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Egypt: Strike! Strike! Strike!  · Global Voices
Amira Al Hussaini

This post is part of our special coverage of Egypt Protests 2011.
Hundreds of thousands of workers have gone on strike across Egypt today, and more are threatening to join the action tomorrow. Reports of strikes started making their way online yesterday, and netizens are now calling for a nationwide general strike, in solidarity with pro-democracy protests, now on their 16th day.
Workers from different industries are also calling for salary increments, allowances, better working conditions, and holding corrupt officials in the industries they are employed accountable for their wrong doings, says the Egyptian Centre for Revolutionary Socialism (Ar).
On his blog, Hossam El Hamalawy posts videos of some of the workers’ protests around Cairo.
Here we catch up with the action from the “leaders of the independent Union of Real Estate Tax Authority Employees, march from Galaa Street to join the Tahrir Square occupation, in solidarity with the revolution.”
In this post, El Hamalawy uploads a video which shows the telecommunication workers strike, as they gather in Ramsis to denounce their management:
The workers are chanting: “Thieves, thieves, thieves!”
Following are some reactions on the strikes from Twitter:
@DinaFergani: ..and let the civil strike begin. #jan25 #egypt
@AlshaheedJan25: Workers from several factories & public sector have gone on national strike.Thousands of protesters in Tahrir now. #jan25 #tahrir
@LaraABCNews: thousands of workers on strike in #Egypt, further crippling the economy. each day of waiting for reform comes at a high cost.
@deena_adel: The #Jan25 protests expanded even further today when thousands of workers & employees went on strike. #Egypt
@3arabawy: Railway technicians and maintenance #egyworkers on strike http://bit.ly/hr7fjx إضراب عمال ورش السكة الحديد يشل حركة القطارات #Jan25
@3arabawy: There are four military production companies in Helwan now on strike. #egyworkers #Jan25 #fb
@wael: public transport workers announce strike in support of revolution #jan25
@3arabawy: the railway technicians in Bani Suweif r on strike. #jan25
@3arabawy: public transportation workers in 3 garages r on strike. #jan25
@snaguib: Thousands of workers on strike in mahalla #jan25 #egypt
@jmayton: 6,000 Suez Canal company workers go on strike – http://bikyamasr.com/wordpress/?p=26380 #Jan25 #Egypt
@hindhassan: 5,000+ workers on strike in city of Suez.1000s others staged protests on company grounds in cities of Mahalla, Port Said & #Cairo #Jan25
@khadijapatel: There are strikes being reported right across #Egypt. Oil workers, postal workers, railway technicians; they are all on strike. #Jan25
@Omsy: State papers on strike, oil workers on strike… everyones on strike! Change is coming, Tah ya Masr #Jan25 #egyworkers #egypt
@marwame: AlJazeera reporting that Cairo's postal workers joining strike. #Egypt #jan25
@CurlyFatAngry: Journalists and media employees went on strike and joined the revolution cause they were told 2 falsify news you hear that #FoxNews? #Jan25
@Shanfaraa: Strikes spread in Egypt, now train workers have gone on strike. http://bit.ly/h8Q4eU #Jan25
@: #Egypt on strike… ! You asked for it #Mubarak…. #jan25
@cheppparty: #jan25 #egypt We are calling -ALL workers of Egypt to go immediatley on a general strike against government dictatorship led by the dictator
@ahmedelmasri: Now we are getting into the phase of NATIONWIDE strike #Egypt #Jan25
@egypt_watch: Unions strike all over #egypt, more to follow. http://bit.ly/hcZRRX All govt workers should strike and bring it down to its knees #jan25
@WarOnErrorDKos: Many worker groups going on strike in Egypt, joining the protestors. Postal, textile, etc. #jan25 The Tahrir protest is working! spreading
@hackneylad: Public transport workers to go on mass strike in Cairo tomorrow, pressure on the regime is mounting #Egypt #Tahrir #Jan25
@3arabawy: tomorrow Ghazl Mahalla #egyworkers will start a strike. #jan25
@lissnup: #Jan25 #Egypt You know it's a revolution when sending ppl back to work only results in thousands on strike
This post is part of our special coverage of Egypt Protests 2011.


