What’s That Smell — and How’d You Know?

It’s clear that genes, receptors and neurons all play a role in detecting odors. But much of how we make sense of what we sniff remains mysterious. A neuroscientist explains. Q and A with Neurobiologist Peter Mombaerts.

Palestine: Shifting Discourse to Changing US Policy

The movement opposing Israel’s genocidal war in Gaza has transformed this country’s conversation about Palestine and opens a path to forcing a change in US policy.

China Africa Policy Shaped by Race for Renewable Energy

China is now Africa’s largest trading partner, with partnerships focused on building roads, railways and energy projects.

Michel Barnier in Office, Marine Le Pen Holds Power

Emmanuel Macron has appointed Michel Barnier as France’s prime minister, after securing Marine Le Pen’s agreement. The creation of a government reliant on her blessing is another step in the far right’s march toward power.

Lessons of a Weimar Anti-Fascist in Palestine

After my father fled Nazi Germany in 1933, he witnessed a toxic new nationalism rising among Jews in Palestine—and was silenced for trying to warn of its dangers.

Houston’s Plastic Waste

Houston seeks to be a national model for plastic recycling. But a program that started in 2022 hasn’t yet found its footing.

How the Neocons Chose Hegemony Over Peace

Yet, all along, from the very start, I believed in a mixed economy along social democratic lines, not a free market “neoliberal” economy.

Colombia Takes a Stand Against Israel’s War

The country broke diplomatic relations with Israel earlier this year. Now, it has increased the pressure by banning coal exports.

The Trend of State Takeovers of Public Schools

Educational inequality is a major issue, and change is necessary. But a takeover is not the answer. Too often, it is an instrument of conservative politicians wielded against local communities who find their voices shut out.

The International Left Issues ‘Plea for Peace’

We stand with the people of Ukraine and all victims of this war, who deserve peace, reconstruction and freedom as soon as possible. Nevertheless, one thing is clear: neither peace nor reconstruction and freedom will be possible without negotiation.
Read more

Culture

poetry

Sermon on the Mount 2024

Susan Cossette
As Minnesota poet Susan Cossette reminds us, watch out for prophets!

books

America’s War on Theater

Daniel Blank Los Angeles Review of Books
Between 1935 and 1939, the New Deal-sponsored Federal Theatre Project staged over a thousand productions nationwide, reaching an audience of 30 million. It was an early target of the House UnAmerican Activities Committee (HUAC).

food

Seafood Is Getting Riskier To Eat Due to Climate Change

Stacey Leasca Food & Wine
High heat can make seafood more dangerous for human consumption. Both the European Food Safety Authority the U.S. Department of Agriculture warn that increasing sea surface temperatures can expand the range and season of Vibrio infections making seafood potentially more dangerous for human consumption.

Labor

labor

A Thousand Tennessee Autoworkers Just Joined the UAW

Alex N. Press Jacobin
Workers at Ultium’s Spring Hill electric vehicle plant, a joint venture between General Motors and LG Energy Solution of Korea, have unionized. It’s the latest case of the UAW’s Big Three strike bearing fruit.

labor

U.S. Steel Threatens To Go Rogue

Harold Meyerson The American Prospect
Sparks shooting up from a work table towards a worker with face protection. Until yesterday, U.S. steelworkers hadn’t experienced an attack as sweeping as that of 1892.

labor

Rage in the Red Sea

Steve Yandell The Sea
“All those who care about the lives of seafarers – or a global supply chain that keeps its workers safe – must call for a permanent ceasefire in Gaza. Peace is the best way to end the attacks on ships in the Red Sea."

labor

Los Angeles Teachers’ Road to Durable Power, Part 1: 2014–2016

Alex Caputo-Pearl Convergence
UTLA’s transformation story surfaces critical lessons that respond to the most important question facing the labor movement today: How do we ensure that the recent years of labor upsurge across economic sectors becomes durable, transformative power?

Friday nite video

video

KAOS | Limited Series Trailer

The Gods of Olympus are just one big, dysfunctional family — unaware that mortals have the power to bring them down

video

Escaping the Gaza War for my Paralympic Dream

The Gaza Sunbirds are a team of paracyclists from Gaza, set up in 2020 by cyclist Alaa al-Dali after he was shot in the leg by an Israeli sniper during the Great March of Return in 2018