Trump May be Seeking a Win-Win Outcome in Syria
Mark Taliano | globalresearch.ca | 2018-12-27
"The Axis of Resistance is effectively wiping out terrorism in Syria — terrorism supported by the West — and for this, we should all be grateful," Mark Taliano said in an interview with the Tasnim News Agency. | "Did the on-going … | The post Trump May be Seeking a Win-Win Outcome in Syria appeared first on Global Research.
globalresearch.ca/trump-may-be-seeking-a-win-win-outcome-in-syria/5664027

UPDATE: 4.9-Magnitude Earthquake Rocks Northern Venezuela
teleSUR | telesurenglish.net | 2018-12-27
An earthquake measuring 4.9 on the Richter scale struck northwestern Venezuela at about 5: 00 a.m. local time Thursday, Venezuela's Foundation of Seismological Research (Funvisis) stated. The tremor rattled San Diego, Valencia, Caracas, Barquisimeto and was felt in neighboring Colombia, according to officials. | RELATED: | Large Earthquake Off Northern Venezuelan Coast | The quake, which was widely reported by other media as measuring 5.6, hit at a depth of 10 kilometers northwest of the town of…
telesurenglish.net/news/UPDATE-4.9-Magnitude-Earthquake-Rocks-Northern-Venezuela-20181227-0005.html

Security and Counter-Intelligence: Pakistan's New Regulations Regarding International NGOs
Andrew Korybko | globalresearch.ca | 2018-12-27
Pakistan's recent regulation of International NGOs (INGOs) must be followed up by additional security measures by the counter-intelligence services in order to root out the rest of the foreign intelligence agents that have embedded themselves inside the country, but any … | The post Security and Counter-Intelligence: Pakistan's New Regulations Regarding International NGOs appeared first on Global Research.
globalresearch.ca/security-and-counter-intelligence-pakistans-new-regulations-regarding-international-ngos/5663914

An End to Empires
Richard Galustian | globalresearch.ca | 2018-12-27
President Trump's announcement, seemingly unilaterally, without advice from his military advisors or the Pentagon, has shocked and rocked American Military's status quo strategy that has failed us all since post 9/11, yet the overwhelming majority of the American people and … | The post An End to Empires appeared first on Global Research.
globalresearch.ca/an-end-to-empires/5664107

Selling Fear and Amusement: News as Entertainment
David Altheide | counterpunch.org | 2018-12-27
The news media have contributed to our deteriorating–but entertaining–political situation. Mr. Trump is President partly because he is entertaining. My research on TV news shows that the promotion of the politics of fear is a byproduct of entertaining and sensationalized reports to build audience ratings. Contemporary news practices have increasingly been wedded to new information technologies that provide visuals and images, particularly portable cameras and smart phones. The entertainment format of much of U.S. TV news promotes the use of video or other visuals that are dramatic, conflictual, and em…
counterpunch.org/2018/12/27/selling-fear-and-amusement-news-as-entertainment/

There Is No Marshall Plan for Iraq. The Cruel Legacy of America's War Machine
Greta Berlin | globalresearch.ca | 2018-12-27
On June 5, 1947, in an address at Harvard University, Secretary of State George C. Marshall introduced a European self-help program financed by the United States to the tune of 13 billion dollars (about $110 billion by 2018 estimates), | … | The post There Is No Marshall Plan for Iraq. The Cruel Legacy of America's War Machine appeared first on
globalresearch.ca/there-is-no-marshall-plan-for-iraq-the-cruel-legacy-of-americas-war-machine/5664067

Demand Transparency in Medicare for All
Margaret Flowers | globalresearch.ca | 2018-12-27
One of the most important pieces of legislation of our times, one that will impact every person in the United States, is currently being drafted in a non-transparent and non-participatory process by a small group of insiders. Rep. Pramila Jayapal… | The post Demand Transparency in Medicare for All appeared first on Global Research.
globalresearch.ca/demand-transparency-in-medicare-for-all/5664070

