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The American right’s growing embrace of Orbán builds upon millions of dollars that his government has spent on lobbying in the US, and new connections between Hungarian and American conservative think tanks. “Make America great again, make Europe great again!” Orbán declared in English, before continuing in Hungarian: “Go Donald Trump! Conservatives from around the US, Europe and beyond traveled to Budapest for the two-day event, which was organized by a Hungarian government-funded think tank. Two American nonprofits that are actively planning policies for a second Trump term have shown an interest in Hungary and Orbán’s model. But some of the American conservatives who flew into the country for CPAC seemed more focused on the optics of Budapest than on democratic rights.

Persons: crackdowns, “, Viktor Orbán, Orbán, Donald Trump’s, ” Orbán, Donald Trump !, ” Trump, ”, Trump, Steve Bannon, President Trump, Gladden Pappin, Szilard Koszticsak, White, ” Pappin, “ saviors, Bannon, Kari Lake, Mark Meadows, Andy Harris, Zoltan Mathe, Paul Gosar, Christopher Rufo, István, Ron DeSantis, Trumpists, Kim Lane Scheppele, Orbán’s, Zsuzsanna Szelényi, ” Szelényi, Márton Gulyás, influencers strode, Joey Mannarino, ” Kyung Lah, Anna, Maja Rappard, Casey Tolan, Curt Devine Organizations: Hungary CNN —, Republican, Conservative, Trump, European Union, Hungarian Institute of International Affairs, Conservative Political, “ Conservative, White House, ”, Republican Arizona, CNN, Department of Justice, Southern Poverty Law, Heritage Foundation, America, Policy Institute, Institute, Florida Gov, Princeton Locations: Budapest, Hungary, American, Europe, Lago, Dallas, America, Hungarian, Arizona, United States, Paul Gosar of Arizona, Florida, “ Hungary, marveled, New York, Washington

This is called judicial criminality,” Machado said of Friday's ruling by the Supreme Tribunal of Justice. The longtime government foe was able to participate, because the primary was organized by a commission independent of Venezuela’s electoral authorities. On Monday, she sought to reassure supporters, telling them that her campaign is “stronger than ever” and she will represent them during the presidential election. The court and the National Electoral Council, the country’s electoral body, are stacked with people affiliated with the ruling party. "Should there be an aggressive action, our response will be calm, reciprocal and energetic.”___Zeke Miller contributed to this report from Washington.

Persons: María Corina Machado, ”, Machado, Nicolás Maduro, ” Machado, “, Friday’s, Maduro, They’ve, John Kirby, Elvis Amoroso, Tarek William Saab, Roberto Abdul, Gerardo Blyde, Jorge Rodríguez, Blyde, Rodríguez, ” Rodríguez, ___ Zeke Miller Organizations: Monday, Justice, National Security, of American, Electoral Council, U.S Locations: CARACAS, Venezuela, Venezuelan, United States, Venezuela's, U.S, Barbados, Spain, Latin America, Washington

Muse hosts the 105-Mile Trade Zone and has the greatest volume of trade with China. It is the fourth border crossing seized by the alliance forces in a month of intense fighting. Social media sites associated with the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army displayed photos and video of what they said were its forces at the border gate. Fighting has been raging in the region since the Arakan Army, the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army and the Ta’ang National Liberation Army, calling themselves the Three Brotherhood Alliance, launched a coordinated offensive on Oct. 27. The Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army has made common cause with Beijing by declaring elimination of the cyberscam operations to be one of its goals.

Persons: Le Kyar, “, ” Le Kyar Win, couldn't, hasn't, Zaw Min Tun, Aung, Suu Kyi, Myanmar's, beseiging Laukkaing Organizations: Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army, Associated Press, Muse, Trade, Social, Arakan Army, National Liberation Army, Brotherhood Alliance Locations: BANGKOK, China, Muse, Myanmar, Shan, Maj, Zaw, Arakan, Suu, Laukkaing, Beijing

☆ Indonesia Says 'Positive' Signs From Myanmar's Warring Camps on Dialogue Effort
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-24 | by ( Nov. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +2 min

JAKARTA (Reuters) - Indonesia said on Friday it had hosted a meeting of some of the key stakeholders in the conflict in military-ruled Myanmar at which each gave a "positive indication" about holding inclusive dialogue soon. As outgoing chair of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), Indonesia is pushing for dialogue between rival camps in a bloody crisis triggered by the military's coup against Myanmar's elected government in 2021. The objective of the meeting, Indonesia said, was to enable inclusive talks, reduce violence, and support humanitarian efforts, in line with a "five-point consensus" agreed to by Myanmar's military soon after the coup. "Upon receiving the respective messages, stakeholders indicated positive indication on the possibility of convening dialogues in an inclusive and genuine manner soon." Indonesia has been quietly engaging various parties but has said progress has been impaired by some insisting on preconditions for talks.

