European Conservative Parties Gain More Wins

After Donald Trump won the U.S. presidential election, he will find across the Atlantic a hotbed of political parties that share his conservative views mix of authoritarianism, populism and disdain for illegal immigration.

This is the rise of the European far right, which reached a high-water mark on 29 September when Austria’s Freedom Party won the largest share of votes — 28.9 percent — in the national election. The FPÖ, as it’s known, wants to "remigrate" Austrian nationals with migrant roots to create a more "homogenous" society.

Slavery Still Exists in These Countries

Slavery still exists today. Worse, an estimated 30 million people worldwide are living in modern-day slavery, according to the inaugural Global Slavery Index published on October 2013.

The index, compiled by the Walk Free Foundation (WFF), reported that India by far had the largest number of enslaved people and it is also prevalent in the West African nation of Mauritania, where four percent of the population was deemed to be held in slavery.

German Lesbian With Foreign Partner Is Far-Right Party's Greatest Weapon

Not many are aware that Alice Weidel, the chancellor candidate of the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD), is the proud public face for a male-dominated, anti-immigration party that wants to protect traditional family values and ordinary working people.

The 45-year-old is raising two sons with a Sri Lankan-born woman. She is a filmmaker, speaks fluent Mandarin and has a doctorate degree in economics in China. The west German is leading a party that is strongest in the former communist East, she worked for Goldman Sachs and Allianz Global Investors and as a freelance business consultant before entering politics.

Countries that Imposes Restriction on Mulsim Veils

A few years ago, former Department of Education (DepED) Secretary Armin Luistro asked female Muslim teachers not to wear their veils or "hijab," "burka," and "niqabs" inside classrooms, in part to promote better relationships between teachers and pupils. Then came an advisory from the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) on all government agencies to allow Muslim women to wear headscarves in schools and other learning institutions.

The CHR's advisory was issued following complaints received by the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos (NCMF), alleging several colleges and universities are preventing their students to wear headscarves inside school premises.

Did UK Labor Party Just Gave Up Chagos Islands?

Chagos Islands, an arhipelago in the Indian Ocean, was just handed back over to Mauritius by UK. This was revealed by Nigel Farage, the Reform UK Leader, where he descrbed the decision as a "strategic disaster" where "our American allies will be furious and Beijing delighted."

Farage also criticized Sir Keir Starmer for "making the world a more dangerous place".

Austria Poised To Put A Right-Wing Party In Power

Another European country is moving back towards its conservative roots as Austrian voters is about to hand a first ever general election victory to the far-right Freedom Party. Last 29 September, vote projections showed a rising support for hard-right party fueled by concern over immigration levels.

The Eurosceptic FPO held a decent lead in opinion polls for months over Chancellor Karl Nehammer's ruling conservative Austrian People's Party (OVP) in a campaign dominated by immigration and worries about the economy.

Le Pen Urging Macron To Hold A French Referendum

With no political certainty and a threat of more street protests, the French far-right leader Marine Le Pen urged President Emmanuel Macron to hold a referendum on key issues such as immigration. Le Pen suggested that by giving the French a direct vote might help break the current political deadlock.

A few days ago Macron appointed the centre-right Michel Barnier, a 73-year-old former foreign minister who acted as the European Union's Brexit negotiator, as prime minister, seeking to move forward after June-July snap elections that resulted in a hung parliament.

The Rise of Populist Governments in Europe

Silencing the nationalistic voices and suppressing conservative ideas in Europe is officially over.

For decades, political parties of all kinds joined forces to keep the hard-right far from the levers of power. Today, this strategy — known in France as a cordon sanitaire (or firewall) — is falling apart, as populist and nationalist parties grow in strength across the European Continent.

Serena Williams Owes Peninsula Paris An Apology

Did Serena Williams tried to use the trifecta of hate crime (female, black and parent) to put pressure on a French restaurant who denied her a tabke because they were fully reserved? Does Serena really think a high end and higher end restaurant in Paris isn't going to be full booked during the Olympics?

These questions emerged after the former Tennis star publicly accused a restaurant of denying her and her kids access last 5 August. She is currently situated in the French capital for the 2024 Olympics, along with her husband, Alexis Ohanian, and their kids: Alexis Olympia Jr., 6, and Adira River, 11 months.

Drag Performance Ruined the Paris Olympics Opening Ceremony

The expected lavish displays during the opening ceremony of the 2024 Paris Olympics was mored with controversy and caused fury among the populist and religious everywhere, with critics especially unhappy about an apparent depiction of the Last Supper featuring drag performers.

A fashion show at the ceremony included a scene that resembled a modern re-creation of Leonardo da Vinci’s famous painting, French actor and singer Philippe Katerine appeared as the Greek god Dionysus, painted blue and wearing little more than a bunch of flowers covering his modesty.

