Nearly half of the world’s countries experienced a democratic regression in 2016, according to the new Democracy Index. A notable member of the 72 declining democracies is the United States, which fell into the “flawed democracies” category.
For today’s Humanosphere podcast, we’re talking with a heroic young man from the Democratic Republic of Congo – Fred Bauma. We don’t use the word heroic at Humanosphere too often. Not that we don’t regularly write about humanitarians who do important and self-sacrificing work aimed at helping those most in need. But the label ‘hero’ seems especially appropriate when applied to Bauma, a soft-spoken 26-year-old who some have dubbed Congo’s Mahatma Gandhi.
At least 1,000 protesters were arrested this month in one Ethiopian town. Mayor Ararsa Merdesa of Sebeta said most are either still detained or under investigation. It is the latest evidence of increasing crackdowns on protests in the country.
In a surprise to absolutely nobody, Uganda’s leader for nearly 30 years won last week’s presidential election. Yoweri Museveni fended…
One of the world’s worst-kept secrets is officially out. Rwandan President Paul Kagame announced on New Year’s Day that he…
Borders, a new song and music video from musician M.I.A. serves as a sharp rebuke for policies that turn away refugees.…
The potential for fair and peaceful elections in Burundi continue to wane in the run up to tomorrow’s vote. Three…
Yet again, The Associated Press exposed the United States in its attempts to covertly spark change in Cuba. First it…
Students in Cuba gather behind a business looking for a Internet signal for their smart phones in Havana, Cuba, Tuesday,…
The Guardian has published this very thought-provoking article arguing we need to stop thinking so simplistically when it comes to…