Democratic rights targeted by South Korean government
By Ben McGrath In recent weeks, the administration of South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol has stepped up its anti-democratic attacks on government critics. In language reminiscent of the country’s past dictatorships, Yoon has denounced opposition to the government as the result of “communist totalitarianism” influence and “anti-state forces.” The Yoon administration and
Federal judge orders Texas to remove floating barrier in Rio Grande, appellate court stays order
By Trévon Austin Nearly three months after Republican Texas Governor Greg Abbott, a fascistic acolyte of former president Donald Trump, deployed a 1,000-foot-long barrier of buoys accompanied by traps of razor wire in the Rio Grande, a federal judge in Austin ordered the state t6xo remove the obstruction and stop building
Report to G20 summit glosses over problems in global financial system
By Nick Beams Sometimes it is hard to know whether statements issued by financial authorities are aimed at fooling themselves, the organisations to which they are being delivered or whether, they consider it best not to say too much in public documents lest this “frightens the horses.” This is the case regarding
Australian Labor government’s workplace reform laws will enshrine insecure jobs and low pay
By Martin Scott On Monday, Federal Minister for Workplace Relations Tony Burke introduced the Labor government’s latest tranche of proposed industrial relations reform. Entitled “Closing Loopholes,” the bill is ostensibly aimed at improving the wages and conditions of Australia’s most vulnerable workers, engaged as casuals, labour hire workers, or in the
Impeachment trial of Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton begins
By Andy Hartmann The impeachment trial of Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton began on Tuesday in the Texas State Senate. Paxton pleaded not guilty to each of the 16 articles of impeachment. He was impeached by the Texas State House in May by a vote of 121-23, at which time he was suspended
Greek government unveils savage employment bill attacking workers’ right to strike
By John Vassilopoulos Greece’s right-wing New Democracy government (ND) has unveiled a new labour bill attacking workers’ rights and conditions. It was submitted on August 25 for public consultation by the Greek Ministry of Labour. The consultation is set to run until September 8, with the bill expected to be put
Guantanamo military judge rules against evidence “derived from torture”
By Tom Carter An exceptional legal ruling issued from the depths of America’s secretive apparatus of military tribunals has thrown a wrench into the latest government efforts to whitewash the notorious Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) torture program. This ruling—and the depraved and sadistic war crimes that it once again brings to light—underscores
There is no FED magic trick to achieve a soft landing
By Mihai Macovei Economic growth in the United States accelerated to a 2.4 percent annualized rate in the second quarter of 2023, picking up from 2.0 percent in the first quarter, and climbing well above the 1.8 percent rate predicted by economists. Many analysts are surprised that the US economy has continued to
Ukrainian journalists protest army censorship of reporting on the counteroffensive
By Jason Melanovski The National Union of Journalists of Ukraine has appealed to the Armed Forces of Ukraine over its severe restrictions on reporting in combat zones of the country’s stalled NATO-backed counteroffensive. The appeal comes in the wake of a report by French newspaper Le Temps that the Ukrainian government had effectively banned
Share buybacks and the parasitism of US capitalism
By Nick Beams The economist William Lazonick is a long-time campaigner against share buybacks by major corporations which he rightly regards as an extreme form of parasitism, financial plundering and a major factor in social inequality. His political perspective is, however, an entirely reformist one. He would like to see increased regulation,