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Africa: SABMiller, Schtop Tax Dodging · Global Voices
Ndesanjo Macha

ActionAid published a report on Monday exposing how international corporations dodge millions in taxes all over Africa. The report found that SABMiller has avoided paying an estimated £20m worth of tax. The money that African countries lose each year in taxes could put an extra 250,000 children in school.
ActionAid has built a campaign around the report, ‘Schtop’, to force SABMiller to be more accountable and transparent. The campaign calls for SABMiller to stop using tax havens, implement a tax code of conduct to explain how its sustainable development principles apply to its tax affairs and be more transparent. African countries mentioned in the report are Ghana, Zambia, Mozambique,Tanzania, South Africa.
SABMiller has refuted the allegations. Martin Hearson, Tax Campaign Policy Advisor at ActionAid, responds to SABMiller's statement saying, “SABMiller’s media team slammed our reporton their tax dodging in Africa on Friday – before they had even seen it.” He continues:
What they've said in their news item and blog post reads more like a kneejerk denial than a thoughtful response to some serious allegations and constructive recommendations. The company says that it “does not engage in aggressive tax planning in any part of its operations.”
ActionAid’s research is based on documentary evidence, some of which came from official sources and some of which was supplied by the company itself. We have also given the company a chance to correct our analysis. While SABMiller is vaguely implying that we made “flawed and inaccurate assumptions”, they seem unable to point to any of them specifically.
They have also also employed a classic trick – they point to their US$7,000 million ‘total tax contribution’ estimate, but this is inflated – less than a tenth of this amount represents taxes incurred by the company itself.
Keith says that what SABMiller does is immoral:
Another tax avoider is SABMiller. Who, is a reasonable response? SABMiller is the owner of Grolsch (the beer in the fancy bottles) and as Action Aid has exposed, they do not pay their taxes in Africa.
How little tax? its Ghanaian brewery manages to pay less tax per year than a local firm selling its beer at a food stall! SABMiller controls more than 30% of Ghana’s beer market, yet its operating profit there is a mere 0.69% of its income. Why? Because it ensures its ‘profits’ are recorded in low tax havens. As a result of this practice, the company paid no tax to Ghana for three of the last four years – a significant loss to a country where corporate income tax accounts for £1 of every £7 in the public purse.
SABMiller would argue that what they do is not illegal, though the jury is out on that one.Whether legal or not is beside the point, it is immoral.
Ellie Mae O’Hagan uses Ghana as an example to show how SABMIller avoids paying tax:
Like Vodafone, SABMiller employs bafflingly complex financial systems, from the use of tax havens to the shifting of money between its subsidiaries, all of which are remarkably efficient at preventing it from paying its fair share of tax to the countries in which it trades. And despite the company’s insistence that it does ‘not engage in aggressive tax planning,’ its Ghanaian brewery manages to pay less tax per year than a local firm selling its beer at a food stall.
To better understand SABMiller’s tax avoidance, let’s use Ghana to put its shenanigans in some sort of context. SABMiller controls more than 30% of Ghana’s beer market, yet its operating profit there is a mere 0.69% of its income. Why? According SABMiller, it is because revenue is hampered by ‘the intensely competitive nature of the local market, escalating input costs and a recent increase in excise tax.’
SABMIller Schtop tax dogding! Photo courtesy of ActionAid
Below are reaction from Zambian netizens following SABMiller/Zambian Breweries’ response to ActionAid’s report. Sharp Shooter says:
Mr. Chibamba [Chibamba Kanyama – Corporate Affairs Director (Zambian Breweries Plc)] with all due respect,the figures are to general.Such figures were suppose to be given by Corporate Affairs Director of SABMiller(the parent company of ZB).Now you as ZB corporate Affairs Director,you were suppose to avail how much ZB remits to the govt of Zambia.You cant be talking about other countries as if you are always on the ground witnessing the taxation process in different countries where SABMiller operates including Colombia.Just clear ZB of these allegations and how much is paid.
Mandingo says:
He most likely copied and pasted the article then put his name at bottom.
Abena Jimmy says:
I quote ”SABMiller does not engage in aggressive tax planning in any part of its operations…” Well tax planning is legal, so if SABMiller is not engaged in aggressive tax planning which is legal then what ???. Additionally, it is well know that world wide most companies that seem to work hand in hand with Tax authorities are the major tax evaders. Thats why i like the Italian tax system…never trust a company’s reported profit figure to base your tax on.
Follow Tax Justice Campaign tweets using #schtop and #SABMiller. Below are some of latest tweets on the subject:
Kateshay posts a link to a campaign video:
Quite hilarious video of us (@actionaidliz) outside #SABMiller demanding they #schtop tax dodging in bottle suits http://bit.ly/famNAs
There are lots of ways to get involved:
@jackstone36 there's lots more ways to get involved to make #SABMiller pay their taxes. Check out #ActionAid fb http://on.fb.me/ggDtmn
MyFairLady89 urges her followers to take action:
Take action and message #SABMiller http://forms.actionaid.org.uk/ea-campaign
ere's a full audio-visual account of our stunt at SABMiller yesterday.
You can read the full report here and take action by signing the letter to SABMiller chief executive to pay their taxes. You can find ActionAid on Twitter and Facebook. Here is ActionAid Tax Justice Campaign blog.
Finally, enjoy this video posted by Sarah Palmer of ActionAid stunt at SABMiller:
Here's a full audio-visual account of our stunt at SABMiller yesterday.  Prepare your ears, painful singing and dodgy dutch accents coming up.


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Africa: What is your African theme song?  · Global Voices
Ndesanjo Macha

What is your African theme song?: “While I love all types of music from classic soul hits to Latin jazz, at my core I’m an African hip hop baby. This ranges from songs I heard my parents play to some more modern classics making waves today. It was diifucult narrowing my favourite theme songs to 5 in total. If you’re in need of a theme song, feel free to borrow one of these hits by musicians who know a thing or two about music.”

source: news-globalvoices

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

author: Ndesanjo Macha


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Azerbaijan: First Lady responds to Cablegate criticism? · Global Voices
Onnik Krikorian

As Azerbaijan braces itself for yet more revelations from classified U.S. Embassy cables released this week by Wikileaks, some interesting developments are occurring on Twitter. In particular, after some less than favorable descriptions of Ilham Aliyev, president of the oil-rich former Soviet republic, as well as his wife, by U.S. diplomats, an account presenting itself as that of the country's First Lady appeared less than a day later.
Mehriban Aliyeva is using twitter.
Although unverified as to its authenticity at time of writing, the Twitter account of Mehriban Aliyeva has a similar style to that of the official presidential Twitter account, and has also referred to hopes that one of Aliyev's daughters will continue the work of the First Lady in the Islamic Education, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ISESCO).
We think it is time to go out of ISESCO. Arzu will continue my work there.
Naturally, and especially since one U.S. cable compared the presidential dynasty to the fictional Corleone family of Godfather film fame, tweets from the account do not take too kindly to Cablegate.
I cant believe they compare Ilham Aliyev with Mafia. They should look through the statistics how Azerbaijan developed during his presidency.
@TuralAhmedzadeh responded.
Of course they compare Ilham to the mafia. The mafia makes a lot of money as well. Development doesn't clear his name.
Another user, @Azer_Cafarov was particularly critical.
the statistics how developed Azerbaijan absolutely rubbish: there's just rise of oil output and prices.
there are not significant developments going on, just each year thousands more citizens leaving country: NO JOBS!
@leylanajafli was also unimpressed.
i wish @firstladyaze would cut the BS already. it's been less than 24 hours and i'm already in need of a sick bucket.
Nevertheless, undaunted, tweets from the account continued.
Bizim məqsədimiz Azərbaycanı demokratik,hüquqi və sekulyar dövlət kimi inkişaf etdirmək idi. Məncə, biz buna nail olduq.
In response, @SahileAslanova didn't appear too convinced.
Bu yazdiqlariniza özünüz inanirsiniz hec olmasa?:)))
An implied accusation that Wikileaks might be purposely targeting Azerbaijan was also made.
Those who want to make strife in Azerbaijan will never succeed as our nation believe in their powerful leader.
@TuralAhmedzadeh again responded.
who belongs to our nation? Does that include Isa Gambar and the opposition? The only strife is caused by the Aliyev mafia.
In all cases, however, there were no responses to comments sent to the Twitter account. At the same time, some even noted that it only followed the official accounts of the Azerbaijani president.
mihriban abla azarbeycan first leydisi ya: twittırda tek bir kişiyi takip ediyor: ilham aliyev. bağlılık, sadakat.. beheeeyy
Nevertheless, that wasn't true at the beginning when, in addition to the two presidential accounts, @firstladyaze also followed two others — Safura Alizade, Azerbaijan's entry into the Eurovision Song Contest last year, and somewhat surprisingly, my own personal account.
Meanwhile, while it should be again noted that the account has yet to be verified, some on Facebook nevertheless wondered if governments in the region might become more accountable and start to reach out to people.
Time will tell, but as for myself and Safura Alizade, we were both unfollowed soon after.

author: Onnik Krikorian


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Azerbaijan: First Lady responds to mafia claims… on Twitter · Global Voices
Onnik Krikorian

With the latest revelations from Wikileaks including an alleged confidential cable from the U.S. Embassy in Baku, Azerbaijan, comparing the president to a mafia boss, and his dynasty to the fictional Corleones of Godfather film fame, a Twitter account, apparently that of his wife, responds. The Twitter account materialized a day after revelations about Azerbaijan's First Lady herself, although has yet to be verified as genuine.


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Azerbaijan: Remembering the #EminAdnan campaign · Global Voices
Onnik Krikorian

With materials now released from Wikileaks showing behind the scenes pressure on the authorities in Azerbaijan to free imprisoned video blogging youth activists Adnan Hajizade and Emin Milli, Fatalin's Blog looks back at the international campaign which ultimately led to their release. The case is particularly significant given other documents released through Cablegate allegedly highlighting official Baku's over-reaction in imprisoning them in the first place.


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Bahrain: The Rise of Social Media  · Global Voices
Amira Al Hussaini

Bahraini Yacoob blogs about the trial of 25 Bahrainis, included two bloggers, accused of instigating violence against the state and spreading false information. He discusses the role of citizen journalists, following a gag order on the coverage of the trial.

author: Amira Al Hussaini


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Brazil: group linked to police ordered to defend agrarian reform · Global Voices
Raphael Tsavkko Garcia

Vi O Mundo [pt] reports that an  association linked to the police in the Brazilian state of Pernambuco has been ordered by prosecutors to reproduce 21 billboards with messages in defence of human rights and  agrarian reform, following its involvement with distributing propaganda condemning the Movimento dos Trabalhadores Sem Terra (Landless Workers’ Movement, MST) in 2006.

author: Raphael Tsavkko Garcia


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China: The Shenzhen Bay Fringe Festival · Global Voices
Oiwan Lam

Maryannodonnell from Shenzhen Noted has translated an article, In the name of Shenzhen Bay, about the upcoming Shenzhen bay Fringe Festival.

author: Oiwan Lam


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Colombia: HiperBarrio Receives Community Journalism Award · Global Voices
Silvia Viñas

Rising Voices project HiperBarrio [es] obtained the First Community Journalism Award of the Municipality of Medellín- University of Antioquia (in Spanish, Primer Premio de Periodismo Comunitario Municipio de Medellín – Universidad de Antioquia [es]).

author: Silvia Viñas


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Cuba: The Great Movie Escape  · Global Voices
Janine Mendes-Franco

“The common people, who go without milk in their coffee every day, count the coins in their pockets; during the ten days of the Festival they can put aside the burdens and sink quietly into that dark magic is the big screen”: Iván's File Cabinet blogs about the Havana Film Festival, which starts today.

author: Janine Mendes-Franco


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Cuba: UN Vote Not In Our Name  · Global Voices
Janine Mendes-Franco

Generation Y “still can't believe that the Cuban delegation at the United Nations added its vote to a group of countries that include homosexuality as a crime under the law”, adding: “It goes without saying that no one consulted Cubans before ratifying — in our name — a resolution that gives carte blanche to the death penalty for reasons of the victims’ sexual orientation.”


