This content originally appeared on Democracy Now! and was authored by Democracy Now!.
This post was originally published on Radio Free.
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This content originally appeared on Democracy Now! and was authored by Democracy Now!.This post was originally published on Radio Free.
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This content originally appeared on Democracy Now! and was authored by Democracy Now!.This post was originally published on Radio Free.
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This content originally appeared on Democracy Now! and was authored by Democracy Now!.This post was originally published on Radio Free.
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This content originally appeared on Democracy Now! and was authored by Democracy Now!.This post was originally published on Radio Free.
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This content originally appeared on Democracy Now! and was authored by Democracy Now!.This post was originally published on Radio Free.
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This content originally appeared on Democracy Now! and was authored by Democracy Now!.This post was originally published on Radio Free.
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We get an overview of how Democrats won big across the United States in Tuesday’s elections, with Daniel Nichanian, editor-in-chief of Bolts. Democratic Congressmember Mikie Sherrill won New Jersey’s governor’s race, and Abigail Spanberger flipped Virginia’s governorship. In California, voters approved a new congressional map that could help Democrats pick up five additional congressional seats in a move to counter Texas’s redistricting plan. Local races across the countries also saw widespread Democratic wins. Nichanian says he has “never really quite seen this level of systematic win for pretty much anything that there was [for Democrats] to win.”
This content originally appeared on Democracy Now! and was authored by Democracy Now!.This post was originally published on Radio Free.
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At Zohran Mamdani’s victory party at the Brooklyn Paramount on Tuesday night, Democracy Now! spoke with Congressmember Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. “We’re not going to be intimidated,” Ocasio-Cortez said. “We’re going to fight for working families. We’re going to stand with immigrants. We’re going to stand with the diversity of this city.”
Brad Lander, former mayoral candidate who cross-endorsed with Mandani in the Democratic primary, commented on the power of having a “Muslim New Yorker and a Jewish New Yorker say we are not going to allow Andrew Cuomo or Eric Adams or Donald Trump or Elon Musk or Stephen Miller to weaponize fear and pit us against each other.”
“This is such an incredible proof of concept of how to fight fascism,” added the Canadian journalist, author and activist Naomi Klein.
This content originally appeared on Democracy Now! and was authored by Democracy Now!.This post was originally published on Radio Free.
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Democracy Now! spoke with supporters celebrating Zohran Mamdani’s win in the New York City mayoral race Tuesday night. Volunteers with the Democratic Socialists and other campaign organizers at the Brooklyn Paramount victory party described the night as “surreal” and vowed to fight back against President Trump’s agenda. Sumaya Awad, a NYC–DSA member, describes Zohran as a politician “that doesn’t put the platform and the mission at the expense of anyone.”
“When people’s needs aren’t being met, they need an alternative, and so far, only the far right was providing an alternative in the form of authoritarianism, in the form of fascism, in the form of hate, turning against immigrants, against queer people, against Muslims,” says Fahd Ahmed, director of DRUM Beats. “What this campaign and our movement was able to do was offer a left alternative.”
This content originally appeared on Democracy Now! and was authored by Democracy Now!.This post was originally published on Radio Free.
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Democratic socialist Zohran Mamdani won the New York mayoral race, defeating former Governor Andrew Cuomo. A year ago, Mamdani was polling at just 1%, but on Tuesday he became the first New York mayoral candidate to win over a million votes since the 1960s. Mamdani won despite being vastly outspent by Cuomo, who was backed by a group of billionaires. We play part of Mamdani’s victory speech to supporters at the Brooklyn Paramount, in which he vows to stand up to President Trump and acknowledges his unlikely path to Gracie Mansion: “I am young, despite my best efforts to grow older. I am Muslim. I am a democratic socialist. And most damning of all, I refuse to apologize for any of this.”
This content originally appeared on Democracy Now! and was authored by Democracy Now!.This post was originally published on Radio Free.
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Democracy Now! Wednesday, November 5, 2025
This content originally appeared on Democracy Now! Audio and was authored by Democracy Now!.This post was originally published on Radio Free.
