Stories about English from February, 2019
This Trinidad and Tobago steelband changed its tune, prompting discussion on a steelpan policy
"I don’t think people really understand what happens in a panyard. Problems like the one with Exodus will resurface if we keep looking at pan as pure entertainment."
Egyptian parliament endorses constitutional amendments that could allow Sisi to rule until 2034
"Proposed amendments to Egypt’s constitution, including granting the armed forces authority to intervene in government, would undermine judicial independence and expand executive powers that are already being abused."
USCYBERCOM attack gives Russian legislators new justification for tighter internet controls
Both pro-Kremlin experts and their opponents see the USCYBERCOM's attack on the "troll factory" as ammunition for isolationist policies.
Tensions mount between Pakistan and India after retaliatory manoeuvres by both nations
The current situation represents the biggest escalation of tensions between the two South Asian nuclear-armed rivals in over three decades.
Sexual violence in the family. A taboo topic in Armenia
Cultural taboos and victim-shaming means women subjected to sexual violence at home often do not come forward.
Protests in Haiti may have halted, but its fragile institutions still struggle
The government announced new measures to relieve the suffering of Haitian citizens, but are they enough to solve the current crisis and stem further unrest?
Australian court's historic rejection of coal mine highlights the impact of climate change
"NSW Land and Environment Court decision in #Australia on coal and #climatechange is sending shockwaves around the world."
Russian cathedral choir's performance of a song about US nuclear annihilation shows that parody doesn't quite work in 2019
As Russian state TV regularly airs segments simulating total or partial nuclear destruction of the United States, this was bound to raise a few eyebrows.
A ‘digital nomad’ from the UK advocates for solar power in all island nations
"The Caribbean is no different from other parts of the world. Most people do not think about where their electricity is being generated. The big difference is its phenomenal cost."
Is your favorite movie promoting toxic masculinity? Mango Meter can tell you
"We have every right to enjoy entertainment that does not demean us, and we certainly have a right to voice our views and opinions."
Albania's democracy hangs by a thread as opposition quits parliament, launches mass protests
The EU and other Western powers criticized the lawmakers' decision. NATO-member Albania aims to begin full EU-membership negotiations in 2019.
How Saudi leaders are using religion to consolidate power and silence critical voices
''Oppression is a comprehensive system, and [in our country] it is enabled by religion.''
Journalists, teachers, and activists targeted in attacks on free speech in the Philippines
"These are attempts by those in power to drown out the voice of the marginalized...displaying Duterte’s fear of committed journalism that seeks to inform, educate and guide the public."
Global Voices becomes primary source for global translation competition in Czech Republic
"Global Voices. . . provides articles on interesting and fresh topics that come in several language versions, translated by native speakers, and using contemporary language and an accessible style."
‘Space is about dreaming’ — an interview with International Space University president
"We hope that space will not become a space of confrontation (...) Space makes children dream and all of humanity as well."
Singaporean activist sentenced to 16 days in jail after hosting video chat with HK youth leader Joshua Wong
"There’s no sentence that I’d consider fair, because he should never have been charged."
Tension between India and Pakistan mounts after terror attack in Kashmir
"amidst the political upheaval, some are urging the public to remember that when there is violence -- everyone suffers"
Facebook, robot vacuum cleaner and pro-surveillance politician voted worst privacy intruders in Czech Republic
The Big Brother “anti-awards” ceremony is designed to shame those who violate people's rights to privacy and data protection.
As Putin preaches ‘sovereignty’ and tech modernization, experts lament loss of online freedoms
As Vladimir Putin promises Russians a faster, more reliable internet, two reports by independent expert groups paint an unrelentingly bleak picture of more crackdowns on online freedom of speech.
Samoa arrested blogger ‘King Faipopo’ accused of defaming prime minister
"New legislation, based on old criminal libel laws from colonial times, forces Samoa leaders to look backwards, not forwards."
Kashmiri students face persecution in India after 46 soldiers were killed in terror attack
Kashmiri students face violence and discrimination after a terror attack that killed 46 soldiers.