Stories about English from October, 2017
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!
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.
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".
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."
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.
Thai Historian Could Face 15 Years in Prison for ‘Insulting’ a 16th-Century King
"The military regime just wants to persecute me. They can do anything. So I achieve equanimity. I’m detached. In fact I pity them. I pity those who have power."
Why Is the US Celebrating an Iranian Socialist Wrestler?
"Takhti represented...a tradition, a universe of values with deep and ancient roots and in intense contradiction with the status quo."
Serbian Artists Arrested Following Anti-Authoritarianism Art Museum Protest
Activists were arrested for 'insulting' Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić during the re-opening of a modern art museum in Belgrade.
Some Kashmiris Think Indian Authorities Are Behind Braid-Chopping Attacks Against Women
"Some people believe that it is the revival of old tactics of New Delhi, creating fear psychosis in the public to divert them from the sentiment of freedom."
In Nepal, Every Dog Has Its Day—and That Day Is Called Kukur Tihar
"Reverence to every creature is the basic norms of Hindu mythology. Today is the day of Dog in Nepal. Happy 'Kukur Tihar' (Dog worshiping)"