Stories about LANGUAGES from December, 2016
China's Glass Tycoon Cao Dewang ‘Escapes’ to the US for Cheaper Taxes
"Who dares to invest when investment costs are so high and profit isn't guaranteed?"
Empathy Was All Around in 2016 for the French-Speaking World, Too
It would be a shame to ignore 2016's less publicized, but still important events, so here goes our look back at the good stuff this year in the French-speaking world.
American Hockey Through Ukrainian Eyes: ‘Like Interrupted Sex’
A young Ukrainian man visits the wild world of American hockey, where he was treated to a show he didn’t expect (or entirely enjoy).
Google Mapping of Public Toilets Is the Latest Effort to Stop Open Defecation in India
"It would be naive to think Google’s efforts will change attitudes and rectify India’s sanitation troubles altogether, especially since nearly 900 million Indians don’t have access to the internet..."
Ex-Yugoslavs Mourn Vesna Vulović, Flight Attendant Who Survived Highest Ever Fall Without a Parachute
"Vesna Vulović survived a fall from 10,000 meters, but could not survive the year of 2016. :("
Serbian Government Backtracks on Russia-Inspired Anti-Abortion Council
"You know the consequence of prohibition of abortion? Profit for the clinics in neighboring countries, and semi-skilled butchers playing with the lives of the poor."
Argentinian Politician Calls for ‘Denouncing an International Genocide’ in Syria
Argentinian politician Juan Carlos Giordano of the 'Socialist Left' party called on the government of Argentina to cut all diplomatic ties with the Assad regime.
Praise, Condemnation After Nigeria’s Offer to Grant Corruption Whistleblowers 5% of the Take
"Must everything bring a monetary reward? How about values like patriotism? Primarily, whistle blowers need protection..."
Breaking a Four-Century Custom That Denied Women Temple Entry in India
"If we all have equal rights and freedom then why such restrictions on women?"
‘Like an Air Raid’ — Stunning Photos of a Japanese Town Consumed By Fire
Outside of natural disasters, the fire in Itoigawa -- likely caused by a ramen shop kitchen mishap -- was Japan's worst in 20 years.
2016: The Year the Caribbean Was Forced to Confront Its Attitude Towards Women
"We do not talk truthfully among ourselves about [...] harassment. Verbal innuendo and unwanted remarks are part of the culture we do not want to get rid of."
Transportation Showdown: Japanese Mascots’ Big Butts Vs. Train Doors
Japanese mascots often have a hard time boarding trains. It's because of their butts.
When They Censored Messaging Apps on Election Day, Montenegrin Regulators ‘Acted Legally’
Political oppositionists and prominent members of the country's civil society say the government's crackdown on social media harmed Montenegro's freedom of expression at a time when it was most needed.
Former Kuwaiti Lawmaker Sentenced to 42 Years in Jail for Tweets, ‘Insulting Saudi Arabia’
Dashti is a critic of Saudi Arabia, in particular its war in Yemen. He is also known for his controversial support of the regime of Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad
Investigative Journalists Reveal Accumulated Wealth of Serbian Politicians
The revelations, compiled by investigative journalism network KRIK, are generating lively debate online and within traditional media.
Assaults on Rights Activists Harm Civil Society — And Saudi Arabia's Progress
Saudi Arabia's ongoing crackdown on peaceful activism is depriving activists of their freedom and basic rights -- and it's costing the kingdom the work and creativity of its brightest reformists.
Morbid Propaganda in Macedonia Takes Aim at Western Ambassadors
"The xenophobia has terrible consequences, doesn't it? Therefore, please stop spreading it!"
Thailand’s New Computer Crimes Law Threatens Free Speech and Encryption
"The law's most serious shortcoming is in its giving too much power for authorities to make their own judgement whether certain actions may be deemed in violation of the law."
Kenya Internet Report Charts Increases in Access, E-Commerce and Arrests of Bloggers
Internet penetration is up and blogs are increasingly popular – for readers and writers alike. But arrests of bloggers and online journalists are increasing too.
In India, Moviegoers Are Expected to Stand for the National Anthem—Or Else
"I go to cinema to relax and amuse myself, not to show my patriotism to my fellow countrymen. People who question my patriotism can come to my house."
Kazakh TV Channel Famed for Fake News in Hot Water after Fake Interview
The interview with a self-promoting Kazakh news presenter that never happened was quickly disowned by the purported interviewer.
