Stories from 22 February 2015
Spanish Mayor's 'Pearls' Inspire a Thousand Lame Excuses for Failing Class
The mayor of a small town in Spain made the dubious claim that the head of alternative party Podemos failed her in university three times "for wearing pearls."
High Hopes and Mixed Feelings About Russia's Oscar Nominee
Russian director Andrey Zvyagintsev’s film "Leviathan" has been a critical darling abroad and a key Oscars contender, but in Russia, it has generated a polarizing national discussion.
Happy Chinese New Year… From Peru!
Tasty food and a significant population of tusán, or 'local-born' Chinese are just two reasons for Peruvians to celebrate Chinese New Year with gusto.
A Passenger Ferry Capsizes in Bangladesh. Again.
On Sunday noon a passenger ferry reportedly packed with more than 100 passengers was hit by a cargo vessel 40 kilometres northwest of Dhaka, Bangladesh's capital. It subsequently sank. A...
Submissions Needed for White History Month 2015
Organised by Africa is a Country blog, White History month 2015 is coming next month: Last March was the inaugural White History Month here on Africa is a Country, and...
One Woman Challenges Perceptions of Somalia One Instagram Post at a Time
Ugaaso Boocow wanted to correct perceptions of Somalia. But instead of taking to the streets or the airwaves, she took to Instagram and is primed to be a star.
Kuwait Sentences Opposition Politician Mussallam Al Barrak to Two Years in Jail for “Insulting Ruler”
Kuwaiti opposition politician Mussalam Al Barrak was sentenced to two years in jail for telling the country's ruler that the people would not allow him to practice “autocratic rule.”
How Children in Egypt Are Playing Out ISIS Execution Videos
Should children watch ISIS crimes shared on video? This question was raised after children from Egypt's El Mahalla El Kubra have been video-taped "slaughtering" other children ISIS-style.
US Government Eases Sanctions to Allow Export of Personal Communications Tools to Sudan
The US government has issued a general license amending sanctions on Sudan to allow the export of certain personal communications technologies.
A Tajik Nurse Kidnapped in Yemen Arrives Home and Gets Straight Back to Work
Happy endings are rare in Tajikistan, so when they happen, they should be celebrated.
Can #Panzagar ‘Flower Speech’ Facebook Stickers End Hate Speech in Myanmar?
Facebook has added new stickers called 'Speak Panzagar' in support of the 'Flower Speech' movement to combat hate speech in Myanmar.
