Apr
12
2013
Tens of thousands of students flooded the streets of Chile on Thursday in one of the largest demonstrations demanding free education.
After two years of student marches that have paralysed Chile’s major cities and generated expectations of change to a troubled system, the crisis over education reform remains a key electoral issue ahead of November’s presidential election.
Thursday’s protests were mostly peaceful. Students waved flags, chanted slogans and danced in the streets in a festive atmosphere recalling …
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Apr
12
2013
California lawmakers are pushing a bill that would exempt the state from federal laws authorizing indefinite detention of citizens.
The California Public Safety Committee voted unanimously Tuesday in favor of the California Liberty Preservation Act, which was introduced by Republican Assemblyman Tim Donnelly.
The bill passed the Democrat-controlled committee 6-0 with the support of a wide-ranging coalition that included the American Civil Liberties Union, Tenth Amendment Center, San Francisco 99% Coalition, San Francisco Board of Supervisors and …
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Apr
12
2013
In several men’s prisons across California, colored signs hang above cell doors: blue for black inmates, white for white, red, green or pink for Hispanic, yellow for everyone else.
Though it’s not an official policy, at least five California state prisons have a color-coding system.
On any given day, the color of a sign could mean the difference between an inmate exercising in the prison yard or being confined to their cell. When prisoners attack guards or …
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Apr
12
2013
Moscow has warned Washington against publishing a list of Russian officials who face sanctions for alleged human rights abuses.
President Vladimir Putin’s spokesman said on Friday that publication of the list would severely strain relations.
The list, which was expected to be released Friday, is authorized by the Magnitsky Act, a law passed by the U.S. Congress and signed by President Barack Obama last December.
Sergei Magnitsky was a Russian lawyer who was arrested after exposing a state …
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Apr
12
2013
Seventeen bills introduced in the Arizona legislature in 2013 can be tied to the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC), and every member of the Republican leadership in the state are current or recent ALEC members, according to a new report from the Center for Media and Democracy and its allies “ALEC in Arizona: The Voice Of Corporate Special Interests In The Halls Of Arizona’s Legislature.”
“ALEC is a secretive but powerful force in Arizona politics,” said …
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Apr
12
2013
The National Hockey League and the National Hockey League Players’ Association threw their weight behind gay rights advocacy today, announcing a partnership with the You Can Play project to combat homophobia in sports.
It doesn’t look like the NHL’s gesture is purely symbolic. You Can Play will provide LGBT training for new players on NHL teams, and counseling on related issues for players who want it. The partnership will also speak out publicly against any homophobic …
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Apr
12
2013
SHANGHAI — Gov. Jerry Brown’s trade mission to China this week is intersecting with one of the most controversial issues of his governorship: California’s $68-billion bullet train.
The governor has staked part of his legacy on the rail network, a centerpiece of his vision for California. He is hoping that China, which is enjoying an economic boom and spent $77.6 billion on overseas investments last year, according to official figures, will pump some of its cash …
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Apr
12
2013
WASHINGTON — Rep. Paul Ryan, the Republican vice presidential nominee in 2012 and an abortion opponent, said Thursday that anti-abortion activists should try to build a broad coalition and find common ground with supporters of abortion rights as a way to advance their agenda.
Ryan, R-Wis., said in a speech to the Susan B. Anthony List that those who oppose abortion “need to work with people who consider themselves pro-choice – because our task isn’t to …
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Apr
11
2013
Margaret Thatcher died Monday, April 8, 2013, at the age of 87. Predictably, there is no dearth of hagiographic profiles of the former British Prime Minister in the mainstream press and scathing vitriol elsewhere. But while The Economist hails Thatcher for her “willingness to stand up to tyranny” and Barack Obama calls her “one of the great champions of freedom and liberty,” it should be remembered that, throughout her career, Thatcher was a staunch …
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Apr
11
2013
Tension in Bahrain is rising again as the country prepares for next weekend’s Grand Prix, 12 months after Formula One caused a worldwide furore by staging a race in the Gulf kingdom.
As the Bahrain International Circuit announced that ticket sales for the race, to be held on 21 April, were ‘flying’, other reports from the country were raising concerns over the increased number of raids on activist homes and detentions as the country’s authorities cracked …
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