India’s sitting PM Modi’s quest for a third term put to test as world’s largest democracy votes
Most polls predict a win for Modi and his Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party, who are up against a broad opposition alliance led by the Indian National Congress and powerful regional parties. It’s not clear who will lead India if the opposition alliance, called INDIA, wins the election. Its more than 20 parties have not put forward a candidate yet.
Pushed out of power on charges of graft and rape, South Africa’s ex-president Zuma returns to torment ruling ANC
One big reason is Jacob Zuma, the former president and ANC leader who stepped down in disgrace in 2018 amid a swirl of corruption allegations but has emerged in recent months with a new political party. It intends to be a major election player as the former president seeks revenge against former longtime allies.
Censorship: Top editors of world leading science newspapers skip probe on Covid origin in tacit admission White House used them to peddle lies
Independent journalist Paul D. Thacker has investigated scientific censorship for The Disinformation Chronicle. He told The Defender, “The science and medical journals did not publish the best research available during the pandemic. They just served as gatekeepers to protect people, institutions and corporations in power.”
Nigerian separatist leader arrested in Kenya will know fate of bail application next month
Justice Binta Murtala Nyako, who denied Kanu bail last month, had wanted to commence his trial on Wednesday. Nyako set May 20 for ruling on Kanu’s application to restore his bail or to be moved to prison or house arrest from custody of the Department of State Services (DSS), a security agency.
Trump lawyers say porn star Stormy Daniels declined subpoenaed at Brooklyn bar, papers left ‘at her feet’
Trump’s lawyers are asking Judge Juan M. Merchan to force Daniels to comply with the subpoena. In their filing, they included a photo they said DellaPorte took of Daniels as she strode away.
Despite low unemployment, ex-US President Trump plans middle-class tax cut if elected
Other ideas that Trump’s close economic advisors are discussing include an increase in the so-called standard deduction on year-end tax returns and a cut to the marginal income tax rate for middle-income households, one of the people with knowledge of those conversations said. It was unclear if either of those ideas had been presented to Trump directly.
Why Tutsis are at the centre of DR Congo’s conflict 30 years after Rwanda genocide
The M23 and the FDLR are fewer in numbers than other armed groups in the east. However, their outsized representation in public discourse and regional negotiations shows the long-term impact of the Rwandan genocide in the region.
Jailed Myanmar former leader Aung San Suu Kyi moved to house arrest due to heatwave
A nationwide conflict in Myanmar began after the army in 2021 ousted the elected government, imprisoned Suu Kyi and began suppressing nonviolent protests that sought a return to democratic rule.
Fallout from Trump’s bid to overturn election loss heads to Supreme Court, has implications
Trump took numerous steps to try to reverse his 2020 loss. His false claims of widespread voting fraud helped fuel the attack on the Capitol as Congress met to certify Biden’s victory. Trump and his allies also devised a plan to use false electors from key states to thwart certification.
Uganda: Where poverty and opulence coexist uneasily and NRM hawks use them as raw material to oppress the citizenry
The kind of oppressive attitudes and behaviours are backed up by the institutional arrangements. This helps to clarify the confusion around what some claim to be “reverse racism”.
