Portside

Recently the Chair of an exciting UN initiative formally named the “United Nations Conference to Negotiate a Legally Binding Instrument to Prohibit Nuclear Weapons, Leading Towards their Total Elimination” released a draft treaty to ban and prohibit nuclear weapons just as the world has done for biological and chemical weapons. The Ban Treaty is to be negotiated at the UN from June 15 to July 7.

The OECD should be in the business of helping people build democratic institutions that give them economic and political voice—guardians of equality and democracy. The alternative to addressing wage stagnation and the status of working people in the global economy is not more of the same elite dominated globalization. The alternative is an escalating crisis where the false promises of authoritarianism and racism threaten to overwhelm the democratic ideal.

Master of None's second season tackles the intersection of queer identities and race, as well as the diversity of New York City, painting a fuller picture of the city than shows that have come before like Girls, or even Louie.

In the words of Illinois Network of Charter Schools president Andrew Broy, “Chicago has become the epicenter of charter union organizing in the country.”

In what may seem a paradox, the worse off Illinois government gets the more the wealthy are willing to spend to gain control. It is part of a national trend that has seen ever escalating spending battles for even down the ballot offices. Down the ballot, a $1 million legislative race in Illinois used to be an oddity. Last year 23 topped $1 million, with five between $5 million and $6 million, according to Redfield’s analysis of state campaign finance records.

The results of the UK election are a disaster for the British ruling class. The UK economy is set to enter a period of stagnation at best. The OECD’s economists are already forecasting that the UK economy will slow down to just 1% next year as Brexit bites.

A lot of Black people love Ebony. But love only goes so far for the journalists who make it happen, especially when the object of your affection is slow to cut you a check. Start by paying your damn journalists.

It is too early to provide a reliable analysis of the Persian Gulf crisis sparked by the abrupt decision of Saudi Arabia and other Gulf monarchies to break diplomatic and economic relations with Qatar. There are too many actors, conflicts, mixed and hidden motives and contradictions at play. Yet, one can clearly assert that it has nothing to do with strengthening the anti-ISIS, anti-extremist coalition of Arab forces, and that it is directed as much at Iran as Qatar.

Faith leaders whose politics fall to the left of center are getting more involved in politics to fight against President Trump's policies.

Labour’s manifesto offers a vision to radically improve the lives of millions. This article has a link to the Labour Party manifesto.