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Egypt: Tamer Hosni Changes Sides?   · Global Voices
Amira Al Hussaini

This post is part of our special coverage of Egypt Protests 2011.
As pro-democracy protests continue across Egypt for the 16th day, netizens took a break from covering its fast-paced developments today to see what the fuss over Tamer Hosni's tears is.
Egyptian actor and singer Tamer Hosni, who had earlier appeared on state television asking protesters to go home, went to Tahrir Square, the epicentre of anti-Mubarak protests in down town Cairo, to speak to protesters.
There he was booed and heckled by the crowds, and the army had to interfere to rescue him. A tearful Tamer was caught on camera saying he was tricked into speaking against the protests:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ijqawzo2oBQ
This video drew much ridicule from netizens, as you will see in the comments below.
On Twitter, Wael Ghonim urged protesters to show more clemency to people who change sides:
Here are some reactions from Twitter:
@Port_Sa3eedy: Tamer Hosni is in #Tahrir square now and people are pushing him out.. shouting… get down get down… OUT OUT #jan25 #Egypt
@AJELive: Egyptian singer Tamer Hosni shouted down in #Tahrir Square after trying to speak- army intervened, firing warning shots http://aje.me/hQnjvg
@: Wait Wait Wait … Tamer Hosni Got “KICKED OUT” of Tahrir ??? .. Dear God Egypt is Improving Already !!! =D
@iyad_elbaghdadi: For those who don't know, Tamer Hosni is a young pop star. Earlier asked demonstrators to go home and not disrupt #Egypt. #Jan25
@FaithHitaf: kicking tamer hosni out? joiners who had a true change of heart should be embraced by protesters to boost their cause #jan25
@RobaAssi: Funniest shit EVER: Tamer Hosni bawling his eyes out after being booed out of #Tahrir. http://bit.ly/hVDunz #egypt #jan25
@ZyadSherif: Tamer Hosni's video is epic … never laughed this much since the beginning of the revolution :-D #Jan25
@Salameh: LOL. Just saw the video of Tamer Hosni crying. . . Such an actor!! PUBLICITY STUNT
@wasaleh: Disgusting not ironic !!!! @algergawi: Ironic: Tamer ‘Hosny’ calling ‘Hosni’ Mubarak father. #Jan25
@justamira: Man – I hope Tamer Hosni doesn't become a trending topic in my #jan25 timeline .. I will then have to look him up! Horror Oh Horror!
@0rulz0: LOL What did I miss today? Tamer Hosni bawling his eyes out? #jan25
@TrellaLB: some people cry out of modesty.. others just fake it . enjoy another episode of tamer Hosni's stupidity #Jan25 http://on.fb.me/e2DhLN
@aalmasri: LOOOOOOOOOOOOOL. Tamer Hosni crying after protesters booed him. “they misunderstood me” he says. Hahahahahahaha. http://ow.ly/3SZ2m
@hyperlocavore: Fill in the blank for US audience? Tamer Hosni is the ______________ of Egypt. #tahrir Beiber? Kenny G? Jagger? Timberlake? Lil Wayne?
@dubaijazz: So now after making Tamer Hosni cry the revolution will draw the wrath of Justin Bieber's fan girls’ counterparts in the region.
@Mariovanella: Egyptian singer Tamer Hosni shouted down in #Tahrir Square after trying to speak- army intervened, firing warning shots http://aje.me/hQnjvg
@Omar_Gaza: Tahrir sq. protesters started chanting: Don with Tamer Hosni Mubarak LOL love those people! they r awesome! #jan28
@zaynabon: BEST part of my day is seeing #tamer #hosni booed off stage. HAHAHAHA was he expecting a standing ovation for his idiotic comments? #jan25
@sorsar2011: People making fun of & rejecting Tamer Hosni, are doing to him, what we hated the regime for doing to us. PLEASE STOP #Egypt #Jan25
This post is part of our special coverage of Egypt Protests 2011.

source: news-globalvoices

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

author: Amira Al Hussaini


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Gabon: Protests Stifled as Official and ‘Unofficial’ Governments Face Off · Global Voices
Julie Owono

