Stories about Feature from October, 2021
Singapore's new law against ‘foreign interference’ threatens to undermine free speech
"The solution should never be to simply give the government more and more and more broad discretionary powers that can be used against citizens ..."
Song on Algerian radio show brings Christian minority's plight to the fore
"I’ve faced many obstacles...it is very hard to tell people in Algeria that I am a Christian."
Hong Kong stays firm on zero-COVID policy as its top strategy to reconnect with China
"So if Hong Kong were to loosen border controls for people arriving from overseas... then the chances to travel with the mainland will be reduced," says Hong Kong's Chief Executive.
‘Loss and Damage’ are critical issues for fragile Caribbean states at COP26
"It’s important for high emitting, major polluters to commit to reducing greenhouse gas emissions. That is what is driving the extremes of climate change. Meanwhile, we have to adapt."
Sri Lanka sacks agricultural scientist for raising concerns over agro-chemical ban
The sudden move to total organic farming could be one of the multiple triggers for a Sri Lankan food crisis that has affected the availability of essential food in the market.
Chaotic attempt to remove Trinidad & Tobago's president demonstrates how ‘the country was the real loser’
Trinidad and Tobago's landscape of tribal politics recently culminated in a motion—which ultimately failed—to remove the country’s sitting president from office.
Deaths of three Kenyan athletes puts focus on mental health and gender-based violence
Kenya has lost close to 45 million US dollars in revenue from sports since March 2020 due to the disruptions caused by COVID-19. This has exacerbated the mental health of athletes.
How children became the worst sufferers of COVID-19 induced lockdowns in India
VideoVolunteers Community Correspondents (CCs) report from the ground on the devastating consequences of COVID-19 lockdowns for primary education in rural schools in India.
The Pandora Papers unveil offshore companies linked to the family of Turkmenistan's President
In Turkmenistan, two brothers have used offshore companies to earn from state contracts of import-export. The problem is that they are relatives of the president.
Turkish President declares 10 diplomats persona non grata
President Erdogan's decision to expel the ambassadors comes following a statement issued on October 18, 2021 by the embassies of ten countries on the ongoing detention of philanthropist Osman Kavala.
Controversial Jamaican pastor dies in car crash on the way to being charged for ‘cult’ deaths
Following the bizarre deaths of two congregants and a car crash that claimed the life of the sect's leader, Jamaicans are incredulous over how such "churches" are allowed to operate.
The Uyghur issue, China’s greatest fear, is looming in Afghanistan
As the Taliban and China seem to strengthen their ties, the tragedy of the Uyghurs imprisoned in China's so-called re-education camps could prove to be a diplomatic stumbling block.
Pandora Papers revelations across Lusophone countries
Numerous politicians were implicated in Angola, Mozambique, and Portugal. Before that, their names had never been attached to offshore scandals.
NGO says Egypt's North Sinai residents were badly abused by both military and militants
Abuses by the army documented by the Sinai Foundation for Human Rights against civilians included random shootings, airstrikes targeting civilian buildings, eviction of people, arbitrary arrests, and extrajudicial killings.
Cats, crows and planet Earth: drawings by Belarusian political prisoners
Drawings sent to friends and family by Belarusian political prisoners, detained in a crackdown after the 2020 elections, provide an insight into their lives.
A McDonald's drive-through in Japan gets a visit from a sacred horse
A popular post on Japanese Twitter provides a glimpse into the long connection between horses and Shinto shrines in Japan.
News site founders, editor resign under pressure from Kazakhstan's authorities
A sophisticated attack on Hola News's website kept it down for 10 days. The core team then abandoned the project, citing pressure from the authorities.
Bangladesh’s upcoming Data Protection Act may suppress, not protect, citizens rights
Analysts fear that a proposed data protection act in Bangladesh contains some loopholes including the indemnification of government agencies, which could be weaponized like the existing controversial Digital Security Act 2018.
The son of dictator Ferdinand Marcos wants to become the Philippines’ next president
The danger that Ferdinand (Bongbong) Marcos Jr., son of the hated Philippine dictator, being elected as president in the May 2022 elections is real and a grim possibility.
Cameroon’s teenage cricket star Maeva Douma takes women’s sport to greater heights
Cricket, a relatively new sport in Cameroon, is on a steady rise with over 7,000 children from different regions who are now being trained for the game.
How Dave Chappelle's new comedy special went over in the Caribbean
"[Chappelle] built his deconstruction of the importance of comedy to the human condition using the various gender and LGBTQ movements of this century as his prisms."
