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 conflictContinue reading “Democracy in decline worldwide”
Tag Archives: Hunger
Hunger in Latin America and the Caribbean is at its highest point in two decades, UN says
Tens of millions are going hungry in Latin America and the Caribbean as the Covid-19 pandemic sharpens a regional malnutrition crisis to its worst levels in decades, according to the United Nations. In just one year — from 2019 to 2020 — the number of people living with hunger in the region rose by 30%, or 13.8Continue reading “Hunger in Latin America and the Caribbean is at its highest point in two decades, UN says”
The number of billionaires grew by 13.4% in 2020 – making the pandemic a ‘windfall to billionaire wealth’
A new report from research firm Wealth-X found that the number of global billionaires rose above 3,000 in 2020. It’s a first, per the report, with billionaires around the world increasing their collective wealth by 5.7%. Wealth taxes have been floated as one way to redistribute wealth and address pandemic inequity. The pandemic was aContinue reading “The number of billionaires grew by 13.4% in 2020 – making the pandemic a ‘windfall to billionaire wealth’”
World hunger, malnutrition soared last year mostly due to COVID-19 – U.N. agencies
World hunger and malnutrition levels worsened dramatically last year, with most of the increase likely due to the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a multi-agency United Nations (U.N.) report published on Monday. After remaining virtually unchanged for five years, the number of undernourished people rose to around 768 million last year – equivalent to 10% ofContinue reading “World hunger, malnutrition soared last year mostly due to COVID-19 – U.N. agencies”
Liberia: Firestone and the Warlord – PBS
FRONTLINE and ProPublica investigate the relationship between Firestone and the infamous Liberian warlord Charles Taylor. Based on the inside accounts of Americans who ran the company’s Liberia rubber plantation, and diplomatic cables and court documents, the investigation reveals how Firestone conducted business during the brutal Liberian civil war. Aired: 11/18/14 Watch the Full Documentary: https://www.pbs.org/video/frontline-firestone-and-warlord/
Ethiopia conflict: 33,000 Tigray children risk death from hunger – UN
About 33,000 severely malnourished children in the Tigray region of Ethiopia are at high risk of death, the UN children’s agency Unicef has warned. Tigray has been devastated by fighting between government forces and rebels, with 1.7 million people displaced since the conflict began in November 2020. A UN-backed study released on Thursday found thatContinue reading “Ethiopia conflict: 33,000 Tigray children risk death from hunger – UN”
At least 130,000 households in England made homeless in pandemic
While ban on evictions protected some people, domestic abuse and loss of temporary accommodation were common triggers for homelessness At least 130,000 households in England were made homeless during the first year of the pandemic, despite the government’s ban on evictions, according to data sourced by the Observer. With the ban now over, fears are risingContinue reading “At least 130,000 households in England made homeless in pandemic”
UN warns of ‘mass deaths’ in Myanmar after 100,000 flee fighting
UN says people fleeing military’s ‘brutal, indiscriminate attacks’ in eastern Kayah are in dire need of food and water. A United Nations rights expert has warned of “mass deaths from starvation, disease and exposure” in eastern Myanmar after “brutal, indiscriminate attacks” by the military forced tens of thousands of people to flee their homes inContinue reading “UN warns of ‘mass deaths’ in Myanmar after 100,000 flee fighting”
UN says global food prices have reached their highest mark in a decade
Global food prices were at their highest level in nearly a decade in May, soaring 40 per cent above costs a year ago, the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has said. The FAO’s food price index has now risen for 12 consecutive months to reach its highest value since September 2011, driven by theContinue reading “UN says global food prices have reached their highest mark in a decade”
The French Revolution: Crash Course European History #21
In 1789, the French Monarchy’s habit of supporting democratic popular revolutions in North America backfired. Across the world, people were rising up to throw off monarchies, and Louis didn’t see the writing on the wall until it was too late. Today we’ll talk about how the French Revolution unfolded, and what (if anything) was reallyContinue reading “The French Revolution: Crash Course European History #21”
Among the Fray 