This post is part of our special coverage on Gabon Unrest 2011
Following protests last week, tensions remain high in the West African nation of Gabon, as further demonstrations are now stifled by the authorities before they can take place.
The roots of the protests stem from a controversial presidential election in 2009 that saw the succession of Ali Bongo, son of former longstanding President Omar Bongo, in the midst of fraud allegations. The current wave of popular protests for free elections sweeping the African continent (Tunisia, Egypt and Côte d'Ivoire) has made the Gabonese government very wary of allowing protests to grow any larger.
Official vs ‘Unofficial’ Governments
In theory, there are currently two governments in Gabon: an official one headed by President Ali Bongo, son of former longstanding President Omar Bongo, and a second ‘unofficial’ government composed of two former Prime Ministers and former Interior Minister, André Mba Obame.
Obame has now been seeking asylum in the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) building in Gabonese capital Libreville, along with other members of his ‘government’ for two weeks.
Self-proclaimed Gabon opposition 'President' Obame in the Libreville UNDP building, February 2011. Image from Le Gri-Gri International.
Opposition 'Prime Minister' Bandega-Lendoye in the Libreville UNDP building, February 2011. Image by Le Gri-Gri International.
Obame declared himself president following the broadcasting of the documentary ‘Francafrique’, directed by Patrick Benquet, on French public television channel France 2 in 2010. In the documentary Michel de Bonnecorse [fr], former chief of the African Division of the French Presidential Office, makes the following claim regarding the 2009 Gabon presidential election results:
“We have information that Obame got 42% and Ali Bongo 37%, and that the results were practically inverted.”
This declaration triggered internal political turmoil, which was heightened when President Bongo made amendments to the constitution in late 2010 that allowed him to extend term limits indefinitely in case of emergency.
A few weeks after the documentary was aired, whistleblower website WikiLeaks released a cable in which the American ambassador to Cameroon named senior Gabonese officials, including the late President and his son, as having benefitted from the embezzlement of around USD 36 million from the Bank of Central African States.
The money was claimed to have helped serve finance French political parties, including that of French President
Nicholas Sarkozy, on Omar Bongo's request.
Former Gabon President Omar Bongo with French President Nicholas Sarkozy. Still from the documentary 'Francafrique' (2010), directed by Patrick Benquet.
Vincent Bolloré, a French business man and personal friend of President Sarkozy, who heads the investment group Bolloré which deals in maritime freight and African trade, dismissed the crisis in an interview with InfosGabon, a pro-Ali Bongo news website:
L’agitation politique observée ces derniers jours au Gabon peut-elle, à un moment ou à un autre, entamer votre engagement pour le développement du Gabon ?
Systematic Impeachment of Protests in Gabon
Opposition politician Bruno Ben Moubamba announced via his Twitter account that peaceful demonstrations would be organised in Paris and in the Gabon capital Libreville on Saturday 5 February, 2011, to denounce the Bongo presidency:
Gabon – Grande Manifestation demain à Libreville / Gare Routière
The word was rapidly spread on the Internet via social networks and citizen media websites, and a march [fr] was held in Paris from Place de la Bastille to Place de la République:
But in Gabon, things have not been so easy. According to Moubamba, the planned 5 February demonstration was repressed by Ali Bongo's security forces:
Encore une fois les forces de sécurité à la solde du pvr gabonais ont choisi la répression / Manifestation de la Gare
On Tuesday 8 February, 2011, other demonstrations were dispersed in Gabon. According to online African paper Direct Scoop [fr], tear gas was used against protestors:
(…), les manifestants ont été dispersés par les gaz lacrymogène. ‘’Libreville est dans un état de siège qui ne dit son nom’’, souligne cette source
Tension at the UNDP Building in Libreville
Self proclaimed ‘President’ Obame has sought asylum in the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) building in Libreville, along with other members of his ‘government’ for two weeks now.
National Union, Gabon's main opposition party, was dissolved on the order of Ali Bongo at the beginning of the political crisis.
After the news of the military attack [fr] surfaced, satirical online paper Le Gri-Gri International published a photo story [fr] showing opposition life in the UNDP office:
Ce n’est pas la vie de château, certes, mais les « exilés du PNUD » n’en perdent pas le moral pour autant. Confinés pour la bonne cause, et encerclés par les miliciens à la solde d’Ali Ben
Anti-USA and UN Rhetoric
There seems to be increasing pressure on the opposition from UN officials however, to vacate the UNDP premises. Jean-pierre Rougou, a source reputed to be close to the unofficial ‘government’, wrote on his social network Facebook profile:
La tension avec les responsables du système des nations unies est montée d'un cran aujourd'hui. le représentant algérien était extrêmement gêné de nous faire passer un message verbal de ses supérieurs à NY nous demandant si nous voulions quitter les lieux car ne pouvant nous forcer à le faire. Par ailleurs ils nous ont demandé de nous séparer de tous nos moyens de communication et de n'utiliser que le téléphone fixe du seul bureau auquel nous pouvons accéder.
In two press releases published on Tuesday 8 February, 2011, the unofficial opposition Gabonese government accused the United States’ ambassador in Gabon of keeping a guilty silence on violations by Ali Bongo and his regime against civil liberties.
Jean-pierre Rougou compared the response in a note posted on Facebook to that of the Swedish UN Secretary General Dag Hammarskjold; Hammarskjold's reaction to a Congolese political crisis in 1960 led to the assassination of the first legally elected Prime Minister of the Republic of the Congo, Patrice Lumumba.
En 1960, l’attitude du Secrétaire Général de l’ONU, le Suédois Dag Hammarskjöld, a conduit à l’assassinat de Patrice Lumumba.
En 1994, l’attitude des Nations-Unies au Rwanda a aboutit au résultat que l’on connait.
This post is part of our special coverage on Gabon Unrest 2011

