How Fascists Are Taking Advantage Of Climate Change – Second Thought

We all understand that climate change is real, it’s here, and that the consequences of our inaction will be disastrous for our species and countless other forms of life around the world. But what happens when those in positions of power see climate change as a means to an end? A way to make truly

Democracy in decline worldwide

For the first time since 2004, the Bertelsmann Transformation Index (BTI) has recorded more autocratic states than democracies around the world. Civil society activists often represent the last bastion of resistance. Autocracies such as Russia and China on the one hand; democracies like the USA or Germany on the other. Is that the great conflict

Brazil president Jair Bolsonaro taken to hospital and may need surgery

Leader reported same symptoms as earlier admission following stabbing at 2018 campaign event The Brazilian president, Jair Bolsonaro, has been taken to hospital with an intestinal blockage and may need to undergo surgery, in the latest complication from a 2018 stabbing. Bolsonaro said he started feeling unwell on Sunday afternoon after lunch and was taken to

Bolsonaro spread disinformation on Brazil’s voting system: Police

Brazilian president had a ‘direct’ role in spreading disinformation about the electoral process, a police report says. Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro had a “direct and relevant” role in spreading disinformation about the country’s electoral process during live streams on social media, according to a police document. Federal police commissioner Denisse Ribeiro wrote in the document that Bolsonaro’s streams had

In democracy’s birthplace, pope warns of populist threats

Pope Francis warned Saturday that the “easy answers” of populism and authoritarianism are threatening democracy in Europe and called for fresh dedication to promoting the common good. Arriving in Greece, the birthplace of democracy, Francis used a speech to Greek political and cultural leaders to warn Europe at large about the threats facing the continent.

Democracy slipping away at record rate, intergovernmental body warns

A greater number of countries are sliding towards authoritarianism, while the number of established democracies under threat has never been so high, the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (IDEA) said on Monday. Populist politics, the use of COVID-19 pandemic restrictions to silence critics, a tendency of countries to mimic the anti-democratic behaviour of

Reporters attacked by Bolsonaro’s security agents in Rome

Jair Bolsonaro’s bodyguards attacked reporters who were covering the president as he walked the streets of Rome talking to his supporters. The reporters said they will file a police complaint. Brazilian reporters were allegedly attacked by Jair Bolsonaro’s security detail while they were covering the president’s trip to Rome for the G20 summit, according to

Violence targeting Indigenous people surges 61 percent in Brazil

Land invasions in Brazilian Indigenous territories rose 137 percent last, a rights group reported. Violence against Indigenous people in Brazil surged by more than 60 percent last year, a rights group has said, as land invasions of Indigenous territories increased and the government failed to provide protection. In its annual report, released on Thursday, on violence against

Let’s talk about Trump’s week – Beau of the Fifth Column

Brazil Senate report backs criminal charges against Bolsonaro

Report recommends that president be indicted for nine crimes related to his handling of the pandemic that killed more than 600,000 people. A Brazilian Senate investigative committee has approved a report that calls for President Jair Bolsonaro to be indicted for nine crimes related to his handling of the coronavirus pandemic, including crimes against humanity.