Video: Israel Strikes Syria. Russia's S-300 Air Defense System Was Not Used against Israeli War Planes
South Front | globalresearch.ca | 2018-12-27
Late on December 25, the Israeli Air Force carried out a missile strike on targets in the Damascus International Airport area. According to reports, Israeli F-16I jets launched at least 16 missiles from Lebanese airspace. | The Syrian media stressed that … | The post Video: Israel Strikes Syria. Russia's S-300 Air Defense System Was Not Used against Israeli War Planes appeared first on Global Research.
globalresearch.ca/video-israel-strikes-syria-russias-s-300-air-system-was-not-used-against-israeli-war-planes/5664042

Israel's Airstrikes on Syria Threatened 2 Civilian Flights Landing in Beirut and Damascus. Russian Report
RT News | globalresearch.ca | 2018-12-27
Russia's Defense Ministry has said Israel carried out airstrikes on Syrian targets as two civilian flights were landing in Beirut and Damascus, putting passengers at risk. | The Israeli military put two civilian airliners in immediate danger, Igor Konashenkov, the | … | The post Israel's Airstrikes on Syria Threatened 2 Civilian Flights Landing in Beirut and Damascus. Russian Report appeared first on Global Research.
globalresearch.ca/israels-airstrikes-on-syria-threatened-2-civilian-flights-landing-in-beirut-damascus-russia/5664088

Selected Articles: US Troop Withdrawals from Syria and Afghanistan
Global Research News | globalresearch.ca | 2018-12-27
For seventeen years, Global Research, together with partner independent media organizations, has sought Truth in Media with a view to eventually "disarming" the corporate media's disinformation crusade. | To reverse the tide, we call upon our readers to participate in an … | The post Selected Articles: US Troop Withdrawals from Syria and Afghanistan appeared first on Global Research.
globalresearch.ca/selected-articles-us-troop-withdrawals-from-syria-and-afghanistan/5664122

What's Behind U.S. Troop Withdrawals Announced for Syria and Afghanistan?
Sara Flounders | globalresearch.ca | 2018-12-27
The announced withdrawal of the remaining 2,000 U.S. troops from Syria and a partial withdrawal from Afghanistan does not mean an end to the Pentagon's aggressive militarism and endless U.S. wars — in Syria, in Afghanistan, in the region or … | The post What's Behind U.S. Troop Withdrawals Announced for Syria and Afghanistan? appeared first on Global Research.
globalresearch.ca/whats-behind-u-s-troop-withdrawals-announced-for-syria-and-afghanistan/5664075

Failed Regime Change in Nicaragua. OAS and Amnesty International: Killing, Torturing Sandinistas Is OK
Stephen Sefton | globalresearch.ca | 2018-12-27
Between April and July this year, Nicaragua suffered an extremely violent attempt at regime change supported by the US government and its allies. Crucial integral components of that coup attempt were bad faith reporting by international human rights organizations and … | The post Failed Regime Change in Nicaragua. OAS and Amnesty International: Killing, Torturing Sandinistas Is OK appeared first on Global Research.
globalresearch.ca/oas-amnesty-international-killing-torturing-sandinistas-ok/5664040

'Communism for Kids'–but mostly for grownups with imagination
Eric A. Gordon | peoplesworld.org | 2018-12-27
This short book (101 pages with lots of illustrations, presumably by the author) in a pocket-sized edition is ostensibly aimed at teaching young readers to: 1) critique capitalism for its many-faceted injustices and 2) conceive of a humanistic communism true to some of the founders' original stateless principles. "Before attempting to show that communism might …
peoplesworld.org/article/communism-for-kids-but-mostly-for-grownups-with-imagination/

Ancient 'Honey Fungus' Kills Trees, Mutates Across Michigan
teleSUR | telesurenglish.net | 2018-12-27
A fungus has been growing for over 2,500 years in Michigan's Upper Peninsula and now takes up 75 hectares, but aside from a few scientists and residents, no one has seen the impressive creature. | RELATED: | Putin: Russia's Keys Are Science, Education And Technology | Scientists from Canadian and U.S. universities are taking a better look at the massive mushroom in Michigan and say it is at least 2,500 years old and takes up about 140 football fields. They estimated its age by the fung…
telesurenglish.net/news/Ancient-Honey-Fungus-Kills-Trees-Mutates-Across-Michigan-20181227-0010.html

