Via The Tree Actor Leonardo DiCaprio accepted the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge this week and used the opportunity to not just raise awareness for ALS, but to also highlight the dangers of developing the Canadian tar sands in northern Alberta. Standing with Chief Adam of the Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation, Chief Courtoreille of the Mikisew […]
Israel’s blockade on civilians of Gaza – no signs of loosening
(IRIN) NGOs are eager to increase aid to the Palestinian region after a 50-day Israeli bombing campaign left over 2,000 dead, thousands wounded and much of the enclave’s infrastructure in ruins, but access rules continue to present huge challenges. While the exact terms of the ceasefire agreement, reached last week between Israel and various Palestinian […]
Iraq Flashpoint: Can the Kurds defend themselves from ISIL?
By Verena Gruber, Talalward, Kurdistan (Special to Informed Comment) There is something incredibly odd about seeing the black flag of the so-called “Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL)” flapping in the wind; particularly when you see it, not on a television screen, but through a pair of binoculars. Today my journey led me […]
Solar could make your Electricity Bill Zero: But Pols, Utilities are Conspiring Against You
TheLipTV: “Solar panels are being denied to certain states as utilities companies and politicians are looking out for their own interests in an effort to eliminate the competition. We look why homes are being prevented from supplying stored energy, in this Lip News clip with Lissette Padilla and Mark Sovel.” TheLipTV: “Solar Panels Denied to […]
Israeli settlers destroy Palestinian grape vines as Israel Steals More Land
HEBRON (Ma’an) — A group of Israeli settlers chopped down grape vines on Palestinian agricultural property in northern Beit Ummar on Monday, a popular committee spokesman said Monday. Muhammad Awwad said the settlers destroyed seven grape vines in the Wad Abu al-Rish area near the illegal settlement of Beit Ein. The vines belong to Hammad […]
History and Betrayal: UNSCOP and Palestine, 1947
By William Polk The British Foreign Secretary told Parliament on February 18, 1947 that “there is no prospect of resolving this conflict by any settlement negotiated between the parties.” Further, he said, according to the League of Nations mandate, the legal basis for Britain’s rule over Palestine, Britain did not have the authority to partition […]
The Military Diminishment of Judaism
By Shalom Goldman In our time, Judaism, in all of its magnificent complexity and subtlety, has been reduced to supporting “team Israel” — whatever its policies or methods. Yes, American Jews, according to the 2013 Pew study, retain a strong sense of distinct identity, despite their distancing themselves from synagogue life and other forms of […]
ISIS Panic (Colbert Report)
Colbert Report: “ISIS Panic” The Colbert ReportGet More: Colbert Report Full Episodes,The Colbert Report on Facebook,Video Archive ——-
“Let my People Fish”: After the war, Israeli Blockade leaves Gaza Civilians Protein Poor
DW: “People in Gaza are trying to rebuild their lives as the ceasefire holds. Fishermen have returned to work [still under severe restrictions]; people salvage what they can from the wreckage of homes.” DW: “Gaza: Life After the War | Journal” There are no, zero, security reasons for interfering with Gaza fisherman out to 12 […]