Stories about English from December, 2017
A ‘Detainee of All Eras': The Prominent Case of Egyptian Activist Alaa Abdelfattah
"His trial is an attempt to silence criticism of a judiciary that has itself become a source of human rights violations."
Meet the People Blocking a New Gas Mega-pipeline in Southern Italy
Local citizens in southern Italy find ways to a proposed gas pipeline, despite the creation of a prohibited zone around the construction site.
Muslim Man Set on Fire and Murdered Amid Rising Islamophobia-Fueled Killings in India
"Mohammed Afrazul's brutal killing in Rajasthan should shame us all; if the sickening hate behind it does not disturb our conscience, nothing will."
‘Recalcitrant’ Activist Charged by Singapore Police for Organizing ‘Illegal Assemblies’
"We do not understand why the State is pursuing the seven charges against Jolovan Wham for events which were all peaceful and non-violent."
Right To Information Requests in Sri Lanka Reveals Process for Blocking Websites
Information released by the Telecom Regulatory Commission revealed that from 2015 onward 13 websites had been blocked, including a number of websites publishing political news, and a few pornographic sites.
Indonesian President Jokowi Leads Citizens in Condemning Donald Trump's Jerusalem Declaration
"Trump is dragging the USA and the world to the frontline of religious extremism."
A Local Newspaper's Full-Page Feature on Nuclear Radiation Survival Stirs Panic in China
"The whole page feature on nuclear radiation precaution is believed to be a reaction to the risk of warfare in the Korean peninsula."
The Fall of Chinese Internet Czar Lu Wei
If Lu Wei's censorship measures were viewed as selective, Chinese netizens will now find themselves facing a more "comprehensive" online content control system.
Syrian and Lebanese: On the Conflict of Identities
"Being half-Lebanese, half-Syrian is like being a child whose parents are separated and both hate you because each half of you reminds them of the other...."
Transgender Woman's Murder in Trinidad & Tobago Highlights Ostracism Faced by LGBTQ Community
"This wonderful human being, who cared so much for others, died for no reason .. other than perhaps, being different."
Victoria Becomes the First Australian State to Pass Voluntary Assisted Dying Legislation
As Victoria becomes the first Australian state to legalise euthanasia, the country remains divided over what is being called a new, progressive trend in Australian politics.
Palestinians Aren't Surprised by US Jerusalem Move As World Already ‘Ignores Their Existence’
"A nation built on ethnic cleansing, colonialism and white supremacy has always supported colonialism and ethnic cleansing in Palestine."
Painting a New Story: Sohrai Art in Jharkhand
"What is special about the art form is that it is only made by women and passed on by women."
The Conviction of Another Dancehall Star Fails to Shock Crime-Weary Jamaicans
Following the incarceration of Vybz Kartel, Ninja Man is the second major dancehall artist in recent times to be convicted of murder in crime-weary Jamaica.
Harsh Prison Terms for Video Journalist and Blogger as Vietnam Cracks Down on Free Expression
“Repressing citizen journalists is not only a violation of human rights but also a major impediment to Vietnam’s aspirations to become a tech and innovation hub.”
Jailed Bahraini Rights Defender Nabeel Rajab Faces Additional Fifteen Years in Prison
Rajab is in prison for his human rights-related activities and for freely expressing his opinions.
The Health of Thousands of Filipino Children Could Be at Risk, Thanks to Sanofi’s Dengue Vaccine
"Why just now...How about the thousands of children who were already given the vaccine?"
Animal Carcasses, Tires, and Medical Waste: A New Report Highlights Health Risks of Lebanon's Trash Crisis
"When they burn we can’t breathe […] We’ve had to go to the hospital because of this."
Russian Atomic Regulator's Foray into Meme-Making Fails to Quench Rumors of Nuclear Leaks
"No one is chastising Ruthemium, or even Ruthenium-106. They’re chastising Rosatom for contradictory information and for jokes like this instead of a serious investigation into the accident."
In China, Skepticism Surrounding Police Investigation of Kindergarten Child Abuse Is Censored
"In a matter of a few minutes, thousands of questions popped up...Then in a matter of a few seconds, all the comments vanished and the comment function was closed."
Russians Are Unimpressed With the 2018 Presidential Election Logo (and Have Ideas for Improvement)
So far, the logo challenge has been the most exciting part of the campaign where Putin is expected to run and win even by his most vocal opponents.