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The politics of climate change

The Republican party’s campaign against nature

October 18th 2017 | Chicago | Xavier Ward

On June 1st, US President Donald Trump withdrew from the Paris Climate Agreement. It was not necessarily unexpected given his previous train of Obama-era policy reversals, but nonetheless his decision was met with widespread criticism from politicians, environmentalists, and business leaders around the world… see full article


America’s opioid crisis

The drug-fuelled epidemic needs solutions fast

August 28th 2017 | Pittsburgh | Will Tomer

A recent article in The New Yorker painted a troubling and vivid portrait of the opioid crisis facing many areas of the nation. In her piece, Margaret Talbot details a number of graphic overdoses that have taken place in West Virginia, the U.S. state with the highest rate of opioid overdoses per 100,000 people (39.3). What is the cause of this phenomenon, and what can be done… see full article


The tragedy of Zbigniew Brzezinski

US foreign policy and the birth of neo-conservatism

July 26th 2017 | Indiana | Russell Hall

When former national security advisor Zbigniew Brzezinski died on the 26th of May, liberals mourned his loss and praised his accomplishments. Former U.S. president Jimmy Carter called him a “superb public servant”. Barack Obama offered similar praise, stating Brzezinski’s “influence spanned several decades, and I was one of several Presidents who benefited from his wisdom and counsel”… see full article


The United Kingdom’s breaking point

A tale of Scottish independence and social democracy

June 7th 2017 | Indiana | Russell Hall

When British Prime Minister Theresa May decided to dissolve parliament and hold snap elections, headlines everywhere predicted the fall of Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn. While Labour is set to win a greater share of the popular vote than it did under Ed Miliband in 2015, the implosion of the anti-immigration UK Independence Party (UKIP) and the exodus of its supporters to the Conservatives has made… see full article


Party for Freedom or parting from freedom?

How patriotic populism empowers authoritarian politics

March 11th 2017 | The Hague | Melih Uzun

Ever since Donald Trump was elected into office, critics have been suggesting that it is an indication of the global rise of right-wing populism, with similar rhetoric set to emerge victorious in European countries as well. The upcoming elections in the Netherlands, where Geert Wilders’s Party for Freedom… see full article


Freedom of press and fake news

If you want to protect yourself, protect journalism

February 17th 2017 | Wisconsin | Xavier Ward

Freedom of press is a fundamental tenet of the United States and is even written into its Constitution. Its purpose was to monitor the operations of government, protecting the people from tyranny creeping up on them before they could realize it. Journalists are often tasked with taking the humdrum language of statutes… see full article


Digital Bubbles

How social media affects our politics

January 31st 2017 | London | Juan Schinas Alvargonzalez

Social networks are the defining innovation of this generation. They are a tool which has given us previously unimaginable levels of connectivity, as well as the ability to easily keep up to date with global news and specific issues that we care about.

Yet, in the midst of a discussion about the so-called “fake news”… see full article


Donald Trump elected President of the United States

The pitiful state of American politics and society

November 12th 2016 | Wisconsin | Xavier Ward

In the early morning hours of November 9th, Donald Trump secured the 270 electoral college votes needed to win the presidency.

You might ask yourself – how is this possible? How did a candidate who was widely regarded as a dangerous joke by the media, the establishment… see full article


Hillary Clinton, above the law

The American justice system and Donald Trump

August 12th 2016 | Chicago | Xavier Ward

During the 2016 US Presidential Election, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton’s private email server has been one of several hot button issues.

However, it may be the one that is ultimately glossed over more than any other in the face of her bombastic, demagogic competition… see full article


What happens after Brexit?

UK votes to leave the EU, Cameron resigns as PM.

June 29th 2016 | London | Francisco Morales & Bartu Kaleagasi

In the aftermath of the EU referendum that shocked the world, many are left wondering how it happened, and what will come of it.

The UK had been a leading member of the European Union since 1973, bringing both economic prosperity and global influence to the country… see full article


Bernie or Bust?

The decisive embers of a progressive America

June 12th 2016 | London | Juan Schinas Alvargonzalez

As the Democratic primaries come to an end, a significant movement has been brewing among Bernie Sanders supporters: Bernie or Bust.

