Stories about LANGUAGES from October, 2017
After 121 Years, the First Indigenous Singer Performs at Brazil’s Teatro Amazonas
The theatre was built in the late 19th century with the wealth from rubber exploitation in the Amazon, which brought devastation for the indigenous communities in the forested region.
Fake News Tries to Link Austria's Chancellor-to-Be and Philanthropist George Soros
A known fake news purveyor published disinformation that Sebastian Kurz expelled Soros' Open Society Foundations from the country. It's not the first time fake news producers connected the two.
Global Voices Summit 2017: Countdown to Sri Lanka!
Over 50 countries will be represented at the Global Voices Summit 2017. Join us in Colombo, Sri Lanka on December 2-3!
The Portuguese People Want Justice for Victims of Fires That Ravaged Their Country This Year
According to the European Forest Fire Information System, around 500,000 hectares of forest have burned in 2017 alone – an area roughly twice the size the district of Lisbon.
Jamaican Prime Minister’s Barefoot Campaigning Inspires Laughs—and Questions About Infrastructure
Despite the showmanship involved in the campaigning in a key constituency in an important Jamaican by-election, netizens wonder whether anything will actually change after the votes are in.
Japan's Largest Diwali Celebration Featured Food, Dancing and a Naan Flatbread Mascot
Thanks to increasing ties between the two countries, the number of Indians living in Japan has increased over the past two decades to at least 28,000.
A Son of Indian Billionaire ‘Resides’ in a Modest Post-Communist Building in Macedonia
Indian billionaire son's residence in Skopje -- and whether or not he actually resides there -- has brought up questions of corrupt ties to the former ruling party of Macedonia.
In Trinidad & Tobago, It's No ‘Small Thing’ How People Rallied After Flooding
While most people had "no words" to describe the damage caused by days of flooding, the deputy head of the country's disaster agency called the situation "a small thing".
Kyrgyz People of Central Asia Shocked to Be the Bad Guys in New Japanese ‘Tokusatsu’ Movie
In Japanese, the 'kyr' in 'Kyrgyz' sounds a lot like 'kill'.
Indonesian Law Makes It Easier to Disband Extremist Groups, but Could Undermine Civil Liberties
"There are many ways for the government to combat radicalism and defend social cohesion. Removing meaningful legal protections of freedom of association is not the way to do that."
Ex-Refugee Who Slept Rough in Rome Now Runs Several Businesses, Dreams of Rebuilding Afghanistan
"I want to invest in Afghanistan, I have never forgotten my country and I can’t live happily, knowing that my people are suffering."
The Families of Trafficked Boys From India's Arwal Say Police Don't Care
"There were eight of us...They would beat us if we didn’t chop wood and not give us food...They killed four boys. And threw them in the river nearby."
After 113 Days Behind Bars, #Istanbul10 Human Rights Defenders Are Released Pending Trial
“I don’t have anything to regret. I just did my work as a human rights defender,” Idil Eser told the court.
Albanian Prime Minister Insults Journalists After Parliament Votes to Protect Lawmaker From Arrest
The Albanian Journalists' Union condemned "that such behavior and insulting communication is directly related to the dire situation faced by journalism in Albania."
A 21-Year-Old American Sings the Praises of President Xi's Chinese Dream—Literally
Dylan Walker sang the song “China Dream and My Dream” during the country's October 1 national holiday, leading some netizens to speculate he was a paid propagandist for the government.
Czech President ‘Jokingly’ Threatens Journalists With an Assault Rifle Replica
Last Friday, Czech president Miloš Zeman brandished a wooden replica of an assault rifle with the inscription 'for journalists' written on its side. Journalists, however, failed to appreciate the 'joke'.
Tonga Government Accused of Controlling State Media Ahead of Elections
"Government needs to stop using so-called losses as an excuse to apply punitive changes aimed at gagging newsroom and management in a leading public broadcaster of the region."
Kebab, Yes; Revolution, No: Migrants and the Fight for Catalonia
"I was surprised that people sporting dreadlocks, turbans, braids, and other Afrocentric apparel failed to acknowledge the word "migrant" at an event supporting those being persecuted in Catalonia..."
Knife Attack on Russian Journalist Reignites an “Atmosphere of Hate” in the Media
The knife assault on Felgengauer sparked a wave of criticism against the state propaganda apparatus, which has recently intensified attacks on independent media in Russia, specifically Echo of Moscow.
Iraqis Call on Government to Assist Humanitarian's Art-Based Orphanage
"The government should help him build a complete foundation because these children are the future of Iraq and they deserve to feel safe."
A Macedonian Comic Strip Encourages Women to Pursue Computer Programming Careers
Neta, a comic strip about a young woman who works as software engineer, has become a fixture of Macedonian tech culture.
