Stories about English from October, 2017
Philippines: Human Rights Groups Ask Apple to Reject Games Glorifying President Duterte's War on Drugs
"It is unacceptable that Apple is tolerant to making profit out of people’s unjust deaths and misery".
Balkan Pride Parades Highlight Growing Support for LGBT Rights (and Politicians Are Taking Notice)
Serbia's openly gay prime minister became the 'first head of government to attend a Balkan Pride event.' Cynics see her appointment, however, as a move to impress the European Union.
The Revolution Will Be Live-Tweeted (Not In Russian, Though)
RT's #1917Live, which marks the centennial of the October Revolution, is full of interactive and creative features. There is something missing, however: the Russian language.
Ethiopia’s Parliament Speaker Resigns Over ‘Disrespect’ to Oromo People. Is the Balance of Power Shifting?
"...his resignation is like throwing a gasoline to the fire that is already out of control. It is a historical step that signals and symbolizes end of OPDO's submission..."
Tightened Security in Beijing Means Windows Ordered Shut and Bans on Knife Sales
The security measures are in place ahead of the 19th National Chinese Communist Party Congress, where the country's leadership is chosen.
Was the Anti-Kleptocracy Rally That Gathered Thousands in Malaysia a Success or Failure?
"...the speakers were too heavy on condemnations of corruption, kleptocracy...instead of saying more about how a Pakatan government, if elected, will deal with issues..."
Syrian Architects Challenge ‘Post-War’ Reconstruction with Real-Time Designs
"You as architects, planners sometimes draw beautiful drawings, but every line you put on your drawing will decide who gets to come back and who doesn’t get to come back."
Not Without a Fight: The Battle for Affordable Housing in Cape Town
For many residents of Cape Town, South Africa—a city often touted for its quality of life—the legacy of segregation and spatial apartheid persists in a tangible and powerful way.
One Mother's Tireless Pursuit of Justice for Kashmir's Disappeared
"We don’t want their money. We want our children back."
‘They Tried to Give Us One Day Back’ — Trinidad & Tobago Marks a ‘One-Off’ First Peoples Day
"How do you know you are indigenous? [...] It does not matter what we are called, we know who we are. It is you who do not recognise me."
Russians Are Receiving Some Uncanny Answers From Alisa, Tech Giant Yandex's Siri Competitor
"— I want a new iPhone. — What keeps you from buying one? — I don’t have money. — Steal it...No one will know."
‘Are We Still in the Stone Age?’ Cambodians Express Disappointment as Government Bans ‘Kingsman’ Movie Sequel
"This is ludicrous, I can't believe these so-called experts could not distinguish between fiction and reality."
The World’s First ‘EleFriendly Bus’ Curtails Human-Elephant Conflict in Sri Lanka
The human-elephant conflict has reduced by 80% since the Elefriendly Bus started running. In the first seven months, the number of conflicts fell from 83 to 21.
Like the US, Trinidad & Tobago Won't Be at the 2018 World Cup, But They're the Only Ones Smiling About It
‘America, we know we not going to Russia,’ a nuts vendor shouted to nobody in particular, during the first half, ‘but allyuh not going neither!’
Comical Unintended Consequences of Turkish President Erdogan's State Visit to Serbia
The warm welcome of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan by Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić during a state visit this week incited many satirical comments on nationalism and media freedoms.
‘The Eurovision Baby Has Arrived': Macedonian Contestant Jana Burceska Gives Birth to Daughter
The then-unmarried Burceska had revealed she was pregnant in her Eurovision introductory video. The move was controversial in her home country Macedonia, which has become quite conservative in recent decades.
China's Sina Weibo Hires 1,000 Supervisors to Censor ‘Harmful Content'—Including Women's Legs
"Male users are less likely to be reported, while female users’ selfies, leg photos or waist photos that show off the success of their workouts are subjected to reduced scores."
In Algeria, Two Imprisoned Bloggers Go on Hunger Strike
Freedom of expression and press freedom are under attack in Algeria.
After Disqualification, Ex-Miss World Bangladesh Reveals She Is a Child Marriage Survivor
"You have been blind to the facts that she was a victim of a child marriage and became a successful model and a biker without any support from the family"
ICAN, Australia's Homegrown Anti-Nuclear Nobel Peace Prize Winner, is a Big Surprise
The 2017 Nobel Peace Prize award to ICAN, the anti-nuclear weapons coalition, took many Australians by surprise despite its Melbourne origins in 2007.
Hong Kong Anti-Communist Magazines Cease Publication After Four Decades
"I wanted to write something but found myself speechless. In an era like this, what can I say?"