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Egypt: Journalist Youssef Shaaban Arrested, then Released  · Global Voices
Amira Al Hussaini

Zeinobia writes about the ordeal of journalist Youssef Shaaban, who was arrested during a protest in Alexandria, and allegedly framed with possession of narcotics. Marwa Rakha also writes about Shaaban's case here. (WARNING: GRAPHIC PHOTOGRAPHS IN THIS POST)


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El Salvador: International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women  · Global Voices
Silvia Viñas

Voices from El Salvador writes about the local coverage of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women on November 25: “Given these troubling statistics, the situation women face in El Salvador is as unacceptable as it is worrisome, and merits serious attention by the Funes administration.”


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Fiji Water agrees to new tax and re-opens plant in Fiji · Global Voices
Michael Hartsell

Fiji Water may not leave Fiji after all.
Less than 24 hours after closing its bottling plant because of a new government tax it called “discriminatory,” Fiji Water decided to reopen for business in Western Viti Levu. In perhaps a conciliatory gesture, representatives of the US-based premium water company also met with Fiji’s Attorney General Aiyaz Sayed Khaiyum and leader Frank Bainimarama, who came to power in a 2006 coup.
The decision was hailed by Bainimarama, not least because Fiji Water’s 400 employees will keep their jobs but the additional tax revenue could add another $11.7 million US to government coffers. Fiji Water said it would comply with the country’s Water Resources Tax that charges $15 cents (8 US cents) per liter if it extracts more than 3.5 million liters per month. The company presently pays .18 US cents per liter of water it extracts. Fiji Water complained the tax was unfair because it set the 3.5 million liter threshold because no other bottler on the islands extracts that much. The bottlers falling under the threshold will continue to pay .11 cents (.06 US cents) per liter.
About face? This reversal caps a very public fight between the country’s largest exporter and Fiji’s government, which began November 18 when the government deported Fiji Water's local representative for allegedly interfering in the country’s internal affairs. One week later, the government announced the new tax on water bottlers during its 2011 budget statement. A few days later, the company said it was shutting the doors to its bottling plant, canceling all contracts and halting several development projects.
Display of the Fiji brand of water, photographed at a Manhattan deli, by Verne Equinox at Wikimedia Commons
Bainimarama then hit back with stinging criticism claiming the company makes millions in the US and other countries, but pays less than $530,000 US in corporate taxes per year. He also claimed Fiji Water under-prices its exports from Fiji by selling the water to a sister-company based in the US.
The company did not respond, but has long stated it is a good corporate neighbor, contributing $70 US million in export revenue to Fiji and provides the country with millions of dollars in development and education projects, along with supporting an estimated 4,000 people.
On to leases
Now Fiji Water’s tax status has been cleared up, Bainimarama said the government will begin reviewing lease payments of multinational companies making large profits using Fiji land. He used Fiji Water as an example, claiming the company pays $11,000 (about $5,500 US) to lease the land for its bottling plant, up from $5,000 in 1995. The country is home to a number of international resorts, all of whom make deals with local landowners for renting the land their buildings sit on. In most cases, non-indigenous Fijians cannot own land, unless in designated areas, which make up less than 10 percent of the country’s territory.
This revenue will come in handy in an economy the International Monetary Fund recently said contracted three percent in 2009 and will move up to zero-percent growth this year with one-percent growth estimated for 2011. On top of that, Fiji must repay $300 US loan to the IMF in September 2011.
Square-bottle blues
In the blogs, there was not much sympathy for the US-based bottled water company.
Anonymous posted a comment in Coup 4.5
Of course Fiji Water would reopen, they are raking in millions. It really is money for nothing for them. These people are billionaires…They WILL NOT close their money making machin. John Cochran talks about caring for the people of Fiji and it's economy..all they are caring about is filling their own pockets.
So is Frank..hopefully the 15% tax will go towards the econmy and its people as opposed to lining Frank and his cronies pockets.
Duna, commenting in Fiji Today, wrote:
Understating value minimises tax liability here and import taxes elsewhere.
Fiji Water benefits.
A carton of Fiji Water is invoiced at 25 to 40 dollars US.
The windfall profits are made there while Fiji gets peanuts.
Fiji does not have clearly defined laws on transfer pricing hence the “resource” tax.
I see this being remedied shortly.
Water under the bridge? Forget it, commented in Fiji: The Way It Was, Is and Can Be:
What the hell is going on with Fiji Water? One can only conclude that the backlash it's faced in the past 24 hours has forced it into this humiliating backdown.
US sites like Mother [Jones] have seen a wave of damaging comments from American consumers about Fiji Water's efforts to avoid tax by basing its operations in European tax havens and the Cayman Islands. Does this have anything to do with this extraordinary about face?…
Fiji Water needs to apologise to them and the nation in the traditional Fijian manner for their appalling breach of etiquette. I want to see them grovel or leave the country for good after this disgusting episode. It will certainly take them a long time to rebuild the trust of ordinary people, let alone an angry regime.
Fiji Water might be a good product but its owners are utter bastards for taking a whole nation to the brink to avoid having to pay us for a fair share of a national resource. Shame, shame, shame.
Kiwi Water?
Talk in Fiji has shifted to ways Fiji Water could get around paying the taxes. One rumor is Stewart and Lynda Resnick, the millionaire American couple who own Fiji Water, purchased in 2008 Spring Fresh brand of bottled water, based outside of Christchurch, New Zealand.
The purchase of the company in 2008, months after the Fiji’s government first proposed a levy on water bottlers, has not gone unnoticed by some bloggers and forum posters.
real jack, postulating in Fiji Board Exiles:
what we achieved is a phyrric victory…
to pay that tax they need to produce 3.5 million litres per month.
so what this effectively means is that to AVOID paying that tax – which they have clearly stated they cannot afford, they will NOT produce 3.5 million litres per month
what that means is that out water production COMES DOWN and our water exports COMES DOWN.
these guys exported $130 million worth of water last year – they do close to 60 million litres of water which is about 5 million litres a month.
which means that they will have to come down to 40 million litres of water a year to get under that 3.5 million litres per month.
thats a drop of 20 million litres. possibly more.
that 20 million litres will have to come from somewhere – because they will need to meet their distribution agreements – and that somewhere is their acquifer in New Zealand.
what this means put very simply is (a) we have a drop in our water exports – meaning less money coming to Fiji; and (b) the Govt doesn't get its hands on that 22 million in taxes it was planning to get out of that tax.
there is no win win.
Fiji Water wins.

author: Michael Hartsell


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Ghana: Waiting for fried, ripe plantain with ginger in Accra · Global Voices
Ndesanjo Macha

Emmanuel introduces his readers to Kelewele: “In this specific case, kelewele (pronounced kay-lay-way-lay), which is, in essence, fried, ripe plantain (generally sweet), with ginger. You can occasionally take it with peanuts as a meal. Sometimes, people take it as dessert!”


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Haiti: Cablegate  · Global Voices
Janine Mendes-Franco

Mediahacker republishes key excerpts from Cablegate as it pertains to Haiti.


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Haiti: Election Karma  · Global Voices
Janine Mendes-Franco

HaitiAnalysis.com and klauvice's posterous comment on the recently concluded Haitian elections.


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Israel: Ready for War?  · Global Voices
Amira Al Hussaini

“Is anyone really ever ready for war?” asks Israeli A Soldier's Mother in this post.


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Lusophone countries: anti-capitalist portal, ten months on · Global Voices
Raphael Tsavkko Garcia

Diário Liberdade (Daily Freedom, pt/gz), an anti-capitalist portal serving left-wing activist groups in the Spanish autonomous community of Galicia and Portuguese-speaking countries, analyses its first ten months online.


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Maldives: Somali Pirates And Drug Smuggling · Global Voices
Rezwan

Hassan Ziayu is worried about the presence of Somali pirate ships in the waters of Maldives and comments:  “Maldives is not capable of protecting its waters and its waters are open for people who are looking for mischief”.

author: Rezwan


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MENA: The Social Media Scene in the Middle East  · Global Voices
Amira Al Hussaini

The Huffington Post‘s Arianna Huffington shares her views on the social media scene in the Middle East here.


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Mexico: Felipe Calderón’s Hits and Misses in Four Years in Office · Global Voices
Silvia Viñas

Perla Cristal Gomez in Vivir México [es] looks at President Felipe Calderón's hits and misses during his four years in office. She ends her post asking her readers what they expect from Calderón during the rest of his term.


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Nigeria/Cuba: Historical connection between Calabar & Cuba  · Global Voices
Ndesanjo Macha

Dr. Ivor Miller, an American and a Fullbright Scholar, connects the dot between the people of Calabar (Nigeria) and Cuba. It is a fascinating discovery and Dr. Miller’s knowledge and full immersion into the Calabar culture is intriguing.


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Pakistan: More Trouble In The Pakistan Flood Camps · Global Voices
Rezwan

Zubaida Noor of Peshawar, Pakistan reports from the Pakistan flood camps that severe cold is aggravating the plights of the flood victims.


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Pakistan: Role Of Technology In Mobilizing People · Global Voices
Rezwan

Jehan Ara at In The Line Of Wire interviews Pakistani entrepreneur and blogger Sabeen Mahmud, who discusses the role of technology in mobilizing people.


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Pakistan: Zardari’s Sister As President · Global Voices
Rezwan

“According to the recent WikiLeaks data, Pakistan’s President Asif Ali Zardari want his sister to succeed him,” informs Chowrangi.


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Qatar: Jeers, Cheers as Country is Awarded 2022 World Cup · Global Voices
Shabina Khatri

