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Mumbai: The Taj Hotel Burns · Global Voices
Neha Viswanathan

Photographs are appearing on flickr and elsewhere, allowing us a glimpse beyond the visuals provided by mainstream media. Arun Shanbhag has a post full of photographs – from blood pools, to chalk marks and a burning Taj Hotel. More of his photographs on flickr here.
A photograph of the Taj hotel up in flames by Soumit Kar. A photograph of the same hotel by Mayank Austen Soofi – on fire at night. Ashesh Shah has a photograph of ladders and cranes being placed by the hotel to aid rescue work.
The Taj Mahal Hotel is an iconic structure in Mumbai. Seen often in photographs as a backdrop to the Gateway of India, it is a heritage building, and has seen several world famous figures occupy its rooms. Some of the shock expressed by bloggers has to do with the fact that the structure is still on fire, and the upper floor looks like it has been gutted by the flames.


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Pakistan: Blogosphere Stands United With India Against Terrorism · Global Voices
Muhammad Farhan

Pakistani bloggers have reacted and strongly condemned the terrorist attacks carried out in Mumbai, India at 11 PM local time yesterday (November 26, 2008). It was expected that these attacks would be blamed on Pakistan's intelligence (ISI) as before, but so far this is not the case. Although the Indian Prime Minister has mentioned that a foreign hand is responsible, a Hyderabad based little known terrorists group claimed responsibility for these attacks. This mindless act of terrorism has claimed the lives of more then 100 innocents and injured more than 300 people terrorizing the whole city.
Deadpan Thoughts condemns the attack with these words:
I would like to condemn what has occurred in Mumbai in the strongest possible terms and urge everyone to put aside their differences and stand together in the face of this atrocity. We really cannot let these terrorists play havoc with our lives any longer and separate us on the basis of religion caste or creed. This is a global problem and will only be solved if we come together and stand tall against these animals.
Pro-Pakistan shows his sympathy and urges Indian government to carry out proper investigations:
The recent conditions in Mumbai can be pretty well understood by the normal people in Pakistan. Its almost obvious how we can relate to the Indians at the moment. Although this might later transform into a blame game between the two nations but at the end of the day its the people who continue to be victimized. It is extremely tragic for the people of India and as a neighboring country we not only sympathize with the people but also support those putting a brave front in the current circumstances. It is really important that during this time we continue to hope for peace and strive against those who continue to spread havoc on both sides of the border.
At my blog Guppu.com, I also condemned the attacks and concluded:
These attacks have proved one thing, that terrorism is not a monopoly of Pakistan. There are terrorists in other countries also, so the scenario is getting like an international war against terrorism.
But, whatever were the causes, we condemn this type of attacks. There is no room for such attacks in any religion. And just like other Pakistani bloggers, I too stand united with Indians against terrorists. We demand that Indian government should arrange proper inquiries and investigations.

source: news-globalvoices

license: Creative Commons - Attribution - https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

author: Muhammad Farhan


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Paraguay: Summer Visits to San Bernardino · Global Voices
Eduardo Avila

The Paraguayan town of San Bernardino attracts many visitors especially during the summer holidays. Mirtha González Schinini of Cuerpo y Alma [es] writes about some of the activities that can take place under the sunshine.

author: Eduardo Avila


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Poland, Georgia: The Shooting Incident · Global Voices
Veronica Khokhlova

A discussion of the shooting incident near the disputed Akhalgori area, which involved the presidents of Georgia and Poland – at the beatroot, here and here.

author: Veronica Khokhlova


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Saudi Arabia: Age of adulthood is now 18 · Global Voices
Ayesha Saldanha

Crossroads Arabia reports on legislation that has just been passed in Saudi Arabia – opposed by some religious scholars – raising the age of adulthood from 15 to 18.

author: Ayesha Saldanha


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Saudi Arabia: Inspirational encounters · Global Voices
Ayesha Saldanha

Sabria Jawhar tells us about her experience meeting the Saudi Ambassador's wife, and a group of Saudi women studying in the UK on scholarships: ‘I have come to learn that Saudi women are real fighters and they deserve society’s care, respect and trust.’


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Saudi Arabia: Lessons in morality · Global Voices
Ayesha Saldanha

According to Saudiwoman's Weblog: ‘This month the Education Ministry instructed all religion teachers to spend five minutes of every class they teach to lecture students on how to dress properly and avoid western clothes.’


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Saudi Arabia: Must-read blogs · Global Voices
Ayesha Saldanha

Saudi Jeans gives us his 10 must-read Saudi blogs.


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Saudi Arabia: Rocking the boat · Global Voices
Ayesha Saldanha

Muslimah Media Watch introduces us to an all-girl rock band – in Saudi Arabia.


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Sudan: Darfur and the Orphans of Mygoma · Global Voices
SudaneseDrima

In this roundup, we delve into the most recent thoughts streamed from the consciousness of the relatively small but intriguing Sudanese blogosphere.
After a period of absence, AK comes back with a blog post about a deeply moving documentary called “Orphans of Mygoma” which was originally televised by Aljazeera International. It tells the story of an orphanage in Sudan and illegitimate children.
Great documentery by Aljazeera's Witness program. Please watch both parts below.
To get a decent understanding about the social stigma surrounding illegitimate children in Sudan, read this comment by optimist on AK's blog:
The Mygoma oprhanage is truly one of the saddest aspects of Sudan. I think people might overlook the fact that not only are those children starved for affection and good health care, they are also faced with the biggest challange (if they survive to face it,) which is the intese social stigma of being a born-out-of-wedlock child. The Sudanese society is decidedly biased against illigitimate children, even though such behavior is not supported by Islam.
I really do hope things will change for the orphans of Mygoma.
Next, we have DZA with something more cheerful. Apparently, YouTube's block in Sudan has been lifted.
Youtube is unblocked in Sudan now, I don't know who to thank, maybe me for starting that group :p lol .. but ey, thank god
anyways ..
Meanwhile, Path2Hope was lucky enough to be in Kenya to witness all the celebrations there after Obama was announced winner of the US elections:
It's only been a few weeks since I arrived in lovely Nairobi but it already feels like home. I am surprised the place has grown on me this fast, especially after all the security briefing madness that I had to go through before coming here…but it was all worth it.
And how lucky am I to be here when they announced Obama's win? You really should have seen and felt the amount of joy that consumed this country! It was amazing to be part of it all.
When it comes to Obama's victory, not every Sudanese is happy like Path2Hope or Black Kush though. John Akec is more cautious:
President Clinton in most part had maintained a hand-off approach to Sudan conflict. His Secretary of State, Madeleine Albright once said: “Sudan war is not viable.” During his time, Al Qaeda was founded and fared. His actions in most parts were nothing but knee-jerk reactions such as missile strike of Al-Shifa pharmaceutical factory in Khartoum in August 1998 as retaliation to bombing of two US embassies in East Africa that year. That action did nothing to promote the cause of peace and freedom in Sudan but only added fuel to the fire of anti-Americanism without serving any purpose.
With this abysmal Democratic record in view, the author fears that the coming Obama administration will be nothing but Clinton 2, courtesy of Obama.
Lastly, Drima makes a point about “the Muslim and Arab hypocrisy in regards to the Darfur conflict” in the following comic way:
Muslim minority: Hey, there are Muslims getting killed in Darfur.
Muslim majority: Really? By the evil Joooz?
Muslim minority: No, by other Muslims.
Muslim majority: …

author: SudaneseDrima


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Terror in Mumbai: Theories, strategies and more Media · Global Voices
Neha Viswanathan

An online list of people who are injured, in hospitals or reported dead has been put up on a google spreadsheet. The spreadsheet has details of people's names and which hospitals they are in. At Mahalo, a comprehensive link list is being updated with links to various sources of information.
Offstumped takes a scathing look at how media has handled the coverage of the terror attacks in Mumbai so far.
But let it be clear Mr. Rajdeep Sardesai and your compatriots in the 24×7 media, we dont need you taking out of context every single event and analysing it threadbare.
This is not the 20×20 cricket league, spare us your running commentary.
If you really care about defeating the Terrorists and Winning this War here are a few suggestions:
- In an incident like this nobody has a full accounting of facts. Accurate Information is the most scarce commodity. Do some hard work by reaching out to the citizens of Mumbai to re-construct eye witness accounts.
Internationally, the particular case of possible Israeli hostages has been discussed on quite a few blogs – like Jewlicious and Baltimore Jewish.
Amidst the wave of ongoing terrorist attacks taking place in the city of Mumbai in India, the local Chabad House was overtaken by gunmen.  Gavriel Holtzberg, his wife Rivka and their young son, along with several Israelis, have been taken hostage inside the Chabad House.
Mujahideen Ryder writes on the possible backlash this may provoke against Muslims in India.
Now we have some idiots who claim to be “mujahideen” killing these innocent people.  Really makes me mad on why some of these terrorists think when they do these things.  Then again these terrorists do not follow the Qur’an or Sunnah.  They follow their leaders who have brainwashed them.  There is also a possibility that they could not be Muslim and just a group trying to make Muslims look bad.  I can definitely seeing extremist Hindu groups doing this.
Even as the standard rhetoric hits the tv channels about the “outsider hand” or possible fundamentalist groups, conspiracy theories are doing the rounds.
Our worst fears have come true. It is clear that Mossad is involved in the whole affair. An entire city has been attacked by Mossad and probably units of mercenaries. It is not possible for one single organization to plan and execute such a sophisticated operation. It is clear that this operation was backed by communal forces from within the Indian State. The Home Minister Shivraj Patil should resign. The RSS-BJP-VHP-Bajrang Dal should be banned.
Intellibriefs takes a closer look at the method in the terror madness, talking of the strategies of attacking a city.
1. Terrorists primarily targeted posh areas, high end cafes and hotels frequented by foreigners. Terrorists are trying to paint India as an unsafe place for tourism and business.
2. It seems that a separate module of terrorists planted IEDs at different places to spread panic, uncertainty and confuse the thrust of retaliatory action of Police.
3. Thus, it may be deduced that terrorists were grouped in different type of sabotage teams; some were involved in opening direct fire and engaging security forces while other teams planted IED's to make it difficult for administration to quantify the scale and gain an early upper hand.
On a personal note, the reactions from bloggers, tweeters and the online social media world are far more insightful than the panic mode adopted by TV news channels. More as it comes…

author: Neha Viswanathan


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Trinidad & Tobago: The Art of Stuart Hahn  · Global Voices
Janine Mendes-Franco

From Trinidad and Tobago, the bookmann features an interview with artist Stuart Hahn, while Antilles focuses on “three Caribbean-related titles” that have made The New York Times annual list of notable books.

author: Janine Mendes-Franco


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Ukraine: 75th Anniversary of Holodomor · Global Voices
Veronica Khokhlova

Taras of Ukrainiana posts photos and video from the commemoration of the commemoration of the 75th anniversary of Holodomor – here, here, and here. Tetyana Vysotska of What's Up, Ukraine? explains why she chose not to take part in any of the official commemoration events: “We, Ukrainians, have respect for Holodomor victims in our hearts. There is no need to be taught by anyone (is it President or whoever), how exactly we should remember this or that.”


