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.

Poland’s lawmakers reject bill seeking to outlaw abortion

Poland’s lawmakers on Thursday rejected a civic legislative proposal that would have outlawed abortion as homicide. The vote to reject the proposal at the initial stage was 361-48 with 12 abstentions, and was greeted with applause. It was overwhelming, also because most among the 228 ruling right-wing party’s lawmakers voted against it. The Law and

Far-right populist, ex-protest leader set for runoff vote in Chile’s presidential election

Republican party’s José Antonio Kast set to win first round with 28% of the vote The far-right populist José Antonio Kast is on course for a convincing victory over former protest leader Gabriel Boric in the first round of Chile’s presidential election. With more than 90% of the votes counted, Kast led Boric by 28%

Protests in Poland after death of pregnant woman blamed on abortion ban

Silent protests have been held in a number of Polish cities in response to the death of a pregnant woman. Activists blame the near-total abortion ban introduced by Poland’s constitutional court last year for her death. Conservative commentators and politicians, however, have rejected such suggestions. “Sometimes women die in childbirth,” says an MP from the

EU suspends funding talks with Polish region due to anti-LGBT resolution

The European Commission has suspended talks with a Polish region on the disbursement of European Union funds until the local authorities address Brussels’ concerns over an anti-LGBT declaration that they adopted. In 2019, Małopolska Province – located in southern Poland and with Kraków as its capital – became one of many Polish local authorities to

When is Thanksgiving? Colonizing America: Crash Course US History #2

In which John Green teaches you about the (English) colonies in what is now the United States. He covers the first permanent English colony at Jamestown, Virginia, the various theocracies in Massachusetts, the feudal kingdom in Maryland, and even a bit about the spooky lost colony at Roanoke Island. What were the English doing in