Stories from 8 July 2013
Japan: Winny Developer Dies at 42
Isamu Kaneko, the Japanese developer of file-sharing software Winny, died due to an undisclosed illness on July 8, 2013 at the age of 42. He was charged in 2006 with “assisting” Winny users to violate copyright, but the case against him was later overturned and his acquittal upheld by the country's Supreme...
Al Jazeera Accused of “Biased” Egypt Coverage
Al Jazeera has come under fire in Egypt for what many describe as its “biased” reporting during and following the ousting of former Egyptian president Mohamed Morsi on July 4. The Qatar-based channel is being accused of siding with the Muslim Brotherhood and being its mouthpiece.
Football Stars Duke it Out in Lima for Messi Charity
The so-called "duel of the giants" generated lots of hype in the Peruvian capital of Lima, with the visit of Argentinian football star Lionel Messi for a charity match with great international football figures. Game proceeds benefited the Leo Messi Foundation, which protects at-risk children and teenagers.
Korean Reactions to Asiana Airlines Crash
One of South Korea's two major airlines, Asiana Airliner's plane crashed in the U.S. while landing at San Francisco International Airport, killing two and injuring 181 passengers. Korea Bang translated various comments Korean nets users have made about this tragic incident.
Online Resources to Monitor Cambodian Elections
On July 28, Cambodian voters will decide whether to end or extend the 28-year rule of the Cambodian People’s Party as the nation prepares for its fifth National Assembly elections since 1993. The ruling party is led by Prime Minister Hun Sen who is already the longest serving head of state in Southeast Asia.
INFOGRAPHIC: China's ‘Losers’ to Consumers
ChinaFile has translated the infographic created by Sohu Business [zh] about the lifestyle and consumption habits of China's ordinary citizens, known as “diaosi“, who are poised to become the mainstream consumers in China. It also hints that China’s underdogs may become the country’s mainstream.
Slovenian Start-Ups on Kickstarter
Four Slovenian tech start-up companies have exceeded their initial funding expectations and managed to accumulate a total of some 400,000 U.S. dollars in funding on the popular crowdfunding site Kickstarted over the last year. Slovenia, a Eu country with a large and growing unemployment rate, has a growing ICT industry...
Royal Abdications: Netherlands, Belgium, Will Spain be Next?
Abdications by two European kings within few months have unleashed in Spain speculations about a possible stepping down by king Juan Carlos in favour of his son Felipe. Meanwhile, Belgium is getting ready to receive a new king who is trutsted by few people.
Egypt's Failings Become China's Propaganda
Following Egypt's military coup, Chinese State media ran editorials warning of the dangers of copying Western democracy, stating that democracy is not a “universal cure” for the ills that developing countries face. EPOCH TIMES has more details.
China’s Post-90s Migrant Workers
Sina Photo[zh] takes a look at the lives of China's Post-90s migrant workers who aspire to an urban lifestyle. Offbeat China has translated the stories into English.
Crooks, Thieves and the Independent Mayors Who Run Russia
The mayor of Yaroslavl will spend the next two months behind bars on extortion charges. A former United Russia member who ran as an opposition-friendly independent, Evgeny Urlashov won the mayor’s seat roughly a year ago in a highly publicized election that seemed to mark a highpoint in the 2011-2012-winter protest movement.
The New Despicableness of Doubting Navalny
Alexey Navalny's closing statement in a trial that could land him in prison for up to six years was a stinging, poignant speech against the current government, which he called a “feudal regime.” The popular anti-corruption blogger and opposition leader stands accused of embezzling $500 thousand worth of lumber from...
China: Statue Built and Removed
The Statue of the Soong Ching Ling, wife of Sun Yat-sen, the founder of Republic of China, was appeared in November 2011 in Zhengzhou to mark the 100th anniversary of the 1911 Revolution, was quietly removed. Why? See Beijing Cream for the story.
