On these pages we summarize more extensive Global Voices coverage of major news events through blogs and citizen media worldwide. If you have suggestions for new special coverage pages, please email us.
Forever is gone, forever: Syria after the dictatorship
The phrase “forever is gone, forever” is not just a declaration of the dictatorship’s end; it is a promise to future generations that Syria’s darkest days are behind it.
The melting pot of Nepal
This special coverage explores the complex dynamics of Nepal, delving into its environmental success stories; celebrating its traditions, food, and languages; while acknowledging the existing social and political challenges.
Israel's war on Gaza
Following an attack by the Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas), the Israeli government officially declared war against the group, putting those living in the Gaza strip in peril and leading to widespread death, injuries, and displacement.
Turmoil in Bangladesh
What started as a peaceful student protest against corruption in government job postings has devolved into a country-wide movement against the ruling party, with military forces violently cracking down on citizens.
Venezuela's fight for democracy
Amid significant irregularities in Venezuela's 2024 presidential elections, protestors took to the streets demanding transparency, leading to clashes with security forces. Dozens have been killed and injuried and hundreds have been arrested.
The protest Olympics
The 2024 Summer Olympics will run from July 26–August 11 and, while athletes prepare to duke it out in the ring, track, and court, political competitions and controversy are unfurling below the surface.
An eye on PRIDE 2024
In queer communities around the world, June 2024 is widely regarded as PRIDE month, a time to celebrate LGBTQ+ achievements and culture and take stock of the barriers to queer equality.
The comforts and controversies of tea
In honor of International Tea Day, Global Voices is exploring the history, politics, and variety of tea consumption around the world
Protecting the press and the environment
The theme of World Press Freedom Day 2024 is “Journalism in the Face of the Environmental Crisis.” Journalists face increasing risk when reporting on environmental and human rights violations.
Tanzania: Diverse, united, and resilient
Even though it is one of the most ethnically diverse countries in Africa, Tanzania remains remarkably united. See our special coverage to learn more.
A plurality of Chinese languages
In honor of UN Chinese Language Day on April 20, Global Voices is exploring the multitude of Chinese languages and dialects and the political implications of their use.
Poetry and activism
Poetry has long been a powerful tool for activism and social change and often reflects a culture's ideologies, struggles, history, and successes. This special coverage explores poetry, poets, and poetry translation.
Romani visibility in Europe
In this Special Coverage, Global Voices illustrates the challenges, joy, and pride that come with being Romani.
Empowering voices: Women in politics
Women’s participation in this election year, whether through advocating for policies that benefit women and girls, turning out to vote, or running for office, can create significant and meaningful change.
Rwanda: The land of a thousand hills
As Rwandans prepare to head to the polls to elect a new president this year, its historical and contemporary factors will influence its political trajectory and the welfare of its citizens.
Entering a third year of war in Ukraine
February 24, 2023, marks the first anniversary of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. This special coverage explores how the war has unfolded over the last two years and what to expect going forward.
Opposing Putin: A multitude of voices
This special coverage focuses on Navalny’s death and its aftermath but also on the many other voices inside and outside of Russia speaking out against authoritarianism.
Indonesia: Elections and democracy
The election could decide current president Jokowi's legacy and political fate once he steps down from power later this year.
Food, culture, and remembering
Food serves as a universal language, often transcending cultural, social, and geographical boundaries. In this special coverage, we explore the intricate web of culinary traditions in our communities and beyond.
Taiwan: Caught between war and peace
Taiwan's January 13 election could change the nature of China-Taiwan relations and make significant waves in the Pacific region.
Zambia's past, present, and future
Zambia's history is devoid of a modern war or significant socio-political conflict. This peaceful coexistence has become an integral part of Zambian lifestyle and existence today.
Madagascar: A destabilized society
As the country is having two rounds of elections on November 16 and December 20, Global Voices offers special coverage of major issues: politics, economics, environmental issues, music and literature.
Remembering the Great Zimbabwe
In recent years, Zimbabwe has faced a series of economic and political challenges that have destabilized the country. Learn about Zimbabwe's historical context and future prospects in our special coverage.
What will the ‘New Uzbekistan’ look like?
Upon his election in 2016, Uzbekistan’s president Shavkat Mirziyoyev promised to build a “New Uzbekistan” free of corruption and oppression. But is this promise coming to pass?
Understanding the link between Ukraine and Taiwan
Amid Russia's ongoing invasion of Ukraine, many in Taiwan are drawing parallels between Russia and Ukraine and Taiwan's own relationship with China. Find out how this is playing out here.
A mosaic of MENA languages
Exploring the intersection of rights and Indigenous, minoritized, and low-resourced MENA languages.
SIDS nations grapple with the climate crisis
In the face of the ongoing climate crisis, Small Island Developing Nations (SIDs) have emerged as some of the most vulnerable and affected regions in the world.
The fall of Kabul: Two years later
Two years after the Taliban retook Afghanistan in August 2021, citizens’ rights and freedoms have deteriorated significantly — particularly for women and LGBTQ+ people. Even so, local resistance groups continue to struggle.
Wartime stories from Ukraine
Global Voices published a series of essays and stories written by Ukrainian artists who decided to remain in the country after Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022.
Russian: a language constantly instrumentalized by ideologies
June 6 was declared International Russian language day by the United Nations in 2010 to coincide with the birthday of Aleksandr Pushkin, considered the father of modern Russian literature.
