Note: in my “from the news” posts, quotes are shown italicised and blue, my comments are in a different shade of blue, and “good” items are shown in green. I have loosely grouped the posts where such seemed reasonable, but that is subjective (i.e., my opinion - others are free to disagree), and challenging, as some posts belong in multiple “groups”.
From thiis week’s news on politics & democracy, and international affairs (note: I may continue to add links for a few days, possibly up to a week, after these are published), and noting the conflicts, listed here, for instance, and other global issues, such as those listed here, that may not have made it into this weeks news:
- “The Dutch are aiming to quarantine populism. Should the rest of the world follow suit?” https://theconversation.com/the-dutch-are-aiming-to-quarantine-populism-should-the-rest-of-the-world-follow-suit-227432 “The
legitimacy of liberalism hangs in the balance. Whether quarantining
populism via coalitions formed by weakened parties will barricade the
door against populists is an open question. Many populists, after all,
are highly organized, well-funded by the billionaire class and skilled
at sowing disorder. It’s going to take much more than a legislative lock
on the door to shore up our defences. But it’s incumbent upon the
courageous Dutch and others to give it a shot.” This
warning has been made in a wide range of forums and formats: it seems
someone is having a genuine go at dealing with the problem, although
they may be underestimating it See also “The Meanjin essay: The Voice and Australia’s democracy crisis” https://theaimn.com/the-meanjin-essay-the-voice-and-australias-democracy-crisis/ “News
Corp was at the centre of the media campaign against the Voice. While
the organisation claimed to be explaining both sides …” This is an extract from an essay https://meanjin.com.au/the-year-in/the-voice-and-australias-democracy-crisis/ at Meanjin https://meanjin.com.au/ , “where a digital subscription is only $5 per month or $50 for a year.” “Rise in activity from rightwing extremists who want to trigger ‘race war’ in Australia, ASIO warns” https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2024/apr/10/rise-in-activity-from-right-wing-extremists-who-want-to-trigger-race-war-in-australia-asio-warns “Security agency tells Senate inquiry that violent hate groups are still inspired by Christchurch shooting” These sorts of extremists often have multiple hates Another article on a right wing extremist and conspiracy fantasist group in Australia (which started in my home state, and which I wont give any publicity) https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2024/apr/11/__-_____-groups-5g-chemtrails-fluoride-queensland-council-elections-ntwnfb “Ways to counter Australia’s growing neo-Nazi threat” https://www.thenewdaily.com.au/news/2024/04/12/neo-nazi-australia-threat “Far-right
extremists, including white supremacists and neo-Nazis, are getting
louder and more confident in spreading their messages of hate around
Australia. Much of the blame can be pinned on international influences and lack of consequences here at home, experts told The New Daily.” “Trump and the US media’s conflict of interest” https://www.aljazeera.com/opinions/2024/4/9/trump-and-the-us-medias-conflict-of-interest “Disinformation on cholera led to Mozambique ferry disaster, officials say” https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/apr/08/mozambique-ferry-disaster-sinking-death-toll-nampula-province “At
least 96 people died as they tried to reach an island off Nampula
province to escape mainland after false narratives caused panic” “Half a million more Australians on welfare? Not unless you double-count” https://theconversation.com/half-a-million-more-australians-on-welfare-not-unless-you-double-count-227342
- “Facebook v Twiggy: Clickbait battle ends” https://www.thenewdaily.com.au/life/tech/2024/04/12/twiggy-facebook-court “Billionaire
Andrew ‘Twiggy’ Forrest’s bid to hold Facebook’s parent company Meta to
account in Australia over an alleged cryptocurrency clickbait
advertising scam has been stymied. ... The Commonwealth Director of
Public Prosecutions was expected to take over the fight in the Western
Australian District Court on Friday, because a private citizen cannot
prosecute charges on indictment. But it instead filed a discontinuance
notice ending the matter” “Andrew Forrest accuses Facebook of ‘blatantly refusing’ to take action against scam ads” https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2024/apr/12/andrew-forrest-facebook-scam-ads-responsibility “The Australian billionaire’s criminal case against Meta in WA was discontinued on Friday by the commonwealth prosecutor” This is disappointing - for all people, not only Andrew Forrest (who has taken some notable actions in support of human rights in the past, although he has been criticised as well - see https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Andrew_Forrest&oldid=1218313220#Philanthropy)
- “Massive investment and financial reform needed to rescue SDGs” https://news.un.org/en/story/2024/04/1148411
- “Colombia serves as ‘a model’ for countries using dialogue to forge peace” https://news.un.org/en/story/2024/04/1148396
- “Belgium says will probe suspected Russian interference in European polls | Politics News | Al Jazeera” https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/4/12/belgium-says-will-probe-suspected-russian-interference-in-european-polls