Persons: Myanmar's, Stanley Widianto, Martin Petty, William Maclean Organizations: National Unity Government, Association of Southeast Asian Nations, ASEAN, United Nations Locations: JAKARTA, Indonesia, Myanmar, Jakarta, ASEAN

ALGIERS, Algeria (AP) — Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune on Saturday dismissed the country's prime minister and replaced him with the head of his cabinet as the country struggles with inflation and next year's national elections approach. Benabderahmne's sacking comes three years into Tebboune's tenure and is the latest upheaval to shape North African politics. In August, Tunisia's president dismissed his prime minister, while the head of Algeria's powerful state-run oil company and eight of his vice presidents were dismissed several weeks ago. For Tebboune, the changing of the guard takes place at a time of economic anxiety and ahead of next year's presidential elections. Larbaoui, the incoming prime minister, rose from being an athlete on Algeria's national handball team to a member of the country's diplomatic corps, having served as Algeria's ambassador to Egypt and the United Nations.

Persons: Abdelmadjid Tebboune, Aimene, Mohamed Labaoui, Benabderahmne's, Tebboune's, Abdelaziz Bouteflika, Tebboune, ”, Larbaoui Organizations: Saturday, handball team, United Nations Locations: ALGIERS, Algeria, Tebboune, Ukraine, Europe, East, North Africa, Gaza, Israel, Egypt

Would some deny the results of the last presidential election? But since then, election conspiracy theories have taken root in the rural, heavily Republican county in northeastern Wisconsin. When she’s defended the election process, Pytleski, a lifelong Republican, has been called a RINO — a Republican in Name Only. The group's efforts come as distrust in elections has gained a persistent foothold across the country, especially in rural areas. Even with that level of local trust, the false belief that the 2020 presidential election was stolen permeates the community.

Persons: — Kim Pytleski, didn’t, Pytleski, Donald Trump’s, she’s, ”, Barack Obama, you’re, denialism, Reid Ribble, Joe Biden's, Kathy Bernier, ” Bernier, “ I’ve, ” It’s, Bernier, Trump, there’s, “, Mike Lindell, Douglas Frank, Meagan Wolfe, Wolfe, that’s, Connie Streckenback, Mary Verheyen, Michelle Bartoletti, Bartoletti, “ It’s, who’ve Organizations: Republican, U.S . Capitol, The Associated Press, NORC, for Public Affairs Research, Republicans, House, Republic, GOP, Local, Associated Press, AP Locations: Wis, Wisconsin, Green, Oconto County, Oconto, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Trump, House . Wisconsin, Suamico, Lake Michigan, Wisconsin —, Howard

The new German central bank (Bundesbank) vice-president Claudia Buch poses during a photocall at the Bundesbank headquarters in Frankfurt, May 20, 2014. Buch, who has been the vice-president of Germany's central bank for 10 years after a career in academia, was chosen last week over Spain's Margarita Delgado, the European Parliament's preferred candidate. The EU Parliament will have a final say on the appointment on Wednesday at a vote scheduled for 1400 GMT. At the hearing, Buch said she would immediately resign from her role as an alternate if appointed as chief supervisor. ECB President Christine Lagarde said last week that the 26-member Governing Council followed the rules in Buch's selection.

Persons: Claudia Buch, Ralph Orlowski, Buch, Spain's Margarita Delgado, Joachim Nagel, Christine Lagarde, Marco Zanni, Frank Siebelt, Hugh Lawson, Alexandra Hudson Organizations: REUTERS, Central, Single, EU, ECB, Reuters, Council, Democracy Group, Alexandra Hudson Our, Thomson Locations: Frankfurt, FRANKFURT, Spain

☆ Morocco's king keeps regal distance even in earthquake crisis
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-15 | by ( Aidan Lewis | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

Analysts and rights groups say the political class has been largely co-opted, while real power rests with the king and his "Makhzen", or Morocco's old political establishment. The tremor has, however, shown the unevenness of Morocco's economic development. Meanwhile, Forbes ranked the king in 2015 among Africa's richest men, with personal wealth valued at more than $5 billion. The king ordered Almada to donate 1 billion dirhams ($100 million) to an earthquake response fund. While the king has made few appearances since the earthquake, government officials have also kept a low profile.