Paris 2024 Organizing Committee President: "Focus on Games, Not Politics"

The president of the Paris 2024 organising committee, Tony Estanguet, was asked if the stated values of Paris 2024 and its motto - "Open Games" - were in line with the anti-immigration and nationalist agenda of the National Rally (RN) party, which led the polls in France's parliamentary elections last weekend.

"Now we are in the final phase... I want us to respect this great democratic moment and we must stay in our place so that the French can enjoy these Games that they are so eager to see," he told reporters during a visit to the Olympic Village, distancing himself from the controversy just days before the second round of his country's election.

France Court Ruled Against Unhygienic Burkini

The top administrative court of France has just ruled against allowing body-covering "burkini" swimwear in public pools for religious reasons, arguing that it violates the principle of government neutrality toward religion.

While worn by only a small number of people in France, the head-to-ankle burkini draws intense political debate in the country.

Japan's Ban on Same Sex Marriage Was Ruled Constitutional

Japanese has a reason to celebrate last 19 June after their court ruled that the country's ban on same-sex marriage does not violate the constitution. The court also rejected demands for compensation by three couples who said their right to free union and equality has been violated.

The Osaka District Court ruling is the second decision on the issue, and disagrees with a ruling last year by a Sapporo court that found the ban on same-sex marriages unconstitutional. It underscores how divisive the issue remains in Japan, the only member of the Group of Seven major industrialized nations that does not recognize same-sex unions.

Italians Celebrate Non-Passage of "Zan Bill"

The heroic decision of Italy's upper house was magnified by a video showing different political parties united to cheer and applaud after the parliament rejected an anti-LGBTQ violence and discrimination bill. It was a surreal event celebrated by most Italians, with some shedding tears of joy, expecting a profound hope for the future.

The lawmakers in Italy’s upper house of senate overwhelmingly trashed the bill that would have criminalised violence and hate speech against LGBTQ and disabled people, in a blow to the country’s fight against discrimination.

Johnny Depp Clearly Explained Why Many Hate The "Cancel Culture"

Popular actor Johnny Depp explained that what happened to him amid his very public battle with ex-wife Amber Heard is an "injustice." Speaking to press in Spain, the "Pirates of the Caribbean" star slammed cancel culture and issued a warning that "no one is safe" in our current climate.

"It's so far out of hand now that I can promise you that no one is safe. Not one of you. No one out that door," he said last 22 September at the San Sebastian Film Festival, per Deadline.

Queen Charlotte's Ball Is A Popular And Exclusive Event for "Normal" Debutante

Queen Charlotte's Ball, is a famous event steeped in over two hundred years worth of history. On 12 September, the Ball will witness the debute of 22 female debutantes.

Once the "most important ball of the social calendar," the annual event will take place at One Whitehall Place, a "prestigious" wedding venue along the River Thames.

Japan’s Supreme Court Transgender Ruling Favors The Majority

Last January, Japan's Supreme Court finally ruled that the country’s law requiring that transgender people be sterilized to obtain documents reflecting their gender identity was constitutional. The ruling was big victory for conservative majority and a a blow to twisted beliefs of the plaintiff, a trans man who does not want sterilization surgery.

In Japan, transgender people who seek a legal gender change must appeal to a family court under the Gender Identity Disorder Special Cases Act. When the law was enacted in 2004, it represented a watershed moment in Japan, opening up public discussion on sexual and gender minority issues. The law's procedure require applicants to be single and without children under 20, undergo a psychiatric evaluation to receive a diagnosis of "Gender Identity Disorder" (GID), and be sterilized.

A Political Art Show That Defies "Cancel Culture"

An exhibition at a Polish state museum opening Friday features the works of provocative artists in what organizers describe as a celebration of free speech, and a challenge to political correctness and "cancel culture" on the political left.

"Political Art," which features the works of nearly 30 artists, is the second exhibition at the Ujazdowski Castle Center for Contemporary Art under director Piotr Bernatowicz, who was appointed by Poland's populist conservative ruling party in 2019.

Japan's "Rising Sun" Not Welcomed By Many Asian Olympians

Most Japanese considers the "rising sun" flag part of their history. However, some in the two Koreas, China, Philippines and other Asian countries say the flag is a reminder of Japan’s wartime atrocities, and is comparable to the Nazi swastika.

That's why the flag has created anger at the Olympics, with some of the host nation's neighbors calling for it to be banned during the Tokyo Games.

LGBT-Free Zones In Poland Are Expanding Fast

About 100 Polish municipal or local governments have now proclaimed themselves to be "free from LGBTI ideology" and the numbers continue to grow this year. Local authorities in these areas pledge to refrain from acts that encourage promotion and must avoid providing financial assistance to NGOs working to promote aberrant sexual behavior.

The map covering an area greater than the size of Hungary is expanding even after the dictatorial and unelected European Parliament passed a resolution that strongly condemned the concept of LGBT-free zones last December 2019.