Stories about LANGUAGES from April, 2020
Fiji general cites need to ‘stifle criticism’ in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic
"The COVID-19 pandemic is not an excuse for human rights violations. Excessive force and brutality are unacceptable from any of our enforcement or security forces."
‘Language revolt': This activist tweets against erasure of first languages in South Africa
A language reclamation activist confronts linguistic imperialism and the dehumanisation of two South African first languages through digital inclusion advocacy.
Will the Lesser Antillean iguana be saved from extinction?
The decline of this species, whose life expectancy can at least reach 15 years, could be linked to two interconnected phenomena: competition and hybridisation.
COVID-19 diaries from Wuhan: Chinese netizens’ tribute to whistleblower Dr. Ai Fen
There are still people who are brave enough to speak up, and we value these people and try our best to spread their messages.
Women conquer space in Bolivia's Carnival of Oruro
Long excluded from the festival, woman and non-binary people have now claimed their place.
In Mexico, relief program ‘insufficient’ to keep 30 million informal workers at home
"If I don't sell, I don't eat. It's that simple."
Trinidadian Tony Hall, visionary of ‘play and performance’, leaves behind a precious legacy
In a career that spanned five decades — in his words, “play and performance in space, street, stage and screen” — nothing Hall ever worked on was short of original ideas.
To fight COVID-19 in Myanmar, a call to end the war and internet shutdown in Arakan region
"During the global pandemic, we need to stop the war and internet shutdown to fight COVID-19 in Rakhine."
Mass animal sacrifice in the name of God stubbornly continues in Nepal
Despite the global outcry against animal sacrifice in Nepal, the tradition persists.
New video gives clues about motives behind attacks in northern Mozambique
Recorded in Ntchinga village, the video shows the armed group bearing an Islamic State flag and a leader addressing the local people in Kimwan and Kiswahili languages, resembling a rally.
Pre-Hispanic inspiration, struggle, and satire: The art of Mexico's Manuel Ruelas
"In Mexico, the ultimate misfortune is death. That is why this is a recurring concept in my work."
COVID-19 diaries from Wuhan: A fake performance
They yelled out from their windows “fake, fake, it is all formalist performance”. This is not the first time the people in Wuhan express their resentment.
‘Clean city-state’ image of Singapore shows double-standards in its treatment of migrants in times of COVID-19
"....even if you do most things right, if you're not considering or proactively looking out for the most vulnerable and marginalised in society, you're not going to effectively fight #COVID19."
Out of 20,000 COVID-19 cases in the Balkans, more than a third are in Serbia
In Serbia, the government first ignored COVID-19 and even made fun of it.
COVID-19 in the Middle East: Is this pandemic a health crisis or a war?
War-like rhetoric around COVID-19 has allowed governments in the Middle East and North Africa to execute emergency powers and impose draconian measures that would otherwise be unacceptable.
COVID-19 diaries from Wuhan: Feelings of insecurity
I want to go to the park to take a stroll after the lockdown is lifted...
Jamaican activists spent Earth Day at home, online
Jamaican netizens explored the connections between COVID-19 and climate change and the response has been so strong that Earth Day has turned into Earth Week.
COVID-19 creates more uncertainty for migrant workers in India
The spread of COVID-19 in India leads to economic and geographical displacement of migrant workers.
Trinidad & Tobago photographers commemorate Earth Day 2020 with online challenge
"We're trying to keep the topics upbeat in order to keep people focused, and steer everyone's mental state in a positive direction while practising social distancing."
Malaria vaccine may offer respite from Africa’s greatest health scourge
After three decades of research, the RTS,S malaria vaccine backed by the WHO is getting piloted at a health centre in Kenya for the first time.
COVID-19 is also affecting Venezuela's indigenous migrants
Venezuela's borders with Brazil and Colombia have been closed since mid-March, the use of illegal paths and crossings has increased, with its related dangers.
