Tag: current affairs – international

A brief neocolonial history of the five UN Security Council permanent members

John P. Ruehl One of the underlying principles of the UN Charter is the protection of the sovereign rights of states. Yet since 1945, the five permanent members of the UN Security Council (Soviet Union/Russia, France, UK, U.S., and China) have consistently used military force to undermine this notion. And while acts of seizing territory… Read More A brief neocolonial history of the five UN Security Council permanent members

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Donald Trump indicted for efforts to overturn his 2020 election defeat / Trump’s latest indictment will reverberate for years to come

“The United States of America v. Donald J. Trump” instantly became one of the most consequential documents in American history. Special counsel Jack Smith unveiled his case alleging that former President Donald Trump broke several laws in his attempts to overturn the 2020 election, with a grand jury indictment returned Tuesday that illustrated the depth and breadth of the federal criminal… Read More Donald Trump indicted for efforts to overturn his 2020 election defeat / Trump’s latest indictment will reverberate for years to come

Dilip

The fall of Twitter is making the trolls and grifters desperate

By AMANDA MARCOTTE One can see the sheen of desperation in the world of self-identified conservatives who make a living by “triggering” the liberals. The usual dose of outrage bait isn’t working as well any longer, so the right-wingers are escalating the provocations. Tucker Carlson, for example, gave a glow-up interview with manosphere “influencer” Andrew Tate, who is… Read More The fall of Twitter is making the trolls and grifters desperate

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The Atlantic is at risk of circulation collapse – it would mean even greater climate chaos

Amid news of lethal heatwaves across the Northern Hemisphere comes the daunting prospect of a climate disaster on an altogether grander scale. Robert Marsh New findings published in Nature Communications suggest the Atlantic meridional overturning circulation, or Amoc, could collapse within the next few decades – maybe even within the next few years – driving European weather… Read More The Atlantic is at risk of circulation collapse – it would mean even greater climate chaos

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Israelis’ defiance of Netanyahu holds a lesson for anyone who cares about democracy

Jonathan Freedland Beware the strongman leader who fears jail. Donald Trump is running for president in part because he sees a return to the White House as a literal get-out-of-jail-free card: reinstalled in the Oval Office, he would be able to pardon himself for the mounting pile of serious federal crimes for which he is indicted. His… Read More Israelis’ defiance of Netanyahu holds a lesson for anyone who cares about democracy

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Global boiling has arrived

Global warming has ended and “the era of global boiling has arrived”, the UN secretary general, António Guterres, has said after scientists confirmed July was on track to be the world’s hottest month on record. “Climate change is here. It is terrifying. And it is just the beginning,” Guterres said. “It is still possible to… Read More Global boiling has arrived

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Humanitarian crisis grows in Nagorno-Karabakh

Thousands of protesters took to the streets in both Nagorno-Karabakh and Armenia’s capitals on Tuesday evening, demanding international intervention and support, as the Red Cross warned of a humanitarian crisis in Nagorno-Karabakh.  Protesters demanded action to support the blockaded region, which is facing critical shortages of staple goods. Shortly before the protest, Armenia’s Prime Minister Nikol… Read More Humanitarian crisis grows in Nagorno-Karabakh

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What frightens me about the climate crisis is we don’t know how bad things really are

Roger Harrabin Over the past few decades, climate scientists have made huge strides in understanding the future climate. But after recent weeks of extreme heat and devastating floods it’s clear that, although climate models have provided good information about overall rising temperatures, they can’t be sure what level of destruction each notch on the thermometer… Read More What frightens me about the climate crisis is we don’t know how bad things really are

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Unesco calls for global ban on smartphones in schools

Major UN report issues warning over excessive use, with one in six countries already banning the devices; Analysis: distraction and bullying are key concerns; ‘I would crank up the restrictions’: teachers on banning phones in school Smartphones should be banned from schools to tackle classroom disruption, improve learning and help protect children from cyberbullying, a… Read More Unesco calls for global ban on smartphones in schools

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