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☆ Why Biden’s escalation on Trump guilty verdict is so significant
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-04 | by ( Stephen Collinson | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +10 min

Other Trump cases are in suspended animationTwo federal cases against Trump, in which he’s also pleaded not guilty, are in a holding pattern. At the same time, multiple disputes in pre-trial motions have put the looming federal trial in Florida over Trump’s alleged mishandling of classified documents into suspended animation. But if Trump wins, he could appoint an attorney general who could halt the federal cases in their tracks. Garland is also likely to face scrutiny over the Hunter Biden trial. Republicans celebrated when a plea deal, which they saw as “sweetheart” treatment for Hunter Biden, collapsed in court.

Persons: Joe Biden’s, Donald Trump, ”, ” Biden, Hunter, Biden, Trump, Fani Willis, —, ’, Willis, he’s, Jack Smith’s, Aileen Cannon, Ty Cobb, CNN’s Erin Burnett, “, it’s, ” Cobb, Cobb, Hunter Biden, who’s, marveling, Joe Biden, Biden’s, Juan Merchan, “ I’m, Adam Schiff, Kasie Hunt, General Merrick Garland, Garland, Robert Hur’s, New Jersey Democratic Sen, Robert Menendez Organizations: CNN, Republican, Democratic, Republicans, Trump, Georgia, US, Department, Trump White House, Fox News, Capitol, California Democrat, House Republicans, New Jersey Democratic Locations: Connecticut, New York, Georgia, Fulton County, Florida, York, Delaware, Trump, “ State, California, Washington

☆ With an Eye to Black Voters, Biden to Address Graduates at Morehouse College
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-19 | by ( Katie Rogers | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

President Biden will deliver a commencement speech to the graduates of Morehouse College on Sunday, an appearance that will put him directly in front of 500-plus young men who represent a slice of the electorate that is drifting away from him and toward his challenger, former President Donald J. Trump. On Saturday, Mr. Biden gave a preview of sorts to a group of supporters, many of them Morehouse alumni, shortly after his arrival in Atlanta. He told them that the election was not about two candidates but about a choice between protecting democracy and letting its ideals continue to backslide. It’s about the alternative as well,” Mr. Biden said to the audience at Mary Mac’s Tea Room, a local business owned by a Morehouse alumnus. “My opponent’s not a good loser, but he is a loser.

Persons: Biden, Donald J, Trump, “ It’s, Mr, Mary Mac’s, “ Organizations: Morehouse College, Morehouse Locations: Georgia, Atlanta

Taiwan’s incoming president, Lai Ching-te, is poised to take office on Monday, facing hard choices about how to secure the island democracy’s future in turbulent times — with wars flaring abroad, rifts in the United States over American global security priorities, and political divisions in Taiwan over how to preserve the brittle peace with China. Mr. Lai has promised to steer Taiwan on a safe course through these hazards, a theme that he is likely to highlight in his inaugural speech on a public plaza in Taipei. He has said that he will keep strengthening ties with Washington and other Western partners while resisting Beijing’s threats and enhancing Taiwan’s defenses. Yet he may also extend a tentative olive branch to Beijing, welcoming renewed talks if China’s leader, Xi Jinping, sets aside his key precondition: that Taiwan accept that it is a part of China. “We’ll see an emphasis on continuity in national security, cross-strait issues and foreign policy,” said Lii Wen, the international director for Mr. Lai’s Democratic Progressive Party and an incoming spokesman for the new leader.

Persons: Lai Ching, Lai, Xi Jinping, “, ”, Lii Wen, Lai’s Organizations: Washington, Lai’s Democratic Progressive Party Locations: United States, Taiwan, China, Taipei, Beijing

☆ ‘Civil War’ sends a message that’s more dangerous than the violence it depicts onscreen
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-12 | by ( John Blake | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +15 min

In “Civil War,” tanks trample democracy. But the messages they send may be more dangerous than the violence depicted onscreen: The collapse of democracy is inevitable. In the film, Humphrey Bogart plays Rick, the cynical owner of a Moroccan nightclub at the onset of World War II. John Springer Collection/Corbis Historical/Getty ImagesOther World War II-era films like “Don’t be a Sucker,” which emphasized racial and religious tolerance in America, emphasized the same message. The box office success of “Civil War” ensures, though, that more “American carnage” stories are likely headed our way .

