Stories about English from December, 2016
Ex-Yugoslavs Mourn Vesna Vulović, Flight Attendant Who Survived Highest Ever Fall Without a Parachute
"Vesna Vulović survived a fall from 10,000 meters, but could not survive the year of 2016. :("
Serbian Government Backtracks on Russia-Inspired Anti-Abortion Council
"You know the consequence of prohibition of abortion? Profit for the clinics in neighboring countries, and semi-skilled butchers playing with the lives of the poor."
Argentinian Politician Calls for ‘Denouncing an International Genocide’ in Syria
Argentinian politician Juan Carlos Giordano of the 'Socialist Left' party called on the government of Argentina to cut all diplomatic ties with the Assad regime.
Praise, Condemnation After Nigeria’s Offer to Grant Corruption Whistleblowers 5% of the Take
"Must everything bring a monetary reward? How about values like patriotism? Primarily, whistle blowers need protection..."
Breaking a Four-Century Custom That Denied Women Temple Entry in India
"If we all have equal rights and freedom then why such restrictions on women?"
2016: The Year the Caribbean Was Forced to Confront Its Attitude Towards Women
"We do not talk truthfully among ourselves about [...] harassment. Verbal innuendo and unwanted remarks are part of the culture we do not want to get rid of."
When They Censored Messaging Apps on Election Day, Montenegrin Regulators ‘Acted Legally’
Political oppositionists and prominent members of the country's civil society say the government's crackdown on social media harmed Montenegro's freedom of expression at a time when it was most needed.
Former Kuwaiti Lawmaker Sentenced to 42 Years in Jail for Tweets, ‘Insulting Saudi Arabia’
Dashti is a critic of Saudi Arabia, in particular its war in Yemen. He is also known for his controversial support of the regime of Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad
Assaults on Rights Activists Harm Civil Society — And Saudi Arabia's Progress
Saudi Arabia's ongoing crackdown on peaceful activism is depriving activists of their freedom and basic rights -- and it's costing the kingdom the work and creativity of its brightest reformists.
Morbid Propaganda in Macedonia Takes Aim at Western Ambassadors
"The xenophobia has terrible consequences, doesn't it? Therefore, please stop spreading it!"
Thailand’s New Computer Crimes Law Threatens Free Speech and Encryption
"The law's most serious shortcoming is in its giving too much power for authorities to make their own judgement whether certain actions may be deemed in violation of the law."
Kenya Internet Report Charts Increases in Access, E-Commerce and Arrests of Bloggers
Internet penetration is up and blogs are increasingly popular – for readers and writers alike. But arrests of bloggers and online journalists are increasing too.
In India, Moviegoers Are Expected to Stand for the National Anthem—Or Else
"I go to cinema to relax and amuse myself, not to show my patriotism to my fellow countrymen. People who question my patriotism can come to my house."
Lives Without Dignity in Thailand’s Female Prisons
"Prisons in Thailand still fail to recognize the basic rights of female prisoners, depriving women of essential health services and goods from sanitary pads to bras."
Spokeswoman for Russia's Foreign Ministry Accuses Facebook of Working With ISIS
Maria Zakharova, the colorful spokeswoman for Russia’s Foreign Ministry, accused Facebook administrators of working for the Islamic State, after the network temporarily unpublished one of her posts on Monday.
Domestic-Murder Spree Clouds Christmas in Jamaica
"The system of patriarchy continues to socialize men into a false belief that they have the right to control women. Consequently, gender-based violence [...] seems almost ‘normal.'"
Chinese Authorities Are Burying Their Heads Not in Sand, But in Smog
"The problem of the smog has been solved!...We have deleted all posts about the smog, banned people from wearing masks and arrested those who wrote about the smog!”
Ode to Fallen Dreamers: Syria's Young Revolutionaries
Palestinian revolutionary Budour Hassan remembers the Syrian Revolutionary Youth who chanted for bread, freedom and social justice.
In Addition to Innovation, Journalism Needs Trusted Communities
A friend donates part of a grant to Global Voices, because "infrastructure, communities and trust take a long time to build—and without support, those gains can all too quickly disappear."
Is Nepal No Country for Women?
Nepal's constitution has failed to bring equality to the country's women, but human rights advocates haven't given up.
Remembering Castro’s Commitment to Healthcare and Beating Ebola in Africa
Political leaders and citizens worldwide have reacted in different ways to the recent passing Fidel Castro, and Cuba and Africa were closest on healthcare.