Trump’s invitation to Duterte is a sign of the times

Want smart analysis of the most important news in your inbox every weekday along with other global reads, interesting ideas and opinions to know? Sign up for the Today's WorldView newsletter. Over the weekend, the White House announced that President Trump had invited President Rodrigo Duterte of the Philippines for a visit to Washington, following what […]

Source: http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/worldviews/wp/2017/05/01/trumps-invitation-to-duterte-is-a-sign-of-the-times/

Trump invites controversial Philippine leader Duterte to the White House

Signaling what's perhaps a warming relationship between their two countries, President Trump invited the controversial leader of the Philippines to the White House in a phone call Saturday. The two leaders had “a very friendly conversation” in which they talked about the North Korea threat, according to the White House's readout of the call. The two men, […]

Source: http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/worldviews/wp/2017/04/30/trump-invites-controversial-philippine-leader-duterte-to-the-white-house/

Duterte gets a pass on brutal drug war at Southeast Asia summit

JAKARTA, Indonesia -- Things went very well for President Rodrigo Duterte as the Philippines put on the 30th Summit of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), which ended early Sunday morning in Manila. None of the other nine members of the regional bloc chose to press the host on a brutal drug war that has […]

Source: http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/worldviews/wp/2017/04/30/duterte-gets-a-pass-on-brutal-drug-war-at-southeast-asia-summit/

A man played ‘Pokémon Go’ in a Russian church. He may spend 3 1/2 years in prison for it.

Last summer, Ruslan Sokolovsky entered the imposing Church of All Saints in Yekaterinburg, a city about 1,000 miles east of Moscow. The Russian Orthodox church holds special meaning for some, because it was supposedly built on the site where the last czar of Russia, Nicholas II, was murdered along with his family. But Sokolovsky wasn't […]

Source: http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/worldviews/wp/2017/04/30/a-man-played-pokemon-go-in-a-russian-church-he-may-spend-3-12-years-in-prison-for-it/

Turkey just banned Wikipedia, labeling it a ‘national security threat’

If you try to open up Wikipedia in Turkey right now, you'll turn up a swirling loading icon, then a message that the server timed out. Turkey has blocked Wikipedia. If you're inside the country, you can only access the online encyclopedia through a virtual private network connection to a system outside the country. Turkish officials […]

Source: http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/worldviews/wp/2017/04/29/turkey-just-banned-wikipedia-labeling-it-a-national-security-threat/

The ayatollah’s favorite didn’t do so well Friday’s Iranian presidential debate

Just a few days ago, hard line cleric Ebrahim Raisi was the contender to watch in the race to unseat Iranian President Hassan Rouhani. By the weekend, his candidacy was already in doubt. In the harsh, fast-paced politicking typical of Iran’s campaign season, Raisi's candidacy quickly foundered after his poor performance in a live television debate. […]

Source: http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/worldviews/wp/2017/04/29/the-ayatollahs-favorite-didnt-do-so-well-fridays-iranian-presidential-debate/

Will terror-stricken Nice turn to Marine Le Pen for president?

NICE, France — Marine Le Pen chose a pointed location for the first rally since the first round of France’s presidential election: Nice, where a Tunisian-born man killed 86 people last year by driving a truck into beachfront crowds celebrating Bastille Day. Calling Nice a “martyr city of Islamic terrorism,” Le Pen told thousands who packed […]

Source: http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/worldviews/wp/2017/04/29/will-terror-stricken-nice-turn-to-marine-le-pen-for-president/

Russia blames the U.S. after protesters storm Macedonia’s parliament

After masked protesters stormed Macedonia's parliament in the capital Skopje on Thursday evening to attack opposition lawmakers, Russia's foreign ministry has blamed the U.S. and the European Union for the political turmoil. In a statement Friday, Moscow accused the West of “gross interference” in Macedonian politics with the purported aim of manipulating “the will of the citizens with the aim of […]

Source: http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/worldviews/wp/2017/04/28/russia-blames-the-u-s-after-protesters-storm-macedonias-parliament/

Austria’s president suggested that every woman should wear a headscarf to fight Islamophobia

Austrian President Alexander Van der Bellen has ignited debate in Europe after video appeared to show him supporting a woman's right to wear an Islamic headscarf — and suggesting that all women should wear a headscarf to battle prejudice against Muslims. Speaking to students at the House of the European Union in Vienna on March 24, Van der […]

Source: http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/worldviews/wp/2017/04/28/austrias-president-suggested-that-every-woman-should-wear-a-headscarf-to-fight-islamophobia/

