Stories about English from September, 2015
Charlie Hebdo's Cartoons of Alan Kurdi Spark Another Round of Free Speech Debates
French satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo kicks off a new free-speech debate with its latest cartoons about the refugee crisis and specifically deceased Syrian toddler Alan Kurdi.
It Gets Worse for Russia's Most-Prominent LGBT Youth Support Group
Authorities have ordered the country's most popular social network to ban Children-404, along with four other LGBT groups, or risk being blocked altogether by Russian Internet providers.
Moroccan Royal Motorcade Runs Down By-Stander
Moroccans are sharing links for a video showing a car which is part of a royal motorcade ferrying Moroccan King Mohammed VI running over a man in Tangiers during the visit of French President Francois Hollande. Samia Errazzouki tweets: Video footage showing royal security protocol running over a man in...
New Mobile App Helps Belarusians to Keep an Eye on Violations in Presidential Election
The creators of "Vochy" hope the mobile app helps broaden Belarusian citizens' knowledge of their voter rights and provides an opportunity to quickly report election violations to independent observers.
Twitter Users from Around the World Show Off Ukrainian Foods in Their Local Grocery Stores
Ukraine’s Agriculture Minister asked his Twitter followers to post photos of products made in Ukraine from grocery stores around the world to show the scope of the country's agricultural exports.
UN Does Not Recognize Taiwanese Passport, Denies Entrance to Geneva Office
Several Taiwanese citizens were denied entrance to the United Nations offices, after the receptionist there said the passport issued by Taiwan (ROC) was not a valid identity document.
Surprise Swings Lead to Landslide Victory for Singapore's Ruling Party
Singapore's ruling party, which has been in power since 1959, clinched a landslide victory in the recent general election. Many were surprised by the results.
What Could a Protest of Taxi Drivers in Lisbon and Jakarta Possibly Have in Common? Uber!
Uber is challenging the taxi business concept all around the world. Portuguese taxi drivers are reacting very seriously: with protests. The same is happening in Indonesia.
Ugandan Minister Mysteriously Dies, the Internet Goes Haywire
The sudden death of General Aronda, Uganda's Internal Affairs Minister and former Chief Of Defence Forces, created an outpouring of condolences and a wave of conspiracy theories on social media.
Taiwan Fishing Heritage: Fish and Fire Dance in the Sea
Every year from May to September, masses of anchovies and sardines swim off the northern coast of Taiwan. "Jolting fire," a traditional way of fishing, is used to catch them.
Saudi Court's Death Sentence for Young Ali Al-Nimr Disputed by Human Rights Defenders
Saudi Ali al-Nimr was arrested when he was 17. Now, at 21, he is sentenced to be beheaded, and then have his body strapped to a cross to rot.
The Lebanese Government vs Protesters: Oppression, Arrests and Thugs
Forty-three people were arrested in Lebanon on Wednesday for protesting against the second round of talks between political powers to end the presidential stalemate.
Russia's Favorite Beer-Eating Patriot Has Now Burned, Eaten, and Stomped on 20,000 ‘Dollars’
This week, Baretsky burned up, chewed up, stomped on, and then sprayed with beer a stack of dollars and euros. He said it was about $20,000—his supposed life savings.
Goodbye, “Online.” Hello, HTTPS!
For 10 years we lived with a domain name that didn't quite fit. How we changed that—and implemented site-wide, always-on HTTPS in the process—is a story of love and war.
Photos Show How Badly the Haze Is Affecting Southeast Asia
As a forest fire sends a thick haze above Indonesia, Malaysia, and Singapore, face masks have become the fashion du jour for those venturing outdoors.
In Myanmar, Election Candidates Chase Votes Via ‘Likes’
Yen Snaing from The Irrawaddy writes how election candidates in Myanmar are using Facebook to get the support of voters.
South Africa's President Blames the West for Surge in Refugees, So ‘They Must Address It’
Jacob Zuma said the West was guilty of opening the floodgates of refugees by taking military action in Libya, a statement that divided netizens.
#DearMrPresident: South Africans Write to President Zuma on Twitter
An open letter to South Africa's President Jacob Zuma about rising crime levels caused an outpouring of criticism from citizens on Twitter with the hashtag #DearMrPresident.
Truth Is Not a Crime: Ukraine Honors Fallen Journalist Gongadze
15 years after the murder of Ukrainian journalist Georgiy Gongadze, those who ordered his killing have still not been found by the investigators.
Resentment Against Hungary Grows After Serbia Border Clashes Injure Refugees and Journalists
Many expressed anger at Hungary and the European Union for their handling of the refugee crisis, including the closure of the Hungarian-Serbian border, without consulting their non-EU neighbors.
Unlivable Conditions in Macedonian Student Dorms Worsen
The Student Plenum, a grassroots movement fighting for the rights of university students in Macedonia, published new photos of the unlivable conditions that students in Macedonia's capital of Skopje live in. The movement has steadily been following the situation in the state-owned student dorms and has called on the state...