Persons: Yuval Noah Harari, Harari, Volodymyr Zelensky, ”, Alex Garland’s “, Donald Trump, Casablanca ’, Humphrey Bogart, Rick, “ We’ll, Dooley Wilson, Ingrid Bergman, Everett, Rick —, Adolf Hitler’s, Democracy’s, Cristóbal, Berry, “, Frank Capra, Frank Sinatra, Sinatra, ” Frank Sinatra, John Springer, Kermit Roosevelt III, Roosevelt, ” Roosevelt, Reagan, Obama, Ronald Reagan, Barack Obama —, Diana Walker, ” Reagan, Reagan’s, Barack Obama, Chuck Kennedy, Trump, hasn’t, Walt Whitman, Whitman, ” Whitman, ” Read Whitman, ” Walt Whitman, Ian Beacock, ” Beacock, Beacock, Ivan Illich, ” Kirsten Dunst, John Blake Organizations: CNN, Casablanca, paragon, Library of Congress, Nazi, Convention, Former, Lions, Hulton, “ Locations: Russia, Ukraine, Ukrainian, Russian, America, United States, “, Casablanca, Moroccan, Adolf Hitler’s Nazi, Nazi, Charlottesville , Virginia, Vietnam, Kansas, Kenya, Denver , Colorado, Austrian, China

☆ South Africa’s democracy is turning 30 – but a silent crisis threatens its hard-fought gains
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-26 | by ( David Mckenzie | Sarah Dean | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +9 min

Soweto, South Africa CNN —Seth Mazibuko strides into the intersection of Moema and Vilakazi Street in Soweto, gesturing to the spot that changed South African history. Cars are used as roadblocks on June 21, 1976, during unrest in Soweto, South Africa, stemming from protests against the use of Afrikaans in schools. But as South Africans celebrate 30 years of democracy this week, many educators and activists believe that there is a crisis hollowing out the country’s education system – a crisis that threatens democracy’s hard-fought gains. Despite substantial education funding, South African students consistently rank among the lowest in global assessments of literacy and numeracy skills. South Africa has the highest unemployment rate in the world and many university graduates struggle to enter the workforce.

Persons: South Africa CNN — Seth, ”, Mazibuko, Mike Mizleni, Prince Mulwela, Angie Motshekga, Motshekga, Nelson Mandela, Walter Dhladhla, it’s, Ann Bernstein, Bernstein, Morris Isaacson, “, ‘, ’, General, Mbali Msimanga, Atlegang Alcock, Mandela Organizations: South Africa CNN, Black South, Getty, Keystone, Hulton, “, Morris Isaacson High School, CNN, South, Basic, African National Congress, ANC, of Development, Enterprise, Corruption, South African Democratic Teachers Union, Cape Town Locations: Soweto, South Africa, Moema, gesturing, AFP, Africa, Canada, Kenya, Oshlange, Black, Durban, South Africa's, Johannesburg, Robben, Cape

☆ Opinion | Trump’s Warning of a ‘Blood Bath’ if He Loses
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-18 | by ( ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

To the Editor:Re “Trump Says Some Migrants Are ‘Not People’ and Predicts a ‘Blood Bath’ if He Loses” (nytimes.com, March 16):In a campaign speech in Ohio on Saturday, former President Donald Trump said that if he didn’t get elected, “it’s going to be a blood bath for the country.”His warning was not a prediction. This was a brazen threat: If the election disappoints Mr. Trump and his followers, they will revolt. Mr. Trump might be increasingly inarticulate, but the peril is clear in his own words. Mr. Trump’s use of the phrase “blood bath” was not exaggeration for effect or bombast. Mr. Trump has effectively secured a major party’s nomination for president.

Persons: “ Trump, Donald Trump, didn’t, “ it’s, Mr, Trump, Anderson Organizations: Trump, Court Locations: Ohio

Meanwhile, there are concerns among many observers that Indonesia’s democracy has been backsliding in recent years. Southeast Asia’s largest economyThe U.S. government sees Indonesia’s democracy as critical to regional stability, and at least for the last two decades, U.S.-Indonesia relations have been built on shared values of democracy. Financial irregularities tied to election funding have also dogged parties across the political spectrum, leading the Association for Election and Democracy to cite a worrisome trend of citizens coming to see money politics as acceptable within a competitive democracy. The other challenge during the election campaign is the lack of accountability and transparency for campaign funding. A slide toward autocracyThe decline in the quality of Indonesia’s democracy has been years in the making.

