Stories about WORLD from August, 2016
Remembering Samad Behrangi, the Writer Who Inspired Countless Iranian Revolutionaries
Remembering Samad Behrangi on the 49th anniversary of his death. More than the author of dark children's novels, he wrote allegories that symbolized struggles of generations of Iranian revolutionaries.
Blue Skies, Fake Tourists and Maximum Security: China Prepares For a Flawless G20 Summit
Whether they like it or not, Hangzhou residents must comply with government efforts to present theirs as the best and safest city in the world.
Unbothered by Tabloid Scandals, Jamaicans Stay Devoted to Superstar Sprinter Usain Bolt
Saucy photos that would possibly force most politicians from office can't dent the love Jamaica feels for iconic sprinter Usain Bolt.
Journalist Jean Bigirimana Is Still Missing as Burundi's Political Crisis Continues
The government's denial of Jean's detention has left his friends and colleagues fearful that authorities may be concealing information on his whereabouts or death.
The ‘Russian Quora’ Branches Out
The question-and-answer Russian website “TheQuestion” reportedly completed a second investment round this summer, securing $500,000, and is opening new offices in Berlin and London.
There's Finally a Programming Language in Bengali Script, Thanks to ‘Potaka’
"We have been looking forward to a coding language in Bengali for a long time. Why should our higher learning and computer learning be in a foreign language?"
The Burkini Ban Is Only Skin Deep
By focusing on a law governing what women can and can't wear, we're missing the deeper point of the argument.
Death Penalty Still Looms for Mauritanian Blogger Who Spoke Out Against Caste-Based Discrimination
"This sentence signifies a step backwards in terms of tolerance and shows just how much issues of cast, religion, slavery and therefore democracy are taboos in Mauritania."
Can Colombia's Best Ever Olympics Help to Heal Social Fractures?
"One more triumph was given to us by these worthy Colombians, representatives of the very mistreated afrodescendants in this racist and segregated Colombia."
Nigeria: Curbing the Tide of Ethnic Hate — Online and Off
Nigeria is the most active African country for political conversations on Twitter. That vibrant digital sphere, however, is fraught with hate speech.
The Summer Season Brings an Orchestra of Cicadas to Japan
There are more than 30 different species of cicada in Japan. Each one has its own distinctive call. How many can you recognize?
On the Blossoming Pop Careers of Uganda's Security Hardmen
Both the new police grooves and the old army tunes are decidedly patriotic in tone.
Has Uzbekistan's Ailing Dictator Danced His Last Dance?
"For the first time in 27 years, Karimov is not in control of Uzbekistan."
Meet the Newly Born Tulu Wikipedia, the 23rd in a South Asian Language!
Tulu is spoken by 3-5 million people in the Indian states of Karnataka and Kerala, plus a sizeable diaspora living in the US and the Gulf countries.
The Refugee Olympic Team Showed They Have Plenty to Offer, in Spite of Tragic Stories
"It is this determination that they show against all odds. I love the athletes in this team as if they were my own children."
Oh, the Phrases You'll Hear on the Streets of Buenos Aires!
La Gente Anda Diciendo collects phrases overheard in Argentina's capital and turns them into Facebook posts, books and notepads.
August Was Another Month of Tragedy for Turkey's Besieged LGBTQ+ Community
"She would also be very restless sometimes. She had been stabbed and beaten before. This doesn’t happen only to Hande, it happens to all of them."
Super Mario and Prime Minister Abe Took Centre Stage in Japan's 2020 Promo at Rio
Japan invites the world to the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo by emphasizing "otaku culture."
Lawsuit Over Facebook Post Raises Fears of Online Censorship in Bhutan
The suit against Zam revolves a family that is fighting a property dispute against well-connected business man Ap Sonam Phuntsho, who is also father-in-law to the Chief Justice of Bhutan.
How Beijing’s Breach of ‘One Country Two Systems’ Gave Birth to the Hong Kong Independence Movement
"Their main method looks set to be trolling and rattling Beijing: identifying what makes the regime most paranoid, and piling it on."
An MIT Lesson in Failure Helps Deliver Fresh Milk to Millions in India
"This program is trying help push us to make sure we’re not just coming out and often looking at things very simplistically or paternally..."