London’s Garden Bridge proposal is scrapped after Mayor Khan withdraws support

LONDON — London Mayor Sadiq Khan on Friday withdrew his support for a proposed garden bridge across the River Thames, saying City Hall would not provide the financial guarantees for construction and maintenance costs. Khan's move means that it’s very unlikely that the tree-lined pedestrian crossing, an idea dreamed up by the British actress Joanna Lumley, […]

Source: http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/worldviews/wp/2017/04/28/londons-garden-bridge-proposal-scrapped-after-mayor-khan-withdraws-support/

100 days into Trump’s presidency, Europe’s far right is also struggling

Want smart analysis of the most important news in your inbox every weekday along with other global reads, interesting ideas and opinions to know? Sign up for the Today's WorldView newsletter. President Trump is stumbling toward his 100th day in office — an artificial benchmark he now describes as a “ridiculous standard” concocted by the media, but […]

Source: http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/worldviews/wp/2017/04/28/100-days-into-trumps-presidency-europes-far-right-is-also-struggling/

New National Front leader quoted as saying Nazi use of poison gas was ‘impossible’

PARIS — Once again, allegations of Holocaust denial have landed on the doorstep of France’s far-right National Front. When Marine Le Pen stepped down on Tuesday as the head of France’s far-right extremist party — in what analysts described as a calculated move to broaden her appeal before the final round of France’s presidential election — she ultimately […]

Source: http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/worldviews/wp/2017/04/27/new-national-front-leader-quoted-as-saying-nazi-use-of-poison-gas-was-impossible/

A top Venezuelan official’s son makes video plea for his dad to “end the injustice”

BOGOTA — Venezuelan protesters have been trying for weeks to march to the offices of Tarek Saab, the government’s human rights ombudsman, and every time their path has been blocked by riot police and tear gas. But a new messenger took up their cause this week: Saab’s son. In a video posted to YouTube on […]

Source: http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/worldviews/wp/2017/04/27/a-top-venezuelan-officials-son-makes-video-plea-for-his-dad-to-end-the-injustice/

A Saudi Arabian man has been sentenced to death after insulting Muhammad on Twitter

The Saudi religious police had gotten word of Ahmad Al-Shamri's tweets and came to his door sometime in 2014. He was accused of using social media to say disparaging things about Islam and the prophet Muhammad, according to activists. The charge: Apostasy, a crime punishable by death. But activists with Human Rights watch say Al-Shamri […]

Source: http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/worldviews/wp/2017/04/27/a-saudi-arabian-man-has-been-sentenced-to-death-after-insulting-muhammad-on-twitter/

A mugwump? Boris Johnson’s use of insult against opposition leader leaves Britain perplexed

As Britain heads toward a snap general election, there's one question on the minds of voters: What on Earth is a “mugwump”? The query was prompted Wednesday by British Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson's use of the word as an apparent insult in a newspaper column. Writing in the right-wing Sun tabloid, he attacked opposition leader Jeremy Corbyn, […]

Source: http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/worldviews/wp/2017/04/27/a-mugwump-boris-johnsons-use-of-insult-against-opposition-leader-leaves-britain-perplexed/

German army officer disguised himself as refugee to carry out terrorist attack, investigators say

BERLIN — Police on Wednesday arrested a German army officer suspected of posing as a Syrian refugee to carry out an attack that would be blamed on migrants. According to the Frankfurt prosecutors in charge of the investigation, the 28-year-old, whose name wasn't revealed in accordance with local customs, lived an incredible double life: He registered […]

Source: http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/worldviews/wp/2017/04/27/german-army-officer-disguised-himself-as-refugee-to-carry-out-terrorist-attack-investigators-say/

How investigators figure out what chemical weapons are used — and who used them

This week, the French government released a scathing report on the deadly sarin attack in Syria. The assault bears “the signature” of President Bashar al-Assad’s chemical weapons program, researchers found. It's confirmation of something the international community long suspected — that the Syrian government was behind the attack on Khan Sheikhoun, in the northern province of Idlib, Syria, which […]

Source: http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/worldviews/wp/2017/04/27/how-investigators-figure-out-what-chemical-weapons-are-used-and-who-used-them/

A thousand Palestinian prisoners are on a hunger strike. This woman is fighting for their rights.

