Alongside this newfound animosity toward Ukraine, the Trump administration has signaled its willingness to work with Moscow on a deal to end the war. Some onlookers, especially key US allies in Europe, worry that this deal will favor the Russians.
Read MoreDespite efforts having been made in the United States in favor of an American equivalent to the Green Deal, the future remains uncertain with anti-environmental legislation continuing to be passed in Washington
Read MoreA run-off election is set for April 13, 2025, and will grant the winner a full four-year term. These candidates are not new to snap elections, with both Noboa and González running in August 2023. In the 2023 election, Noboa won with 52% of the vote, becoming the youngest president in Ecuador’s history, and will remain in office until the April election is decided.
Read MoreLuiz Inácio Lula da Silva’s renewed presidency in Brazil has reignited concerns about his political integrity, rooted in past corruption scandals. As Lula strengthens ties with China through trade and investment agreements, critics fear these moves could deepen Brazil’s dependence on Beijing while echoing the opaque dealings of his controversial past.
Read MoreIn a country that increasingly favors strict border policies, it is unlikely that the Pope’s letter will have any measurable influence on Trump’s immigration policy or his support amongst Catholics, which has only gone up following previous papal denunciations. While this suggests that any immediate policy impacts will be negligible, the letter is far from insignificant, underlining growing divisions within the Catholic Church around religious leaders participating in polarized U.S. policy issues like immigration.
Read MoreOn February 3, Nayib Bukele, president of El Salvador, announced via X, formerly known as Twitter, an agreement giving the United States permission to outsource part of its inmate population to El Salvador in exchange for an undisclosed fee. The central purpose of this deal is to allow the United States to deport undocumented immigrants whose countries reject deportation flights.
Read More“We are the protective barrier. We are the Firewall.” This response comes after a fiery campaign by center-left politician and party leader Fredreich Merz to distance his party, the CDU, from the extreme far-right party, Alternative für Deutschland (AfD) in the fast-approaching German parliamentary elections on February 23rd. Having placed second in recent polls behind Merz’s party, the AfD represents a strong populist barricade that will most likely lead to uncomfortable coalition talks if a majority is to be shared between the two parties.
Read MoreTrump, Musk and Rubio have made it clear that foreign aid will undergo serious restructuring, but the actual plans to implement change remain uncertain. There are reports that the administration intends to fold USAID into the State Department.
Read MoreThe success of Trump’s strategy will highly depend on whether the potential of economic benefits outweigh the likely damage to trade relations and consumer costs. If these tariffs spark a broader trade war, the economic consequences will likely spill over the borders of these four countries, risking severe reverberations for entire global markets and consumers.
Read MoreThe recognition of Gonzalez as President-elect of Venezuela by the United States has forced Latin American states to choose between supporting Maduro or joining the United States in challenging his legitimacy. While governments neighboring Venezuela have become critical of the election results, there is little chance that Maduro will step down as president.
Read MoreCuba faces one of its most severe crises, with a nationwide blackout on October 20, 2024, plunging millions into darkness and exposing deep-seated economic and political failures. This infrastructure collapse has disrupted daily life and public services, amplifying the struggles endured under the current regime.
Read MoreThe sociopolitical climate in Belarus remains tense and fraught with fear. Any critique of the government easily places a citizen in the throes of judicial proceedings dictated by the president. Regardless of the subject matter of the criticism–governmental wrongdoings, human rights issues, or the war in Ukraine, Lukashenko does not hesitate to stamp out any opposition.
Read MoreThe Venezuelan crisis under Nicolás Maduro’s regime highlights severe human rights violations and a decline in democracy. Political repression has silenced dissent, while hyperinflation and shortages have caused widespread suffering and mass exodus. This crisis underscores the fragility of democracy and the need for urgent international action to restore human rights and democratic norms.
Read MoreWaiting in line outside gender segregated polls stations, Kashmir residents voted in the second phase of three of their local elections. The first vote since 2014, 9 million registered voters are voting for the 90 seat legislature. The third round of voting will occur on October 1st, with the final results announced on October 8th.
Read MoreWhile the National Rally did not secure a majority of seats in this election, the results were still their strongest showing in an election ever, demonstrating the rise of right-wing politics in France. In addition, Macron’s centrist party lost support, causing increased polarization. The results of this election are likely to make it very difficult for Macron to govern.
Read MorePolls show that the president is highly unpopular and that Machado would defeat him if she could run.
Read MoreA recent report has found that ongoing abusive labor practices have characterized Italy’s history of vineyard farming. These practices are especially apparent when undocumented migrant workers are the ones behind the labor.
Read MoreFrench constitutional law is the first venue to see this change, but will hopefully not be the last. To be granted complete autonomy and control over their bodies, this constitutional right to abortion is life-changing for women in France.
Read MoreOn March 22, 2024, Russia experienced its deadliest terror attack in two decades at the Crocus City Hall music venue in Krasnogorsk, a suburb north of Moscow. The tragic event unfolded around 8:00 PM MSK when four gunmen began firing at the crowd of an estimated 6,000 people and subsequently set fire to the building. The attackers' actions led to fires that engulfed the venue, resulting in the partial collapse of the roof. The aftermath was devastating, with reports of 144 fatalities, including individuals who later died in hospitals. Additionally, over 551 concertgoers suffered injuries from gunshot wounds and fire-related incidents.
Read MorePanama’s Constitution prevents anyone sentenced to five or more years in prison from running for President, rendering Martinelli ineligible for reelection. As of February 2024, Martinelli insisted he would still run for president, but it is unclear how he plans to sidestep the Constitution in order to do this.
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