Qatar's World Cup delegation reacts to FIFA's announcement on Thursday (BBC screen grab)
Euphoria, disbelief, jeers and cheers filled the Internet following FIFA's announcement that Qatar will host the 2022 World Cup.
In Qatar, a tiny, oil-rich desert country that beat out bids from the United States, South Korea, Japan and Australia in hosting the football world cup, the mood was jubilant among expats and nationals alike.
On Twitter, Qataria78 said:
I had tears in my eyes when they announced the 2022 will be held in Qatar , thats how proud I am to be a Qataria
osamaalassiry said:
It will take some time to sink in : The FIFA world cup in 2022 is #Qatar2022
@rachelannmorris said:
To all those (mainly in dubai) who told me I was nuts moving to #doha all those years ago…don't make me say “I told you so”
And on the popular social networking forum Qatar Living, congratulations poured in.
Commenter jack9999 said:
I'm on Annual Leave in India, but still could not stop myself from following the events second by second. Congratulations to one and all. I am throwing out a party to my friends over here.
memphis7  added:
The world's eyes will be on Qatar…this is the time to show how professional, well mannered, and disciplined all the while expressing the love for the sport of football, the citizens of qatar are.
Let this be somehow a bridge towards better understanding of the middle east, arab nations to the world and vice versa.
Congratulations…proud to be here on this historic announcement.
Fans celebrate following FIFA's announcement (Photo courtesy of Kyle McDonald)
Though most expats don't plan on living in Qatar during the 2022 World Cup, many reveled in the good news.
On Qatar Living, Ice Maiden said:
In 12 years, most of us won't even be here , but let's soak in the present moment
On Qatari Adventures, expat blogger Sybil Knox explained her elation:
I don't know why I'm so passionate about the cause, as surely I won't live there in 2022. Maybe it's just my compassion for the underdog that drives me to cheer for my “other” hometown, or maybe it's that I know that Qatar can deliver what it promises… I, for one, do Expect Amazing.
But not everyone had good things to say about FIFA's announcement.
At Hack the Bone, a former expat congratulates Qatar, and then it gives it a stern talking to.
Right now, there is no way Qatar could host the World Cup. The infrastructure simply isn’t there…
Luckily for FIFA, Doha is developing at an alarming rate, thanks to the thousands and thousands of Sri Lankans and Nepalese who are building the country from the ground up…
I can’t help but wonder where they’ll hide these modern slaves when the international press rolls into town.
Even Qataris have mixed feelings about hosting the World Cup. On Mimiz Blog, Mimi provides a breakdown of the arguments.
When I asked why do you support 2022? people said that it will change Qatar forever, bring more investments and develop the economy. It will put Qatar on the map side by side with greatest countries in the world. It will also force a change in Qataris’ traditional mindset towards more openness which is necessary for development.
Those who disagreed on the other hand argued that the 22 billion budget will be spent on foreigners while it could be better spent on local development and help improve the condition of poor Qataris. 2022 could infringe citizen’s rights rather than improve life quality. It has no benefits whatsoever for Qataris and will only lead to more loss of identity.
Many on the Tweetosphere expressed disbelief that Qatar beat out the US for the bid, painting the victory as David vs. Goliathesque.
@leiandroid said:
It makes me smile knowing that a country people can't even locate won against… well, the US. Maybe it'll motivate people to grab an atlas
And @elizabethw723 said:
The question on everyone's mind today: Why did America lose to that tiny, oil-rich Gulf country? http://ow.ly/3j4eE
Speaking of Twitter, Qatar's Twitterati finally got their wish for the nation to become a trending topic, but it was a bittersweet victory. Instead of #Qatar, #Quater and #Kattar made the list.
@toxic said:
Today, Qatar got #worldcup2018. In the U.S. “Quatar” is a trending topic. Apparently, our spelling skills are about as good as our soccer.
In Doha, Ammar Mohammed listed Qatar's achievements in hosting sporting activities:
Elsewhere in the Gulf, netizens are rejoicing.
Bahraini Yacoob Slaise tweeted:
I'm looking forward to taking my 12 yr old son to Qatar and watch the World Cup and tell him “Dream Big and Work Hard, this is what you get”
Hala Al-Jurayed, from Saudi Arabia, congratulated Qatar on its win:
In another tweet, she noted:
And from Khobar, Saudi Arabia, @3abdulaziz said:
In 2022 i'll be 47 he he he, maybe i'll be grumpy and won't like football then :-) #Qatar
On the effort made by Qatar's Ruling Family to secure the bid, Mishaal Al Gergawi, from the UAE, remarked:
One thing is clear: the Al Thanis are the Gulf's Medicis and Rockefellers in one.
Still in the UAE, Yasser Hareb suggested:
Today should be declared as #Qatar‘s new national day :)

author: Shabina Khatri


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Saudi Arabia: Is Saudi Jeans blocked in the UAE?  · Global Voices
Amira Al Hussaini

Saudi blogger Ahmed Al Omran, of Saudi Jeans, is concerned his blog might be blocked in the United Arab Emirates. Is it really blocked?


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Saudi Arabia: Top 10 Twitter Users  · Global Voices
Amira Al Hussaini

Saudi Jeans shares his list of the top 10 Twitter users in Saudi Arabia here.


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Singapore: Wikileaks and the “flabby old chap” comment · Global Voices
Mong Palatino

Apparently, Singapore’s former Prime Minister and currently Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew thinks North Korea leader Kim Jong-il is a “flabby old chap who prances around stadiums seeking adulation.” This was revealed when Wikileaks uploaded thousands of documents exposing classified communication between the US State Departments and its embassies around the world.
It seems Lee made the comment when he met US Deputy Secretary of State James Steinberg at the Istana (presidential palace) in Singapore on May 30, 2009. Lee commented on many issues but it was his opinion about North Korea and Kim Jong-il that captured global attention.
[The North Koreans] are psychopathic types, with a “flabby old chap” for a leader who prances around stadiums seeking adulation. MM Lee noted that he had learned from living through three and a half years of Japanese occupation in Singapore that people will obey authorities who can deny them food, clothing and medicine.”
“Kim Jong-Il has already had a stroke. It is just a matter of time before he has another stroke. The next leader may not have the gumption or the bile of his father or grandfather. He may not be prepared to see people die like flies.
What are the reactions of Singapore bloggers? Many were surprised that Lee, a seasoned diplomat, would use those unflattering words to describe another leader. Referring to Lee’s observation that denying people of basic services would strengthen a leader, Singapore Notes made this comment
Now we know why no food stamps will ever be distributed in Singapore, and healthcare will never be free
Words of the Cze thinks that some citizens of Singapore would find Kim Jong-Il and Lee to be similar in many ways
There are doubtless many who would jump to point out that his remark regarding the elder Kim’s propensity to “prance around stadiums seeking adulation” is ironic, insinuating that LKY is himself not much different. I beg to differ. LKY has shown consistently in word and deed that he wouldn’t take offence at being called a “flabby old chap”. Try calling him a “flabby old cronyist” however, and the next thing you hear might be the banging of the judge’s gavel.
The blogger adds that the leaked cable report confirms the influence of Lee on US policymakers and how his views are still valued by the Americans
The WikiLeaks cable report definitely confirms an anecdote pretty much the vast majority of Singaporeans subscribe to; that old LKY is still very much an active mind. His counsel, whether we value it or not, is valued by others. He is pretty much to the G8 and BRIC what Che Guevara must had been to South American revolutionaries, or Bismarck to to the rest of his contemporary Europe
Christopher Ong ponders if more cable reports of this kind are needed by Singapore
But do we need the leaking of more US cables concerning Singapore — information that may, in any angle considered, compromise the integrity of some vital operation — to drive home the fundamental truth upon which Wikileaks is established upon? The answer is no.
Singapore Kopi Tok also assesses the impact of Wikileaks
Were Assange's leaks irresponsible? The jury is still out on this but common sense is that there is a limit to what information should be confidential and what should not. Lawyer-client and doctor-patient information, insider trading as illegal, and a country's military and security information are all different common sense examples that information is not a free-for-all show and tell, and that consequences to such disclosures are expected.
Musings from the Lion City is not impressed with the documents exposed by Wikileaks
Today is supposed to be D-Day for the US State Department as whistleblower website WikiLeaks released hundred of thousands secret confidential cables. After reading some of the more high profile cases I can’t help but say, “That’s it? This is what they were worried about?”
Outside the embarrassment factor, I fail to see what’s so amazing about the cables released by WikiLeaks
Twitter reactions from Singapore
teddyrised: Why is Wikileaks being made the scapegoat for those cables? Julian Assange didn't put words into your mouth. You idiots said it yourselves.
senthilnath: RT @sivadayalan: Julian Assange could have won the Nobel prize if and only he publishes wikileaks of China, Russia (non US aligned countries) #wikileaks
lYuxiang: OH shooots, why am I reading wikileaks instead of doing my tutorials
abietabilly: RT @pravityo: RT @agungisme: everyone liked wikileaks till they found out their secrets are being revealed too LOL
tuckiesmalls: it blows my mind how some people can support wikileaks and the 2 idiots behind it

author: Mong Palatino


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Sri Lanka: WikiLeaks And The Lankanosphere · Global Voices
Rezwan

London, Lanka And Drums rounds up Sri Lankan bloggers’ reactions on the publishing of US embassy cables by WikiLeaks.


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Taiwan: Blogger initiate “It gets better” campaign in Taiwan · Global Voices
Portnoy Zheng

Wikipedian, blogger, and gay right activist mingwangx vows to initiate “it gets better” campaign in Taiwan in his new post[zht]. He was shocked and saddened by yesterday's news about “two Taiwanese 16 year-old college lesbians committed suicide because their families had been asking them to break up”, and he thinks that we “Must give teen gays and lesbians some strength”.

author: Portnoy Zheng


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Trinidad & Tobago: Justice for Akiel  · Global Voices
Janine Mendes-Franco

Plain Talk says that all these years later, the abuse and unsolved murder of a minor “is an indelible stain on our social conscience and will not be expunged without justice.”


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Bangladesh: Tax And Public Service · Global Voices
Rezwan

Ekram Kabir at Kotha-Chhilo narrates about the poor public service of Bangladesh and the amount of tax citizens have to pay.


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Barbados: What’s in Wikileaks? · Global Voices
Janine Mendes-Franco

“We have mixed feelings about Wikileaks but we have no control over what has been done, so we might as well make it a learning experience”: Barbados Free Press speculates over the content of the cables pertaining to their country.


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Brazil: Blogosphere reacts to WikiLeaks · Global Voices
Raphael Tsavkko Garcia

