The Chinese ‘Jasmine-Revolution:’ Turning Politburo Paranoia Against Itself
A number of bloggers have been making reference to a ‘Jasmine Revolution,’ wherein Chinese citizens show discontent for local corruption by walking around crowded public areas on Sunday afternoons. This never happened, but Sunday walks did. Authorities are convinced that the protest is still happening.
Hotel Linen: Towel Thieves’ Comeuppance
Linen Technology Tracking from Miami, Florida, recently patented a radio-frequency identification chip that’s been designed to manage stock counts of inventory items that frequently get mislaid or stolen. Enter: hotel linen protection. You’re going to need to think twice about nicking that towel now.
NASA Awards $269 Million For Private Projects
On Monday NASA announced it was distributing $269 million to four companies for them to develop spacecraft to take astronauts into orbit. The investment is an Obama administration gamble that will enable commercial companies to get people to and from orbit in quicker time and with less cost.
Nandos Ambushes Vodacom, Scratches MTN’s Back
Oh, I see what they’re doing here. They’re creating a social commentary “meme”, which will in turn translate into peaked “sales”. “Kudos” to you guys. Great “activation” there. In all sincerity, keep it up, Nandos. You’re doing well.
Facebook Faces New Suit
Just when it looked as if the commotion over Facebook’s early days might be about to disappear, the long-running legal shenanigans over the rightful ownership of the online social network has sprung another surprise. Paul Ceglia has submitted a complaint with e-mails that he claimed would support his case for a share in the company.
The Marijuana Carbon Footprint
That is correct, that grass might not be that green after all. A researcher at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory has revealed in a report entitled “Energy up in Smoke: The Carbon Footprint of Indoor Cannabis Production” that indoor growers account for approximately one percent of total US electricity use.
Microsoft Launches Streetside As Google Maps Rival
Microsoft has decided to have a real dig at the Google group by launching its own 3D mapping system. The unique selling point thus far – they will be taking numerous precautionary measures to ensure that they don’t fall into the data privacy trap like Google did.
Donald Trump Vents His Spleen On Vanity Fair
Donald Trump is many things. Once man’s tycoon is another’s cantankerous old curmudgeon. Our opinion of the man falls somewhere in between those two markers. Trump’s latest obsession is taking a permanent marker to negative press.
Protesting: The Devil Is In The Detail
When you’re protesting for better working conditions, or any working conditions at all, really, it’s important to be specific in your demands. Well done to this gentleman, who appeared in this photograph on the front page of 13 April’s Argus. Be sure to read that sign he is holding.. The photograph related to a story […]
Buy A “Jou Ma Se Burger” At Castello’s
Marketing can be a really beautiful thing. It’s also a touch difficult to remain original within the fast paced environment of radvertising these days. So, when someone gets it right, like launching a “jou ma se burger” for instance, one just has to give it the old customary head-nod and one-corner-of-the-mouth-curling smile it so rightly deserves.
RIM CEO Gets Asked About Giving Data To Middle Eastern Governments, Ends Interview
Classy. Mike Lazaridis, CEO of the Canadian firm behind Blackberry, was interviewed by the BBC yesterday; when asked about the problems they’d had with Indian and Middle East governments, who’d demanded greater access to the security system used by Blackberry, Lazaridis said the question was unfair and walked out on the interview.
FearSquare, Because How Dangerous Is Your Location
The use of the FourSquare application has been popular to say the least. You know, you sign yourself in at a particular place in a brave attempt to make others jealous of where you currently are, it shows up in your various newsfeeds and boom, you are instantly cool. Now there’s FearSquare.
Richard Branson Loses Bet, Will Work As Stewardess [UPDATED]
The date has finally been announced and it’s more imminent that you might think. May 1st will be the day Richard Branson will honour the bet made back at the beginning of the 2010 Formula One season. Branson and Tony Fernandes, of Team Lotus, had wagered over whose Formula One team would place higher at the Bahrain Formula One race.
GQ Model Search Features 2oceansvibe Weather Girl!
I was more than chuffed to see 2oceansvibe Weathergirl Gabriella Demetriades featured in the latest GQ Model Search. You’ll also remember Gabs from that steamy Woolworths re-jeans ad which did the rounds a while back. Good times. But now we need to focus on the fact that Gabrielle has a chance of being the next GQ feature […]
France Introduces Burqa Ban Today – Ban Defied
The controversial law banning full-face veils came into effect today in France, home to Europe’s largest Muslim population. Public wearing of niqabs or burqas is now liable for a fine of 150 euros and a citizenship course; people charged with forcing women to wear full-face veils may be subject to jail time.
