
THOUSANDS gathered for a rally led by left-wing parties on Sunday, warning that France’s far right is embracing United States-style authoritarianism.
The rally comes after French far-right leader Marine Le Pen was found guilty of using European Parliament funds to pay party staff in France, a scheme the court described as “a democratic bypass.”
She was sentenced to four years in prison, including two under house arrest and two suspended, and banned from public office for five years, effective immediately. Her appeal is expected next year.

ROGER McKENZIE argues that the BRI represents a choice between treating humans as commodities or as equals — an essential project when, aside from China’s efforts, hundreds of millions worldwide are trapped in poverty

The colonial mindset behind the governance of the UN is the reason for its inertia when it comes to conflict resolution, argues ROGER McKENZIE – but can China’s Global Governance Initiative point in a new direction of global equality?

As the Alliance of Sahel States and southern African nations advance pan-African goals, the African Union must listen and learn rather than parroting the Western line on these positive developments, writes ROGER McKENZIE