HONG KONG (AP) — One of the few remaining pro-democracy parties in Hong Kong voted to dissolve itself on Saturday, joining a growing list of organizations that have disbanded as authorities crack down on dissent.
Biden: World ‘turning the tide’ after backslide on democracy
March 29, 2023 GMTWASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden on Wednesday offered an optimistic outlook on the health of democracy worldwide, declaring that leaders are “turning the tide” in stemming a yearslong backslide of democratic institutions.
Sudan general says military leaders clinging to power
March 8, 2023 GMTCAIRO (AP) — A powerful paramilitary commander slammed Sudan's ruling generals Tuesday, saying they oppose stepping down to allow for a democratic transition under a civilian administration.
Hungarian delegation backs Sweden’s NATO application
March 7, 2023 GMTCOPENHAGEN, Denmark (AP) — A parliamentary delegation from Hungary said Tuesday that it supports Sweden’s NATO membership bid after meeting the speaker of the Swedish parliament to iron out what Hungary’s governing party has called “political disputes.”
Sudan court acquits activists accused of killing intel agent
March 6, 2023 GMTCAIRO (AP) — A Sudanese court Monday acquitted eight activists accused of killing a military intelligence agent at a protest rally last year in the capital, defense lawyers said.
The court in Khartoum ordered the activists' release, according to the Lawyers’ Democratic Front, an umbrella of attorneys defending pro-democracy protesters.
Hong Kong court convicts activists behind Tiananmen vigil
March 4, 2023 GMTHONG KONG (AP) — Three Hong Kong activists from a now-defunct group that organized annual vigils commemorating China’s 1989 crackdown on pro-democracy protesters were convicted on Saturday for failing to provide authorities with information on the group in accordance with a national security law.
Quad FMs, wary of China’s might, push Indo-Pacific options
March 3, 2023 GMTNEW DELHI (AP) — The top diplomats of Australia, India, Japan and the United States offered sharp but veiled criticism of China on Friday, even as they maintained their Indo-Pacific-focused bloc is not aimed at countering Beijing.
Cambodian opposition leader set for treason trial verdict
March 2, 2023 GMTPHNOM PENH, Cambodia (AP) — Cambodia’s beleaguered pro-democracy forces face another day of reckoning Friday, as the country’s most prominent opposition politician not in exile is scheduled to hear the verdict in his trial for treason.
Putting Mongolia on the digital map: Bolor-Erdene Battsengel
February 28, 2023 GMTBolor-Erdene Battsengel wants to transform Mongolia into a “digital first” country — and help young people, especially girls in this sparsely populated nation of 3.3 million, to learn how to code.
Mexican president: Mexico has more democracy than US
February 28, 2023 GMTMEXICO CITY (AP) — Mexico’s president said Tuesday his country is more democratic than the United States.
President Andrés Manuel López Obrador’s testy comments came after U.S. officials took note of heated public debate in Mexico over López Obrador’s recently approved electoral reforms, which critics allege could weaken Mexico's democracy.
Mexican president disparages pro-democracy demonstrators
February 27, 2023 GMTMEXICO CITY (AP) — Mexico’s president lashed out Monday against demonstrators opposed to his plan to cut election funding, belittling their concerns about threats to democracy and dashing any hopes that he would try to ease rising political tensions.
Gérard Latortue, former interim Haitian premier, dies at 88
February 27, 2023 GMTSAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) — Gérard Latortue, a former interim prime minister of Haiti who helped rebuild and unite the country after a violent coup in the mid-2000s, has died. He was 88.
Prime Minister Ariel Henry announced Latortue's death Monday, saying it was a tremendous loss for the nation.
Tens of thousands protest Mexico’s electoral law changes
February 27, 2023 GMTMEXICO CITY (AP) — Tens of thousands of people filled Mexico City’s vast main plaza Sunday to protest President Andrés Manuel López Obrador's electoral law changes they say threaten democracy and could mark a return to the past.
Philippines marks 1986 revolt with dictator’s son as leader
February 25, 2023 GMTMANILA, Philippines (AP) — Pro-democracy protesters in the Philippines marked the anniversary on Saturday of the 1986 army-backed “people power” revolt with the son of the dictator, who was ousted in that uprising, now leading the country.
Appreciating Jimmy Carter, outspoken but ‘never irrelevant’
February 25, 2023 GMTWASHINGTON (AP) — Ever the outsider, Jimmy Carter served a turbulent term in the White House. His presidency was beset by soaring interest and inflation rates, gasoline pump lines and the Iran hostage crisis that eventually led to his re-election defeat.
