US life expectancy declines for three years in a row

Vol. 83/No. 47 - December 23, 2019

One of the most gruesome results of the impact of the economic and social crisis of capitalism today is that life expectancy in the U.S. has fallen for three straight years. Since 2010, mortality rates for workers in their prime…


NY event discusses ‘Thomas Sankara’s Legacy Today’

Vol. 83/No. 47 - December 23, 2019

NEW YORK — Some 100 people attended a program at the Harlem YMCA here Dec. 8 on “Thomas Sankara’s Legacy Today: Sankara Everywhere, Sankara Nowhere.” Speaking were Basninwende Isonore Dianda, a teacher; Inem Richardson, a Barnard College student and researcher;…


Mass protest advances Hong Kong political rights fight

Vol. 83/No. 47 - December 23, 2019

Protesters in Hong Kong hold up five fingers as a sign of continued support for their five demands Dec. 8 in the largest action for greater political rights in months. Others carried large banners such as “Free Hong Kong.” The…


French protests say ‘Hands off our pensions’!

Vol. 83/No. 47 - December 23, 2019

PARIS — Unionists and other working people across France carried out a one-day strike Dec. 5 and mounted sizable demonstrations in defense of their pensions. The actions were centered among public service sector workers in transportation, schools and public hospitals.…


Protest cop killing of Kumanjayi Walker!

Vol. 83/No. 47 - December 23, 2019

SYDNEY — The police killing of 19-year-old Kumanjayi Walker Nov. 9 in Yuendumu, an Aboriginal settlement of some 1,000 people in central Australia, has sparked widespread protests across the country. Thousands nationwide joined demonstrations to protest the cop killing Nov.…


Virginia transit workers strike for equal pay, workplace safety

Vol. 83/No. 47 - December 23, 2019
Members of Amalgamated Transit Union on strike against Metro contractor Transdev rally in Fairfax, Virginia, Nov. 16 demanding ‘equal pay for equal work’ and better health care.

LORTON, Va. — Some 130 Metrobus workers from Amalgamated Transit Union Local 689 at the Cinder Bed Road have been on strike since Oct. 24. They were briefly joined by nearly 600 Fairfax Connector workers, members of ATU Local 1764,…


Airline food catering workers rally for higher pay, health care

Vol. 83/No. 47 - December 23, 2019

SAN FRANCISCO — Hundreds of airline workers joined protests at airports in 16 cities Nov. 26 in support of food catering workers fighting for higher pay and affordable health care coverage. The workers, employed by LSG Sky Chefs and Gate…


French public hospital workers protest government cutbacks

Vol. 83/No. 47 - December 23, 2019

PARIS — Some 10,000 public hospital workers conducted a one-day strike and march here Nov. 14 to defend the country’s public hospitals. For the first time, members of all medical professions — from nursing assistants to doctors — acted together.…


Bus drivers in New Zealand fight for higher wages

Vol. 83/No. 47 - December 23, 2019

AUCKLAND, New Zealand — In the week beginning Dec. 2, around half of all bus trips in Auckland became free to the public. More than 900 drivers employed by two of the city’s bus companies — NZ Bus and Go…


25, 50 and 75 Years Ago

Vol. 83/No. 47 - December 23, 2019

December 26, 1994 Under orders of President Boris Yeltsin 40,000 Russian troops invaded Chechnya in the northern Caucasus region December 11. The military assault, launched under the guise of “protecting” civilians, is being met by resistance in the Chechen republic…