North America
Obama nominates John Kerry as secretary of state
By Bill Van Auken, December 22, 2012
President Obama has nominated John Kerry, the richest individual in the US Senate and a trusted defender of the interests of the US ruling establishment, as Secretary of State.
Michigan legislature enacts new attacks on workers, democratic rights
By Lawrence Porter, December 22, 2012
The Republican-controlled state legislature has passed a series of reactionary measures in its “lame duck” session.
Obama, Boehner pledge to continue talks on social cuts
By Barry Grey, December 22, 2012
Whether a budget deal is worked out before the New Year or after, it will initiate an assault on all that remains of the social reforms enacted in the last century.
UN Security Council approves military intervention in Mali
By Ernst Wolff, Alex Lantier, December 22, 2012
On Thursday the UN Security Council authorized foreign intervention in Mali, under the pretext of freeing northern Mali from occupation by Islamist forces.
Twenty-four dead in Mexican prison riot
By Rafael Azul, December 22, 2012
The death of 24 people in the course of an escape attempt at a Mexican prison shines a light on the deterioration of Mexican society during the drug war.
UN admits Syria wracked by sectarian civil war
By Chris Marsden, December 21, 2012
A United Nations Independent International Commission of Inquiry has finally admitted that a sectarian civil war is raging in Syria.
US Congress drops measure banning indefinite detention of US citizens
By Bryan Dyne, December 21, 2012
The Congress has dropped a potential amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act that would have provided nominal protections of US citizens and permanent residents against indefinite detention.
Forecast: 13.1 percent to be jobless some time in US next year
By David Walsh, December 21, 2012
The jobs situation remains grim in the US. Data released by the Economic Policy Institute on December 19 indicate that more than one in eight workers will be out of a job at some point in 2013.
Obama announces task force on gun violence
By Joseph Kishore, December 20, 2012
While working to obscure the social roots of the mass killing in Connecticut, the Obama administration is seizing on the tragedy to press for expanded police powers under the banner of “gun control.”
UBS Libor-rigging settlement exposes pervasive bank fraud
By Andre Damon, December 20, 2012
The Libor scandal has laid bare the rampant criminality in the operations of the world's major banks.
Fiscal cliff talks get down to business
Obama proposes Social Security cuts
By Patrick Martin, December 20, 2012
The cuts in Social Security and other critical social programs proposed Tuesday by the Obama White House mark a watershed in US social policy.
US Department of Agriculture pushes for weaker rules on poultry industry
By James Brewer, December 20, 2012
Under new rules, the USDA will remove inspectors and speed up production lines.
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