Stories about English from January, 2015
‘So Many Kids Lost in Such a Small Place': St. Vincent Mourns Bus Disaster
A bus plunged off a cliff in northern St. Vincent, leaving at least five young people dead as it crashed onto the rocky coastline.
Croatia Makes History With First Woman President, But Her Politics Worry Some Voters
Croatia is deeply divided politically. Kolinda Grabar Kitarović managed a narrow win over incumbent President Ivo Jospović in the runoff in January 2015 with 50.74% of the votes.
Nigerians Blast Government's Response (or Lack Thereof) to Boko Haram's Baga Massacre
Those politicians who have responded to the massacre are busy quibbling over the death toll, which ranges from 150 to 2,000 people. Netizens are furious.
What Snow Can Tell You About Russia's Local Politics
Russia is notorious for having a weak civil society and an oppressive government, but that reputation isn't equally deserved throughout the country.
Documenting the Struggles of Papuans in Indonesia
Papuan Voices is a video advocacy initiative that highlights the struggles of the people of West Papua, a province of Indonesia. West Papua has been struggling to be an independent state although this conflict from Indonesia is not widely reported in the media.
The Internet Takes Down Fox News’ ‘Terrorism Expert’ for Saying Birmingham Is a No-go Area for Non-Muslims
In the aftermath of the Paris attacks, Emerson told the news channel UK city is 'totally Muslim'.
Pro-Russian Forces in Eastern Ukraine Apparently Fire on Another Civilian Vessel by Accident
This is not the first time separatists have boasted of an attack online, quickly followed by an assertion that the attack was actually carried out by the Ukrainians.
What Do Twitter Users in Ukraine and Russia Say About Their Presidents? An Introduction
RuNet Echo collaborates with MITH to investigate how Russian and Ukrainian Twitter users talk about their presidents—Vladimir Putin and Petro Poroshenko.
Twitter Mocks Anti-Muslim Comments with #FoxNewsFacts after ‘Expert’ Says Birmingham, England is ‘Totally Muslim’
Twitter users quickly got into the game, trending #FoxNewsFacts globally. Social search engine Topsy reports that the tag has been tweeted more than 400,000 times this week.
Comedian Aziz Ansari's Hashtag #RupertsFault Takes Off in Response to Murdoch's Anti-Muslim Tweets
Ansari was particularly irked by the idea that each of the world’s 1.6 million Muslims should be held accountable for the attacks committed by extremists.
Can Big Data Save the Last of India's Wild Tigers?
Analyzing 25,000 individual observations, wildlife managers in India find clues to help stop tiger poachers in their tracks.
This Is No Joke: New Fatwa Prohibits Building Snowmen in Saudi Arabia
Back in 2008, clergyman Mohammed Minijed called for killing all rodents, including Mickey Mouse, during a television interview. Today, he strikes again with a fatwa prohibiting snowmen.
They Are Not Charlie: They Torture, Jail and Kill Journalists in Their Own Countries
The presence of world leaders at the forefront of the Paris rally drew much criticism online, especially since some of those leaders were among the world's worst free speech offenders.
The Man Behind 263Chat, an Award-Winning Platform for Conversation in Zimbabwe
Nigel Mugamu launched #263Chat in September 2012. "We like to amplify people’s voices too – that’s important to us," he says.
Voting For Ourselves
As a result of her no-holds-barred commentary on life and politics, Trinidad and Tobago blogger Rhoda Bharath is often asked who she's voting for in this year's general election.
The Spirit of Henri Young: A Bahraini Prisoner Tries To Take His Own Life
Bahraini Ali Altaweel, 25, has been in solitary confinement for over three years. He attempted suicide twice: once by cutting his veins, and more recently by trying to hang himself.
Intel Shuts Down Its Russian-Language Developer Forums
Intel's decision could create an important precedent, showing how easily new RuNet regulations spill into seemingly innocuous blogging activities.
Should Prisoners Enjoy Full Labor Rights?
Prison inmates in Argentina now have full protection under the country's labor laws. Laura Schneider tries to wrap her head around the issue.
Saudi Blogger Raif Badawi Flogged for His Liberal Ideas
Saudi liberal blogger Raif Badawi was publicly flogged today in Saudi Arabia after being convicted of founding an online forum for public debate and for "insulting Islam."
Asian Cup 2015 Opener: Australia 4, Kuwait 1 After Poor Start by Hosts
Australia has won the opening game of the Asian Cup 2015 at Melbourne's rectangular stadium 4-1 against Kuwait.
British Islamist Anjem Choudary Doesn't Represent All Muslims (Someone Tell USA Today)
The idea of Choudary speaking for all Muslims is laughable, writes Jillian York.