Russia scales up electronic voting for key referendum, but misses security issues · Global Voices

The referendum is likely to extend Putin’s term in office A poster urging citizens to vote in Russia’s upcoming constitutional referendum, stressing amendments on social policy. Moscow, June 2020. Photo (c): Alexey Kovalev. Used with permission. The delayed Russian referendum on constitutional reform goes ahead this week as the country emerges fromContinue Reading

Was coronavirus really in Europe in March 2019?

The novel coronavirus – SARS-CoV-2 – may have been in Europe for longer than previously thought. Recent studies have suggested that it was circulating in Italy as early as December 2019. More surprisingly, researchers at the University of Barcelona found traces of the virus when testing untreated wastewater samples datedContinue Reading

Local lockdowns could lead to civil disorder – here's why

Leicester, England. trabantos/Shutterstock The city of Leicester, in the UK’s Midlands region, is facing a lockdown following a recent spike in COVID cases. The decision was confirmed by UK home secretary, Priti Patel, on the BBC’s Andrew Marr Show on Sunday, June 27. The prospect of these local lockdowns beingContinue Reading