Persons: King Mohammed VI, Hassan II, isn't, Aboubakr Jamai, Mohammed, Almada, Manar, Aidan Lewis, Edmund Blair Organizations: Royal Armed Forces, American College of, Forbes, Africa's, Thomson Locations: Rabat, Marrakech, Morocco, Africa, France, Tunisia, Egypt, Moroccan, Tangier, Casablanca, Almada, London

☆ Mark Zuckerberg needs to better moderate Threads or it'll 'become as toxic as Twitter,' civil rights groups warn
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-14 | by ( Grace Eliza Goodwin | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

Civil rights groups warn that Threads will "become as toxic as Twitter" without better moderation. In a letter, the groups urged Mark Zuckerberg to implement more rigorous moderation standards. Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg needs to better moderate his new Threads platform, or it could "become as toxic as Twitter," civil rights, digital justice, and pro-democracy groups warned in an open letter to Zuckerberg and the head of Instagram, Adam Mosseri. "Meta must implement basic moderation safeguards on Threads now or the platform will become as toxic as Twitter," Nora Benavidez, senior counsel at Free Press, said in a press release about the letter. The civil rights groups also accused Meta of "purposefully not extending Instagram's fact-checking program to the platform and capitulating to bad actors."

Persons: Mark Zuckerberg, Zuckerberg, Instagram, Adam Mosseri, America —, Nora Benavidez Organizations: Free Press, Tech, Media Matters, America, Meta

Only 13 senators backed 42-year-old Pita, with the rest voting against him or abstaining, which his party said indicated some were acting under duress. "There are forces from the old power to pressure the Senate - from the old power to some capitalists who do not want to see a Move Forward government," party secretary general Chaithawat Tulathon said in a television interview. "Since the senators were uncomfortable in electing the PM, why not switch off this power?" he said, adding the party would attempt to limit the Senate's powers by amending an article of the constitution, which could take a month. He can run again if nominated in the next vote, which takes place on July 19, the house speaker confirmed.

Persons: Pita Limjaroenrat, Chaithawat Tulathon, Pita, Vijay Vikram Kannan, Juarawee, Rae Wee, Tom Westbrook, Martin Petty Organizations: Senate, Harvard, Constitutional Court, Senators, Societe Generale, Thomson Locations: BANGKOK, Pita, Thailand, Asia, Singapore, Bangkok

☆ Chau Van Kham: Australian retiree accused of terrorism freed from prison in Vietnam
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-11 | by ( Hilary Whiteman | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

Acting Australian Prime Minister Richard Marles said Chau Van Kham was released on humanitarian grounds and “in the spirit of friendship” between Australia and Vietnam. The Vietnamese government declared the California-based Viet Tan, or Vietnam Reform Party, a terrorist organization in 2016, accusing it of recruiting and training armed operatives. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese traveled to Vietnam last month to mark 50 years of diplomatic relations between the two countries. “We share the happy news that Mr Chau Van Kham is well and has returned to his family today,” the statement said, according to Amnesty. Pearson said Kham was one of more than 150 political prisoners detained in Vietnam for peaceful acts of free expression.

Persons: Australia CNN —, Richard Marles, ” Marles, Viet Tan, Tan, it’s, Anthony Albanese, Kham’s, Dan Nguyen, Chau, “, ” Elaine Pearson, Pearson, Kham, Pham Doan Trang, Mai Phan, Dang Dinh Bach, Hoang, Hong, ” Pearson Organizations: Australia CNN, Australian, Amnesty International, Amnesty, Vietnam Reform Party, Australian Broadcasting Corporation, Human Rights Locations: Brisbane, Australia, Sydney, Vietnam, California, United States, Asia

HONG KONG, July 5 (Reuters) - Hong Kong national security police on Wednesday arrested four men it accused of supporting overseas dissidents and of advocating for independence from China, two days after issuing warrants and bounties against several foreign-based activists. Local media, citing unnamed sources, connected the arrested men to an online platform known as "Punish Mee" that was allegedly used to provide financial aid to the eight wanted overseas activists. Two sources with knowledge of the situation told Reuters Lam was among the four arrested men mentioned in the police statement. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said on Wednesday it was "unacceptable" that Hong Kong has put bounties on two Australian residents. Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee said on Tuesday that the eight would be "pursued for life".