- “Ukraine ‘will lose the war’ if US Congress withholds aid, Zelensky warns” https://www.france24.com/en/europe/20240408-ukraine-will-lose-war-if-us-congress-withholds-aid-warns-zelensky “US arms Ukraine with thousands of seized Iranian guns, rifles and munitions” https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/4/10/us-arms-ukraine-with-thousands-of-seized-iranian-guns-rifles-and-munitions “The weapons were intercepted between 2021 and 2023 en route to Houthi forces in Yemen” This is helpful, but artillery munitions is the main need “Attacks on Ukrainian nuclear facilities ‘must cease immediately’: UN atomic watchdog” https://news.un.org/en/story/2024/04/1148346
- “Blow for Myanmar’s military as rebels say hundreds have surrendered at key border town” https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/apr/09/myanmar-military-rebels-myawaddy-karen-state-surrender-thailand “Myanmar’s
embattled junta has evacuated personnel from a key border position
after hundreds of soldiers surrendered to opposition groups, in another
humiliating defeat for the army.” “Myanmar: is the junta’s grip on power weakening and what next for its leadership?” https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/apr/10/myanmar-rebels-thailand-border-surrender-power-junta “After
a string of high-profile and embarrassing battlefield losses, questions
have been raised about how long military chief Min Aung Hlaing can
survive” The
article points out that the military still hold the most populous
centre of the country and are disinclined to negotiate, but the
psychological effects of such reverses will have an effect
- “In heavily militarised Kashmir, the upcoming India elections do not inspire much hope” https://theconversation.com/in-heavily-militarised-kashmir-the-upcoming-india-elections-do-not-inspire-much-hope-225281
- “Mexico releases footage of Ecuador police storming its embassy in Quito” https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/4/9/mexico-releases-footage-of-ecuador-police-storming-its-embassy-in-quito “The raid spurred criticism as being a violation of international law as Ecuador sought to arrest a former vice president.” The criticism is correct
- “After deadly attack, Russia’s Central Asian workers report rising racism” https://www.aljazeera.com/features/2024/4/9/after-deadly-attack-russias-central-asian-workers-report-rising-racism “Migrants say they are being collectively punished after Tajik nationals were suspected of last month’s concert hall attack near Moscow” This sort of collective hate/punishment of groups blamed for or associated with attacks is, regrettably, common
- “‘Hungarians rise’: Tens of thousands protest against PM Orban in Budapest” https://www.france24.com/en/europe/20240406-hungarians-rise-tens-of-thousands-protest-against-orban-in-budapest “Hungary’s political challenger says his ‘vision’ can defeat Orbán” https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/apr/07/hungary-politics-peter-magyar-orban-judit-varga-rally-budapest “Péter Magyar building centrist movement that has visibly shaken ruling party he dramatically broke with” He says he is aiming to create a centrist party, much as Macron did (although Macron broke with the left, this person with the right),
and has taken a stand against corruption. I would like to know what his
positions are on human rights issues - after all, he was initially part
of Orban’s apparatus, and Orban is a notorious bigot
- “Dutton compares pro-Palestine protest to Port Arthur massacre” https://www.thenewdaily.com.au/news/politics/australian-politics/2024/04/11/dutton-palestine-port-arthur This
is an utterly abhorrent comparison by this wealthy property developer -
who also shows, in my opinion, a lack of understanding of the too often
fatal biases in current policing and the inherent human abuses of hard
line approaches See also “Bridget Archer leads criticism after Peter Dutton compares pro-Palestine protest to Port Arthur massacre” https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2024/apr/11/bridget-archer-leads-criticism-after-peter-dutton-compares-pro-palestine-protest-to-port-arthur-massacre “Tasmanian Liberal MP labels comments ‘wholly inappropriate’ after PM says he was ‘taken aback’ by opposition leader’s speech” and “Peter Dutton’s shock-and-schlock tactics are fear-mongering in search of a policy” https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2024/apr/11/peter-dutton-speech-tom-hughes-oration-sydney-opera-house-comment “Dutton unswayed on Port Arthur remarks, despite criticism” https://www.thenewdaily.com.au/news/politics/australian-politics/2024/04/12/peter-dutton-port-arthur-israel This
wealthy property developer has shown, in my opinion, a staggering
unfitness for politics and leadership positions in Australia
- “Australia claims it is a multicultural success story. So why does it want to use godlike laws to ringfence the nation?” https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2024/apr/07/australia-immigration-laws-deportation-bill-government A VERY good question
- “‘Sign here’: high court finds no requirement for minister to read submissions on visa decisions” https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2024/apr/10/alex-hawke-andrew-giles-visa-cancellation-case-details “Long-running dispute, featuring ‘bizarre’ photo of visa cancellation next to a steering wheel, ends with ruling that minister can rely on department summaries” So one hopes the summaries are free of unconscious bias
- “We have a new way of looking at data that shows what’s working for Indigenous school kids and what isn’t” https://theconversation.com/we-have-a-new-way-of-looking-at-data-that-shows-whats-working-for-indigenous-school-kids-and-what-isnt-225900 “We
have developed a new way of analysing NAPLAN data. This compares
Indigenous students with other Indigenous students. And in doing so, we
get more nuanced information about what is working and where. ...
