Mexico has the highest number of journalists and media workers killed in 2019 alone; in 2018, the number of media murders in Mexico was second only to that of Afghanistan, and surpassed even that of Syria, an active conflict zone. A questionable president, potential Russian interference, illicit use of controlled spyware, and an escalating war on drugs have made Mexico a journalist death trap.
Although the first round of the Ukrainian Presidential elections occur Sunday March 31, many people outside of Eastern Europe are unaware of the issues surrounding the elections or who is running. This elections appears to be a referendum on the ‘ultra-nationalist’ policies and ideology Kiev has condoned—most often at the expense of ethnic Russians. The ultimate question, however, may not be the results of the election but whether the international community will be able to understand what is transpiring within Ukraine.
President Biya continues to preside over Cameroon, a key ally in the West’s fight with ISIS. However, recent elections have left Cameroon in a state of unrest and possible civil war as Biya uses American-trained soldiers to violently suppress the English-speaking minority.
Yesterday, the GOP escaped a near catastrophic loss in Ohio’s 12th congressional district special election. State Senator Troy Balderson eked out a victory in the 12th district north of Columbus Tuesday night over his Democratic challenger, Franklin County Recorder Danny O’Connor.
On June 27, the Supreme Court handed down a decision in Janus v. AFSCME authored by Justice Samuel Alito. Advocates of Big Labor were quick to decry the ruling as a union-busting exercise in judicial activism, while most of the political right lauded it as a refreshing win for workers’ rights. But in today’s charged political climate, both claims might reasonably be viewed with skepticism by those in the center. What did the ruling actually hold, and what will be its consequences for America?
On March 13, 2018, ex-Marine Democrat Conor Lamb won in the Pennsylvania 18th district special election, replacing the disgraced Representative Tim Murphy who resigned after infamously pressuring his mistress into having an abortion, despite professing strong pro-life views. The 18th district is traditionally a Republican stomping ground, with mostly suburban and rural voters, and an electorate that is over 95% white. Few gave Lamb a chance; however, Lamb, a moderate Democrat, was nearly tailor-made for the district. Running on a pro-gun, anti-Pelosi, common sense platform, Lamb brought a safely Republican district into the toss-up category.
