Stories about English from February, 2015
Imported Bollywood Films Have Become Quite a Drama in Bangladesh
Popular Bangladeshi actor Shakib Khan joined protests against Indian movies being screened, arguing it would hurt the country's struggling film industry. Film distributors and cinema owners then banned his films.
Students in Amsterdam Form ‘The New University’, Demanding Reforms
Students at the University of Amsterdam (UvA) launched a protest under the name of The New University to demand the democratization of education.
Russian Opposition Politician Boris Nemtsov Shot and Killed in Moscow
Boris Nemtsov, a prominent Russian opposition politician and one of Vladimir Putin's top critics, has been shot and killed in Moscow.
Parliament Watchdog Connects Ugandans to Women MPs Through Twitter
Parliament Watch Uganda organized the #MPsEngage Twitter chat with women members of parliament to discuss the topic 'Making Women Count in Legislative Processes'.
The Political Violence in Bangladesh Is Claiming Too Many Lives
I close the windows of my car, and think of buying a fire extinguisher. [Then], if a bomb is thrown inside my car, I'd be able to douse the fire.
Oil and Water Don't Mix—Except in Trinidad
Residents noticed a strong smell of oil coming from their taps - but why was was the water supply still operational if authorities could not contain the threat?
Bangladeshi-American Blogger Hacked to Death in Dhaka
Roy is the second Bangladeshi blogger killed since 2013. Horrifying photos of he and his wife, bloodied and injured on the street, were circulated on social media.
How I Helped Get Zoja's Law Approved By Serbia's Parliament
Vuk Visnjic is too young to vote. But when politicians in Serbia's National Assembly ignored a law that would help sick children, he found a way to make a difference.
Anonymous Twitter Account Blows the Whistle on Wounded from Ukraine in Russian Military Hospital
An anonymous account on Twitter claiming to be a Russian soldier at a military hospital in Russia is providing undercover reports on the wounded brought from the frontlines in Ukraine.
Banksy Visits Gaza, Calls on World to Act
Famous British street artist Banksy went undercover in Gaza and released a series of thought-provoking graffiti as well as a mini documentary, calling on the world to act.
Why Did Egyptians Tie and Behead a Dog as Onlookers Watched?
News of the public "slaughtering" of a dog in Cairo as onlookers watched has sent shock waves around the world, with many questioning how people have become this violent.
Police Raid the Lesbians Who Trolled Russia's Leading Anti-Gay Politician
Being gay is dangerous business in Russia, but it’s especially risky when you troll the country’s leading opponent of gay rights.
Did Germany’s Süddeutsche Zeitung Newspaper Let Advertisers Dictate Its Content?
Former contributor Sebastian Heiser accused Süddeutsche Zeitung on his blog of letting advertisers influence editorial content, saying he witnessed it happening firsthand when he worked on the services supplement desk.
ISIS Destroys 3,000-Year-Old Sculptures at a Museum in Mosul, Iraq
Armed with sledgehammers, drills and pickaxes, militants belonging to the ISIS are videotaped destroying 3,000-year-old ancient artefacts in a museum in Mosul, in Northern Iraq.
How Did Palm Oil Become Such a Problem—and What Can We Do About It?
Production of palm oil is devastating for the environment. Solutions are complex, but they exist.
Your Social Media Photos Could Help Protect Whale Sharks and Other Species
Open source software solutions like Wildbook allow scientists to tag and photo-identify individual animals through photos and videos posted on platforms like Facebook, Flickr, YouTube and Vimeo.
Australians Shake Up Internet With Indigenous #MotherLanguage Tweets
Australians joined people from around the world for International Mother Language Day by tweeting in indigenous languages.
Caribbean Law Students Join the Fight Against Human Trafficking
"We believed the subject of human trafficking had not received the level of public appreciation which it deserved and it was our duty to bring awareness to it."
Russian Lawmakers Propose Banning Women Under 40 from Smoking
“Female smoking,” the legislation’s explanatory note says, “harms the body’s reproductive system, causing irreparable damage to the genetic stock of the nation.”
ISIS Burns Mosul Library in Iraq, Destroys Thousands of Valuable Manuscripts and Books
While reports on the attack on Mosul Library have just made the headlines, UNESCO says attacks on libraries, museums and universities have been going on for several months.
Belarus Bans Tor and Other Anonymizers
Belarus is banning anonymizers, typically used to circumvent government censorship and reach online resources banned inside the country, including many of the opposition websites.