The leak of more than 250 000 documents  denouncing the practice of espionage by the U.S. government also  caused an uproar in Brazil, where dozens of documents ended up putting  the Defence Minister, Nelson Jobim, in a delicate situation. Natalia Viana, from Opera Mundi, details [pt] the number of  leaked documents about Brazil and says that there is still much more to come:
No caso brasileiro, os documentos são riquíssimos. São 2.855 no  total, sendo 1.947 da embaixada em Brasília, 12 do Consulado em Recife,  119 no Rio de Janeiro e 777 em São Paulo.
Nas próximas semanas, eles vão mostrar ao público brasileiro  histórias pouco conhecidas de negociações do governo por debaixo do  pano, informantes que costumam visitar a embaixada norte-americana,  propostas de acordo contra vizinhos, o trabalho de lobby na venda dos  caças para a Força Aérea Brasileira e de empresas de segurança e  petróleo.
In the Brazilian case, the documents are very rich. There are 2855 in total, with 1,947 from the embassy in Brasilia, 12 from the Consulate in Recife, 119 in Rio de Janeiro and 777 in Sao Paulo.
In the coming weeks, they will show to the Brazilian public little known stories of the government's under-the-table negotiations, informants who often visit the U.S. embassy, deal proposals against neighbors, the lobbying work in the sale of fighter jets to the Brazilian Air Force and of security and oil companies.
The documents also show the discomfort of the U.S.  with the highest representatives of Brazilian diplomacy, Altamiro Borges  explains [pt] on his blog:
No caso brasileiro, conversas confirmam o desconforto dos EUA com a  política externa soberana praticada pelo Itamaraty. O ministro Celso  Amorim e o ex-secretário-geral Samuel Pinheiro Guimarães são encarados  como inimigos do império. Já o ministro da Defesa, Nelson Jobim – que  infelizmente a presidente Dilma Rousseff pretende manter no posto – é  tratado como um “aliado” dos EUA.
Leandro  Fortes, from the blog Brasilia, eu vi (Brasilia, I saw), goes even further [pt], accusing Minister Nelson Jobim of being an informer for the U.S. (using the popular slang X-9, which means “informant”):
Nelson Jobim, ministro da Defesa do Brasil, foi pego servindo de  informante da Embaixada dos Estados Unidos. Isso depois de Lula ter  consolidado, à custa de enorme esforço do Itamaraty e da diplomacia  brasileira, uma imagem internacional independente e corajosa, justamente  em contraponto à política anterior, formalizada no governo FHC, de  absoluta subserviência aos interesses dos EUA.
[…]
o ministro da Defesa, Nelson Jobim, costumava almoçar com o  ex-embaixador dos Estados Unidos no Brasil Clifford Sobel para falar mal  da diplomacia brasileira e passar informes variados. Para agradar o  interlocutor e se mostrar como aliado preferencial dentro do governo  Lula, Jobim, ministro de Estado, menosprezava o Itamaraty, apresentado  como cidadela antiamericana, e denunciava um colega de governo, o  embaixador Samuel Pinheiro Guimarães, como militante antiyankee. Segundo  o relato produzido por Clifford Sobel, divulgado pelo Wikileaks, Jobim  disse que Guimarães “odeia os EUA” e trabalha para “criar problemas” na  relação entre os dois países.
Nelson Jobim, Brazil's Defence Minister, was caught serving as an informant of the U.S. Embassy. This after Lula has consolidated, at the expense of the tremendous efforts of the Foreign Ministry and Brazilian diplomacy, an independent and courageous international image, just as a counterpoint to the previous policy, formalized in the [Fernando Henrique] Cardoso government, of absolute subservience to U.S. interests.
[…]
The Defence Minister Nelson Jobim used to have lunch with former U.S. Ambassador to Brazil Clifford Sobel in order to speak ill of Brazilian diplomacy and [to] transfer varied reports. To please the interlocutor and to show itself as a close ally within the Lula government, Jobim, Minister of State, belittling the Foreign Ministry, presented as an anti-American citadel, and denounced a government colleague, Ambassador Samuel Pinheiro Guimarães, as an anti-yankee militant. According to the report produced by Sobel, published by Wikileaks, Jobim said Guimarães “hates America” and works to “create problems” in the relationship between the two countries.
On the official  website of the Ministry of Defence, Jobim denied [pt] having criticized the  then vice-chancellor of Brazil, Guimarães, information also passed on [pt] by the official Ministry of Defence's Twitter account.
On the other hand, André Raboni, from the blog Acerto de Contas, considers [pt] the excuses given by Jobim to be ridiculous, and that his  statements only prove the function of being an informant for the U.S. embassy:
É absurdo (pra não dizer outra coisa) um ministro de Estado manter esse  tipo de atitude colaborativa com um país que está tentando enfiar uma  lei anti-terrorismo goela abaixo dos brasileiros. Uma lei que só  interessa aos EUA, diga-se de passagem. Aliás, seria absurdo um ministro  agir dessa forma com qualquer outro país,  independentemente de serem  os Estados Unidos e sua rede internacional de  espionagem diplomática.
Danilo Marques, from the blog O Inferno de Dandi (Dandi's Hell) is ironic in considering the notion of US jealousy of Brazilian successes in foreign relations [pt]:
Nos  relatórios percebesse uma crise de ciúmes dos americanos, insatisfeitos  com o sucesso brasileiro em suas relações exteriores. Achando que o  Brasil está criando asas, a questão do Irã foi uma grande decepção aos  que não gostam de dividir os brinquedos. Pois o Ministro Amorim, que defende as cores nacionais, afirmou em Washington que os americanos vão ter  que largar de xilique, agora o panorama mundial pede outras relações  diplomáticas.
Cristina Rodrigues, from the blog Somos Andando (We are Walking), recalls [pt] other controversial episodes that Nelson Jobim was involved:
Ele se posicionou contrário ao Programa de Direitos Humanos defendido  pela sociedade civil e a criação de uma Comissão da Verdade. Parecia  mais um aliado daqueles militares que comandaram o Brasil nos 21 anos  entre 1964 e 1985. Foi peça-chave para derrubar Paulo Lacerda da Abin. Foram vários, enfim, os constrangimentos.
He stood contrary to the Human Rights Program defended by civil society and the creation of a Truth Commission. He looked more like a military ally of those who  ruled Brazil in the 21 years between 1964 and 1985 [Military Dictatorship]. It as a key to overturn Paulo Lacerda from the Abin [Brazilian spy agency]. There were, after all, many constraints.
Luiz Carlos Azenha, from the blog Vi o Mundo (I Saw the World), adds [pt] that, according to WikiLeaks, Jobim would  also have passed to the U.S. Ambassador the (false) information that Evo  Morales, Bolivia's president, had “a tumor stuck on the nose”.
Through the leaked documents, it also came to public attention that the information that the U.S. would be unhappy with was the fact that  Brazil refuses to implement an anti-terrorism law in its territory, that  has not passed, according [pt] to Hugh Albuquerque, from the blog Descurvo:
A ideia não vingou por pressão, inclusive, de Dilma  Rousseff, atual chefe de estado e de governo. O argumento usado por  ela é bem simples, como isso poderia ser usado para criminalizar  movimentos sociais e, quem sabe, políticos.
The idea did not work because of pressure, even from  Dilma Rousseff, the current head of state and government. The argument used by her is quite simple, as it  could be used to criminalize social movements and, perhaps, politicians.
An anti-terrorist law would result, in Brazil, in the criminalization of social  movements such as the Movimento dos Trabalhadores Sem Terra (Landless Workers’ Movement, MST) João Pedro Stédile says in an interview with Opera Mundi:
É evidente que as pressões do governo dos EUA, tentando influenciar  governos democráticos e progressistas a aderirem à sua sanha paranóica  de terrorismo, visa criminalizar e controlar qualquer movimento de  massas que lute por seus direitos e que ocasionalmente representem  manifestações contra os interesses das empresas estadunidenses.
It is  evident that the pressures of the U.S. government, trying to influence  democratic and progressive governments to join its paranoid rage of  terrorism, aims at criminalizing and controlling any mass movement  that fights for its rights and occasionally pose demonstrations against the interests of US companies.
Hugo Albuquerque continues, criticizing the way the US and  some Brazilian analysts deal with terrorism, drawing parallels to the  failed ideal of the free market of the 90's:
A maneira como é narrada o aparente descaso do governo  brasileiro com o “terrorismo” é uma peça antropológica, sem dúvida. Os  americanos e os analistas nacionais – mais gringos que os próprios -, na  verdade, não entendem como o Governo brasileiro ainda não descobriu o  potencial de como controlar os seus, por meio do potencial de  subjetivação dos seus cidadãos como “terroristas”, mas a maneira como  isso é narrado é deliciosamente cínica, os tecnocratas apontam o governo  como “imaturo” do mesmo modo como se fazia com os países que não  queriam aderir ao livre-mercadismo nos anos 90: A nossa vontade é  tamanha que quem não se dobra a ela, só pode ser um idiota. Uma forma de  idealismo perversa, na qual os próprios ideólogos começam a acreditar  nas mentiras que repetem – e aí, caríssimos, só o inferno é o limite.
The way the apparent indifference of the Brazilian government to  the “terrorism” is narrated is an anthropology piece, without a doubt. The Americans and the national analysts – more than the Yankees  themselves – actually do not understand how the Brazilian government  has not yet discovered the potential of controlling its own people through the  potential subjectification of its citizens as “terrorists”, but the way it is told is delightfully cynical, the technocrats  point to the government as “immature” in the same way as was done with  countries who would not join the free-enterprisers in the 90's: our will  is such that anyone who does not bend to it can  only be an idiot. A perverse form of  idealism, in which the ideologues themselves begin to believe the lies  that are repeated – and then, dear, only hell is the limit.
Idelber Avelar, from the blog Biscoito Fino, adds [pt]:
De novidades nesse front, há a participação de um especialista  brasileiro, André Luis Woloszyn, como uma espécie de “consultor” para os  estadunidenses interessados em adequar a legislação alheia a seus  interesses: “é impossível”, disse  ele, “fazer uma lei antiterrorismo que não inclua o MST”. O caso me  parece gravíssimo.
From the news on that front, there is the participation of a  Brazilian expert, Andre Luis Woloszyn, as a kind of “consultant” for Americans interested in twisting the law according to their own interests: “it is  impossible,” he said, “to make an anti-terrorism law that does not include the MST.” To me, the  case seems very serious.
Finally, Altamiro Borges finalizes [pt], giving his view of the  importance of the leaked data of WikiLeaks:
A vasta documentação tornada pública, num serviço inestimável da ONG WikiLeaks, confirma que a luta contra a agressão imperialista é a principal batalha dos povos na atualidade para superar a opressão e a exploração.


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Caribbean: Regional Reviews · Global Voices
Janine Mendes-Franco

The Caribbean Review of Books has some interesting reading this week.


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China: State Media Report on Chinese Global Thinkers · Global Voices
Oiwan Lam

Alice Liu from DANWEI notices that the Xinhua News report on the Foreign Policy magazine's selection on the 100 top global thinkers 2010 have highlighted Zhou Xiaochuan, governor of People's Bank of China and Han Han, one of the most popular writers in China, but omitted this year's Nobel Peace Winner Liu Xiaobo


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Colombia: Floods in Riosucio, Chocó · Global Voices
Cati Restrepo

The recent winter weather in Colombia has been picked up by traditional media and social networks are talking about the flooding, landslides and uprooted trees happening there. The national news reports that 28 of the 32 departments in Colombia have been affected; on Twitter, via Territorio Chocoano’s account (@chocoanos), people have been following the difficult situation in the Chocó department of northeast Colombia, especially in the Riosucio municipality.
Territorio Chocoano (@chocoanos) reports:
Cada vez es mayor la emergencia que se vive en el Chocó por el desbordamiento de los ríos Atrato y el San Juan
Territorio Chocoano (@chocoanos) adds:
El agua tiene anegados los cuatro kilómetros cuadrados del casco urbano del municipio de Riosucio (Chocó) #SOSColombia
Flooded house in Riosucio from blog Libreta de Apuntes –  Creative Commons 3.0 License
In the blog Mira Sysmaya [es], they share some information from  El Colombiano [es]:
Riosucio está bajo el agua. Desde hace 30 días los niveles del río Atrato han crecido al tope hasta alcanzar los tres metros de altura, dejando por lo menos 1.200 viviendas anegadas.
The article also touches on the general situation in Colombia:
Desde el pasado 18 de noviembre el Presidente Juan Manuel Santos, declaró la calamidad pública en 28 de los 32 departamentos. Sin embargo, esta figura no le permite al Gobierno Nacional asumir compromisos económicos que comprometan multimillonarias inversiones.
In the blog Libreta de apuntes [es] they write:
De lo que ocurre en Riosucio, Chocó no hablan los grandes medios de comunicación. Quizá porque están ocupados en atender las tragedias de otras ciudades más grandes y cercanas.
In his own words, representative of Riosucio Darío Blandón gives an account of the situation:
Darío Blandón, el Personero de Riosucio reporta que “toda el área urbana del municipio está inundada inclusive la vía carreteable hasta el batallón del Ejército Nacional.
El centro de Salud, las escuelas y colegios también están sumergidos. No hay una sola vivienda que esté por fuera de las aguas. “La gente sale de sus casas por las ventanas y los techos”.
Darío Blandón, the spokersperson of Riocuscio reports that “the whole city is flooded including the road to the highway up to the National Army batallion.
The health center, the elementary and high schools are also submerged. There is not a single house that is above the waters. “The people are leaving their houses through the windows and roofs.”
Finally, through Twitter and also Facebook an image originating from NASA has been circulating.  The image speaks for itself to the causes of the recent winter weather. Daniel Urrea (@DanielUP) shares the image and his interpretation of it:
En la NASA descubrieron que, literal y visualmente, somos el asshole del planeta  http://bit.ly/e1xzvu (vía @Telemedellin)

author: Cati Restrepo


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Cote d’Ivoire: Tensions high, borders closed · Global Voices
Ndesanjo Macha

Tensions high in Ivory Coast, borders closed, Kingsley Kobo reports; “The military in the Ivory Coast closed that country's borders with its neighbours and blocked foreign media as tensions rise over the outcome of the presidential election run-off. “The air, land and sea border of the country are closed to all movement of people and goods,” Ivorian military spokesman Babri Gohourou said.”


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Cuba: Activist Warned  · Global Voices
Janine Mendes-Franco

Uncommon Sense reports on a recent “catch, threaten and release” incident involving Cuban human rights activist Dr. Darsi Ferrer Ramírez.