Monday Morning Radvertising: Segway Joust [VIDEO]
With this whole ‘viral’ thing, many marketing departments are desperately trying to produce the kinds of advertising that get the internet’s attention – often with depressing results. Fortunately, the ad for the Washington Lottery is awesome; it has two dudes jousting on segways. Not totally sure how that sells lottery tickets, but hey.
Sunderland Fan Sues Over Ball In Face
The Sunderland chairman, Niall Quinn, has revealed that the club is in the process of being sued by a fan. The fan was injured when a stray shot hit him in the face while watching the team train a couple of years back. Apparently the Djibril Cisse strike knocked the fan clean out.
Nandos Keeps The Punishment Train Rolling
And this time the target is Richard Mdluli, who has been indicted for murder, along with a slue of other charges. He also happens to be South Africa’s crime intelligence boss. I can see how this is problematic. Please enjoy.
Malawian Man Dies Of “Sexual Sweetness”
Midway into March Silverstreak reminded us of one of the beautiful things about the English language – the numerous emotive properties created by combining words not often combined, especially so in central African news reports. Now, a Malawian man has been killed by too much “sexual sweetness” while having sex with a hooker.
Facebook Launches “Journalists On Facebook”
In a much anticipated move, the social media giant has finally unveiled its next step in advancing the power of journalism through social networking. It’s described as a central resource tool for journalists and the public to share, interact and find sources on the site. Try and stop us now Julius, Jimmy, Floyd and the other haters out there.
Some People REALLY Love Eckō Apparel
Wow! Okay. Last week we told you about the ‘Get An Eckō Tattoo, Get A 20% Discount For Life’ they’re peddling, with a couple of metaphorical raised eyebrows. So they sent us a couple of photos of fans that had gotten themselves branded with their logo – bluff called. Amazing.
Tuesday Radvertising: Hot Wheels Loop
As part of an advertising campaign for toy car line Hot Wheels, a facade loop was installed alongside a highway in Bogotá, Colombia, mimicking the loop tracks that you’re always a little crushed to discover woulnd’t work in real life. It looks pretty rad. Nice job, Hot Wheels. Nice job, Colombia.
Another P-Bomb Dropped In Court
It seems it’s all the rage to voice ones displeasure with how one finds things are going in court these days. Instead of it being an advocate this time, it’s a 71 year old “Brett Kebble-type character” from the Strand near Cape Town facing fraud charges. He had recently celebrated his 71st in Pollsmoor too.
BP To Resume Drilling In The Gulf of Mexico
Hoo. BP’s planning on restarting deepwater drilling in the Gulf of Mexico on 10 wells this summer; U.S. regulators seem to be giving it the go-ahead in exchange for tougher safety rules. In unrelated news, President Obama promised last week to cut U.S. oil imports by 33%
Kirsten Keen On Proteas Job?
There are conflicting reports floating around on the interweb regarding whether or not the highly anticipated short-list of eligible applicants for the Proteas Head Coach role will contain the name of the legendary Gary Kirsten. It appears he wants the position and has confirmed Cricket South Africa’s interest too.
Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen – Adorably Racist [VIDEO]
We all watched that television series Full House when we were younger. We all loved it and it was one of the funniest and happiest times of our young television lives. The twins were, well, adorable and made us laugh out loud quite regularly, but they might need to explain this one.
French Vegan Couple On Trial Over Baby’s Death
Two vegans who fed their 11 month old daughter only on her mother’s breast milk went on trial in northern France on Tuesday. They have been charged with neglect after their baby died as a result of suffering from vitamin deficiencies and could face up to 30 years in prison if convicted.
Branding Is Important: Get An Eckō Tattoo, Get A 20% Discount For Life
This sounds sort of like every dystopian sci-fi film ever, but okay. If, for whatever reason, you felt like you needed 20% off of Eckō-brand apparel for life, you could totally make that happen by getting an Eckō tattoo somewhere on your body. It’s a coupon that never expires!
Slow Down – 25 Per Cent Reduction In Speed Limits Ahead?
You’d be well advised to start driving slower, in preparation for a significant reduction in speed limits on all national roads later this year. When the Administrative Adjudication of Road Traffic Offences Act (AARTO) comes into force, you’ll risk losing your licence if you’re caught driving too fast.
Teacher And Pupil Share Joint
A report in The Star newspaper has revealed how a Teacher has had to resign because he was caught puffing on the old knowledge cabbage with a pupil. It’s no big secret that South African schools have had problems with drug use over the years, but this is an upper class school, so it was probably good stuff.
