2 November 2008

Stories from 2 November 2008

Poland: How to Fight Illegal Sales of Games, Films & Music?

There are still traditional markets selling food and antiques in Poland, but the most popular ones are those that offer pirated games, films and music. Sylwia Presley reviews reactions of some Polish netizens to a story about software piracy recently published on a Polish news site.

2 November 2008

Macedonia: Use Facebook If You Want to Flirt With Politicians

The list of Macedonian politicians who have Facebook accounts is pretty impressive and includes Vice Prime Minister for European Affairs, Minister of the Interior, Minister of Information Society, and Minister of Foreign Investments. But some bloggers don't think it's a big deal and would rather see these people using social networking sites to promote their politics, rather than make new friends online.

2 November 2008

Angola: Hawkers face a hard life with dignity and courage

Going up and down the streets of Luanda to sell sweet fruit like sugar apples, scented mangoes, or hope-color avocados, the "zungueiras", or Angolan hawkers, usually the breadwinners of their families, sell their goods while painting the streets of Luanda with vibrant colours.

2 November 2008

India: Are bomb blasts normal?

India's northeastern state of Assam was rocked by a series of bomb blasts last Thursday which killed at least 76 people and injured hundreds. Even as the country is a...

2 November 2008

Taiwan: a look at rubbish

Shan Ding Lu has compiled a photo essay about rubbish in Taiwan. He looks at how rubbish is collected and often recycled.

2 November 2008

Lebanon: Google labels Lebanese maps

“It’s exciting that I can finally see the Maps of Lebanon, even the small village where I live got a label!” notes Elie El Khoury about Google Maps adding Lebanese...

2 November 2008

Lebanon: The Bedouins

“In the past, they see their glorious history, as it was them who made the Great Arab Revolt and fought the colonialist over centuries, and provided the revolutionaries with weapons...

2 November 2008

Lebanon: Stamps

“Fruit isn’t sectarian: there are no Maronite oranges, or Druze pears. So I can just see how fruit would have been a happy, happy choice for the Lebanese post office,”...

2 November 2008

Lebanon: Floods after Rainfall

“It’s becoming more like an annual ritual here! The ministry of transport and public works is as usual unprepared and obviously has been dealing with bad subcontractors,” writes Rami in...

2 November 2008

Armenia: Obama Supporters

Although not a U.S. citizen, Blogian says that his mother has donated to Barack Obama's campaign. The blog also says that there are 3,000 registered ethnic Armenian voters in Colorado.

2 November 2008

Japan: Chrétien, Aso, ALF

mamachari at niwahacker.com remarks on the resemblance between Japanese Prime Minister Taro Aso, former Canadian Prime Minister Jean Chrétien, and sitcom character ALF.

2 November 2008

Korea: Spreading propaganda leaflets to North Korea

South Korean civil rights groups have infuriated North Korea by releasing “bbira” propaganda leaflets into the country by sea and by air. Activists have recently sent the leaflets using fishing boats and advertisement balloons. The leaflets contain information ranging from Kim Jong Il’s sickness, to his private life, and to calling on North Koreans to topple him.

2 November 2008