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Portrait of the Turkish President Erdoğan. He wears a black suit with a blue striped tie and a small pin of the red Turksih flag on his lapel.
Wikimedia | CC0 1.0

Turkish Elections 2023

In one of the most important elections of the year, we see President Erdoğan fighting to maintain his 20 years of control against key rival Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu. The election will be held on May 14, to a backdrop of growing dissatisfaction, economic downturn, rising inflation, and the deaths of more than 50,000 during the mismanaged earthquake back in February. With citizens desperate for change, Kılıçdaroğlu promises to restore democracy, judicial independence, and deport millions of refugees. Many Turkish people view another win by Erdoğan as huge loss for democracy.

Turkish Elections 2023
Outline of the geological boundaries of Sudan in Africa. The flag of the country has been placed over the map. There are three horizontal colours red, white and black. On the left side there is a green triangle
Pixabay | Gordon Johnson

Sudan Conflict 2023

After failed efforts to implement democratic civilian-led rule, Mid-April saw the beginning of intense fighting between two main factions of the Sudanese military regime. With hundreds already dead, fears of an all-out civil war are spreading internationally as the power struggle is creating further instability in this volatile part of Africa. Thousands of refugees are fleeing as the conflict intensifies and food and basic supplies are compromised. In a battle for further influence, involvement from Russia, the US, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and the UK has added further complexity to the situation.

Sudan Conflict 2023
2023 Turkey–Syria earthquake montage displaying the epicentre of the Earthquake, the destruction that followed and the many victims left homeless
Penaber49 | CC BY-SA 4.0

Turkey-Syria Earthquakes

Two lethal earthquakes struck southern Turkey and western Syria, causing widespread damage and deaths in the region. In Turkey, many poorly constructed buildings collapsed, leaving thousands of people trapped under the rubble and many more at the mercy of the cold winter. In Syria, still suffering from the wounds of 12 years of civil war, the quake came at a very vulnerable time, when the population was already suffering from food shortages, economic collapse, vulnerable infrastructure and a recent cholera outbreak.

Turkey-Syria Earthquakes
Men and women holding a flag in Ukrainian colours, with anti-war messages.
Better World Info| Mei Lau

Russia - Ukraine War 2022

Now entering its second year, Russia’s invasion into Ukraine began back in February 2022. This unique platform provides 10,000 resources from a peace perspective. Find in-depth information on NATO and U.S. involvement, weapons exports, sanctions, peace voices, and neglected diplomacy. Uncover the disastrous humanitarian fallout and the devastating global ramifications.    ➡️ betterworld.info/UkraineWar - Please help to spread the word of peace.

Russia - Ukraine War 2022
Man holding a Nigerian flag
Emmanuel Ikwuegbu | Pexels

Nigerian Presidential Election

Africa's largest democracy held its seventh election, plagued by logistical problems and accusations of fraud. The result was a victory for the ruling party, with Bola Tinubu named the winner, the results have been contested by two of the main opposition candidates, and international observers complained of a lack of transparency. Biometric voter identification was introduced this year, but there were glitches in the system that led to disparities between manual and computer counts. Tinubu has been accused in the past of corruption and money laundering, but has never been charged.  

Nigerian Presidential Election
Iranian woman with long flowing hair holds a hijab in her fist - the hair reflects the Iranian flag with the protest slogan: Women, Live, Freedom!
Mei Lau | Better World Info

Mahsa Amini and Iran Anti-Regime Protests

Protests sparked by the death of Mahsa Amini whilst under arrest for violation of the strict hijab law continue to rock Iran and the world. Demonstrations against mandatory hijab use soon evolved into demands for greater freedoms, women's rights, and against the controversial morality police and harsh Iranian regime. Now being labelled the Iran Revolution, the government has responded with widespread internet blackouts, tear gas, and gun fire. 185 people have already lost their lives as Iranians desperately fight for massive governmental change.