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Ethiopia: Addis Photo Fest · Global Voices
Ndesanjo Macha

Africa is a Country writes about Addis Photo Fest: “(The festival is curated by the young, photographer Aida Muluneh). One of the highlights is a retrospective of the work of London-based Shemelis Desta, who was official photographer to the Emperor of Ethiopia, Haile Selassie, from the early 1960s until Selassie was overthrown in a military coup in 1974.”


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Haiti: Protests Over Polls  · Global Voices
Janine Mendes-Franco

Haiti, Land of Freedom says that “furious demonstrations continued across Haiti…following the Nov. 28 highly contested election in which thousands found themselves unable to vote.”


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India: What Is An MP? · Global Voices
Rezwan

Ugich Konitari explains what are the perceptions of Indian citizens about an MP (Member of parliament).


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Iraq: Black Day in the UN  · Global Voices
Amira Al Hussaini

Iraqi Wamith Al-Kassab is concerned the UN is not doing enough to protect gay people.


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Israel: Out of Control Fire  · Global Voices
Amira Al Hussaini

The worst fire in Israel's history continues to rage out of control, reports Green Prophet.


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Japan: A Visionary Call for a “Japanese-style Immigration Nation” · Global Voices
Scilla Alecci

Tofuunion at Japundit reports on the latest figures released by the Health, Labor and Welfare Ministry of Japan according to which “Japan’s population has shrunken since 2008 and continues to decrease at an accelerating rate”. According to the post, the government has been implementing a new immigration plan to cope with the labor shortage, which would have a dramatic impact on the country's economy.

author: Scilla Alecci


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Mexico: Recent Drug Related Crime Statistics · Global Voices
Silvia Viñas

Diego Valle-Jones introduces his post with graphs that show recent developments on drug related violence: “The Mexican government recently released data on all crime statistics from January 1997 to October 2010 […] This information provides an unprecedented look at what has happened since the drug war began and allows for a frank assessment of the deterioration of security in Mexico.”


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Russia: Bloggers Mock the Pronounciation of the Russian Sports Ministry · Global Voices
Alexey Sidorenko

Numerous bloggers are both excited and sarcastic about Russia winning World Cup 2018. Besides many jokes on unpreparedness of Russian infrastructure [RUS], a lot of people mock Vitaliy Mutko, Russian sports ministry, and his “typical Russian accent” speech. User zagda even posted a fake Cyrillic transcript of the speech stressing on the poor knowledge of English of the ministry.

author: Alexey Sidorenko


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Russia: “Help Map” Wins Runet Award · Global Voices
Ivan Sigal

I’d like to congratulate Grisha Asmolov and Alexey Sidorenko from Global Voice's RuNet Echo project for receiving a RuNet Award [ru] for their project “Help Map” (Russian-fires.ru). It's wonderful to report that members of the GV community have received the most prestigious award in the Russian Internet. Even more exciting, Grisha and Alexey won it in the “State and Society” category, beating out a wide range of other important laureates [ru].
Russian Fires team accepts the 2010 Runet Award. Photo by Gregory Asmolov, Creative Commons noncommercial license, some rights reserved.
“Help Map” is a project to crowdsource and map unprecedented wildfires outside of Moscow in summer 2010. The project quickly became an important base for volunteers to provide resources and lend a hand during weeks of crisis. Global Voices articles covering the “Help Map” can be found in Global Voices’ Russian Wildfires 2010 special coverage, from August-September 2010.
Screenshot of russianfires.ru
“Help Map” was the first deployment of the Ushahidi platform in Russia and one of the more successful in Ushahidi's history. Together with other centers of aid coordination, “Help Map” was an inspiring example of online activism providing an offline change. It also demonstrated that Russian citizens will engage in civic participation when given a real opportunity to make a difference – an idea that's counter to common perceptions of Russian civic engagement as cynical and passive. As Gregory Asmolov says:
The activity of the Russian online community wasn't limited to helping wildfire victims. Bloggers created units of volunteer firefighters, went into the field and eventually provided immediate response. Along with the comprehensive instructions on how to become a firefighter, how to fight various types of wildfires, and what equipment volunteers should have, the Internet provided a platform for 24-hour coordination and exchange of information about the rapidly changing situation.
Patrick Meier on the Ushahidi blog also comments on Russian citizen engagement:
The “Help Map” demonstrated that Russian network society is not a passive audience, but it has an active core with high degree of social accountability…the “Help Map” participation and achievement is a symbolic precedent. It is the first time that the most prestigious Russian Internet state sponsored award recognizes that network society can be as important as traditional hierarchical organizations.
The “Runet Award” is sponsored by Russian Federal Agency of Mass Communications. It is the national award granted for significant contribution to the Russian Internet's development and is known as the Russia “Internet Oscar.” The Runet Award ceremony is broadcast on Russian state TV, and can be found online on the Russian news channel Vesti. Congratulations Grisha and Alex!

author: Ivan Sigal


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Sri Lanka: Media Misinformation And The Role Of The Government · Global Voices
Rezwan

Serendipity criticizes the media misinformation about Sri Lanka and its government's inability to tackle these.


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Trinidad & Tobago: Drawing the Line  · Global Voices
Janine Mendes-Franco

“Less than twenty four hours after our Commissioner of Police marked the proverbial line in the sand that this is where violent crime ends, someone killed someone else in almost the very same spot and the dead man's blood washed the Commissioner's line away”: Plain Talk says the only way to stop the violence is “by treating ALL our people with respect.”


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Uganda: Breasts and election campaigns · Global Voices
Ndesanjo Macha

Another glaring omission from the ongoing presidential and parliamentary campaigns in Uganda: Breasts: “Four years later, there is no legal requirement for either the public or private sector to allow nursing mothers to leave work during the day to breastfeed their children.  I won’t even go into the option of expressing milk because for the majority of women in Uganda that is an expense too high to afford.”


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Uganda: Uganda deserves a new leader in 2011 · Global Voices
Ndesanjo Macha

Why does Uganda need a new leader in 2011?: “One major and simple reason why the time for new leadership in Uganda is well overdue is because, no single leader, however brilliant or powerful he may be, has all the answers to solving the most intractible problems of a modern day nation.”


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Ukraine: Anti-Tax Code Protests Continue · Global Voices
Tetyana Bohdanova

Despite the presidential veto, anti-tax code protests continue in Ukraine (some photos – here). @O_Severyn questions (UKR, #kat_ua) the authenticity of happiness displayed by some protesters in response to Parliament approving the new code with presidential proposals: “They say fireworks and happy “Maidanarbeiters” is a work of [Party of Regions]’ hands and wallets.” @Retwittka warns (UKR) that “MPs have left Maidan” (UKR), which leaves the protesters’ tent city unprotected from the actions of law enforcing authorities. @yurashlviv writes (UKR): “Entrepreneurs prepare new protest.”

author: Tetyana Bohdanova


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Ukraine: Bloggers React to Police Demolition of Tax Protest Camp · Global Voices
Tetyana Bohdanova

For over two weeks, thousands of Ukrainian small and middle business owners have been protesting (ENG) against the new tax code. The largest protests took place in Kyiv, where demonstrators set up a tent city.
Early on Friday morning, some 250 policemen, including riot police, appeared on Maidan Nezalezhnosti (Independence Square) to back up municipal maintenance workers who came to dismantle (ENG) the encampment (photos are here). According to official sources, the action was based on Kyiv district court’s ban on protests and Kyiv City Administration’s decision to install a Christmas tree (UKR) on Maidan.
The demolition (video is here) of the tent city immediately drew attention of the Ukrainian blogosphere.
Many bloggers were angry with the authorities and saw their actions as undemocratic.
@Alibobaevich writes (#kat_ua):
Влада втомилась гратись в демократію! Міліція знесла містечко мітингувальників на Майдані.
Svyatoslav Vakarchuk @s_vakarchuk writes (UKR):
На Майданi встановлють новорiчну ялинку на рештках демократii, i цементують людською байдужiстю ……
Commenting on both the removal of the tent city and the blockage of central Kyiv by traffic police, Oleh Shynkarenko (LJ user singing_foot), writes (UKR):
В Україні встановлено поліцейську диктатуру.
Journalist Mustafa Nayem, who has eyewitnessed the event, writes (RUS) on his blog:
Палаточный городок сносили тихо и мирно. Правда с привлечением совершенно неадекватного количества милиции, Беркута и “работников ШЕД”. Кому-то в МВД в эту ночь явно хотелось поиграться в “войнушки”. Последний раз такое количество людей в форме и “мирно гулящих в гражданском” видел в центре Тбилиси во время грузинской войны 2008 года.
LJ user gvyntokryl  comments (RUS, UKR) on such actions with irony:
Наші доблєстниє міліціонєри не побоялісь-такі і дємонтіровалі наметове містечко на Майдані Незалежності..
Kyiv-based LJ user vintovkin also questions the behavior of the authorities (UKR):
Останні Майдани весь час розганяють годині о 5-тій. […] Невже менти бояться вдень? Їх же й так разів в 10 було, ніж тих мітингувальників.
Yet, some bloggers see things in a positive light. Among them is quickstep007, a LJ user from Kyiv region. She writes (RUS):
Майдан – победа ли это?
Считаю, что – таки да, победа. Люди показали, что они не будут бессловесным электоратом, который кушает все, что подсунут. Нужно помнить уроки истории. И делать выводы.
Another Kyiv-based blogger, LJ user iozhikov, believes (UKR) that the removal of the tent city by force adds to the moral victory of the protesters:
[…] масовий протест невідомо чи буде тривати (скоріше ні, бо мають підключитися нові групи суспільства, а вони не підключаються). Що робити організаторам, щоб не втратити лице? І тут цей розгін містечка якраз вчасний. Він морально каталізує протест, який уже почав затухати.
In response to the authorities’ plan to urgently install a Christmas tree on Maidan, some bloggers have suggested ways to demonstrate disapproval. Singing_foot writes (UKR):
Починаємо акцію “Я не йду на ялинку від Януковича!”
Yaroslav Vedmid (@vedmid) jokingly suggests (UKR):
кажуть, таки треба ставити йолку протесту…
In reaction to the events some NGOs have denounced (UKR) the authorities’ actions and installed an improvised sign (UKR) on Maidan that read: “Democracy has been dismantled here.” Then everyone was invited to put flowers next to it.
In the evening, a popular message on Ukrainian Twitter (#kat_ua) read:
На Майдан несуть квіти.


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Zimbabwe: Once upon a Christmas · Global Voices
Ndesanjo Macha

Once upon a Christmas in Zimbabwe: “Drinks at this time of the year could be quite unique – Bols Brandy mixed with coke and milk (was this our version of Amarula before Amarula)? For those on an economy budget – sorghum beer mixed with fresh cream. The outcome of these potent drinks was all too visible.”

author: Ndesanjo Macha


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Africa: Trials and tribulations of Rastafarians in Africa · Global Voices
Ndesanjo Macha

Trials and tribulations of Rastafarians in Africa: “Well ironically the acceptance of black, mostly black Carribbean and diasporean rastafarians by continental Africans has been equally fraught with similar tensions. This is somewhat strange given that Rastafarianism originated from Africa.”


