump escalates anti-China campaign
By Peter Symonds, 30 May 2020
US President Trump dramatically escalated his reckless anti-China campaign yesterday, making clear that a dangerous confrontation between the two countries is all but inevitable.
US Justice Department drops insider trading investigation of three senators
By Jacob Crosse, 30 May 2020
The three senators, along with a fourth who remains under investigation, dumped large stock holdings based on classified briefings in January about the impending coronavirus disaster.
UK: Official figures inflate COVID-19 testing rate by more than a million
By Alice Summers, 30 May 2020
The Johnson government is again seeking to cover up criminal inaction that has led to tens of thousands of deaths.
Australia’s “national cabinet” declared permanent
By Oscar Grenfell, 30 May 2020
The purpose of the new body is to suppress widespread social and political opposition, and create the conditions for a further pro-business restructuring of the economy.
Russia’s right-wing opposition tries to gain from COVID-19 crisis
By Andrea Peters, 29 May 2020
As President Vladimir Putin’s poll numbers fall to historically low levels, right-wing opposition leader Alexei Navalny seeks to present himself as a defender of health care workers and “the people.”
British ruling class fears Dominic Cummings crisis undermines “social contract”
By Thomas Scripps, 28 May 2020
Johnson used the phrase “move on” five times in 20 minutes when appearing before the Commons Liaison Committee.
As Brazil leads world in new COVID-19 deaths, Workers Party and pseudo-lefts rally behind capitalist state
By Miguel Andrade, 28 May 2020
The so-called opposition has brought impeachment articles against Bolsonaro for harming “internal security” in his handling of the pandemic.
Coronavirus pandemic spreads across the US South
Hospitals overwhelmed in California and Alabama as national death toll approaches 100,000
By Bryan Dyne, 23 May 2020
The spike in cases in such divergent areas of the country is another indication that, contrary to official policy, the spread of the coronavirus pandemic is not slowing but increasing.
Hydroxychloroquine: New scientific study refutes the quack-in-chief
By Benjamin Mateus, 23 May 2020
President Trump claimed this week he had been taking hydroxychloroquine as a preventive measure. His statements demonstrate both ignorance and hostility to science.
UK local councils face financial collapse due to pandemic
By Dennis Moore, 23 May 2020
Social care spending could face a shortfall of £3.5 billion, placing up to 225,000 adult social care places at risk in the coming year.
Representatives from Germany’s parliamentary parties support far-right protests against coronavirus policies
By Christoph Vandreier, 23 May 2020
The far-right demonstrations in Germany are being used to drum up support for the dangerous policy of easing coronavirus pandemic restrictions and intimidate all opposition.
Widespread opposition to unsafe reopening of schools and day-care facilities in Germany
By Andy Niklaus and Ulrich Rippert, 23 May 2020
Social distancing has been abandoned in schools and no safety measures such as face masks are being provided.
US Agriculture Department outlines program to aid farmers hit by pandemic
By Alex Findijs, 23 May 2020
The design of the program will inevitably lead to a disproportionate share of funding flowing to large firms.
Australian governments fully reopen schools despite intense opposition
By Erika Zimmer, 23 May 2020
The danger of sending up to a million children back full-time in New South Wales during the COVID-19 pandemic is compounded by the public transport crisis.
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