As a devastating second wave of coronavirus has swept India in recent weeks, Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s well-crafted public image has taken a beating.

The recent decision by international internet companies to comply with Turkish government demands that the companies open offices in Turkey is stoking fears over the future of country’s last remaining platform for independent journalism.

Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas's decision, announced in April, to indefinitely postpone elections could rekindle tensions between his secular Fatah movement and Hamas Islamists, piling pressure on Abbas to set a new timeline for the first Palestinian elections in 15 years.

The acrid stench of wood-fire, molten oils and the confused ululation of last rites engulf cremation centers in India where the pandemic is currently claiming three lives every minute. The sub-continent’s coronavirus tally surpassed the grim 21-million mile-stone and the death toll reached 238,000 at the end of the first week of May.

Turkey and Egypt have started diplomatic talks to restore ties frozen since the 2013 military coup that ousted President Mohamed Morsi. Analysts predict such a rapprochement could have repercussions across the north African region, but Morsi's supporters could end up paying the heaviest price.

For the first time ever, all Scottish citizens aged 16 and over will have the right to vote, regardless of nationality. Previously, only British, EU and Commonwealth citizens were allowed to take part. In Thursday's parliamentary elections, thousands from further afield, including refugees, will now be able to cast their ballots.

With the country gearing up to welcome the world in Glasgow for the COP26 climate summit later this year, Scotland wants to be a global leader in the fight against climate change. A couple of years ago, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon declared a climate emergency, followed by a vote in the Scottish Parliament ratifying ambitious targets to gradually put an end to Scotland’s contribution to global carbon emissions. As Scots prepare to go to the polls to elect their parliamentarians, the climate crisis, and how far the country still needs to go, features heavily in the campaign.

Since its creation in 1999, the Scottish Parliament has provided a forum to address issues like health, education and the environment, which directly affect the nation. However, as far as representation goes, there is room for improvement. Things could change dramatically in this year’s parliamentary elections, set to take place on 6 May. This is the second of four reports.

With tensions escalating between Russia and Ukraine, Turkey is standing by Kiev, for the moment at least. But Turkey could end up paying a heavy price as Moscow steps up pressure on Ankara. Russian tourists and the Sputnik V vaccine could well be the currency.

As Scotland carefully exits lockdown, citizens across the country will go the polls on 6 May in elections that have been described as the most important since the nation’s devolved Parliament reconvened in 1999. The last Scottish elections, in 2016, took place before Brexit, before the coronavirus pandemic, before the unprecedented rise in support for independence.

This is the first of four reports.