author: Julie Owono


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Guyana: Environmental Degradation  · Global Voices
Janine Mendes-Franco

“We’re sorry Little Ones, so sorry.  Please forgive we for this dying that we’s creating”: Guyana-Gyal grieves for the environment.

author: Janine Mendes-Franco


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Jamaica: Watching Egypt Make History  · Global Voices
Janine Mendes-Franco

“Social media play a role in the way popular discontent with government is communicated”: Pray, laugh grow! realises that “Egypt is at a crucial point in its history.”


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Japan: Giving a face to the Egyptian voices · Global Voices
Scilla Alecci

Japanese independent magazine Web D!ce dedicated a post to show the faces and the messages of the Egyptian people that Japanese TV and newspapers don't include in their coverage. More than 50 photos were collected from several Flickr users.

author: Scilla Alecci


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Japan: Little girl explains the situation in Egypt · Global Voices
Scilla Alecci

At the Youtube Channel Nina in Japan, an elementary-school girl explains [en] the situation in Egypt from her young point of view.


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Malawi: The Piggy Bank Economist · Global Voices
Ndesanjo Macha

Harold Williams says that Malawian President is a piggy bank economist: “Whoever said that Bingu wa Mutharika is an economic engineer, got it very badly wrong, as most of you may have concluded as you waste your precious time searching for and queuing for fuel.Come to think of it, it had to have been Bakili Muluzi himself who invented those two deceptive titles.”

author: Ndesanjo Macha


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Mexico: Social Media Reacts After Influential Journalist Carmen Aristegui is Fired · Global Voices
Ernesto Priego

Carmen Aristegui. Image by Flickr user chableproductions used under a CC BY 2.0 license
As reported by Global Voices on February 7, 2011,  Mexican Twitter users have been very active debating the news that influential anchorwoman Carmen Aristegui was dismissed from her MVS Noticias [es] radio show 72 hours after she asked on air if  President Felipe Calderón should “give a clear, pristine, formal answer” to whether he suffered from a drinking problem.
She asked the question after reporting that opposition lawmakers from the Partido del Trabajo (PT) led by Gerardo Fernández Noroña [es] interrupted a congressional session to raise a banner with Calderón's photo and a message that read:
Would you let a drunk drive your car? No, right? So why would you let one drive your country?
The segment of Aristegui's last radio show in which she covered the incident was broadcast on February 4, and has been widely distributed online.
Her direct question to the Mexican President has been documented in the following footage from her program, from minute 6:33 to 8:26 (9:03 to 9:12 am, Mexico City time). Below the video Global Voices offers a bilingual transcription of her exact words:
National left-of-center newspaper La Jornada, confirmed on Monday 5 February [es] that MVS issued the following statement: “Journalist Carmen Aristegui gave validity to an assumption, transgressing our code of ethics, and in [her] refusing to offer a public apology, as requested by the company, we have decided to terminate the contractual relationship we had with her.”
The audio in Spanish of the message broadcast by MVS can be heard in this clip uploaded by YouTube channel politicaypoliticosmx [es].
Kirén Miret (@kmiret), from Aristegui's production team, said on Twitter on February 7:
Sí, les confirmo que Carmen Aristegui sale del aire en MVS. Supongo que lo explicará cuando lo considere pertinente.
Meanwhile, @NoticiasMVS, the official Twitter profile of MVS, had nothing to say on the site that day about the incident.
Aristegui, who also has a TV show in CNN Mexico, only joined Twitter in July 2010 [es], and has not tweeted since October 9 [es].
Nevertheless, since last Monday thousands of tweets tagged with #Aristegui, and recently in connection to the hashtags #MVS and #libertaddexpresion (“freedom of speech”), have flooded the 140-character social network, making it a local and worldwide trending topic.
An anonymous Twitter account dedicated to supporting the journalist, @ApoyoAristegui, has a simple question in all caps as its profile information:
DONDE ESTA LA LIBERTAD DE EXPRESION?
But there is hardly any agreement about the situation. While many defend the journalist's right to ask the question, some bloggers do not. For example, Aguachile wrote:
Why is the president forced to prove a negative – to prove something that he isn't? To put it this way: Following this logic, does he also have to prove he is not the flying spaghetti monster?
Journalist Raymundo Rivapalacio (@rivapa) tweeted:
El caso de Carmen #Aristegui y #MVS es un gran pretexto para debatir públicamente la relación de los medios y el poder.
In response to Raymundo Rivapalacio (@rivapa), @afhierro replied, summing up a popular view:
@rivapa pero sobretodo, #Aristegui tiene razón: los mexicanos tenemos derecho a saber el estado de salud de quien nos gobierna.
Meanwhile, political blog Pateando Piedras reported on “Operación Tequila,” [Operation Tequila] a Distributed Denial of Service attack on the MVS website planned for 10 February. The campaign's motto read:
El alcoholismo no es el problema, la censura sí
Fernández Noroña (@fernandeznorona), the politician whose banner cost Aristegui her job, remains very active on Twitter, saying:
Jóvenes, cuídense, anda un borracho manejando y atropella a quien lo señala
A day before, Alfredo Guzman (@ideasdelmaza) had said:
Hoy todos muy preocupados por la libertad de prensa. Pero yo no vi a nadie quejarse por ser el país más peligroso para ejercer el periodismo
According to a study in progress, 62.89% of the tweets tagged with #Aristegui were RTs, and 39% of the tweets were made via the Web and the rest with mobile devices.
Announced by @ApoyoAristegui, Aristegui would give a press conference today, February 9th, at 11am Mexico City time.
At the time of writing this post, Twitter users were busy following the conference live. Gerardo Albarrán (@saladeprensa) reported Aristegui saying:
No rectifico ni me disculpo porque no tengo nada de que disculparme.” #Aristegui