Mahsa Amini and Iran Anti-Regime Protests
Minimalist graphic of the new Brazilain president smiling wearing a suit. The image of Lula is green infront of a yellow background
Free SVG | Public Domain

Lula da Silva – President of Brazil

An incredibly tight race gives Lula the reigns to a divided Brazil. After becoming Brazil's first working-class president over 20 years ago, many are hoping that his incredible political comeback will see the return of environmental protections, and improved conditions for the 100 million Brazilians living in poverty. Bolsonaro's catastrophic environmental record turned Brazil into a pariah, with COP 27 around the corner, we wait anxiously to see Lula’s stance.

Lula da Silva – President of Brazil
Christopher Dilts

2023 State of the Union.

The SOTU is an annual message to U.S. Congress from the sitting President on the current state of the nation. At the start of his third year in office, Biden is expected to discuss his administration's efforts to rebuild the economy in the wake of the covid-19 pandemic, the US role in aid to Ukraine and the US withdrawal from Afghanistan. As well as growing tensions with the Chinese government.

2023 State of the Union.

Colombian presidential election

Colombia has elected former guerrilla Gustavo Petro as president, along with Francia Márquez, making them the first left-wing government in the country's history and making Márquez the first black female vice-president. Petro's victory is seen as a break with the country's status quo and evidence of Colombians' strong desire for a new political path.

Colombian presidential election
Middle-aged white politician wearing a black suit smiles
Wikimedia | Roman Kubanskiy

French Legislative Election 2022

Set for the 12th and 19th of June 2022, the 577 members of the French parliament will be selected. Newly re-elected Emmanuel Macron is hoping to secure a majority, but is facing tough competition from the far right, and also a new left alliance headed by Jean-Luc Mélenchon. Potential outcomes include a cohabitation where a power-sharing situation will curb Macron’s power.

French Legislative Election 2022
Austrlaian flag flies in the wind infrot of a blue sky
Pixabay | Marius_Oberholster

Australian Federal Elections 2022

To be held on May 21 2022, current PM religious conversative Scott Morrison seeks his fourth term in office. Anthony Albanese has emerged as his main contender; his victory would secure the first Labor government in almost a decade. Australians have been rushing to the polls with top issues including immigration, healthcare, living wage, handling of the pandemic, and climate change inaction at the forefront of their minds.

Australian Federal Elections 2022
Asian man wearing a red tshirt speaks into a microphone
Wikimedia | Patrickroque01

Bongbong Marcos – New President of the Philippines

After a landslide victory in the May 9 election, concerns about the consequences for democracy in the country are widespread. Hailing from a notorious political family, his father's corrupt and brutal dictatorship ended in just 1986. The family have spent decades attempting to wipe clear this legacy through disinformation campaigns and publicity via social media. Lack of accountability for their misdeeds has angered campaigners, and the world will be closely watching developments concerning the economy, civil liberties, and press freedom.

Bongbong Marcos – New President of the Philippines

Indian Farmers' Protest

After more than a year of uninterrupted protests and the deaths of several farmers, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has agreed to repeal the three controversial farm laws that sparked the public outcry. The laws were passed in September 2020, after parliament claimed the laws would strengthen farmers' rights, but major trade unions and opposition politicians claimed they would give more power to big business in particular. Farmers formed a large movement called "Dilli Chalo" and organised general strikes and a protest march to Dehli with millions of participants.

Indian Farmers' Protest
Man on his back with the flag of Haiti on his shoulders.
abdallahh CC BY 2.0 | Flickr

Political crisis in Haiti

Tensions in Haiti have escalated following the assassination of Jovenel Moïse. President Moïse, had been in power since 2017 and, according to the opposition, should have finished his term in February this year, but Moïse claimed he still had a year left in office. Many saw this as an attempt to establish a dictatorship, and it was one of the many reasons for the mass protests in Haiti in recent months, but this unfortunate turn only worsens the precarious situation in the Caribbean country. 

Political crisis in Haiti

Myanmar coup

On February 1st, a coup was carried out in Myanmar. The military arrested political leaders including State Counselor Aung San Suu Kyi, shutting off the internet and showing presence in the streets. A state of Emergency was declared for one year and the power was handed over to the commander-in-chief of the army, General Min Aung Hlaing. As a result, the military, which had been in power since 1962, regains full control of the country after a de facto democracy since 2011.  