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Ukraine: Maidan Four Years On · Global Voices
Veronica Khokhlova

Ukrainiana posts photos from the empty Maidan on the fourth anniversary of the Orange Revolution.


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Are Women making Egypt Poorer? · Global Voices
Marwa Rakha

Women: Should they stay at home and raise kids or should they work and have a contribution? A controversial question that Fantasia's World tried to answer in her post: Are you making your country poorer?
Fantasia is dedicating her post to
all the bitter, ever-complaining, dissatisfied housewives.. who were once my school buddies, university comrades, and work colleagues, but have chosen to stay at home after marriage.
Fantasia describes the nature of her relationship with the above-mentioned friends saying:
Sorry, all. You have always found me to be your comforting pillow.. always an attentive listener, with whom you can split your pains, and someone you can always count on for relief. You've always found me to have a great ability to sympathize, or even empathize.
I've always understood your weaknesses, and swallowed your follies.. being careful not to criticize you or blame you until you are totally in the right mood for thinking and re-evaluating your acts. I was extra gentle with matters of the heart.. less with life-defining decisions.. yet constantly focusing on absorbing your pain and frustration. I am still the same.
And here is what sparked up the fire:
Only one thing is too many for me.. and that is when you complain that you are stuck in a bad marriage, having to stick to a tight budget (complaining about the high cost of living), and that you can't help transferring your anger unto your kids! Now, that's way too much. I can't absorb that.. and you'd better be ready to find your emotional sponge turn rock-solid.
I seriously don't get it! You said that your family needs all your time, so that's why you don't need a job.. then you complain of loneliness and the huge spare time you are never able to fill! You said that your husband has got a handsome income that would make your slim salary seem ridiculous, that's why you're better off without your work.. then you complain that prices are rising and that your budget is getting tighter! You said that work for women is not primary.. then you envy your ex-colleagues whenever one of them gets promoted or whenever you see one of'em on TV! You just turned into one of those horrible women you once hated and criticized. You are searching for the faults in others to prove that nobody is perfect, as if this will calm you deep inside, instead of trying to improve your life or make it a happier one.
Then she dives into how stay at home wives make Egypt poorer:
Belonging to the third world is not like being a member in a club. A country earns its place in the so-called third world because it belongs there.. it is poor, has a slow development rate, and does not contribute much (if any) to global economy or development (for example, in scientific research). Hence, if a country does what you do.. that is, become dependent on other productive countries.. it fits into the third world. And as long as half the population in those countries think the way you do, then those countries have got zero chance in improvement.
To be able to imagine how weak our production rate is, I'll just give a couple of examples.. The average productivity of an Egyptian citizen is estimated to be around 1000$ a year.. and it tends to be fixed around this figure through many years.. while in Israel for example, a citizen produces the equivalent of 15000$/year.. And in a country which used to belong to the third world only a few years ago like Singapore, this amount reaches 45000$ per capita.. meaning that the productivity of the Singaporean citizen is 45 times as much as that of his Egyptian counterpart!! Now, where can this get us for God's sake?
It is as simple as this.. there are 78 million Egyptians.. half of them are brought up to think that their primary role in life is to reproduce and serve their households. Then the whole population is dependent on the other half to feed them and satisfy their basic needs.. How lovely!
She bluntly states that
By sitting at home, you are just turning into a huge burden on economy. You keep adding to this burden when you keep getting more children to keep yourself occupied at home. The end result is more poverty and misery for thousands. Urban women are the worst of the lot.. they are not productive at all. A rural woman bakes her own bread, plants her vegetables, raises chicken, sews clothes…etc. While all what urban women do is consume, consume, consume. Not only do they consume goods.. but also endless hours on the phone and in front of TV to keep themselves entertained. They consume energy.. which (in case you don't know) is becoming rarer and rarer, and is expected to be the number one reason behind endless wars to come.
So, back to urban women.. What do they produce? What is their share in the national income? Zero.
Tapping on the role of the government,
The government has contributed to this crisis when it failed to provide adequate daycare service to help their female employees stay in the workforce; hence, making it easier for the private sector to get away without having any obligation towards female workers. Why on earth would a company owner bother to provide a service that the government itself does not require or care to provide?
The ridiculous alternative of the 2 years maternal leave (in the public sector) only means that those women do not actually work, or else how would 2 years of absence be OK with them? Those women then return (if they ever do) to resume their work in the same position they occupied before their leave, falling back behind their colleagues who got their promotions on time. The private sector is even worse.. it gives a maternal leave of 3 months, after which you can bid your job goodbye. Most probably what a woman pays for daycare and transportation to be able to carry on this daily tour (home-daycare-work-daycare-home) will be enough to swallow her full income. Thus, she finds herself compelled to stay at home with her baby.
Taking us from social science to basic maths, Fantasia helps us find out why Egypt continues to be a poor country:
1- With the gender gap in favor of males in literacy rates, we have to confront the fact that only 59.4% of females could read and write, 93% of which complete the primary stage, while only 67% attend secondary school.
2- Only 23% of women join the labor force.. they make 22% of the total labor force in Egypt.
3- Of those women in the labor force (23%), only 22.6% hold a university degree, (which means that only 5% of Egyptian women are highly educated working citizens! Freakish!) 16% of those are in administrative posts, and 28% hold professional and technical posts.
Aside from those horrifying figures, one might think that a crisis of this magnitude must be a top priority while designing reform programs.. yet, unfortunately, we can not count on that.
Quoting Professor Mahassen Mostafa Hassanin from her book: “Egypt: A Poverty Profile”:
Reform programs tend to work to the benefit of men than to the benefit of women. Macroeconomic policies concentrate on the reallocation of resources to achieve both stability and growth rather than on microeconomic issues and gender differentiation. Development programs usually address males while neglecting females.
Not only so, but the pop culture is another huge obstacle, acting as a strong barrier, preventing girls from aspiring to play an active role in society. And I quote again from the same source:
Equality and equity among males and females represents the cornerstone of this new development paradigm which concentrates on sustainability of the development process and this requires changing the prevailing social paradigm, and re-educating men and women on how to work together to create a more humanitarian world order.
On why Egyptian women would ever consider having a job , Professor Hassanin says:
The pattern of women in the development process is controversial. Women devote nearly all their income to the welfare of their family and still have to comply with the constraints of their gender role in the society. This makes the cost of their participation in the development process rather excessive.
And that is so true.. Women are rather pushed into the workforce than deciding to join it out of a personal will.. They lack empowerment, ambition and a sound environment which might inspire them to be productive citizens.
For further elaboration on this point, sited Ms. Sahar Nasr's paper titled: “Women and Poverty” that was a part of the Joint Report of the National Council for Women and the World Bank (2003)
In her research on women headed households, Nasr has found that most of those women are widowed. Which means that as long as there is a man at home, poor women would never consider having a job.
Poverty has Higher Price for Women and Girls. While poverty per se is not a gender concern, women, along with their children, tend to be more vulnerable to poverty than men.
Poor women often face a triple disadvantage:
• Heavy reproductive burden and their non-market contributions are often not recognized—undervaluing a significant part of their economic contributions.
• Social concerns may also limited women’s access to labor market and the type of jobs from which they can choose.
• Finally, women generally have lower educational achievements, reducing their earnings ability.
In her closing, she asks her friends and every unproductive woman
Do you realize now that you can not just sit there and complain? Your country needs you, because you are one of the very few young, healthy, well-educated women who expected to be productive, and any development would simply not happen as long as you insist on throwing all your education and personal skills against the wall and sitting there doing nothing.
BE RESPONSIBLE.. ACT RESPONSIBLE.. DO SOMETHING FOR THE FUTURE OF YOUR KIDS.. STOP MAKING YOUR COUNTRY POORER

author: Marwa Rakha


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Bahrain: The problem of road rage · Global Voices
Ayesha Saldanha

Bahrain Taxi is disappointed at the sentence given to a man in the UAE for deliberately driving over a pedestrian in his Hummer: “The pathetic ten year sentence which probably won't be ten years sends the message that road rage is not a serious problem and that losing your temper and killing someone is not as serious as committing adultery.”


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Bulgaria: Inadequate Media Coverage · Global Voices
Veronica Khokhlova

Veni Markovski writes about a recent case of misrepresenting Bulgaria in the International Herald Tribune and posts his letter to the editors. He also writes about the European Commission's decision to cut funding to Bulgaria (and so does The 8th Circle), and about Sofia mayor's explanation for a recent earthquake in Bulgaria's capital.


