State Department Bars Embassies From Flying Rainbow Flag
The State Department has barred American Embassies from flying the Pride Flag during Pride Month as has been the custom for several years.
Australia’s Ruling Conservative Coalition Scores Surprise Win
Surprising pollsters and political analysts down under, Australia’s ruling center-right coalition pulled off a big win in Saturday’s election.
Taiwan Becomes First Asian Nation To Legalize Same-Sex Marriage
Taiwan has become the first nation in Asia to legally recognize same-sex marriage.
Why We Can’t Have Nice Things
Pledges from wealthy men to help rebuild Notre Dame cathedral after a devastating fire is generating backlash.
The Political Realities of a Green New Deal
Kevin Drum uses some clever sleight-of-hand to demonstrate a hard truth about the human condition.
Venezuelan Crisis Enters A New Stage
The situation in Venezuela entered a new stage yesterday as opposition leader Juan Guaidó claimed the nation’s Presidency.
Carlos Sanchez, Who Portrayed Coffee Icon Juan Valdez, Dies At 83
Carlos Sanchez, who portrayed Juan Valdez the unofficial ambassador of Colombian coffee for some 30 years, has died at the age of 83.
Trump Cancels G-20 Meeting With Putin
President Trump has canceled a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin over the recent confrontation between Russia and Ukraine in the Black Sea.
Trump Says He Will End Birthright Citizenship Via Executive Order, But He Can’t
President Trump is now claiming he will end birthright citizenship for the children of undocumented immigrants via Executive Order. He clearly lacks the authority to do this.
India’s Supreme Court Strikes Down Colonial Era Anti-Gay Law
A significant advance for LGBT rights in the world’s most populous democracy.
Archbishop Alleges Popes Benedict And Francis Covered Up Sexual Abuse Reports
A top Vatican official is alleging that Pope Francis and Pope Benedict XVI were both aware of previously unknown allegations of sexual abuse and chose to allow them to be covered up rather than bringing them to light.
Initial Estimate Shows Economy Grew 4.1% In Second Quarter
The economy grew at an exceptionally strong pace according to the first estimate of GDP growth, but several caveats remain.
Anthony Kennedy’s Right to Retire
A thoughtful liberal argues the Justice has “altered and destroyed his legacy” by allowing Donald Trump to appoint his successor.
Former Defense Secretary Frank Carlucci Dies At 87
Frank Carlucci, who served as President Reagan’s last Secretary of Defense, has died at 87.
Bolton Sees Libya As Model, North Korea Likely Sees It As a Warning
The United States is apparently looking to Libya as a guide for upcoming talks with North Korea. The DPRK most likely sees the fate of that nation and its leader as a warning.
Miguel Díaz-Canel Becomes New President Of Cuba
Cuba has a new President and he isn’t named Castro, but that doesn’t mean we’re going to see significant change in the near future.
Trump Lies 1,628 Times. The Truth Dies.
Since taking office, President Trump has made an average of 5.5 false claims per day.
The FARC Makes the Official Transition to Political Party
A key step in the Colombian peace process.
North Korea Conducts Sixth Nuclear Test
More provocative action from North Korea, and another reminder that there are no easy answers to the problems represented by the Kim regime.
At Least Thirteen Dead, Dozens Injured, In Apparent Terror Attack In Spain
At least thirteen dead in an apparent terrorist attack in Spain.
Trump And Putin Had Previously Undisclosed Meeting At G-20
Is there anyone in the Trump Administration or family who hasn’t held undisclosed meetings with Russians?
A “Republic v. Democracy” Lexicon
Concepts, basic applications, and even a bibliography! Merry Festivus, everyone.
President Trump’s Unprecedented Conflicts of Interest
The incoming president’s business interests are a yuuuge problem.
Summer Olympics Were Lowest Rated Since 2000
Despite being much more conveniently located for viewers in the United States, viewership for the just-concluded Olympics were the lowest they’ve been in sixteen years.
D.A. Henderson, Leader Of Effort To Eradicate Smallpox, Dies At 87
A true, albeit largely anonymous, hero of humanity has passed away.
Zika Virus Concerns Lead To Calls To Postpone or Move 2016 Olympics
Concerns about the Zika Virus are leading some doctors to call for the 2016 Summer Olympics to be moved or postponed.
Mexico’s Supreme Court Opens The Door To Marijuana Legalization
A decision from Mexico’s Supreme Court has opened the door to legalization of marijuana south of the border, but it’s likely to proceed much slower than in the United States or Canada.
Pope Francis Writes On The Environment, And Many People Miss The Point
Pope Francis’s new encyclical isn’t exactly being received positively by American conservatives, because they seem to be missing the point.
Marriage Equality Is Coming To Mexico
Thanks largely to a series of court decisions, same-sex marriage is effectively legal in all of Mexico.
Petitioner Wants Olympics To Revoke Medal Caitlyn Jenner Won As Bruce Jenner
This is perhaps the silliest idea ever.
Justice Department Indicts Top FIFA Officials In Corruption And Bribery Scandal
Several of the top representatives of soccer’s governing body have been indicted by a Federal Grand Jury in New York.
US-Latin American Relations
Some thoughts on a column by Roger Noriega on the Obama administration and Latin America,
Oil Prices Have Been Falling For Months, And That’s Likely To Have Wide Repercussions
Quietly, oil prices have been falling for months now. That’s potentially a very big deal.
Should We Let 16 And 17 Year Olds Vote?
After success in Scotland, it may be time to consider allowing at least some teenagers to vote.
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