North America
Court issues stay on Trump immigration order
A Brooklyn federal judge blocked Trump's order barring immigrants from seven Muslim-majority countries, as activists occupied JFK and several other US airports.
Tag: police state
North America
Human Rights Watch: Trump portends ‘tyranny’
In its yearly report, Human Rights Watch warns that the rise of populist leaders "poses a dangerous threat to basic rights"—particularly naming Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin.
Watching the Shadows
Obama’s final year: a CounterVortex scorecard
With a Trump despotism looming, CounterVortex offers its final assessment of Barack Obama's record in addressing the oppressive legacy of the Global War on Terrorism.
Southeast Asia
Duterte boasts of personally killing drug suspects
The Philippines' ultra-hardline President Rodrigo Duterte—facing international outrage for his bloody anti-drug crackdown—boasted that he has "personally" killed suspects.
Palestine
Israel: protest vigil for detained Palestinian MK
Dozens demonstrated outside an Israeli courthouse in support of a Palestinian member of the Knesset, Basal Ghattas, after the court extended his detention another day.
Europe
Poland’s victory: can it happen in US?
Poland's increasingly authoritarian government capitulated after days of angry protests and agreed to scrap a proposed law that would have imposed harsh restrictions on the media.
Southeast Asia
Duterte threatens to kill human rights activists
Accused of carrying out 3,000 extrajudicial executions, the Philippines' ultra-hardline President Duterte now threatens to kill human rights activists who dare to complain about it.
North America
Dakota Access pipeline blocked —for now
After weeks of protest, the Army Corps of Engineers denied approval for the last remaining easement needed for the Dakota Access Pipeline—but the company pledges completion.
North America
Trump cabinet list bespeaks concentration camps
Joe Arpaio and Rudolph Giuliani, short-listed for Homeland Security secretary, both have extensive experience in running detainment camps for undocumented immigrants.
North America
Yes, Donald Trump is a fascist
The appointment of Stephen Bannon, head of “alt-right” Breitbart News, as Trump’s senior counselor removes any doubt about the new order that awaits the United States.
Greater Middle East
Turkey: Diyarbakir mayors detained on ‘terrorism’
The co-mayors of Diyarbakır were arrested in a supposed "anti-terrorism" investigation—part of the ongoing repression against the Kurdish opposition in Turkey's east.
North America
Biggest prison strike in US history —amid media blackout
Amid a shameful paucity of media coverage, inmates at facilities in several states have organized work stoppages following a call for a nationwide prison strike.