Jill Biden voices kinship with Africans’ fight for democracy
February 24, 2023 GMTNAIROBI, Kenya (AP) — U.S. first lady Jill Biden said Friday that she feels a kinship with Africans during her sixth visit to the continent, telling The Associated Press in an exclusive interview that she wants to support nations fighting for democracy — “just like I feel we're doing in the United States.”
Reforms to Mexico electoral law spark fierce debate
February 24, 2023 GMTMEXICO CITY (AP) — Mexico’s elections chief slammed President Andrés Manuel López Obrador’s move to cut elections spending as an assault on democracy Thursday — criticism the leftist president dismisses as elitist.
Algeria dissolves pro-democracy group amid wider crackdown
February 23, 2023 GMTALGIERS, Algeria (AP) — Algerian authorities on Thursday dissolved a decades-old pro-democracy group that participated in the peaceful protests which helped force the North African country’s long-time President Abdelaziz Bouteflika from office in 2019.
Israel’s rightward shift is straining its ties with US Jews
February 23, 2023 GMTAn array of U.S. Jewish leaders are sounding alarms about what they see as a threat to Israel’s democracy posed by its new government, fearing it will erode the independence of its judiciary and legal protections for minority groups.
China, Iran call on Afghanistan to end restrictions on women
February 16, 2023 GMTBEIJING (AP) — China and Iran have urged mutual neighbor Afghanistan to end restrictions on women’s work and education.
The call came in a joint statement Thursday issued at the close of a visit to Beijing by Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi during which the two sides affirmed close economic and political ties and their rejection of Western standards of human rights and democracy.
Paraguay leader praises Taiwan as ‘lighthouse of democracy’
February 16, 2023 GMTTAIPEI, Taiwan (AP) — The outgoing president of Paraguay, whose country is one of Taiwan's few remaining diplomatic allies, spoke of his admiration for the island democracy while on a state visit to Taipei on Thursday.
Israel’s president urges Netanyahu to delay legal overhaul
February 12, 2023 GMTJERUSALEM (AP) — Israel's president on Sunday appealed to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to delay a contentious plan to overhaul the country's judicial system and instead seek a compromise with his political opponents.
Biden, Lula focus on democracy, climate during visit
February 11, 2023 GMTWASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden and Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva met at the White House on Friday and reflected on how their nations were tested in their respective battles to preserve democracy, with the U.S.
Swiss lawmakers visit Taiwan, say they want closer ties
February 6, 2023 GMTTAIPEI, Taiwan (AP) — A group of Swiss lawmakers met with Taiwan’s president and said Monday their government wants to deepen political relations, adding to shows of support by foreign politicians for the self-ruled island democracy in the face of Chinese intimidation.
Subversion trial for Hong Kong political activists opens
February 6, 2023 GMTHONG KONG (AP) — Some of Hong Kong’s best-known pro-democracy activists went on trial Monday in the biggest prosecution yet under a law imposed by China’s ruling Communist Party to crush dissent.
Brazil’s Congress reelects leaders, aiding Lula’s agenda
February 1, 2023 GMTBRASILIA, Brazil (AP) — Brazilian lawmakers on Wednesday voted to reelect the heads of both the Chamber of Deputies and the Senate, bolstering President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva's prospects for passing legislation and governing in the polarized nation.
NATO chief urges closer ties with Japan to defend democracy
January 31, 2023 GMTTOKYO (AP) — NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg sharply criticized China on Tuesday for “bullying its neighbors and threatening Taiwan” and stressed the need for Japan and other democracies to work together with the alliance to defend the international order.
China scoffs at new Czech president’s phone call with Taiwan
January 31, 2023 GMTBEIJING (AP) — China on Tuesday accused Czech President-elect Petr Pavel of challenging its hard line on national sovereignty by affirming ties with self-ruled Taiwan in a phone call with the island’s leader.
Turkey’s opposition vows more democracy if it wins election
January 30, 2023 GMTANKARA, Turkey (AP) — A coalition of six Turkish opposition parties striving to end two decades of rule by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Monday reaffirmed a commitment for a return to parliamentary democracy should their alliance win elections that are likely to be held on May 14.
Challenge for Tunisian democracy: Getting voters to show up
January 28, 2023 GMTTUNIS, Tunisia (AP) — Tunisia was once the Arab world’s hope for a new era of democracy. Now it’s in the midst of an election that’s more of an embarrassment than a model.
Barely 11% of voters turned out in the first round of parliamentary elections last month, boycotted by opposition Islamists and ignored by many Tunisians disillusioned with their leaders.
Crusading judge tests boundaries of free speech in Brazil
January 25, 2023 GMTSAO PAULO (AP) — With his Batman-like gown, athletic build and bald head, Brazilian Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes cuts an imposing figure.