RAMALLAH — Khalida Jarrar’s neat office and smart appearance offer little indication that this time last year she was serving out a 15-month sentence in an Israeli jail cell. She’s an elected Palestinian parliamentarian, a lawyer, a wife and a mother. She is also, according to Israel, an agitator and a danger to its security. […]

Source: http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/worldviews/wp/2017/04/27/a-thousand-palestinian-prisoners-are-on-a-hunger-strike-this-woman-is-fighting-for-their-rights/

4,000 Canadian families will soon get paid by Ontario for doing nothing

OTTAWA — The government of Ontario, Canada’s most populous province, is joining the basic-income bandwagon with the launch of a three-year pilot program that will test how paying people an unconditional basic wage works in practice. “Many people are concerned about what the world is promising their kids,” Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne said at a Monday […]

Source: http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/worldviews/wp/2017/04/27/4000-canadian-families-will-soon-get-paid-by-ontario-for-doing-nothing/

In Venezuela and Turkey, strongmen fear the limits of their power

Want smart analysis of the most important news in your inbox every weekday along with other global reads, interesting ideas and opinions to know? Sign up for the Today's WorldView newsletter. The entrenched and embattled presidents of Venezuela and Turkey may live worlds apart, but their tenures in office are acquiring striking similarities. Both see foreign […]

Source: http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/worldviews/wp/2017/04/27/in-venezuela-and-turkey-strongmen-fear-the-limits-of-their-power/

Iran’s top diplomat says you should ignore Trump’s comments on the nuke deal

In a wide-ranging interview with the Associated Press published last week, President Trump suggested that Iran had broken the “spirit” of a nuclear proliferation deal agreed under Obama. Asked if he believed the United States would stay in the deal, Trump replied: “It's possible that we won't.” The comment seemed to offer another hint that Trump […]

Source: http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/worldviews/wp/2017/04/26/irans-top-diplomat-says-you-should-ignore-trumps-comments-on-the-nuke-deal/

Her baby’s killing was watched by thousands. But this mother isn’t angry at Facebook.

The grieving mother of an 11-month-old girl whose death was live-streamed on Facebook said she does not have ill feelings toward the social media giant. Nor is she angry at those who shared harrowing footage of her husband hanging their daughter at an abandoned hotel. Her husband, she said, is the only person she blames. “I am […]

Source: http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/worldviews/wp/2017/04/26/her-babys-killing-was-watched-by-thousands-but-this-mother-isnt-angry-at-facebook/

What it’ll take for Venuezela’s protests to work, according to an opposition expert

For the past three weeks, protests in Venezuela have simmered near a boiling point. It all started when the Supreme Court stripped the country's National Assembly of its power. The court is controlled by President Nicolás Maduro, a disciple of Hugo Chávez, while the democratically-elected legislature is dominated by those opposed to Maduro's government. The Supreme […]

Source: http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/worldviews/wp/2017/04/26/what-itll-take-for-venuezelas-protests-to-work-according-to-an-opposition-expert/

80 years later, the Nazi war crime at Guernica still matters

Want smart analysis of the most important news in your inbox every weekday along with other global reads, interesting ideas and opinions to know? Sign up for the Today's WorldView newsletter. The Nazi aircraft appeared above Guernica in the late afternoon of April 26, 1937. It was market day in the historic Basque town, with […]

Source: http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/worldviews/wp/2017/04/26/80-years-later-the-nazi-war-crime-at-guernica-still-matters/

The free press is in really bad shape around the world. A new report says populism is to blame.

Reporters are under siege around the world, even in countries once celebrated as free press bastions. That is the message of a new report from Reporters Without Borders. Each year, the organization surveys the journalism landscape worldwide. Each country is assigned a ranking based on several factors: Are journalists able to do their work safely, without […]

Source: http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/worldviews/wp/2017/04/26/the-free-press-is-in-really-bad-shape-around-the-world-a-new-report-says-populism-is-to-blame/

Over 1,000 migrants and refugees have died crossing the Mediterranean so far this year

According to the International Organization for Migration, 1,089 migrants are believed to have died while trying to cross the Mediterranean Sea since Jan. 1. Of that number, just over a thousand (1,002) are thought to have died while trying to make the journey along the central Mediterranean route between Libya and Italy. Thirty-seven more died on […]

Source: http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/worldviews/wp/2017/04/25/over-1000-migrants-and-refugees-have-died-crossing-the-mediterranean-so-far-this-year/

A HuffPost column calling to disenfranchise white men is declared hate speech in South Africa

When HuffPost expanded last year into a country still lurching past a history of racism and apartheid, its new South African editor promised honesty and “solutions-based journalism.” Two weeks ago, a solution to global inequality was proposed in the site's opinion section: Ban white men from voting. Not just in South Africa, but everywhere. Not […]

