(By Juan Cole) The horrific story of the kidnapping of nearly 300 girls from their school in Borno Province, northeastern Nigeria, by the Boko Haram terrorist group has again underlined the problem of violent fundamentalism in Africa. Reports say more kidnappings have been undertaken today. Boko Haram, which was founded in 2002, has many resemblances […]
The Death Penalty in the United States (Infographic, plus John Oliver)
Death Penalty in the USA The Death Penalty in the USA. Produced from ArrestRecords.com —— Related video: “Last Week Tonight with John Oliver (HBO): Death Penalty”
Apartheid is a reality in the West Bank
(By Glenn Robinson) America’s top diplomat, Secretary of State John Kerry, has found himself in a pickle for having used the word “apartheid” when describing a possible future for Israel if it forever remains in occupation of the Palestinian West Bank. This is truly a tempest in teapot. Kerry simply said what many Israelis say […]
US Supreme Court: First Amendment is Only For Christians, Upholds State-Sponsored Prayer
Welcome to the theocracy! Monday morning was a dark day for America. The Supreme Court set a frightening precedent in its finding that beginning legislative sessions with prayers does not violate the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment. As…
Scientists Develop Coal-Killing Solar Cell Made From Tin
Weren’t we just saying that perovskite solar cells are the next big thing? Well, make that tin perovskite solar cells. Tin perovskite solar cells are suddenly a thing this week, with not one but two major new research announcements coming out of the…
Netanyahu’s Blood and Soil: The Racist-Nationalism of his “Jewish State” Ideal
(By Juan Cole) Binyamin Netanyahu is again beating the “Israel is a Jewish state” drum, and now wants to have it legislated into Israeli organic law. On Sunday, Netanyahu said, “There are those who do not want Israel to be defined as the national homeland for the Jewish people…” “They want a Palestinian national homeland […]
Taking Voting Rights from Felons preserves the Legacy of Slavery
(By Pippa Holloway) Nearly six million Americans are prohibited from voting in the United States today due to felony convictions. Six states stand out: Alabama, Florida, Kentucky, Mississippi, Tennessee, and Virginia. These six states disfranchise seven percent of the total adult population – compared to two and a half percent nationwide. African Americans are particularly […]
Egypt going Big Into Solar Energy, Announces $1 Billion Investment
The new Egyptian government apparently sees solar energy as being a key part of the country’s future, based on recent comments made by its Local and Administrative Development Minister Adel Labib. At the recent inauguration of a conference organized…
Jose Antonio Vargas’ “Documented” on Plight of Undocumented to air on CNN after Theatrical Release
(By Juan Cole) I was privileged to see a special screening of Jose Antonio Vargas’s breathlessly awaited documentary, “Documented,” when I was in Los Angeles last week, and honored to meet Vargas himself along with executive producer Janet Wang (“The Joy Luck Club,” “The People vs Larry Flynt”). The film was shown in a class […]
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