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Caribbean: Watching Mumbai · Global Voices
Nicholas Laughlin

Three Caribbean nations — Guyana, Suriname, and Trinidad and Tobago — have substantial populations of Indian origin, and many of the region's anglophone territories have cultural links with India rooted in British colonialism. (Cricket — the "national" sport of both the West Indies and India — is the most obvious manifestation.) Unsurprisingly, many people in the Caribbean — bloggers included — have been closely following the recent terrorist attacks in Mumbai with anxiety and consternation.
As news of the horrific events spread on the evening of Wednesday 26 November, MediaCritic at Living Guyana wondered how the Guyanese media would cover the Mumbai attacks:
If 80 people were killed in five separate attacks in any single US city it would be the leading news item in the local television newscasts.
Let us see if the local newscasts lead with this or if they shuffle it down in their international news segment or if they opt to cover it at all.
Later that night he reported: "Just as we thought, none of the local newscasts covered it." He added: "People want the news live from India, not the filtered crap CNN is giving us."
For Ian Ramjohn, a Trinidadian living in the United States, the situation in Mumbai reminded him , disturbingly, of the 1990 attempted coup in which Trinidad and Tobago's prime minister and others were held hostage and the city of Port of Spain suffered severe damage. "It’s a little bit like re-living the most traumatic experience of your life. Not quite re-living it, but kinda," he said. He reflected further:
We are victims of our own experience. I am unable to see the events that are happening in Mumbai through any filter other than my own experience. It may serve me badly or it may serve me well…. the thing that struck me about the Mumbai police were there in riot helmets, armed with antique rifles. Probably more than adequate for crowd control in the city (although, again, I was struck by the fact that the face plates were mesh, not plastic), but no match for AKs and grenades. And once again I was reminded of the coup.
Annie Paul, an Indian writer and critic who lives in Jamaica, posted an excerpt from a Facebook conversation which she "overheard" — a discussion among a group of young Indians about their country's priorities, in light of the Mumbai attacks. It begins: "It is high time India stops sending missions to the moon and starts focusing on national security…." The Guyana Providence Stadium blog made a similar point:
Seems like total chaos, disorganization and misinformation being bandied around in India — this is the impression being painted on CNN…. Is this the same India that just sent a rocket to the moon?
And Bermudan blogger Jonnystar, currently studying in Britain, described the reactions of students in his postgraduate housing, including "a large number of Pakistani and Indian nationals":
Nationals of both states huddled together in front of computer screens and the televisions at the nearby student pub, in a mix of horror, silent contemplation and frantic attempts to contact family and friends living, working, studying or otherwise visiting Mumbai….
Ironic in our modern technological society that we in Edinburgh were at times better informed than those in Mumbai itself. For a while students here served as centres for relaying information and compiling lists of who’s injured, what hospital they were at, who’s okay and were they are and so on. And then of course the cellphone network in Mumbai either collapsed due to traffic or was disabled by the authorities, we don’t know.
He added: "There are no signs of tension between the Indian and Pakistani students here, only shared concern and disgust at these atrocities."

author: Nicholas Laughlin


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Central Europe: Relations With the U.S. · Global Voices
Veronica Khokhlova

Belatedly, a link to Antal Dániel's post at Central Europe Activ on “Central European expectations from the new American president.”


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Cuba: Indebted  · Global Voices
Janine Mendes-Franco

“If Cuba was a household, the repo man would have been sent in a long time ago”: Child of the Revolution examines Cuba's balance sheet.


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Cuba: Youth Activist Jailed  · Global Voices
Janine Mendes-Franco

Diaspora blogger Uncommon Sense highlights the plight of a Cuban youth activist who “was sentenced this week to 3 years in prison for ‘offenses against authority.'”


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Dominica: Sexual Offences Act  · Global Voices
Janine Mendes-Franco

Dominica's Speaker of the House thinks that non-consensual sex – even within marriage – should be deemed criminal and Chris at Dominica Weekly agrees: “A lot of men in Dominica believe that once a woman says ‘I Do’ – that she has given up all her rights as a human being.”


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Egypt: Locking Al Azhar students in the dark ages! · Global Voices
Marwa Rakha

Al Azhar English Training Center is funded through a partnership agreement between Al Azhar University, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office Global Opportunities Fund and the British Council. The Center was supposed to provide English Language courses in its first semester to 125 students from various disciplines until Ali Laban, a Muslim Brotherhood deputy, decided otherwise.
Fatma Sabit – a graduate of Al Azhar university and an instructor there – wrote on Facebook:
Fatma continues her post in English saying:
The English Training Center was established by the British Council in Egypt with the cooperation of Al Azhar university. The center was established to help top students in Al Azhar university to graduate from the university mastering the language.
The students get the opportunity to have enough space in the class, high standard curricula, taught in the British Council in Egypt- Face to Face series, and more over well qualified native highly professional instructors.
I am now working in the center with other five of my English department colleagues and we are all collaborating to get our aim achieved. What actually happened few days ago is that our “friends” from the Muslim brotherhood did not like our work! They think we are brainwashing the students, corrupting them and leading them astray!!!
The enraged instructor links her post to Mr. Ali Laban's attack on the program (here in Arabic and here) then says:
Mr. Ali Laban, thinks we are the devil and instead of thanking us for helping the students learn and open their eyes up to the world, he accuses us, and says that we have bad manners, and we teach our students the art of dancing and promote drinking and dating!!
What is the hell are you thinking mister!!!!!! I've always been a top student in my university, and ever since I started teaching in my university I never ceased offering my help and support to all my students.
Fatma ends her post asking:
Finally I have one question for those who bite their nails of fear for our students from what they call the British invasion, we have three British professionals among us on campus, why doesn't the British Embassy worry that they might be influenced by us and join the Ikhwan like Mr. Laban!!
Switching back to Arabic, Fatma Sabit pleaded:
يا ريت لو فعلا شايفين انكم مسلمين واخوان علي حق، ماتفوتوش الفرصة دي علي اخواتكم، فوقوا من السكرة اللي انتوا فيها!! الغرب عمره ماكان عدو اللا بسبب فزعكوا وجهلكم اللي بيخليكم تتصرفو غلط! فوقوا بدل ماييجي اللي يفوقكو وساعتها بقة ماتبقوش تعيطوا زي النسوان
عموما لو عليا، ف انا مش خسرانة حاجة، الناس كلها جوة الجامعة وبراها عارفين وشايفين كويس قوي مين اللي مبتذل وبيحرض عالفسق والفجور من اللي عاوز يعلم ويفيد بجد، والطلبة صحيح مراهقين زي مابتقول بس صدقني واعيين كفاية انهم يفرقو مابين المصلحين، والمفسدين يا سيد لبن.


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Haiti, Venezuela: Chavez’s Change  · Global Voices
Janine Mendes-Franco

The Haitian Blogger believes that Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez is the driving force behind “a global change agenda that gives voice to the poor and dispossessed.”


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India: A Muslim Speaks · Global Voices
Rezwan

Veteran Indian journalist M. J. Akbar blames complacence and politics for the failure to prevent the terror attacks and writes: “I am an Indian Muslim and proud to be both. Like any Indian, today I am angry, frustrated and depressed. I am angry at the manic, rabid dogs of war who have invaded the commercial capital and fountainhead of business energy. I am frustrated by the impotence of my governments in Mumbai and Delhi, its ministers tone-deaf to the anguish of my fellow citizens. And I am depressed at the damage being done to the idea of my India.”

author: Rezwan


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India: Lack of Original Citizen Media Reporting · Global Voices
Rezwan

Gauravonomics Blog analyzes the role of social media and citizen journalism in the 11/26 Mumbai terror attacks and opines: “The (..) terror attack was a time for first-hand original reporting, and the Indian blogosphere didn’t quite rise to the task.”


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India: Mistakes, Media and Mumbai · Global Voices
JJ Rajendran

The terror attacks have brought more media attention to Mumbai. The world is now aware and cautious of the situations in India. Many countries have already issued travel advisory for the visitors to India. The English Cricket team has called off its participation in the upcoming test series. And the world-at-large probably has already forgotten and moved on to worry about other things.
‘CNN, MSNBC and FOX are good for nothing’, cries Ptcbus at ‘Random Rambles':
“I was trying to find out the latest happenings in Mumbai this evening. All that I was able to see was Anderson Cooper presenting some award to someone, Hannity’s America on Fox and some shady prison documentary on MSNBC. Why do they call themselves News Channels? I had to rely on websites from BBC and other Indian sites to find out the latest videos and news stories. What do these channels achieve by keeping the American population ignorant of world news? American media: Shame on you.
– -
2227 Hrs Nov 27: The only news channel that is broadcasting any news about the Mumbai attacks right now is CNBC (which is a business news channel). Pathetic!”
Let’s turn our focus to the Indian media, was their lack of digression a mistake? Could they have done any better to support the local police? Did they do a pathetic job as well? ‘Yes!’ replies Veetrag in his post, ‘Pennies prevail over prudence’:
“One disappointing thing that has emerged is irresponsibility of media. Role of media is to provide information to the public but in a proper way and taking care of that they are not divulging important information. I am watching TV channels – NDTV, IBN-CNN, India TV, Sahara Samay, Star News and many other and have realized that none of them are doing their job properly. In this unfortunate event they are trying to sensationalize the information and acting irresponsibly.
First mistake they are making is providing sensitive information such as movement of NSG and Police forces to public. I am sure, this information is not useful to public at this time. At this time, people need to find out where their relatives are, who is injured, which hospitals are people taken to, what blood type is needed and where. These are much more important information if provided to public it would be helpful.  Yes, people need to know what area are safe, what is the progress but giving step by step information is not useful. There are rumors (and probably true) that the same information is retrieved by terrorists and can be used against the brave souls who are trying to protect our lives.”
Has Mumbai survived this onslaught? Or have the insurgents prevailed? SriRam Vadlamani notes at his blog Indianomics:
“Were they successful?
•    BSE and NSE the two important stock exchanges were closed on Thursday
•    India’s sovereign rating by S&P revisited but remains intact.
•    England pulls out of the cricket series and re-think the coming test series.
•    Champions league is postponed.
•    Most countries issued travel advisory.
•    Hotels and aviation stocks are losing more than 6% in today’s trading.”
He notes amongst other things that the Indian GDP is seen at 7.6%. Inflation is down to 8.84%, which he adds, ‘is something to cheer about’ and shows some positive signs:
“Terrorists were successful to some extent. But, Sensex was much more resilient and matured in its behavior. It did not tank 1000 odd points because of panic. Only select stock like aviation and hotel sectors took a beating, which is expected. Tourism, aviation and hotel sectors will see a downturn from now on, but the other sectors should be able to pick the mood up. The mood might be down for a few months but India will bounce back. If there is positive which can be take out of this, it is the resilience of India, its economy and most importantly its people.”
This post is part of the Global Voices coverage on the terror attacks in Mumbai, India on November 26, 2008.

author: JJ Rajendran


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India: Responding To The Terrorist Attacks · Global Voices
Rezwan

The Acorn discusses which is the right way for India to respond to the Mumbai terrorist attacks and writes: “We call for a well-considered, national response to the war that has been thrust on India.”


