The US Department of the Treasury Thursday announced sanctions against nine entities involved in the production, sale and shipment of millions of dollars worth of Iranian petrochemicals and petroleum. The action targets entities across multiple jurisdictions, including six Iranian manufacturers and their subsidiaries and three companies in Malaysia and Singapore. Under Secretary of the Treasury [...]

The Attorney General of Texas Tuesday filed a lawsuit against the Biden administration over federal guidance informing pharmacies that refusing to fill prescriptions for abortion medication breaks federal civil rights law. The complaint argues that the guidance was procedurally invalid and violates federal law, saying “the question of abortion is up to the people’s elected [...]

The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) reported Tuesday that killings of journalists “rose sharply” last year, with 68 journalists being killed in 2022. This is a 50 percent increase from 2021. Of those deaths, CPJ confirmed that 41 were related to their journalistic work. CPJ continues to investigate the other 26 killings to determine if [...]

The European Parliament Thursday approved a resolution that demands the establishment of a tribunal for war crimes committed by Russia and Belarus in Ukraine. The resolution focuses on atrocities committed in Bucha, Irpin and other parts of Ukraine that “reveal the brutality of the war.” Although the resolution is not binding, it strongly urges the [...]

Human Rights Watch (HRW) Thursday released its 2023 World Report on the state of human rights. The report made clear that a rising tide of authoritarianism is a major threat to global human rights and that “unchecked authoritarian power leaves behind a sea of human suffering.” Authoritarian leaders like Vladimir Putin in Russia, Xi Jing [...]

A court in British Columbia, Canada, Tuesday fined Teck Metals, Ltd. $2.2 million CAD for a toxic spill in the Columbia River, Environment and Climate Change Canada reports. The vast majority of the fine, $2 million CAD, will go towards Canada’s federal Environmental Damages Fund to strengthen conservation efforts. Teck Metals, a subsidiary of Teck [...]

Iran Human Rights Tuesday reported that Iranian security forces have killed at least 476 people protesting the death of 22-year old Mahsa Amini, including 64 children and 34 women. This is an increase from the group’s previous report. In addition to the civilian casualties, at least 100 people arrested in relation to protests face execution. The [...]

The Scottish Parliament Thursday passed the Gender Recognition Reform Act, which makes it easier for transgender people in Scotland to obtain a Gender Recognition Certificate (GRC) and access necessary services. After a brief delay, the bill passed with votes from all parties. “This is an historic day for equality in Scotland with the Gender Recognition [...]

The UN Security Council Wednesday passed a resolution condemning the military junta in Myanmar, also known as Burma. The resolution, which passed with 12 yes votes and three abstentions, expressed grave concern about the military junta’s state of emergency, condemned its execution of pro-democracy activists and demanded the release of political prisoners along with the [...]

A court in the German state of Schleswig-Holstein Tuesday convicted Irmgard Furchner, 97, for aiding and abetting murder while working as a secretary at the Stutthof Nazi concentration camp. Furchner worked at Stutthof between June 1, 1943, and April 1, 1945. While she was employeed, authorities committed “cruel, systematic acts of killing” through gassings, hostile [...]