Stories from November, 2020
Somali journalists say new media law will muzzle free press
Somalia’s media workers say that the draconian new media law will repress journalists who are already struggling in a hostile media environment.
Two white snakes, first of their species in the world, found in Nepal
Two white-coloured kraits (Bungarus), discovered during rescue calls in the Province 2, in the southeastern region of Nepal, are first recorded cases in their species in the world.
The greatness of Caribbean writer Jean Rhys
Best known for “Wide Sargasso Sea,” her daring riposte to “Jane Eyre”, Rhys is an integral part of the literary canon. A panel of writers dissects what makes her great.
Stop playing politics or face a ban, Nintendo warns Animal Crossing gamers
Nintendo's newest hit is being used as a platform for political expression, and the Japanese video game giant is having none of it.
During the Cold War, Latin American intellectuals found solace in communist Prague
After World War II, Latin America had authoritarian, US-backed anti-communist governments. Facing repression at home, writers found refuge in communist Prague, in a story little-known in today's Czech Republic.
Solomon Islands bans Facebook for ‘harmful content’
"Do not go into public life and make laws and decisions for your own good or for your own protection as is seen with the banning of Facebook."
Voices in a Bangkok rally a day after police used water cannon and tear gas against protesters
"I feel that I have to come out to demand my rights. My friends, my younger siblings, or my children in the future should have a better life than this."
Beijing's misgivings with tech billionaire Jack Ma, as seen by Chinese social media
Many Chinese netizens are wondering how political was the decision to halt Ant Group's IPO, and have dig through the internet to find clues.
After back-to-back typhoons, Filipinos criticize President Duterte's absence from public eye
#NasaanAngPangulo (#WhereIsThePresident) and #OustDuterteNow trended on Twitter as Filipinos criticized the absence of President Rodrigo Duterte amid the successive typhoons that hit the Philippines this month.
An internet with borders: A perspective from Pakistan
Pakistan recently adopted new rules imposing fines and bans on services that fail to take down and restrict content within short time frames.
Violent protests erupt in Uganda following presidential candidate Bobi Wine's arrest
Opposition candidate Bobi Wine was arrested in Uganda at a political rally, with police citing his massive rallies violated guidelines given by the electoral commission to curb the spread of COVID-19.
Proposed tax on books in Brazil may disadvantage readers in poorer neighbourhoods
The Brazilian government is considering a 12 percent tax on literary works. Cultural initiatives warn that the proposal risks widening existing inequalities in access to reading.
Barbados removes statue of British naval officer Horatio Nelson for his role in the slave trade
"The point is not the destruction of ‘the past’, as if there was one monolithic uncontested past, but the renegotiation of which past the present holds up to its face."
How Japan followed the US presidential election
In Japan, Trump is not always regarded with the dismissiveness or loathing that is so common in the United States or even in Canada.
Moldovans elect their first female president
Maia Sandu has beaten incumbent Igor Dodon to become Moldova's first female president. She promises reform of the judicial system, rapprochement with the EU, and a crackdown on corruption.
Angolan police violently cracked down on protest against postponement of local elections
Local elections, which were to be organized this year for the first time since Angola's independence, were postponed after a delay in passing legislation to regulate it.
As typhoon causes floods in the Philippines, cellphone ‘load’ becomes disaster relief
Mobile phones are a reliable way for families to exchange information during disasters in the Philippines when power and communication services break down by strong winds and flooding.
Thai LGBTQ+ activists and pro-democracy protesters march together for equality
In Bangkok, LGBTQ activists join ranks with democracy protestors join to demand gender and marriage equality as well as political reforms of the monarchy.
The pandemic in Bangladesh through the lens of its independent filmmakers
Global Voices spoke with Zuairijah Mou, the co-founder of Bangladeshi filmmaking collective Tong-Ghor Talkies, who have recently released a series of short films set in the context of the pandemic.
Scandal over Kremlin advisers heats up Moldova's presidential election
As Moldova prepares for the second round of presidential elections, an investigation reveals that the incumbent and his staff have been closely collaborating with political consultants from the Kremlin.
Spain’s official linguistic institution steps back from gender-neutral pronoun
"The RAE is a bit like the Pope: we don't care what they say, but that they say it is half the battle."