To some, his actions from the bench are more intimidating.
Tanzania’s opposition leader returns after 5 years in exile
January 25, 2023 GMTNAIROBI, Kenya (AP) — Tanzanian opposition leader Tundu Lissu has arrived home after five years in exile, three weeks after the country’s president lifted a ban on opposition rallies.
He arrived at the main Julius Nyerere International Airport on Wednesday afternoon and was received by opposition party officials and greeted by supporters who lined the road outside the airport.
UN rights chief condemns killing of activist in Eswatini
January 23, 2023 GMTCAPE TOWN, South Africa (AP) — United Nations humans rights chief Volker Türk on Monday condemned the “brutal killing” of a leading pro-democracy activist in the southern African nation of Eswatini, which is one of the world's few remaining absolute monarchies.
Taiwan ruling party’s new chair vows to safeguard democracy
January 18, 2023 GMTTAIPEI, Taiwan (AP) — The new head of Taiwan's ruling party who described himself as pro-independence vowed to uphold the self-ruled island's democracy in face of China's authoritarianism and continue with policies that have defined relations with China and the U.S.
Biden: Americans should ‘pay attention’ to MLK’s legacy
January 16, 2023 GMTATLANTA (AP) — President Joe Biden made a historical pilgrimage Sunday to “America's freedom church” to mark Martin Luther King Jr.'s birthday, saying democracy was at a perilous moment and that the civil rights leader's life and legacy "show us the way and we should pay attention.”
Brazil reckons with artistic treasures ruined in riot
January 13, 2023 GMTBRASILIA, Brazil (AP) — The horde of rioters who invaded government buildings on Jan. 8 in an attack on Brazil's democracy left behind a trail of destruction whose full scope is only now coming into full view.
China renews threat against Taiwan as island holds drills
January 11, 2023 GMTBEIJING (AP) — China renewed its threats Wednesday to attack Taiwan and warned that foreign politicians who interact with the self-governing island are “playing with fire.”
A spokesperson for China's Taiwan Affairs Office said the country was recommitted in the new year to “safeguarding sovereignty and territorial integrity” and “smashing plots for Taiwan independence” on the self-governing democracy that separated from mainland China in 1949.
Lawyers for jailed Hong Kong publisher Lai ask to meet UK PM
January 11, 2023 GMTHONG KONG (AP) — Lawyers for a jailed Hong Kong pro-democracy publisher have asked for an urgent meeting with U.K. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, a leading member of his international legal team said Tuesday.
‘No amnesty!’: Brazilian protests demand jail for rioters
January 10, 2023 GMTRIO DE JANEIRO (AP) — “No amnesty! No amnesty! No amnesty!”
The chant reverberated off the walls of the jam-packed hall at the University of Sao Paulo’s law college on Monday afternoon. Within hours, it was the rallying cry for thousands of Brazilians who streamed into the streets of Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo, penned on protest posters and banners.
German, Lithuanian lawmakers show support in Taiwan visit
January 10, 2023 GMTTAIPEI, Taiwan (AP) — Lithuanian lawmakers on a visit to Taiwan took aim at China Tuesday, saying the world's second largest economy tried to use all sorts of measures to change Lithuania's decision to break diplomatic norms in warming up relations with the self-ruled island democracy.
Brazil and Jan. 6 in US: Parallel attacks, but not identical
January 10, 2023 GMTEnraged protesters broke into government buildings that are the very symbol of their country’s democracy. Driven by conspiracy theories about their candidate's loss in the last election, they smashed windows, sifted through the desks of lawmakers and trashed the highest offices in the land in a rampage that lasted hours before order could be restored.
South Africa’s ruling ANC party fetes 111th anniversary
January 8, 2023 GMTJOHANNESBURG (AP) — South Africa’s ruling African National Congress party marked its 111th anniversary Sunday with celebratory events in Mangaung, Free State province, where the organization was founded in 1912.
Jan. 6 remembrance led by Dems as GOP wrestled with rebels
January 7, 2023 GMTWASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden conferred high honors on those who stood against the Jan. 6 Capitol mob two years ago and the menacing effort in state after state to upend the election, declaring “America is a land of laws, not chaos,” even as disarray rendered Congress dysfunctional for a fourth straight day.
Newly elected Fiji PM vows to tackle growing national debt
December 29, 2022 GMTMELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — Fiji’s Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka vowed to address the “litany of woe” created by the nation’s former government while raising concerns about the Pacific nation’s massive debt.