Celebrating global LGBTQ+ rights
In most societies today, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer individuals (LGBTQ+) face added societal challenges from homophobia to state oppression and hostility to ingrained bigotry and institutional failures.
Eurovision 2023: Music is always political
While it’s garnered a reputation as being “kitschy” or cheesy due to its incredibly dramatic and often “out there” performances Eurovision is more than just a song competition.
Fundraiser: Cycling in the footsteps of the California Farm Workers March
Starting June 1, J. Nathan Matias and Global Voices’ executive director Ivan Sigal, will embark on a cycling journey following the route of the historic 1966 California Farm Workers march.
World Press Freedom Day 2023
While many countries saw the erosion of media freedoms over the last year, others are approaching a tipping point that will decide whether media freedoms and democracy will prevail over authoritarian regimes.
Thailand's 2023 election: Continuity or change?
Thailand’s election on May 14 will be a contest between the forces that supported the 2014 coup and those who deem it necessary to pursue urgent democratic reforms in governance.
International women's day 2023
This International Women’s Day, Global Voices will be highlighting women's achievement and obstacles to gender inequality over the last year.
The splintering of Turkey
The country has been rocked by seismic political turmoil ahead of its May election, largely due to increased corruption and inadequate government response to the deadly earthquake in February.
Carnival in Trinidad & Tobago
After a two-year hiatus because of COVID-19, Trindiad & Tobago is once again celebrating Carnival. This special coverage will dive deep to understand what makes Carnival so special in the region.
Mapping the social media landscape
This special coverage series explores how our diverse global newsroom of journalists, activists, researchers, and editors uses social media.
Celebrating Uyghur resilience
Despite Beijing’s efforts to deny its genocide against the Uyghur people and silence critics, the Uyghur community and its supporters refuse to be stifled.
China's authoritarian tipping point
Protests have erupted across China in response to the government's strict zero-COVID policies, shrinking spaces for free speech and expression, and increasing authoritarianism. Follow our special coverage here.
A World Cup of shame
The 2022 FIFA World Cup has been marked by allegations of human rights abuses, anti-LGBTQ+ sentiment, deadly and inhumane working conditions, and forced labor, sparking global criticism and boycotts.
Global greenwashing and COP27
The world's biggest annual environmental conference is occurring in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt this year and is already rife with allegations of greenwashing and human rights violations.
“Women, life, freedom” Iran revolts
After 22-year-old Mahsa Amini died in Iranian police custody, Iranian women have taken to the streets to lead protests against a repressive government regime, inspiring waves of support around the world.
Ukrainian language, arts, and culture
Ukrainian is spoken by around 40 million people globally. Here is a selection of Global Voices’ reporting on the Ukrainian language and its presence in literature, music, and humor.
Brazil's fight for democracy
Since Brazil's October 2022 election, tensions have been boiling between pro-democracy Lula supporters and far-right Bolsonaro supporters. In January 2023, this led to nationwide riots, violence, and terrorist episodes.
Ecotourism
Ecotourism aims to promote “responsible travel” that aids in the conservation of the ecological, social, and cultural aspects of a destination. However, this does not mean that all ecotourism is sustainable or accessible.
Bodily autonomy around the world
Women, trans people, and those with non-conforming gender identities have faced a barrage of attacks this year as conservative institutions try to control and police their bodies.
Highlighting Taiwan’s international invisibility
Between the War in Ukraine and simmering tensions between the US and China, international tensions are threatening Taiwan's precarious position as a de facto independent state.
Marcos watch: The first 100 days
For the next 100 days, Global Voices will publish news stories, opinion pieces, and studies documenting the presidency of Marcos Jr., the son of former dictator Ferdinand Marcos Sr.
Young Voices: Nigeria
This series of stories, written by young Nigerian undergraduate journalism students, covers an array of topics, including human interest, digital rights, and the tragi-comic complexities of daily life in Lagos.
Pride 2022: Community resistance
Increasing global conservatism is infringing on the LGBTQ+ community's hard-won rights. But the community is fighting back as individuals and allies take to the streets to resist authoritarianism and oppression.
A journey into African music
This series interrogates the evolution of contemporary music genres, the sampling of music from African greats, the impact of African music on the global stage, and its consumption on the continent.
Sri Lanka in crisis
Sri Lanka is in crisis after protests against the nation's Rajapaksa government intensified at the end of March 2022 over economic and social issues. Officials are violently cracking down on dissenters.
Green Voices
We are a collective of environmentally focused journalists, translators, and stakeholders who seek to use our global perspective to raise awareness about environmental issues and those affected by them.
World Press Freedom Day 2022
The past few years have presented unprecedented challenges for journalists and others working in media as they were increasingly targeted for repression, arrested, silenced, threatened, and more.
Russia invades Ukraine
Russia's brazen invasion of Ukraine marks a dangerous new phase in the history of Eastern Europe, with serious implications for the post-Cold War international order.
Music Club
To celebrate the stories of music that seeks to change the world, the Music Club meets on a monthly basis to discuss music-related stories, plan our coverage, and share songs.
When sports are political: The other side of Beijing 2022
China is hosting its second-ever Olympic Games in February 2022 and the international gathering has turned out to be much more than a sports event.
Kazakhstan’s illusory stability has cracked
Kazakhstan's stifling calm is shattered, and the fault lines have long been visible.