Energy

By Nadia Prupis, staff writer | (Commondreams.org) New study warns, ‘any new global climate agreement that does not minimize the impacts on the ocean will be inadequate.’ Without “immediate and substantial” reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, the world’s oceans and marine life face massive, irreversible damage with far-reaching consequences by 2100, a new study published […]

Civil Rights

Your Fourth of July and My Fourth of July

Juan Cole

Juan Cole | (Informed Comment) | – – Revised for the 2010s: Your Fourth of July is invasions and wars. My Fourth of July is the pure sunbeam of peace. Yours is the Confederate flag and nostalgia for the hierarchies of slavery. Mine is ‘all men are created equal.’ Yours is kowtowing to billionaires in […]

Green Transportation

The Future of Flying: Purely Solar-Powered Plane lands in Hawaii after taking off from Japan

contributors

Euronews | (Video Report) | – – “A solar powered plane has successfully completed a record-breaking five-day nonstop solo flight across the Pacific Ocean. The Solar Impulse is the first aircraft to fly day and night without any fuel from Japan to Hawaii Its Swiss pilot Andre Borschberg is attempting to circumnavigate the globe with […]

journalism

The #SaudiCables reveal how Money Controls Media, Politicians & … MTV?

contributors

By Mohamed Hassan | ( Global Voices Online) | – – The half million leaked cables to be released about Saudi Arabia’s foreign policy by WikiLeaks, which have sparked debates across the Gulf’s social media, offer an invaluable insight into the kingdom’s foreign policy. The information in the leaked cables range from issues with visas […]

Featured

Tehran Press on Talks: From “Iran will be US Strategic Ally” to “US Sanctions here to stay”

Juan Cole

By Juan Cole | (Informed Comment) | – – The Iranian press has reacted in a whole range of ways to the current round of negotiations at Vienna between Iran and the five permanent members of the UN Security Council plus Germany (P5 + 1) over its civilian nuclear enrichment program. Moderates and liberals are […]

Climate Change

In first, Court orders Dutch gov’t to protect citizens from climate change

contributors

The Tree | – – The Dutch government has put its citizens in danger by failing to address greenhouse gas emissions, a court [has] ruled . . . In a landmark verdict, the judge said the government “must do more to avert the imminent danger caused by climate change” and ordered it to reduce CO2 […]

Iran

Iran Talks Down to the Wire: Diplomatic Breakthrough or Prelude to War?

contributors

By Jasmin Ramsey | — WASHINGTON (IPS) – A final deal on Iran’s nuclear programme wouldn’t only make non-proliferation history. It would also be the beginning of a better life for the Iranian people—or at least that’s what they’re hoping. Iranians, who are keeping a close eye on the talks which will resume Saturday in […]

Climate Change

As 700 Die in Pakistan from Extreme Heat, Pakistanis Deny Climate Change

Juan Cole

By Juan Cole | (Informed Comment) | – – Pakistan is in the midst of an extreme heat wave with highs around 110 degrees F., which has killed 700 persons in the past 3 days. Three weeks ago it was India’s turn, when extreme heat killed 1200 in the country’s south. Despite the severe dangers […]

Iran

Iranians pin Hopes on success of Kerry-Zarif Nuclear Negotiations

contributors

By William O. Beeman | (Informed Comment) | – – I have just returned from a three-week trip in Iran in which I interviewed hundreds of Iranian citizens. I think many know that I speak fluent, unaccented Persian, so I am able to talk with Iranians of all ages, ethnicities, education and income levels quite […]