FSRN Weekly Edition – February 20, 2015
- Federal judge blocks implementation of immigration-related executive actions
- FCC to vote on proposal to regulate the internet as a utility
- Murder of Turkish college student leads to revolt against sexual violence
- Public sector workers in Gaza unpaid since Hamas/Fatah unity deal
- As attacks continue, people in Pakistan increasingly speak out against the Taliban
- States consider legislation to better protect homeless people from violent attacks
Federal judge blocks implementation of immigration-related executive actions
A Texas judge has temporarily blocked President Barack Obama’s executive actions that would have shielded millions of undocumented immigrants with mixed-status families from deportation. The court ruled in a lawsuit brought by Texas and 25 other states that argued the president overstepped his authority. Ashley Westerman reports from Washington, D.C.
FCC to vote on proposal to regulate the internet as a utility
The Federal Communications Commission, or FCC, will soon vote on a proposal by Chairman Tom Wheeler to classify the internet as a public utility. Many net neutrality advocates regard the proposal as a step forward, but Republicans on Capitol Hill are crying foul over what they say is another example of President Barack Obama’s executive overreach. Anthony J. Rivera reports from Washington D.C.
Murder of Turkish college student leads to revolt against sexual violence
Outrage over last week’s killing of a female college student in southern Turkey is spotlighting rising violence against women in the country. Both women and men continued to take to the streets Friday, demanding an end to a patriarchal culture that downplays the individual rights of women. FSRN’s Jacob Resneck reports.
Public sector workers in Gaza unpaid since Hamas/Fatah unity deal
Tens of thousands of public sector workers in Gaza, both civil servants and members of the armed forces, are struggling to get by. They haven’t been paid for seven months, ever since Hamas relinquished control over the Gaza Strip to a consensus government. In the last few months workers in many government sectors including education, healthcare and civil defense have staged a number of protests demanding payment of their salaries. FSRN’s Rami Almeghari has more.
As attacks continue, people in Pakistan increasingly speak out against the Taliban
At least twenty-five people died in suicide attacks on both sides of the Pak-Afghan border this week. In Afghanistan, attackers donned police uniforms and breached the local police compound, 20 people are confirmed dead. And at least five people died in Pakistan when at attacker detonated in a public area after being blocked from a police building in Lahore. A spokesperson for the Tehreek-e-Taliban said the Lahore attack was in retaliation for Pakistan’s recent executions of convicted Taliban militants.
Areas along the border on both sides are dominated by ethnic Pashtuns and considered Taliban hotbeds. Until recently most locals in the region were afraid to speak out publicly against the militants and criticism in the media was rare. But that seems to be changing after two particularly horrific attacks. Lewis Reining reads for Gabe Matthews, who found that people in Pakistan are now speaking out – loud and clear.
States consider legislation to better protect homeless people from violent attacks
Homelessness exposes people who experience it not only to the elements of severe weather but also to the risk of violent attacks. In some states, lawmakers are considering legislation to help prevent crimes targeting homeless people by categorizing such attacks as hate crimes. Other efforts — like rolling back so-called “quality of life” laws used selectively against the homeless — are more controversial. FSRN’s Larry Buhl has more from Los Angeles.