Source: http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/worldviews/wp/2017/04/25/a-huffpost-column-calling-to-disenfranchise-white-men-is-declared-hate-speech-in-south-africa/

A Thai man hanged his infant daughter on Facebook Live — then hanged himself, reports say

A man in Thailand reportedly hanged his 11-month-old daughter while broadcasting on Facebook Live on Monday and then hanged himself in what the social media company has called a “appalling incident” amid a recent string of live-streamed tragedies. The Nation, a Thai news website, reported that the man, who was identified as Wuttisan Wongtalay and whose […]

Source: http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/worldviews/wp/2017/04/25/a-thai-man-hanged-his-11-month-old-daughter-on-facebook-live-then-killed-himself-reports-say/

Britain’s pro-Brexit party left divided after ‘burqa ban’ proposal

In theory, this should have been a good moment for Britain's United Kingdom Independence Party (UKIP). The political party had long campaigned for Britain to leave the European Union, and last year its dreams came true. Now, less than a year after finding out that its anti-E.U. and anti-elite message held sway over large parts of the country, Britain […]

Source: http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/worldviews/wp/2017/04/25/britains-pro-brexit-party-left-divided-after-burqa-ban-proposal/

A child in Yemen dies every 10 minutes as humanitarian aid falls short by 85%, U.N. says

The head of the United Nations stood in front of a room full of global leaders on Tuesday and made a plaintive plea: “On average, a child under the age of 5 dies of preventable causes in Yemen every 10 minutes,” António Guterres said. “This means 50 children in Yemen will die during today’s conference, and […]

Source: http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/worldviews/wp/2017/04/25/a-child-in-yemen-dies-every-10-minutes-as-humanitarian-aid-falls-short-by-85-u-n-says/

Israel’s Netanyahu snubs German foreign minister for meeting activists critical of government

            JERUSALEM — A diplomatic tiff erupted Tuesday over a planned meeting by the visiting German foreign minister with a group highly critical of Israel's occupation of Palestinian territories. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had issued an ultimatum to Germany's top diplomat Sigmar Gabriel: either cancel that meeting or I won't […]

Source: http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/worldviews/wp/2017/04/25/israels-netanyahu-snubs-german-foreign-minister-for-meeting-activists-critical-of-government/

Cyberattack on French presidential front-runner bears Russian ‘fingerprints,’ research group says

          PARIS — A security firm claimed Tuesday that a new cyberattack against the campaign offices of the front-runner in France's presidential race carried similar digital “fingerprints” to the suspected Russian hacking of the Democratic National Committee and others. The report, released by the Trend Micro research group, did not disclose what […]

Source: http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/worldviews/wp/2017/04/25/cyberattack-on-french-presidential-front-runner-bears-russian-fingerprints-research-group-says/

Brazilian prison gang suspected in Paraguay’s ‘heist of the century’

MEXICO CITY -- The commando-style raid in the early hours of Monday unfolded with military might and coordination. Dozens of gunmen blocked highways, burned trucks and cars, sealing off the perimeter of their target for hundreds of yards. The assailants, who were wearing flak jackets and driving in armored vehicles, used explosives and .50 caliber […]

Source: http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/worldviews/wp/2017/04/25/brazilian-prison-gang-suspected-in-paraguays-heist-of-the-century/

Nervous over North Korea, Japan issues guidelines for missile attack

The government is preparing its citizens to be ready in case a missile hits Japan.

Source: http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/worldviews/wp/2017/04/25/nervous-over-north-korea-japan-issues-guidelines-for-missile-attack/

Trump races an imaginary deadline to get his border wall on track

Want smart analysis of the most important news in your inbox every weekday along with other global reads, interesting ideas and opinions to know? Sign up for the Today's WorldView newsletter. President Trump is nearing his 100th day in office this week, but there's apparently anxiety in the White House that not enough has been […]

Source: http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/worldviews/wp/2017/04/25/trump-races-an-imaginary-deadline-to-get-his-border-wall-on-track/

A painting stolen by Nazis is up for auction — despite a Jewish family’s demand for its return

As the Nazis marched toward France, the Schloss family knew Hitler's agents would come for their father's art. Adolphe Schloss, a Jewish art collector, had compiled more than 300 paintings by Flemish and Dutch artists — still regarded as one of the best collections of his time. When he died, he left the collection to […]

Source: http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/worldviews/wp/2017/04/24/a-painting-stolen-by-nazis-is-up-for-auction-despite-a-jewish-familys-demand-for-its-return/

France’s far-left failed to get its ‘Bernie Sanders’ elected. The far-right could be the winner.