Persons: Mee, Ivan Lam, Reuters Lam, Demosisto, Joshua Wong, Nathan Law, Anthony Albanese, John Lee, Jessie Pang, Tyrone Siu, James Pomfret, Frank Jack Daniel, Toby Chopra Organizations: police, National Security Department, Hong Kong Police, Local, National Security Law, Central Authorities, Government, Hong, Administrative, Reuters, Kwai, Police, HK, Australian, Thomson Locations: HONG KONG, Hong Kong, China, Beijing, Hong, Kwai Chung District, United States, Britain, Australia

BAMAKO, June 18 (Reuters) - Malians will vote on Sunday in a referendum on changing the constitution that the ruling military junta and regional powers have said will pave the way to elections and a return to civilian rule. "Now is the time to confirm our commitment to the new Mali," he added, wearing his trademark beret and military fatigues. They also say the proposed constitution hands excessive authority to the president including over the legislative process. "I am for a revision of the constitution but not this referendum. Writing by Alessandra Prentice; Editing by Andrew HeavensOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Assimi Goita, Fousseini Ag Yehia, Alessandra Prentice, Andrew Heavens Organizations: West African, ECOWAS, Nations, West African Economic, Monetary Union, Thomson Locations: BAMAKO, Mali, Bamako, Saturday

☆ Trump and the Fun Factor
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-15 | by ( Astead W. Herndon | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

When Donald Trump was indicted on criminal charges in New York City two months ago, I tried to make sense of the political fallout with my colleague Nate Cohn, The Times’s chief political analyst. After poring over traditional markers about fund-raising and poll numbers, Nate mentioned another standard I’ve been thinking about over the past few days: Do Trump’s legal challenges make him more (or less) fun? But after Trump’s arraignment in federal court in Miami this week, I’m reminded of its importance. Nate wasn’t calling Trump fun as a self-evident fact, but rather identifying a set of voters who are attracted to showmanship and celebrity, are distinct from Trump’s base and follow politics only casually, if at all. Perhaps you have a friend who doesn’t care about politics, but can’t believe Trump said THAT.

Persons: Donald Trump, Nate Cohn, Nate, I’m, Nate wasn’t, Trump, Marco ” Rubio, “ Lyin, Ted ” Cruz Organizations: New York City, Democracy Fund Locations: New York, Miami

☆ Thailand election: Campaign freebies may be a 'band-aid solution' with fiscal risks
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-09 | by ( Nyshka Chandran | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +6 min

A Thai protester with a sign calling for equal workers' rights and a fair election at a Labor Day rally in Bangkok in 2023. Experts widely agree that pro-democracy groups are expected to perform strongly in light of deep-seated discontent with the current military-affiliated administration. Contenders can be divided into two categories: parties that support the pro-military establishment and a pro-democracy camp of opposition factions. Few details have been provided about funding, worrying economists who say those policies would weigh on already stretched public finances after significant fiscal support during the pandemic. Only the Move Forward party has campaigned on changing the defamation law, while Pheu Thai previously said it will consider discussing it in Parliament.

☆ Factbox: Sudan's history of coups, wars and instability
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-03 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

The commanders of the army and paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, who shared power as part of an internationally backed transition to democratic rule, have shown no sign of compromise. Here are some major episodes of political turmoil and conflict in Africa's third largest country:* 1985. President Jaafar Nimeiri, who seized power in a coup in 1969, is ousted after a popular uprising. A conflict in Sudan's western Darfur region flares, pitting rebels against government forces backed by a militia known as "Janjaweed", which roughly means "devils on horseback". This is followed by a period of rising tension between the army and civilian politicians over the transition to democratic rule.

At about 8.30 a.m. shooting started at the Soba military camp in the south of Khartoum, according to three eyewitnesses and an advisor within Dagalo's paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF). Burhan's air force was studying where the RSF was gathered, using coordinates provided by the army, two military sources told Reuters, describing plans that have not previously been reported. The RSF, meanwhile, had been locating more and more gunmen at Soba and other camps across Khartoum, the same military sources said. The army also established a small committee of senior generals to prepare for a possible conflict with the RSF, the same sources said. Both the army and the RSF were quick to blame the other publicly for sparking the violence and attempting a power grab.

☆ Sudan's army chief, the warlord and a feud that risks civil war
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-19 | by ( Michael Georgy | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +7 min

ABANDONING THEIR BENEFACTORAmid the bloodshed, Hemedti captured the attention of Bashir, a general who came to power in a 1989 coup. Bashir also gave his family and associates free rein to sell Sudan's gold, helping him amass a fortune. In the aftermath, Hemedti secured the post of deputy head of state, a position that technically reports to Burhan. Like Sudan's army, the RSF deployed fighters to Yemen where Gulf Arab states have fought a proxy war for years against Iranian-backed Houthis. The military wants the RSF integrated into the regular army and under its controls, two military sources said.