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Australian Blogosphere Canvasses Cancún · Global Voices
Kevin Rennie

Australian bloggers have been reflecting on the first days of the United Nations Climate Change summit at Cancún.
Giles Parkinson at Climate Spectator has a detailed report on proceedings, updated on 3 December. He reflects on what many have being questioning – the cost of this summit:
One of the hot topics among official parties on the endless bus trips to and from the COP16 venues has been the cost of this business. Anyone who thought that a country that offers a basic wage of $5 a day to its own population, and $40-a-day-all-you-can-drink holidays to US college students, might be less costly than the notoriously expensive Copenhagen, has been mistaken.
Cancún Calling: One small step
John Passant brings his socialist perspective to bear at En Passant. He concludes a lengthy piece with a call for bottom-up action:
We can’t wait in vain for President Obama or other politicians to do it for us. Ordinary people must step onto the stage of history to organize to force the change that we want to see and that is so urgently needed.
Cancún: Climate inaction conference
The title of the post by North Coast Voices’ Waterdragon is a dead giveaway. But this is also a call for political action:
…individual responsibility does not stop with reducing our personal carbon footprints, it extends to voting out of office every politician who blocks legitimate legislative response to global warming or seeks to water down bills addressing climate change so that carbon-reliant energy companies and industry can continue ‘business as usual’.
Cancún Climate Change Conference: yada, yada, yada
Australia’s negotiator tracker in Cancún, Philip Ireland, looks at discussions around the Kyoto Protocol with a little optimism:
Cancún must include a mandate to continue negotiations towards a comprehensive and legally-binding outcome including in the Kyoto Protocol. Developing countries are anxious to see progress on a second commitment period of the Kyoto Protocol after the first period ends in 2012. Many development countries, whose people are most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, will not accept a final agreement unless it includes the Kyoto Protocol as it includes important provisions such as adaptation assistance.
Kicking Kyoto around in Cancún
Larvatus Prodeo’s group blogsite has regular updates on COP16. The latest roundup looks at both good and bad news:
Is baseload power necessary?
Now here’s some good news. Baseload power may not be necessary .
David Mills, solar energy technology developer, has developed a new model for an energy system that does away with the conventional design of massive baseload infrastructure.
Republicans axe US climate change committee
US president Barack Obama’s Republican foes in the House of Representatives say they are disbanding the chamber’s committee on battling global warming, calling it a waste of money.
That’s definitely not good news.
Climate clippings 5
The Australian Youth Climate Coalition (AYCC) has 13 people at Cancún. They have called on the Australian government:
…to implement a carbon price that is in line with the science and fulfills our international responsibility – this means a carbon price that achieves an emissions reduction target that is substantially higher than 5%.
… to reaffirm its commitment to take on binding targets in a second commitment period under the Kyoto Protocol.
… [to remove] loopholes in the system set up to account for emissions reductions in the forest and land sectors.
AYCC’s policy platform at the UN
A final word comes from RightJab “Proud Aussie Infidel’ on behalf of the climate skeptics:
The publicity surrounding Copenhagen was massive and its ultimate failure was a wonderful result to behold.
Cancun, the latest attempt by the UN to impose a world government on us all, has been a fizzler from the start.
Except for the attendees, perhaps, who look to be having a carbon blowout, wow of a time.
Time to give up on Climate Change, Biodiversity here we come.

author: Kevin Rennie


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Cuba: The Impact of Wikileaks · Global Voices
Firuzeh Shokooh Valle

Yohandry Fontana [es] has been commenting and updating on the impact in Cuba of the diplomatic cables disclosed by Wikileaks.

author: Firuzeh Shokooh Valle


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South Africa: Don’t get drunk, black men will rape you! · Global Voices
Ndesanjo Macha

Brett Davidson and Sean Jacobs analyse a new public service announcement by the South African alcohol beverage company Brandhouse with evidence of racism that circulates in South Africa’s advertising industry: “For those clueless to South Africa’s realities, the PSA basically warns white men what could happen to them if they are caught drinking and driving: They’ll get raped by black men in prison with big arms, no teeth and lots of tattoos.”


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South Africa: Lesbian activist Ncumisa Mzamelo murdered · Global Voices
Ndesanjo Macha

Black Looks on the murder of the South African lesbian activist Ncumisa Mzamelo: “Three weeks after Ncumisa Mzamelo was found dead her story was published on page 16 of the South African newspaper, The Star. This is a story of a brutal murder of a Black lesbian from Bhambayi in KwaZula Natal, whose remains were found in a deserted toilet.”


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Uganda: Why do i fight wars about my sexuality? · Global Voices
Ndesanjo Macha

Gay Ugandan explains why he fights wars about his sexuality: “So, why do I fight the wars about my sexuality? No worthier causes? [Well, my life might depend on it, life and liberty. But, I am a chameleone. I do not have to fight. I can blend in and hide for life. Yes. I can.] And, this fight is a bitter one. So many chances of failure, of not getting through.”


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WikiLeaks’ Julian Assange: Oz Hero or Villain · Global Voices
Kevin Rennie

WikiLeaks’ Julian Assange is either a hero or a villain in his home country of Australia. Many people, both here and abroad, are demanding the head of the WikiLeaks founder. Others see him as a peoples’ champion.
Local bloggers have focused less on the content of the cablegate disclosures and more on ethical issues and possible consequences for effective governance.
Club Troppo’s group blog has had two authors posting about the controversy from quite different angles. Ken Parish sees the disclosures so far as both counter-productive and unjustifiable:
I couldn’t agree more with FOI expert Peter Timmins about the latest Wikileaks “disclosures”.  I have no idea whether Assange is a rapist or not, but he’s certainly succeeded in setting the cause of public sector whistleblowing back by a decade or more.  The documents so far disclosed indicate little or no public misfeasance by the US or anyone else, so there is simply no legitimate public interest in their disclosure.
Random thoughts and gripes
Fellow Club Troppo blogger, Paul Frijters, is concerned for Assange’s welfare and hopes that the leaks will lead to better accountability:
Well, they’ve done it again. Queensland-boy Julian Assange and his band of merry journalists and IT-nerds have flooded the internet once again with sensitive information that embarrasses several governments, most notably the US, by releasing the content of several hundred thousand diplomatic cables.
Soon Julian Assange will get caught, if not by Interpol which seems to be close to putting out a warrant on him, then by the Australian prosecutors who will want to ‘scrutinise whether he has broken the law’, or else some other Western government. Once he is caught, I predict he will spend the rest of his life in the courts.
I’d say Julian Assange is destined for a lifetime of prison food unless he finds a country willing to protect him. Wikileaks should be applauded for its adherence to the ideal of openness and government accountability, but it has not yet opened up the powerful to truly invasive scrutiny of the bad things some of them get up to. Perhaps that is yet to come. I certainly hope so.
Whereto for Wikileaks?
Katy Barnett, who blogs as Legal Eagle at Skeptical Lawyer, looks at the legal aspects and then weighs the merits of Julian’s actions:
I must confess that I am ambivalent about WikiLeaks, regardless of whether any proceedings are brought against Assange or not.
…One has to carefully balance freedom of information with other interests. Disclosing information is not always a good thing. And it’s natural enough that the views a government expresses in private communications differ from the views it expresses publicly (this happens with individuals too: it’s called tact).
Wikileaks and the brave new world of freedom of information
Lorenzo at Thinking Out Loud believes that the leaks endanger lives and compares them with the famous Daniel Ellsberg’s Pentagon Papers leaks during the Vietnam War:
The Wikileaks document dump may well pose dangers for particular individuals. Which is shameful, and an implication of the nastiness of much Middle Eastern politics. But, regardless of what one might think of Julian Assange and his actions, what he has actually revealed is a fairly sane, and fairly well informed, diplomatic world.
What the Pentagon Papers have wrought
In his post and response to comments at Personal Reflections, a former senior public servant Jim Belshaw joins other commentators in arguing that good governance will be affected in that governments will become more secretive and less candid in private:
To my mind, the biggest danger created by wikileaks lies in the nature of likely Government responses. I expect these to, among other things, reduce access to information; to increase the risks and penalties for those who do speak out; and to increase the constipation in Government systems that has already reduced effectiveness.
No Government can ignore what has happened. In Australia we have a whole of Government task force addressing the implications of the leaks. The position in the US is more complicated and dangerous.
Mr Assange's ego
Luke Miller at Crikey has been posting about what the unreleased Australian cables might contain. His speculations about our government’s attitude to Israel take a  twist:
…an unfavourable leak in the next few days about Australia’s international dealings could torpedo Australia’s soccer World Cup bid, also dependent on at least one vote from the Middle East, which occurs early next month.
No wonder the Australian government is huffing and puffing.
The Canberra cables: next WikiLeaks drop to jeopardise World Cup bid?
Since Australia received only one vote at FIFA in its bid for 2022, this claim could easily be accused of being a beat-up as one the comments suggests.
Antony Lowenstein is a well known blogger about the Middle East. At the ABC’s Unleashed he questions the mainstream media’s reaction:
There is an overly-suspicious attitude towards people like Assange who refuse to play the traditional media game. He’s an outsider with exclusive information. He hasn’t spent years cultivating contacts inside the media tent. And he doesn’t spend most of his free time socialising with political staffers, editors and insiders.
…The job of real journalists is not to insulate officials or governments from embarrassment but to investigate legitimate stories relevant to the public interest.
Where's the media's backbone over WikiLeaks?
At The Punch, Helen Young looks at the difficulties in keeping secrets in the digital age:
The latest Wikileaks disaster for the U.S. government may centre on the actions of its diplomats rather than its soldiers, but Cablegate and the Afghan and Iraq War Diary data dumps are all crises of information control and management.
The Wiki leaks are not the end of all secrets
Gary Sauer-Thompson of Public Opinion echoes Lowenstein’s concerns about the role of the media who are seen still acting as the gatekeepers:
What is interesting about the Wikileaks’ dumps (the Afghanistan and Iraq war reports plus the diplomatic cable dump) is that the elite news organizations in the Internet age — in this case, The Guardian, NYT and Der Spiege etc —are conduits of material originally obtained not by their own investigative journalists but by others, such as WikiLeaks.
…What we have is collaboration by major media organizations across international borders both in agreeing to work together in publishing the material and in agreeing what material should be kept out. It is a new kind of global investigative journalism.
WikiLeaks: embassy cables dump
For Australia, the best or worst is yet to come unless governments manage to silence Julian Assange for good.


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Bangladesh: Grameengate And Beyond  · Global Voices
Rezwan