In Bethlehem, I Had a Vivid Experience of What Israel's Occupation Feels Like
Ghada Karmi | globalresearch.ca | 2018-12-27
"O little town of Bethlehem/How still we see thee lie/Above thy deep and dreamless sleep/The silent stars go by," runs the famous Christmas carol sung all over the English-speaking world as it celebrates Christmas. | On Christmas Eve midnight mass will … | The post In Bethlehem, I Had a Vivid Experience of What Israel's Occupation Feels Like appeared first on Global Research.
globalresearch.ca/in-bethlehem-i-had-a-vivid-experience-of-what-israels-occupation-feels-like/5664052

Financial Turmoil, Plummeting Markets: Is the Longest Ever "Bull Market" Over?
Stephen Lendman | globalresearch.ca | 2018-12-27
Hindsight will best explain what only guesswork can do now. US equity market action in December has been uncharacteristically ugly for this time of year — the worst performance since December 1931 during the Great Depression. | Santa failed to arrive | … | The post Financial Turmoil, Plummeting Markets: Is the Longest Ever "Bull Market" Over? appeared first on Global Research.
globalresearch.ca/financial-turmoil-plummeting-markets-is-the-longest-ever-bull-market-over/5664031

The "Self-Genocide" of the West, Preparing its Populations for War
Dr. Paul Craig Roberts | globalresearch.ca | 2018-12-27
Stephen Cohen and I are branded "Russian dupes" and "Putin agents," because we object to the highly orchestrated and false portrayal of Russia as a threat to the West, a portrayal that is leading to war. The purpose of this … | The post The "Self-Genocide" of the West, Preparing its Populations for War appeared first on Global Research.
globalresearch.ca/the-self-genocide-of-the-west-preparing-its-populations-for-war/5664039

China: Industrial Profits Suffer First Drop in 3 Years
teleSUR | telesurenglish.net | 2018-12-27
Profits of China's major industrial companies rose 11.8 percent in the first 11 months of 2018, an expansion that fell below the 13.6 percent rise recorded between January and October, China's National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) reported Thursday. | RELATED: | World Could 'Fall Flat on Its Face': Grim Forecast for Emerging Economies | The fall in profits largely reflects slowing growth in sales and producer prices. "Producer prices, industrial output and orders all point…
telesurenglish.net/news/China-Industrial-Profits-Suffer-First-Drop-in-3-Years-20181227-0002.html

The Mattis Dilemma
Philip Giraldi | globalresearch.ca | 2018-12-27
The resignation letter of Secretary of Defense James Mattis that was published last Thursday revealed much of the Deep State mindset that has produced the foreign policy catastrophes of the past seventeen years. Mattis, an active duty general in the … | The post The Mattis Dilemma appeared first on Global Research.
globalresearch.ca/the-mattis-dilemma/5664084

Crime and Punishment in an Age of the Jungle
Evaggelos Vallianatos | counterpunch.org | 2018-12-27
"Almost every problem we face can be traced to a Criminal Corporatism and an out of control Capitalism. If there is a profit to be made, there is little regard paid to the consequences. If challenged, we get denial, diversion, excuses and junk science. It simply doesn't matter how many people are sickened or die, how many species are pushed to extinction or how seriously the planet is compromised."
counterpunch.org/2018/12/27/crime-and-punishment-in-an-age-of-the-jungle/

Trump Is Leaving Behind a Trap for Russia, Turkey and Iran in Syria
Elijah J. Magnier | globalresearch.ca | 2018-12-27
The US executive order of withdrawal from Syria has been signed off on, indicating that President Trump is determined to recall the few thousands US troops in Syria back home. It is well known that regular troops are much more … | The post Trump Is Leaving Behind a Trap for Russia, Turkey and Iran in Syria appeared first on Global Research.
globalresearch.ca/trump-is-leaving-behind-a-trap-for-russia-turkey-and-iran-in-syria/5664045

