2024-02-16 16:01:50
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#Aung #Ing #didnt #enter #government #office #discuss #Settha #Feb #Thairath #News #Show #Thairath #Online
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2024-02-16 19:48:24
The Democracy Index for 2023 was issued by the Economist Intelligence Unit of the British “Economist” group, and highlighted a record and unprecedented decline in the global average of the Democracy Index, as it reached 5.23 on a ten-point scale, which is its lowest level since the first study of this index was issued in 2013. 2006.
Announcement
The Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) collects data annually, to determine levels of democracy around the world, in what is called the “Global Democracy Index.” This indicator is based on a scale from 0 to 10 to evaluate all countries of the world annually.
This index measures the state of democracy in 167 countries based on 5 criteria: the electoral process and pluralism, government performance, political participation, democratic political culture and civil liberties.
Countries are also classified based on scores into: full democracies, imperfect democracies, hybrid regimes, and authoritarian regimes.
This year, the annual index recorded a decrease in its total score from 5.29 (out of 10) in 2022 to 5.23, pointing out that the increasing outbreak of violent conflicts has greatly weakened the levels of democracy at the international level.
This decline was reflected mainly in the countries of the Middle East and North Africa, which in turn recorded an unprecedented record decline, while most Arab countries came at the bottom of the list with no country classified as democratic.
Results for Arab countries:
Hybrid systems
- Tunisia (5.51) is ranked 82nd globally, and first in the Arab world
- Morocco (5.04) is ranked 93rd globally and second in the Arab world.
Authoritarian regimes
- Ranked 110th globally, Algeria 3.66
- 111 Qatar ranked 3.65
- 112 Lebanon 3.56
- 113 Kuwait 3.50
- 114 Kuwait 3.50
- 115 Palestine 3.47
- 119 Oman 3.12
- 122 Jordan 3.04
- 125 Emirates 3.01
- 127 Egypt 2.93
- 128 Iraq 2.88
- 139 Bahrain 2.52
- 150 Saudi Arabia 2.08
- 154 Yemen 1.95
- 157 Libya 1.78
- 158 Sudan 1.76
- 163 Syria 1.43
According to the index, the most democratic countries in the world are respectively Norway, New Zealand, Finland, Sweden, Iceland, Denmark, Ireland, Taiwan, Australia and Switzerland. Australia and Switzerland are ranked ninth, while the Netherlands is practically ranked tenth on the list of most democratic countries.
The report ranked Tunisia first in the Maghreb in the democracy index, considering its system a “hybrid” between authoritarian and democratic. Tunisia received a score of 5.51 out of 10, which placed it ranked 82nd globally.
This represents progress for Tunisia compared to the 2022 index, where it was ranked 85th globally. In 2021, the country recorded a decline of 10 places following the launch of measures by President Kais Saied, elected in 2019, including dissolving Parliament on July 25, 2021, amending the constitution, and prosecuting opponents.
Morocco came second in the Maghreb with a score of 5.04, which placed it 93rd globally, and it is also classified as a “hybrid system.”
The report considered that the decline of the Middle East into a broader war and conflict in 2023, following the Hamas attacks on October 7, is what led to the region’s score falling to its lowest level ever on the Democracy Index.
Out of 20 countries, 8 countries recorded a decline this year, with war-torn Sudan suffering the most, and 11 countries maintained the same score as in 2022. While only one country’s scores improved, which is the UAE.
The report noted that political instability has undermined the prospects for democracy in the region, and that restrictions on civil and political freedoms, including the suppression of opposition and media in the region, strengthen authoritarian regimes.
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#Democracy #Index #unprecedented #global #deterioration #ranking #Arab #countries
World Table Tennis 2024 Team Tournament: Japan’s Unusual Start and Unexpected Victory
written by Alexandra Hartman Editor-in-Chief
2024-02-16 16:00:03
Yuta Tanaka, Tomokazu Harimoto PHOTO: Itaru Chiba
The “World Table Tennis 2024 Team Tournament” (February 16-25) began in Busan, South Korea.
The Japanese men’s national team was supposed to play once morest Nigeria in their first group stage qualifying match on the 16th, but Nigeria withdrew and won by default, making their debut in an unexpected fashion.
Nigeria withdrew because their ace, Aruna, was on sick leave, and their third-place player, Abiodun, had a flight problem.
Despite Nigeria’s bad luck, they are scheduled to play in the second match once morest Taiwan on the 17th.
Meanwhile, something unusual happened in Japan as well. The announced orders were Tomokazu Harimoto (Tomokazu Kikaku), Daito Shinozuka (Aichi Institute of Technology), and Yuta Tanaka (individual). Shunsuke Togami (Meiji University), who is second to Japan’s ace Harimoto, is unnamed.
