Stories about English from November, 2016
Melbourne Locals Welcome Syrian Refugees With Open Arms—and Butterflies
"Our butterflies are a reminder that even the smallest action can have a far-reaching effect."
To Some Iranians Watching the US Elections, Democracy Really Seems Like a House of Cards
For some Iranians the 2016 US presidential elections has been shadowed by a demagoguery they know only too well from their own political sphere's struggles for democracy.
Just a Game? The New Culture of Virtual Red Packets in China's WeChat
"For instance, for reporters in mainland China, they go to press conferences, the conference organisers will usually give out red packets… to the reporters."
South African President Zuma Fights for Political Career After Corruption Report
"If Zuma is still president after this ordeal, we're a spineless joke of a constitutional democracy,” said one Twitter user in South Africa.
Ethiopia's Candidate to Lead the World Health Organization Contracts Foot-in-Mouth Disease
Ethiopia's candidate for Director-General of World Health Organization (WHO), Tedros Adhanom, shocked many observers when he displayed a complete lack of knowledge about global health strategies during a recent forum.
Singapore’s Iconic Buildings Turn Purple in Support of Persons With Special Needs
"Purple symbolizes solidarity for people with special needs. The square logo of the Purple Parade symbolizes equality (equal length on all sides), inclusiveness and strong building blocks."
Winter Is Coming: Balkans Prepares for the New Smog Season
Inhabitants of the Balkans brace for winter, the time of year when the omnipresent air pollution literally becomes visible and even more tangible.
Street Protests as Beijing Preempts Hong Kong Courts With New Interpretation of ‘Basic Law’
"The anxiety surrounding the prospect of the NPCSC using its nuclear powers of interpretation to “settle” the pro-independence saga reveals the fragile foundation of Hong Kong’s constitutional order..."
This Museum in a Protest Camp Documents the Struggles of Lumad Indigenous Peoples in the Philippines
"This museum is unlike modern or academic museums that tend to treat indigenous images and things merely as pretty relics for display,"
Bosnia and Herzegovina's Census Shows the Demography of Division and the Reality of Illiteracy
Initial results of the Bosnia and Herzegovina census shows that decades of nationalistic politics have entrenched ethnic and religious differences, reconfirming the ethnic cleansing 'gains' from the 1990s war.
Slovenians Are More Interested in Melania Trump's Local Lawyer Than Stories About Her Past
Melania Trump recently filed defamation lawsuits against several people, and her choice of local Slovenian lawyer has raised some eyebrows in liberal circles.
Chinese Activist Who Wore ‘Xitler’ T-Shirt Goes Missing in Detention
"He’s one of a very small number of young Chinese who have been outspoken in criticising the Chinese government on Twitter using their real names."
Iran’s Keywan Karimi: The Filmmaker as Graffiti Artist
Working under threat of imprisonment for practicing his craft, Iranian filmmaker Keywan Karimi has turned the difficult conditions of artistic production into an aesthetic.
Fear of Justice? Decolonisation? Gambians Speculate About Country's Wish to Quit International Criminal Court
"Breaking!! #Gambia withdraws from ICC. This follows the dictator's fear that his ex Interior Minister will incriminate him to gain asylum"
It Took 2.5 Years, But Lebanon Finally Has a President Again
After a 2.5-year power vacuum, Lebanon finally has a president again. But what does it mean?
Russian ‘Sex Evangelist’ Wants Women to Be Honest About Faking Orgasms
Built around the hashtag #честныйоргазм (“#HonestOrgasm”), the new campaign by “sex evangelist” Elena Rydkina encourages women to share life stories about times they faked orgasms to please partners.
Indian Shooter Heena Sidhu Says ‘No’ to Iran's Hijab Rule, and Social Media Rallies Behind Her
"Heena Sidhu pulls out of the Asian Airgun Championships in Iran because of a compulsory hijab rule. A ridiculous rule. And, a brave stance."
In Oman, Independent Media Suspended Until Further Notice
Albalad is the second independent media to stop publishing of its own accord this year. Another newspaper, Alzamn, was suspended by the government last August.
‘My Life for Iran': The 4th Anniversary of Iranian Activist Sattar Beheshti's Death
Sattar Beheshti has come to embody the spirit of resistance in Iran, in an ongoing struggle against freedom of expression and government repression.
Hong Kong Introduces Restrictions on High-Rise Window Cleaning to Protect Maids, and Employers Are Upset
"The home is a private domain, but it is also the migrant domestic helper's work space. It is the employer's responsibility to provide an appropriate and safe working environment."
Sleeping or Dead – Part 1: “Everything Screams Death”
"An electric current that would be enough to re-power my neighborhood...ran through my body." The first in a six-part series by Sarmad Al-Jilane about his experiences in a Syrian prison.