PLANET IN PERIL

climate progress The Department of the Interior Thursday released a long-awaited plan to protect the greater sage grouse, a ground-dwelling bird that was once ubiquitous across the American West but that has seen its numbers plummet as the region’s open sagebrush lands have been lost to energy development, grazing, and catastrophic wildfires. Story here.

Common Dreams Evidence of struggling tar sands sector suggests opportunity to slow the rate of growth 'significantly.’ Story here.

the guardian The Canadian town that sold itself to tar sands. Story here.

Winnipeg Free Press Zebra mussels are here to stay. The challenge now is controlling their spread, a challenge the province appears to be losing in part due to errant boaters. Story here.

THE  HILL President Obama said Thursday the link between more extreme weather and climate change is undeniable, and that the world’s best scientists have made a conclusive connection. Story here.

theguardian Nepalese minister says Fifa must pressure the Gulf state for better treatment of 1.5 million south Asian migrants. Story here.

Bilaterals.org In Sold Down the Yangtze , investment treaty expert Gus Van Harten offers a searing critique of Canada’s 31-year investment deal with China, which could end up costing taxpayers billions of dollars. Story here. Related: Free Trade: Pathway to Prosperity - or Back Road to Corporatism?