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China
Touch screen production proves toxic
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Touch screens on high-tech gadgets may be fun to use, but making them is another story. Kathleen McLaughlin is a reporter with Global Post based in China. She’s found that in at least one Chinese factory that produces touch screens, workers were exposed to a toxic solvent that violated local codes and was used without proper safety equipment. Host Jeb Sharp speaks with Kathleen McLaughlin. Download MP3 (Photo: Mikael Häggström)
More Greece, Russian films, and German potholes
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More news from Greece on this edition of the Global Economy Podcast. The country in the middle of its “worst crisis” in modern history, as the Greek finance minister put it. How are the Germans feeling about Greece? And how are the Greeks feeling about Greece? Also on this edition of the podcast: potholes in Germany, film in Russia, and a new trade route through the Himalayas. Also, is it better to give charitable donations of money or goods to help rebuild Haiti? Download MP3
Packing flashcards, Pandas and Polyglotty Olympics
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Our top five language stories this month: why the disappearance of the Bo language is a big deal; the Olympics are being broadcast for the first time in, among other languages, Cree; when pandas move from the U.S. to China, do they have to learn a new language?; lawsuits concerning Arabic flashcards in hand baggage and speaking Spanish in English-only school; and the Pentagon’s latest attempts to equip soldiers with real-time speaking translator-bots.Download MP3
A Chinese Valentine’s pod
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Hundreds of language programs at public schools have become victims of shrinking budgets. Not Chinese. We visit an inner city high school where 400 students are learning Chinese. Also, don’t be fooled: the language of love is not universal, not unless you keep you mouth shut. That’s the view of an American woman who endlessly misunderstands the amorous words of her German-speaking lover. Plus, bodice-ripping our way out of the recession: romance novels are more popular than ever.Download MP3
Obama’s new words, Avatar in the Amazon and a Chinese satire
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As Obama enters the second year of his presidency, he’s dropped some expressions — “war on terror”, “Af-Pak”, even “Middle East”. His administration has invented a few too: “remotedly piloted aircraft” (drones) and “overseas contingency operations” (wars). Also, a special screening of Avatar in Ecuador for indigenous groups. What did these Shuar and Achuar speakers think of Avatar’s invented language, Na’vi? Finally, a new online satirical movie is all the rage in China. It features a Chinese double-entendre phrase aimed at avoiding government censorship. The movie also includes a fantastic “I’m as mad as hell, and I’m not going to take this anymore!” rant.Download MP3
Growing US-China rift over trade and arms
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China has hit back at the US a day after President Barack Obama promised to take a tougher line with Beijing over currency and trade. Ties between the US and China have been strained over an arms deal with Taiwan. Tensions have also risen over a planned visit to the US by the Dalai Lama. The World’s Matthew Bell takes at look at how strained US-China relations really are. Download MP3
“World of Warcraft” movie and China’s censors
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Some Chinese are calling it the first great Chinese film of 2010. It’s an online satire that has gotten more than a million hits since it went online a week ago. It’s called “The War of Internet Addiction,” and it’s set in Azeroth, the fantasy land where the online game “World of Warcraft” takes place. The hour-long film skewers Chinese officials for trying to censor and control the game. The World’s Mary Kay Magistad reports from Beijing. Download MP3
Geo answer
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We’re still looking for a city in China’s mountainous Hunan province. The answer to our geo quiz is Zhangjiajie. Locals claim their rocky mountains look just like the floating mountains in the movie Avatar, so they’ve officially renamed one Hallelujah Mountain.Avatar’s Hallelujah Mountain – in China!
Let’s go on a “magical tour to Avatar’s floating mountain”. That’s exactly what a city in China’s Hunan province is promoting on its website. And that’s where you come in: we want you to name this Chinese city.
Tech Podcast 274: Mapping Haiti, Google and China
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This week’s podcast features more news on different tech efforts to help relief workers in Haiti. We look at Open Street Map, and Project EPIC’s “Tweak the Tweet.” We also delve into Clinton’s speech on Internet freedom, and get two in-depth views of Google’s recent announcements about China. Also, let us not forget the power of radio in Haiti.
China criticizes US over Internet freedom
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China has denounced US criticism of its Internet controls, saying it could harm ties between the two countries. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton called on Thursday for China to lift restrictions on the Internet. Marco Werman talks with Rebecca MacKinnon who is writing a book on the Internet in China. Download MP3Confucius versus Avatar
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James Cameron’s sci-fi spectacular ‘Avatar’ is hugely popular in China, but the government has been pulling it out of various theaters to replace it with the new epic about the life of Confucius, the ancient Chinese philosopher, starring Hong Kong superstar Chow Yun-fat. Mary Kay Magistad went to the movies to find out what people in China make of this. Download MP3
Clinton outlines global Internet freedom policy
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Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has harshly criticized China and other countries for restricting Internet access. Mrs Clinton said there had been a recent spike in threats to the free flow of information. She was speaking at the Newseum in Washington, DC in a wide-ranging speech on Internet freedom. Cyrus Farivar reports. Download MP3 (Photo: US State Department)
Tech Podcast: Tech aids Haiti relief efforts
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This week, we look at two major stories. The first is the relief effort in Haiti, which was hit by a devastating earthquake earlier this week. We examine the importance of getting telecommunications back up and running, both for aid groups and for locals. Also, we talk about how US aid groups are turning to text messaging to raise funds. Our other big story is Google’s announcement that it may pull out of China completely.
Google ‘may end China operations’
Internet giant Google has said it may end its operations in China following a “sophisticated and targeted” cyber attack originating from the country. In Beijing, the news prompted some to leave flowers outside of Google’s offices. We’ll check in with our correspondent in Beijing, and our reporter in San Francisco. (Photo by youthfilm)
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