Saudi Embassy Accused of Helping Man Escape US After Killing Teenage Girl
Middle East Monitor | theantimedia.com | 2018-12-27
(MEMO) — The Saudi Embassy in Washington has been accused of helping a Saudi student accused of murdering a teenage girl in a hit and run accident leave the country two weeks before his trial, US media reported. In August 2016, 21-year-old Abdulrahman Sameer Norah illegally sped through a Portland intersection mowing down 15-year-old Fallon Smart, killing …
theantimedia.com/saudi-embassy-helping-m…

Wakanda Kwanzaa Umoja Celebration ~ Sacramento, CA
Khubaka, Michael Harris | indybay.org | 2018-12-27
Kwanzaa is our "California Grown" ancient future holiday showcasing "first fruits of the harvest" continuing ancient traditions from the broader Pan African sacred science of agriculture.
indybay.org/newsitems/2018/12/25/18819966.php

Counter Chinese Influence: Is Boko Haram a CIA Covert Op to Divide and Conquer Africa?
Julie Lévesque | globalresearch.ca | 2018-12-26
The objectives of the US military presence in Africa are well documented: counter Chinese influence and control strategic locations and natural resources including oil reserves. This was confirmed more than 8 years ago by the US State Department | The post Counter Chinese Influence: Is Boko Haram a CIA Covert Op to Divide and Conquer Africa? appeared first on Global Research.
globalresearch.ca/is-boko-haram-a-cia-covert-op-to-divide-and-conquer-africa/5431177

Sudan Might be the Next Geopolitical Victim of the New Cold War
Andrew Korybko | globalresearch.ca | 2018-12-26
The North African state of Sudan is currently experiencing serious political War unrest as it attempts to gradually transition from the Saudi-led camp to the Turkish-Qatari one, and the geopolitical fate of this beleaguered but strategically positioned country will have … | The post Sudan Might be the Next Geopolitical Victim of the New Cold War appeared first on Global Research.
globalresearch.ca/sudan-might-be-the-next-geopolitical-victim-of-the-new-cold-war/5663940

Is Kissing a "State Sponsor of Terrorism" a "Terrorist Act"?
Prof Michel Chossudovsky | globalresearch.ca | 2018-12-26
There are now "'good guy terrorists" and "bad guy terrorists". John Kerry concurs: financial aid to Syria's Al Nusra, an affiliate of Al Qaeda is part of NATO's "Responsibility to Protect" mandate. | The post Is Kissing a "State Sponsor of Terrorism" a "Terrorist Act"? appeared first on Global Research.
globalresearch.ca/is-kissing-a-state-sponsor-of-terrorism-a-terrorist-act/5332856

Video: Who Are the White Helmets? Fake News and Staged Rescues
Mark Taliano | globalresearch.ca | 2018-12-26
Maxim Grigoriev of the "Foundation for the Study of Democracy", discussed this and other findings gleaned from interviews with numerous individuals, including former terrorists, in Syria, during a video-taped presentation entitled, "Roundtable Discussion on the Middle East Issues: Activities of … | The post Video: Who Are the White Helmets? Fake News and Staged Rescues appeared first on Global Research.
globalresearch.ca/video-who-are-the-white-helmets-fake-news-and-staged-rescues/5663906

Obama, ISIS and the Muslim Brotherhood. The PSD-11 "Secret Blueprint" to Implement Regime Change across the Middle East
F. William Engdahl | globalresearch.ca | 2018-12-26
There is a great uproar over the recent decision by US President Trump to pull US troops out of Syria, announcing his reason for doing so is that ISIS, the so-called Islamic State, has largely been defeated. What lies behind … | The post Obama, ISIS and the Muslim Brotherhood. The PSD-11 "Secret Blueprint" to Implement Regime Change across the Middle East appeared first on Global Research.
globalresearch.ca/obama-isis-and-the-muslim-brotherhood-the-psd-11-secret-blueprint-to-implement-regime-change-across-middle-east/5663991

