Environmental racism in Canada, new Black voices in immigration justice, French Muslim student’s dress ban, the post-op life of a transwoman, and more in today’s Rounds…

Race, Ethnicity & Nationality

• Nova Scotian (Canada) community members and government officials draft plans to address “environmental racism,” or the disproportionate effect of negative environmental practices on minority communities. (Global News)
• Student rally for Palestinian unity in Gaza devolves into physical confrontation between Hamas and Fatah supporters. (Reuters)
• A look at the causes and impacts of the spread of synthetic marijuana in East Jerusalem (Israel/Palestine). (Al Jazeera)
• Tensions simmer as Baltimore (U.S.) awaits results of investigation into Freddie Gray’s death. (Reuters)
• Croatian and Montenegrin government representatives meet to discuss their corresponding minority communities in the other country, encouraging minority participation in decision-making. (Dalje.com)
• The Conference of Minority Tribes in Nigeria reminds President-elect Mohammadu Bhari of his campaign promise to lead a corruption-free government as the installation of his administration nears. (Daily Times Nigeria)

Immigrants, Refugees & Displaced Peoples

• Yemeni population displaced by violence doubles over two weeks to 300,000. (AP, via NYT)
• African leaders have few words to offer publicly on the migration crisis originating from their countries. (NYT)
• Mexico cracks down on unaccompanied minors–among other immigrants–attempting to migrate from Central America to the U.S., leading some to voice humanitarian concerns. (NYT)
• African-Americans add their voices to immigration justice chorus in the U.S. through group allying civil and immigration rights’ activists. (New America Media)

Religion & Belief

• Journalist warns Bahrain‘s intolerance of dissent and free speech could lead to sectarian conflict in the Sunni-led, Shia-majority country. (Al Jazeera)
• Freethought group sues Pennsylvania transit authority in the U.S. for refusing to accept advertisement, despite allowing religious groups to do so. (Philly.com)
• French Muslim student sent home from school for “religious display” of wearing a long dress. (NYT)

Gender

• Indian women across all religions experiencing some gains in rights and protections as court interpretations secularize personal law, although marital rape is still not punishable. (Livemint, DNA India)
• Nigerian Army claims to have rescued 200 girls and 93 women in recent Boko Haram offensive. (Al Jazeera)
• Low voting participation by British minority women highlights disillusionment and lack of representation, according to June Eric-Udorie. (New Statesman)
• A look at recent Western interest in unisex and androgynous fashion as a return to historical clothing design. (Quartz)
• University teachers’ union calls on Irish Education Minister to implement European Commission’s gender pay-gap recommendation to redress imbalances found at major Irish university. (Irish Times)

Gender & Sexual Minorities

• Brazilian transgender woman brutalized while in police custody in São Paulo. (The Daily Mail)
• Two Delhi (India) universities announce inclusion of third gender option in admission application. (DNA India)
• U.S. Supreme Court Justice and legal scholars bring up alternate strategy for marriage equality: gender discrimination. (Yahoo!)
• A transwoman describes the physiology, psychology, and practicalities of life post-surgery. (Slate)
• Ecuador‘s National Assembly passes Civil Code reforms opening the door to civil unions, though critical rights and protections still missing. (teleSUR English)

Additional

• France investigating allegations of child sex abuse by French troops in Central African Republic. (Reuters)