Togami had a fever the night before and did not come to the venue.
Interviews with Harimoto, Shinozuka, and Tanaka were held shortly following Japan’s victory by default was announced.
―Honestly, what did you think when you heard that the game once morest Nigeria was cancelled?
Harimoto:I had five minutes left to hand in my racket, but that’s when I was asked regarding it. I had heard that Aruna wasn’t available, but it’s a shame because I wanted to play with other players. Of course, I would have liked to play with a full squad including Aruna.
Shinozuka:I knew that Aruna was not available today. Until practice, he thought he would be playing (as No. 2), but when he was exchanging orders, he heard that (Aruna’s) No. 2 wasn’t available. I was able to practice with a good sense of tension, so I think I’ll be able to carry it on tomorrow.
Tanaka:In my case, I heard that No. 2 (Aruna) would not be participating, so in reality, (Harimoto) played No. 1 (playing) and No. 2 was missing, so my game was No. 3. I was preparing for that. Since that was no longer the case, there was a positive side in that I was able to practice with more tension, and I also felt like I might have done a little more.
-What has improved since the last World Table Tennis 2022 Chengdu?
Harimoto:I think my sense of stability has improved over the past two years, so instead of playing flashy like I did when I was younger, I think I’m now able to play solidly and get ahead of my opponents and maintain a lead to win. I hope we can play games like that starting tomorrow.
Shinozuka:I mightn’t participate in the last World Table Tennis Tournament (2023 Durban Individual Tournament) due to an injury, so I’m eager to play as soon as possible. I hope to prepare well and be in good condition for the games (starting tomorrow).
Tanaka:I think the orders will be announced once more tomorrow, but I will do my best to prepare to the best of my ability and be able to show up in the best condition no matter when it is decided that I will be out.
-What have you heard regarding Togami’s health?
Harimoto:I have a fever, so I don’t know the exact name of the illness yet. I don’t really know when I’ll be able to come back. First of all, I want you to be healthy. If he is able to practice once more, I would like him to do so, and for now, I would like to support him in getting back to good health.
-Is the pressure increasing due to Togami’s non-participation?
Harimoto:Of course, it would have been nice if they might have come, but all the other members are also reliable, and that’s why we have 5 of us, and 2 of us are in reserve in case of unforeseen circumstances.
All members are strong. I’m not worried regarding it at all, but I want to fight with the mindset that what I’m doing remains the same and I’m focused on my game.
Shinozuka:To be honest, I feel a little more nervous, but I want to be prepared to overcome that.
Tanaka: With Togami gone, I think players like Matsushima and I may have more opportunities to play, but when we are appointed, I want people to think, “I’m glad I chose to play,” and I’m aiming for that kind of play. Therefore, I would like to continue preparing.
– As your senior (one year older), what would you say to Togami?
Tanaka:Well, that’s really all there is to it, “Get well!”
Harimoto:If I were in Togami’s position, I would feel frustrated no matter what people say to me. Even if you say “It’s okay” or “It’s not okay,” I’m sure you’ll still feel frustrated.
The first thing to do is to heal your condition, that’s all you can do. As a result, you may or may not be able to make it in time for the tournament, so for now, I just want you to sleep a lot, eat a lot, and get healthy.
(Text by Mina Takagi)
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#Mens #Japan #Tomokazu #Harimoto #making #appearance #unexpected #fashion #Commenting #Togamis #absence #dont #return #healthy.World #Table #Tennis #Tokyo #Table #Tennis #NEWS #Tokyo
2024-02-16 20:37:30
Brussels, February 16 (QNA) – European stock indices rose at the end of the trading week, in light of renewed hopes for an imminent cut in interest rates from the European Central Bank.
The European STOXX 600 index rose by 0.6 percent, to the highest level in two years, due to the rise in mining company shares, which jumped by 2.5 percent this week, and touched the highest level in two weeks.
The STOXX 50 index of leading stocks hovered around its highest levels in 23 years, with investors anticipating that the European Central Bank will begin cutting interest rates next April.
The German and French indices also continued their gains, reaching good levels, while the British Financial Times Index outperformed its counterparts in Europe, following rising by 1.5 percent, to touch its highest levels in five weeks, following British retail sales were stronger than expected.
Metso shares jumped 9 percent following the Finnish mining equipment manufacturer announced an increase in its profits during the fourth quarter of last year, and gave optimistic forecasts to its subsidiaries.
In turn, National Westminster Bank shares rose by 7.1 percent, following the British bank announced 2023 profits, which exceeded expectations.
In contrast, Eni’s shares fell by 3.1 percent despite the Italian energy group announcing an adjusted net profit in the fourth quarter of last year of 1.64 billion euros ($1.8 billion).
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#European #stock #indices #closed #higher