The Vitals Over the past 40 years, the distributions of income and wealth have grown increasingly unequal. In addition, there has been growing understanding that the United States faces a long-term fiscal shortfall that must be addressed, at least in part, by raising revenues. For these and other reasons, proposals to raise taxes on wealthy…

Today at Claremont McKenna College, a new bipartisan public forum—the Dreier Roundtable—will convene leaders in politics, business, journalism and academia to hold constructive, substantive discussions about immigration reform. Just days after the midterm elections of 2014, the panel of experts will examine the strengths and weaknesses of current immigration policy and debate the economic and…

If the intended aim of the new round of U.S. sanctions were to change Iran’s behavior, it already has. Just not the behavior the Trump team had in mind—Iran abandoning its pursuit of pro-market economic reforms. President Hassan Rouhani, who was elected twice, in 2013 and 2017, on a platform of liberal economic reforms, has…

The recent tightening of oil sanctions has revived speculation about their dire consequences for Iran’s economy. The end to waivers for eight countries that under U.S. sanctions were allowed to import oil from Iran, announced last week, is sure to worsen the already bleak economic situation in Iran, but predictions of economic collapse are highly…

There's a lot to be said for simplifying one's wardrobe.

Weather forecasters need to stop treating it as such.

What a difference a decade makes.

When asked what he'd do if he was entering the industry today, Jim Rogers had some very revealing things to say.

Two years ago we couldn't decide, but when you see it in action the answer is obvious.

Two teens send a powerful message about the effects of plastic pollution.

It makes sense; They have great views, lots of exposure to wind and sun, and think of all the exercise you'll get climbing up.

Once a centrally located piano practice space, it's been converted into a comfortable little apartment with the help of some smart space-saving strategies.

Researchers are working on "reprogramming" cells to create customized organisms that can be used for everything from new medicines to environmental clean-up crews.

Like a nesting doll, this all-in-one wall unit functions like a multipurpose piece of furniture.

I have always wondered why a sandwich of polystyrene and concrete is considered green, and have taken significant abuse for my position on insulated concrete forms (ICF). Now an interim report from the impressive-sounding MIT Concrete

I could use this right now.

We have been showing these for years, but the artist/inventor beats us to the punch again

The historical character of this old Saigon building was preserved with a fresh and respectful makeover.

We know that illegal logging contributed to the devastation caused by last summer's flooding in Pakistan, when up to 20% of the nation was underwater. New research now sheds light on how so much rain fell: A rogue

These flowery sculptures seem to grow and flourish, out of repurposed dead animal skulls.

In this eye-popping example of adaptive reuse, a crumbling church is remade into a public skatepark, complete with incredible murals.

Inspired by the human-based Modulor system of proportion, this small Madrid apartment is defined by a series of wooden alcoves that hold different daily functions.

Bottlenose dolphins have close bonds that last for years based on common interests.

Why do people do this kind of thing?

Our photo of the day comes from Florida's John D MacArthur Beach State Park.

It's a multifunctional space that hides everything behind its pared-down walls.

Whether it's deciding where to buy clothes or taking good care of garments at home, there are many things that consumers can do to make a difference in the fashion world.

A special task force has been set up, but whether the talk and research turns into action is another matter.

Eco-conscious clothier Reformation has gained popularity with a number of celebrities.

This home for a family of three and two cats has been built with efficiency, comfort and health in mind.

We've heard of transformer apartments, but what about a transformer garden. These movable green walls create flexible outdoor spaces.

"If knowledge has become a secular religion, public libraries are its parishes, mosques and synagogues."

Looking to tiny houses for design inspiration, these new student housing units have been constructed in a former Rotterdam office.

A small, rundown garage and artist's studio becomes a new home to a family of three.

There is something mesmerizing about this clip of a squid worm, also named teuthidodrilus samae by researchers after it was 'discovered' recently in the depths of the Celebes Sea between Indonesian and the Philippines.

This series of composting furniture designs aims to "integrate worms and people into interdependent domestic bliss."

Made with a tight budget and schedule, this structure was up and running within a matter of weeks.

Architect Jonathan Kearns shows that you can have it all.

This innovative billboard does double duty: advertising for a university's engineering program while producing much-needed clean drinking water for local communities.

Air quality in San Francisco is the worst in the world right now.

It's time to end this destructive practice, and Appalachian residents descended upon Washington, D.C., this week to demand action.

What can you do with 1.285 bright green used uniforms? This was the brief the design students at Elisava school in Barcelona received by Urbaser, a local waste collection and urban

From Japanese designer Sakura Adachi comes this marvel of space-saving design: "Trick," the bookshelf that hides a table and two chairs. Featured by Italian manufacturer Campeggi at the 2010 Salone del Mobile in Milan, this is a great

TreeHugger founder Graham Hill is trying to radically reduce his footprint and live happily with less space, less stuff and less waste -- on less money -- but with more design. He calls it LifeEdited. To find each ideal piece of furniture for his small Ne

You want your kid to have a desk that fits her, to do homework, play and draw. You also want your kid to grow up, eventually. But you don't want to buy a new desk every few years as she outgrows the old one. So

Designer Paulo Alves took down all walls and created multi-function furniture for his small place.

This automated smart home system for small apartments takes the effort out of having to transform your all-in-one furniture unit by hand.

It's one answer to the complaint that tiny houses are too small: build it with an electrically operated, expandable slide-out.