Bangladeshi Nobel Laureate Dr. Muhammad Yunus. Image from Flickr by World Economic Forum. CC BY-SA
The hottest topic in Bangladesh now is the allegation against Nobel laureate Dr. Muhammad Yunus of diverting foreign aid from Grameen Bank to another sister company called Grameen Kalyan. The objective of Grameen Kalyan is to provide financial support in the form of loans and grants to the staff and members of Grameen Bank and their families. An investigative documentary by Danish filmmaker Tom Heinemann titled “Fanget i Mikrogjeld” or “Caught in Micro debt” was aired last Tuesday on the National Norwegian Television (NRK).
Heinemann took a critical look at Microcredit operations in Bangladesh saying that many loan receivers “had multiple loans in various micro credit banks and organizations and had a hard time trying to pay back their loans.” In addition he stumbled into some documents from the archives of the Norwegian aid agency Norad which tells that Grameen Bank shuffled donor money to Grameen Kalyan without prior permission of the donors to avoid potential government tax @40%. In an exclusive report the secret documents (pdf file) were published by BDNews24.com, the largest online news agency in Bangladesh. The local media jumped on this story and the bloggers are divided on this issue.
The Grameen Bank response denied any wrong doings.
Asif at Unheard Voice provides the outline of the arrangement of Grameen Bank and discusses about the impact of the documentary:
1. Donors (Norad et al) gave a large cash grant to Grameen Bank (GB)
2. Instead of paying back interest or principal, GB was to put aside 2% of those funds for employee welfare projects (SAF)
3. GB was afraid of a regulatory change levying 40% tax on that outflow and wanted to give SAF the “attention it deserves”
4. So GB created Grameen Kalyan (GK), gave them a large amount of cash and borrowed it back at 2%
Norad‘s problem was that:
1. GB never told them about this particular piece of legerdemain they happened to find out almost by accident (the bdnews24 story has a few PDF files of those communications)
2. Their memorandum of understanding was with GB and the Bangladesh Government about the use of the 2% for SAF, not with GK, so this left things in the kind of vacuum they wouldn’t be comfortable with
The documentary claimed as much as USD 100 million had been siphoned away and — notwithstanding Norwegian claims that Yunus is not corrupt — led to lurid claims in Bangladesh media like Yunus ‘siphoned Tk 7bn aid for poor’.  GB’s detailed riposte notwithstanding, the damage has been done.
Journalist and blogger Maskawaith Ahsan defended [bn] Dr. Yunus in a post titled “In a media coup by Norway Dr. Yunus killed in Dhaka”:
অধ্যাপক ইউনুসের বিরুদ্ধে ইউরোপের অর্থ গ্রামীণের বোন সংস্থায় ট্রান্সফারের যে অভিযোগ উঠেছে, তা উনার অর্থ বিষয়ক স্পর্শ কাতরতার ফলাফল। ওই অর্থ দিয়ে ইউনুস ভূমধ্যসাগরের তীরে প্রাসাদ তৈরী করেন নি, সেটি গ্রামীণের বোন সংস্থায় বিনিয়োগ করা হয়েছে। তবুও এটি দাতাদের সঙ্গে চুক্তির বরখেলাপ।
Baki Billah writes:
এটা একটা পদ্ধতিগত সংকট হতে পারে কিন্তু তার সাথে চৌর্যবৃত্তির সূত্র আবিস্কার করার মৌলিক কোন বিষয় আছে কি ? প্রামাণ্যচিত্র নির্মাতা টম খুব সরলে এ প্রশ্নের উত্তর দিয়েছেন, তিনি বলেছেন, অনেক চেষ্টা করেও তিনি ইউনুস সাহেবের সাথে যোগাযোগ করতে পারেন নি। তিনি কিভাবে চেষ্টা করেছেন?
In another post of Maskawaith Ahsan, a commenter named Netpoka comments:
দাতাদের দেওয়া টাকা সরিয়ে নেওয়ার যে অভিযোগ উঠেছে, তাতে কেবল ডঃ ইউনুসকেই দায়ী করা হচ্ছে। অথচ গ্রামীণ ব্যাঙ্কের একটি বড়সড় পরিচালনা পর্ষদ আছে, যাতে প্রতিনিধিত্ব করেছেন রেহমান সোবহানের মত ব্যক্তিগণও। অর্থ সরানোর দায় তো তাদের সকলেরই হওয়ার কথা!
আর দাতাদের দেওয়া টাকা থেকে এক টাকাও তিনি নিজের ব্যক্তিগত কাজে ব্যয় করেছেন কি? শুনেছি আজ পর্যন্ত তাঁর নিজের একটি মাথা গোঁজার জায়গও নেই – থাকেন গ্রামীণ ব্যাঙ্ক ভবনের একটি ফ্ল্যাটে। অথচ তাঁকে এখন বলা হচ্ছে দুর্নীতিবাজ।
নরওয়ে এবং টেলিনর কেন ডঃ ইউনুসের পেছনে লেগেছে, তা সবাই জানে। তারপরও আমরা তাঁকেই ভিলেন বানাই।
And did he ever spent a Taka for his own self? I heard that he even do not own a house – he stays in a flat provided by Grameen Bank. And now they accuse him of corruption.
Everybody knows why Norway and Telenor are after him. Then why are we making him the villain?
It may be noted here that a few years ago Yunus had a fight with Norwegian Telecoms giant Telenor (majority owned by Norwegian government) over management control of Grameenphone, Grameen Bank's joint venture. Yunus wanted to convert Grameenphone, the leading and profitable Telecommunication company in Bangladesh, to a social business enterprise [where profits are reinvested in the company rather than taken out], but Telenor did not accept. The Norwegian Telenor was later caught in a labor scandal.
Shuvashish Das posts a detailed analysis [bn] on this issue trying to explain why after 12 years the issue has been exposed to media:
২০১০ সালের মাঝামাঝি থেকে গ্রামীণ কল্যাণের অর্থ গ্রামীণ ব্যাংকে স্থানান্তরের জন্য সিডা, নোরাড আবার চাপ দেয়। ৬০৮ মিলিয়ন ক্রোনার (এর মধ্যে ৩০০ মিলিয়ন দেয় নোরাড, বাকিটা অন্যরা) গ্রামীণ ব্যাংক থেকে চলে গেছে গ্রামীণ কল্যাণে। অথচ ফেরত এসেছে মাত্র ১৭০ মিলিয়ন। বাকিটা এখনো গ্রামীণ কল্যাণে থেকে গেছে।
২২ আগস্ট ২০১০
গ্রামীণ ব্যাংক একটা ইমেইল দুটি ব্যাখ্যা জানায়-
গ্রামীণ ব্যাঙ্কের কর্মী আর সদস্যদের উন্নয়নের জন্য এই অর্থ স্থানান্তর।
গ্রামীণ ব্যাংক গ্রামীণ কল্যাণে কর ফাঁকি দেয়ার জন্য অর্থ স্থানান্তর করেনি। কারণ ১৯৮৩ সাল থেকে গ্রামীণ ব্যাংককে কোনো কর দিতে হয় না।
22nd August 2010
Grameen Bank explained in an email -
The money was transferred to provide support to the staff and members of Grameen Bank and their families.
Grameen Bank did so not to avoid taxes because Grameen Bank operations are exempted from tax since 1983.
Poor Bangladeshi receiving loan (w/o collateral) from the Grameen Bank. Image from Flickr by Jeevs Sinclair. CC BY-NC-SA
In the end Shuvashish asks some valid questions:
বাংলাদেশের ক্ষুদ্রঋণ সংস্থাগুলো ২০ থেকে শুরু করে ১০০% বা তারও বেশি সুদ নেয় গরিব মানুষের কাছ থেকে। ক্ষুদ্রঋণ দারিদ্র্যকে হালকার ওপর ঝাপসা প্রশমিত করে দীর্ঘমেয়াদি করে। উচ্চসুদের কারণে গরিব গরিবিমুক্ত হওয়ার সুযোগ পায় না। কিছু কামেল লোক হয়তো বেরিয়ে আসতে পারে। ঋণের যাঁতাকলে দীর্ঘমেয়াদে আটকে গেছে এমন লোকের পরিসংখ্যান জানা জরুরি। ক্ষুদ্রঋণ কেবল ভালো ভালো জিনিসগুলো পাবলিককে দেখায়, পেছনের বাজে দিকগুলো লুকিয়ে রাখে। এসব সমালোচকের দৃষ্টিতে দেখা প্রয়োজন। গ্রামের মানুষের টাকা নাই, তাদেরকে ঋণ দেয়া একটা ভালো ব্যবস্থা; কিন্তু ঋণের চক্রে ঢুকিয়ে দেয়া অমানবিক। [..] সরকারকে কর দিতে হয় না বলে দেশে প্রায় চার হাজারের মতো ক্ষুদ্রঋণ ব্যবসা। ২৫ থেকে ৩০ হাজার কোটি টাকার মতো ঋণ বিতরণ হচ্ছে প্রতি বছর। সহজে মুনাফা অর্জনের জন্য এর চেয়ে ভালো ব্যবসা আর নেই। সরকারের উচিত এদের উপরসর্বস্ব ভালো কথাগুলো খতিয়ে দেখা। আর নরওয়ে উদ্দেশ্যমূলকভাবে এই আচরণ করলে সেটারও বিহিত হওয়া দরকার।


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Chile: Students Protest Reduction of Hours for Social Sciences · Global Voices
Juan Arellano

Image by author, Juan Arellano
Chilean students made the news due to a walk of over a thousand kilometers that a group of them undertook to protest the quality and costs of education in their country. But recently, a decision from Education officials sparked a debate, when they reduced the number of hours for Social Science classes in order to increase hours for Math and Language. This was part of an educational reform proposed by President Sebastián Piñera and the Ministry of Education. A post [es] in the blog Sebastián Piñera E. en la Presidencia de Chile [Sebastián Piñera in the Presidency of Chile] stated that the project would generate important changes in the curriculum.
“Con este proyecto, se incrementará la subvención escolar preferencial para los alumnos más vulnerables hasta casi duplicar la subvención regular y generará cambios curriculares para fortalecer el aprendizaje, incluyendo más horas de lenguaje y matemáticas.”
“Esta reforma se hace cargo del momento, y apuesta por el uso de las nuevas tecnologías en las salas de clases y en los hogares, ya que habrá material pedagógico disponible en forma gratuita por internet”
“With this project, we will be able to increase the preferred scholar subsidy for the more vulnerable students until almost doubling the regular subsidy and will generate curriculum changes to strengthen learning, including more hours for Language and Math.”
“This reform takes place immediately, and points towards the use of the new technologies in lecture halls and in homes, since there will be pedagogical material available for free over the internet.”
Despite these interesting points, Cristián Cox, director of the Center for Political Study and Practices in Education [es] stated his opinion [es] specifically against the curriculum change at the expense of the Social Sciences in the daily La Tercera.
Historia y Ciencias Sociales es el área que organiza los contenidos y experiencias de aprendizaje para la convivencia con los otros, cercanos y distantes, que ofrece los relatos fundamentales de lo que somos como nación, y que genera los fundamentos tanto de la lealtad con el orden político como de su crítica. Es, en suma, el área de la experiencia escolar que forma para el civismo y la ciudadanía. Aquí no basta “dictar materia”: lo que el currículum plantea es el trabajo de documentación histórica, discusión de evidencias y marcos interpretativos, producción de ensayos y debates. Todas actividades que requieren más tiempo, no menos, que la pedagogía tradicional. Junto con el recorte objetivo de 200 horas, el mensaje es claro: la formación ciudadana no es importante.
Gonzalo Tapia in his blog in the daily El Día, expressed his opinion about the entire set of educational changes, from which the hour reduction is just a part, he said [es]:
- Aumento en las horas de clases en Lenguaje y Matemáticas. Concuerdo plenamente con ello, es necesario, pero debe buscarse otros mecanismos para ajustar el Plan de Estudios, nunca en desmedro de la asignatura de Historia. Jamás.
Because of all this, a group of professors, academics, students and elites, agreed to participate in a protest [es] in Santiago to expose their rejection of the reduction of hours for History in the schools. In prior days, other university students from Universities La Serena and Pedro de Valdivia had marched [es] in protest for the same reason. Surely they did not imagine they would be severely repressed by the carabineros (local police). These are two videos of the march:
The protest ended with 15 people arrested [es], although others reported only 5 [es]. In a previous protest a few days ago, the police detained a photographer [es]. The blog Correo SR published a statement [es] from the Faculty of Philosophy and Humanities at the University of Chile about the march, where among other things it says:
Cabe señalar que los manifestantes en todo momento  marcharon por la vereda del sector sur de la Alameda, tal como había  sido acordado … con el Capitán Rodríguez de la Prefectura Central de  Carabineros. […]
Mientras se sucedían los últimos discursos en un clima entusiasta  pero sereno, una delegación de diez académicos … se dirigió a las  dependencias del MINEDUC a hacer entrega de la Declaración … pero cuando  se encontraban haciendo ese trámite, estallaron incidentes debido a la  actitud de los efectivos de Fuerzas Especiales de Carabineros presentes  en el lugar que, desconociendo el acuerdo previo … pretendieron -sin que  mediara la más mínima provocación por parte de los manifestantes- que  los centenares de personas reunidas en el bandejón central de la Alameda  despejaran el lugar.
Testigos presenciales, entre ellos varios académicos de la  Universidad de Chile y de otras universidades, aseveran que apenas la  delegación de profesores se encaminó al Ministerio, los carabineros  empezaron a hacer uso del carro lanzaaguas y de gases lagrimógenos para  disolver a quienes pretendían seguir manifestándose pacíficamente sin  molestar ni interrumpir el tránsito de vehículos ni de peatones.
It is worthwhile to mention that the protesters at all times marched by the southern sector from street Alameda just as it had been authorized by Captain Rodriguez of the central prefecture of police…
While the last speeches took place in an euphoric but serene atmosphere, a group of ten academics… went over to the administration of MINEDUC [Ministry of Education] to deliver the declaration… but just when this was taking place, several events took place due to the attitude of the special police forces who were present but ignored the agreement… [they] attempted—without the least bit of provocation from the protesters—to make the hundreds of people that had congregated in the central plaza of Alameda leave the place.
Witnesses, among them several academics from the University of Chile and others, stated that the delegation of professors had barely begun to walk, the police began to use their water hoses and tear gas to dissolve the crowds who peacefully did not seek to bother nor interrupt the vehicle nor pedestrian traffic.
The Chilean political opposition (la Concertación) is heavily criticizing [es] the educational reform proposed by Piñera's government. But it is not only about opposition per se, in El Quinto Poder [the Fifth Power] readers can find under the tag “education” the most recent articles dedicated to this reform, and there are strong arguments to, at least, think a little bit more about the application of some of the reform's points. Of note is the Facebook page: No a la reduccion de horas en Historia y Ciencias Sociales [es] [No to the reduction of History and Social Science hours], which has more than 12,000 followers at this time.

author: Juan Arellano


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Hungary: Negotiations With Russia · Global Voices
Veronica Khokhlova

Hungarian Spectrum writes about the Hungarian-Russian relations.

author: Veronica Khokhlova


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India: No Regulation In Cyber Journalism · Global Voices
Rezwan

Jayanta Deka discusses about the need for a regulation for cyber journalism in India as online news sites more than often resort to sensitized headlines for more web hits.