Persons: Ceria Sari, Prabowo, Ganjar, Anies, –, Burhanuddin Muhtadi, Joko Widodo’s, Gibran Rakabuming Raka, Widodo Organizations: Commission, Association for Election, Dem Democracy Locations: U.S, Indonesia, Central Java, Jakarta, Baswedan

HONG KONG (AP) — Asian shares were mostly higher on Monday, with Tokyo extending its New Year rally, as China’s central bank kept its one-year policy loan interest rate unchanged. China’s central bank opted to keep its one-year policy loan interest rate at 2.5% on Monday while injecting funds into the financial system. Traders are largely betting on the Fed cutting its main interest rate six or more times through 2024. The airline and other travel-related companies were also hurt by a rise in oil prices, which put pressure on their fuel costs. A barrel of benchmark U.S. crude oil rose 10 cents to $72.78.

Persons: Zhaopeng Xing, Raymond Yeung, “, Ernie, Baidu, Lai Ching, Lai, Taiwan’s Taiex, Australia’s, It's, Yemen’s Houthi, Brent Organizations: ANZ, Baidu, Democratic Progressive Party, Dow Jones, UnitedHealth Group, Nasdaq, Federal Reserve, Treasury, Traders, Fed, Delta Air Lines, United Airlines, Cruise Line Holdings, U.S Locations: HONG KONG, Tokyo, Hong Kong, Shanghai, South Korea, China, Taiwan

TAIPEI, Taiwan (AP) — Ruling-party candidate Lai Ching-te emerged victorious in Taiwan’s presidential election on Saturday, a result that will determine the trajectory of the self-ruled democracy’s contentious relations with China over the next four years. Beijing strongly opposes Lai, the current vice president who abandoned his medical career to pursue politics from the grassroots to the presidency. It's the first time a single party has led Taiwan for three consecutive four-year presidential terms since the first open presidential election in 1996. Its candidate, Hou Yu-ih, also had promised to restart talks with China while bolstering national defense. Evelyn Ni traveled from China especially to get a taste of Taiwan’s election.

Persons: Lai Ching, Lai, Tsai Ing, Hou Yu, Hou, “, I’m, David Chiau, Ko Wen, Ko, Chen Binhua, Beijing wouldn't, ” Chen, Antony Blinken, ” Blinken, Evelyn Ni, Tony Chen, ”, Xi Jinping, Stacy Chen, Gabrielle Reid, Sung Organizations: Democratic, Nationalist, KMT, ih, Taiwan People’s Party, DPP, Cabinet's Taiwan Affairs Office, Biden, Associated Press Locations: TAIPEI, Taiwan, China, Beijing, Japanese, United States, Taipei, Russia, Ukraine, South China

In the months leading up to a pivotal presidential election for Taiwan, candidates have focused on who can best handle the island democracy’s volatile relationship with China, with its worries about the risks of war. But at a recent forum in Taipei, younger voters instead peppered two of the candidates with questions about everyday issues like rent, telecom scams and the voting age. It was a telling distillation of the race, the outcome of which will have far-reaching implications for Taiwan. The island is a potential flashpoint between the United States and China, which claims Taiwan as its territory and has signaled that it could escalate military threats if the Democratic Progressive Party wins. A considerable number expressed disillusionment with Taiwan’s two dominant parties, the governing Democratic Progressive Party and the opposition Nationalist Party.

Organizations: Democratic Progressive Party, Nationalist Party Locations: Taiwan, China, Taipei, United States

☆ China Tried Using Economic Ties to Bring Taiwan Closer. It Isn’t Working.
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-23 | by ( Joyu Wang | Nathaniel Taplin | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

TAIPEI—For years, Beijing hoped to win control of Taiwan by convincing its people their economic futures were inextricably tied to China. Instead, more Taiwanese businesses are pivoting to the U.S. and other markets, reducing the island democracy’s dependence on China and angering Beijing as it sees its economic leverage over Taiwan ebb.

Locations: TAIPEI, Beijing, Taiwan, China

☆ 'Narwhal' ship: Taiwan unveils first domestically built submarine as China threat grows
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-28 | by ( Eric Cheung | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +9 min

“It is also important equipment for our naval forces in developing asymmetric warfare strategies.”“In the past, many people thought building an indigenous submarine would be an impossible task. Taiwan's president gives a speech at the launch ceremony of Taiwan's first domestically built submarine, in Kaohsiung on September 28. Tsai said the indigenous submarine project was “a top priority” of her administration. Video Ad Feedback Taiwan's military is preparing in case China attacks. But Taiwan’s indigenous military procurement program remains a lynchpin of its defense strategy, particularly when it comes to systems like anti-ship missiles that could defend against a potential invasion.

