Democratic Backsliding

As defined by Nancy Burmeo, a senior research fellow in politics at Oxford University, Democratic Backsliding refers to the process of “state-led debilitation or elimination of the political institutions sustaining an existing democracy.” In other words, it’s when countries that were once democratic start slowly changing to something more familiar an autocracy. Autocracy is described as a system of government in which absolute power is … Continue reading Democratic Backsliding

Last-Minute Candidate wins Panamanian Presidential Election

(Photo provided by Matias Delacroix / AP) Recently, former security minister José Raúl Mulino, who only just became a candidate a few months before, won the Panamian Presidential election. Back in February, former president Ricardo Martinelli, Mulino’s own boss, was previously in the running, with Mulino serving as his candidate for vice president. However, courts ratified a charge against him for money laundering and barred him from … Continue reading Last-Minute Candidate wins Panamanian Presidential Election

Spanish PM Pedro Sánchez to Not Resign

(Featured photo provided by PIERRE-PHILIPPE MARCOU/AFP via Getty Images) After publicly threatening that he might, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has stated that he will not resign after a probe was launched against his wife, Begoña Gomez. On April 24, Manos Limpias (Clean Hands), a group known for advancing far-right causes, accused Gomez of using her position to influence business deals. This is despite the … Continue reading Spanish PM Pedro Sánchez to Not Resign

Indian Prime Minister Modi accused of calling Muslims “infiltrators”

(Featured Photo provided by Jakub Porzycki / NurPhoto via Getty Images) The Indian Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, has been accused of Islamophobic remarks during an election campaign rally on Sunday.  India is currently in the midst of what has been called a “mammoths-week” long general election, as Modi’s ruling party, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), is seeking a third consecutive term. If it does win, … Continue reading Indian Prime Minister Modi accused of calling Muslims “infiltrators”

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signs law that limits Book Challenges

(Featured photo provided by Phil Sears/AP/File) After much backlash, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed a law limiting how books can be challenged. Back in 2023, the Florida legislature and DeSantis expanded measures to allow more books to be scrutinized if they were deemed inappropriate. It also required schools to pull any books considered pornographic or harmful to minors within five days of a complaint. However, … Continue reading Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signs law that limits Book Challenges

Elon Musk defies Brazil Supreme Court X court order

(Featured Photo provided by Beata Zawrzel/NurPhoto via Getty Images // SERGIO LIMA/AFP via Getty Images) Recently, a Brazilian Supreme Court judge opened an inquiry into billionaire Elon Musk after he went against court orders. Before this escalation, Justice Alexandre de Moraes had issued a court order forcing X, formerly Twitter, to shut down certain X accounts. The users in question were to be blocked as … Continue reading Elon Musk defies Brazil Supreme Court X court order

Bulgaria and Romania partially join Europe’s Schengen Area

(Featured photo provided by RAI-SEE) Recently, Bulgaria and Romania have formally joined Europe’s Schengen Area, a unique region meant to promote travel in the continent. The Schengen Area, first established in 1985, is a special area in which the countries within completely remove any border controls they have with each other. Instead, there is a common visa policy to allow the free movement of people … Continue reading Bulgaria and Romania partially join Europe’s Schengen Area

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis bans social media for children under 14

(Photo provided by AP Photo/Phil Sears, File) Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has just signed a bill that would bar minors under 14 from making social media accounts, making Florida the first state in the United States (U.S.) to pass such strict restrictions. Along with barring social media accounts for those under 14, those who are 14 or 15 years old will require permission from their … Continue reading Florida Governor Ron DeSantis bans social media for children under 14

Israel’s Netanyahu to not halt Rafah Attack despite defiance from Biden

(Featured photo provided by Jim Watson/AFP via Getty Images) Concerning a possible invasion of the city of Rafah, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has stated that he intends to go ahead with it, despite opposition from United States (U.S.) President Joe Biden. Rafah is a city located near the Southern border of the Gaza Strip, and it’s estimated that roughly 1.5 million Palestinians are taking … Continue reading Israel’s Netanyahu to not halt Rafah Attack despite defiance from Biden

Shehbaz Sharif reelected as Pakistani PM

After a tumultuous political situation, Pakistan’s National Assembly elected Shehbaz Sharif as Prime Minister. Sharif, who held the office before from April 2022 to August 2023, is also the younger brother of Nawaz Sharif, who also held that same position for three non-consecutive terms. After no party won an outright majority of seats in the National Assembly (169) in the February 8th general election, an … Continue reading Shehbaz Sharif reelected as Pakistani PM