Latest Democracy News

$8 billion US military aid package to Taiwan will 'boost confidence' in region: president-elect

Apr. 23, 2024 05:45 AM EDT

TAIPEI, Taiwan (AP) — A $8 billion defense package approved by the U.S. House of Representatives over the weekend will “strengthen the deterrence against authoritarianism in the West Pacific ally chain,” Taiwan’s President-elect Lai Ching-te said Tuesday, in a reference to key rival China. ...

In Modi's India, opponents and journalists feel the squeeze ahead of election

Apr. 15, 2024 02:23 AM EDT

NEW DELHI (AP) — Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his government are increasingly wielding strong-arm tactics to subdue political opponents and critics of the ruling Hindu-nationalist party ahead of the nationwide elections that begin this week. A decade into power, and on...

Thai foreign minister urges Myanmar's military to avoid violent attack on border town its army lost

Apr. 12, 2024 11:34 AM EDT

MAE SOT, Thailand (AP) — Thailand’s foreign minister on Friday said he urged Myanmar’s military authorities not to violently respond to its army’s loss of an important border trading town to its opponents, and that so far they seemed to be exercising restraint. Parnpree...

Myanmar's ethnic Karen guerrillas claim to have seized the last army base defending key border town

Apr. 11, 2024 07:50 AM EDT

BANGKOK (AP) — Guerrillas from the Karen ethnic minority on Thursday claimed to have captured the last of the army’s outposts in Myawaddy township in eastern Myanmar, virtually clearing the way for them to take over the town of Myawaddy, the major crossing point for trade with Thailand. ...

Study finds voters skeptical about fairness of elections. Many favor a strong, undemocratic leader

Apr. 11, 2024 00:07 AM EDT

COPENHAGEN, Denmark (AP) — Voters in 19 countries, including in three of the world’s largest democracies, are widely skeptical about whether their political elections are free and fair, and many favor a strong, undemocratic leader, according to a study released Thursday. The...

China's Xi meets with Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov in show of support against Western democracies

Apr. 09, 2024 22:20 PM EDT

BEIJING (AP) — Chinese leader Xi Jinping met with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov Tuesday in a sign of mutual support and shared opposition to Western democracies amid Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine. “We would like to express our highest appreciation and admiration for...

Brazil Supreme Court strikes down military intervention thesis in symbolic vote for democracy

Apr. 08, 2024 09:35 AM EDT

SAO PAULO (AP) — Brazil’s Supreme Court unanimously voted Monday that the armed forces have no constitutional power to intervene in disputes between government branches, a largely symbolic decision aimed at bolstering democracy after years of increasing threat of military intervention. ...

Myanmar resistance group says its drones hit targets in the capital, but army says it shot them down

Apr. 04, 2024 12:25 PM EDT

BANGKOK (AP) — Myanmar’s main pro-democracy resistance group said Thursday its armed wing launched drone attacks on the airport and a military headquarters in the capital, Naypyitaw, but the country’s ruling military said it destroyed or seized more than a dozen drones used in the attacks. ...

Editorial Roundup: South Dakota

Apr. 03, 2024 12:27 PM EDT

Yankton Press & Dakotan. April 1, 2024. Editorial: Addressing The State Of SD Democracy A forum held last week in Vermillion explored the state of democracy in South Dakota, and three veteran lawmakers all agreed that the health of democracy in this state leaves a...

Yes, we're divided. But new AP-NORC poll shows Americans still agree on most core American values

Apr. 03, 2024 06:46 AM EDT

WASHINGTON (AP) — Despite the country's deep political polarization, most Americans share many core beliefs about what it means to be an American, according to a new poll. The poll from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research found that about 9 in 10 U.S....