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The struggle for Ukraine - World Socialist Web Site

▻http://www.wsws.org/en/articles/2013/12/06/pers-d06.html?view=mobilearticle

The struggle for Ukraine
6 December 2013

The current wave of protests in Ukraine bears the label “Made in Germany,” “Made in the EU” and “Made in America.” The Western media has gone to great lengths to portray the demonstrations in Kiev as a struggle for democracy and the rule of law. In fact, they are part of a conflict over geostrategic issues. The aim is to repel Russian influence and subject Ukraine to the domination of Germany, the European Union and NATO.

Nine years ago, the Orange Revolution was organized with massive political and financial support from the US government and American NGOs such as the Open Society Institute of billionaire George Soros. These forces were able to annul the presidential election and ensure that the pro-EU and pro-US tandem of Viktor Yushchenko and Julia Tymoshenko took over as head of state and head of government in place of Viktor Yanukovich, who was considered to be in the pocket of Russia. The duo quickly fell out, however, and Yanukovich was able to assume the post of president in 2010.

#ukraine

Detroit bankruptcy ruling triggers calls for pension cuts across the US - World Socialist Web Site

▻http://www.wsws.org/en/articles/2013/12/06/detr-d06.html?view=mobilearticle

Detroit bankruptcy ruling triggers calls for pension cuts across the US

By Jerry White
6 December 2013

Within days of a federal judge’s ruling in support of the Detroit bankruptcy, the devastating implications for the working class across the US are becoming apparent. States and cities throughout the country are citing the legal precedent of the Detroit ruling to attack public employee pensions, initiating a new stage in the assault on workers’ rights and living standards.

Politicians of both big business parties, media outlets and financial institutions have welcomed the decision by Judge Steven Rhodes, hailing its categorical assertion that federal courts can override state and local guarantees of public workers’ pensions.

#détroit

Poverty skyrockets in Ireland as the ruling elite gets richer - World Socialist Web Site

▻http://www.wsws.org/en/articles/2013/12/06/irel-d06.html?view=mobilearticle

Poverty skyrockets in Ireland as the ruling elite gets richer
By Dermot Quinn and Emily Doyle
6 December 2013

Sixteen percent of the Republic of Ireland’s population, 734,120 people, now live in poverty.

Since the financial and economic crisis engulfed the country in 2008 there has been a huge redistribution of wealth from the working class and poorer sections of society to the very wealthy ruling elite. Successive austerity budgets introduced by the ruling Fine Gael/Labour coalition and the previous government led by Fiana Fail have impoverished whole sections of society who depend on social protection.

#irlande #pauvreté #crise_économique

New York : Basic safety system absent in Metro North crash - World Socialist Web Site

▻http://www.wsws.org/en/articles/2013/12/06/rail-d06.html?view=mobilearticle

New York: Basic safety system absent in Metro North crash
By Jeff Lusanne
6 December 2013

A key safety feature was absent from the cab of a Metro North crash that occurred last Sunday, when an inbound commuter train to New York City failed to slow for a low-speed curve and derailed, killing four.

The experienced engineer of the train, William Rockefeller, initially stated that brakes were not functioning, but has since stated that he “zoned out” while operating the train, only realizing that the train was over speed for a 30 mph curve seconds before it reached the curve. The National Safety Transportation Board (NTSB) is investigating the matter, and released a preliminary comment that the train’s brakes were applied only seconds before it left the rails.

#états-unis #transports #sécurité #transports_ferroviaires