Stories about English from April, 2020
Fiji general cites need to ‘stifle criticism’ in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic
"The COVID-19 pandemic is not an excuse for human rights violations. Excessive force and brutality are unacceptable from any of our enforcement or security forces."
‘Language revolt': This activist tweets against erasure of first languages in South Africa
A language reclamation activist confronts linguistic imperialism and the dehumanisation of two South African first languages through digital inclusion advocacy.
Will the Lesser Antillean iguana be saved from extinction?
The decline of this species, whose life expectancy can at least reach 15 years, could be linked to two interconnected phenomena: competition and hybridisation.
COVID-19 diaries from Wuhan: Chinese netizens’ tribute to whistleblower Dr. Ai Fen
There are still people who are brave enough to speak up, and we value these people and try our best to spread their messages.
Trinidadian Tony Hall, visionary of ‘play and performance’, leaves behind a precious legacy
In a career that spanned five decades — in his words, “play and performance in space, street, stage and screen” — nothing Hall ever worked on was short of original ideas.
To fight COVID-19 in Myanmar, a call to end the war and internet shutdown in Arakan region
"During the global pandemic, we need to stop the war and internet shutdown to fight COVID-19 in Rakhine."
Mass animal sacrifice in the name of God stubbornly continues in Nepal
Despite the global outcry against animal sacrifice in Nepal, the tradition persists.
COVID-19 diaries from Wuhan: A fake performance
They yelled out from their windows “fake, fake, it is all formalist performance”. This is not the first time the people in Wuhan express their resentment.
‘Clean city-state’ image of Singapore shows double-standards in its treatment of migrants in times of COVID-19
"....even if you do most things right, if you're not considering or proactively looking out for the most vulnerable and marginalised in society, you're not going to effectively fight #COVID19."
Out of 20,000 COVID-19 cases in the Balkans, more than a third are in Serbia
In Serbia, the government first ignored COVID-19 and even made fun of it.
COVID-19 diaries from Wuhan: Feelings of insecurity
I want to go to the park to take a stroll after the lockdown is lifted...
Jamaican activists spent Earth Day at home, online
Jamaican netizens explored the connections between COVID-19 and climate change and the response has been so strong that Earth Day has turned into Earth Week.
COVID-19 creates more uncertainty for migrant workers in India
The spread of COVID-19 in India leads to economic and geographical displacement of migrant workers.
Trinidad & Tobago photographers commemorate Earth Day 2020 with online challenge
"We're trying to keep the topics upbeat in order to keep people focused, and steer everyone's mental state in a positive direction while practising social distancing."
Malaria vaccine may offer respite from Africa’s greatest health scourge
After three decades of research, the RTS,S malaria vaccine backed by the WHO is getting piloted at a health centre in Kenya for the first time.
Nepali cartoonists illustrate the country’s COVID-19 crisis
Nepali cartoonists use satire and comedy to depict the country under lockdown.
Beijing stages crackdowns on Hong Kong’s opposition amid COVID-19 pandemic
Over a span of just five days, the city saw its legislature, judiciary, legal system and civil society come under threat.
Liberia's President George Weah sings his fight against COVID-19
Despite a message and movement solidarity in the fight against COVID-19 in Liberia, President George Weah still faces critique over a tanking economy and restricted media.
COVID-19 diaries from Wuhan: Volunteers collect help messages during the pandemic
Domestic violence is emerging in the pandemic and volunteers are keeping records of their stories.
For Nepal's migrant and daily wage workers, lockdown is more dangerous than the coronavirus
Domestic daily wage labourers and migrant workers are among those hardest hit by the COVID-19 restrictions imposed in Nepal.
Bangladesh's frontline health workers contend with resource scarcity, stigma and restrictions
In Bangladesh frontline health worker workers are facing an unprecedented level of hardship, and also some criticism.