Stories about Technology from September, 2014
Who Needs Roads? Russia Entertains Lunar Ambitions
Russia is revitalizing its Moon exploration efforts, with plans to launch a full-scale lunar colonization and development program by 2030. Sounds awesome, right? The RuNet begs to differ.
How Not to Understand the Kremlin's Internet ‘Kill Switch’
The justifications for preparing a “self-sufficient RuNet” are weak. The tools necessary for such a feat, moreover, would empower the Kremlin to restrict Russia's vital communications in an instant.
Wanna Learn the Khmer Language? Check Out this Audio Dictionary
Kheng.Info is a useful portal to learn Khmer, the official language of Cambodia. Aside from word translation, the website also offers an audio recording of Khmer words which is helpful to understand the meaning of the Khmer script. Check out how the word ‘love’ translates to Khmer:
Iranian Judiciary Sets 1-Month Deadline to Block Viber
Iranian judiciary has set a one-month deadline for Hassan Rohani's government to block or to control messaging applications Viber, WhatsApp and TangoMe. Iran judiciary sets 1-month deadline for communications ministry to block messaging apps @Viber, @WhatsApp & @TangoMe — Sobhan Hassanvand (@Hassanvand) September 20, 2014
Using Mobile Phones to Connect Pregnant Women and Midwives in Timor Leste
Liga Inan is using mobile phones to connect pregnant women and health workers in Timor Leste. The innovative program provides mothers with vital information and health advice to ensure the safe delivery of babies. Since its launch, almost 2,000 mothers have been already enrolled in the program.
Covert Surveillance ‘Project Speargun’ Fires Up New Zealand Election
ANNA MAJAVU of Pacific Media Watch reports for The Daily Blog on an extraordinary event in Auckland on 15 September 2014: NEW ZEALAND Prime Minister John Key has been accused of allowing the secret installation of equipment that would enable spooks to tap into New Zealand’s undersea fibre optic cable...
Was a Popular Saint Lucia Blog Taken Down by Google Hateful or Just Outspoken?
The no-holds-barred, muckraking blog had become both notorious and controversial among people interested in local politics -- and then it was blocked, without warning.
One of the Latest ‘Happy’ Tribute Videos Comes From Sikkim, High in India's Himalayas
The song “Happy”, written, produced, and performed by American singer and producer Pharrell Williams, became a viral phenomenon earlier this year as countless tribute videos filmed around the world were uploaded online. Better late than never, Sushmita Pakhrin of Lens Craft Production has made a version for Sikkim, a landlocked northeast...
Right to Be Forgotten: With Free Expression Under Threat, Europe Needs a ‘Marco Civil Moment’
In the second installment in our "right to be forgotten" series, Felix Treguer explains how the new EU rules affect corporations like Google -- and their impact on the public.
5 Tips to Prevent Threats of Cyber Snooping in China
Want to prevent threats of cyber snooping in China? See the details of the following five tips given by Sean Maples on ChinaHush: 1. Upgrade your operating system 2. Remove extra data 3. Bring a simple cellphone 4. Use a Virtual Private Network (VPN) 5. Reformat your digital device
Less Than 10% of Rural Sub-Saharan Africans Have Access to Electricity. What's Being Done to Change That?
Fifteen percent of the world's population lives in Africa, yet they represent only 3 percent of global electricity consumption. Organizations are carrying out various electrification projects to wire the continent.
Conversations and Images From Highway Africa 2014
Highway Africa 2014 took place on 7-8 September, 2014 at Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa. The theme of the conference was Social Media – from the margins to the mainstream. Find images and conversations about the conference here.
Indians Publish Cries for Help and Calls for Donations on Twitter as Deadly Flooding Hits Jammu and Kashmir
"It's raining hell in Kashmir. Roads and rivers inundated. People being evacuated to safer places."
This Russian Lawmaker Thinks the US Can Take Russia Off The Internet
A deputy in the Russian parliament thinks the United States might cut off Russia's internet and suggests Russians take measures to get ready for the information blackout.
Iran Holds Persian ICT Week
Iran held the first annual Persian ICT week conference in Tehran's Ijlas center between August 30-31, 2014. The two day conference was a cooperative effort between Iran's ICT Guild Organization and the Arab ICT Organization. The theme of the conference was entitled, “Internet for Economic Growth,” and panels were held...
EXCLUSIVE: German Companies Are Selling Unlicensed Surveillance Technologies to Human Rights Violators – and Making Millions
Data analyzed by two leading researchers on surveillance and digital security technology suggests the majority of surveillance technologies produced by German companies have been bought and sold under the table.
Looking to Get Away? Do It Patriotically, With Russia's Upcoming Booking.com Clone.
As Russia turns inward, the country has sought national alternatives to goods and services that are generally Western-dominated. Moving ahead, Russia faces the dangers of breaking this dependence too quickly.
Iran's President Says Internet Is Vital
Iranian President Hassan Rohani said in a speech on September 1 that the Internet is vital and Iran “cannot close the gates of the world for the younger generation.” The next day, two Grand Ayatollahs defended high-speed Internet a few days after another Grand Ayatollah warned about it. IMPORTANT #Iran president Rouhani made a...
How Bloggers Ended Up in Prison for Writing About Human Rights in Ethiopia
Melody Sundberg analyses freedom of expression in Ethiopia after detained Ethiopian bloggers spent 100 days in prison: Ethiopia is with its almost 94 million population the second most populated country in Africa. Nevertheless, it does not according to an interview with Endalkhachew Chala by Global Voices, have an independent daily...