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Uprising’s guest expert Cristina Mislan, Assistant Professor of Journalism Studies, Missouri School of Journalism, analyzes today’s news headlines:

A new United Nations Security Council report, leaked to the Guardian newspaper, contends that 15,000 foreign fighters have traveled to the Iraq/Syria region to join Islamic State rebels and their related groups. People from about 80 countries, which the report does not name, have joined the jihad being waged by ISIS, confirming US intelligence estimates, and underscoring the weakened state of its parent organization, Al Qaeda. Quoting the report, the Guardian says, ISIS and its related groups, “are less interested in assaults outside their frontiers: ‘Truly cross-border attacks – or attacks against international targets – remain a minority.'” Click here for the Guardian newspaper’s report on the story.

And in a follow-up to a story we reported yesterday, protests in the West African nation of Burkina Faso have gained momentum, leading to a stepping down of President Blaise Compaore. The popular action was sparked by the long-time President wanting to change Burkina Faso’s constitution so he could remain in power for longer. Mass protests have thwarted that ambition, as the Parliament was set ablaze yesterday before lawmakers could vote on the proposed bill. The bill has now been withdrawn and President Compaore has reportedly fled the capital. According to Al Jazeera, “It was unclear on Friday who was in charge of the country and news agencies reported that the speaker of parliament was in power.” Click here for an Al Jazeera article about the story.

And finally here in the US, Louisiana is the site of the latest election-related controversy. Democratic Senator Mary Landrieu, who is running for reelection, made the mistake of spelling out the South’s historical and contemporary racism and sexism. She said in an NBC interview yesterday just days before the election, “The South has not always been the friendliest place for African-Americans…It’s been a difficult time for the president to present himself in a very positive light as a leader.” She continued, ““It’s not always been a good place for women to present ourselves.” The comments have sparked loud and angry denunciations from Republicans who are demanding she apologize to Louisianans. Click here for a Politico.com article about the story.