science

By Juan Cole | (Informed Comment) | (Video Clip) | – – March 21 was the Persian New Year (Now Ruz), marking also the first day of spring (the vernal equinox). In Iran on that day it is a custom to set out a table top with 7 things on it, the names of which […]

Authoritarianism

Making us Less Safe: Trump bloating Pentagon Budget, cutting Diplomacy, Science

contributors

By Miriam Pemberton | OtherWords | – – Throwing money at the Pentagon while gutting other programs that protect Americans shouldn’t make anyone feel safer. Millions of Americans are feeling uneasy, disgruntled, and insecure. That message sounded loud and clear throughout our turbulent election year. The Trump administration’s latest budget proposal isn’t likely to change […]

Climate Change

Study finds 6 600 spills from fracking in just four US states

contributors

The Watchers | – – Each year, 2 to 16 percent of hydraulically fractured oil and gas wells spill hydrocarbons, chemical-laden water, hydraulic fracturing fluids and other substances, according to a study published yesterday in Environmental Science & Technology. The analysis, which appeared February 21 in Environmental Science & Technology, identified 6 648 spills reported across […]

art and photography

Image of the Day: Gemini Constellation, As Seen in the Heavens, Iran,1630

contributors

New York Public Library | Spencer Collection, The New York Public Library. “Gemini, as seen in the heavens. Mirror image of f. 91?” Tarjumah-i suwar al-kawâkib (Translation of “Images of the Planets”). Iran, c. 1630, possibly Mashhad. New York Public Library Digital Collections. http://digitalcollections.nypl.org/items/8d2bcb1e-42d4-7f14-e040-e00a180641da

Immigration

Immigrant Cali Sikhs open Temples to Oroville Dam Refugees

contributors

TeleSur | – – At least seven Sikh temples opened their doors to evacuees. "DO NOT TRAVEL NORTH TOWARD OROVILLE," was the message the Yuba County Office of Emergency Services blasted on its Twitter account Sunday. It was the warning issued to the nearly 200,000 people in Northern California who were told to evacuate that […]

Climate Change

Give us your Huddled Scientists: France woos US Climate Researchers, Inventors in age of Trump

contributors

By Frédéric Simon | EurActiv.com | – – The United States of America. Home of the free. Land of the brave. And, until Donald Trump became president, a beacon of science, research and technology. And Emanuel Macron wants a piece of it. Emmanuel Macron, who emerged this week as the favourite in the French presidential […]

astronomy and outer space

US Government Scientists Go ‘Rogue’ in Defiance of Trump

contributors

TeleSur | – – Twitter accounts are being used as a tool of resistance to fight censorship and bring reliable scientific information to the public. Employees from more than a dozen U.S. government agencies have established a network of unofficial “rogue” Twitter feeds in defiance of what they see as attempts by President Donald Trump […]

Employment

It’s the Economy, Stupid: Ending ‘Religious’ Violence in the Middle East

contributors

Moha Ennaji | (Project Syndicate) | – – FEZ – The escalation of radicalism, violence, and civil wars in the Middle East since the so-called Arab Spring revolts began in 2010 has exacted a massive toll in human lives and welfare. The need to build effective states that support peace, provide greater opportunity and prosperity, […]

Evolution

White College Students Angry they originated in Africa

contributors

TeleSur | – – A group of white students at Texas State University stormed out of anthropology class Friday after the professor explained all humans were descended from Africa. The walkout caused heated debate with the remaining students chanting “Black lives matter” and criticizing the racist attitude of their classmates. According to the students, Professor […]