The Oil Game Has Changed
Marwan Salamah | globalresearch.ca | 2018-12-26
The Players Have Changed | US oil production is rapidly growing and has reached 11.2 million barrels per day in Nov 2018, is expected to reach 12.05 m/bpd next April and 12.29 m/bpd by yearend 2019. The pipelines bottleneck will be | … | The post The Oil Game Has Changed appeared first on Global Research.
globalresearch.ca/the-oil-game-has-changed/5663803

Greenland's Rapid Ice Melt Persists Even in Winter, Study Finds
Julia Conley, staff writer | commondreams.org | 2018-12-26
In the latest troubling study regarding how the climate crisis is affecting the world's iciest regions, a new report by the Scottish Association for Marine Science (SAMS) found that the second-largest ice sheet in the world is currently melting even in winter. | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files……
commondreams.org/news/2018/12/26/greenlands-rapid-ice-melt-persists-even-winter-study-finds?cd-origin=rss

Not 'inclusive' enough? US student told to remove 'F*** Nazis' sign as it provokes 'mixed feelings'
RT | rt.com | 2018-12-26
The University of Massachusetts, Amherst, has landed itself in hot water after staff asked a student to remove a sign, condemning Nazis, from her dorm window over "issues of inclusion." | …
rt.com/usa/447465-student-sign-nazis-removed-university/

The STATUTES of the UDNG: on the search of political excellence
fernando_santamaria | zcomm.org | 2018-12-25
In April 2001 I was mandatorily retired by the Department of Education of the Galician Administration, (then leaded by General Franco's former minister, Manuel Fraga Iribarne, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manuel_Fraga?wprov…), due to "serious mental issues." Some time later, on June 14th, 2006, I legalized and registered in the Political Parties Registry of the Spanish Ministry of Interior a Read…
zcomm.org/zblogs/udng-statutes-a-series-of-proposals-to-north-american-left-wing-political-movements-or-for-an-option-among-lincoln-county-road-and-armaggedon/

The Language of Neoliberal Education
Henry Giroux — Mitja Sardoƒç | counterpunch.org | 2018-12-25
Neoliberalism has become the dominant ideology of the times and has established itself as a central feature of politics. Not only does it define itself as a political and economic system whose aim was to consolidate power in the hands of a corporate and financial elite, it also wages a war over ideas. In this instance, it has defined itself as a form of commonsense and functions as a mode of public pedagogy that produces a template for structuring not just markets but all of social life.
counterpunch.org/2018/12/25/the-language-of-neoliberal-education/

'With almost $22 trillion of debt, the US is in no position to attack Iran'
RT | rt.com | 2018-12-25
The US is trying to send a message to Tehran, with its aircraft carrier in the Persian Gulf, that even though it is leaving Syria, this doesn't mean lifting any pressure on Iran, professor of political science Hamed Mousavi said. | …
rt.com/usa/447367-us-iran-aircraft-carrier/

TRNN Doesn't Have Stances, but the Reporters Do — Q&A with Paul Jay
Shared by Jocelyn Dombroski | therealnews.com | 2018-12-25
Paul Jay and Dharna Noor respond to viewer comments that ask the Real News to engage with a wider variety of political opinion and question climate science | The post TRNN Doesn't Have Stances, but the Reporters Do — Q&A with Paul Jay appeared first on The Real News Network.
therealnews.com/stories/trnn-doesnt-have-stances-but-the-reporters-do-qa-with-paul-jay

2019 recession looms on the economic horizon
Fight Back | fightbacknews.org | 2018-12-24
San José, CA – Casting a shadow on the stock market are the growing number of economic statistics that point to a recession in 2019. Almost all mainstream economic forecasters expect economic growth to slow down in 2019 as the impact of the 2018 tax cuts wear off; the forecast is for 2.4% growth, about the same as in 2017. But few predict a recession. | The most commonly looked at economic statistic is the official unemployment rate. Today the nationwide official unemployment rate stands at 3.7%, the lowest rate in a generation. But while the official definition of when a recession starts depends heavily on a mea…
www.fightbacknews.org/2018/12/23/2019-re…

