Stories about English from June, 2010
Zimbabwe: Celebrating World Cup in Harare
Bev Clark on celebrating the World Cup in Harare, Zimbabwe: “Some of the Kubatana team have been moving around various pubs in Harare to watch world cup games. Our favourite haunt so far is Boleros in Chisipite.”
Japan and the World Cup: Silencing the critics
Ranked near the bottom of the 32 teams on the field in South Africa, facing odds estimated at 400-to-1 and four straight pre-tournament losses to boot, Japan was not even expected to win a game in this year's World Cup. But with their convincing 3-1 win over Denmark, perceptions have completely changed, propelling coach Takashi Okada from the butt of all jokes to a national hero.
Armenia-Azerbaijan: More Conflict Voices
As mentioned in previous posts on Global Voices, new and social media is increasingly playing a role in facilitating communication between Armenians and Azerbaijanis online. Locked into a bitter conflict over the disputed territory of Nagorno Karabakh, there are few other possibilities for connecting other than meeting in third countries.
Morocco: The Henna Experience
Henna as an art form has existed for thousands of years. Peace Corps volunteer Emily recently experienced it firsthand in Morocco. Jillian C York takes us on Emily's journey.
China and Korea: National sentiment controlled by rumors
Key from China Hush blogs about the anti-Korean sentiment in China which has been fanned by a number of rumors.
Saudi Arabia: Maysoon Azzam is “not a robot”
Why was Al-Arabiya newsreader Maysoon Azzam laughing when reading the news? Saudi Jeans wonders what tickled the newsreader, and why her explanation of the outburst was removed from Al-Arabiya's website in this post.
China: Debate over RMB evaluation
One week before the G20 summit, the Chinese central bank announced the increase of flexibility of RMB exchange rate. The People's Bank of China asserted that the exchange rate regime reform could help China, but not everyone is convinced in online forums.
Hungary: Pál Schmitt, a Presidential Nominee
Hungarian Spectrum writes (here and here) about Pál Schmitt, the current speaker of the National Assembly and a nominee for the Hungarian presidency.
Hungary, Slovakia: “Since the Slovak Elections”
Hungarian Spectrum posts an update on the Hungarian-Slovak relations.
Croatia: 9th Annual GLBT Pride Parade
The Daily Seyahatname/Blogging Balkanistan writes about Zagreb's ninth annual GLBT Pride Parade and notes that “President Ivo Josipovic became the first Croatian president to publicly support” the event.
Turkey: Jazz and the Russian Revolution
The Daily Seyahatname/Blogging Balkanistan writes about “how the Russian Revolution brought jazz to Turkey.”
Russia: Chechen President Launches Blog
Ramzan Kadyrov [EN], president of the Chechen Republic [EN], launched a blog ya-kadyrov [RUS] at Livejournal. In his first post Kadyrov writes that he is “a sociable and to the limit outspoken person”, and that he “hopes to develop friendship and discuss various events with his readers”. There is no option to...
Malaysia: Historic jail demolished
Despite the protest of concerned citizens, artists, and historians, the Malaysian government has decided to demolish the 115 year old Pudu Jail, a historical landmark in Kuala Lumpur. Bloggers react
Philippines: Cebu Blog Camp
Tonyo Cruz uploads his lecture on citizen journalism during the 2010 Cebu Blog Camp. Cebu is a major province in the central part of the Philippines.
Myanmar: Decrease in opium production
Words of Life quotes from a report that opium production in the Shan State of Myanmar went down this year because of the El Nino phenomenon
Myanmar: Food ration cutback in refugee center
The Democratic Voice of Burma reported that food ration for refugees in the Thailand-Myanmar will be reduced because of budget shortfall. There are more than 140,000 refugees in the border.
Myanmar: Singapore to Yangon flight
Htoo Tay Zar uploads a video of his flight from Singapore to Yangon in Myanmar. The video provides brief snapshots of rural Myanmar and the Yangon airport
Myanmar: Soldiers steal buffaloes for TV
The Shan Herald reported that Myanmar soldiers near the Thailand-Myanmar border stole buffaloes in order to acquire a TV and satellite broadcast of the World Cup games.
Myanmar: Sports magazines enjoying higher sales
The Irrawaddy reports that sports magazines are enjoying higher sales in Myanmar because of the World Cup 2010
Rwanda: Update on Semadwinga's murder
Update on the killing of a senior political figure in Rwanda, Denis Ntare Semadwinga: “Semadwinga was linked to a dissident faction of the CNDP that had written a letter denouncing the party's leadership back in May. The signatory of that statement, Patrice Habarurema, was arrested by Rwandan police shortly afterwards.”
Australia: Dramatic Fall of Prime Minister Kevin Rudd
It was swift and secret. Kevin Rudd has been replaced as Prime Minister of Australia by his deputy Julia Gillard. She is the nation’s first female PM. Here are reactions from bloggers who rarely post about politics.