Stories about LANGUAGES from July, 2008
Armenia: NATO Cooperation
Window on Eurasia argues that Armenia's continued involvement in exercises staged under the auspices of the NATO Partnership for Peace Program marks an increasingly evident move towards Western rather than Russia military structures.
Armenia: Hacked Attack Sites?
Nazarian reports that two Armenian sites, Policy Forum Armenia and my own The Caucasian Knot, have been flagged as attack sites by Google. 517 Design carries more information on what appears to be the work of hackers.
Tube Adventure: A Bilingual Quest Game on YouTube
The popular Spanish YouTube channel Pinofas has created a novel project: it's an hero adventure quest live-action game that takes advantage of the new tagging, linking and commenting capabilities that YouTube has implemented, called Tube Adventure.
Vietnam: Economic woes and bicycles
Because of economic downturn, more people are using their bicycles again to save money in Vietnam, as reported by The Comical Hat
Vietnam: Floating market
Mango shake, anyone?? published several pictures of a floating market in Can Tho, Vietnam.
East Timor: Coffee economics
Dili-gence blogs about the coffee industry in East Timor
East Timor: Media for peace
The head of media agencies in Timor-Leste participated in a joint press conference to raise awareness for the 100 Day Peace Campaign celebrated around the world. The specific theme in Timor-Leste is this: “What are you doing for peace?”
Bolivia: The Custom of El Poro
Camiri Digital [es] proudly writes about the use of the drink “el Poro” in Camiri, Bolivia, and its customs such as pouring the drink to your right.
Palestine: Anger at Young Boy's Needless Death
Israeli troops shot and killed 12-year-old Ahmed Ussam Yousef Mousa during a peaceful protest against the barrier being erected in Nilin. Up to 18 others were injured by rubber bullets during the protest. Ahmed was the only person hit by a live bullet. Jillian York sums up blog reactions in this post.
Italy: A National Registry for Roma People?
Italian prime minister Silvio Berlusconi's new right wing Cabinet recently launched plans to carry out a national registration of all Roma people in Italy, including fingerprints of all children. Italy is home to an estimated 150,000 Roma and Sinti people (often referred to as Gypsies). The ensuing, heated public debate over whether this measure amounts to racial discrimination is overflowing in the online space of Italy and beyond.
No to Kuwait's New Internet Law
Kuwaiti bloggers are angry at a proposed new Internet Law, which they claim would make their days as free bloggers numbered, after Attorney General Hamad Al Othman announced that a new law dealing with Internet crimes will be issued soon. Abdullatif Al Omar takes a closer look at the Kuwaiti blogosphere and their reactions to the impending law.
China: All shook up by the torch relay
It's a double-edged Olympic torch. Veteran sports journalist Guan Jun shares a short sketch on his Beijing Olympics blog of how disruptive preparations for the torch relay proved to be for those living alongside the road chosen for the relay route.
Saudi Arabia: On the move…or not
The journey, not the arrival matters? Two bloggers from Jeddah would disagree. They have both been having problems getting from one place to another: one in Jeddah itself and the other back to Saudi Arabia from Canada.
Syria: Forgotten Prisoners and Real Heros
An Egyptian prisoner is still being held in an Israeli jail, according to reports being posted by bloggers, in the aftermath of the Prisoner swap between Israel and Hezbollah. Razan Ghazzawi reflects on what the Syrian bloggers had to say about this and the exchange of prisoners in general.
Libya: Beautiful Oasis
Libya holds number one and six of the world's seven most beautiful oases on a website, reports Anglo Libyan. Check out the post to see the pictures.
South Africa: Introducing Carbon Tax
Carbon tax on the cards in South Africa, “The National Treasury is investigating the introduction of a tax on carbon-dioxide emissions as part of South Africa’s voluntary commitment to climate change mitigation – government speak for…”
Barbados: What happened to I'Akobi Tacuma Maloney?
After a young Rastafari man died during a suspicious encounter with Barbados police, Rastafari activists and other Barbadian bloggers used online resources to ask hard questions and campaign for justice.
Turkey is Typing….Bomb Blasts in Istanbul
While the city of Istanbul enjoyed itself with a Metallica concert, the party died down with the news of a bombing in the Istanbul neighborhood of Güngören, leaving at least 17 people dead and over 150 people injured. Reactions to the news in the Turkish blogosphere were slow, but between speculation as to who is behind the attacks and protests against terrorism, one thing has become quite clear....this hasn't been the first time, and it sure won't be the last.
Formoz Festival 2008: Don't wanna say goodbye
Here is wikipedia's explanation of the annual Formoz Festival: The annual Formoz Festival, Spring Scream, and Gung-liao Ho-hai-yan Rock Festival are representative gatherings within Taiwan's indie scene. Of these, Formoz Festival is notable for its international draw. Facing the threat of typhoon Phoenix, lots of people still decided to attend...
Africa: Mobile reporting
White African discussing mobile reporting in Africa, “Netherland’s based AfricaNews has been a pioneer in this space, starting last year with their “Voices of Africa” section of their site. I’ve been continually impressed with how they find, train and equip their journalists all over Africa.”
Not Guilty: Egypt's Ferry Disaster
On February 3, 2006 Al-Salam ferry sank in the middle of the Red Sea killing more than 1,000 people who were coming to Safaga, Egypt from Saudi Arabia. The passengers were mainly Egyptian workers in Saudi Arabia, who were returning home on vacation or who were bringing their savings home to retire in their homeland. The Egyptian criminal court has found the owner of a Red Sea ferry and four others not guilty of manslaughter. The families of the victims as well as Egyptian bloggers were shocked and angered.
