Stories from June, 2010
China: The end of Google.cn redirect
Kai Pan from China/divide comments on the end of Google.cn's redirecting of search engine to Google Hong Kong.
China: Shanghai World Expo
Maple Xu blogs about her experience in the Shanghai World Expo. The post is translated from Chinese into English by Xujun Eberlein.
China: A music video's take on property prices
Alice from DANWEI translated the lyrics of a music video commenting on the property price in China.
Taiwan: Don't call Rendy Lu “Glory of Taiwan”
“Do not always praise these national athletes ‘Glory of Taiwan’ loudly only after they strived hard to glorify themselves!” argues Klairelee(zht), who blames Taiwanese government and media that are always eager to consume their achievement but paid no attention to many striving Taiwanese athletes-including Taiwanese tennis player Rendy(Yen Hsun) Lu who just beat Andy Roddick at Wimbleton...
Chile: From California to Chile on Biodiesel
Maria Jose Calderon and Carlos Herrera embarked on a 6-month road trip from California, USA to Chile in a biodiesel truck. The couple traveled Latin America in search of grassroots initiatives to help the environment, and they documented their findings and their journey through videos, photos and blogging.
Global: Greek to English, Chinese to Russian, and Spanish to Macedonian
Wikidioms is a new online resource that aims at helping translators to cope with this challenge of translating idioms. Below is an interview with Wikidioms' founder Pavel Kats, and with one of its contributors, Yasna Trandafilovska.
Caribbean: On Crime
The Caribbean Camera reports on the G-8 and G-20 summits from a regional perspective.
Cuba: On Journalism
Iván's File Cabinet says that “being a journalist in Cuba is like performing black magic. Investigating a story or getting reliable data is like trying to catch hold of a mirage.”
Cuba: Spotlight on Fariñas
“In the wake of the death of political prisoner Orlando Zapata Tamayo, Cuban independent journalist Guillermo Fariñas started a hunger strike to demand the release of some two dozen seriously ill political prisoners”: As his condition worsens, Uncommon Sense applauds his bravery.
Egypt: Heat Blamed for Hurghada Oil Spill
There is an oil spill off the coast of Hurghada and Egyptian officials are blaming it on “oil seeping from the ground due to heat.” Egyptian Chronicles has more here.
Peru: Experiment for Social Networks
Ernesto Cárdenas from the blog Consultor Internet proposes [es] an interesting experiment in social networks: “How feasible is it to have/simulate ‘the experience of living’ (virtually) the things that happen in a country you do not know and have not visited?” After explaining the experiment he asks, is there an...
Egypt: Unrest in North Sinai
It may be off the radar – but Zeinobia reports on unrest in North Sinai. Click here for more.
Egypt: Allegations Against Khaled Said
Egyptian blogger Zeinobia comments on the allegations surfacing against Khaled Said – who was allegedly killed by police officers.
Egypt: Faceook Group Against Torture
A Facebook group was formed by Egyptian activists to mark the International Day Against Torture.
Lebanon: Facebook Group in Support of Gaza-bound Maryam
Lebanese activists formed a Facebook group in support of a Gaza-bound ship called We are All Maryam (Ar).
Bahrain: What Happened to the Mubtakar Terrorists?
Bahraini blogger Mahmood Al Yousif wonders what happened to five Bahrainis implicated in a 2003 terrorist plot to detonate an explosive device on the New York City subway system called the “Mubtakar.” “Whatever happened to those five “men” I wonder? Anyone knows?” he asks.
Middle East: Goodbye Saramago
Bloggers across the Middle East mourned the death of Portuguese writer Jose Saramago. Tarek Amr rounds up their reactions.
Egypt: The Ministry of Interior Seeks Revenge
Egyptian activists have utilised citizen media to the fullest in exposing police torture and corruption. Marwa Rakha writes about their newest initiative and uncovers the case of an Egyptian activist held in neighbouring Libya in this post.
Pakistan: Perils Of Mixing State With Religion
Pakistani blogger Ayesha N. Rashid at Pak Tea House opines that “The 1974 decision to mingle state with religion developed the country (Pakistan) into an intolerant society.”
India: English News Channels Not Effective
Sans Serif explains quoting television audience measurement data that English News Channels in India have such a minuscule viewership that they cannot be effective.
Italy: Large protest against “gag” rule bill on local media
“No Bavaglio” (No Gag) is a large protest movement in Italy against a proposed privacy law that would impose heavy fines on newspapers (and blogs) that publish transcripts of phone calls. The law is suspect, because wiretapping has played a key role in media investigations that have led to mafia...