PARIS — When far-leftist candidate Jean-Luc Mélenchon failed to advance into the second round of the French election Sunday night, his supporters did not only bemoan the defeat of their Bernie Sanders. They also had to accept that their project to radically change French democracy seemed to have failed. At least for now. Four hours after exit polls […]

Source: http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/worldviews/wp/2017/04/24/frances-far-left-failed-to-get-its-bernie-sanders-elected-the-far-right-could-be-the-winner/

After years of hiding their relationship, Brigitte and Emmanuel Macron enter the political stage together

PARIS — When French voters are asked to describe the centrist presidential candidate Emmanuel Macron, age appears to be a defining characteristic in several ways. The 39-year-old Macron could become the youngest contemporary French president. He would also be accompanied into the Élysée Palace by his wife Brigitte, who is 24 years older than he is. Both […]

Source: http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/worldviews/wp/2017/04/24/after-years-of-hiding-their-relationship-brigitte-and-emmanuel-macron-enter-the-political-stage-together/

French election: How the pollsters got the last laugh

The results of the first round of the French election came late Sunday: Of the 11 candidates, independent centrist Emmanuel Macron came out on top, followed closely by far-right leader Marine Le Pen. Both will now progress to a second round of voting. It's a landmark election that saw France's main political groupings pushed out […]

Source: http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/worldviews/wp/2017/04/24/french-election-how-the-pollsters-got-the-last-laugh/

The geographical divides behind Le Pen’s and Macron’s success in the polls

PARIS — As the first results of the French presidential election appeared on big TV screens on Sunday night, the two candidates who were later announced as the winners waited at two very different locations. Marine Le Pen had traveled to Henin-Beaumont, a small industrial town in northeastern France and a far-right stronghold. But Emmanuel Macron stayed in the […]

Source: http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/worldviews/wp/2017/04/24/the-geographical-divides-behind-le-pens-and-macrons-success-in-the-polls/

How close is too close? Depends on where you live.

If you've traveled even a little bit, you’ve surely had the experience of sharing a public space with someone (or many someones) who wants to stand closer to you than you’d allow your partner most of the time. (I often had this experience at the ATMs in Baku, Azerbaijan, where crowding has replaced queuing.) It’s […]

Source: http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/worldviews/wp/2017/04/24/how-close-is-too-close-depends-on-where-you-live/

Macron vs. Le Pen: The key story lines in France’s presidential runoff

Want smart analysis of the most important news in your inbox every weekday along with other global reads, interesting ideas and opinions to know? Sign up for the Today's WorldView newsletter. On Sunday, French voters proved that the pollsters do get it right sometimes. With ballots still being counted, independent centrist Emmanuel Macron and far-right leader Marine Le […]

Source: http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/worldviews/wp/2017/04/24/macron-vs-le-pen-the-key-story-lines-in-frances-presidential-runoff/

This chart shows how the French election is a break from the past

Results from the first round of the French presidential election are coming in, and centrist Emmanuel Macron and far-right politician Marine Le Pen are emerging as the top two choices of the electorate. As no candidate scored more than 50 percent of the vote, the election will go to a second and final round, set […]

Source: http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/worldviews/wp/2017/04/23/this-chart-shows-how-the-french-election-is-a-break-from-the-past/

Inside camp Le Pen: crustless sandwiches and a swastika

HÉNIN-BEAUMONT, France -- Welcome to Camp Le Pen. It was here -- in a small, industrial town in northeastern France -- that Marine Le Pen chose to hold her watch party Sunday for the first round of the French presidential election. The symbolism could not have been clearer: in a country where government, media and industry are all […]

Source: http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/worldviews/wp/2017/04/23/inside-camp-le-pen-crustless-sandwiches-and-a-swastika/

What you need to know about Emmanuel Macron and Marine Le Pen

PARIS — Among the 11 candidates in the French presidential election, only four were expected to have any chance of advancing to the second round: centrist Emmanuel Macron, far-right candidate Marine Le Pen, far-left hopeful Jean-Luc Mélenchon and conservative François Fillon. According to the latest exit polls, the two increasingly likely to make it to the second round are Le […]

Source: http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/worldviews/wp/2017/04/23/what-you-need-to-know-about-emmanuel-macron-and-marine-le-pen/