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India: Who are they, and what is the Media saying? · Global Voices
Neha Viswanathan

Smoke Signals slams the mainstream media coverage of the event, as the television screens are filled with almost panic inducing sequences, and hurried question and answer sessions. At the time that this post is being written, the gun battles are still going on in at least one of the hotels and in another building.
The same asthmatic quality, the same inane back and forth between ‘expert’ and ‘commentator’ [What equipment will those commandos be carrying? In what order will then go in? What do you think they will do first when they enter the building? These commandos are masked so their features cannot be seen… This is great photography by our cameraman who is getting them exclusively for you… Geez! Just go on and say this terrorist attack is sponsored by XYZ, why don’t you?!]…
An interesing perspective from one of the most public figures in India – Amitabh Bachchan, who writes on his blog about how the mainstream media wants him to get on air for a sound byte.
I have been at the receiving end of a million calls and an equal number of sms’s the whole day to come live on TV or on the print media to express my views on the current situation and am being lured by words such as  ’we need you to speak to express solidarity and for the people to maintain their calm’.
This is disgusting !! I will NOT do that. TELL ME AND ORDER ME INSTEAD THAT WE REQUIRE FOR EVERY INDIAN TO GET UP AND WALK INTO THE FACILITIES WHERE THE ACTION IS ON AND I WILL BE THE FIRST TO WALK. But, please do not ask me to come and make sloppy statements that will do nothing more than create viewer interest in said particular channel ! I respect what the media is doing in serving the nation with its continuous information bulletins and I admire the brave and diligent manner in which they have devoted themselves to the cause. But what they expect me do I find against my ethics and want to be excused from it.
Counterterrorism blog on the modus operandi of the terrorists and who it could have been
In view of the historical context, precedents and latest analysis, the most likely groups that may be behind these attacks are the Lashkar e Toiba/SIMI (they now call themselves Indian Mujahideen). These groups are Jihadists, have links to the other organizations in Kashmir but also inside Pakistan with pro-Taliban elements and eventually Al Qaeda. The ideological identification is most likely Jihadist although the group almost surely will issue a more than one release to claim the attack and put it in context.
At counterpunch, a political newsletter, Tariq Ali examines the nuances of insiders and outsiders.
Why should it be such a surprise if the perpetrators are themselves Indian Muslims? Its hardly a secret that there has been much anger within the poorest sections of the Muslim community against the systematic discrimination and acts of violence carried out against them of which the 2002 anti-Muslim pogrom in shining Gujarat was only the most blatant and the most investigated episode, supported by the Chief Minister of the State and the local state apparatuses.
Pickled Politics does a post on what India needs to do in the near future to combat terrorism.
1) There’s a very good chance that the long-discussed US style ‘Dept of Homeland Security’ will be established. This is a good move since India’s intelligence services haven’t had much success in combating terrorism. In this, I hope they pump in more money and bring in expertise from the UK, USA and Israel.
2) They will have to put more money into border control, especially at ports (which is how the Mumbai attackers came in).


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Iran: Send Love to Iran · Global Voices
Fred Petrossian

Pars Arts presents Bri Olson, an American artist who was recently able to achieve her goal of visiting and seeing the real Iran. She shares her experience in her blog: Send love to Iran.

author: Fred Petrossian


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Israel: Updates on the Chabad Home Hostage Operation in Mumbai · Global Voices
Gilad Lotan

As the commando operation at the Chabad Jewish Center of Mumbai unfolded, very little was known about the state of the hostages. Chabad is one of the largest Hasidic movements in Orthodox Judaism. It runs thousands of centers around the world, providing Jewish community centers, synagogues and schools –  providing educational activities for Jews worldwide. They are very popular among Israeli backpackers, who frequent the centers while on their post-military travels.
The Chabad website is currently blocked due to their implementation of the Saturday Guard software which prohibits users from accessing the site during Sabbath. However, a constant stream of updates is located on a sister site. The most current update states that the five Jewish hostages held inside the building were found dead:
update 06:22 – a commando unit penetrated adjacent to the Chabad home. One terrorist killed.
update 07:01 – Chabad home still under seige.
update 07:17 – CNN reports that a mother and child were released from the Chabad home as they were weeping. It is unclear if this is the Rabbi Holtzberg's family.
update 07:43 – security forces report that at least five terrorists are inside the Chabad home.
update 08:05 – Chabad spokesperson, rabbi Menahem Brod: the emissary and her son escaped from Habad home
update 08:19 – The woman who escaped from Chabad home is a nanny who escaped with the son of the emissaries. They are still captured.
update 08:24 – Chabad Hassids are asked to pray for the wellbeing of the emissaries at the wailing wall in Jerusalem
update 08:34 – witnesses claim that the kidnappers released the emissary's son and his nanny. They are still held inside the building.
update 08:36 – Israeli radio: the nanny who was released from Chabad home reports that the emissary and his wife were unconscious.
update 08:55 – Israeli radio: the emissary's son who was released, was taken to the police station with the nanny. His parent's status is still unclear.
update 09:03 – the emissary's mother on ynet: “I heard they are alive”
update 09:23 – Indian security forces: it is possible that the terrorists ammunition has been exhausted.
update 11:23 – a series of explosions are heard minutes ago from Chabad home. It is estimated that the security forces are breaking into the building.
update 12:03 – a massive prayer session is being organized in the Wailing Wall at 15:00 in the afternoon, for the wellbeing of the hostages.
update 13:51 – the educational Chabad youth center calls for immediate prayers across Israel.
update 14:31 – kidnappers ask to open negotiations over the release of the hostages in Chabad home.
update 17:31 – Israeli foreign ministry: there is great concern for the lives of those held in Chabad home.
update 19:44 – press sources unofficially report that some of the hostages from the Chabad home were released.
update 20:11 – Israeli foreign minister: “there is no basis to the claims that Israelis were release from Chabad home. We have little information which is troubling”
update 21:41 – the nanny  who escaped with the emissary's son in a special interview: “he is constantly asking for his mom and dad”
update 23:00 – CNN-IBN: large explosion heard from Chabad home in Mumbai.
update 23:51 – the Israeli foreign ministry states that despite the multiple reports, no hostages were released from the Chabad home in Mumbai. The office is checking with the Mumbai police forces the report on a large explosion heard from the building. Earlier reports claimed that eight people were seen walking out of Chabad home, however a diplomatic source stated they left from an adjacent building.
update 01:35 – rabbi Nachman Holzberg and his wife left their home in Crown Heights enroute to Israel. The family: we keep receiving contradicting information.
update 02:44 – CNN: third explosion heard tonight from Chabad home when a hand grenade was thrown from the building onto the Indian security forces surrounding the structure from the outside.
update 02:46 – an Israeli delegation is making its way to help with the recue of the hostages in the Chabad home.
update 03:47 – Indian security forces opened fire at Chabad home. It is unclear if they will break into the building.
update 03:50 – political correspondant: four dead in Chabad home; Livni: the situation looks grim.
update 04:20 – heavy gunfire in the Chabad home.
update 05:05 – a white flag is raised from a window on the fourth floor of the Chabad building.
update 06:46 – NDTV reporter located at the front of the Chabad home: the rescue operation is taking longer than expected because the rabbi and his wife are held alive.
update 07:12 – rabbi Grossman to Israeli TV channel 2: the emissary's parents arrived in Mumbai and took custody of their grandson who is celebrating his 2nd birthday today.
update 08:05 – police officer to Sky News: there are five or six live hostages inside Chabad home.
update 08:41 – heavy fighting in the Chabad home. Commando forces break into the building from the air.
update 08:52 – report from Mumbai: 3 explosions heard in the vicinity of the Chabad home
update 09:25 – high ranked officer estimates: the operation will end within several hours.
update 10:25 – Israeli security officer: commando forces are on their way to the floor where the emissaries are held.
update 10:51 – the British Sky network: explosions and gunfire heard in the vicinity of the Chabad home in Mumbai.
update 10:52 – CNN India reports that the fourth and fifth floors in the Chabad building were evacuated.
update 11:33 – commando force took control over most of the building floors. Echos of bomb explosions are constantly heard.
update 12:10 – Israeli radio: Indian media claims the Chabad emissaries are held alive, hence the commando forces are extremely careful.
update 14:01 – rabbi says to volunteers: you are allowed to work on this Sabbath, which begins in India within 15 minutes.
update 14:44 – great explosion in the Chabad home ruined part of the structure. Police: three terrorists are still inside.
update 14:55 – cheerful calls next to Chabad home. CNN: the commando forces overpowered the terrorists. The emissary and his wife's status is still unknown.
update
update 15:48 – five Jews found dead in Chabad home.

author: Gilad Lotan


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Madagascar: Designer is one of the victims of the Mumbai Attacks   · Global Voices
Lova Rakotomalala

Gaelle Mann writes that Malagasy-born designer Loumia Hiridjee and her husband Mourad Amrasy were among the casualties of the attacks at the Oberoi Restaurant in Mumbai (fr). Loumia Hiridjee, 47, had  a dual Indian/ French citizenship and created with her sister Shama the successful lingerie brand princesse tam-tam (fr).  The couple is survived by their three children.

author: Lova Rakotomalala


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Mumbai and Terror: The Day After · Global Voices
Neha Viswanathan

An attack of this scale has surprised the entire country. While India is no stranger to bomb blasts and attacks by terrorists, a prolonged hostage situation at prominent landmarks is a complete surprise. The last hostage situation that was covered this extensively was the hijacking of a flight in 1999.
At Mumbai Metblogs, ideasmith rounds up the events of a day and more.
Later this morning, there was a sudden buzz that a fresh round of firing had opened at C.S.T. station and that hostages had been taken. This turned out to be a false rumour. Apparantly someone had heard some noise that sounded to them like gunfire and panicked.
Just ten minutes back, I heard what sounded like a blast. I jumped but I ignored it. Two minutes later it was followed by another one. I looked up to see if anyone else had heard it. Apparantly no one else had. I was just debating whether to go back to my desk (in one corner of the office so I could have been the only one to hear it, being closest) or tell someone (and risk starting another panic wave). Upstairs someone else had heard it too and called us to check it out. We raced to the terrace, hearts thundering. It turned out to be nothing more than the daily workers going about their deed at the construction site next door. Whhhewwwww.
On Twitter, prempanicker is providing constant updates. In a sense, it captures the high levels of confusion. Every two hours, there is a an announcement of sorts that things are under control, but right after, more gunbattle and blasts are reported.
code clicks n caffeine posts photographs from the last two days – taken by various people and from various sources. John P Matthew has been liveblogging the events in Mumbai, with reflections on people's reactions and the media's coverage.
At the office where I am there are excited voices, raised in concern, about attacks at VT station through which I have to pass. Somebody says that in the lane downstairs terrorists were firing indiscriminately. There's panic in the building and a colleague is spreading more terror with his uncontrolled blurting of what little he knows. He gets too excited unnecessarily.
Kunal at Live's Short Live it Up has been liveblogging relentlessly as well –
# GPS Satellite phones found on terrorists. Another phone with foreign SIM card found near Taj hotel
# Terrorists hijacked fishing boards
#
As is obvious, confusion appears to reign supreme, and there's very little clarity on the status of the terrorists and hostage situation.


