Stories about English from October, 2015
The Dark Historical Context Surrounding Chinese President Xi's Arts Speech
"Wang Shiwei told the truth and got himself killed. Then telling lies becomes a trend. Today, lie have replaced everything else."
Did a Russian Journalist Just Out Vladimir Putin's Secret Daughter By Accident?
Today, following Interfax’s interview with Tikhonova, there seemed to be additional confirmation that she is the President’s child, when Yuri Pogorely, Interfax’s online projects director, intimated her ties to Putin.
#FeesMustFall Brings South African Universities to a Standstill
Students argue that increases will keep poor, mostly black South Africans from higher education. Protests against the proposed university fee hikes, which started last Wednesday, and have spread nationwide.
How Yarn Is Making a Difference in the Lives of Women in Nepal and India
"I think that Darn Good Yarn’s major value is the fact it managed to change the living for hundreds of women in Nepal and India."
Ukraine's New Banned Websites Registry: Security Measure or Censorship Tool?
Ukraine's new cyberpolice say they want to protect Ukrainians online, but a banned websites registry is causing Internet users to worry about adverse effects on free expression.
Precarity and Resilience in Calais
"We are from countries that have been colonised or had wars fought against them—by the same countries that now treat us like criminals and make us risk our lives...”
Homophobia and Name-Calling Derail Trinidad & Tobago's Budget Debate
"I want to believe that both Government and Opposition will step their game up and fulfil their real roles as MPs. Otherwise we can simply hire 41 circus clowns..."
Overturning Lower Court, Maldives Supreme Court Saves Convicted Adulteress From Being Stoned to Death
The Maldives' Supreme Court has acted swiftly to overturn an island court's decision to execute a woman for adultery. The woman had been sentenced to be stoned to death.
What You Need to Know About Russian Social Networks to Conduct Open-Source Research
Outside of the familiar English-language social networks of Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and others, there is a handful of social media platforms used either exclusively or primarily in the post-Soviet world.
How Social Media Fuels China's Growing Love of Cosmetic Surgery
China's cosmetic surgery industry is using powerful social media marketing strategies to convince more and more young women that they need to go under the knife to be beautiful.
On the Eve of Elections, Côte d’Ivoire Tries to Move on From Its Violent Past
On October 25, Côte d'Ivoire is going to hold presidential elections. As the last elections in 2010 ended in a civil war, the current atmosphere in the country is tense.
Bahrain Government Renews Crackdown on Religious Rituals
Security forces and youth clashed in Bahrain today as police attacked villages, forcefully removing banners placed on roadsides to commemorate Ashura. Several people were injured from buckshot fired at protesters.
Typhoon Koppu Brings Floods and Agricultural Disaster to Philippines’ ‘Food Basket’
Koppu is the second strongest storm to hit the Philippines this year. Aside from causing floods and landslides, Koppu also destroyed agricultural crops in the country's "food basket."
Two Tanzanians Accused of Posting ‘False Information’ Face Charges Under New Cybercrime Law
According to the state, both men have violated Section 16 of Cybercrimes Act, which prohibits "publication of false information." Little more is currently known about their cases.
Sex Never Stops Selling. Even in Conservative Tajikistan
"To avoid arrest sex workers and their clients will look for remote places, which will in turn endanger these women."
What Is #Aldub and Why Is It Trending on Twitter Every Day?
Filipinos all over the world have fallen in love with Aldub, a fictional TV couple who became a social media phenomenon.
Chinese Nationalist ‘Hawks’ Form Online Volunteer Army Against ‘Enemy Forces’
In addition to the Chinese Communist Youth League's online civilization volunteers, the right-wing nationalists are also self-organized, creating a online volunteer army to promote their ideas and silence critics.
ISIS Gunman Kills Five at Shia Mosque in Saudi Arabia
A Saudi gunman affiliated with ISIS opened fire at Shia worshippers in Saihat, killing five people. Netizens blame sectarian incitement against Shiites for the incident.
Tanzanians Remember Their Nation's Founding Father With #DearNyerere
"#DearNyerere, in your day, popularity was based on good deeds towards your country, but nowadays it is the number of followers on Instagram and Twitter."
Myanmar ‘Cartoonists Have Been on the Side of the People’
"Many say that cartoonists or journalists should not be biased, but must be neutral. It is wrong. They should have bias. They must. By bias, I don’t mean prejudice."
Did Pelé Stop the Bloodiest Civil War in Nigeria's History for 48 Hours?
Is it true that the Brazilian king of soccer ushered in a 48-hour ceasefire in Nigeria's bloody civil war? One writer did the research and has reason to doubt.