Jan. 6 takeaways: From Trump’s lies to the ‘unimaginable’
December 23, 2022 GMTWASHINGTON (AP) — The House Jan. 6 committee released its final report Thursday on the “unimaginable” 2021 attack on the U.S. Capitol, a mob assault by supporters of the defeated president, Donald Trump, that shook the nation and exposed the fragility of American democracy.
Venezuela opposition looks to overhaul ‘interim government’
December 22, 2022 GMTCARACAS, Venezuela (AP) — Juan Guaidó has been the face of Venezuelans' efforts to restore their democracy since he took to the streets to challenge the rule of President Nicolás Maduro in early 2019.
WTO rejects US ‘Made in China’ labeling on Hong Kong goods
December 22, 2022 GMTGENEVA (AP) — World Trade Organization arbitrators concluded Wednesday that the United States was out of line in requiring that products from Hong Kong be labeled as “Made in China,” a move that was part of Washington's response to a crackdown on pro-democracy protests there in 2019-2020.
Jan. 6 panel prepares to unveil final report on insurrection
December 22, 2022 GMTWASHINGTON (AP) — An 800-page report set to be released Thursday by House investigators will conclude that then-President Donald Trump criminally plotted to overturn his 2020 election defeat and “provoked his supporters to violence” at the Capitol with false claims of widespread voter fraud.
Hogan: Trump at ‘lowest point ever’ on day of Jan. 6 report
December 19, 2022 GMTANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) — Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan, a Republican weighing a 2024 White House bid, said Monday he believes former President Donald Trump is “at his lowest point ever," as the House Jan. 6 committee wrapped up its investigation into what Hogan described as "one of the darkest days in American history."
Myanmar military accuses opponents of bombing ferry boat
December 19, 2022 GMTBANGKOK (AP) — Myanmar’s army on Monday accused opponents of the military-imposed government of responsibility for an explosion that injured 17 people on a ferry boat in the country’s largest city, Yangon.
Activists: Survey of Black people in US in its homestretch
December 16, 2022 GMTMore than 100 racial justice groups, led by a co-founder of the Black Lives Matter movement, are making a last push on a large-scale survey that will be the basis for a public policy agenda focused on the needs of Black people who often are not as engaged in conventional public polling and opinion research.
Top Israeli legal official: Planned laws undermine democracy
December 15, 2022 GMTTEL AVIV, Israel (AP) — Israel's attorney general warned on Thursday against a raft of legislation being proposed by the expected next government, saying some of the planned new laws would imperil the country's democratic principles.
Hong Kong publisher’s security trial further delayed
December 13, 2022 GMTHONG KONG (AP) — The national security trial of a Hong Kong pro-democracy publisher was further postponed Tuesday to next September as the city awaits Beijing's ruling that could effectively block him from hiring a British defense lawyer.
Hong Kong leader to press China anthem request with Google
December 13, 2022 GMTHONG KONG (AP) — Hong Kong’s leader said Tuesday he will push Google to display China’s national anthem as the top result in searches for the city’s anthem instead of a protest song.
US hits Zimbabwe president’s son with sanctions
December 12, 2022 GMTWASHINGTON (AP) — The Biden administration on Monday slapped corruption sanctions on the son of Zimbabwe’s president as the U.S. prepares to host a major summit of African leaders in Washington.
Blinken threatens travel ban for Sudanese who endanger deal
December 8, 2022 GMTCAIRO (AP) — Secretary of State Antony Blinken warned Sudanese leaders Wednesday that the United States will impose a travel ban on any individuals who threaten to derail Sudan’s fragile democratic transition.
Sudan’s generals, pro-democracy group ink deal to end crisis
December 5, 2022 GMTKHARTOUM, Sudan (AP) — Sudan’s coup leaders and the main pro-democracy group signed a deal Monday to establish a civilian-led transitional government following the military takeover last year.
Supreme Court weighs ‘most important case’ on democracy
December 4, 2022 GMTWASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court is about to confront a new elections case, a Republican-led challenge asking the justices for a novel ruling that could significantly increase the power of state lawmakers over elections for Congress and the presidency.
Hong Kong divided over China’s COVID-19 protests
December 2, 2022 GMTHONG KONG (AP) — The recent wave of protests against China's anti-virus restrictions was a ray of hope for some supporters of Hong Kong's own pro-democracy movement after local authorities stifled it using a national security law enacted in 2020.
Hong Kong publisher Lai faces Security Law in delayed trial
December 1, 2022 GMTHONG KONG (AP) — Jimmy Lai broke into Hong Kong's rambunctious media world 30 years ago armed with the belief that delivering information equates with protecting freedom.
Lai's own freedom is at stake as he fights charges of endangering national security as former publisher of his now-defunct pro-democracy newspaper Apple Daily.