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Nicaragua: Post-Election Violence and Accusations of Fraud · Global Voices
Alvaro Berroteran

After the municipal elections on November 9 in Nicaragua, there were conflicting claims of victory by the ruling Sandinista National Liberation Front (FSLN) led by President Daniel Ortega and the Liberal Constitutionalist Party.  The opposition accused the FSLN of massive election fraud and which resulted in street demonstrations and protests.  The two groups clashed in the streets of the capital city of Managua making way for much uncertainty.
The Nicaraguan blogosphere provides an X-ray of what is happening within the country. One can see the political lack of restraint on both sides, something that can be seen in the following posts from various Nicaraguan blogs:
The blog Contra La Dictadura [es] (Against the Dictatorship) writes about what might happen as a result of these confrontations, which could further divide the country.
Como una mancha de aceite el orteguismo avanzará sobre cada espacio y cada rincón de la sociedad, poseyéndolo y contaminándolo todo. La poesía será simple, usará las figuras poéticas que gustan a la primera dama y será hecha usando un vocabulario muy reducido, para que hasta los más simples entre los simples puedan entenderla. La novela desaparecerá por elitista y complicada. La danza será popular. El trato de la gente de nuestro pueblo, confundida y envalentonada será vulgar y agresivo. El tono claro de la piel, del cabello y de los ojos será mal visto y tratado con hostilidad.
Rodrigo Penalba of Barricada [es] republishes a speech made by the FSLN campaign chief, who is celebrating the victories and the actions of the youth.  Penalba then posts videos showing how some pro-government youths participated in acts of confrontation that contradicts the words of the campaign official.
There are other bloggers taking a more “netural” position, or even one of pessimism, such as Nimrod of Y ahora ¿de qué vamos a hablar? [es], who is not sure whether or not there was fraud:
Desde antes de las elecciones se hablaba del posible fraude. Hay varias teorías de cómo se haría, algunas expuestas de formas muy razonables por gente muy respetable y en otras hasta se incluye el elemento informático como clave de la trama, siendo el que más me ha llamado la atención hasta el momento. Por supuesto que el bando de los acusados también se defiende, exponiendo sus propios argumentos, válidos todos desde sus respectivas perspectivas.
Leonel Delgado is a little more realist to the situation and is skeptical of all, as he writes in his blog Notas Poco Rigurosas [es]:
Y así yacemos en el disenso bajo la iniciativa de la clase política (no muy confiable), los diarios (las decepciones) y los obispos (las comparsas).
How will this political war affect the economic aspects?  Raúl Isaac Suárez  of the blog Econoscopio [es] has some thoughts:
Recapitulemos entonces:
1. Menor nivel de comercio interno por disturbios.
2. Menor inversión por aumento del índice riesgo país.
3. Retiro de la cooperación bilateral y multilateral para apoyo presupuestario
4. Baja del petróleo y de la cooperación venezolana.
Estos 4 factores pintan un panorama negro para el futuro cercano de la economía del país. Lo único bueno que sacaremos es el descenso del nivel inflacionario. Gracias a la caida del precio del crudo. Pero creo que aún así los efectos adversos serán más fuertes que los beneficiosos. Hay que reflexionar sobre esto.
1. Smaller levels of internal commerce due to the conflicts
2. Lower investment due to the increase in the country's risk index.
3. Withdrawal of bilateral and multilateral cooperation for budget support
4. Decrease in petroleum (prices) and Venezuelan assistance
These 4 factors paint a dark picture of the country's economy in the near future. The only positive that we can take is the decrease in the level of inflation.  Thanks to the fall in the price of crude oil. Even with that, the adverse effects will be stronger than the benefits.  We must think about this.
Pepitorias [es] writes and suggests the following:
La situación que en estos días está viviendo Nicaragua necesita de un análisis un poco más profunda, que deje a un lado la confusión, las denuncias, los epítetos y el calor que surge de las elecciones municipales recién pasadas, y que al contrario trate de abordar lo que está pasando desde un punto de vista más amplio y estructurado.
To learn more about what is happening and in the Nicaraguan blogosphere, please visit Blogs Nicaragua [es].

author: Alvaro Berroteran


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Pakistan: In solidarity with Mumbai · Global Voices
Rezwan

Pakistani blogger Adil Nazam declares “I, too, am a Mumbaikar today. I stand with you today. In prayer and in solidarity.”


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Puerto Rico: Status Quo?  · Global Voices
Janine Mendes-Franco

“Our struggle for self-determination, to be free from outside impositions, is ideological and it is not what's best for the majority of the people who live here”: Gil the Jenius answers some tough questions about Puerto Rico's status.


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Russia: More on Mikhail Beketov’s Case · Global Voices
Veronica Khokhlova

At Robert Amsterdam's blog, Grigory Pasko writes about the attack on Mikhail Beketov.


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Russia, Ukraine: “Pindostanis at the Gate” · Global Voices
Veronica Khokhlova

A definition of a derogatory Russian word for “Americans” – at Eternal Remont; a usage context example – at Russian Navy Blog.


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Taiwanese version of Thanksgiving · Global Voices
I-fan Lin

Seeing Americans have Thanksgiving holidays, Alanruo tries to search for similar festival in Taiwan and finds a similar counterpart, the Well-beings sacrifice:
每年農曆十月十五前後，台灣的許多庄頭都會舉行歲末的平安祭，俗稱謝平安或拜平安。拜平安的對象是天公，謝天公其實就是表達對過去一年所有事業家庭進步的感謝，我認為這實實在在就是台灣的感恩節。
Below are some photos that show how the Taiwanese-version Thanksgiving looks like.
In some villages, people would jointly organize a three to seven day long Well-beings sacrifice to express their thanks to the deities and spirits who had protected them from ill-luck in the past year. Below is a picture showing the beautiful altar set up for the Taoist priests to perform a ritual.
Photo courtesy of alhorn
This Well-beings sacrifice is not only for deities but also for ghosts, and the bamboo poles with flags in the following picture are erected several days before the ritual to catch the spirits’ attention for the ceremony.
Photo courtesy of Alanruo
Alanruo explained the ritualistic function of the grass inside the bucket:
也不能忘記給甲兵秣馬用的草料
Photo courtesy of Alanruo
Big pigs are presented as sacrifices.
Photo courtesy of alhorn
There is “real” food for deities, ghosts, and humans, and there is “symbolic” food for deities and ghosts.
Photo courtesy of Alanruo
Time has changed and so do items presented in the ceremony. The tradition keeps renovating–Alanruo discovered some new offer items:
糖果屋有什麼了不起，王子麵屋也很酷
Photo courtesy of Alanruo
Because there are so much food and so many ghosts, it is important to have Master Dashi (Dashihye, 大士爺), an underworld deity, standing by the tables to make sure that food for the ghosts is evenly distributed.
Photo courtesy of alhorn
In the evenings, there are troupe performance or movie show to entertain spirits and human. At the end of the Well-beings sacrifice, the taoist priests would thank gods again and give blessing to the guests.

author: I-fan Lin


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Thailand: Airport takeover and Twitter · Global Voices
Mong Palatino

Anti-government protesters led by the People’s Alliance for Democracy (PAD) have overtaken two major airports in Bangkok. The airports remain closed stranding thousands of passengers. Bangkok is a major transport hub in the region.
Twitter has become an interesting and good source of information about what is happening in Thailand. Twitter users in Bangkok have been exchanging travel tips, news updates, and opinions about the current situation.
Those who are stranded in the airports and those who have experienced difficulties travelling to Asia because of the recent political developments in Thailand have been using Twitter, among other online tools, to ventilate their emotions and gather news updates.
Compared to a single comprehensive blog article, a tweet doesn’t much provide information. But reading a good number of tweets can help provide an interesting sample of the collective sentiments of residents in a city or even country.
Below are some of the Twitter updates from Bangkok:
Because of the chaos in the airports, a colleague of Escribitionist had to change his travel plans:
“my colleague in singapore is booking airasia flight from singapore to phuket for another colleague to fly back this Sunday”
“he's worried about this and i do not think he would come to bangkok anytime soon.”
“lol.. my colleague in singapore who was supposed to come today sent 2 pics of PAD at the airport via skype”
DrRider wonders how can he go back to Thailand:
“mourning for Thailand and everybody who loses life”
“I wonder international flight should reroute to Phuket airport, then take other transports to Bangkok”
“Do I need to use military airport?”
“how can I go back to Thailand?”
“@sugree is water in the airport's toilet clean enough to drink?”
P_warawit’s schedule was affected too:
“I did exactly that. I'll need to stay in SG for one more day. But this already screwed several of my plans already. :-“
Some are travelling by land in order to enter Thailand. Leolaksi writes:
“@faay so tired. Many people at Malaysia Thai crossing travelling back to Bangkok. Stuck in Singapore and KL”
“A friend of mine is in Karachi. He is flying to HKG and then Vientiane. By car back to BKK.”
“Singapore to Bangkok by car. Now north of KL. Had Yai tonight. Bangkok tomo.”
The situation is very frustrating, some are already crying. Thailand Today reports:
“Many aged Muslims, who have been left stranded inside the Suvarnabhumi International Airport, were seen this morning crying.”
The coup rumor was widely discussed in Twitter. Jfxberns provides some of the updates:
Nation: “Chamlong warns police of people's uprising if protesters forcefully dispersed.” Wrong, now the public believes “You asked for it.”
“Thai Airways International estimates it will lose Bt500 million for every day the airport remains closed.”
From eTTR: “However, contrary to the facts, the TAT governor continues to believe that the country can reach its tourist arrivals target.”
“Situation seems intractable. PAD becomes more of a mob by the minute, Somachai's government looks more and more powerless and ineffective.”
“PAD responds to Somchai's broadcast. “Oh, state of emergency? Oh my! OK, we are leaving. No–you go first. We'll follow right behind you.”
“'The military have moved tanks for strategic purposes but I can confirm that there is no coup and the military has not been ordered to b”
“Nothing happening yet–but lots of rumors, government employees told to go home early. The feeling is a lot like before last coup.”
“I understand that PAD is angry, they are being attacked with grenades. But alienating the common people does not help their cause.”
“Does anybody else think that PAD's image is starting to look more like a Mafia Mob rather than a Protest Mob?”
Fixedup identifies the mistakes of the protesters:
“I love Thailand, imagine the bloodshed if people tried this in another country!”
“Bed time for me, I hope Thailand gets better soon!”
“The mistake they made was inconveniencing travelers. Its one thing to protest and another thing to disrupt public Transportation”
Rico Flan thinks Thailand has committed an economic suicide:
“Watching Thailand commit economic suicide. When will this farce end? BANANA REPUBLIC.”
Anasuya,a journalist, comments:
“It's a real shame–the fallout from this will be immense. I think tempers are starting to flare at the airport.”
“PAD storm control tower at S'bhumi, trying to find out which flight Somchai might be on”
Sweetener demands:
“give back airports to me”
Thai Coup reacts to the state of emergency declared by the government:
“Didnt really know you could declare a “State of Emergency” covering 2 buildings. Historians take note!”
“Suvarnabhumi Airport to remain closed until Nov 29”
“Public Advisory: When in Thailand avoid wearing read or yellow…. Wearing Orange will get u whacked from both sides” (Note: Yellow is the color used by the protesters. Red is used by supporters of the government)
“Civil Court orders PAD to leave Suvarnabhumi Airport immediately… Like thats worked before ;)”
Baramunchies wants to look around the airport:
“tempted to go to the airport and look at the situation.”
“so if pad wins thailand will have a totalitarian government that does not need majority decisions, but made out of extremely intelligent and high moral standard people? don't know that is a good outlook.”
“i think thailand just made a huge step backward.”
“will there be an anti pad movement that is not pro thaksin???” (Note: Thaksin is the ousted leader of Thailand. PAD organized the rallies in 2006 which led to the coup which ousted Thaksin)
Jon Randy wonders if a rock event will push through:
“I've got a feeling that after the October mess, the police are reluctant to do anything other than ASK them to leave” (Note: Last October the police violently dispersed a rally by PAD. This incident generated public sympathy in favor of the protesters).
“I think it is now totally irrelevant why anyone wants the govt. to resign – they should do so now as they have proved they are totally inept”
“Does anyone know if “Bangkok Rock 100″ is still going ahead? How will the headline artists get here?”
Luke_bkk writes about the tank sightings in Bangkok which probably fueled speculations of an imminent coup:
“OK, I was told the tanks were close by but seems they are not close enough. Someone needs to take photo with happy tanksgiving and tanks.”
“if the people protesting put this much effort into winning elections we might not be in this mess.”
“Love the fact everytime anything interesting happens in Thailand the Bangkok Post website falls over. They really need to learn to cache.”
“I dont hate the PAD or anyone else, im just sick of dead end Thai politics getting in the way of real issues.”
“How bloody stupid are the PAD, running around with guns? Going to scare the tourists away at a time when the economy is about to go down.”
Tewson on the consequences of what PAD did:
“from now on, people will hijack things to get what they want.”
“and if the law is against them, they will just condemn the law as it is not righteous.”
Erl is not amused:
“thailand is the land of freedom. you may take over airport whenever you want.”
“need to leave thailand next wednesday for a visa trip. options are limited if airports are still blocked… laos? malaysia? singapore?”
“even if a country is a big mess, for most people life goes on as normal. the mood changes though, optimism turns into pessimism.”