The leading French presidential candidates Emmanuel Macron and Marine Le Pen, in their own words

PARIS — The French presidential campaign has featured divisive rhetoric and a remarkable number of memorable quotes. Out of the 11 candidates, only two will make it to the second round of the election. Exit polls on Sunday evening showed centrist Emmanuel Macron with a lead of two percentage points over far-right candidate Marine Le Pen, who came […]

Source: http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/worldviews/wp/2017/04/23/the-leading-french-presidential-candidates-emmanuel-macron-and-marine-le-pen-in-their-own-words/

Photos show long lines around the world as French expats vote in presidential election

On Saturday, thousands showed up to a polling place in Montreal, creating a line that was more than a mile long. They were there to cast their ballots, but not for a Canadian election, as the turnout might have suggested. Rather, it was for a presidential race an ocean away — in France. The scene was replicated […]

Source: http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/worldviews/wp/2017/04/23/photos-show-long-lines-around-the-world-as-french-expats-vote-in-presidential-election/

As France heads to the polls, there is little enthusiasm but a feeling that a lot is at stake

PARIS — After one of France's most divisive election campaigns, voters headed to the polls on Sunday amid tight security. No candidate has been able to dominate the campaign and become the undisputed favorite in the race. But though few voters are enthusiastic about the candidates, many said Sunday that they were aware of what was at stake. Here are […]

Source: http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/worldviews/wp/2017/04/23/as-france-heads-to-the-polls-there-is-little-enthusiasm-but-a-feeling-that-a-lot-is-at-stake/

The French see echoes of the U.S. elections in their own

PARIS — The U.S. elections last November were preceded by a divisive campaign, overshadowed by government investigations, allegations of Russian meddling and an underestimated anger at the establishment that helped a candidate gain momentum while using social media to speak directly to his supporters. Surprising or not, all of this could also be said about Sunday's French presidential election. […]

Source: http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/worldviews/wp/2017/04/23/the-french-see-echoes-of-the-u-s-elections-in-their-own/

In Italy, politicians court votes by stoking racism against Romanians

MILAN — When people think of racism and xenophobia in Italy, what comes to mind is usually prejudice toward Arabs, Africans and other easily identifiable minorities. But Romanians have become one of the major targets of xenophobic abuse here — despite the fact that the two countries are both European Union members that have similar languages […]

Source: http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/worldviews/wp/2017/04/23/in-italy-politicians-court-votes-by-stoking-racism-against-romanians/

France’s terrorism problem divided the country. The election could make it worse.

PARIS — For a few days over the past two years, terrorism helped to unite some parts of French society. Following large-scale attacks, the French rallied behind their deeply unpopular President François Hollande, making his approval ratings repeatedly skyrocket for short time periods. But the times of political unity are long over. In Sunday’s first […]

Source: http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/worldviews/wp/2017/04/23/frances-terrorism-problem-divided-the-country-the-election-could-make-it-worse/

Marion Maréchal-Le Pen: ‘We’ve won the battle of ideas’

PARIS — In 2007, at age 22, Marion Maréchal-Le Pen became the youngest person ever to be elected to the French parliament. The niece of current presidential contender Marine Le Pen and the granddaughter of Jean-Marie Le Pen, Maréchal-Le Pen is already the heir apparent to the National Front's political future and the darling of the […]

Source: http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/worldviews/wp/2017/04/22/marion-marechal-le-pen-weve-won-the-battle-of-ideas/

Joseph Kony is still at large. Here’s why the U.S. and Uganda were willing to give up the hunt.

KAMPALA – This week, the international manhunt for Joseph Kony came to an undistinguished end. Both Uganda and the United States said they were withdrawing forces dedicated to catching the warlord, who remains on the run despite a multi-year, multimillion-dollar chase. Just five years ago, Kony became one of the world’s most-feared monsters. More than […]

Source: http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/worldviews/wp/2017/04/22/joseph-kony-is-still-at-large-heres-why-the-u-s-and-uganda-were-willing-to-give-up-the-hunt/

Bangkok is about to lose one of the things people love most about it

The capital of Thailand is known for many things. Golden buddhas. Sunny weather. Pretty, sweeping temples. But one of Bangkok’s most celebrated attributes is its street food. Tiny stalls fill nearly every corner, and night markets give the adventurous eater a chance to sample one or two or five or six snacks in just one stroll […]

Source: http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/worldviews/wp/2017/04/22/bangkok-is-about-to-lose-one-of-the-things-people-love-most-about-it/