Stories about LANGUAGES from August, 2024
Guyana's Sir Shridath Ramphal, esteemed international statesman, dies at 95
"[Some men] have become famous because in their fight for human justice, they have chosen the entire world as their theatre. Shridath Ramphal is one of those men."
Bangladeshis help out in flood-affected communities
Bangladesh is experiencing another round of severe floods. Volunteers from across the country are rushing to the affected areas in trucks, carrying boats, speedboats, and relief supplies.
Azerbaijan clears out critics ahead of COP29
Azerbaijan has had one of the lowest international rankings on citizens’ rights and freedoms. Even so, Azerbaijani President Aliyev has insisted persecutions against civil society are justified.
The impact of unpredictable rainfall and flooding on agriculture and food security in Kenya
The rains led to significant damage in 42 of Kenya's 47 counties, with the capital, Nairobi, Homa Bay, Kajiado, Mandera and Nakuru being the most severely affected by the floods.
Two Hong Kong journalists found guilty of sedition after a 2-year trial
Two former chief editors of the now-defunct Stand News were found guilty of sedition, marking the first such conviction of journalists since the former British colony returned to China in 1997.
Top officials in Kazakhstan dodge independent journalists
Their attitude toward the media shows their attitude not only towards journalism, but also towards the citizens of the country.
Jamaica's finance minister’s appointment as deputy managing director of the IMF, a first for the region, brings plaudits and some local concerns
The IMF lauded Jamaica's remarkable economic transformation, adding that Clarke has demonstrated “it is possible to build strong institutions, to have a remarkably resilient economy [and] to overcome challenges.”
Tech giants criticized for silencing Pro-Palestinian narratives
Social media platforms are accused of suppressing Palestinian voices, raising concerns about the impact on democratic debate and freedom of expression globally.
Everything you should know about the Nigeria vs South Africa ‘online ride-hailing war’
This latest digital feud, which involves ordering and canceling trips on ride-hailing apps in both countries, is negatively affecting the livelihoods of the drivers.
Central Asians display unprecedented regional solidarity at the Paris Olympics
This level of solidarity showcased that Central Asians have developed a common regional identity and view each other as more than just adjacent nations.
From Myanmar to Thailand: Displaced journalists tell their stories
"I still have concerns that police will raid our office and arrest us because we have no permit to operate a news agency."
Lives on the line in the Himalayan mountains
Glacial lake outbursts and debris flows will be more destructive and frequent in Nepal in the near future, highlighting the amplified risks of mountain living due to climate change.
Citizens place blame on India as flash floods ravage Bangladesh
Bangladesh is grappling with one of its worst floods in recent times, caused by heavy rainfall and influx of water from India's Tripura state rivers.
Through the lens of Czech-British photographer Liba Taylor: The power of photography
“People don’t just sit and wait for aid, but when there’s no condition to survive, they don’t have another choice” explains documentary photographer Liba Taylor, famous for documenting human resilience to adversity.
‘Nionsologie': A term used in DRC to describe those who profess to know it all
In the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), "pseudo-experts" who profess to “know it all” defy all knowledge-based logic and flood social media with their often unfounded comments.
Ecuador's conflicts of power: Was there an ‘attempted coup d'état’ or ‘political gender violence'?
The dispute between Ecuador's president and vice-president underscores the growing political instability in the country.
From revolution to exile: The journey of Iranian activist Nasrin Bassiri
Nasrin Bassiri’s journey from revolutionary hope in Iran to exile in Berlin captures Iranian women's relentless fight for freedom.
Hong Kong’s neon glow dims, symbolising the end of an era
Amid the whirlwind of sociopolitical changes that transformed Hong Kong from a liberal to an authoritarian city, people's desire to preserve and understand pieces of Hong Kong’s heritage has intensified.
Coastal villages struggle to recover after oil spill disaster near Philippine capital
"Toxic oil spills in our oceans are like fires in our forests, leaving a path of destruction that brings decades of negative impacts."
What are the controversies over Hong Kong’s latest cybersecurity bill?
“The proposals give authorities overly broad powers that could threaten the integrity of service providers and rock confidence in the city’s digital economy.”
How LGBTQ+ people live in Russia after being labeled an extremist community
How has life changed for queer people across different regions of Russia after the ban on the LGBTQ+ "movement?" What do they fear and dream about?
