· February, 2008

Stories about LANGUAGES from February, 2008

Bolivia: Relief for Flooding Victims

Many residents from other Bolivian cities are chipping in to provide relief for the victims of the flooding in the Beni region. Kevin of Travieso [es] writes about the cooperation...

29 February 2008

Argentina: Concern Over Cartoneros

The Buenos Aires government is worried about the activity of the ‘cartoneros,’ who are members of the informal economy and rummage through garbage to salvage cardboard that can be sold...

29 February 2008

Argentina: Direct Taxes and Digital Rights

A new proposal in Argentina sought to add a direct tax to any electronic equipment capable of reproducing digital media, which would seek to offset some of the revenues lost by artists due to piracy. Bloggers in that country mobilized to say that this move would encourage piracy because compensation would have already been paid. It would have also raised the prices of these goods in a country where the prices are already expensive.

29 February 2008

Israel: Ashkelon is ‘on the map’

Following the recent missile attacks on Ashkelon, many worried bloggers react, describing their experiences with terror and fear, within this deteriorating situation that seems ever more hopeless. Gilad Lotan brings us the story from the Hebrew blogosphere.

29 February 2008

China: Chongqing's Pride

Zhang Xiaozhou's soccer game report has hurt Chongqing citizens’ pride. Students, representatives of people congress, and newspapers editors protested against the report and demanded the authority to punish the reporter....

29 February 2008

Cameroon: Will the widespread unrest bring political change?

Cameroon was besieged this week by the worst violence in fifteen years, as a transportation strike formally ended by unions on Wednesday expanded into a more general protest against rising food and oil prices and President Biya's attempts to alter the constitution and extend his 25-year rule. Bloggers and netizens describe the situation on the ground and what it means for Cameroon's future.

28 February 2008

Paraguay: The Craft of Goat Cheese

The making of goat cheese is an artisan craft in Paraguay. A new blog called Quesos de Cabra – Caprísimo [es] highlights this process and how it is marketed in...

28 February 2008

China: Suicide at tech giant Huawei

Following up on one blogger's lead, some comments on yet another staff suicide at tech company Huawei this week which for many reinforces the company's popular image of having one of the toughest workplace environments in the country.

28 February 2008

Hong Kong: The Invisible Class

Henry porter comments on the newly released government budget report and points out the existence of an “invisible class”. Under the “winner takes the most, loser takes the rest” logic,...

28 February 2008

China: Suicide or Security Problem?

On Feb 17, a woman fell into the Guangzhou Metro track and killed. The police and company said that it was a suicide case but her family didn't believe the...

28 February 2008

Taiwan: No City for Old Aborigines

The first Presidential debate powered by citizen media platform Peopo was held on Feb 24. Two candidates running for President answers 20 questions raised by citizens who use Youtube-like video clips to express their wishes and problems.

27 February 2008

Iraq: Ben Kerishan and Wahhabism

Emirati Ben Kerishan blogger (Arabic) provides a concise, humorous and insightful summary of the history of development of Salafist Wahhabism in Saudi Arabia, one of the most dangerous evils in...

27 February 2008