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- Democratic Socialist Zohran Mamdani Wins New York City Mayoral Race
- Democrats Dominate First Major Elections of Trump's Second Term
- Federal Shutdown Becomes Longest in U.S. History
- Israel Continues Striking Gaza Despite U.S.-Brokered Ceasefire
- U.N. Secretary-General Warns Sudan's Civil War Is "Spiraling Out of Control"
- Pentagon Announces Another Deadly Strike on Alleged Drug Boat
- NBC News: Trump Admin Looking into Possible U.S. Military Mission Inside Mexico
- U.N.: World Likely to Surpass 1.5 Degrees Celsius Climate Goal
This content originally appeared on Democracy Now! and was authored by Democracy Now!.This post was originally published on Radio Free.
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Tanzania’s Samia Suluhu Hassan, was yesterday sworn in for her second term as the country’s president. She won a massive 98% of the vote, which is what tends to happen when the main opposition parties aren’t allowed to run at all.
Tanzania: a crackdown on dissent
Voting began on 29 October. Massive civil unrest and protests broke out shortly afterwards, with government buildings set alight and police allegedly using live ammunition and tear gas against the gathered crowds.
The main opposition party, Chadema, claimed that the violence from security forces left “no less than 800” dead. A diplomatic source informed the BBC of credible evidence that over 500 people have been killed.
Chadema was barred from participating for refusing to sign a code of conduct. Its leader, Tundu Lissu, was also charged with treason back in April for calling on followers to obstruct the election. He was not permitted to enter a plea on the treason charge.
The electoral commission also disqualified Luhaga Mpina, the leader of ACT-Wazalendo, the second-largest opposition party. Human rights groups including Amnesty International pointed to the abductions of other government critics as evidence of Hassan’s crackdown on dissent.
Hassan was sworn in at the capital, Dodoma, in a military parade ground, as opposed to the usual stadium venue. State forces barred the public from entering. For their part, Hassan’s Chama Cha Mapinduzi party have acknowledged that people died in the protests, but claim that Chadema have massively inflated their numbers.
In her inaugural address to the nation, Hussan said:
All of us who wish well for this country are saddened and grieved by the incidents of unrest, loss of lives, and destruction of public and private property in some areas of the country. What happened is not in line with the image and character of Tanzanians, and it is not Tanzanian. It did not surprise us to see that some of the youths who were arrested came from outside Tanzania. Our security and law enforcement agencies are continuing to closely monitor and investigate what happened to restore the country to the peaceful state we are accustomed to.
‘Sham’ election
Chadema has denounced the election as a sham. Other international observers concurred, including southern African regional body Sadc, who stated that “voters could not express their democratic will”. Security forces instated a curfew following the polling, along with a near-total internet blackout.
On 31 October, UN Secretary-General António Guterres called for “a thorough and impartial investigation into all allegations of excessive use of force”. Likewise, an Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (ONCHR) spokesperson stated that:
All those in arbitrary detention must be immediately and unconditionally released and those held legally must be accorded full due process and fair trial rights…
We urge the authorities to ensure prompt, impartial and effective investigations into all cases of election-related violence, and to ensure those responsible are brought to justice.
Whilst the curfew was lifted Monday, the peace is far from easy in Tanzania. Police issued a statement urging citizens to:
Avoid sharing pictures or videos that cause panic or degrade a person’s dignity. Doing so is a criminal offense, and if identified, strict legal action will be taken.
[Warning, graphic link] Tanzanian activists have claimed that they have video proof of the alleged atrocities that government forces carried out against the protesters. Campaign group Human Rights Watch (HRW) have also stated that authorities responded to the protests “with lethal force and other abuses”.
On Tuesday, workers reopened scattered shops, and traffic resumed on Tanzania’s streets. However, many families are reportedly still searching for the bodies of loved ones who remain missing following the state violence.
Featured image via the Canary
This post was originally published on Canary.
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Wednesday Democracy Now! show for rebroadcast – HD
This content originally appeared on Democracy Now! for Broadcasters – HD MP4 and was authored by Democracy Now! for Broadcasters – HD MP4.This post was originally published on Radio Free.
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Asia Pacific Report
More than 700 academics have this week sent an open letter demanding the university retirement savings scheme UniSaver immediately divest from companies directly linked to Israel and genocide.
This latest letter, organised by University Workers for Palestine (UW4P), has been signed by 715 people – almost double the number of 400 staff in a similar plea in August 2024.
UniSaver failed to respond to the previous letter.