Charles Dickens Could Teach Trump a Thing or Two About how to 'Keep Christmas Well'
John Nichols | thenation.com | 2018-12-24
Charles Dickens Could Teach Trump a Thing or Two About how to 'Keep Christmas Well'…
thenation.com/article/charles-dickens-donald-trump-christmas/

Virginia teachers plan statewide protest to demand school funding
WSWS | wsws.org | 2018-12-24
Thousands of Virginia teachers are expected to march on the state capitol in Richmond on January 28, as the fight in defense of public education continues to spread across the US.
www.wsws.org/en/articles/2018/12/24/virg…

Sudan: Shooting of protestors must be immediately investigated
amnesty | amnesty.org | 2018-12-21
In response to security officers opening fire on protestors in Sudan leaving at least nine people dead, five of whom were students, and dozens more injured over the past two days, Seif Magango, Amnesty International's Deputy Director for East Africa, the Horn and the Great Lakes, said: | | "These killings must stop. Opening fire on unarmed protesters cannot be justified and…
amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2018/12/sudan-shooting-of-protestors-must-be-immediately-investigated/

Taiwan: Open Letter on legal recognition of same-sex unions
amnesty | amnesty.org | 2018-12-21
Dear Premier Lai, | We write concerning the results of the recent referendums in Taiwan in which same-sex marriage rights and LGBT-inclusive education in schools were rejected by voters on 24 November. We urge the Taiwanese authorities not to implement the outcomes of the referendums as this would violate human rights law, bolster discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation, and undermine comprehensive and inclusive education on gender and sexuality. | We would like to recall that despite the referendum results, the Taiwanese government still is under court order to enact legislation for recognizing same-se…
amnesty.org/en/latest/campaigns/2018/12/open-letter-lai-ching-tei-legal-recognition-taiwan-same-sex-unions/

United Arab Emirates: Further Information: Possible Verdict For Human Rights Defender: Ahmed Mansoor
amnesty | amnesty.org | 2018-12-21
On 24 December 2018 the Federal Supreme Court in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) is set to hear the appeal of prominent human rights defender and prisoner of conscience, Ahmed Mansoor. The court may issue a final verdict. On 29 May 2018, Ahmed Mansoor was convicted and sentenced to 10 years in prison on charges including "insulting the UAE and its symbols".
amnesty.org/en/documents/mde25/9624/2018/en/

Skin Color and Gender Determine Privilege and Income, Regardless of Educational Level
Shared by Hezvo Mpunga | therealnews.com | 2018-12-21
A new PERI study finds that women of color benefit less from college education, while white men benefit the most. Since the 1970s, people of color's social mobility has stagnated. Noé Wiener discusses the results of his research | The post Skin Color and Gender Determine Privilege and Income, Regardless of Educational Level appeared first on The Real News Network.
therealnews.com/stories/skin-color-and-gender-determine-privilege-and-income-regardless-of-educational-level

Trump Pledges to Withdraw U.S. Ground Troops from Syria–But Global Powers & Deadly Air Forces Remain
Democracy Now! | democracynow.org | 2018-12-20
President Trump has ordered the withdrawal of all 2,000 U.S. troops in Syria, shocking many in Washington and around the world. On Wednesday, Trump tweeted, "We have defeated ISIS in Syria, my only reason for being there during the Trump Presidency." He ordered the withdrawal despite opposition from within the White House. We speak with Yazan al-Saadi, a Syrian-Canadian writer and researcher, who warns that U.S. military presence in the region will continue. "You might have a large chunk of the boots on the ground leaving, but it seems very clear that the American air power is going to remain," al-Saadi says.
www.democracynow.org/2018/12/20/trump_pl…

