John Oliver is in very good form in this 18-minute explainer on America's ghastly immigration courts, where "we try death penalty cases like it was traffic court," forcing refugee claimants (even children as young as three years old) to represent themselves in deportation proceedings where their very lives are at stake. Read the rest

Canada has a grotesquely concentrated telcoms sector and a grotesquely concentrated media sector, and thanks to a series of extremely anticompetitive mergers, the two sectors are one in the same. Read the rest

Donald Trump is the least popular president to serve in US history, so it's no surprise that the call for mass, "J20 demonstrations" at his inauguration would be answered by massive crowds. Read the rest

Yesterday's disciplinary board hearing for imprisoned whistleblower Chelsea Manning ended with Manning being sentenced to 14 days' worth of solitary confinement, with 7 of the days "suspended" unless there is another infraction. Read the rest

The Chelsea Manning Support Network has just emailed us this latest update:

Chelsea's board started at 9:30 am CST today. It is expected to take up most of the day. (The board will give its decision at the end.)

As soon as we get a call from Chelsea, we will let you know the news. (It will most likely be in the mid-late afternoon Central Standard Time.) Read the rest

The Chelsea Manning Support Network has just emailed us this latest update:

1. Fight for the Future has released the Formal Charge Sheet and accompanying documents today, that will be used in Chelsea Manning's disciplinary board hearing tomorrow. Read the rest

The Chelsea Manning Support Network has just emailed us this latest update:

1. Chelsea has written an op-ed for the Guardian explaining the painful experience of spending this whole last week preparing for her disciplinary board hearing.

2. The disciplinary board hearing happens at 9:30 am, Thursday September 22, 2016.

3. Please sign the petition at FreeChelsea.com

4. Please spread the word by sharing these videos by Dan Ellsberg and Michael Stipe. Read the rest

The Chelsea Manning Support Network has just emailed us this latest update:

1. Chelsea has written an Op-Ed for the Guardian that will be published tomorrow at 7am EST.

2. Recap: New Administrative board date Thursday, September 22, 9:30 am.

3. Please sign the petition at FreeChelsea.com

(Image courtesy of the Chelsea Manning Support Network) Read the rest

The Chelsea Manning Support Network contacted us by email to inform us that:

1) The date of Chelsea's disciplinary board hearing has been changed to Thursday, September 22 at 9:30 am CST. Read the rest