· September, 2009

Stories about LANGUAGES from September, 2009

UAE: Dubai Metro Pride

  30 September 2009

This month's opening of Dubai Metro has attracted a lot of commentary on UAE blogs. Buj Al Arab notes: “Such a fantastic project for Dubai, the UAE, and the Arab World to be proud of. One of the fastest rates of construction.”

South Korea: Kids Lack Sleep

  30 September 2009

Korea beat translated a local news report on a survey about Korean kids’ sleeping time, which is the shortest among the 6 surveyed countries.

China: When will the sunshine come?

  30 September 2009

Chinese officials will soon be required to report all their assets as part of an anti-corruption "Sunshine Act" of the Communist Party. But resistance so far has been significant, leading to much online public debate among Chinese citizens.

Russia: “Afro Plus”

  30 September 2009

Adventures in Wheelville expresses solidarity with Moscow's African residents: “While Obama is busy making buddy with Medvyedev, scores of black folks on Moscow streets are looking over their shoulder every two seconds in fear. It's horribly ironic.”

Ukraine: Political Rivalry and Journalism

  30 September 2009

Foreign Notes writes about a popular Ukrainian political talk show that was to feature “a battery of eminent journalists” posing questions to PM Yulia Tymoshenko this past Friday, but which evolved into yet another political battle when a group of Tymoshenko's rivals showed up in the studio, seemingly uninvited.

Poland: Sexual Crimes and Roman Polanski

  30 September 2009

Polandian writes about Poland's plans to legalize chemical castration for those who commit sexual crimes against minors – and about the arrest of Roman Polanski in Switzerland and the Polish foreign minister's intention to ask the U.S. president to pardon the film director: “Now, if the 1977 charge had been...

Czech Republic: Temelín Nuclear Power Plant

  29 September 2009

The Journeys of Captain Oddsocks writes about the Temelín nuclear power plant, which has been in the news recently “because of a controversial and overpriced contract awarded to a shady company whose former director was recently jailed for planning the violent abduction of his replacement.”

Pakistan: Karachi The Next Swat

  29 September 2009

Khaled Faroqi at Pakistan Desk opines that the movement of Taliban Leadership from Quetta to Karachi can force the city to suffer the same consequences as FATA or Swat.

India: Water On Moon

  29 September 2009

Breaking Tweets compiles reactions of Indian Twitter users to various reports of the Indian Chandrayaan-1 mission finding water molecules on the moon.

Bangladesh: Banning Of Adult Websites

  29 September 2009

Joruri Khobor posts a hilarious take on the news that the government of Bangladesh has banned 84 adult websites that featured “well-known Bangladeshi celebrities in obscene poses”.

India: Durga Puja: A Daughter Comes Visiting

  29 September 2009

The Durga Puja is an annual festival that celebrates worship of the Hindu goddess Durga. Bengalis believe that Durga is the daughter of Bengal and during the 5 days of festivities she visits her parental home along with her 4 children and 2 close friends.