Stories from 29 June 2010
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...
Jamaica: Bloggers Discuss Dudus’ Extradition
Following his capture by Jamaican police, Michael Christopher 'Dudus' Coke has been extradited to the United States to face pending charges of drug and arms trafficking. "The President", as he is also known, issued a statement about his decision "to waive [his] right to an extradition hearing in Jamaica..."
Japan: Questionnaire about English ability
What Japan Thinks translated the results of a questionnaire about “when Japanese feel most ashamed about their lack of English”. The number one situation? “When a foreigner asks me the way and I cannot answer. ” Here's a series of comical commercials from Nova, the now defunct English conversational language...
Japan: The Hero, Sakamoto Ryoma
Confident, charismatic, and ever so dashing, Sakamoto Ryoma has always been one of Japan's favorite historical figures. Since NHK started to broadcast the historical drama series Ryōmaden ('The Legend of Ryoma') this January, a nation-wide Ryoma boom has exploded.
Global: Statistics on Countries Participating in World Cup
SRF from GeoCurrent Events blog writes about the economic geography of the 2010 FIFA World Cup participant countries.
Angola: Once Upon a Time in Roque Santeiro
The development experienced by Luanda holds one of the most frequented commercial spaces in the city. The Roque Santeiro Market, that generates thousands of dollars a day, to account, is about to close its “doors” to reopen in a more dignified and modern area, in Panguila.
