What does it mean when political extremism becomes normalized? Does the media accurately convey the seriousness of climate change to the public? And what's driving conflict between Nepal's native Sherpas and foreign climbers in the Himalayas? It's Fiery Tuesday, our weekly segment about political and societal news from around the world. It's all this and more for the Pagan News Beagle!
A troubling trend has emerged in the world's democracies as of late: the increasing prevalence of extremist politics, some of which is decidedly anti-democratic in nature. What then, are lawmakers and concerned activists to do? It's not an easy question, as Der Spiegel details.
The Philippines elected a new president early in May. Although many Filipinos are excited by Rodrigo Duterte's anti-corruption and pro-LGBT views others are worried by his support of the Davao vigilantes accused of extrajudicial killing and his sexist remarks. The Jakarta Post covers the controversy surrounding the former.
Does the media accurately reflect the scientific consensus on global warming? Perhaps not, if these surveys of public perception on the issue are any indication.
In Singapore, concerns have been raised as local law enforcement has breached the privacy of political activists who expressed criticism of the ruling government. Taiwanese newspaper The News Lens has more.
It should come as little surprise that the world's tallest mountain, Mt. Everest, is a popular destination for adventurous mountain climbers. But the popularity of Everest and its surrounding peaks aren't without their downsides. When Sherpa laborers, the native ethnic group living along Everest's base, go on strike to protest working conditions, tourists can act hostile and entitled to the mountain to the Sherpas' detriment.
Top image by Anton Zelenov