El Salvador has taken an authoritarian turn with its recent order restricting schoolboys’ haircuts, sparking concerns about the government’s increasing control over citizens. President Nayib Bukele has defended the move as part of his efforts to “reshape every facet of life” in the country.
Since taking office in 2019, Bukele has overseen a significant drop in murder rates, which has boosted his popularity. However, human rights advocates warn that the crackdown on crime has resulted in tens of thousands of innocent people being caught up in a dragnet.
Bukele’s government has also passed laws giving him greater control over the media and restricted term limits, raising concerns about democracy. The president’s attempts to reshape every aspect of life have drawn criticism from international observers.
Meanwhile, other news around the world includes:
* Berlin is promoting itself as an alternative destination for tourists, despite a trend of over-tourism in European cities.
* Artificial intelligence has failed to generate significant returns for businesses, with 95% of organizations surveyed seeing zero financial gains.
* Russia’s invasion of Ukraine continues, with ceasefire talks appearing stalled and diplomatic efforts faltering.
* Germany’s economy has shrunk more than expected, with the country facing a bleak outlook for growth.
* A United Nations-backed body has declared a famine in Gaza City, highlighting the humanitarian crisis unfolding there.
Additionally, tech companies Meta and Morgan Stanley are facing challenges. Meta is freezing its recruitment of AI researchers, while Morgan Stanley estimates that AI adoption could generate up to $16 trillion in value creation for S&P 500 companies.
Source: https://www.semafor.com/article/08/22/2025/el-salvadors-bukele-polices-school-haircuts