Stories about English from July, 2009
Russia: Unsold iPhones
Profy writes about the situation with iPhone sales in Russia.
Ukraine: Q&A with Hryhoriy Nemyrya
EurActiv.com visits Kyiv and talks to Hryhoriy Nemyrya, Ukraine’s vice PM, in charge of relations with Europe: questions are here, Nemyrya's responses – here, a shorter summary – here.
Mexico: The Santa Fe District
The Mexico City district of Santa Fe is “Mexico's Dubai” and characterized by its commercialization boom and high-end shopping, but which is also surrounded by many of the city's slums writes Daniel Hernandez of Intersections.
Pakistan: Citizen Media Vs. Print Media
Hina Safdar at Chowrangi informs of a recent dispute between a blog vs. some journalists. The pkpolitics.com blog exposed some journalists on various corruption issues and some of them responded by publishing articles in a Pakistan daily.
Bangladesh, India: Tipaimukh Dam And Transparency
The controversy surrounding the Tipaimukh Hydroelectric Project currently continues to dominate the politics, media, and intellectual and civil society’s discourse in Bangladesh.
Haiti: Secret Funeral
Haitian blogger Wadner Pierre reports that Kenel Pascal, “who appears to have been gunned down by UN occupation troops”, was given a secret funeral “because the priest and family were fearful of UN and Haitian government reprisals” and goes on to write another post examining the circumstances surrounding the death...
Trinidad & Tobago: Emancipation Celebrations
“On August 1, 1985, Trinidad and Tobago became the first country in the world to declare a national holiday to commemorate the abolition of slavery”: Repeating Islands highlights Emancipation Day celebrations in the twin island republic.
China: Sulfur mining in Big Tree County
Asia Society released an old documentary about pollution problems caused by sulfur mining in Da Shu Xian, or Big Tree County, in Sichuan province. The documentary was produced in 1992.
Trinidad & Tobago: PM vs. the Media
As the Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago declares that the media is against him, KnowProSE.com says: “My olive branch for the Prime Minister would be, ‘You fix the government, we'll fix the media.’ But the point is that he isn't fixing the government…”, while This Beach Called Life sums...
Barbados: Humming Birds
my rustic bajan garden manages “to capture some photos of the emerald throated humming bird” and her young ones, who will soon be ready to leave the nest.
Jamaica: Doping Athletes?
Girl With a Purpose reports on five Jamaican track and field athletes “who have been found with traces of a banned substance in their urine.”
Nepal: The Strike Culture
Continuity writes about the Bandh (strike) culture in Nepal: “Bad security? Bad wages? Bad hair day? Lack of landfill sites? Microbuses getting torched? Food prices too high? All of these things are acceptable reasons for strikes here in Nepal.”
Sri Lanka: The Detained Refugees
Indi.ca comments: “Sri Lankan IDPs are not displaced as much as detained. They’re being held until LTTE cadres are ‘weeded out’ or screened or whatever, which has a logic, but there’s no particular legal basis for it. That’s why I’m interested in the Fundamental Rights case filed by the family...
India: Advertising Prop Used In Real Life Situation
News Views And Analysis informs (with pictures) that an advertising prop, a raft was taken off the hoarding and used as a real life rescue tool when Mumbai submerged under flush flood due to heavy rain.
Hijablogging: On Burqas and Bans
Although the practice of wearing hijab has been around since pre-Islamic times, the debate surrounding it has increased in recent years. Whereas in some countries, hijab is mandated, in others, it has been banned in schools, workplaces, and sometimes altogether. But whether required or forbidden, Muslim women's dress is almost always a topic of hot debate.
Laos: Pollution from paper factory
Lao Voices uploads a video which shows pollution from a paper factory in Laos.
Lao SEA Games 2009
The 25th Southeast Asian Games will take place in Laos on December 9-18. Visit the official site of the games.
Situation of Indonesian farmers
Maya observes that Indonesian farmers are still suffering, especially during food crisis.
Philippines: Taal Volcano
nomad4ever writes about Taal Volcano in the Philippines. His description of the volcano: A volcano on an island in a lake on an island in an ocean.
Azerbaijan: Watermelon season
Sheki, Azerbaijan says that watermelon season has started in the country, posting photographs and detailing some of the traditions associated with the summer fruit.
Moldova: Repeat Elections
Updates and resources on the repeat election in Moldova – at Scraps of Moscow, here and here.
