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

Hungary to host global right-wing populists in support of PM Orban

Hungary will in March host right-wing participants from the United States and Europe including the leader of Spain’s Vox party at a conference linked to U.S. conservatives, a leading pro-government think-tank said on Wednesday. The gathering of American conservatives along with leaders and activists from Europe and Latin America will feature Prime Minister Viktor Orban

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.

The Netherlands and Australia find the omicron variant as curbs spread

The Netherlands confirmed 13 cases of the new omicron variant of the coronavirus on Sunday and Australia found two as the countries half a world apart became the latest to detect it in travelers arriving from southern Africa. A raft of curbs being imposed by nations around the world as they scramble to slow the

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