author: Mong Palatino


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Thailand: Protesters occupy airports · Global Voices
Mong Palatino

Last weekend, protesters led by the People’s Alliance for Democracy (PAD) vowed to mobilize hundreds of thousands of people in the streets to push for the ouster of Thailand’s elected government. What happened during the past few days? What did the protesters accomplish?
Monday – Parliament building was occupied.
Tuesday – Suvarnabhumi airport takeover
Thursday – Don Mueang Airport takeover. Bangkok’s air travel completely paralyzed.
Thousands are stranded in the airports. Cab drivers couldn’t enter the premises. Thailand’s Prime Minister has already declared a State of Emergency in the airports. There are coup rumors; PAD wants the military to intervene to end the political crisis.
The provocative actions of PAD have angered many residents and visitors. Even mainstream media in Thailand, which used to be sympathetic to PAD, are now criticizing the group.
Thailand’s tourism industry is now suffering. Some Thai residents are even advising their friends not to visit Thailand until next year.
Pictures from HaPPi like a HiPPo
Surawut narrates what he saw at the airport:
“When we got inside the terminal, the shops and restaurants, banks etc were hurriedly closing and staff were blocking off the front of their premises with tables and chairs. At around 9.30pm the public address system announced that ALL people in the terminal building should leave immediately for their own safety. This was repeated many times over the next 15 minutes or so, although very few people seemed to be paying any attention to it. The noise from the yellow shirts outside was unbelievable and it only seemed a matter of time before they forced their way in. The police in their riot gear were woefully outnumbered.”
The Bangkok Bugle talks to some stranded passengers:
“I spent several hours yesterday talking to the stranded. From businessmen and women to backpackers, they're all affected. One person I spoke to, a Swiss businessman, hadn't even planned on coming to Thailand. He was only in transit when the PAD mob invaded Suvarnabhumi. He showed me his diary and the business meetings he'd already missed. Understandably his impression of Thailand is not a good one.”
My Thailand Diary will miss her husband this week:
“Unbelievable. I don’t think my hubby will be able to fly to Bangkok and then further south this weekend… Seems really hard to take a bus or the train as well! This is just stupid.
“Am I worried for my safety? No. But then I’m not travelling anywhere, I know which road to avoid in town as well.  But I do feel worried/ sorry for all those people who depend on tourism and now that high season is starting its just a big blow to their business. What a horrible way to start high season.”
Gnarly Kitty wonders why the airports were not properly secured:
“Isn't the airport supposed to be like the most secured place in any country? And yet, these mustards can just easily barge in.
“What if they were a group of armed militants instead of aunties with clappers?
“How could a once simple and goal-oriented anti-Thaksin rally turn into an idiot convention?”
Brain Farts writes about the impact of the airport takeover on the life of residents:
“Thanks to the PAD’s latest airport-paralyzing move, my friend’s cousin who was in a brutal car accident in Surat-thani can’t be flown back to Bangkok for proper medical care and instead lies in a coma in an inept hospital down south with a fractured skull, broken ribs and broken arm.
“The way my life has been affected by the PAD’s latest moves is pretty petty.  Because the idiots decided to park themselves in front of the government buildings along Changwattana Road and the old Don Muang airport, a normally 40-minute drive to the university now takes me an hour and a half…and translates into me waking up at 5:30 on the mornings I have class at 8.”
Pictures from HaPPi like a HiPPo and Thailand Crisis
PAD believes the Prime Minister is a puppet of ousted leader Thaksin Shinawatra. On the other hand, PAD is accused of having close ties to some sections of the elite and military. PAD is popular among the urban middle class.
The Nation's State quotes a professor who lambasts PAD:
“The PAD is now like a cult, with hard-core followers who think and speak alike close-mindedly, and becomes increasingly militant. As they claim political righteousness, they defied laws, dehumanized critics and opponents and intimidated them too, and [they are] armed.”
New Mandala thinks the King of Thailand, who is highly revered in the country, should have intervened earlier:
“It is possible that a royal call for restraint may prompt private and public questioning about why it had not come much earlier. Why no word when Government House was invaded? Why no public concern when the PAD’s ultra-nationalist campaign over Preah Vihear bought Cambodia and Thailand close to war? Why no condemnation of the blockade of Parliament? Why no royal advice to the PAD to protest lawfully? Some may see a royal intervention at this stage as too little too late. A great deal of damage has already been done and there is now a real risk that the PAD, who have a strong sniff of victory, may find some face-saving way of deflecting any royal advice.”
Thailand Jumped the Shark notes that foreign embassies didn’t act quickly to protect their citizens:
“What is really astonishing to me is how the foreign embassies in Bangkok have remained silent over this crisis, except for worthless travel advisories.
“What the PAD has done is an act of terrorism. The worthless Thai government has violated international treaties over airport security. Al Qaeda must be salivating in delight, knowing that with a little will power they can take over an airport quite easily and nobody will do anything except business as usual. Shouldn't every major airport and airline in the world have a contingency plan for a hostile takeover of an airport? Why haven't the foreign embassies made sure that their nationals are safe, secure and evacuated from the airport? For Budda's sake, what if the Thai government decided to take action agains the PAD? You'd have thousands of travellers in the cross fire. The PAD could take hostages.”
Real Life Thailand sees little chance of resolving the crisis in the country:
“I see no way out. I think there will be no coup but I do see a military offensive that can only cause bloodshed. But that is not the end. The power struggle will continue. There are still questions to be asked, tensions simmering and things that cannot be said. I hope I’m wrong, I hope somehow this works out but I think things will get worse before they get better.”
Professor Giles Ji Ungpakorn of Chulalongkorn University clarifies that not all anti-PAD individuals are automatically in favor of ousted leader Thaksin:
“It is clear that the PAD, the Military, the Democrat Party and the Conservative Establishment would rather see total chaos in Thailand rather than allow democracy to function. This is despite the fact that we face a serious economic crisis. Those who support democracy and social justice in Thailand must condemn the PAD and those advocating a dictatorship. We must be with the pro-democracy Red Shirts, while refusing to support ex-PM Thaksin, who has a record of Human Rights abuses.”


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Trinidad & Tobago: Licensing Issue · Global Voices
Janine Mendes-Franco

As the license plate of the Trinidad and Tobago Prime Minister's car is deemed “illegal”, Jumbie's Watch writes two scathing posts on the matter, here and here.


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Two Egyptian Hostages in Mumbai  · Global Voices
Amira Al Hussaini

Egyptian blogger Zeinobia quotes Egyptian TV as saying there are two Egyptian hostages caught up in the mayhem in Mumbai, India.

author: Amira Al Hussaini


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Ukraine: Daily Posts on Street Children · Global Voices
Veronica Khokhlova

A whole month of posts and photos featuring street children in Ukraine – at Scenes From the Sidewalk. Some highlights: a photo report on a visit to a Ukrainian jail; photos of Ukrainian street kids from six years ago – here and here; the ‘before’ and ‘after’ pictures from the Cherkassy Rehabilitation Center; a photo of a child “already in a foster home” – from the “Photo Happy For National Blog Posting Month” series.


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Armenia: Chess, Karabakh and Turkish Relations · Global Voices
Onnik Krikorian

West of Igdir comments on the latest developments in Armenia including a second victory for the country in the International Chess Olympiad, speculation over negotiations to resolve the conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan over Nagorno Karabakh and last week's visit to Istanbul by the Foreign Minister.

author: Onnik Krikorian


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Armenia: World AIDS Day & the Armenicum Fiasco · Global Voices
Onnik Krikorian

Armenia: Higher Education & Sciences prepares its readers for the 20th anniversary of World AIDS Day and highlights the situation with HIV infection in the country. The blog also notes that this year marks the 10th anniversary of Armenicum, a locally produced drug which the authorities initially announced could cure AIDS. Controversially, the drug has not even been proven to relieve symptoms in clinical trials and the blog comments on a recent article that says not only is it being paid for by the tax-payer, but also costs three times more than proven anti-retroviral treatments.