author: Ernesto Priego


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Nepal: Parliament Finally Elects A Prime Minister · Global Voices
Bhumika Ghimire

After months of infighting, bickering and a record setting 17 attempts, Nepal finally has elected a Prime Minister.  Jhala Nath Khanal, leader of the Communist Party of Nepal (United Marxist and Leninist), was sworn in on Sunday, at a ceremony in capital Kathmandu. Although not known for his charisma or leadership ability, Mr. Khanal has certainly raised hopes for many who viewed chaos and confusion of past seven months as a serious impediment to Nepal's fragile peace process.
Prime Minister Jhala Nath Khanal taking oath of office. Image by Wikimedia user Krish Dulal, used under CC license.
Surya B.Prasai at American Chronicle is one among the hopefuls. He is confident that:
” …the peace process will now come to a definite conclusion in the next few months, Nepal´s democratic credentials further consolidated, and aid from the donor community channeled properly to the underprivileged communities in Nepal where it matters most. Recently the UN´s Resident Coordinator in Nepal, Richard Piper had lamented that development had been relegated to the position of a second class citizen in Nepali political dialogue. “
Despite the optimism and a chance for fresh start, there are significant roadblocks on Mr. Kahanl's path. He cannot ignore Nepal's power crisis which has severely crippled the country's economy and industries. China Dialogue has Deepak Adhikari’s in-depth analysis of the energy drought.
“With winter in full swing, the spectre of planned power cuts, euphemistically called “load shedding”, is haunting Nepal's electricity consumers. The country’s citizens dread this time of year, which not only brings the Himalayan chill but also the inevitable power shortages, beginning in October to November and continuing until the monsoon arrives in June or July. By February the cuts are expected to intensify to 16 hours a day.”
Capital Kathmandu is already suffering through 14 hours of daily power cuts. Jhala Nath Khanal's government will have to find a solution to the energy crisis before the frustration on the streets boils over.
As a communist leader, Khanal refused to take oath of office in name of God and some are calling him a hypocrite for this. Blogger  Umesh Shrestha at MySansar asks:
“तर शपथ ग्रहण गर्दा त्यही ईश्वरको नाममा शपथ लिन चाहिँ तपाईँ किन अघि सर्नुभएन। यदि तपाईँ ईश्वरलाई नमान्ने कम्युनिस्ट हुनुहुन्छ भने बालुवाटार प्रवेश गर्नुअघि चाहिँ किन ईश्वरको चित्र भएको कपडा घाँटीमा भिरेर पूजाआजा गर्नुहुन्छ ? किन यो दोहोरो मापदण्ड ?”
Will the Gods be irked too? That is for future to reveal but Khanal's term could be yet another missed opportunity if he cannot manage fixing the energy crisis and get the peace process moving.

author: Bhumika Ghimire


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Nigeria: D’banj performs with Snoop Dogg · Global Voices
Ndesanjo Macha

A video of Dapo Daniel Oyebanjo (popularly known as D’banj  Artist of the Year at the MTV Africa Music Awards 2009 in collaboration with American rapper Snoop Dogg.


