Stories about English from February, 2014
Myanmar's Last Remaining Synagogue
Built 120 years ago, the Musmeah Yeshua synagogue in Yangon is the last remaining Jewish synagogue in Buddhist-dominated Myanmar. Aside from being a tourist attraction, it is also listed as an archaeological heritage building in the city.
Help Us Test Our Website: Win a T-Shirt
Students from the University of Washington are helping us with usability testing of our new and old websites. Help us by completing a short survey -- and win!
Big, Bad Bullies of the Russian Media
Last week, popular journalist Vladimir Solovyov dedicated an entire radio show to dissecting and denouncing the Maidan-supportive tweets of a handful of students from Moscow’s Higher School of Economics. Why?
Ukrainian Revolution Rattles Russian Nationalists
Russian nationalists worry Russian-speaking Ukrainians will be "derussified."
Traditional Media Conspires Against Facebook
Tech blogger Amitha Amarasinghe alleges that Facebook is being portrayed negatively in mainstream media in Sri Lanka accompanied with saucy headlines like “Student commits Suicide over a Facebook photo”, “Facebook love ends in Death” etc: All of a sudden, there is a huge increase in number of mass media content...
Indian Blogger Exposes Fuel Pump Cheating With Viral Video
"A rampant malpractice at most fuel stations in the country, one that needs to be tackled in these times of high fuel prices."
Not All Bad, Talking Korean Plastic Surgery from Biz Perspective
There have been mounting criticisms on both local and international media's coverage of rampant plastic surgeries in South Korea; many reports are highly sensational, describing how reckless and ignorant plastic surgery patients are (focused on females ones rather than male) and have successfully generated numerous crass jokes and harsh comments...
Could Questions on Ethnicity Stir Trouble in Myanmar?
Myanmar’s nationwide census next month threatens to inflame more ethnic and religious conflicts after 'divisive' questions on ethnicity and religion were included in the questionnaire.
First Open Heart Surgery in Brazzaville, Republic of Congo
The health international network La Chaîne de l’Espoir (The Link of Hope) reports that 7 Congolese children in critical conditions benefited from open heart surgeries [fr] on February 14 in Brazzaville, Congo. With the help of the Congo Assistance Fundation as well, Prince Béni and Maya, both suffering from cardiomyopathy were...
Macedonian Court Fines Journalist and Magazine for Quoting Source
Fokus magazine, considered to be the last print edition critical of the Macedonian government, has once again been financially burdened by the government, this time for quoting a source.
China Internet Giant Tencent's New Acquisition Follows Online2Offline Trend
China is the fastest growing consumption market in the world and online to offline commerce has become a fierce battlefield.
Thoughts On India's Biggest Blogging Conference
#WIN14, India's biggest blogging conference and awards, hosted by BlogAdda, took place on February 9, 2014. Blogger Dr. Roshan Radhakrishnan, who won the best creative writing blog in India, shares his thoughts and pictures.
Ukraine's President Yanukovych Ousted and Parliament Reshuffled
Following this week's deadly crackdown, an original deal calling for end-2014 elections left protesters unsatisfied. Parliament then ousted Yanuckovich.
South Korean Figure Skater Yuna Kim's ‘Robbed’ Sochi Gold Becomes Photoshop Meme
Russian figure skater Adelina Sotnikova took gold in the free skating event, but many, not limited to South Koreans, questioned the result.
Top Chinese Journalist Criticized for Giving Birth in the US
"...she only wants the child to have a more normal lifestyle, which has nothing to do with patriotism. Perhaps, this is the problem the government should reflect on."
Malagasy React to SI Swimming Suit Issue and Model's Take on Madagascar
The 2014 Sports Illustrated Swimming Suit Issue was shot on Nosy Iranja (Iranja Island), Madagascar: Nosy Iranja is known as the Turtle island for the Hawksbill Turtles came to shore to lay their eggs. It is also known for the spectacular sandbank that bridges the two nearby islands. Russian Top...
Pro-Maidan Video Goes Viral Thanks to Pavel Durov, Russia's Zuckerberg
Given the political climate in Russia now, Durov's willingness to stake such an unabashedly pro-opposition position on the Ukraine crisis is rather astounding.
Congratulating The New Prime Minister of Nepal
Nepal’s Parliament has elected Mr. Sushil Koirala (75), the president of the party Nepali Congress, as the new Nepali Prime Minister. Nepali diaspora blogger Indra congratulates the new Prime Minister and thinks that “the gift Mr. Koirala has for empowering others with his humility and sincerity will go a long...
Photos from The Fashion Pakistan Week
Fashion blogger Amara Javed posts photos from the ongoing Fashion Pakistan Week in Karachi showcasing the Summer 2014 collections by many Lahore designers.
Social Media Rallies to Help Comatose Pakistani Student in US
US officials finally extended Muhammad Shahzaib Bajwa's visa so he can continue receiving treatment there following a November car accident that left the exchange student in a coma.
Tajikistan's Tastiest Blogs
There are three blogs in Tajikistan that are a must read for anyone interested in Tajik cuisine. Tajik Restaurant [Tarabkhonai Tojiki] [tj] shares cook-it-yourself videos and recipes of popular Tajik dishes. Suhailo's Cooking Diary [Daftari pukhtu-pazhoi Suhailo] [tj] teaches its readers to bake pastries popular in the country. Finally, Osh...