Democracy

Artdocfest is a crucial outpost of free expression on Russia’s doorstep

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, March 13, 2024

When The Motherland Aborts You, also titled Country Abortion (Zoya Vodyanova, a pseudonym, Czechia/US) follows a lesbian couple.

Key Points: 
  • When The Motherland Aborts You, also titled Country Abortion (Zoya Vodyanova, a pseudonym, Czechia/US) follows a lesbian couple.
  • One of the women, Zakhara, has moved to India and the other, Lina, starts the film in St Petersburg.
  • Franak Viačorka, Tsikhanouskaya’s chief political advisor spoke at the festival, necessitating heightened security and illustrating Artdocfest’s importance.
  • Latvia shares a border with Belarus and Russia: these dictatorships are a threat to their neighbours as well their own citizens.

‘Ukraine Above All’

  • Artdocfest has promoted films by and about Ukraine ever since the 2014 illegal annexation of Ukraine, even when it was based in Russia.
  • However, a global appetite for Ukrainian documentary films about the war means some of the biggest now head to Sundance or Berlin festivals, achieving wider distribution.
  • The Mist (Dmytro Shovkoplias) is an immersive film conveying the confusion and disorientation of suddenly finding yourself caught in a war.
  • This same dislocation of up to 10 million people was depicted by winner of the main prize, In the Rearview.


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Jeremy Hicks is a member of the UK Labour Party

Rishi Sunak’s plan to redefine extremism is disingenuous – and a threat to democracy

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, March 13, 2024

This, he has argued, is needed because “our democracy itself is a target” of antisemitic and Islamophobic extremists.

Key Points: 
  • This, he has argued, is needed because “our democracy itself is a target” of antisemitic and Islamophobic extremists.
  • However, the reality is that no measures do more damage to democracy than policy proposals like the one Sunak is promoting.
  • The UK already has a definition for extremism, which is used in efforts to tackle terrorism.
  • A key reason why this definition is not contained in legislation is because it is so vague and unclear.

Vague to vaguer

  • What does it mean to undermine or overturn the rights or freedoms of others?
  • Would arguing for the UK to leave the European convention on human rights count meet the bar?
  • What about calling for restrictions on the right to free speech or the right to protest?

Existing laws are enough

  • But the UK already has numerous laws in place to tackle what it considers to be unacceptable behaviour at protests.
  • The Terrorism Act (which is also incredibly broad) can be used to prosecute people who damage property or create a serious risk to public safety during protests.
  • Counter-terrorism laws can also capture forms of expression at public demonstrations or online.
  • This can now be applied by he police to criminalise protests that are considered to be making too much noise.

The right to protest

  • People may self-censor out of fear of being identified as extremist, not least when their employer has a duty under Prevent.
  • There is a deep danger of conflating protest with extremism and terrorism, undermining the legitimacy of these protests.
  • To stretch the concept of extremism to cover these views is what is actually undermining democracy and the rights and freedoms of others.


Alan Greene does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

What can we expect from six more years of Vladimir Putin? An increasingly weak and dysfunctional Russia

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, March 13, 2024

The only real question is whether he will receive more than 75% of the vote.

Key Points: 
  • The only real question is whether he will receive more than 75% of the vote.
  • It could be tempting to see these results as a sign of the strength of the Russian system.
  • It is also increasingly dysfunctional, trapped in a cycle of poor quality and weak governance that cannot be solved by one man, no matter how much power he has.

The constitutional dark arts

  • This centralisation is the product of an increasingly common logic that I call the “constitutional dark arts”.
  • This logic generally holds that democracy and rights protection are best guaranteed in a constitutional system that centralises authority in one elected leader.
  • This line of thinking is present in many populist, authoritarian countries, such as Hungary and Turkey.
  • Thirty years later, however, we can see how this use of the “constitutional dark arts” backfired spectacularly.

Poor quality governance in Russia

  • Although this centralised system has allowed Putin to dominate politics, it fosters weak and poor governance, particularly outside Moscow.
  • First, centralised decision-making in Russia is often made using incomplete or false information.
  • It was based on intelligence that the operation would be over quickly and Ukrainians would likely welcome Russian forces.
  • In his February 29 address to parliament, Putin tacitly acknowledged these problems, promising new national projects to improve infrastructure, support families and enhance the quality of life.