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Russia: Artyom Charukhin’s Truth-Telling Case · Global Voices
Veronica Khokhlova

The Power Vertical reports on the case of a Moscow police officer who admitted in a courtroom that he had forged a police report on the arrest of opposition activist Ilya Yashin.

author: Veronica Khokhlova


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Russia: Doku Umarov’s Belated Statement on Domodedovo · Global Voices
Veronica Khokhlova

In Moscow's Shadows analyzes Doku Umarov's belated statement, in which he claimed responsibility for the Jan. 24 Domodedovo Airport suicide attack.


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Russia: Guardian’s Luke Harding Expelled From Russia · Global Voices
Veronica Khokhlova

Julia Ioffe, Sean Guillory and Anatoly Karlin write about the expulsion of Guardian's Moscow correspondent Luke Harding from Russia.


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South Korea: Backlash After ’30 Minute’ Pizza Delivery Death · Global Voices
Lee Yoo Eun

A popular Domino's Pizza marketing strategy promising pizza delivery within 30 minutes of an order has met with a public backlash in South Korea, following the deaths of several young delivery personnel.
The Young Union, the union For Occupational and Environmental Health (FOEC) and several labor unions held a press conference on 8 February, 2011, in front of Domino's Pizza’s headquarters in South Korean capital Seoul, pressuring the company to abolish the '30 Minute’ delivery system.
South Koreans are discovering the hidden cost of their takeaway pizzas. Image in public domain via Wikimedia.
The issue gathered huge media attention in December, 2010, when a 24 year old part-time delivery boy died in a car accident whilst delivering an order [ko]. Three more people from the same brand have died in similar circumstances last year alone.
According to the Korean Ministry of Employment and Labor, more than 7,000 thousand delivery-related motorbike accidents are recorded per year. Several thousand people, including a celebrity author, famous actress and several academics have officially expressed concern over the '30 Minute’ system; it pressurises delivery personnel to drive fast and dangerously, as they are given penalties or forced to pay for the cost of the order when the 30 minutes delivery deadline is not met.
The '30 Minute Guarantee’ was originally introduced by Domino's Pizza in the United States in 1973, but was eventually dropped after several lawsuits related to dangerous driving associated with the policy.
Hostile Working Conditions
When most big pizza brands receive complaints about slow delivery, they give away a free pizza or a discount. In the case of Domino's South Korea, when 30 minutes have passed since an order, customers get a 2,000 Won (around 2 USD) discount for each pizza. After 45 minutes, customers get a free pizza or free side dish.
What aggravates the already hostile working conditions delivery personnel experience in the country, are customers who hold their elevator or do not answer the door to postpone delivery in order to get a free pizza. Some customers demand delivery even on extremely snowy days, when many other pizza parlors do not accept take-out orders.
Gloria Gu, an intern researcher for FOEC writes on the page dedicated to the '30 Minute’ issue on social networking site Facebook, “15 minutes is enough time to kill a innocent man”. It is believed that an average of 15 minutes are spent on making a pizza.
She encourages more people to join the social protest:
30분 배달제라는 청년노동자의 삶이 아직까지 자신의 일이 아니라며 외면하는 사람들도 많이 있을 것입니다. 기업의 경제논리 때문에 어쩔 수 없다고 치부해버리거나 폐지할 이유가 없다고 하는 사람도 있을 것입니다. 그렇지만 그 사람들의 관심까지 모아, 더 이상 무고한 희생이 일어나지 않도록, 모든 노동자들이 생명의 위협을 받지 않고 안전한 환경에서 일할 수 있도록 끝까지 함께해주십시오.
Below her article, comments such as these were posted:
권용진 신호를 위반하고 배달하는 이들을 안좋은 시선으로 바라보았었는데… 그게 아니군요. 참 안타까운 일입니다.
Dam Juck 항상 빨리 안온다고 불평만 했었는데 이글을 보니 참 바보같은 짓을 했었군요.
Kwon Yong-jin: I used to have a slanted view of those who deliver [food] whilst ignoring traffic signals. But that [referring to his view] was not right. It's such a regrettable situation.
Dam Juck: I always complained about the delivery being not fast enough, but after reading these [Facebook] articles, I now realize I have acted like an idiot.
Korean net users filed an online petition on the Daum Agora website, which has already gathered 1,000 signatures. The petition points out that the '30 Minute’ system has to stop immediately for the sake of public justice and safety:
30분 배달제로 아르바이트 하는 청소년들이 안따갑게 배달사고로 목숨을 잃고있다. 영리를 목적으로 지나친 업체경쟁으로 목숨을 요구하는 부도덕한 상술이다. 과연. 알바생의 목숨을 요구해야 할 만큼 부도덕한 사회가 되었단 말인가?![…]또한 운전자 입장에서도 30분 배달제 인해 언제 배달원들이 목숨걸고 튀어나올지 몰라 불안한 상황이다. 한편 선진국에서 이런 영업행태가 적발되면 사법당국에서 살인미수죄로 처벌한다.
Blogger Bolin3 suggests [ko] that the delivery policy may have emerged as a result of the Korean ‘Palli-Palli‘ (‘faster faster’) corporate culture, which focuses solely on yielding quick, quantitative results:
얼마전에 등록금을 벌기 위해 피자 배달을 하던 한 대학생의 오토바이 사고 후 사망사고를 뉴스로 전해들었던 기억이 있습니다. 그냥 그랫나보다 좀 천천히 다니지…그랬죠.동네에서 폭력질주하는 오토바이들에 아이들이 몇 번 놀라서 대수롭지도 측은하지도 않게 넘겼나 봅니다. 그런데…그 질주에 이면에는 배달원들이 어쩔 수 없었던 불가항력적인 부분이 있었네요. 오늘날 대한민국이 있는데 한 몫을 했던 ‘빨리빨리'문화는 긍적적이고 하지만…그것이 우리도 모르는 사이에 고객만족이라는 이름을 달고 누군가에게 위압적이고 위험을 줄 수 있다는 생각을 가져봅니다.

