Stories about TYPE from December, 2016
Bangladesh’s New Year's Celebration of Diversity: Into the Deep Podcast
What might look like just a street party is actually a creative stand for unity—and against the forces of intolerance who seek to divide and oppress Bangladeshis.
Homeless People Outside Tehran Are Taking Refuge in Empty Graves
Images of homeless people in Iran taking refuge in empty graves outside Tehran have been sweeping Persian social media.
Myanmar's Most Memorable Moments in 2016
As 2016 comes to an end, The Irrawaddy showcases the best photographs that capture Myanmar’s most iconic moments.
Macedonia's Pollution Is So Bad That Activists Have Installed ‘Mountain Air Breathing Booths’ in Protest
Other unhappy citizens have resorted to parody. A piece of graffiti recently circulated on Twitter pokes fun a government inaction: "Recommendation: Don't die from cancer!"
Five Things Tearing Afghanistan Apart and the Local Proverbs That Help Explain Them
"The goat worries about his life, the butcher worries about the fat.”
Russia's Top Ten Memes in 2016
In the spirit of 2016, RuNet Echo risks spoiling everything in an effort to make sense of Russia's hottest Internet memes over the past year.
Syria's War May be the Most Documented Ever—And Yet We Know So Little.
With the end of the devastating siege of eastern Aleppo, the world watches, parses and argues over the meaning of the media messages being shared by those remaining within it.
For a Limited Time, Croatians Get Free Access to a Digital Library of 100,000 Books
Not in Croatia? The Croatia Reads app also offers people outside the country Croatian books free of charge.
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.
Imprisoned Iranian Activist Faces New Charges After Complaint About Mistreatment
"When asked to produce a warrant, they attacked me. One of the agents, who I’m embarrassed to say was a woman, started to beat me."
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..."
What Worried Latin Americans in 2016?
"How philosophical, how profound are the doubts that trouble the Latin American minds of our times."
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."
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..."
Open Letter From Diaspora Iranians to Trump Causes Upset Inside Iran
"Don't recognize 25 of the 30 names who wrote to #Trump to bash Obama & #Iran Deal. Fox News calls them 'Influential Iranians dissidents'"
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.