The Revolutionary Temper by Robert Darnton review – a nation at breaking point

The ancien regime”, as applied to 18th-century France, always sounds like such a solid proposition. It speaks of arbitrary power, stiffened with protocol, girded by gold, topped by a dusting of icing sugar (you could always spot a noble by their terrible teeth) and utterly stuck in its ways. Until, that is, revolution arrived in 1789… Read More The Revolutionary Temper by Robert Darnton review – a nation at breaking point

Brave Labour MPs have voted with their conscience. Where is Keir Starmer’s ?

a Palestinian child is being killed every 10 minutes, entire generations of families have been wiped out. Like anyone seriously engaging with the past weeks’ events, they know Israel’s government is hardly being subtle: this weekend, a minister claimed Israel was instituting a new Nakba, the expulsion of 700,000 Palestinians in 1948; that the defence minister justified a… Read More Brave Labour MPs have voted with their conscience. Where is Keir Starmer’s ?

‘Leave the gold in the ground’: Ecuador’s forest guardians mobilise against illegal mining in Amazon

With short amulet-covered spears made of blackened chonta palm, GIS mapping phones, walkie-talkies and wearing black and green uniforms, the A’i Cofán seem to merge into the jungle as they march silently down a path through their land. Calling themselves the Indigenous guard, the 27-strong group patrols a territory of 243 sq miles (630 sq… Read More ‘Leave the gold in the ground’: Ecuador’s forest guardians mobilise against illegal mining in Amazon

Grit and glamour: how Mahua Moitra shook up the misogyny and hypocrisy of Indian politics

Amrit Dhillon in New Delhi Mahua Moitra is a misfit in Indian politics. She rejects the notion that a woman must ideally be married, and if she happens to be divorced, single or widowed, should not openly date or be seen to be in a relationship. Nor should she drink or smoke in public or be… Read More Grit and glamour: how Mahua Moitra shook up the misogyny and hypocrisy of Indian politics

Dennis Kucinich: The Nothingness of a War Consciousness

By Dennis Kucinich / Substack The leaders of the world must assert common humanity and create a new path, a new map which is fair to all, and establish a new, peaceful coexistence which recognizes the inner equality of all Dennis Kucinich Commentary on November 5, 2023 Palestine, Israel, and the US war machine: Dennis Kucinich… Read More Dennis Kucinich: The Nothingness of a War Consciousness

Ayatollah’s justice: Iranian mother jailed for 13 years after denouncing the murder of her son

After her son was killed, Yazdani publicly condemned the regime’s attacks on protesters and called for justice for her son and others killed in the demonstrations. Her trial and sentencing came very soon after she was arrested at her home on 22 August. Mohammad Javad Zahedi with his mother, Mahsa Yazdani. She was jailed after… Read More Ayatollah’s justice: Iranian mother jailed for 13 years after denouncing the murder of her son

South American countries recall ambassadors and cut ties with Israel / Belgian workers refuse to handle arms shipments for Israel

A number of South American countries have registered diplomatic protests against Israel, in response to its latest conflict with Hamas, with Bolivia’s leftwing government cutting ties entirely and attributing its decision to alleged war crimes and human rights abuses being committed in the Gaza Strip. The decision by Bolivia was announced at a press conference on… Read More South American countries recall ambassadors and cut ties with Israel / Belgian workers refuse to handle arms shipments for Israel

Iran arrests lawyer at funeral of girl who died after metro incident

Iranian authorities have arrested a prominent lawyer and human rights defender as she attended the funeral of a teenage girl who died after a disputed metro incident, her husband has said. Nasrin Sotoudeh was arrested on Sunday in Tehran during the funeral of 16-year-old Armita Garawand, who died a day earlier after nearly a month in intensive… Read More Iran arrests lawyer at funeral of girl who died after metro incident