The Lives We Changed in 2018
ACLU | aclu.org | 2018-12-20
Because of the generosity of ACLU members, these people are free to live their lives again. | This year hasn't been easy: Thousands of families are still suffering the effects of family separation; the Muslim ban continues to keep loved ones apart; and whole generations of family trees are being decimated by an unfair, out-of-control mass incarceration machine. But beneath the headlines, the news alerts, and the legal battles are a few glimmers of hope that ACLU supporters made possible., , Here are some of our favorite moments from 2018. | Ansly Breathes Free Again : | Ethics teacher Ansly Damus fled…
aclu.org/blog/immigrants-rights/immigrants-rights-and-detention/lives-we-changed-2018

UAE: Fears grow for health of unjustly imprisoned academic
amnesty | amnesty.org | 2018-12-20
The authorities in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) must immediately and unconditionally release Dr Nasser bin Ghaith, a prisoner of conscience whose health has deteriorated sharply in recent days, said Amnesty International today. | Dr Nasser bin Ghaith is serving a 10-year sentence for criticizing the UAE in comments posted on Twitter after a grossly unfair politically motivated trial. | "News that Dr Nasser bin Ghaith's health has deteriorated sharply…
amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2018/12/uae-fears-grow-for-health-of-unjustly-imprisoned-academic/

United Arab Emirates: Further Information: Hunger-Striking Academic In Critical Condition: Dr Nasser bin Ghaith
amnesty | amnesty.org | 2018-12-20
Dr Nasser bin Ghaith's health has severely deteriorated. The prominent Emirati economist and academic has been on hunger strike for over 70 days in al-Razeen prison in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to protest the detention conditions and the denial of access to medical care. He is a prisoner of conscience.
amnesty.org/en/documents/mde25/9621/2018/en/

Democrats Want More Police Funding But Punt On Educational Equity
Shared by Hezvo Mpunga | therealnews.com | 2018-12-20
In a sweeping series of public policy moves, Maryland Democrats announced support for bolstering policing in the state's poorest city while signaling delays in initiatives advocates hoped would boost the state's most neglected public school systems. | The post Democrats Want More Police Funding But Punt On Educational Equity appeared first on The Real News Network.
therealnews.com/columns/democrats-want-more-police-funding-but-punt-on-educational-equity

Mental Health Experts & Rights Groups Call for Unceasing Media Coverage of Separated Migrant Children
Democracy Now! | democracynow.org | 2018-12-19
It's been more than four months since a judge ordered the Trump administration to reunite all families that were separated at the U.S.-Mexico border, but 140 children are still separated from their parents in U.S. custody. It is believed that 30 children will never be reunited. Despite this, family separation is no longer in the daily headlines. We speak with a Harvard psychologist who is trying to change this by calling on U.S. media outlets to highlight the growing number of days that migrant children have been forcibly separated from their parents. Dr. Paula J. Caplan is a clinical and research psychologist an…
www.democracynow.org/2018/12/19/mental_h…

Trump Administration Recommends Slashing Civil Rights Protections for Students of Color
ACLU | aclu.org | 2018-12-19
A federal commission's post-Parkland recommendations include reversing an Obama-era guidance on racial disparities in school discipline. | On Tuesday, the Federal Commission on School Safety issued recommendations that it claims will help makes schools safer following the mass shooting in Parkland, Florida. But at the center of the report is a proposal that will endanger millions of public school students, especially students of color and students with disabilities, by reversing federal guidance intended to address racial disparities in school discipline. Doing away with the guidance will weaken federal civil rig…
aclu.org/blog/juvenile-justice/school-prison-pipeline/trump-administration-recommends-slashing-civil-rights

When Best Practice Isn't Good Enough: Large Campaigns of Phishing Attacks in Middle East and North Africa Target Privacy-Conscious Users
amnesty | amnesty.org | 2018-12-19
We have identified several campaigns of credentials phishing, likely operated by the same attackers, targeting hundreds of individuals spread across the Middle East and North Africa. | In one campaign, the attackers were particularly going after accounts on popular self-described "secure email" services, such as Tutanota and ProtonMail. | In another campaign, the attackers have been targeting hundreds of Google and Yahoo accounts, successfully bypassing common forms of two-factor authentication.
amnesty.org/en/latest/research/2018/12/when-best-practice-is-not-good-enough/