Ukrainian legislators on Tuesday passed a law granting broader autonomy to the Donetsk and Luhansk eastern regions, with Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko declaring the move protects the “sovereignty, territorial integrity and independence” of Ukraine while advancing decentralization. The new bill, initially proposed by Poroshenko, grants greater self-rule to the two regions for a three year … Continue reading "Ukraine Grants Limited Self-Rule to Eastern Regions"

Environmental groups are expressing outrage and vowing resistance following the federal approval of a controversial liquefied natural gas (LNG) export terminal in Calvert County, Maryland. The Cove Point liquefied natural gas (LNG) export terminal, proposed by energy company Dominion, would be the nation’s first such terminal on the East Coast. There are three existing LNG … Continue reading "'Don't Mourn, Organize': Federal Approval of LNG Export Terminal Denounced"

A federal judge on Sunday afternoon struck down Alaska’s gay marriage ban—the first of its kind, passed by voters in 1998. “The court finds that Alaska’s ban on same-sex marriage and refusal to recognize same sex marriages lawfully entered in other states is unconstitutional as a deprivation of basic due process and equal protection principles … Continue reading "Court Overturns Alaska's First-in-the-Nation Gay Marriage Ban"

As many as 100,000 people took to the streets of Dublin on Saturday to denounce a new water tax  and declare, “Water is a human right.” Protesters say the water charges, to begin next year, are yet more austerity measures that have pushed people towards a “tipping point.” Fifty-year-old Martin Kelly held a sign reading … Continue reading "Sea of Irish Protesters: 'Water Is a Human Right!'"

Mere hours after voters in Denton, Texas made history by enacting the state’s first ban on fracking, the oil and gas industry has challenged that move with a lawsuit. Supporters say the ban, which passed with the support of nearly 59 percent of voters, said it was necessary to protect the city from the polluting … Continue reading "Industry Lashes Out With Lawsuit Hours After Landmark Fracking Ban"

Appearing on Monday night’s Colbert Report on Comedy Central, Sen. Bernie Sanders told the show’s host that he’s still contemplating how best to use his leadership skills to challenge the elite and corporate forces that are undermining U.S. democracy and destroying shared prosperity in a nation that is desperately tired of being kicked around by … Continue reading "Bernie Sanders to Colbert: "Frightening the Billionaire Class" Should be Goal of Grassroots Movement"

At 1:01 PM on Monday afternoon thousands of individuals—a large portion of whom are college and high school students—stopped what they were doing. In acts of remembrance of slain black teenager Michael Brown, people across the country staged die-ins, demonstrations, and fell quiet for four and a half minutes—a protest which they say is “only … Continue reading "Thousands Take Part in National Die-Ins, Demonstrations for Michael Brown"

Bearing a banner declaring “Black and Breathing,” protesters surrounded and temporarily blockaded the Oakland Police Department headquarters on Monday morning while shutting down a nearby freeway entrance to demand “an immediate end to the war on Black people.” “We fight for justice for every single Black life that has passed at the hands of police, … Continue reading "Demanding End to War on Black People, Oakland Protesters Blockade Police Department"

It’s not yet the new year, but the Obama administration appears to be preparing an all-out effort to push through the controversial Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) trade agreement in 2015 despite the widespread concerns among his Democratic base, the unified opposition of hundreds of progressive organizations, and vocal warnings from individual lawmakers. To its critics—along with … Continue reading "Is Push for Corporate-Friendly Trade Deal Top 2015 Priority for White House?"

Just weeks after taking over both houses of Congress, the Republican party is already aggressively moving to weaken legislation aimed at reining in big banks and protecting the public. According to the New York Times, Wall Street is holding the strings. “The financial industry has been methodical, drafting technically complicated legislation that can pass the … Continue reading "With Wall Street Holding the Strings, Republican-Controlled Congress Moves to Deregulate Big Banks"