Stories about English from January, 2014
INNOVATION: Containers as Student Housing at European Universities
In order to alleviate the lack of student housing available across Europe, a few universities in Denmark, Germany, France (Le Havre) [fr] and Spain have tried to turn containers into student dorms. Containers appear to be the structure of choice because they are less costly and readily adaptable to include the necessary amenities....
Critical Cybersecurity Issues for the Caribbean
ICT Pulse names the three cybersecurity resolutions it thinks Caribbean organisations should make this year.
Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan: Trip to the Dying Aral Sea
The Aral Sea lying between Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan was once one of the world's four largest lakes. Over the last five decades, however, the sea has lost over 90 percent of its original size, mainly as a result of disastrous irrigation projects which diverted rivers feeding it. On the Caravanistan travel...
Supporting the Rights of Malian Youth to Education
Mali's education system faces multiple challenges, but activist groups are coming together to tackle them head on.
Calypso, Race & Political Allegiance in Trinidad & Tobago
The 2014 Carnival season in Trinidad and Tobago is heating up, as a controversial calypso is banned from live performances at a venue whose owner often courted controversy himself.
Anonymous Acts of Kindness
The blog BuzzFeed shares a series of images that portray simple acts of kindness by ordinary people that might have huge effects on those who receive them: “35 Pictures That Prove The World Isn’t Such A Bad Place.“
Qaraqalpaqstan, the ‘Forgotten Stan’ of Central Asia
Qaraqalpaqstan (or Karakalpakstan) is one of the least-known “stans” of Central Asia. Part of Uzbekistan, this region is a true gem for a curious traveler. On the Caravanistan blog, Steven writes about this “forgotten stan”: …Living under the shadow cast by the desiccation of the Aral Sea, this little-known stan has gotten...
Trinidad & Tobago: Evading Exercise
Diaspora blogger Afrobella lists “the dumbest excuses we make to avoid exercising.”
Malaysia: The Most Beautiful Sound in the World
The winner of the ‘most beautiful sound in the world’ competition is ‘Dusk by the Frog Pond’ by ‘Wild Ambience’ recorded in a Sarawak swamp in Borneo, Malaysia.
Teaching Art During Vietnam War
The British Library blog features several art works made during the Vietnam War era. It also quotes Nguyễn Toan Thi, a guerilla artist during the war: Art classes were held outside in the forest until our schools were bombed: classes were then held underground. Art teachers and students shared the...
Best Dresses of Kazakhstan Selected
On January 23, 2014, an international jury named the winners of the ‘Best Dress of Kazakhstan’ contest, a competition for young fashion designers in the country. Ten designers competed in the event, showcasing one or two of their best dresses. The three winners of the contest will represent Kazakhstan at...
“There Are No Other Problems” in Tajikistan Besides Name Games
More than a week after Tajikistan's Prosecutor General made a controversial statement about “unpatriotic” surnames, Internet users in the country continue debating whether the ending of one's surname is a good measure of the person's level of patriotism. Many netizens, however, are angry about the fact that the Prosecutor General...
Prominent Kenyan Writer Binyavanga Wainaina Comes Out as Gay
Wainaina said that the recent passage of an anti-gay law in Nigeria was one of the things that made him decide to come out.
Ukrainian #DigitalMaidan Activism Takes Twitter's Trending Topics by Storm
As Euromaidan protests enter their third month, Ukrainian social media users and activists are finding new ways of using Internet tools to explain their plight and seek international support.
Russian Conspiracy Theories about Maidan's First Blood
Given the lack of eyewitnesses, the murder of Serhiy Nigoyan, Maidan’s first shooting fatality, has naturally attracted lots of speculation about who was responsible.
What Does Climate Change Mean to You? Documentary Competition
Young filmmakers from all over the world are invited to produce and submit a 1-12 minute video documentary telling a story about climate change. What the #Action4Climate video challenge wants to know is: How is climate change impacting your community? What are you doing about it? What needs to be done to...
Egypt: Is Sissi's Promotion a Step Closer to the Presidency?
Abdel Fattah El Sissi's promotion to field marshall has created a buzz online, with many wondering whether it paves the way for him to run for presidency.
Congrats Tunisia on the New Constitution!
Bloggers from across the region paid tribute to Tunisia for adopting a new constitution, three years after the ousting of dictator Zeine el Abidin Ben Ali.
Tunisia's Constituent Assembly Adopts New Constitution
It was a historic day for Tunisia, which voted in favour of a new constitution, three years after the ousting of its dictator, at the beginning of the Arab revolutions.
Egypt: What's Next for Field Marshal El Sissi?
Egypt's army head General Abdel Fattah El Sissi is now a Field Marshal. It is not clear whether this is a prelude to him running for president.
Journalism, Cuban Style
Iván's File Cabinet shares some of the must-haves if you want to be a journalist in Cuba.