An increasingly dysfunctional Russia

  • Externally, this centralisation is likely to produce an increasingly unpredictable Russia, led by a man making decisions on the basis of an increasingly paranoid world view and incorrect or manipulated information.
  • It will likely foster harsher repression of any dissenting voices inside Russia, as well.
  • We are also likely to see an increasingly dysfunctional Russia, one in which roads, housing, schools, health care and other infrastructure will continue to deteriorate, particularly outside of Moscow.


William Partlett does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

Giant Magellan Telescope Expands Global Science Impact with Taiwanese Partner

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, February 21, 2024

PASADENA, CA, Feb. 21, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Giant Magellan Telescope today welcomes Academia Sinica Institute of Astronomy and Astrophysics (ASIAA), a distinguished Taiwanese research institute, into its international consortium.

Key Points: 
  • PASADENA, CA, Feb. 21, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Giant Magellan Telescope today welcomes Academia Sinica Institute of Astronomy and Astrophysics (ASIAA), a distinguished Taiwanese research institute, into its international consortium.
  • ASIAA's inclusion expands the consortium to 14 international research institutions, underscoring Giant Magellan’s significance to the global astronomy community and the consortium’s commitment to prioritizing global collaboration for the advancement of science.
  • “We are thrilled to welcome ASIAA into our international consortium of distinguished partners,” said Dr. Walter Massey, Board Chair of the Giant Magellan Telescope.
  • This collective investment in the Giant Magellan Telescope is a testament that science can transcend boundaries and bind humanity together for good.”
    The astronomical research and instrumental development capabilities in Taiwan have received international recognition.

Giant Magellan Telescope Expands Global Science Impact with Taiwanese Partner

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, February 20, 2024

PASADENA, CA, Feb. 20, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Giant Magellan Telescope today welcomes Academia Sinica Institute of Astronomy and Astrophysics (ASIAA), a distinguished Taiwanese research institute, into its international consortium.

Key Points: 
  • PASADENA, CA, Feb. 20, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Giant Magellan Telescope today welcomes Academia Sinica Institute of Astronomy and Astrophysics (ASIAA), a distinguished Taiwanese research institute, into its international consortium.
  • ASIAA's inclusion expands the consortium to 14 international research institutions, underscoring Giant Magellan’s significance to the global astronomy community and the consortium’s commitment to prioritizing global collaboration for the advancement of science.
  • “We are thrilled to welcome ASIAA into our international consortium of distinguished partners,” said Dr. Walter Massey, Board Chair of the Giant Magellan Telescope.
  • This collective investment in the Giant Magellan Telescope is a testament that science can transcend boundaries and bind humanity together for good.”
    The astronomical research and instrumental development capabilities in Taiwan have received international recognition.

TelevisaUnivision Presents the 2024 Edition of "Vota Conmigo" Campaign to Educate, Empower and Engage Eligible U.S. Hispanic Voters

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, March 6, 2024

With 36.2 million eligible voters this year, the decisions made at the polls by Latino voters will shape the future of our country.

Key Points: 
  • With 36.2 million eligible voters this year, the decisions made at the polls by Latino voters will shape the future of our country.
  • TelevisaUnivision is fully committed to bolstering voter registration through the Vota Conmigo campaign, striving to increase Latino participation to 20 million at the polls.
  • This reflects the importance for Hispanics amid critical issues and agendas that will undoubtedly shape the Hispanic community for generations.
  • Our goal is to significantly exceed this in our drive to 20 million Hispanic votes in the 2024 elections.

Pixelle Introduces Premium Ballot Paper Portfolio Designed for U.S. Elections

Retrieved on: 
Monday, March 4, 2024

Pixelle Specialty Solutions (“Pixelle”), a leading manufacturer of specialty papers in North America, launched a new product portfolio of premium ballot papers tailored for local, state and federal elections across the United States.