“within-cohort, peer matching”” This is an excellent approach!
- “How about this time we try, just try, to report on budgets and tax differently?” https://theconversation.com/how-about-this-time-we-try-just-try-to-report-on-budgets-and-tax-differently-227353 A solid, much needed, and well overdue criticism of the self-centred, selfish, anti-community and anti-national interest approach of individual/group “winners” and “losers”
- “Albanese reveals plan for interventionist green industry policy similar to Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act” https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2024/apr/11/albanese-says-australia-needs-sharper-elbows-as-he-signals-domestic-innovation-push This
could be quite good. Interestingly, no other media report was worth
including, in my opinion, as they all focused on side issues
- “‘Far too low’: Call to reform indexation as JobSeeker recipients struggle with soaring inflation” https://www.thenewdaily.com.au/finance/finance-news/2024/04/09/jobseeker-inflation-indexation
For the week 30th March - 5th April (note that this is several weeks behind current events owing to the time required to collect and analyse data):
Large decrease in violence (this does NOT mean no violence is happening, only that it has decreased):
Nigeria, Somalia, Yemen, Ethiopia, India, Burkina Faso,
Haiti, the Philippines, Cameroon, Kenya, Burundi, Trinidad and
Tobago, Guatemala, Niger, South Africa, Benin, Chad,
Jamaica, Puerto Rico, China, Madagascar, Mozambique,
Moderate increase in violence: Russia, Afghanistan, Bangladesh,
Large increase in violence: Pakistan, Venezuela, Azerbaijan, Türkiye, South Sudan, Indonesia, Iran,
From the Early (mass atrocity) Warning Project map (note: they do not recognise Palestine as a nation, and thus that crisis does not appear in this source’s work):
Currently experiencing mass killing:
Nigeria, CAR, DRC, Sudan, South Sudan, Ethiopia, Somalia,
Syria, Iraq, Pakistan, India, Burma/Myanmar, the
Philippines, North Korea,
Highest risk:
Guinea, Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger, Nigeria, Chad, Sudan,
Egypt, Ethiopia, Somalia, Republic of Congo, DRC, Uganda,
Angola, Tanzania, Mozambique, South Africa, Yemen, Syria,
Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Tajikistan, India, Nepal,
Bangladesh, China, Thailand, Laos, Indonesia,
Consistently high risk: Sudan, Ethiopia, India,
Increasing Risk: Burkina Faso, Tajikistan,
From the International Crisis Group’s monthly Crisis Watch:
For the month of April:
Conflict Risk alerts: Bosnia And Herzegovina, Israel/Palestine, Lebanon,
Resolution Opportunities: None
For the month of March:
Deteriorated situations: Afghanistan, Pakistan, South China Sea, Venezuela, Haiti, Somalia, Bosnia And Herzegovina, Russia (Internal), Israel/Palestine,
Assumptions / basis
In writing this, I have assumed / started from the following:
- this blog states quite clearly that it is about political and human rights matters, including lived experience of problems, and thus I will assume readers are reasonable people who have noted the content warning in the post header;
Possible flaws
Where I can, I will try to highlight possible flaws / issues you should consider:
- there may be flawed logical arguments in the above: to find out more about such flaws and thinking generally, I recommend Brendan
Myers’ free online course “Clear and Present Thinking”;
- I could be wrong - so keep your thinking caps on, and make up your own minds for yourself.
If they are of any use of interest, the activism information links from my former news posts are available in this post.
If you appreciated this post, please consider promoting it - there are some links below.
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