Less than a month after giving the green light for Royal Dutch Shell to start oil exploration in the Arctic, the US government approved a bid from the oil giant to drill even deeper on August 17.
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The recent introduction of controversial laws by Israel, including 20-year jail sentences for stone throwers and the authorisation of force-feeding Palestinian prisoners on hunger strike, would worsen an 鈥渁lready-precarious human rights situation鈥, the United Nations warned on August 19.
Tamils protest in Geneva to demand a UN investigation into Sri Lankan war crimes. Photo via Tamilnet.
Palestinians in Susiya demonstrate in May against Israel鈥檚 plans to destroy the village. Photo: Sarah Levy/Electronic Intifada.
The Palestinian village of Susiya is at imminent risk of demolition. On May 5, Israel鈥檚 High Court of Justice refused to grant an interim order to freeze the demolition until the outcome of an appeal brought by villagers to prove the village鈥檚 legitimacy.
Israeli bulldozers uproot olive trees on Palestinian lands to make way for a separation wall in Beit Jala.
Palestinian farmers have called for international solidarity against ongoing Israeli destruction of their olive groves and livelihoods.
More than 6000 people and 500 group have participated in public meetings on a proposed land law with the government of President Rafael Correa.
The dramatic slowing of China鈥檚 economy has significant consequences for world growth. Official statistics likely overstate China鈥檚 official growth rate of 7%.
Photo: CUT.
About 1 million people across Brazil protested on August 20 against right-wing attempts to impeach President Dilma Rousseff.
The marches were joined by Brazil's big social movements, including the Movement of Landless Workers (MST) and the United Workers' Central (CUT), the largest trade union federation in Latin America.
Running scared. That is the only explanation for the increasingly desperate and angry denunciations from the right wing of Britain's Labour Party, as Islington North MP Jeremy Corbyn's campaign looks more and more likely to win party鈥檚 leadership election on September 12.
The Obama administration's announcement that the United States' power sector would deliver a 30% cut in emissions by 2030 was hailed by many as a breakthrough in meaningful action.
US Secretary of State John Kerry suggests the 鈥淯S is setting an example to the world on climate change鈥. Reuters said, 鈥淯.S. unveils sweeping plan to slash power plant pollution鈥 and the president of the World Resources Institute declared the proposals to be a 鈥渕omentous development鈥.
Tianjin residents protest, August 20.
Capitalism with Chinese characteristics is in some strife. This is largely because the government鈥檚 attempt to keep growth at an unsustainable 7% a year is fuelled by equally unsustainable debt.
Corporate and local government debt has grown by 50% since 2009, and total debt, which includes household debt, is now close to 187% of GDP.
About 7000 people marched for equal marriage rights in Melbourne on August 15. It was the largest such rally in years. Contingents of teachers, nurses and other unions were out in force.
The march featured a portable rainbow and ended with a mass illegal wedding outside the registry office. Rally chair Anthony Wallace rejected PM Tony Abbott's call for a referendum and said "Just pass the bloody bill!".
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