author: Lee Yoo Eun


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S.Korean net users mourn over the death of a struggling movie writer  · Global Voices
Lee Yoo Eun

South Korean net users commemorated the death of Choi Go-eun, a movie writer who died from chronic disease after battling with the poverty and huger with earning less than minimum wage, around 600 USD a year. The Federation of Movie Worker’s Union defined her death[ko] a ‘social murder’ and criticized the rampant injustice in movie industry.


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Senegal: Shaky start to Dakar WSF 2011  · Global Voices
Ndesanjo Macha

A shaky start to the World Social Forum in Dakar, Senegal: “At the first official day of the Forum, hundreds of participants from around the world were stranded as a result of the absence of a complete programme, inadequate and well-labelled venues, thus driving many event-organisers to either postpone or cancel planned events on February 7.


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Sri Lanka: Floods Causing Havoc In Badulla · Global Voices
Rezwan

P.B. Gowthamam reports about the devastating effects of floods on many parts of Badulla in Sri Lanka. The blogger also post pictures of the devastations.

author: Rezwan


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Sudan: Southern Sudan becomes Africa’s newest nation · Global Voices
Ndesanjo Macha

This post is part of our special coverage South Sudan Referendum 2011.
Southern Sudan has officially become Africa's newest nation after Southern Sudanese voted for secession from the north. Official referendum figures released on Monday showed that 98.83 per cent of voters from the south chose to secede from the north. This is a roundup of reaction to referendum results.
Two sons of southern Sudan freedom fighter, Gordon Muortat Mayen Mabor, hold his pictures while waiting to cast their votes in the South Sudan independence referendum in London, UK. Photo by P Nutt, copyright © Demotix (09/01/2010).
Pascal Ladu posts a podcast capturing the historical moment when the Southern Sudan Referendum Commission declared the official preliminary referendum results in Juba:
A large crowd of Southern Sudanese gathered at the Mausoleum of Dr. John Garang in Juba to celebrate the announcement of the official preliminary referendum results on Sunday. The results showed almost unanimous support for secession throughout Southern Sudan. The colourful occasion was marked with singing, dancing, blowing of horns and beating of drums. The results, announced by the Chairperson of the Southern Sudan Referendum Commission and his Deputy, were met with thunderous applause from the crowd.
As'ad questions America's double standard:
Compare the speed in which the US government has recognized the Southern Sudan state and the treatment of Palestine by the US government.
Law Hawk says that Southern Sudan will need to rely on its northern neighbor:
Still, South Sudan will need to rely on its northern neighbor as the main oil pipeline from the Southern oil fields must travel through Sudan to generate much of the income needed by the country to get off its feet.
How will Southern Sudan attract investors?:
In Sudan , or Ex-Sudan; we had lots of politicians.. Maturity is rare.. However said, should refer to benchmarks.. not actions..!
Without benchmarking, any action might be called wonderful..!! while it is a slip to hill..!!
I don't mean to question any officials or representatives, but the Bell Syndrome tells that only 2% (on any level) would be able visualize the big picture.. You need to learn all lessons around, to smooth your way forward without glow, fake or deformed interests..
If you would trust a “Darfurese” knowledge-based expert..
Ok, let's meet the facts without those nicely said words..
With almost 80% illiteracy, 0.5% graduates, 0% infrastructure, 50% political unrest and 99% tribal mind-set.. This is not a recipe for IFDs or PPPs, but only for UN/Gov Aid..
Unless you draw your own realistic visions on government (what Singapore did), on Capacity building (i.e, Balkan), on governance (i.e, S Africa); South Sudan will unlikely attract investors..! They are greedy and cautious..