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Tunisia: Facebook Case Thrown Out of Court  · Global Voices
Lina Ben Mhenni

A Tunisian court threw out a case against the censorship facing Facebook, brought about by blogger and journalist Ziad El Heni against the Tunisian Internet Agency (ATI).
Writing in Arabic, Journaliste Tunisien, who lodged the case, reports that:
The ruling in case number 68787 on November 25, 2008, which I lodged in protest against the illegal censorship, did not include any explanations.
This verdict was made after the trial was postponed three times. The plaintiff was also asked to pay all the costs the civil proceedings entailed.
Despite this setback, Tunisian Facebookers and bloggers won their union against censorship and their national day for the freedom of blogging.

author: Lina Ben Mhenni


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Bolivia: Used Batteries End Up in Regular Landfill · Global Voices
Eduardo Avila

The city of Cochabamba launched a campaign to collect waste, such as used batteries which were supposed to be disposed of properly, but Gustavo Cardoso of Observancia [es] notes with pictures that they ended up in the regular landfill defeating the purpose.

author: Eduardo Avila


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Central & Eastern Europe: A Roma Roundup · Global Voices
Veronica Khokhlova

A few Roma-related posts: Inside Albania muses on the U.S. election and concludes that having a Roma PM in Albania will remain “pure fantasy” for quite a while; Romano Them links to a report on the situation with the Roma in Kosovo; Hungarian Spectrum reported on Nov. 20 that “[i]n recent days sixteen attempts have been made against Gypsy families” in Hungary; A Yankee-in-Belgrade, inspired by Henri Rousseau's The Sleeping Gypsy (La Bohemienne Endormie), offers his take on the subject – here and here.

author: Veronica Khokhlova


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China: Chinese students inform on political science professor · Global Voices
Oiwan Lam

David Bandurski from China media project quoted from South China Morning post on a news about two Chinese students reporting to the police on a professor at Shanghai’s East China University of Political Science and Law concerning his “anti-government” speech. The incident has been widely discussed in local forum, such as Tianya [zh].

author: Oiwan Lam


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China: Zeng Jingyan’s Thanksgiving message · Global Voices
Oiwan Lam

ESWN translated Chinese dissent Zeng Jingyan's Thanksgiving message. Zeng's husband Hu Jia is still in prison and Zeng herself is under monitored.


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Colombia: Pitching In for Suso · Global Voices
Eduardo Avila

Xady of Expresate [es] provides the latest update on the campaign in the Medellín, Colombia neighborhood of La Loma, where local bloggers from the Convergentes project are pitching in to build a house for one of their community members, Suso.


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Costa Rica: Electronic Waste Pick-Up · Global Voices
Eduardo Avila

The Q-dra project is launching a campaign to collect electronic waste, such as old computers and televisions in San José, Costa Rica writes Bloqueverde [es].


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Czech Republic: Milan Kundera Controversy · Global Voices
Veronica Khokhlova

Belatedly, a link to the post on Milan Kundera controversy – at Balkans via Bohemia.


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India: Advice from a Sri Lankan · Global Voices
Rezwan

The Under Dog at the Sri Lankan citizen journalism initiative Groundviews has this to say to the Indians on the Mumbai terror attacks: “Here’s a word of advice from a Sri Lankan to our big neighbor. Don’t go down the path we have taken. Don’t be tempted to sacrifice the freedom of another for your own safety. Be smarter than us. Look within and find the disease that is causing this fever called terrorism.”


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India: Interview With The Mumbai Terrorists · Global Voices
Rezwan

Bangladeshi-American blogger Mash at Or How I Learned to Stop Worrying posts a transcript of the interview with a Mumbai terrorist (translated from Hindi) which was broadcast in an Indian TV channel.


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India: Kashmir and Mumbai · Global Voices
JJ Rajendran

India’s largest city and economic hub are now target practice grounds; much similar to Kashmir. “We’ve all been watching TV till our eyeballs were emanating radioactive glow,” pings a friend and freelance Photographer from Mumbai, who adds:
“Media coverage is par for the course. We’re a very crassly inquisitive race, so why should our media be any different? And we don't have any survival instincts at all, everybody's milling around in Colaba, while there's shooting and explosions happening at the Taj. Bizarre country, it’s not resilience its apathy.”
The well-known, yet unresolved problems in Kashmir, some believe have lead to cause terror in Mumbai. While some others consider the blame game an unfair opinion. Let’s take a look at some underlying issues that are plaguing the blogosphere.
Elodie21, has set her current mood as angry in her livejournal as she comments under the post ‘Attacks Continue’. ‘It is time for Hindu Terror groups?’ she wonders.
“..I read how one terrorist called a TV station and asked if Indians knew how many Muslims had been killed in Kashmir? Let’s ask these men back if they know how many innocents have been killed because of terrorists? This will never end… Isn't it obvious, while Pakistan plays dirty politics (there is no denying that they help militants enter India when their army fires to protect their passage by distracting the Indian army) and these jihadists kill innocents, Indians will be bitter? They will retaliate too, take it out on Muslims, this Islamophobia will build up. Its natural and it will happen – it is happening. Taking hostages, murdering people, will not solve anything. If it could have, it would have done wonders by now. But it will not. It only serves to heighten violent reaction towards innocent Muslims.  What these attacks will do is probably serve to bring the rightists to power. Like BJP. What they will do is create support for Hindu terrorist organizations. What they will serve to do is convince more youths like my friend, to join Hindutva. And they will end up worsening the situation for Muslims.”
But, do we really care, when terror strikes Kashmir and bomb blasts are an everyday affair? Rama is skeptical in his blog “Khamosh sa afsana” writing under the post ‘Cycle of Violence’.
“…we are human selectively. We are not shocked when a large number of people die or kill themselves due to starvation. We are not human when violence of such magnitude take place quite frequently on the streets of Kashmir and are undertaken by these very ATS guys. What were the demands of these pathological creatures? That killings of kashmiris is stopped? Mumbaikars have nothing to do with the other killings yes, they were chosen coz they count — their losses creates an impact. There is so much pathos in this country of ours. Disposability of certain bodies viz-a-viz the nationwide mourning of some”
At Idealistard’s weblog the post is titled ‘Mumbai attacks and Kashmir connection?’ He believes the BBC prediction has come true:
“I maybe the only one who is making this connection, but i remembered reading something about recent protests in Kashmir valley where Indian Security forces gunned down 40 unarmed civilians. What this program on BBC predicted over a month ago is chilling and right on the spot. I’ve included the BBC Article and highlighted the prediction of Al-Qaida style attacks in eventual transition of militancy.”
But in the end, Kashmir Portal is left with questions in the post ‘Only questions and concerns after Mumbai attacks’, that only time can answer. Here is one of the few.
“The Indian PM, Dr. Manmohan Singh, was quick to point finger to India’s “neighbors” (read Pakistan) and their involvement in the attack. Pakistan quickly replied that it was too early to put blame somewhere and stated that the Pakistani government did everything to stop the terrorism in its own country. Now it is proved (or at least alleged) that at least some of the gunmen had direct links with Pakistan. The blame-game has started. How will this affect the ongoing CDP (the bilateral peace process that partly deals with Kashmir, but also nuclear proliferation and other issues)? Was the purpose of the attacks to disturb this slow but forward moving process? Hardly anyone has noted that the attack happened on Wednesday, the same day as the Pakistani Foreign Minister went to New Delhi to continue the peace talks.”


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Iran: Do not Execute Farzad Kamangar · Global Voices
Fred Petrossian

Several human rights activists and bloggers warned that Farzad Kamangar, a teacher and trade unionist may be executed in the near future in Iran. Farzad Kamangar, who is from Kurdistan province in Iran, is accused of being affiliated with the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK).
On February 25, the Tehran Revolutionary Court sentenced Kamangar to death on charges of “endangering national security” and “enmity against God”. Human rights watchdog Amnesty International reported that in 2007 Iran made more use of the death penalty than any other country apart from China, executing 317 people during the year.
A campaign on Facebook has been launched to inform people about this teacher's dangerous situation and invite them to send a message to Mahmoud Ahmadinejad to stop Kamangar's execution. According to his lawyer, Khalil Bahramian, there is no evidence to justify the judgment that Kamangar has “endangered national security”. His lawyer, who was not permitted to defend him, says Farzad’s trial was not in accordance with article 168 of the Iranian Constitution: “Political and press offences will be tried openly and in the presence of a jury, in courts of justice.” In this case, only one judge reviewed the case within five minutes and the defendant was not allowed to speak. This campaign also condemns the use of torture against Kamangar.
The Facebook campaign page also provides more information about whole story:
A support committee composed of members of the Teacher Trade Association, former colleagues of Kamangar and human rights attorneys, including Nobel Prize winner Shirin Ebadi, was established on July 21, 2008 to defend the civil rights of Farzad Kamangar and to undertake legal actions to have his death sentence commuted… In addition, Iranian trade union colleagues and human rights activists who show solidarity with Farzad are being subjected to pervasive intimidation by the Iranian authorities.
So far 485 people have joined this campaign.
View from Iran who is based in Europe says:
I don't normally call for political action on this blog, but we just heard that there is a strong possibility that a Kurdish teacher and activist may be executed tonight
She shares the instructions on how to act from the site of the International Campaign for Human Rights.
A letter from prison
Farzad Kamangar describes his prison days in a letter where he explains that he was tortured. The letter was published on a website called Freedom for Kamangar and was translated to English on Canadian Coalition for Democracies Public Message Forum.
The letter says:
In July of 2006 I came to Tehran to follow up on my brother's medical treatments. My brother is a Kurdish political activist. Upon my arrival in Tehran I was arrested and taken to an unknown place, it was a very small, dark basement. The cells in this place were empty, there were no blankets or rugs or sheets.
They took me to a room and as they were interviewing me they asked me about my ethnicity. When I told them that I was of the Kurdish Ethnicity they lashed my entire body. They also lashed me because of the Kurdish music which I had saved on my mobile phone. They would tie my hands, make me sit on a chair and put pressure on the sensitive areas of my body. They would also strip me naked and threaten me with rape by various objects such as wood.
My left leg was injured badly during this time. Also due to the beatings I received on my head as well as electric shock I would lose consciousness. I have lost control of my body and shake uncontrollably for no reason. They would chain my feet together and give me electric shocks on sensitive parts of my body which was extremely painful. Later on I was transferred to Section 209 of the Evin Prison. From the moment I entered the Evin Prison they blindfolded me and took me to a small room where they beat me by punching and kicking me.
Iran has a sad record of torture and was condemned several times by international human rights organizations.