Key Points: 
  • Pixelle Specialty Solutions (“Pixelle”), a leading manufacturer of specialty papers in North America, launched a new product portfolio of premium ballot papers tailored for local, state and federal elections across the United States.
  • As the 2024 national and local elections draw near, Pixelle is positioned to support polling nationwide with a wide range of high-performance ballot papers that are made in the U.S.A.
  • “Pixelle’s ballot papers are designed to meet the demands of high-volume elections, allowing for efficient and accurate vote tabulation.”
    Pixelle’s ballot paper portfolio includes options for hand-marked ballots, machine-readable ballots compatible with major voting systems, and durable mail-in/absentee ballots.
  • With a new portfolio of premium ballot papers, Pixelle is now applying its technical expertise and production capabilities to support the upcoming elections.

CA Lt. Governor Honors Nation’s First Transgender Facility Vote Center

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, February 29, 2024

California Lieutenant Governor Eleni Kounalakis and LA City Councilwoman Katy Yaroslavsky visited the Connie Norman Transgender Empowerment Center (CONOTEC) Thursday morning to join FLUX, the Unique Women’s Coalition (UWC), and the Human Rights Campaign in celebrating the center making U.S. history by becoming the nation’s first Vote Center located in a Transgender establishment.

Key Points: 
  • California Lieutenant Governor Eleni Kounalakis and LA City Councilwoman Katy Yaroslavsky visited the Connie Norman Transgender Empowerment Center (CONOTEC) Thursday morning to join FLUX, the Unique Women’s Coalition (UWC), and the Human Rights Campaign in celebrating the center making U.S. history by becoming the nation’s first Vote Center located in a Transgender establishment.
  • “The opening of the nation's first transgender voting center today in Los Angeles marks a significant milestone in our efforts to champion equity, inclusivity, and LGBTQA+ rights in California,” said Lieutenant Governor Eleni Kounalakis.
  • Queen Chela Demuir of UWC added, “We have reached out to our transgender community across Los Angeles County, encouraging them to join us to vote here at the Connie Norman Transgender Empowerment Center.
  • Voter registration services are available at all vote centers, and voters who wish to drop off their voted mail ballot may do that at any vote center as well.

2024 CrowdStrike Global Threat Report: From Breakout to Breach in Under Three Minutes; Cloud Infrastructure Under Attack

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, February 21, 2024

CrowdStrike (Nasdaq: CRWD) today announced the findings of the 2024 CrowdStrike Global Threat Report , highlighting a surge in adversaries leveraging stolen identity credentials to exploit gaps in cloud environments and maximize the stealth, speed and impact of cyberattacks.

Key Points: 
  • CrowdStrike (Nasdaq: CRWD) today announced the findings of the 2024 CrowdStrike Global Threat Report , highlighting a surge in adversaries leveraging stolen identity credentials to exploit gaps in cloud environments and maximize the stealth, speed and impact of cyberattacks.
  • In the 10th annual edition of the cybersecurity leader’s seminal report, CrowdStrike highlights activity from some of the 230+ prolific threat groups that it tracks today.
  • Key findings in the 2024 report include:
    Dramatic Increase in Attack Velocity: The speed of cyberattacks continues to accelerate at an alarming rate.
  • Listen to the Adversary Universe podcast to glean insights into threat actors and recommendations for bolstering security.

Robins Kaplan Partners to Speak at International Academy of Trial Lawyers’ Democracy’s Last Line of Defense Symposium

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, February 22, 2024

The biannual symposium will tackle pressing issues at the nexus of technology, media, law, and governance.

Key Points: 
  • The biannual symposium will tackle pressing issues at the nexus of technology, media, law, and governance.
  • Robins Kaplan national trial chair and past president of the International Academy of Trial Lawyers Roman Silberfeld will deliver remarks on how an independent judiciary is, in fact, the last line of defense for the preservation of the democratic form of government.
  • Roman founded the Judicial Independence Collaborative, which launched the inaugural Democracy’s Last Line of Defense symposium in 2022.
  • Full details, including a link to register, can be found on the website of the National Judicial College.