- READ MORE: The global BDS movement for ‘freedom, justice and equality’
- Britain’s act of ‘colonial arrogance’ created living injustice for Palestinians, says PSNA
- Other reports on divestment from Israel at Asia Pacific Report
- The full open letter to UniSaver
The default retirement scheme for most university staff has come under mounting scrutiny for investing in companies complicit in human rights violations.
UW4P is a nationwide collective of university staff, including academics and administrators.
Its letter argues that any investment in Israeli companies renders UniSaver complicit in Israel’s occupation, apartheid, and genocide in Palestine.
“Our research shows such companies include weapons manufacturer Elbit Systems, ICL Group, linked to highly-toxic white phosphorus supply chains, Caterpillar, Hewlett Packard, and Palantir Technologies,” Dr Amanda Thomas of Te Herenga Waka Victoria University, spokesperson for the collective, said in a statement.
Israeli bonds and banks
Distinguished Professor Robert McLachlan of Te Kunenga ki Pūrehuroa Massey University, strongly supported the call: “Profiting from companies known to be complicit in genocide is wrong and shameful.”UniSaver is also understood to have investments in Israeli government bonds and Israeli banks which finance illegal settlements.
Dr Rand Hazou, a Palestinian senior lecturer at Te Kunenga ki Pūrehuroa Massey University, said: “With the destruction of Gaza’s 12 universities and killing of hundreds of academics and students, global solidarity is urgent.
“This call is a nonviolent, rightsbased approach to pressure Israel to abide by international law.”
“The letter, signed by some of Aotearoa New Zealand’s most prominent scholars, is
being released on the 108th anniversary of the Balfour Declaration,” Dr Thomas
said.The declaration, issued by Britain, the colonising power, unilaterally — and without
consultation — advocated the imposition of a Zionist state in historic Palestine.Professor Richard Jackson, who holds the Leading Thinker Chair in Peace Studies at
Ōtākou Whakaihu Waka Otago University, said: “It is deeply troubling that Aotearoa
New Zealand’s universities are participating in a pension scheme profiting from
genocide.Academic boycott ended apartheid
“Academic boycott helped end apartheid in South Africa: we must follow that
example.”The letter asks for a response by end November on two demands that UniSaver:
- Immediately divests from all companies complicit in the genocide of Palestinians; and
- Develops a divestment policy to prevent future unethical investments.
Professor Virginia Braun, Waipapa Taumata Rau University of Auckland psychologist and co-author of the world’s third most cited academic paper this century, said: “Continued investment in funds that support Israel’s genocide is unconscionable.
“Other pension funds, like Norway’s, have divested; UniSaver must follow suit.”
The open letter warns: “If you don’t withdraw our funds from genocide, we will support a campaign to get universities in Aotearoa New Zealand to sever ties with you and seek an ethical alternative retirement scheme.”
‘Morality where our mouths are’
Tertiary Education Union incoming presidents Ti Lamusse and Garrick Cooper have endorsed the letter.Dr Lamusse, of Te Herenga Waka Victoria University, said: “We need to put our morality where our mouths are — that means ensuring our savings scheme isn’t funding an illegal occupation.”
Associate Professor Garrick Cooper (Ngāti Ranginui, Ngāti Whanaunga) of Te Whare
Wānanga o Waitaha Canterbury University, said: “We must hold our own financial institutions accountable to stop this genocide by reducing the flow of money to the Israeli economy and military-industrial complex.”Drawing on composite data from Palestine government sources and the media, estimates indicate almost 200 academics have been killed since the escalation of genocidal tactics in October 2023.
This post was originally published on Asia Pacific Report.
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Asia Pacific Report
More than 700 academics have this week sent an open letter demanding the university retirement savings scheme UniSaver immediately divest from companies directly linked to Israel and genocide.
This latest letter, organised by University Workers for Palestine (UW4P), has been signed by 715 people – almost double the number of 400 staff in a similar plea in August 2024.
UniSaver failed to respond to the previous letter.
- READ MORE: The global BDS movement for ‘freedom, justice and equality’
- Britain’s act of ‘colonial arrogance’ created living injustice for Palestinians, says PSNA
- Other reports on divestment from Israel at Asia Pacific Report
- The full open letter to UniSaver
The default retirement scheme for most university staff has come under mounting scrutiny for investing in companies complicit in human rights violations.