Those who advocate this approach argue that if Hillary Clinton is to win the nomination, voters should either write in Bernie’s name, or vote for… see full article


Catalonia declares itself a sovereign state

The past and future of Spain’s north-eastern separatism

January 17th 2016 | Barcelona | Martin Rogard

In recent months, the possibility of an independent Catalan Republic has been rapidly materialising.

The election of a separatist coalition by a slim 51.7% majority on September 27th was shortly followed by the passing of a resolution on October 27th… see full article


Ukraine pleads for European solidarity, warns about Russia

Petro Poroshenko visits the Netherlands for the EU Association Agreement vote

December 23rd 2015 | Leiden | Melih Uzun

“The thing about the bear is, in the long run, he seeks domination – not a compromise.”

These were the words used by Petro Poroshenko to warn Europe about the aggressive nature of their Eastern neighbour, Russia. The Ukrainian President… see full article


Donald Trump leads Republican polls with 28%

What ever happened to the GOP?

November 15th 2015 | London | Juan Schinas Alvargonzalez

Anyone following the US Presidential Elections 2016 has no doubt heard the name: Donald Trump.

To the surprise of many, the real-estate mogul, TV personality, and professional controversy artist entered the Republican race in June. The media, and… see full article


Singapore’s ruling party wins by landslide

PAP: 83 seats (70%) – WP: 6 seats (12.5%)

September 12th 2015 | Singapore

Today, the nation has spoken, bringing about a massive electoral swing in favour of the ruling party, the People’s Action Party (PAP). Despite the massive crowds at opposition rallies, Singapore’s silent majority continues to trust and support the PAP.

The PAP won 83 out of 89 seats, just six seats shy from being the only… see full article


The most contested election

A look at the prospects of Singapore’s GE 2015

September 9th 2015 | Singapore

In the upcoming Singapore General Election (GE), for the first time ever, all 89 parliamentary seats will be contested. On 11 September 2015, every eligible Singaporean will be able to vote at a polling station, and most will be deciding between the ruling People’s Action Party (PAP) and alternatives like… see full article


The Greek Story in context

A look at the past and future of the EU debt crisis

August 9th 2015 | London | Juan Schinas Alvargonzalez

In the past few months, Greece has been the centre of attention of world media. As the possibility of a Grexit came closer than ever, the financial stability of the Eurozone, and arguably the world, was at play. On the 8th of July, Guy Verhofstadt gave a passionate speech in the European Parliament, directly addressing Greek Prime… see full article


Bernie Sanders pulls Clinton towards progressive politics

The Presidential candidate from Vermont who represents the people

June 23rd 2015 | Pittsburgh | Will Tomer

When President Barack Obama first made his ascension to the highest office in the United States, the Pew Research Center conducted a survey of American adults to see what word was most commonly associated with the president. The second most reported word was a ‘bad’ one: socialist. To Americans, “socialist” is an… see full article


Could NASA’s EM drive defy the laws of physics?

A look at this exciting Star Trek technology and its skeptics

June 13th 2015 | Montana | Christopher Beddow

Rumours about the Electromagnetic Propulsion Drive, or EM Drive, have been echoing throughout the internet for several years.

This April, NASA tested this curious piece of technology at the Johnson Space Center, confirming that it was indeed able to produce propulsion in a vacuum… see full article


Russia and Crimean Tatars: Russia shuts down opposition in the new Crimea


World Population: Immigration waves in the USA and beyond


Keystone XL Pipeline: Obama vetoes Republican oil bill


USA – Saudi Arabia Relationship: Politics trump issues of Human Rights


Scottish Independence Referendum: The United Kingdom’s uncertain future



Arctic Geopolitics: Russia continues hostility as climate change melts ice caps


Astrobiology: Alien life on Europa, Enceladus, & Ganymede


Nuclear Weapons: The resurgence of a nuclear USA and Russia


Space Exploration: Red Earth – can life grow on Mars?

