Stories from 14 August 2010
Serbia: Banking Group Turns Well-Intentioned Suggestion Into PR Disaster
The lack of understanding that major corporations still have for what's being said online may not come as a shock. Intesa SanPaolo, Italy's largest banking group, however, has recently demonstrated plain poor business sense and a complete disregard for basic PR in a breaking story on the Serbian market.
Ecuador: Twitter Users Love Their Country
Ecuadorian Twitter users decided to commemorate their country's independence day by promoting the use of the #teamoecuador (I Love You Ecuador) hashtag on August 10.
Guinea: At Long last, a Date for the Second Round of the Presidential Elections
On August 9, Guineans breathed a sigh of relief when they learned that the President of the transition, General Sekouba Konate had signed a decree for the second round of presidential elections to be held on September 19. Charges of fraud launched by 23 of the 24 first round presidential candidates pushed the initial dates back until the charges were sorted out.
Peru: Protests in La Convención Over Export of Gas
The export sale of natural gas from the Camisea project continues to cause social conflicts in Cusco, Peru. Local residents are demanding that a part of the production remains in the region at a reasonable price. Bloggers react to the news of the conflicts.
Brazil: The Indigenous, The Internet and Interculturality
Ever more present in villages, technology has been gaining ground as an efficient means to ensure the indigenous lifestyle and culture. Tools like Google Earth and GPS aid reforestation efforts and help combat deforestation.
Angola: Hard Days for Freedom of Press
Isabel Bordalo, a portuguese journalist working in Angola, in her blog, says that the press in that country is going through hard days [pt]. She refers to an episode that happened last week with the newspaper A Capital which was impeded to go out allegedly due to an article about...
Republic of Congo: Anniversary of 50 Years of Independence Under the Shadow of Unemployment
Benjamin Bilombot Bitadys at Congopage writes that it's puzzling that Congo-Brazzaville is spending 27 billions of CFA francs on the celebration of the anniversary of the independence (August 15) when 53% of the population (mostly young people) is still unemployed [fr].
Jordan: Royal Conversations
What would a confidential meeting between King Abdullah of Jordan and his extended family be like? Mab3oos gives us a fly-on-the-wall view in this humourous post, the first of a series of tongue-in-cheek glimpses into what goes on behind closed doors.
Beirut: 10 things to do under $10
Think visiting Beirut is expensive? Shalabieh at Shalabieh's World gives us suggestions for 10 things to do in Beirut for under $10. See the ideas, and maybe add your own suggestions here.
South Korea:South Korean President Opened His Twitter
South Korean President, Lee Myung-bak opened his official Twitter account (@BluehouseKorea) yesterday, South Korea’s IT online media ZDnet reported [kr].
South Korea: A Pastor Facing Arrest for Visiting North Illegally
A left-inclining South Korean pastor who made an unauthorized trip to North Korea will be arrested for violating the National Security Law as soon as he returns to South, South Korea’s Joongang reported. Pastor Han is scheduled to return tomorrow from his 10 day visit to North.