UW4P is a nationwide collective of university staff, including academics and administrators.
Its letter argues that any investment in Israeli companies renders UniSaver complicit in Israel’s occupation, apartheid, and genocide in Palestine.
“Our research shows such companies include weapons manufacturer Elbit Systems, ICL Group, linked to highly-toxic white phosphorus supply chains, Caterpillar, Hewlett Packard, and Palantir Technologies,” Dr Amanda Thomas of Te Herenga Waka Victoria University, spokesperson for the collective, said in a statement.
Israeli bonds and banks
Distinguished Professor Robert McLachlan of Te Kunenga ki Pūrehuroa Massey University, strongly supported the call: “Profiting from companies known to be complicit in genocide is wrong and shameful.”UniSaver is also understood to have investments in Israeli government bonds and Israeli banks which finance illegal settlements.
Dr Rand Hazou, a Palestinian senior lecturer at Te Kunenga ki Pūrehuroa Massey University, said: “With the destruction of Gaza’s 12 universities and killing of hundreds of academics and students, global solidarity is urgent.
“This call is a nonviolent, rightsbased approach to pressure Israel to abide by international law.”
“The letter, signed by some of Aotearoa New Zealand’s most prominent scholars, is
being released on the 108th anniversary of the Balfour Declaration,” Dr Thomas
said.The declaration, issued by Britain, the colonising power, unilaterally — and without
consultation — advocated the imposition of a Zionist state in historic Palestine.Professor Richard Jackson, who holds the Leading Thinker Chair in Peace Studies at
Ōtākou Whakaihu Waka Otago University, said: “It is deeply troubling that Aotearoa
New Zealand’s universities are participating in a pension scheme profiting from
genocide.Academic boycott ended apartheid
“Academic boycott helped end apartheid in South Africa: we must follow that
example.”The letter asks for a response by end November on two demands that UniSaver:
- Immediately divests from all companies complicit in the genocide of Palestinians; and
- Develops a divestment policy to prevent future unethical investments.
Professor Virginia Braun, Waipapa Taumata Rau University of Auckland psychologist and co-author of the world’s third most cited academic paper this century, said: “Continued investment in funds that support Israel’s genocide is unconscionable.
“Other pension funds, like Norway’s, have divested; UniSaver must follow suit.”
The open letter warns: “If you don’t withdraw our funds from genocide, we will support a campaign to get universities in Aotearoa New Zealand to sever ties with you and seek an ethical alternative retirement scheme.”
‘Morality where our mouths are’
Tertiary Education Union incoming presidents Ti Lamusse and Garrick Cooper have endorsed the letter.Dr Lamusse, of Te Herenga Waka Victoria University, said: “We need to put our morality where our mouths are — that means ensuring our savings scheme isn’t funding an illegal occupation.”
Associate Professor Garrick Cooper (Ngāti Ranginui, Ngāti Whanaunga) of Te Whare
Wānanga o Waitaha Canterbury University, said: “We must hold our own financial institutions accountable to stop this genocide by reducing the flow of money to the Israeli economy and military-industrial complex.”Drawing on composite data from Palestine government sources and the media, estimates indicate almost 200 academics have been killed since the escalation of genocidal tactics in October 2023.
This post was originally published on Asia Pacific Report.
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By ‘Alakihihifo Vailala, PMN News
The Ministry for Pacific Peoples (MPP) repeatedly warned its minister that replacing the traditional population-wide survey with administrative data would have negative consequences for data on Pasifika communities.
They cautioned that this change would undercount Pacific people and lead to poor policy decisions, yet the changes proceeded.
In records obtained under the Official Information Act (OIA) by PMN News, Pacific Minister Dr Shane Reti was advised in February that the alteration to data-collection methods would have adverse effects on information relating to Pacific people.
Reti was warned that this could lead to flawed decisions based on that data.
Despite these warnings, the government announced in June that it would replace the conventional paper-based census with a new approach that relies on administrative data, supported by a smaller annual survey and targeted data collection. The new system is set to begin in 20230.
Reti, who is also the Minister of Statistics, says the new approach aims to save time and money.
Pacific Minister Dr Shane Reti . . . “Relying solely on a nationwide census day is no longer financially viable.” Image: RNZ/Mark Papalii “Relying solely on a nationwide census day is no longer financially viable. In 2013, the census cost $104 million. In 2023, costs had risen astronomically to $325 million and the next was expected to come in at $400 million over five years,” Reti says.