NASA


Astrophotography: The Supermoon and Blood Moon



Space Debris: Earth surrounded by millions of satellites and scraps


Geothermal Energy: Harnessing Iceland’s volcanic potential


National Security & Terrorism: Australia’s Orwellian Data Retention Scheme


China – Japan Islands Dispute: Swords in the East China Sea


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The politics of climate change

The Republican party’s campaign against nature

October 18th 2017 | Chicago | Xavier Ward

On June 1st, US President Donald Trump withdrew from the Paris Climate Agreement. It was not necessarily unexpected given his previous train of Obama-era policy reversals, but nonetheless his decision was met with widespread criticism from politicians, environmentalists, and business leaders around the world… see full article


America’s opioid crisis

The drug-fuelled epidemic needs solutions fast

August 28th 2017 | Pittsburgh | Will Tomer

A recent article in The New Yorker painted a troubling and vivid portrait of the opioid crisis facing many areas of the nation. In her piece, Margaret Talbot details a number of graphic overdoses that have taken place in West Virginia, the U.S. state with the highest rate of opioid overdoses per 100,000 people (39.3). What is the cause of this phenomenon, and what can be done… see full article


The tragedy of Zbigniew Brzezinski

US foreign policy and the birth of neo-conservatism

July 26th 2017 | Indiana | Russell Hall

When former national security advisor Zbigniew Brzezinski died on the 26th of May, liberals mourned his loss and praised his accomplishments. Former U.S. president Jimmy Carter called him a “superb public servant”. Barack Obama offered similar praise, stating Brzezinski’s “influence spanned several decades, and I was one of several Presidents who benefited from his wisdom and counsel”… see full article


The United Kingdom’s breaking point

A tale of Scottish independence and social democracy

June 7th 2017 | Indiana | Russell Hall

When British Prime Minister Theresa May decided to dissolve parliament and hold snap elections, headlines everywhere predicted the fall of Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn. While Labour is set to win a greater share of the popular vote than it did under Ed Miliband in 2015, the implosion of the anti-immigration UK Independence Party (UKIP) and the exodus of its supporters to the Conservatives has made… see full article


Party for Freedom or parting from freedom?

How patriotic populism empowers authoritarian politics

March 11th 2017 | The Hague | Melih Uzun

Ever since Donald Trump was elected into office, critics have been suggesting that it is an indication of the global rise of right-wing populism, with similar rhetoric set to emerge victorious in European countries as well. The upcoming elections in the Netherlands, where Geert Wilders’s Party for Freedom… see full article


Freedom of press and fake news

If you want to protect yourself, protect journalism

February 17th 2017 | Wisconsin | Xavier Ward

Freedom of press is a fundamental tenet of the United States and is even written into its Constitution. Its purpose was to monitor the operations of government, protecting the people from tyranny creeping up on them before they could realize it. Journalists are often tasked with taking the humdrum language of statutes… see full article


Digital Bubbles

How social media affects our politics

January 31st 2017 | London | Juan Schinas Alvargonzalez

Social networks are the defining innovation of this generation. They are a tool which has given us previously unimaginable levels of connectivity, as well as the ability to easily keep up to date with global news and specific issues that we care about.

Yet, in the midst of a discussion about the so-called “fake news”… see full article


Donald Trump elected President of the United States

The pitiful state of American politics and society

November 12th 2016 | Wisconsin | Xavier Ward

In the early morning hours of November 9th, Donald Trump secured the 270 electoral college votes needed to win the presidency.

You might ask yourself – how is this possible? How did a candidate who was widely regarded as a dangerous joke by the media, the establishment… see full article


Hillary Clinton, above the law

The American justice system and Donald Trump

August 12th 2016 | Chicago | Xavier Ward

During the 2016 US Presidential Election, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton’s private email server has been one of several hot button issues.

However, it may be the one that is ultimately glossed over more than any other in the face of her bombastic, demagogic competition… see full article


What happens after Brexit?

UK votes to leave the EU, Cameron resigns as PM.

June 29th 2016 | London | Francisco Morales & Bartu Kaleagasi

In the aftermath of the EU referendum that shocked the world, many are left wondering how it happened, and what will come of it.

The UK had been a leading member of the European Union since 1973, bringing both economic prosperity and global influence to the country… see full article


Bernie or Bust?

The decisive embers of a progressive America

June 12th 2016 | London | Juan Schinas Alvargonzalez

As the Democratic primaries come to an end, a significant movement has been brewing among Bernie Sanders supporters: Bernie or Bust.

Those who advocate this approach argue that if Hillary Clinton is to win the nomination, voters should either write in Bernie’s name, or vote for… see full article


Catalonia declares itself a sovereign state

The past and future of Spain’s north-eastern separatism

January 17th 2016 | Barcelona | Martin Rogard

In recent months, the possibility of an independent Catalan Republic has been rapidly materialising.