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Japan, S. Korea, China: the Second International Congress of Asian Hemp Industry · Global Voices
Scilla Alecci

Blogger Takashi reports [jp] on the Second International Congress of Asian Hemp Industry (第２回アジア大麻産業国際会議) held in Donghae (Korea) at the Hangzhong University from the 20th to the 23rd of November, 7 years after the first congress took place. Participants from Japan, China and South Korea [jp] debated the hemp industry in their respective countries and the necessity for new regulation, stressing the importance of creating an Asian “hemp road” which places emphasis on the use of the plant as a textile and a medicine, as well as on its traditional values. [VIa i-morley]

author: Scilla Alecci


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Jordan: Amman’s November Fuel Crisis · Global Voices
Mohammad Azraq

When Jordan's government proposed adjusting fuel prices according to the rise and fall in the international markets on a weekly basis, gas station owners protested and for a period of about 10 days refused to buy fuel from the main refinery demanding that prices are to be adjusted on a monthly basis. That, in turn, resulted in a severe shortage in fuel from many gas stations in Amman. Bloggers picked up the issue, and here is what some of them had to say…
In a post entitled ‘Falling Short: Amman’s November Gas Crisis!‘ on 7iber.com, Naseem Tarawneh writes:
What is perhaps interesting, at least from my point of view, is that this sudden crisis comes nearly a year after the government decided to lift fuel subsidies. The result has been a painstaking year for the average Jordanian as globally, a barrel of oil reached over $120 driving up local prices to unbearable amounts. The digits on the pumps have only very recently sunk to less than half that figure, in line with the impact of the global financial crisis. However, since the controversial lifting of fuel subsidies in Jordan, some might argue that station owners enjoyed a relatively decent killing in the market for a fairly long time. It is only now that stations are forced to sell consumers at the government-set rate, meaning a relative loss for them, that the industry’s muscles are being flexed. One important question remains: will we see a return of a limited subsidy granted by the government to station owners in order to get them back running, or will we simply see bankruptcies in the industry flowing like tumbling dominoes? Will stations be fined or is another compromise in the works?
Jad Madi said:
Two hundred and sixty gas station owner were able to impose their wishes on the government while the last found itself compelled to switch back to the monthly pricing system although they were about to install the weekly pricing system in favor of the six million citizen or we prefer to think like that.
For better coverage maybe you want to check Alghad or Jordantimes but my question is, do we have a government that is strong enough to protect the 6 million citizen from the greedy-businessmen starting from gas station business ending with shawerma?
And Jordanian popular cartoonist Emad Hajjaj brought up the issue in a humorous cartoon:

author: Mohammad Azraq


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Latvia: The Crisis and Freedom of Speech · Global Voices
Veronica Khokhlova

Free Speech Emergency in Latvia wrote on Nov. 22: “A university lecturer was arrested for two days for making comments at a public discussion of the economy, while a musician was questioned for joking about taking money out of a bank during a concert.” More coverage of the situation – at All About Latvia. (From a Nov. 24 post: “It is as if the government has taken a page straight of the Kremlin rulebook.”)


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Mexico: High Service Fees for Radiohead Tickets · Global Voices
Eduardo Avila

In Mexico, there are complaints regarding the high Ticketmaster service fees tacked on to the price of Radiohead tickets for the concerts to be held in Mexico City in March 2009 writes El Nahual of México Para Los Mexicanos [es].


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Mozambique: Different views of condom use in Africa · Global Voices
Paula Góes

Somewhere on a dusty soccer pitch in Mozambique, a group of boys are playing a game of soccer. Suddenly a man runs onto the field shouting. He stops the game and accuses the boys of stealing his condoms. There are different ways to use condoms. In Mozambique, young boys are great consumers of them…
In a country which struggles to combat AIDS, twenty million condoms are distributed every year. Considering that at least 4 million Mozambican men are sexually active from a population of 17.4 million inhabitants, this makes a personal allowance of five condoms for the whole year. Directed by Mozambican filmmaker Orlando Mesquita, The Ball was one of the films showcased on PangeaDay and presents a lighthearted – and surprising – view of condom use in Mozambique: thousands of them are ingeniously turned into footballs, only one of the examples of how children use condoms for fun.
The Ball is part of the Steps for the Future video collection, a collaboration between international and Southern African filmmakers with three main aims:
“To produce a collection of 40 documentaries and short films that examine the lives of people living in Southern Africa whose lives have been affected by the HIV/AIDS pandemic.
To provide invaluable training to Southern African filmmakers with the support of some of the best filmmakers drawn from around the world.
To distribute the films to regional AIDS organisations for use in AIDS education and training.”
It is estimated that 16% of the population, around 1.5 million Mozambicans, are HIV positive. According to the UNAIDS website, the estimates for HIV and AIDS are:
Number of people living with HIV: 1 500 000 [1 300 000 – 1 700 000]
Adults aged 15 to 49 prevalence rate: 12.5% [10.9% – 14.7%]
Adults aged 15 and up living with HIV: 1 400 000 [1 200 000 – 1 600 000]
Women aged 15 and up living with HIV: 810 000 [690 000 – 960 000]
Children aged 0 to 14 living with HIV: 100 000 [87 000 – 120 000]
Deaths due to AIDS: 81 000 [67 000 – 98 000]
Orphans due to AIDS aged 0 to 17: 400 000 [280 000 – 590 000]
The most at risk group are young women aged between 15 and 24. A shipment of 700 million female condoms, acquired under the government's partnership with UNAIDS, is due to arrive in Mozambique and will be distributed free of charge throughout the country. Vasikate va Moçambique [pt] welcomes the method and pleads with other woman to resort to it:
Mas, sendo que não há bela sem senão: ele pode fazer um pouco mais de barulho durante a relação sexual. A colocação não é tão simples quanto a versão masculina, exigindo um pouco mais de concentração na colocação. Depois de colocada, uma pequena parte fica visível fora da vagina, criando uma aparência um pouco esquisita para quem não está acostumado tal como o preservativo masculino que também já deve ter causado quando começou a ser utilizado! Mulheres, joguem com os vossos trunfos! Se na hora da negociação não conseguirem se impor, usem a única alternativa para a mulher se proteger quando um parceiro não quer usar preservativo masculino: o preservativo feminino pois o poder de decisão na hora do sexo, que é uma escolha de vida, ainda está em nossas mãos.
The female condom. © Asian Community AIDS Services. The question may be: do they make good footballs too?

author: Paula Góes


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Pakistan: Blame Game On Mumbai Terror – The Blogosphere Speaks · Global Voices
Muhammad Farhan

Recent terror attacks in Mumbai have seriously disturbed and complicated the on-going peace dialogues between India and Pakistan. Where Indian officials are not hesitating to point fingers to Pakistan, the Pakistani officials have been denying Pakistan's involvement in the attacks. Pakistan authorities have further requested not to play the blame game and have offered their full support in the investigation. While all these are happening the Pakistani Blogosphere has a lot of important things to say:
Dr. Awab Alvi at Teeth Maestro says:
What has also sadly transpired within the following day is that the ‘official’ blame game circus is in full swing, contrary to my initial message where I expressed my relief that Pakistan was not being blamed since Deccan Mujahideen were taking the blame, but much to my dismay the good news [?] was short lived and very soon the Indian government was livid at the Pakistani intelligence agencies for having masterminded this attack, in all honesty it might even had been the ISI [ironically we cant trust them either] but whosoever created the mess, Indian or Pakistanis it must be condemned at all costs.
M Junaid Khan at Pro-Pakistan publishes a newsletter that was being distributed publicly:
Even when the shootings were going on in hotels, Indian media and army were blaming ‘Pakistan’ for the attacks. The game is clear and sinister. The Indian Intelligence have diverted the global attention towards another issue where they would blame Pakistan for this slaughter and use Barack Obama’s doctrine of attacks on Pakistan to encircle Pakistan from both sides. It is such a shame that Pakistani media is not highlighting this issue and is only repeating what Indians want the world to see and believe.
tperacha at Lahore Metblogs writes his reservations:
Times of India is already reporting that Pakistani militants have been captured and that this whole incident could not have happened without support from across the border. Now I am sure that similar to 2001 Indian Parliament Attack, NADRA issued ID cards will be found in possession of all these terrorists and then it requires not much wit to figure it out! The western media are also jumping on the bandwagon and trying their best to portray this as another al-qaeda attack.
Maybe we should also borrow a page from our neighbor’s book and God forbid, next time when we have a terrorist attack in Pakistan, simply blame it on RAW and get on with our lives. In fact a lot of analysts believe that foreign elements have played part in the recent attacks in Pakistan, but unlike the Indian government, our government doesn’t have the balls to blame any external element.
Adil Najam at Pakistaniat shows his solidarity with Indians in these words:
I, too, am a Mumbaikar today.
I wish I could reach out and for just one moment hold the hands of the woman in this AP photograph. Maybe shed some tears on her shoulder. But I do not know what I would say to her. I do not think she would want me to say much. The expression on her face matches the feeling I have at the pit of my stomach and in the depth of my heart. I think – I hope – that she would understand how I feel. I can only imagine what she is going through.
Rana at The Pakistani Spectator tries to unfold the facts in his opinion:
1. They came on speed boats from Pakistan. WOW :). Indian coastguards intercept fisherman that cross the maritime borders into Indian waters everyday. Thousands rot in Indian jails and here we have guys with sophisticated weapons entering India and their coast gaurds were fast asleep…….hmmmm fishy.
2. Mumbai police intercepted calls made to/from Pakistan….what idiot would do that?? maybe the Mumbai police. Hey there is my number…come get me.
3. They had the “footprints” of the ISI…..did the ISI leave behind its footprints….hmmm
Jokes apart…so who were behind the attacks?
Where all these rumors were flying around, the Indian mainstream media has nonetheless been irresponsible with the blame game. At my blog Guppu.com I have posted a video of a sensationalist reporting by the Indian media speculating about accents of the terrorists.
On a request of the Prime Minister of India a representative of ISI is to visit India for sharing of intelligence. The Prime Minister of Pakistan has promised his country's full support in the investigation. But still fingers are being pointed out towards Pakistan and the blame game continues. A portion of Pakistani media is playing along with the game inciting rumors.

author: Muhammad Farhan