Myanmar coup

Biden Presidency

Many were relieved when the major media organizations announced the Democrat Joe Biden as the winner of the 46th presidential election. US Senator Kamala Harris will be his vice-president, becoming the first woman and African-American in this position. The two face the difficult task of bringing a deeply divided America back together and fighting the consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Biden Presidency
Image by A_Matskevich from Pixabay

Belarus Protests

The Belarusian democracy movement began in response to the sixth re-election in 2020 of Alexander Lukashenko's authoritarian regime who they consider a dictator. Many people doubt the official election result because the media and critics have been censored for years. The movement is growing and demands for democracy and freedom of speech persist.

Belarus Protests

Storm on the Capitol

On January 6, supporters of US President Donald Trump stormed the United States Capitol, attacked security guards and occupied it for several hours.The events disrupted the count of the Electoral College votes and theverification of Joe Biden's victory in the 2020 presidential campaign. Trump and his supporters are protesting the election results, claiming there was fraud. A defeat for American democracy, manipulated by fake news, right-wing fanaticism and a lying populist as president.

Storm on the Capitol
Publlic Domain

Brexit UK - an ongoing tragedy

On the 23rd of June 2016, a referendum was held for the UK's withdrawal from the EU. With a mere 51.9 percent supporting the separation, based on migrant fear, false promises, voter exclusion and lies, the UK is due to separate from the EU in January 2021. Keep track on the latest news here.

Brexit UK - an ongoing tragedy
Truthout.org

Bernie Sanders

Bernie Sanders went from an unknown senator to a progressive national icon. Representing Vermont, he has become the longest independent member of Congress in U.S. history, well known for his views on economic inequality and for being a leading supporter of the Green New Deal. He lost the 2016 Democratic Party nomination to Hilary Clinton, but fortunately Bernie and his revolution are back for the 2020 race. With Sanders as president of the United States, the U.S.A and the world would be a far better place.

Bernie Sanders
UN Photo / Mark Garten

U.S. backed Military Coup in Bolivia

In a shocking event, one of Latin America's longest leaders, Evo Morales, has resigned after nearly 14 years in power and announced new elections. For weeks Bolivia faced anti-government protests led by opposition leaders on OAS backed allegations of electoral fraud. The leader denounced a coup d'état after the military and police withdrew their support, leading him to announce his resignation to protect the Bolivarian people.

U.S. backed Military Coup in Bolivia
Two older Indian women wearing orange are in a crowd being held back by male Indian law enforcement wearing green uniforms
Flickr | Emily Abrams

2019 Indian Citizenship Act

A wave of protest against a new citizenship law passed in early December 2019 has led to the biggest demonstrations in India for decades. The Citizenship Act states that religious minorities who fled to India before 2014 are allowed to claim Indian Citizenship. Muslim immigrants are excluded from this law though. Protesters criticize the Citizenship Act as discrimination against the Muslim minority and see the secular foundations of India at risk.

2019 Indian Citizenship Act
maryatexitzero

Lebanese Protests

In an inspiring demonstration of unity, thousands of Lebanese have been protesting in the country's major cities, since the government announced a tax on social media apps. A proposal that was abandoned in a few hours, but the protests had already focused on deeper issues, such as political corruption and the country's high level of indebtedness. Demonstrations continue, even after the Prime Minister's resignation, as people demand more in-depth change.

Lebanese Protests
Black and white image of an army truck driving down a road lined with waving children
Fotograaf Onbekend / Anefo

VE-Day 2020

On the 8th May 2020, we celebrate the Victory in Europe Day and 75 years since the end of the Second World War and the Liberation from National Socialism. Around 60 Million People died in this War and many others were traumatized or displaced. Lets use this day to commemorate the many victims and recognize the significant danger of fascist ideology. So this will never happen again. 

VE-Day 2020

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