The election of a separatist coalition by a slim 51.7% majority on September 27th was shortly followed by the passing of a resolution on October 27th… see full article


Ukraine pleads for European solidarity, warns about Russia

Petro Poroshenko visits the Netherlands for the EU Association Agreement vote

December 23rd 2015 | Leiden | Melih Uzun

“The thing about the bear is, in the long run, he seeks domination – not a compromise.”

These were the words used by Petro Poroshenko to warn Europe about the aggressive nature of their Eastern neighbour, Russia. The Ukrainian President… see full article


Donald Trump leads Republican polls with 28%

What ever happened to the GOP?

November 15th 2015 | London | Juan Schinas Alvargonzalez

Anyone following the US Presidential Elections 2016 has no doubt heard the name: Donald Trump.

To the surprise of many, the real-estate mogul, TV personality, and professional controversy artist entered the Republican race in June. The media, and… see full article


Singapore’s ruling party wins by landslide

PAP: 83 seats (70%) – WP: 6 seats (12.5%)

September 12th 2015 | Singapore

Today, the nation has spoken, bringing about a massive electoral swing in favour of the ruling party, the People’s Action Party (PAP). Despite the massive crowds at opposition rallies, Singapore’s silent majority continues to trust and support the PAP.

The PAP won 83 out of 89 seats, just six seats shy from being the only… see full article

The most contested election

A look at the prospects of Singapore’s GE 2015

September 9th 2015 | Singapore

In the upcoming Singapore General Election (GE), for the first time ever, all 89 parliamentary seats will be contested. On 11 September 2015, every eligible Singaporean will be able to vote at a polling station, and most will be deciding between the ruling People’s Action Party (PAP) and alternatives like… see full article


The Greek Story in context

A look at the past and future of the EU debt crisis

August 9th 2015 | London | Juan Schinas Alvargonzalez

In the past few months, Greece has been the centre of attention of world media. As the possibility of a Grexit came closer than ever, the financial stability of the Eurozone, and arguably the world, was at play. On the 8th of July, Guy Verhofstadt gave a passionate speech in the European Parliament, directly addressing Greek Prime… see full article


Bernie Sanders pulls Clinton towards progressive politics

The Presidential candidate from Vermont who represents the people

June 23rd 2015 | Pittsburgh | Will Tomer

When President Barack Obama first made his ascension to the highest office in the United States, the Pew Research Center conducted a survey of American adults to see what word was most commonly associated with the president. The second most reported word was a ‘bad’ one: socialist. To Americans, “socialist” is an… see full article


Could NASA’s EM drive defy the laws of physics?

A look at this exciting Star Trek technology and its skeptics

June 13th 2015 | Montana | Christopher Beddow

Rumours about the Electromagnetic Propulsion Drive, or EM Drive, have been echoing throughout the internet for several years.

This April, NASA tested this curious piece of technology at the Johnson Space Center, confirming that it was indeed able to produce propulsion in a vacuum… see full article


Russia continues hostility as climate change melts ice caps

The chilling climate of arctic geopolitics in a time of global warming

June 3rd 2015 | Montana | Christopher Beddow

“There are signs of climate change in nearly every aspect of our environment today, including the behaviour of the human civilisation. Melting ice caps in the last 50 years have had a ripple effect on the world. A few decades ago, the media… see full article


Earth surrounded by millions of satellites and scraps

With more and more space debris, how can we achieve sustainability?

May 19th 2015 | Montana | Christopher Beddow

Sustainability is a fast-growing theme in our society, and one that will be of increasing importance as more and more humans venture into space… see full article


Russia shuts down opposition in the new Crimea

The hardships of an ethnic minority facing an uncertain future in their homeland

April 15th 2015 | Netherlands | Melih Uzun

“This blatant attack on freedom of expression, dressed-up as an administrative procedure, is a crude attempt to stifle independent media, gag dissenting voices, and intimidate the Crimean Tatar community.” Those were the words used by Denis Krivosheev, Amnesty International’s Deputy Director for Europe… see full article


Alien life on Europa, Enceladus, & Ganymede

The search for extraterrestrial organisms on Jupiter and Saturn’s moons

March 24th 2015 | London | Bartu Kaleagasi

“Life is not a miracle. It is a natural phenomenon, and can be expected to appear whenever there is a planet whose conditions duplicate those of the Earth.”

