Stories about English from August, 2013
Hong Kong's Civil Disobedience Campaign Seeks Inspiration from Martin Luther King
Democrats in Hong Kong are planning to occupy the city center and struggle for universal suffrage. Martin Luther King's civil disobedience campaign serves as their inspiration.
China's Decision on Cultural Reform
China's current crackdown on online rumors is consistent with the official decision [zh] released after the Sixth Plenum of the 17th Party Congress in October 2011. Oxford scholar Rogier Creemers from China Copyright and Media blog translated this official document, titled Central Committee of the Chinese Communist Party Decision Concerning Deepening Cultural Structural...
Campaigning for a Smoke-Free Southeast Asia
Review of several anti-smoking campaigns in Thailand, Vietnam, and Cambodia. Plus an advisory from Philippine health authorities against the dangers of promoting e-cigarettes
Not a Single Liberian Student Passed This Year's University Admission Test
"No one in that country is even smart enough to cheat?" one shocked Twitter user asked.
Russia's Unpopular but “Necessary” Illegal Immigrant Camps
At the end of July, Moscow's Governor proposed a new detention center for illegal immigrants on a former military base near the Yegoryevsky district. Not everyone is thrilled.
Choosing ‘Exile’ Over Break-up, US Citizens Follow ‘Banned’ Spouses Abroad
Families tell their stories online through social media, where they also raise awareness about their cases and pressure US legislators to include their families in the much anticipated immigration reform.
Strike in Colombia Gains Momentum
Colombia's national strike, which began with an agrarian strike on August 19, is “gaining momentum with shows of support from the citizenry”, as Steven Cohen writes in Colombia Reports: More than 10,000 people participated in “cacerolazos” — protests in which participants bang on kitchen pots and pans — held throughout...
Trinidad & Tobago: No Action on Dog Control Act
Trinidadian diaspora blogger Jumbie's Watch, upset over the news that another person has been mauled to death by a pit bull, wonders why the President hasn't yet proclaimed The Dog Control Act.
Conference on Water Ends with ‘Empty Statements’ in Tajikistan
Tajikistan recently hosted an international conference on water. The event has failed to impress the country's social media users who believe that large summits are less effective than tangible efforts to resolve water-related problems.
‘Million People March’ Against Corruption in the Philippines
Hundreds of thousands of Filipinos gathered in Manila and several cities in the Philippines to denounce rampant corruption in the government.
Russia's Political Firebrand: What Makes Navalny Tick?
Russia's best-known political blogger earned his fame fighting corruption in the private sector, but may now face five years' jail time on (possibly trumped-up) embezzlement charges. In the meantime, he's running for mayor of Moscow.
Kyrgyzstan to Become a ‘Beam of Light’ in the ‘Dark’ Region?
Blogger Bektour Iskender suggests [ru] that “free” Kyrgyzstan should allow citizens of the less free nations in Central Asia, particularly Turkmenistan, to stay in the country visa-free: OK, we have [visa-free regime] for citizens of 44 developed nations. This is great. However, I believe that Kyrgyzstan as the most free country...
Kazakhstan: Script Reform Is ‘Hardly Possible at All’
As Kazakhstan prepares for a highly controversial shift from Cyrillic script to Latin alphabet, its netizens are keen to note that a similar reform implemented years ago by Uzbekistan has not been very successful. Reflecting on her recent trip to Uzbekistan, Margarita Bocharova writes [ru]: It was also very interesting...
China Detains Prominent Online Critic on Prostitution Solicitation Charge
Web users are speculating that the charge against Charles Xue is part of a scheme by authorities to control influential liberals online.
Online Reporting of Bribery in Thailand
Bribespot Thailand encourages Thais to report cases of bribery and corruption in the country. Through an interactive map, the website also identifies bribery hotspots in Thailand.
A Brick in the Wall of Tertiary Education in Barbados?
The government plans to cut subsidies for students at the University of the West Indies in Barbados. Some call it "political treason" while others say the move has public support.
Kazakhstan Eyes 2022 Winter Olympics
Almaty, Kazakhstan's largest city and the former capital, will be bidding for the 2022 Winter Olympics. However, blogger Politolog warns [ru] that the event might prove too costly for the oil-rich nation. Another blogger, Ylya, weighs [ru] the country's chances to win the bid to host the Games in nine years.
Young Kyrgyz and Tajiks Learn to Blog
More than 20 young activists from the Central Asian nations of Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan are learning the basics of blogging at a summer school in northern Tajikistan. Rustam Gulov reports [ru] on Blogiston.tj that participants at the summer school learn to use social media to contribute to public debates on...
Russian Political Prisoners Ignored by Everyone
Twelve men and women currently on trial for their involvement in the May 6, 2012 riots appear to have been largely forgotten.
PHOTOS: Protest Against LPG Price Hike in Thailand
Government claims the increase in cooking gas prices would ease the tax burden of motorists but consumers are worried about its impact on the cost of living in the country
