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.
Greater Middle East
Turkish government silencing media: HRW
The Turkish government is silencing the media on a massive scale to prevent scrutiny or criticism the government's "ruthless crackdown," Human Rights Watch charges.
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.
Europe
UK to ban neo-Nazi group under terror laws
The UK government said it will use its terrorism laws to ban the neo-Nazi group linked to the assassination of MP Jo Cox, marking the first time such a step has been taken.
East Asia
China: investigate disappearance of rights lawyer
A group of UN human rights experts called on the Chinese government to investigate the disappearance of prominent human rights lawyer Jiang Tianyong.
Greater Middle East
Egypt: top court upholds law restricting protests
Amid an ongoing crackdown on opposition activists, journalists and rights advocates, Egypt's Supreme Constitutional Court upheld a law that effectively bans protests.
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.