World Politics

cross-posted from: https://rss.ponder.cat/post/182912

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In a time when civil society voices are increasingly dismissed as radical or disloyal, new research led by Ph.D. student Lee Aldar and Professor Eran Halperin at The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, found that a discourse emphasizing shared values and common goals—like fairness, solidarity, and support for vulnerable communities—can significantly boost the legitimacy of controversial civil groups, even among skeptical or even hostile public.

From the study:

These interventions, emphasizing common interests (e.g., supporting communities, reducing disparities in the provision of health services) and common values (e.g., human dignity, fair due process), can be applied to amplify and include critical voices as part of the effort to combat the harmful consequences of democratic backsliding.

Step into the future through the lens of renowned geopolitical strategist George Friedman. In this eye-opening video, we explore his bold predictions for 2025 and beyond — a world shaped by shifting power dynamics, rapid technological disruptions, and brewing global tensions.

From the rise of China and the decline of Western influence, to the growing role of artificial intelligence in warfare and the collapse of outdated institutions — Friedman outlines a new reality we must all confront.

Key topics covered:

The fall of American global supremacy

China’s geopolitical strategy

The AI revolution and cyber warfare

Economic fractures and social unrest

What individuals and nations must do to adapt

Don’t just watch history unfold — understand it before it happens.

really Trump and Vance yelling at Zelenskyy

Israel has passed a new bill which criminalises the questioning of the official narrative regarding 7 October 2023. The law, passed without opposition, bars non-Israeli citizens from entering or residing in the country if they or the organisations they represent deny the 7 October attack, question the Holocaust, or support the prosecution at international courts of Israeli security personnel for war crimes. It also expands a controversial 2017 amendment that prohibited visas for individuals associated with groups supporting the peaceful Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement.

U.S. President Donald Trump is pushing for a peaceful resolution to Russia’s now three-year war in Ukraine. VOA examined several approaches floated by think tanks recently aimed at achieving a lasting peace to the war.

Think this is effectively where the US stops pretending democracy is still a thing

[...] In a phone call to UDC leader Duma Boko, President Mokgweetsi Masisi conceded and congratulated his opponent.

Despite overseeing a dramatic change in Botswana, recent poor economic growth and high unemployment dented the BDP’s popularity.

The party "had got it wrong big time", Masisi told a press conference.

"I will respectfully step aside and participate in a smooth transition process ahead of inauguration. I am proud of our democratic processes and I respect the will of the people."

He has urged his supporters to remain calm and rally behind the new government.

Speaking to Boko on the phone, the outgoing president said: "You can count on me to always be there to provide whatever guidance you might want."

In his first comments to the media since the outcome was clear, Boko, a 54-year-old former human rights lawyer, said: "What has happened today takes our democracy to a higher level. It now means we've seen a successful, peaceful, orderly democratic transition." [...]

In the internal promotion of the Higher Corps Cadastral Management has eliminated 34 topics, and in Medical Inspectors the reduction has also reached free access

"A crash programme of massive cuts; demolishing public services; privatising public assets; centralising political power; sacking civil servants; sweeping away constraints on corporations and oligarchs; destroying regulations that protect workers, vulnerable people and the living world; supporting landlords against tenants; criminalising peaceful protest; restricting the right to strike."

It has become indisputably clear over these past two months that there are not actually two sides to this horror show. Without question, the perpetrators who meted out the horrors against Israeli civilians on October 7 should be held accountable. But that is not what this collective killing operation is about. And journalists should stop pretending it is