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India, Pakistan: The Cyber War Continues  · Global Voices
Rezwan

“On Friday, the Pakistan Cyber Army hacked the Indian CBI (Central Bureau of Investigation) website” and the Pakistani “OGRA (Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority) website was hacked yesterday by the Indian cyber army, reports Chowrangi.


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India: Umbrella And Mobile Phone Etiquette · Global Voices
Rezwan

Sindhu Subramaniam thinks that some citizens of the Indian mega city Mumbai need umbrella and mobile phone etiquette.


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Iran: Bloggers discuss Wikileaks documents · Global Voices
Fred Petrossian

The Wikleaks Cablegate documents exposed shady ties between Iran and Afghanistan; inside information about the Iranian regime and opposition; and fear in the Arab region of Iran's nuclear policy. Iranian bloggers reacted to these revelations, sometimes with irony, sometimes with conspiracy theories in mind, and sometimes seriously.
Natour Shahr says the documents in Wikileaks speak of Iran's supreme leader Ali Khamenei‘s illness and the former president Ali Akbar Rafsanjani's aim to replace him. They also speak of the brewing conflict between Iranian leaders, which shows that the regime is not as stable as it pretends. According to the blogger [fa]:
The Wikileaks documents show that more than 80 percent of people voted for Karroubi and Mousavi. It proves that the Iranian government's attempt at legitimacy is useless… The documents also show that behind the smile of Arab countries hides a tooth, and Iran's relationship with them is very fragile.
Iran Vatanam mentions  [fa] that the Austrian ambassador in Tehran called the female Minster of Health in Islamic Republic a “puppet without any self confidence”.
Gameron writes [fa] with irony that one of the Wikileaks documents show that the USA prevented the return of the “Hidden Imam” [Mahdi,the final Imam of the Twelve Imams in Shia Isalm]. three times.
Said Saman writes that Julian Assange and his “independent” Wikleaks is going to war with a wooden sword against a plastic dragon. The blogger has doubt about the sincerity of Assange's aim and writes  [fa]:
For far less important revelations, the secret service have killed and decapitated people in Washington, London, Berlin and around the world. Who is this Assange to have such security protection?… The White House, The Pentagon raised their voices but cannot catch even the source of these revelations…

author: Fred Petrossian


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Iran:Iranians vs. US Navy · Global Voices
Fred Petrossian

BlogPost writes “Iranians have taken to Facebook to show their displeasure, writing messages of support for “Persian Gulf” on the U.S. Navy's Facebook page. All day, messages such as: “It's not A.R.A.B.I.A.N gulf. It was PERSIAN gulf.”


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Japan: Confusion and speculations on the North Korean incident · Global Voices
Scilla Alecci

The latest attack [en] by North Korea on South Korea has put Japan on the alert. Is it the beginning of a war? Will it be Japan's turn next time? Or is it just a ‘beat-up’ created by both conservative and alarmist media alike? People in Japan are alarmed but don't know what to think.
The northern neighbor has always been viewed with suspicion by the Japanese islanders, as several missile launches  [en] in the recent past and ongoing issues such as the abductions of Japanese nationals in the 1970s and 1980s [en] have contributed to create a climate of diplomatic tensions between Kim Yong-Il's regime and Japan.
And so stacks of commentaries on the incident have flooded TV programs and editorials, but media-distrustful Japanese people smell a rat and give their own interpretations of the incident.
By Ryuugakusei. CC License.
Kayo proposed an emergency plan just in case something terrible happens.
こんなに近い国で砲撃事件が起こったのは自分が生まれて初めてのことだったから、今までの遠い中東での戦争と違って、すごく現実感があるし、緊張する。
「北朝鮮こわいねー」「そうだねー」なんて脳天気な会話は平和ぼけが垣間見えて違和感あるし、「北朝鮮は頭がおかしい国だ！」とか悪態つく人もたくさんいるけど、世の中に余計な怒りを広めてる分全然共感できない。どちらも意味のない会話。
こういうときって冷静に、自分に今できることは何だろうかと、次のステップを考えて実行することが大切じゃないかな。テレビやネットを見て無駄に不安になったり、怒ったりするんじゃなくて。
例えば、サバイバルグッズを揃えたり、非常持ち出し袋をセットしておくとか。って笑われそうだけど、地震の備えにもなるしね。
それから、もしものときに少しでも生き延びられるように体力づくりをしておくとか…ってこれも人に言ったら笑われるな～。でもダイエットになるし、一石二鳥。
Fear of an imminent war made some bloggers, like teruteruasita , reflect on what counts in life and the bliss of living in a peaceful country.
・・・・・ニュースを見ていて・・・・・鳥肌が立った。
北朝鮮は世代交代にあたって、その軍事力をみせしめるためなどの噂が早くもたっているが、そんなことは・・・どうでもよく、とにかく戦争は・・・怖い。
人間が死んでしまうのが怖い。
みんな家族や友人がいる。
一瞬にして失う。
平和・・・・。それが成り立ってこそ、みんなが幸せなんだ。
But does it make sense all this alarm? some wonder. Or is it just Japan being hyper-sensitive to whatever actions North Korea takes?
Chisa Murakami says things sound different when asked of a person who actually lives in South Korea.
しかし・・・北朝鮮の砲撃にはびっくりしました。
こんなに近いところで実際に攻撃してくるんですものね。
「頭きた」となると、日本だって打たれるかも知れない・・・。
いや〜怖い国です。
一報の頃は会社にいてね。休日だけど、何人か出社していて皆でTVに釘付け。
とし坊はすぐにソウルのお姉ちゃんに電話したんだけど、
彼女はちびとマンガを見ていて知らなかった・・・。
日本の報道が大きくても、意外にご当地は冷めていることが多いからね。
そんなもんかも知れない。
Freelance writer Shigenobu Gu (具 滋宣), who grew up and lives between South Korea and Japan, tried to see the circumstances from the neutral and detached viewpoint of someone who knows both cultures very well.
11月23日に起きた北朝鮮による砲撃事件は各方面に大きなショックを与えた。ふたりの民間人までもを巻き込んだ今回の事件は、韓国政府が最高非常 警戒を発令するなど、近年まれに見る事態に発展した。私も周りから実家の心配をされるなどしたので、日本にも多少なり緊張感が走った様子だ。
韓国旅行をキャンセルする日本人旅行客も増えたとか。しかし実状は思っているのと少し違ったようだ。忙しかったのは韓国政府で、ほか多くの一般人は特に外出を控えたりすることもなく、普段となにも変わらない日常を過ごしていたというのはあまり知られていない。
先日の砲撃事件はその規模がかなり大きかったので日本のマスコミでも大々的に取り上げられたが、韓国と北朝鮮の衝突事件は実は何十年も前から数えきれないほど起きている。韓国の人々はもはや麻痺気味になってしまっていて、「また北朝鮮か」くらいで終了することも多い。最近では細かい事件となると韓国 のマスコミが北朝鮮ネタで視聴率を取ることすらままならないほどだ。
[…]
今回の北朝鮮の砲撃事件を受けて感じた日本と韓国の温度差。それに気づいた私は、もしかしたら少しだけ平和ボケしていたのかもしれない。やはり日本はいい意味で平和な国だ。


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Japan: Watching Wikileaks  · Global Voices
Scilla Alecci

Wikileaks Watch Japan sums up and translates in Japanese Wikileaks’ major findings. The blog was started this month and is updated daily by user fryingpan.


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Malaysia: Police use tear gas to break protest · Global Voices
Mong Palatino

Police in Malaysia used tear gas and water cannons to break up an opposition-backed protest against the privatization of water management in Selangor State. More than 5,000 people participated in the rally.


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Malaysia: Two Firms Mentioned in Wikileaks Documents · Global Voices
Jerrenn Lam

The recent leak of U.S. ‘diplomatic cables’ by Wikileaks implicated two Malaysian firms for allegedly being involved in ‘a network controlled by Iran to purchase missile technology from China’ but did not generate much buzz among the country’s citizens, with more attention being paid to domestic affairs.
However, Blogger Melvin Mah had provided an excerpt of the Wikileaks document that mentions Malaysia.
In December 2009, we shared with you information regarding attempts by the Malaysia-based firm Electronics Component Limited (ECL) to buy TRS-500 gyroscopes from the Chinese firm VibTel Industrial Co. Inc.
We now want to provide you with additional information indicating that ECL is part of a network of Iranian-controlled front companies that includes the Iranian firm Shahin Sefid Esta and the Malaysia-based front company Skylife Worldwide Sdn Bhd.
This network procures sensitive goods on behalf of a number of Iranian entities of proliferation concern, including the Shahid Hemmat Industrial Group (SHIG), which is Iran's primary developer of liquid propellant ballistic missiles, and Heavy Metal Industries, a front company for the tactical missile developer Ya Mahdi Industries.
Coverage of the issue by the mainstream media has been largely supportive of the government, with the most-read English daily The Star reporting that the Home Ministry has been keeping an eye on the two firms and found them to be not a threat to national security.
Hishammuddin also said his ministry had been given full cooperation and spoken to the directors of the two companies.
“If they are identified as a threat, they will not be here any more.
“What’s  most important is that they are under our radar and we can safely say  there is no relation to any terrorism-related activities,” he added.
On Twitter, the search for ‘Wikileaks Malaysia’ had come up with results  of Tweeters sharing news articles about the Malaysian government's  response to the issue, the most widely spread news article being the one  where the Malaysian government insisted that the two firms are not a  threat.

author: Jerrenn Lam


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Russia: Lawlessness and Violence in Kushchevskaya · Global Voices
Veronica Khokhlova

Natalia Antonova posts an update on lawlessness and violence in Kushchevskaya.


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Russia: North Korean Construction Workers · Global Voices
Veronica Khokhlova

At Desolation Travel, Jane Keeler writes about North Koreans in Russia.


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Russia: WikiLeaks’ Putin-Berlusconi Story · Global Voices
Veronica Khokhlova

At The Daily Beast, Julia Ioffe comments on WikiLeaks’ revelations about the relationship between the Russian PM Vladimir Putin and his Italian counterpart, Silvio Berlusconi.