Stories about English from May, 2017
Cries of Impunity as Macedonia's ‘Bloody Thursday’ Parliament Attackers Get Suspended Sentences
According to members of the security forces who spoke anonymously to journalists, the attackers planned to execute people, but were deterred by the eyewitnesses filming the event on their phones.
‘We Can Finally Get Married!': Taiwan to Become First Asian Country to Recognise Gay Marriage
Taiwan's constitutional court ordered the legislature to either amend the Civil Code or introduce new provisions to recognise same-sex marriage within two years.
Is the Belt and Road Project the Answer to China's Economic Woes? Some Aren't So Sure.
"...the risk for bad debt is huge. While other countries can easily back down from the initiative, as the leader of the initiative, China will be the last to quit."
Following Uproar, Shia Leader Tries to Make Amends With Iraq's Christian Community
Past comments by Alaa al-Moussawi sparked a number of lawsuits by Christian Iraqi families for disturbing the plurality of Iraq. He has since apologized.
Trinidad & Tobago Ministers Rack Up Big Bills—and Social Media Outrage
Trinidad and Tobago netizens are tired of public officials wantonly spending taxpayers' money, especially in a sluggish economy.
New Database Aims to Track Rights Violations of Caribbean's Most Vulnerable Communities
The Caribbean has just launched its first online database aimed at tracking human rights violations and providing data to assist advocacy work.
Flooding Washes Up Jamaica’s Poor Planning and Environmental Practices
Changing weather patterns, poor planning and development, inadequate drainage, and careless waste disposal converge to create disaster zones in Jamaica after just three days of heavy rains.
Corruption Fighters Slapped with Corruption Charges in Graft-Prone Central Asia
"Everything turned rotten a long time ago. There is nothing left to save!"
Russia's State Duma Invites a YouTube Star to Speak
A woman who once submerged herself in a bathtub filled with potato chips for her 5 million YouTube subscribers, Sasha Spilberg addressed the State Duma this Monday.
Malaysian Editors Face Cybercrime Charges for Posting a Video that Criticized Attorney General
In the video, which was taken during a press briefing, a former member of the ruling party called for the resignation of the attorney general.
Helping Write The Story of Sex Workers in Uganda
Every day over 300 women go to Bwaise, a slum district in northern Kampala, Uganda, to sell sex.
Lebanese Activists Disturb Talk by Politicians and Call for Better Political Representation
"We wanted to tell them: You Stink, your expiry date has passed...you stole people's rights by not allowing them to vote."
Panic Over Russian Online Suicide Game Sparks ‘Whale Hunt’ in China
Pro-government groups are waging a campaign against the game, and internet censors have predictably gone into overdrive.
Beirut's Municipality Deals Another Blow to the City's Green Space
The municipality's recent policies are threatening the capital's last remaining major green space
Ethiopia’s Cholera-Denying Candidate to Lead the World's Top Health Body Is Taking a Battering Online
"I fear that the WHO’s reputation will be tarnished and credibility questioned if it elects Dr. Tedros Adhanom."
Why Doctors and Students Are Protesting Against Sri Lanka's Only Private Medical College
"It remains to be seen, if the Medical Mafia will continue to deprive the right to a private medical education for our youth."
Viral Video Triggers Debate Over Patriotic Education in China, Again
"My kids do not need to follow so-called 'heroes' who killed their fellow countrymen. They should learn how to love the environment, recycle used items, act in a civilized manner."
‘Cyber Warrior’ Group Threatens to Extort Indian Women on Facebook
Threats of character assassination and extortion can carry severe real-life consequences, especially for women.
#FreeThe5KH Campaign Seeks Release of Five Detained Human Rights Activists in Cambodia
The five have been recognized as among the finalists in the prestigious Martin Ennals Award for Human Rights Defenders in 2017.
Drug Testing for Welfare Recipients in Australia Raises Discrimination and Privacy Concerns
"The overwhelming Twitter response to the plan to drug test welfare recipients: drug test politicians and their staff too"
Cybercrime Charges Against Jamaica's Tambourine Army Founder Dropped
Jamaica's Director of Public Prosecutions has dropped all three charges against activist La Toya Nugent, under the country's Cybercrimes Act.