Stories about LANGUAGES from April, 2012
China: Kim Jong-Un Photoshop meme
Michael Ardaiolo from Shanghaiist has collected a set of photoshop meme circulated via Weibo in China on North Korean leader Kim Jong-un.
Brazil: The sale of America's smallest city and thoughts of buying the Amazon
Janio, from Brazil, has written in his blog (“Made in Blog” [pt]) about the auctioning off of the smallest city in America, Buford (Wyoming), which has but one inhabitant. He draws a parallel “with a time when some activists from the developed world threatened to buy the Amazon, in order to...
Côte d'Ivoire: Reopening of Parliament Sparks Buzz Across Web
The second parliamentary term of the second republic of the Côte d'Ivoire opened on Wednesday 25 April, in Yamoussoukro. Through this event, Guillaume Soro, former prime minister and president of the Côte d'Ivoire National Assembly since 12 March, wanted to highlight a break with the past.
China: A Hiker's Guide to Xinjiang
Josh from Xinjiang – Far West China blogs about his hiking experience in Xinjiang. He also gives very useful tips for hikers.
China: Populist Politics in China
Mary Ann O'Donnell from Shenzhen Noted blogs about her conversation with a friend about Chongqing former mayor Bo Xilai's populist politics which might have undermined the one-party political system.
Russia: The Battle of Borodino Lives On
After 200 years, through the works of artists such as Leo Tolstoy (as well as legal disputes about the historic preservation of the battlefield), the Battle of Borodino continues to inspire passion and incite controversy. In this post, RuNet Echo returns to the historical and modern contexts of Russia's victory in the Napoleonic Wars.
Malaysia: Thousands Joined Bersih 3.0 Protest
Thousands of Malaysians gathered in the streets in support of Bersih 3.0, a campaign for electoral reforms. But police used tear gas and water cannon to disperse the crowd. Hundreds were arrested. Netizens share their Bersih stories
Ukraine: Netizens Discuss Dnipropetrovsk Bombings
There has been a great deal of speculation about the four bombings that rocked the city of Dnipropetrovsk, Ukraine, on Friday. The timing of the blasts is key to most of the popular theories emerging online, as Ukraine is undergoing a very eventful period right now.
India: Five Legal Points The Bloggers Should Know
Apar Gupta discusses about the legal concerns of a blogger and five legal points one should know while blogging in India.
The State And The Religion In South Asia
Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga, the 5th President of Sri Lanka, posts in Groundviews an analysis on the state and the religion in South Asian countries.
Pakistan: Imran Khan's Popularity Is Visible
“When people start putting up your face and logo on their mud guards, it’s a sign that you are here to stay,” comments Tazeen on the growing popularity of Pakistani celebrity sportsman turned politician Imran Khan.
Africa: African Photography Blog
Visit Kilele, an African photography blog: “Firstly, it’s a personal blog so the majority of photos appeal to me in some way. Otherwise the blog has enabled me to discover emerging African photographers as well as see different images of Africa.”
Thirty three top Brazilian businesses ranked in the Forbes list
In her Brazil Global blog, Hildete Vodopives named thirty three Brazilian businesses found on the Forbes Top Business list, stating: “Energy makes number one among them with Petrobras (oil, gas and ethanol). Another interesting highlight is the leading presence of banks: Itau (and Itausa, its holding), Bradesco and Banco do...
Africa: Does Copy/Clone Strategy Work in Africa?
Mbwna Ally wonders whether copy/clone strategy works in Africa: “Every so often I hear venture capitalists and entrepreneurs in Silicon Valley ask a recurring question regarding Tech Startups in Africa- why not just use the “copy to” strategy? Clone an e-bay, clone a Groupon… After all there are 1,000s of...
Africa: The New African Consumer
Bankelele discusses a new report on the African Consumer: “It’s a useful road map for companies looking to understand future trends in Africa and offer lessons such as be online (Africa had more Google ad clicks than Western Europe), brands & quality matter, distribution is king, data is scare, respect...
Nigeria: New Media and Governance Conference
Enough is Enough (EIE) together with other partners wish to expound the rising profile of new media and governance in a conference "New Media and Governance: Tools and Trends". The aim of this intellectual gathering of "government policy makers, civil society, academic institutions, private sector and youth" is to analyse "the use of new media for improved governance, accountability and civic engagement." The conference is slated for May 14-15, 2012 in Shehu Musa Yar'Adua Centre, Abuja, Nigeria.
Côte d'Ivoire: Regarding Free Medical Care
Suy Kahofi writes [fr] on Africa Vox about free medical care in Cote d'Ivoire : “The completely free care has, certainly, relieved the people, but it has been marred by problems : shortages in the supply of drugs, lack of nursing staff… The health professionals themselves do not seem to...
China: The Heroine Behind Chen Guangcheng's Escape Arrested
He Peirong, a Chinese activist who helped blind lawyer and civil rights activist Chen Guangcheng escape his house arrest has herself now been detained.
Tunisia: Clashes Over Future of State Television
On April 25 a sit-in outside the offices of Tunisia's state television network that had lasted almost eight weeks came to an end. Protestors demanded the “cleansing” of the network of Ben Ali supporters, and also opposed suggestions of its privatisation.
Refugees: Online Media and Technology to the Service of Refugees
Two different organizations are using online media and technology to aid refugees and improve their lives. The first uses online and mobile tools to reunite refugees who have lost track of family members, and the other provides legal information to refugees in Hong Kong through YouTube videos.
India: Protests Against the New IT Rules
In April 2011 the Indian government quietly issued amendments to the IT rules restricting web content that are designated as “disparaging,” “harassing,” “blasphemous” or “hateful.” The Indian netizens are campaigning against it online and are organizing street protests.