Trump’s support of gays is right out of the European far-right playbook

The rumors started Sunday: President Trump would gut an Obama-era executive order that extends workplace protections to gays and lesbians who work for federal contractors. LGTBQ activists geared up for a fight. But by Tuesday morning, Trump had backed down. In a brief statement, the White House affirmed Trump's commitment to the measure, which covers about 28 […]

Source: http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/worldviews/wp/2017/02/01/trumps-support-of-gays-is-right-out-of-the-european-far-right-playbook/

In corruption-riddled Romania, officials now allow room for modest abuses

Corruption now comes in two forms in Romania. There is the big kind that can still land an official in jail. Then there's the acceptable type that will bring nothing more than a knowing shrug. The country's governing Social Democratic Party shocked domestic and international observers Tuesday when it adopted an emergency measure to decriminalize official […]

Source: http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/worldviews/wp/2017/02/01/in-corruption-riddled-romania-officials-now-allow-room-for-modest-abuses/

America’s Supreme Court picks are highly politicized. They don’t have to be that way.

LONDON — Whenever a seat opens up on the U.S. Supreme Court, the political battle over the next justice is fierce. And to some people, that's a huge problem. Critics have called the court's confirmation process “broken” and have complained of increasing “politicization” of an institution that is supposed to stand apart from political theater — in theory. […]

Source: http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/worldviews/%3Fp%3D138465

Accused of possible ‘crimes against humanity’ Duterte minister says drug users ‘not humanity’

It was not much of a denial. On Tuesday, Amnesty International released a comprehensive new report on President Rodrigo Duterte’s self-proclaimed “war on drugs,” casting the campaign as a  state-led “war on the poor” that constitutes “possible crimes against humanity.” Based on interviews with more than 100 Filipinos and close examination of 33 cases, the report […]

Source: http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/worldviews/wp/2017/02/01/accused-of-possible-crimes-against-humanity-duterte-minister-says-drug-users-not-humanity/

New Zealand decides it’s in the public interest to make Peter Thiel a citizen

News of Thiel’s citizenship has been controversial in New Zealand, with critics suggesting the billionaire was allowed to circumvent normal residency requirements and effectively buy his passport.

Source: http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/worldviews/wp/2017/02/01/new-zealand-decided-it-was-in-the-public-interest-to-make-peter-thiel-a-citizen/