EU Should Put Rights above Politics; Canada Mosque Attack: Daily Brief

EU should put rights above politics; Canada mosque attack; Scourge of child marriage in Africa; Bahrain restores arrest powers to abusive agency; US braces for end of Obamacare; US senators urged to oppose Sessions as attorney general; Trump's Executive Order on refugees; War on drugs in the Philippines.

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As Americans brace for the end of the Affordable Care Act, many people are pondering how they will afford basic healthcare services if no replacement to the loss of coverage will exist. For nursing women, this might be something as necessary as being able to afford a breast pump. They shouldn't need to choose between work and feeding their babies.
Intense fighting has flared up between government forces and Russia-backed separatists in eastern Ukraine over these past two days. The renewed hostilities have sparked fresh concern over the safety of civilians there. Both sides in the conflict must refrain from indiscriminate attacks in civilian areas, many of which have already experienced horrific attacks since 2014.
Last month, the Philippines marked a grim milestone with 7,000 deaths in President Duterte's abusive "war on drugs." Duterte is making good on his pledge that the "war on drugs" - and its high death toll - will continue, announcing that he is bringing in military reinforcements,
Lawmakers in the US state of South Dakota have rightfully withdrawn a discriminatory bill that would have barred transgender students from using locker rooms consistent with their gender identity.
During his visit to the World Economic Forum annual meeting in Davos, Switzerland last month, China's President Xi Jinping preached openness and "soft power." Unfortunately, his domestic policies aggressively impose the opposite. The rise of Western threats to human rights requires a response. But it probably won't be found in China's abusive record.
From earlier today: EU leaders will meet in Malta on Friday for talks on further efforts to stop boat migration in the Mediterranean, including increased funding and training for the Libyan government to enhance border surveillance and control. The EU and its member states should ensure that any migration cooperation with Libya and other North African countries puts the lives, rights, and dignity of migrants front and center.

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