海角大神

The vote for the European Union parliament this week is one of the most consequential in the organization's history. At issue is the spirit of Europe's post-World War II identity.聽

It can be hard for Congress to pass legislation when there are sharp partisan differences. But on infrastructure, there鈥檚 actually plenty of agreement. Turns out, these days, that can be a problem, too.

Paradise, California, is a portrait of what happens long after TV cameras leave following a disaster. What residents are finding is that emotional recovery, like rebuilding itself, takes care and patience.

Many fear that the rise of Hindu nationalism has tied 鈥業ndianness鈥� to religion. But being Indian also means taking part聽鈥� every day聽鈥� in the largest democratic experiment on earth.

Sometimes fashion designers make dreadful decisions, inadvertently mocking entire groups of people. But the answer is easy: more diversity in the design room. And often it is a financial boon, too.

In an era of strongman rule from Egypt to China, it is refreshing to see a new leader on the world scene who tries not to act like a personal hero but operates with compelling modesty. On Monday, Volodymyr Zelenskiy was sworn in as the elected president of Ukraine. One of his first requests? Don鈥檛 hang his picture in government offices.

鈥淭he president is not an icon, not an idol. Put there [on the walls] photos of your children, and look into their eyes before taking every decision,鈥� said the father of two in an address to the Ukrainian people.

The novice politician won a landslide victory based on his popularity in a TV show in which he plays a humble schoolteacher comically elevated to the presidency. As a real-life president, he continued the theme of humility by walking to his inauguration, refusing an honor guard, and eschewing the haughty ways of the oligarchy that has dominated one of Europe鈥檚 poorest country. 鈥淧eople must come to power who will serve the public,鈥� he said.

Whether Mr. Zelenskiy can resist the temptations of personal power, secrecy, and unaccountability remains to be seen. He promised 鈥渇ewer words and more action鈥� to end both deep-seated corruption and Russia鈥檚 hold on parts of Ukraine. Tough decisions must be made. And he faces tough opponents in Parliament. His humility could easily be taken as weakness.

Still, by its claim to openness, self-reflection, and denial of taking credit, humility is a great way to learn. Today鈥檚 autocrats pretend they are all-knowing, which leads them to make critical mistakes and demand personal rule without checks and balances. They practice certitude over kindness, ruthlessness over listening. Opponents are to be exploited or crushed, not seen as worthy of respect.

In many ways, Ukraine鈥檚 new leader resembles Joko Widodo of Indonesia, the world鈥檚 fourth most populous nation. He officially won a second term as president on Tuesday. Even his opponents see this common man, once a furniture maker, as clean, honest, and humble. 鈥淢y government is about harmony and opposing extremism,鈥� he told a reporter.

His folksy, humble style is much admired by people in Asia living under dictatorships. In the same way, Russians are noting how much Mr. Zelenskiy differs from their president. In his inauguration, some in Russian media noted, Vladimir Putin arrived in a bulletproof car with the streets of Moscow cleared of people.