IN FOCUS

Brazil: world awaits pivotal presidential runoff vote

Close result expected after polarising campaign

Burkina Faso: second coup further dents hope of democracy

New junta seems set to follow Mali’s path by inviting Russian forces in

China: UN Human Rights Council fails crucial test

Vote against holding debate on China’s human rights violations in Xinjiang a major letdown

GLOBAL GOVERNANCE

Latvia: decisive election gains for pro-western parties

Government will keep standing up to Russia – but must respect rights of Latvia’s ethnic Russian population

UN General Assembly: no room for civil society?

Denial of access leaves out crucial partner for achieving UN objectives

GLOBAL GOVERNANCE

Iran: could women protesters bring down the theocracy?

Death of woman detained for ‘improper hijab’ triggers widespread protests against patriarchal regime

Solomon Islands: democracy on hold

Government postpones election amid sensitivity over links with China

Italy: triumph of the far right

Ascent to power of party with neofascist origins spells trouble for excluded groups

Another breakthrough for LGBTQI+ rights in the Caribbean

Saint Kitts and Nevis latest country to decriminalise same-sex relations

Indonesia: fuel price protests at high-handed government

Country the latest in global wave of economic protests

ECONOMY | ENVIRONMENT