Persons: Tsai Ing, Kun, ” Tsai, “, Tsai, Taiwan's, Eric Cheung, Sandra Oudkirk, Washington’s, Admiral Huang Shu, kuang, Huang, ” Huang, Collin Koh, ”, Admiral Huang, Joe Biden, Donald Trump, Xi Jinping, Nancy Pelosi, Lee Teng Organizations: Taiwan CNN, Taiwan, CNN, National Security Council, Rajaratnam, of International Studies, PLA Navy, Party, US Pacific Fleet Locations: Kaohsiung, Taiwan, Taipei, Beijing, China, ”, Philippines, Japan, Singapore, Philippine, United States, Taiwan Strait, South Korea, India

☆ Atop the State Department, Democracy’s Treasures Can Complicate or Clarify Messages
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-10 | by ( Julie Lasky | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

But in the late 1960s, the architect Edward Vason Jones began to bedazzle the State Department’s eighth floor with cornices, columns, coffers and gilding. And as before, every art piece, every gold flake, every carpet thread was donated or paid for by private funders. An opulent new book called “America’s Collection: The Art & Architecture of the Diplomatic Reception Rooms at the U.S. Department of State” (Rizzoli/Electa) tells this story in pictures of frumpy interiors turned into glittering set pieces. The rooms, which have been closed for renovations and updating, preserving their antique character, as the State Department building itself is re-roofed, will reopen Sept. 26. Members of the public can book visits at iipstate.my.site.com and can explore the rooms online in a self-guided virtual tour.

Persons: Edward Vason Jones, Francis Scott Key’s, Allan Greenberg Organizations: State, Sears, Roebuck, U.S . Department of State ”, State Department Locations: Paris, iipstate.my.site.com

☆ Asia - Latest News, Investigations and Analysis
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-17 | by ( ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

U.S. Looks to Head Off Trouble Over Visit by Taiwan Vice PresidentTaiwan’s vice president plans to visit the U.S. in August, less than five months after a similar visit by the island democracy’s president sparked an angry response from Beijing.

Organizations: Taiwan Locations: U.S, Beijing

☆ In Israel, High Stakes for High Court: Democracy’s Fate
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-30 | by ( Emily Bazelon | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

When the Israeli Supreme Court announced Wednesday that it would review a new law designed to curb its power, it set up a complicated choice for itself. Over the last few decades, attempts to weaken the courts around the world have become recurring signals that a democracy is in trouble. It’s more like a flashing red light, and how the judiciary responds can begin to decide how much damage is done. “What helps determine whether courts come back from the brink?” said Rosalind Dixon, a law professor at the University of New South Wales in Australia. “The mix of skills and strategic behavior of the court, and the degree of support it has from civil society and institutions and elites.”

Persons: Benjamin Netanyahu’s, ”, Rosalind Dixon Organizations: Supreme, University of New Locations: Russia, Turkey, Venezuela, University of New South Wales, Australia

☆ Suspecting Clandestine Plots Behind Every Door
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-11 | by ( Elizabeth Williamson | More About Elizabeth Williamson | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

UNDER THE EYE OF POWER: How Fear of Secret Societies Shapes American Democracy, by Colin DickeyThe Memorial Day pancake breakfast in Blue Hill, Maine, is hosted by the Oddfellows, an 18th-century craftsmen’s guild turned community service organization, related to the Freemasons. While there this spring, I pondered the elderly members pouring coffee and selling raffle tickets to fund college scholarships. How bizarre, even funny, that this group was once perceived as a threat to America. History bristles with examples of citizens and their elected leaders hijacking public discourse by tarring — sometimes literally — perceived enemies of the American project. Unfortunately, we have willfully forgotten most of this warped history, rendering us constantly surprised by the next imagined peril.

Persons: Colin Dickey The, ” Colin Dickey, Ben Franklin, —, ” Dickey, tarring —, McCarthy, zealotry Organizations: American, Freemasons Locations: Blue Hill , Maine, America

☆ Greek PM Kyriakos Mitsotakis wins repeat election, securing clear parliamentary majority
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-25 | by ( Elinda Labropoulou | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

CNN —Kyriakos Mitsotakis, leader of Greece’s center-right New Democracy party, has won a second four-year term as prime minister. During his election campaign, Mitsotakis vowed to further extend a 35-kilometer fence at the Greek-Turkey border, to block migrants trying to enter Greece. Fueled by May’s initial election results, Greek bonds and stocks have rallied with optimism that a pro-investment government could prevent financial backsliding. Other fringe far-right entries to the race included the nationalist party Greek Solution and the ultra-religious, anti-abortion Niki. “But despite the populist cacophony, Mitsotakis’ strong victory provides the new government a clear mandate to govern.”

