Stories about English from February, 2020
Semi-quarantined: Living with the coronavirus outbreak in Hong Kong
"The park is half-empty, but we have decided to let our daughter enjoy a few hours of daily sunshine. We are determined not to let ourselves be overwhelmed by fear."
Rising prices, heavy taxation threaten sustainability of age-old art in Punjab, India
The famous decorative inlay wood carving art of Hoshiarpur in Punjab, India is in decline because of an increase in the price of Shisham wood.
Controversy in Malaysia: Do Facebook posts about the coronavirus amount to ‘circulating rumors’?
"...while I agree some restrictions are necessary in times of crisis, dragging someone under the Penal Code is unjustified. Restrictions need not be through punitive measures in this case."
Australians capture the devastating impact of ‘black summer’ fires on photos
Australian volunteer firefighter: “I go home and hug my kids tight. But they don't know why.”
No justice in Nepal as politician accused of murder gets elected speaker of parliament
A man accused of murder, Agni Sapkota, replaces a rape-accused as house speaker in Nepal, exacerbating the already dire prospects for justice by fostering a culture of impunity.
How Russia influences Serbian media
Favorable perceptions of Russia and the Kremlin policies result from sustained long-term investment in propaganda, which also affects the wider media sphere in neighboring Balkan countries.
Coronavirus death of whistleblower Li Wenliang sets Chinese social media on fire
The manipulation around his death became obvious. Li Wenliang became an icon as people have come to see his life and death as a reflection of their own fate.
Barbadian poet Kamau Brathwaite leaves behind a legacy of language
"His use of nation language and the breadth of work he produced leaves an indelible mark on us all."
What happened during the deadly land dispute clash in Dong Tam, Vietnam?
For years residents resisted relinquishing their land for the construction of a military airport. Tensions peaked this year after two civilians and three officers were killed during a police raid.
Will Venezuela exclude Haiti from the PetroCaribe relaunch?
The regional energy programme was intended to provide petroleum products to member states under preferential terms; instead, the Haitian government frittered away the gains.
Bengali, Pakistani, and Amazon indigenous women perform ‘The rapist is you’ song
The flashmob by Chilean collective Las Tesis is still making waves around the world.
Chen Qiushi: A citizen journalist on the frontline of the Wuhan coronavirus outbreak
Chen risks his life by reporting from the center of the epidemic outbreak in Wuhan. He vowed to stand with Wuhan people by bearing witness to the situation inside the quarantined city.
US tech companies should push to remove sanctions on Sudan
With a nearly 12 million-strong community of young internet users and innovators, Sudan presents a ready and dynamic market for U.S. tech companies—but first economic sanctions must be lifted.
A Mexican engraver revives a mostly-forgotten Russian printmaking tradition
Interview with Alejandro Barreto, the engraver who makes unique Mexican lubki.
The world of satire in Myanmar's comical profiles Facebook group
Facebook's community standards encourage users to use real identities on its platform, but a popular trend in Myanmar is likely baffling the social networking site.
7 reasons Hongkongers are angry about the government response to the coronavirus
The spread of the virus has caused panic around the city, with residents stockpiling surgical masks and food.
Pakistani human rights activist who challenged military is arrested
Manzoor Ahmad Pashteen, a young a human rights activist from South Waziristan, Pakistan, has been arrested for alleged conspiracy and sedition.
Pakistani students under lockdown in Wuhan are appealing for assistance
Since the outbreak of the novel coronavirus, nearly 500 Pakistani students studying in China's Hubei province are under lockdown; their government has not yet decided to bring them back home.
Chinese patriots retaliate online after Danish outlet spoofs Chinese ‘virus flag’
To China's dismay, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen commented on the incident by defending the country’s tradition of free speech.