Stories about Politics from April, 2021
The rise and fall of Clubhouse in Turkey
After a brief few months of popularity among student protesters and opposition activists, pro-Erdoğan figures have now flooded the app.
As India grapples with COVID-19, Pakistan extends support, prayers
India's dire COVID-19 situation drew solidarity and support from Pakistan, its neighbour and longtime arch foe, as nations come closer together by the pandemic.
As legislative elections draw to a close, will the Congress Party reclaim Assam state from the BJP?
The Indian National Congress (INC) ruled Assam's legislative assembly from 1951 to 2016 when control switched to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
Attack on a woman in a parking lot has Jamaicans furious and a parliamentarian in limbo
Anger and cynicism have characterised online discussion about the incident, which fed into the bigger issue of gender-based violence.
Organiser of Hong Kong’s mass pro-democracy demonstrations faces police probe
Many see the police's allegations as a sign of a further crackdown on civic groups.
Can smartphone users really protect themselves from privacy violations?
For technology companies, user data is a massive source of income, but this business model includes a security risk for users. Is there a credible solution for strengthening their privacy?
A runaway judge’s disappearance could mar Ukraine-Moldova relationship
Ukrainian judge Mykola Chaus’ escape to Moldova and his subsequent disappearance demonstrate the risks that elite abuse of law enforcement and judicial powers for personal gain poses for regional security.
Meet Beatriz Gomes Dias, the teacher who could become the first black woman to govern Lisbon
Beatriz Gomes Dias, currently a member of parliament, was chosen to head the list of the Left Bloc in the local elections in Lisbon, scheduled for late this year.
Singapore bloggers crowdfund defamation damages due to PM Lee Hsien Loong
"The contribution to the crowdfunding movement is an example of targeted resistance against the government's financially based persecution method against individuals."
Chinese state media instrumental in smear campaign against wife of former US diplomat, research firm DoubleThink Lab says
According to the Taiwanese firm's research report, Chinese media amplified the mass trolling targetting popular food blogger Chuang Tzu-i amid a diplomatic row with the US.
Experts warn Turkey's ambitious Istanbul Kanal will result in environmental destruction—and open a geopolitical can of worms
A new link between the Black Sea and the Sea of Marmara will open a geopolitical pandora box—and poses serious environmental threats to its immediate surroundings.
Journalist becomes first person convicted over 2019 mob attack that injured dozens of Hongkongers
Bao Choy was found guilty of violating the city's Road and Traffic Ordinance by "making false statements" while searching public records of license plates as she investigated the mob attack.
Crumbling infrastructure and oxygen shortage hit India’s Covid-19 response
A lack of hospital beds and oxygen supply combined with mass election rallies and religious gatherings have exposed India’s inadequate pandemic response.
WATCH/LISTEN: Myanmar: Coup & civil disobedience
Missed the live stream of the April 22 Global Voices Insights webinar on Myanmar? Here's a replay.
As Brazil increases exports to China, politicians play the blame game
"The problem is Brazil's current development model that turns it into a large farm," said Evandro Menezes de Carvalho, a specialist in Chinese law and international trade.
How Azerbaijan's government abused Facebook's loopholes—for years
An investigation by The Guardian showed that Facebook has tolerated abuses of its platform in small nations such as Azerbaijan as it prioritized issues that affected the United States and its adversaries.
Czech-Russian relations hit new low after Prague accuses Moscow of ‘state-sponsored terrorism’
On April 17, the Czech government announced it would expel 18 Russian diplomats, following revelations by its intelligence agency that Russian agents played a role in the 2014 explosions at an arms depot.
LIVE on April 22—Myanmar: Coup & civil disobedience
The session will be live-streamed on Facebook Live, YouTube, and Twitch.
Samoa’s surprise election stand-off, and the politician who will be a king – or queen – maker
"The election results have already guaranteed a robust opposition party, an essential element of democracy that has been missing for a decade."
How resisting the security law clampdown brought out Hongkongers’ creativity
Hong Kong Free Press takes a look at how Hongkongers are continuing to make their voices heard.
Jamaica’s COVID-19 vaccination blitz administers 75,000 doses just before expiry date
A shipment of 75,000 shots of the AstraZeneca vaccine arrived in Jamaica on April 8, but expired a few days later, leading to a race against the clock.
