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"The report shows, among other findings, that aboriginal adults have lower median income than non-aboriginal adults, that they are more likely to experience unemployment, that they are more likely to live in housing in need of major repairs, and that they are more likely to experience physical, emotional or sexual abuse.

“'For decades, study after study has chronicled the social injustice faced by Aboriginal people, on and off reserve,' Acting Chief Commissioner David Langtry states in an introduction to the report.

“'This report adds to our understanding by providing an empirical reference point regarding the impacts of systemic discrimination on the equality rights of a group protected by Canadian human rights legislation and international conventions.' …"

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Obama administration considers four dozen prisoners too dangerous to transfer but won't try them in court.

from the Miami Herald

"The Obama administration Monday lifted a veil of secrecy surrounding the status of the detainees at Guantánamo, for the first time publicly naming the four dozen captives it defined as indefinite detainees — men too dangerous to transfer but who cannot be tried in a court of law.

"The names had been a closely held secret since a multi-agency task force sifted through the files of the Guantánamo detainees in 2009 trying to achieve President Barack Obama’s executive order to close the detention center. In January 2010, the task force revealed that it classified 48 Guantánamo captives as dangerous but ineligible for trial because of a lack of evidence, or because the evidence was too tainted.

"They became so-called “indefinite detainees,” a form of war prisoner held under Congress’ 2001 'Authorization for Use of Military Force.' …"

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NSA Prism is motivated in part by fears that environmentally–linked disasters could spur anti–government activism.

from The Guardian

"Top secret US National Security Agency (NSA) documents disclosed by the Guardian have shocked the world with revelations of a comprehensive US-based surveillance system with direct access to Facebook, Apple, Google, Microsoft and other tech giants. New Zealand court records suggest that data harvested by the NSA's Prism system has been fed into the Five Eyes intelligence alliance whose members also include the UK, Canada, Australia and New Zealand.

"But why have Western security agencies developed such an unprecedented capacity to spy on their own domestic populations? Since the 2008 economic crash, security agencies have increasingly spied on political activists, especially environmental groups, on behalf of corporate interests. This activity is linked to the last decade of US defence planning, which has been increasingly concerned by the risk of civil unrest at home triggered by catastrophic events linked to climate change, energy shocks or economic crisis — or all three. …"

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Materials obtained via Freedom of Information Act request include extensive list of charges authourities could levy against activists.

from grist

"With mounting public opposition against the construction of the Keystone XL pipeline that would carry tons of tar-sands oil right down the middle of the country, pipeline owner TransCanada seems to be getting a little nervous. At least, that’s the feeling you get reading the PowerPoint presentations the company’s staff has been putting together back in the corporate bunker.

"TransCanada and law enforcement presentation materials were obtained from Nebraska State Patrol via a Freedom of Information Act request filed by the grassroots opposition group Bold Nebraska. They reveal the corporate logic that’s driving the fight against anti-pipeline activists who have been attempting to physically blockade Keystone XL construction since 2012.

"From the activists’ perspective, it’s been a whole lot of police pepper-spray and pain-compliance holds. From TransCanada’s point of view, though, the blockaders are endangering critical infrastructure, and should be prosecuted to the full extent of the law. …"

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Burning coal also costs companies and governments billions of pounds in disease treatment and lost working days.

from The Guardian

"Air pollution from Europe's 300 largest coal power stations causes 22,300 premature deaths a year and costs companies and governments billions of pounds in disease treatment and lost working days, says a major study of the health impacts of burning coal to generate electricity.

"The research, from Stuttgart University's Institute for energy economics and commissioned by Greenpeace International, suggests that a further 2,700 people can be expected to die prematurely each year if a new generation of 50 planned coal plants are built in Europe. 'The coal-fired power plants in Europe cause a considerable amount of health impacts,' the researchers concluded. …"

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