Stories about English from June, 2016
Vladimir Putin's ‘Favorite Chef’ Is Linked to Attacks on Journalists and Opposition Members
Victims believe they're are being targeted because of texts and photos they've shared on social media. This, apparently, has been enough to enrage certain anonymous, self-proclaimed “patriots.”
Take a Virtual Reality Tour of West Papua’s Coral Reefs
Through a virtual reality film, we can now see the underwater treasures of Birds’ Head and feel like we are “scuba diving in a healthy reef.”
Japan gears up for a hot, humid rainy season
"Good morning. Isn't it muggy? With all this rain, Kyushu seems to be having a hard time again. I wonder if they're all right. Be careful. OK?"
Founder of Protest Reporting Outlet Goes Missing in China
Lu Yuyu has been missing since June 15. Yuyu has been reporting news of mass demonstrations in China via his platform "Not in the News" since 2013.
In Denmark, Imams and Priests Square Off in a Friendly Soccer Match
"It is unfortunate that one has to keep telling the world that we are not each other's enemies, but I am an optimistic person and I will hold onto hope."
Russian Activists and Industry Speak Out Against New Draconian ‘Anti-Terrorist’ Laws
The new comprehensive amendments threaten Russian Internet users' privacy and anonymity by cracking down on encryption and beefing up surveillance measures.
Chinese Village Leader Who Planned to Protest Land Seizures Suddenly Confesses to Corruption. Suspicious?
"'Anti-corruption' is such a useful word. It can be used to attack your political opponent and to incriminate the people's hero."
Iconic Pakistani Sufi Singer Amjad Sabri Is Murdered in Broad Daylight
"If you're looking for a reason as to why he died. You won't find one, if someone asks you 'Why', just say 'Because...Pakistan'."
10 Athletes From Four Countries Will Compete at the Olympics Under One Banner: Refugee
"In the refugee camp, we have no facilities – even shoes we don’t have. There is no gym. Even the weather does not favor training..."
A Jamaican Children's TV Show Promotes Respectful, Caring Communities
"If we don't invest in the youth, we will never grow. They need our hands, our wisdom, our support, our investment. Let's have a collective vision."
India's LGBTQ Community Accuses Prime Minister of Hypocrisy Over His ‘Thoughts and Prayers’ for Orlando
"Your 110 character tweet was missing five important characters. Five characters that would reveal a truth that your government is refusing to acknowledge-LGBTQ’!"
As Election Day Approaches, Zambia's Largest Independent Newspaper Shut Down by Tax Authority
"The government itself owes contractors, food suppliers, stationery suppliers, pensioners, utility companies, and civil servants and nobody, NOBODY, has shut them down...."
Four Donors in India Rescued a Man in Bangladesh with a Rare Blood Group. Now What Were You Saying About Borders?
A 25-year-old man in Bangladesh with a rare blood group was going to die without blood donors. When they couldn't be found at home, four people in Mumbai stepped up.
National Bank of Kenya Takes Blogger to Court for “Defamatory” Blog Posts
The bank took Cyprian Nyakundi to court following a series of critical stories. Nyakundi calls himself a "Kenyan-based blogger who has an interest in politics, governance, corporate-fraud and human-interest stories."
Russian TV Journalist Tells Man to Work Harder, If He Can't Afford a Vacation
Petr Zamkovoi has almost 13,000 times fewer Twitter followers, but TV journalist Vladimir Soloviev still found the time to lecture him about hard work and providing for one's family.
Journalist Couple Attacked in Makassar, Indonesia
In Indonesia, violence against journalist happens regularly. Incidents like these often go unreported in the media, and perpetrators often go without punishment.
Russia Mulls A ‘National Big Data Operator’ to Control Internet User Data
Russian officials are considering the creation of a "national big data operator" that would control how Russian Internet users' data is being used, stored and protected.
15 Suspected Undocumented Immigrants Die of Suffocation in a Containerized Truck in Zambia
Passersby who heard banging from the inside of the container and voices yelling for help insisted that the driver open the truck.
Censorship Continues in Myanmar as Government Blocks Screening of Film Critical of the Army
"If Myanmar genuinely wants to address human rights abuses, culture, art and media should be encouraged to bring truth, painful stories and wrongdoings—both past and present—into the open."
Tanzanian Musician and Activist Maembe Vitali Arrested and Released
"You are not a soldier, you are not a rebel, they should understand that you are just a fighter... Yes, a fighter of a noble cause."
Russian State Censor Can Now Un-Delegate Website Domain Names Extrajudicially
The Russian state Internet regulator, Roscomnadzor, has been grated the power to un-delegate domain names for websites found to host child pornography without a court order.