Persons: Kyriakos Mitsotakis, Mitsotakis, ”, “, Syriza, “ Mitsotakis, Nick Malkoutzis, ” Mitsotakis, Alexis Tsipras –, –, Tsipras, Wolfgango Piccoli, Vassiliki Georgiadou, Ilias Kasidiaris, Niki Organizations: CNN, Democracy, New Democracy, PASOK, KKE, Panteion University, Spartans, Nazi, Freedom Locations: Greece, Pylos, Turkey, Europe, New, Athens, Golden

☆ Greek elections: Ruling conservatives take lead but fail to secure majority
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-22 | by ( Elinda Labropoulou | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

If he fails to form a coalition, a caretaker government will be sworn in and a second vote will take place in late June or early July. “Neither of the two main parties are new to the scene. The turmoil, which one political party referred to as “Greek Watergate,” forced a number of high-profile departures. The most likely scenario is that a caretaker government will be sworn in and a second vote will take place, most likely, in early July. They are expected to rally behind the main parties in a second election where they will want to see a strong government emerge.

☆ Political Uncertainty in Taiwan Adds to U.S.-China Tensions
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-30 | by ( Joyu Wang | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

TAIPEI—Political tides have begun to turn in Taiwan, threatening to alter the island democracy’s relationships with both Washington and Beijing and reshape tensions between the world’s two superpowers. Taiwanese President Tsai Ing -wen departed Taipei Wednesday on a trip that includes planned stops in New York and Los Angeles, part of an effort to push forward with her Democratic Progressive Party’s strategy of cultivating closer ties with the U.S.

Rep. Jamie Raskin, a prominent member of the Jan. 6 committee and a former Trump impeachment manager, announced Wednesday that he's been diagnosed with cancer. “After several days of tests, I have been diagnosed with Diffuse Large B Cell Lymphoma, which is a serious but curable form of cancer," Raskin, D-Md., said in a statement, adding that he'll undergo "a course of chemo-immunotherapy on an outpatient basis." Rep. Ritchie Torres, D-N.Y., on Twitter called Raskin "a national treasure—an oasis of legal integrity and intellect at a time when both are desperately needed in democracy’s defense. I am praying for his strong and swift recovery as he undergoes cancer treatment. The diagnosis comes almost two years to the day after the death of Raskin's 25-year-old son, Thomas "Tommy" Bloom Raskin, by suicide.

☆ Midterm elections live updates: Pennsylvania races, New Hampshire Senate race too early to call
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-09 | by ( Brandy Zadrozny | Https | Media-Cldnry.S-Nbcnews.Com Image Upload Newscms Sahil-Kapur-Headshot.Jpg | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +109 min

Share this -Link copiedWisconsin Senate and governor's races too early to call It is too early to call the Senate and gubernatorial races in Wisconsin, according to NBC News. Share this -Link copiedNew Hampshire Senate race too early to call The Senate race in New Hampshire is too early to call, according to NBC News. Share this -Link copiedPennsylvania Senate and governor races are too early to call After polls closed at 8 p.m. While Maricopa County election officials initially categorized the problem as a “hiccup,” it took hours before a solution was identified early Tuesday afternoon. In Columbus County, election officials allegedly were harassed by an “observer following one-stop workers” and photographing or filming the workers, it said.

☆ Biden puts economic record front and center at New Mexico midterms rally
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-04 | by ( Peter Nicholas | Peter Nicholas Is A Senior National Political Reporter For Nbc News. | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +6 min

As an issue, democracy’s preservation pales in comparison to high prices and the economy. In fiery tones Thursday, Biden touted economic gains made since he succeeded former President Donald Trump — or, as he called him, “my predecessor.”“When I took office, this economy was in ruins,” Biden said. On the brink of an election that will decide control of Congress, Biden on Thursday dispensed with the unifying message that underpinned his inaugural address. If enacted, “you put Social Security and Medicare on the chopping block every five years” Biden said. Unable to squeeze inside, more than 100 people waited outdoors and were greeted by Biden before he gave his speech.

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