All over the world, democracy is in retreat. In 2020, the Democracy Index, published by the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) since 2006, fell to its lowest-ever global level.

Two people were killed in Myanmar's second largest city as security forces fired live rounds on protestors, emergency workers and doctors said Saturday – the latest show of force from a junta regime that has faced two straight weeks of anti-coup demonstrations.Much of the country has been in uproar since the military deposed civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi on 1 February, with large street demonstrations seen in major cities and isolated villages alike.Authorities have responded with inc

United States (US) President Joe Biden’s new administration has begun to show its hand regarding its policy toward China.

The United Nations’ (UN) top rights body demanded Friday that Myanmar's military restore civilian rule and immediately release Aung San Suu Kyi.In a resolution adopted without a vote, the 47-member Human Rights Council called for "the immediate and unconditional release of all persons arbitrarily detained," and "the restoration of the elected government." Traditional allies of the Myanmar military, China and Russia, meanwhile disassociated themselves from the

2020 was a dreadful year. As COVID-19 spread and developed into a pandemic of truly global proportions, countless lives were lost, livelihoods shattered, and activities, which we once took for granted, became a distant dream. Against this sombre backdrop, however, another story unfolded.

In his inaugural address, United States (US) President Joe Biden declared that Americans “will be judged” for how they “resolve the cascading crises of our era.” He expressed confidence that the country would “rise to the occasion,” and pledged that the US would lead “not merely by the example of our power but by the power of our example.” The contrast with President Donald Trump’s divisive, isolationist rhetoric could not be sharper.

Seen from Europe, Asia, or even North America, Manaus, the capital of the Brazilian state of Amazonas, is as remote as can be.

A storm is raging over the European Union’s (EU) failure to have ordered more of the approved COVID-19 vaccines ahead of time.

Kudos to the European Commission (EC) for finalising a new investment agreement with China. Europe’s active diplomacy also played a role in China’s recent commitment to achieve carbon neutrality by 2060 – a decision that was quickly followed by Japan’s pledge to decarbonise by 2050.

Britain on Friday began a new year and life outside the European Union's (EU) single market, with the first trucks crossing the Channel by ferry and rail largely reporting few difficulties despite new customs rules.Brexit, an all-consuming issue in Britain since it voted in 2016 to quit the bloc, became reality an hour before midnight after nearly five decades of integration with Europe.Prime Minister Boris Johnson was bullishly optimistic, writing in the Daily Telegraph that Brexit pres