Rocking Drummer Boy Big Hit On YouTube

Sean Quigley, from Winnipeg, Manitoba, performed and filmed his own version of the classic Christmas song, “Little Drummer Boy” and posted it on YouTube. To his shock, the video has had over a million hits.

The Sound of Tumbling Stock Prices

A German composer set stock charts and financial data to music. The video became a YouTube hit.

Cartel Violence and Social Media in Mexico

In violent parts of Mexico, social media outlets have become valuable channels for an emerging network of citizen journalists and concerned citizens.

English-only in the US, translating tweets in Japan and satire in Egypt

The English Only movement in the United States is always active during times of high immigration. Now, the movement has got a shot in the arm from the Tea Party. It may help convince lawmakers and voters in the 19 remaining states that don’t yet have a law on their books declaring English to be the official language [...]

Voting, vowing and singing in a foreign language

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In this week’s World in Words podcast, we explore when it’s helpful to understand a foreign language, and when it’s essential. Also, an Islamic calligraphy master offers classes in his Arlington, Virginia home. And Broadway star Amra-Faye Wright talks about learning Japanese so she could perform “Chicago” in Tokyo.
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Tech Podcast: Giant humanoid electricity pylons

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In this week’s podcast, Iceland says “nei” to boring electricity pylons. The country’s sponsoring a contest for innovative new girder designs for holding up electricity lines. We’ll hear from one of the finalists, whose design calls for giant humanoid shaped pylons to stride across the Icelandic landscape. (Photo: Choi Shine)

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North Korea on Twitter

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North Korea appears to have ramped up its propaganda war against South Korea and the US by turning to Twitter and YouTube – websites that most citizens of the reclusive communist country are banned from viewing. The World’s technology correspondent Clark Boyd has more. Download MP3

• North Korea’s Twitter feed
• North Korea on YouTube
• The World team on Twitter

Tajik Jimmy

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Anchor Marco Werman introduces us to Tajik Jimmy. A migrant worker from Tajikistan who moves to Russia and sings male/female voices from Bollywood tunes. Tajik Jimmy has become a YouTube sensation. Download MP3

• Watch the YouTube video
• New York Times article

Denmark pulls ‘promiscuous’ video

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A video promoting tourism in Denmark has been removed from YouTube after complaints it promoted promiscuity. The three-minute clip shows a young blond woman trying to find a man whom she had a one night stand with, who fathered her child “August.”
We hear more about the video, and the controversy, from Danish radio journalist Anders Lindemann.

• Watch the video
• BBC Coverage
• Copenhagen Post editorial

Twitter and Other Social Media Tools in Iran

It’s all Iran this week, folks. Violence and protests have flaired in Iran following last week’s disputed elections. The government moved quickly to shut down the flow of information out of, and into, the country. But Twitter and other social media tools are keeping that flow of information going. In fact, it’s not merely a flow, but a flood. For this week’s Technology Podcast,we’ll take an in-depth look at how vital social media tools have become in Iran in the wake of the elections. Listen