“Despite the unsustainable and escalating costs, successive censuses have been beset with issues or failed to meet expectations.”
Data expert concerns
The response letter from the MPP expressed concerns raised by data experts who believe the reforms could further degrade data quality for Pacific people.“Administrative data are largely based on who can access services and are therefore known to undercount Pacific peoples,” the letter states.
The MPP stresses that the proposed changes by Stats NZ are likely to further damage the quality of data on Pacific people, households, and populations.
It pointed out that Pacific people have unique family characteristics and public service needs that are not adequately captured in administrative data.
The letter goes on to say that the transformation could shift the burden of data compliance and costs to other government agencies, which may not be well-equipped to manage these changes.
It also warned that costs associated with collecting population data might increase rather than decrease due to the new approach.
In a statement to PMN News, a spokesman for Reti defended the changes, saying, “By using information already collected by the government, we will deliver more relevant, useful and timely data to help inform quality planning and decision making, which will deliver benefits for Pacific communities.”
PMN News video report.Working with communities
Alongside the new annual sample survey, Stats NZ plans to work with communities, including Pacific people, to develop tailored solutions, such as targeted surveys, that address their specific data needs.Administrative data will also be improved to include variables such as ethnicity, age distribution (younger and older people), and new immigrants to New Zealand.
Advancements will be made in other areas, such as languages spoken, housing quality, and family data.
“Data accuracy, detail, and coverage will improve over time, as admin data improvements are implemented, and more data is collected through the annual survey and tailored data collection solutions.”
This article is republished under a community partnership agreement with RNZ and with PMN permission.
This post was originally published on Asia Pacific Report.
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This content originally appeared on Democracy Now! and was authored by Democracy Now!.This post was originally published on Radio Free.
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This content originally appeared on Democracy Now! and was authored by Democracy Now!.This post was originally published on Radio Free.
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This content originally appeared on Democracy Now! and was authored by Democracy Now!.This post was originally published on Radio Free.
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This content originally appeared on Democracy Now! and was authored by Democracy Now!.This post was originally published on Radio Free.
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This content originally appeared on Democracy Now! and was authored by Democracy Now!.This post was originally published on Radio Free.
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This content originally appeared on Democracy Now! and was authored by Democracy Now!.This post was originally published on Radio Free.
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This content originally appeared on Democracy Now! and was authored by Democracy Now!.This post was originally published on Radio Free.
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This content originally appeared on Democracy Now! and was authored by Democracy Now!.This post was originally published on Radio Free.
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We speak with Pulitzer Prize-winning journalists Carol Leonnig and Aaron Davis on the day they publish their new book, Injustice: How Politics and Fear Vanquished America’s Justice Department, which looks at how the DOJ during the Biden administration was overly cautious in pursuing cases against Trump and his allies over 2020 election interference, the January 6 riot and more. Attorney General Merrick Garland felt it was important to “turn the page from Donald Trump” and not look too closely at abuses of power, says Leonnig, who also stresses many “stubbornly brave people … tried to do the right thing and could not succeed in this institution.”
This content originally appeared on Democracy Now! and was authored by Democracy Now!.This post was originally published on Radio Free.
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Dick Cheney, the former vice president and one of the key architects of the 2003 U.S. invasion of Iraq, died Monday at age 84. Cheney served six terms in Congress as Wyoming’s lone representative before serving as defense secretary under President George H.W. Bush, when he oversaw the first Gulf War and the bloody U.S. invasion of Panama that deposed former U.S. ally Manuel Noriega. From 1995 to 2000, Cheney served as chair and CEO of the oil services company Halliburton, before George W. Bush tapped him as his running mate. As vice president, Cheney was a leading proponent of invading and occupying Iraq, which killed hundreds of thousands of people and destabilized the entire region. Dick Cheney also steadfastly defended warantless mass surveillance programs and the use of torture against detainees of the so-called war on terror. We speak with The Nation’s John Nichols, author of multiple books about Cheney, who says the neoconservative leader had a “very destructive” impact on the world.
This content originally appeared on Democracy Now! and was authored by Democracy Now!.This post was originally published on Radio Free.