☆ Sudan's army says paramilitary mobilisation risks confrontation
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-13 | by ( Khalid Abdelaziz Nafisa Eltahir | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

"These movements and deployments happened without the agreement of the leadership of the armed forces or even coordination with it," the army spokesman said. Deputy head of Sudan's sovereign council General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo speaks during a press conference at Rapid Support Forces head quarter in Khartoum, Sudan February 19, 2023. Witnesses told Reuters that they saw a convoy of RSF vehicles including armoured trucks enter Khartoum on Thursday. Political figures issued statements on Thursday about attempts to mediate between the RSF and army high command. Hemedti, who has amassed considerable wealth and expanded domestic and foreign relations, has said repeatedly in speeches that he wants no confrontation with the army.

☆ Factbox: Who are Sudan's Rapid Support Forces?
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-13 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

KHARTOUM, April 13 (Reuters) - Here are some facts about Sudan's main paramilitary group, the Rapid Support Forces, which said on Saturday it had taken control of the presidential palace and the country's international airport in an apparent coup attempt. International Criminal Court prosecutors accused government officials and janjaweed commanders of genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity in Darfur. [1/2] Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, head of the Rapid Support Forces, greets his supporters as he arrives at a meeting in Aprag, Sudan, June 22, 2019. Rights groups have also accused RSF soldiers of tribal violence. * The Sudanese army as well as pro-democracy groups have demanded the RSF's integration into the regular armed forces.

☆ Fact Check-Lawyer’s speech mistaken for official U.S. response to Nigeria’s presidential election
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-20 | by ( Reuters Fact Check | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

An online claim that the United States has not officially congratulated Nigerian president-elect Bola Tinubu on his election win is not true. It is based on a speech by a U.S. lawyer that is being misrepresented as reflecting an official U.S. position. “Vote rigging, vote buying and bribery marred Nigeria's presidential elections. But neither the lawyer nor the Nigerian pro-democracy group speak for the U.S. government, which officially congratulated Tinubu on March 1. The U.S. has officially congratulated Nigerian president-elect Bola Tinubu.

☆ Hong Kong court convicts activists behind Tiananmen vigil
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-05 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

They were leaders of the Hong Kong Alliance in Support of Patriotic Democratic Movements of China before it disbanded under the shadow of the Beijing-imposed law. The alliance was best known for organizing candlelight vigils in Hong Kong on the anniversary of the Chinese military's crushing of the 1989 Tiananmen Square pro-democracy protests. Critics say its shutdown has shown freedoms that were promised when Hong Kong returned to China in 1997 are eroding. watch nowUnder the security law's implementation rules, the police chief can request a range of information from a foreign agent. Failure to comply with the request could result in six months in jail and a fine of 100,000 Hong Kong dollars ($12,740) if convicted.

Dec 8 (Reuters) - In a monastery in central Myanmar, a Buddhist monk, Wathawa, rallies his militia with a cry: "What's our spirit like?" shout a group of rifle-bearing men, loyalists of the military junta that seized power last year, now fighting to crush fledgling pro-democracy groups. Myanmar's Buddhist clergy previously sought to topple successive military dictatorships that kept citizens impoverished and isolated. Myanmar monks teach laypeople who in turn provide them with essentials such as food and clothing. State media broadcasts have shown military commanders showering Wathawa and his militia with cash and food donations.

☆ Sudanese anti-corruption figure freed on eve of political deal
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-04 | by ( Khalid Abdelaziz | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

The framework deal would, according to a copy seen by Reuters, involve a two-year, civilian-led political transition in which the military's role would be limited to a security and defence council headed by a prime minister. But it sets no time for a final deal and leaves sensitive issues including transitional justice and security sector reform for further talks. Leftist politician Wagdi Salih, who was freed at a police station in the capital Khartoum, was at the forefront of an anti-corruption committee tasked with dismantling Bashir's regime. The FFC had called Salih's arrest in October "purely political". Talks have been facilitated by the United Nations, the United States, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates, among others.

☆ 'Toxic Twitter' activists ramp up pressure on brands after Trump account reinstated
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-21 | by ( Sheila Dang | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

The groups in the Stop Toxic Twitter coalition complained that Musk had vowed to advertisers that Twitter would take a considered approach to reinstating banned accounts and convene a new content moderation council. Twitter began reinstating banned or suspended accounts late last week including the comedian Kathy Griffin as well as Trump. The platform also reinstated the personal Twitter account of U.S. House Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene on Monday. Major brands HBO and Mondelez were Twitter's top two advertisers in the week before the acquisition, according to data from Pathmatics. Pathmatics data showed that the top 100 advertisers between Nov. 10 to Nov. 16 spent an estimated $23.6 million on Twitter, down from $24.

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