Reports are coming out of Chechnya that a large group of gay men are being held by the government in concentration camps and have been subjected to violent interrogations.
American University of Afghanistan Has Reopened Following Terrorist Attack
The American University of Afghanistan (AUAF) in Kabul has recently reopened after being close for seven months following a terror attack that left at least thirteen dead including seven students and one professor.
More Sexual Harassment Allegations Plague Fox as Advertisers Flee
Ten days ago, the New York Times broke a story about five women to whom 21st Century Fox has paid out around $13 million to address allegations of abuse and sexual harassment at the hands of Fox News star, Bill O’Reilly. In addition to these five women who reached settlements, there have been at least two more who also allege sexual harassment on the part of O’Reilly.
Police Reform for Baltimore Despite Sessions’ Attempts to Block
Last week a federal judge in Baltimore finalized a reform agreement, known as a consent decree, between the local police department and the Department of Justice (DOJ) despite condemnation and disapproval by Attorney General Jeff Sessions.
Neil Gorsuch Confirmed to the Supreme Court
On Friday, the Senate confirmed Neil Gorsuch to serve as an Associate Justice on the United States Supreme Court by a vote of 54-45. He will be sworn in on Monday.
Trump Repeals Fair Pay Order
mplemented by President Barack Obama, the 2014 Fair Pay and Safe Workplaces order ensuring that companies with federal contracts are held accountable to fourteen labor laws. This same order goes to lengths to protect women in the work place by addressing two major workplace concerns: pay transparency and proceedings of sexual assault and discrimination claims.
Today is Equal Pay Day
Today is Equal Pay Day, marking the point into the year 2017 that women in America need to work to in order to accumulate the same amount of income that men earned in 2016. The commemorative day is always held on a Tuesday to represent how far into the next week women must work to earn the amount made by men in the previous week.
Gay Men in Chechnya Targeted by Police
The spokesperson for Kadyrov stated that the accusations made by the Novaya Gazeta were “absolute lies” and went on to claim that “you cannot detain and persecute people who simply do not exist in the republic.”
Senate Expected to Vote on Gorsuch Nomination Next Week
Thousands of grassroots activists and hundreds of civil rights, feminist, and other social justice organizations such as the Feminist Majority Foundation, NAACP, NARAL Pro-Choice America, the NOW, American Federation of Teachers, and Planned Parenthood Federation have publicly opposed Gorsuch due to his consistent rulings putting corporations above women, workers and everyday people.
North Carolina Lawmakers Roll Back Anti-LGBTQ Repeal Bill
The new bill, while repealing the language of HB2, does little to overhaul the harmful impact of the law. The North Carolina General Assembly will still have authority to pass laws over access to multi-stall restrooms and bar local governments from putting forward nondiscrimination ordinances until 2020.
Congress Guts Title X Funding Protections
On Thursday the Senate, using the Congressional Review Act, repealed a rule put in place by the Obama administration in December that blocked states from cutting off Title X funding to women’s health clinics that provide abortion services. The bill was already passed in the House of Representatives in February.
Calls for Federal Investigation Over Missing DC Girls
The Congressional Black Caucus penned a letter last week to Attorney General Jeff Sessions and FBI Director James Comey asking for an investigation into the seemingly increasing number of children of color, particularly girls, who have gone missing this year in Washington D.C.
California Files Felony Charges Against Anti-Abortion Center for Medical Progress
On Tuesday California filed 15 felony charges against Sandra Merritt and David Daleiden, director of the Center for Medical Progress (CMP), the anti-abortion group responsible for the discredited videos released last year that falsely accused Planned Parenthood of illegally selling fetal tissue.
GOP Healthcare Bill Fails, But Could Be Reintroduced
Last week the Republicans in Congress abandoned their plan to vote on the American Health Care Act (AHCA) for fear that they would not have enough votes within their own party for it to pass.
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Nevada Becomes 36th State to Ratify the ERA
Today, Nevada became the 36th state to ratify the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA), a federal Constitutional amendment that would prohibit sex discrimination and guarantee equal rights for women and girls.
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Trump’s Budget Proposal Has Major Cuts to Fund Military Spending
In order to pay for some of his lofty campaign promises, the President has demonstrated a willingness to cut funding to everything from medical research to humanitarian aid to national programs that feed low-income children and the elderly.
Afghanistan’s First Female Orchestra
Named after a Persian literature goddess of music, the orchestra’s founder, Ahmed Naser Sarmast, hopes they can help revive Afghanistan’s rich musical tradition that has been muted after decades of war.
Congressional Budget Office Releases Analysis of ACA Repeal
By 2026, 52 million Americans would be without health insurance, an additional 24 million than the CBO projected would have coverage if the Affordable Care Act were to stay.
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US Attorneys Ordered to Resign by Trump Administration
Contention began this past weekend when Preet Bharara, former US attorney for the Southern District of New York, was fired after refusing to submit his resignation.
Republicans Introduce the First ACA Repeal Bill
By Thursday it had been approved along party lines by the House Energy and Commerce Committee and the Ways and Means Committee.