Such were the words of Harold Urey, physical chemist famed for his contributions to our understanding of organic matter. Indeed, ever since humanity’s search… see full article


Harnessing Iceland’s volcanic potential

The science behind the European island’s geothermal resources

March 15th 2015 | Montana | Christopher Beddow

Iceland’s Eyjafjallajökull volcano violently erupted in April of 2010, making international headlines as it grounded international flights on both sides of the Atlantic for several weeks to come.

The tephra produced by the eruption interfered with flight traffic into… see full article


Immigration waves in the USA and beyond

A symptom, not cause, of a growing and changing world

March 11th 2015 | Montana | Christopher Beddow

Two minutes after midnight on October 12th, 1999, Adnan Nevic was born just outside Sarajevo, Bosnia. He was dubbed “Baby Six Billion”, as his birth marked not only the start of his own life but also the growth of human population beyond six billion worldwide.

Population had been growing rapidly since the industrial age, and today… see full article


The resurgence of a nuclear USA and Russia

Rising tensions as Obama reverses his stance on disarmement

March 6th 2015 | Pittsburgh | Will Tomer

“It is now three minutes to midnight.”

So began the most recent press release, dated Jan. 22, 2015, from the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists regarding the latest adjustment of the historic Doomsday Clock. The symbolic clock represents humanity’s proximity to total extinction… see full article


Australia’s Orwellian data retention scheme

Government prepares to pass Data Interception and Retention bill

March 2nd 2015 | Perth | Angadjeet Sanghera

“We are a free and fair nation, but that doesn’t mean we should let bad people play us for mugs, and all too often they have. Well that’s going to stop.”

These are the words of the Prime Minister Tony Abbott given in a speech on February 14th. ‘The Captain’, as he likes to refer to himself, was discussing… see full article


Obama vetoes Republican oil bill

Canada’s economic future and the Dutch Disease theory

February 26th 2015 | New York | Alex Shapiro

President Obama made true his promise to congress that he would veto the Keystone XL Pipeline bill should it come across his desk.

The president stated that “through this bill, the United States Congress attempts to circumvent longstanding and proven processes for determining whether… see full article


Red Earth – can life grow on Mars?

The science behind Martian soil and NASA’s ‘Spuds in Space’

February 20th 2015 | Montana | Christopher Beddow

In the year 2000, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) supported a project called Spuds in Space, where simulated Martian soil called JSC Mars-1 and potato seedlings were transported off the earth on the space shuttle Atlantis.

The idea was to see if the crop would grow in a combination of… see full article


Swords in the East China Sea

Sino-Japanese dispute over the Senkaku (Diaoyu) Islands

February 13th 2015 | London

Nations often go all out to protect their disputed lands. In domestic politics, defending one’s land can stir nationalism and bolster the government’s popularity. In foreign policy, aggressively defending one’s land can deter potential enemies.

As neither party wants to give in, many nations remain stuck in… see full article


U.S. President Obama shakes hands with Saudi Arabia's King Salman (Reuters)

Politics trump issues of Human Rights

Obama visits Saudi Arabia amidst renewed tensions

February 6th 2015 | Pittsburgh | Will Tomer

On Jan. 26 2015, former schoolteacher Moussa al-Zahrani likely spent much of his morning alone in his jail cell. If he had not already stirred by sunrise, he would have been awoken by prison guards – though he was almost certainly restless due to what awaited him. At that point, he was served his final breakfast and, if he was… see full article


The United Kingdom’s uncertain future

Scotland prepares to vote on national independence

September 7th 2014 | Brussels | Bartu Kaleagasi

In 1707, the Kingdom of Scotland joined the Kingdom of England to form one country: the United Kingdom.

In 2014, this 300-year old union as we know it could come to an end… see full article


The Supermoon and Blood Moon

The science behind two beautiful lunar phenomena

August 11th 2014 | Istanbul | Bartu Kaleagasi

Taken from Istanbul, the photograph above shows the moon during two different phenomena; the supermoon, and the blood moon.

During these events, astrophotographers from around the world all run to their telescopes, each attempting to snap their own perfect moment… see full article


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