Human rights day
The United Nations observance of this day occurs every 10th December. The official website has related resolutions and news for 2018. Here are some recommended resources on human rights: Human Rights Documentation Initiative (HRDI) based at the University of Texas. This project provides access to documents and archived versions of key websites. They include a Rwandan […]
Oxfam launch land rights website
Oxfam have now gathered together reports, news and indicators on all aspects of their work on land rights on a new website. There are thematic subsections on women’s rights, indigenous groups and business and land. It is a good supplement to the FAO Gender and land rights database which has country profiles and general indicators.
UN envoy says austerity has inflicted misery on UK citizens
Last week comments from Sir Philip Alston UN Envoy on Poverty about inequality in the UK were widely reported. The Guardian summarised the main points But what are the facts? Read the actual press release from United Nations Office for Human Rights Office for National Statistics reports on families below average income. General information on personal income, debt and household […]
US Government release full text First World War documents online
Now available: The United States Army in the World War, 1917-1919 Published in 1948, this 17 volume set contains key documents, maps, and records for the American Expeditionary Forces (AEF) from the start of the American involvement in World War I through the to the armistice. See volume 10 for the peace agreements. Congressional record for 1917 has […]
Freedom on the Net report 2018 launched
Freedom House has just launched its latest annual report on the state of democracy and freedom on the Internet. It also contains has rankings of nations according to measurements of their openness. Out of 65 countries assessed 25 recorded a loss of some freedom. China was the least free nation.
US Mid-Term Elections
Lots of links on this subject. New York Times collected examples of misinformation over 4,000 were sent from social media. Other sources of fact checking and overviews of political accuracy include: Politfact has been checking claims made about the election by the President and other commentators Washington Post fact-checker Media Matters for America News coverage […]
Advertising on Social Media
As a move to greater transparency Facebook has launched this searchable database about political adverts appearing on Facebook and who is funding them. It covers US election spending. There are also statistical snapshots taken every week. Google transparency report also has a political ads section and Twitter has a list of political campaign advertisers.
Twitter release data on state-backed propaganda from Iran and Russia
https://about.twitter.com/en_us/values/elections-integrity.html#data As part of it openness and transparency policy, Twitter have released information and datasets indicating that thousands of sources from Russia were used during the USA election campaign to manipulate news sources. TechCrunch discusses and gives links to the datasets.
Brexit Statutory Instruments Dashboard
Westminster Lens A new tool launched by the Hansard Society. It aims to monitor how many Brexit SIs are being laid before Parliament each week. It is estimated that over 800 will be needed to set the statute book in order for exit. At the moment it lists 71 Brexit-related SIs have been laid since […]
EU Customs Union explained
The EU Customs Union created a free-trade area where goods circulate freely, without customs duties at the borders between EU countries. It also created a single territory for customs purposes. Find out about the 50th anniversary and read a basic history on this special EU page Full fact has a good summary TARIC, the integrated […]
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