United Nations

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Letters From the March 7, 2016, Issue Letters From the March 7, 2016, Issue

Deadly inequality… northern lights… such stuff as dreams are made on… mixed-up priorities…

Feb 18, 2016 / Letters / Our Readers

Julian Assange holds UN report

The Ruling on Julian Assange Sheds Light on the Limitations of UN Human-Rights Powers The Ruling on Julian Assange Sheds Light on the Limitations of UN Human-Rights Powers

The Working Group on Arbitrary Detentions decided that Assange has been deprived of his rights under international humanitarian law. But Britain and Sweden rejected the decision an...

Feb 12, 2016 / Barbara Crossette

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Letters From the February 15, 2016, Issue Letters From the February 15, 2016, Issue

The once and future UN… no contradiction here… painful question…

Jan 28, 2016 / Letters / Our Readers

Benjamin Netanyahu

Israel’s Settler Diplomacy Has Apparently Failed in Brazil Israel’s Settler Diplomacy Has Apparently Failed in Brazil

Brazil’s rejection of settler-advocate Dani Dayan as ambassador sends a strong message to Netanyahu and the Israeli right.

Jan 11, 2016 / Greg Grandin

The United Nations building.

In 2016, the UN Will Be Transformed. Will That Be Enough to Bring It Back to Life? In 2016, the UN Will Be Transformed. Will That Be Enough to Bring It Back to Life?

A new secretary general, a powerful bloc of developing nations, greater transparency—the 70-year-old global organization has a host of opportunities coming up.

Dec 22, 2015 / Feature / Barbara Crossette

Start Making Sense: Barbara Ehrenreich Explains Why the White Working Class Is Dying—Literally

Start Making Sense: Barbara Ehrenreich Explains Why the White Working Class Is Dying—Literally Start Making Sense: Barbara Ehrenreich Explains Why the White Working Class Is Dying—Literally

Also Rebecca Solnit on the Paris climate agreement and John Powers on Canada’s Justin Trudeau.

Dec 17, 2015 / Audio / Start Making Sense and Jon Wiener

Scientists Warn: The Paris Climate Agreement Needs Massive Improvement

Scientists Warn: The Paris Climate Agreement Needs Massive Improvement Scientists Warn: The Paris Climate Agreement Needs Massive Improvement

The current text doesn’t even mention “fossil fuels” and lacks strong language on human rights.

Dec 11, 2015 / Mark Hertsgaard

Youth Power and Powerlessness at COP21

Youth Power and Powerlessness at COP21 Youth Power and Powerlessness at COP21

Young people have been banging their heads on the walls of the political establishment for far too long. It’s time we figure out something new.

Dec 10, 2015 / StudentNation / Chloe Maxmin and StudentNation

In the Final Hours of the Climate Talks, a 1.5 Degrees C Target Is Still on the Table—but Is That a Good Thing?

In the Final Hours of the Climate Talks, a 1.5 Degrees C Target Is Still on the Table—but Is That a Good Thing? In the Final Hours of the Climate Talks, a 1.5 Degrees C Target Is Still on the Table—but Is That a Good Thing?

In exchange for including the ambitious target in the final text, developing nations are being pressured to never again mention “liability and compensation.”

Dec 9, 2015 / Mark Hertsgaard

COP21

With a 1.5 Degrees Celsius Target, the Climate-Justice Movement Is Poised to Score a Surprise Win With a 1.5 Degrees Celsius Target, the Climate-Justice Movement Is Poised to Score a Surprise Win

Pressure from activists and vulnerable countries has shifted the discussion away from a 2 degrees C target—a virtual death sentence for millions of people.

Dec 7, 2015 / Mark Hertsgaard

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