Stories from February, 2021
Mozambique’s President pardons young men who insulted him in viral video
One of the men was even arrested, and the case was widely discussed on social media.
Myanmar citizens continue strong opposition to military junta with ‘22222’ general strike
"If we oppose the dictatorship, they might shoot us. But we have to oppose dictatorship. It’s our duty. That’s why so many people are coming out today against them."
Rising Voices’ Activismo Lenguas initiative receives International Mother Language Award
“This award is a testament to the impact that language digital activists are having across Latin America and the great potential of their work."
Updating Uyghur: The power of online discussions for language preservation
Though spoken by over 10 million people, the Uyghur language is struggling to adapt to modern life and overcome heavy censorship and language elimination in China
Prominent Harvard professor pilloried for peddling revisionist history about wartime ‘comfort women’
Historians familiar with wartime sexual slavery perpetrated by Japanese armed forces point out that the professor, J. Mark Ramseyer, has long championed historical revisionism.
Facebook draws furious response for blocking news stories in Australia
"You know Facebook... Our little thumb has the ultimate power... It’s pretty easy to just #DeleteFacebook."
Downtown Kingston’s new murals brighten Jamaica’s COVID-19 gloom
Jamaica's creative sector, which had begun to show many 'green shoots' prior to the COVID-19 outbreak, has been particularly hard hit — but it is forging ahead in novel ways.
English soccer authorities suspend foreign star for a ‘racist’ remark, but it was nothing of the kind
‘Applied without regard for social, cultural and linguistic context, antiracism efforts risk becoming a caricature of themselves, driving a wedge between people of different cultures rather than bringing them together ... ’
After grisly murder, women hold protest in Baku
The demonstration was given impetus by the brutal murder of a 32-year-old woman.
Algerian activist Rachid Nekkaz's failing health raises calls for his release
Two years after Algeria's Hirak Movement, calls are being made to free from prison a man who is associated with it, and who has been in jail without trial since 2019.
Saudi women's activist Loujain al-Hathloul released and tweeting
The 31-year-old women's rights campaigner was abducted in 2018 in the UAE and found guilty of a set of charges, with the prosecutor demanding a maximum jail term of up to 20 years.
Barbadian pop superstar Rihanna gets flak for wearing pendant of Hindu god in lingerie post
While some social media users felt the photo was disrespectful and tone deaf, others thought the controversy was much ado about nothing.
Research firm uncovers a pro-Huawei influence campaign
While Graphika's research findings are insufficient to suggest that Huawei was behind the operation, its employees were key amplifiers of the comments produced by the fake clusters.
In unrecognized Transnistria, a retiree faces criminal charges for ‘anti-Russian’ rhetoric
A 70-year-old Transnistria citizen faces a five-year prison term for critical statements about Russian peacekeeping forces in the breakaway Moldova region.
Flights carrying ‘seafood’ between China and Myanmar fuel speculation about Beijing's support for the military coup
There's also speculation that the recurring power outages in Myanmar in the past few days are related to the testing and setup of Myanmar's version of The Great Firewall.
How a social media group is helping to improve railway service in Bangladesh
Some 'fans' are using a Facebook Group to share information, respond to queries, and give suggestions for how to improve the service of the Bangladesh Railway.
Serbia expels US neo-Nazi after investigative website Bellingcat outed his location
Queens, New York native Robert Rondo bragged about helping local neo-Nazis restore Serbian nationalist graffiti that had been defaced by anti-fascist activists.
Angolans furious after protesters killed in rally by self-determination movement
Movement demanding autonomy for the eastern half of Angola claims police fired indiscriminately at protesters attending a rally in the mining village of Cafunfo on January 30.
Capturing the mood on both sides of the Ukraine-Russia conflict in Donbas
A new survey finds that Donbas citizens hold little trust in state institutions and are divided on the future of the region, but strive for economic stability.
Arrest of Indian climate activist Disha Ravi over protest ‘toolkit’ draws backlash
'Editing a Google Doc in support of farmers is an act of sedition in this country now,' a writer said.
Galindo: COVID-19 unearths ghosts of Spain’s ‘dirty war’
'Some of the reactions to Rodríguez Galindo’s death are proof that segments of Spanish society have a lot of work to do to face their demons.'