Stories from 22 September 2008
Paraguay: Trans-Chaco Rally Postponed
Every year, drivers from across the globe descend on Paraguay's Chaco Region to participate in the Trans-Chaco Rally, which has been running since 1971. This year, the region of the Grand Chaco has been especially hit hard by drought. A State of Emergency had been declared for the area. As a result, the government announced that it would be postponing the race citing the need to allow for aid workers to provide assistance to the region's 18,000 families.
Belize: Independence Day
Belizean was proud to be part of the celebrations as the country marked its 27th anniversary of Independence from Great Britain.
Guyana: The Crying Game
Signifying Guyana attempts to outwit her “cry-baby” son.
Armenia: Victor Hambartsumian Remembered
Armenian Higher Education & Sciences comments on government plans to commemorate the work of leading scientist and astrophysicist Victor Hambartsumian who died in 1996. The blog notes that the traditional way of remembering prominent Armenians has now given way to some more interesting ideas which should promote the scientific potential...
Japan: Japanese input on iPhone 2.1
Views on the usability of Japanese characters on iPhone 2.1: At Thir's notes, thir reports that while many have complained that the input of characters is too slow on iPhone, 2.1 firmware offers a great improvement [ja]. Blogger wa-ren at Cross the Chasm! [キャズムを超えろ！] approves of these improvements, but reports...
Deaf Awareness Week: A different type of book signing.
Did you know that most deaf people who sign, consider sign language their first language and the written language as their second? I didn't, but thanks to the dozens of videos uploaded by members of the deaf community from all over the world, I've learned about this and many other things. International Deaf Awareness Week takes place during the last week of September, so I'll be showcasing different videos from or about the deaf communities around the world.
Japan: Missing Pieces in Tainted Rice Scandal
The latest food scandal making headlines in Japan revolves on the nation's staple commodity: rice, one of only a small handful of foods for which the country achieves almost complete self-sufficiency. Bloggers discuss the roots of the latest food scandal, and one blogger points out holes in media's reporting on the issue.
