Stories about English from June, 2011
Philippines: Worst Flash Flood Hit “Typhoon-Free” City
Many Filipinos were taken by surprise by the heavy floods that hit the southern Philippine city of Davao recently. The Philippines is notorious for flash flood disasters, but Davao city is supposedly found in a typhoon-free zone. As of the evening of Wednesday 29 May, 2011, the death toll reached 25 while 15 others remained missing.
China: Sudanese President Bashir's Visit Raises Eyebrows
In the same week that China voices support for an International Criminal Court warrant out on Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi, it rolls out the red carpet for another ICC fugitive, Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir. Online, it's a much different story.
Palestine: Two Boats Sabotaged as Flotilla Floats Onwards
The Freedom Flotilla 2 to Gaza will be missing an Irish ship, it emerged today. The MV Saoirse has been reportedly sabotaged while at berth in the Turkish coastal town of Göcek and will now not be able to take part in the flotilla, aimed at breaking the Israeli blockade on Gaza and presenting humanitarian aid to the Palestinians.
South Sudan: An Argument Against Arming the South
Here is an argument against arming South Sudan: In recent commentary, some in the advocacy community have suggested that the United States actively move to provide the new Republic of...
Africa: On Being in a Mixed Race Relationship
Fiona discusses the challenges of being in a mixed race relationship: There are so many reasons why your family and others might take issue with your prospective partner. People will...
Nigeria: President Fooled the People Again
Japheth J Omojuwa says that Nigeria's president is fooling the people again: “Those of you getting fooled by phony rankings placing Nigeria as the fourth fastest growing economy in the...
D.R. of Congo: Reflections on Congolese Independence
Jason remembers the sword thief while reflecting on Congolese independence: “Instead of remembering Patrice Lumumba, Pierre Mulele or Simon Kimbangu, I'll choose Ambroise Boimbo this time. His claim to fame?...
Nigeria: The Morgue called Lagos/Ibadan Expressway
Nwachukwu wants to know when Lagos/Ibadan Expressway will be fixed: “Late last year, in November, a friend was strangled by the noose called Lagos/Ibadan Expressway. Last month I skipped a...
Guatemala: Electoral Authorities Reject Sandra Torres Presidential Bid
Sandra Torres divorced her husband, President Alvaro Colom, to be eligible to run for president. But things didn't turn out as planned. Mike in Central American Politics reports: “On Wednesday,...
Trinidad & Tobago: Art & Politics
“Once more, art confronts us with the intersection of ideas”: Pleasure reviews Richard Rawlins’ recent art exhibition, saying that the icons of “white elephants, dangling flies that become pianos, non-performing...
Bermuda, Bahamas: Moving Poetry
Take some time out to read a beautiful poem by a Bermudian writer, at tongues of the ocean.
Trinidad & Tobago: Disorganised Tourism
Lisa Allen-Agostini says that Trinidad tourism “is so poorly developed it’s a shame. I was horrified and embarrassed half the time at the paltry quality of our tourism product.”
Bermuda: The Attitude/Economics Equation
Politics.bm says that 30 years after tourism's heyday, “Bermudians are wondering where all the tourists went” and fears that the same thing will happen to the country's stake in international...
Jamaica: Cabinet Reshuffle
Girl With a Purpose has the details about the Prime Minister's Cabinet reshuffle, one of the highlights being that “the post of Attorney General and Minister of Justice has been...
Egypt: Khaled Saeed Murder Trial Postponed
Khaled Saeed, a young man from Alexandria allegedly killed at the hands of policemen in June, has been an icon of the Egyptian revolution. His murder fueled discontent among young Egyptians in the weeks leading to the revolution after images of his battered body went viral. The policemen accused of killing him stood trial today. Following are some reactions following the postponement of the case until September 24.
AP to Open News Bureau In North Korea
The Associated Press(AP) announced on June 29 that AP signed agreements with North Korea’s state news agency, KCNA, to open a news bureau in Pyongyang, North Korea. Read net users’...
Vatican: A ”Historic” Tweet From Pope Benedict XVI
“Dear Friends, I just launched NEWS.VA.Praised be our Lord Jesus Christ! With my prayers and blessings, Benedictus XVI“: this is how Pope Benedict XVI engaged Twitter users on June 28,...
Azerbaijan: Doubts reportedly linger about Eurovision 2012
The Oikotimes, a major Eurovision blog, says that it is still uncertain whether the European Broadcast Union (EBU) is convinced Azerbaijan can host next year's competition. The blog says that...
China: Recycling sewage oil
A video showing how industrial and sewage oil is recycled in a dirty workshop in China. (via Sina Video Weibo)
China: Major Websites Go Red for Communist Party’s 90th Anniversary
Steven Millward from Penn Olson notices that major Chinese websites and portals are “going red” for celebrating the Communist Party's 90th Anniversary.
China: Local government budget, land seizure and social unrest
C. Custer from China Geeks explains the relation between local governments’ budget, forced demolition and social unrest in China. To pay back the 1.6 trillion debt, the blogger anticipates a...
