A far-right party has emerged in Spain and is gaining strength as the European Union struggles with Brexit and euro-sceptics in other member states. Opposition protesters wave Spanish flags during a rally in Madrid, 10 February 2019 (EPA-EFE/Luca Piergiovanni) Still...
Taiwan is an economic powerhouse caught between China and the United States, facing an uncertain future: Independence, subjugation or status quo? Soldiers hoist Taiwan’s national flag in Taipei, Taiwan, 1 February 2019 (EPA-EFE/David Chang) Who would have thought that...
Populists are riding high in Italy’s uneasy governing coalition and challenging Europe’s status quo. Meanwhile, Italy suffers from inertia and policy drift. Italian Deputy Premier Matteo Salvini holds a press conference in Rome, 11 February 2019 (Angelo...
Ireland’s rugby team has a history of persevering through conflict. As Brexit reopens old wounds, rugby unites players and fans across borders. Ireland’s Devin Toner is held aloft during the most recent rugby game between Ireland and England, Dublin, Ireland, 2...
It’s a term taken from cricket and baseball. Now, a “backstop” holds the key to Britain’s messy exit from the European Union. Demonstrators on the border between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland near Newry in Northern Ireland, 26...
Europe faces a moment of truth in May. Voters will choose a new parliament, and far-right parties and populists could make big gains. The European Parliament debating chamber in Strasbourg, France (Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons) Far-right and populist parties...
Democracy is in retreat around the world. How bad is the “democratic recession?” And what can you do to get democracy back on track? (Artwork from Creative Commons) This article is part of a News-Decoder series of “decoders” that explain...
Autocrat or nation-builder? Malaysia’s Mahathir still stirs mixed feelings even as he stuns the world by regaining power and reuniting with his nemesis. Mahathir Mohamad, left, and Anwar Ibrahim in September 1997, a year before the prime minister sacked his...
By Robert Hart As a new year starts, Spain’s increasingly bitter constitutional crisis over a bid for independence by the separatist-led government of the northeastern region of Catalonia seems no closer to a solution and threatens to deepen divisions in Catalan...
Democracy and the post-war world order are under siege as populist and nationalist forces gain ground around the world. We must wake up and act. This story was co-winner in the high school division in News-Decoder’s Arch Roberts Jr essay/reporting contest. You...