Kizzie is very jealous of Southern Sudanese:
A good friend of mine said that Northerners are upset about the South Sudan referendum because they are jealous that the Southerners have the chance to vote and every Southern vote makes a difference, we have nothing.
Yes, I have to admit..I'm very jealous. I registered to vote in April's elections, but my candidate of choice withdrew from the race and I was left wondering whether my voice would have made a difference in the first place.
Sudanese Optimist is happy for Southern Sudan but…:
Although I am very happy for South Sudan to finally gain their independence from the condescending haters in the North, I am truly sad to see that we’ve lost such a vibrant part of ‘our’ Sudanese culture. Perhaps out of watching all the crazy politics lately, the most thing that stuck with me is the Prayer of Saint Francis read yesterday during the secession announcement. Perhaps it is because I have been in never ending zen state for the past few months, but it just seems that all the political news were noise, and the minute I heard this, I can finally hear humanity speak, not politics…and I sure like that
Lodiong Morris reports that the North and the South have resolved the issue of citizenship status:
According to the Minister, the semi-autonomous Government of Southern Sudan (GoSS) and the National Government agreed that those Southerners who wish to remain in the North can become citizens of the North if they so wish. Northerners in the South can equally be granted Southern citizenship rights if they so choose: “We have agreed that Northerners in the South and Southerners in the North will have their rights respected and be given citizenship if they choose, after the declaration of the results”.
This post is part of our special coverage South Sudan Referendum 2011.


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Taiwan: Women’s role in free and open source software movement · Global Voices
Portnoy Zheng

WoFOSS (Women in Free and Open Source Software in Taiwan) is a community of females in free and open software development and movement. Traditionally, in the field of information/engineering, men are always in charge, however, for many years, women have been stepping in from various directions, including developers, promoters, or end users who simply love FOSS. The community wishes to aggregate women in information field to amplify their voices and to construct a friendly, free and comfortable information environment for Taiwanese women.

author: Portnoy Zheng


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The Balkans: Turbo-folk and Rock Mashups · Global Voices
Filip Stojanovski

Mashup clips by YouTube user apostolski, which combine video footage of Coldplay, U2 and Queen with Serbian turbo-folk songs are poised to become the next big viral hit among Balkan social media users and bloggers [MKD]. Some have already “spilled over” into traditional media like TV call-in show Jadi burek [MKD], which “reuses” clips from the net.

author: Filip Stojanovski


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Trinidad & Tobago: Keith Smith Passes Away  · Global Voices
Janine Mendes-Franco

“The real measure of the man is the gap that will be left in…Trinidad & Tobago now…he was a one-of-a-kind, and there are precious few of those in this plastic world”: Bloggers mourn the death of iconic journalist, Keith Smith.


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Trinidad & Tobago: Making Carnival Locally  · Global Voices
Janine Mendes-Franco

Guanaguanare applauds the announcement of the Minister of Culture about putting a stop to the importation of Carnival costumes, saying: “Supporting indigenous creativity and opportunities for employment of locals will ensure that more of the cultural and economic benefits of this festival will be shared more widely with our population.”


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Africa: Entrepreneurship and development in frontier markets · Global Voices
Ndesanjo Macha

Mighty African attended a Stanford Africa Forum event called “Entrepreneurship and Development: Doing Business in a Frontier Market”: “I went to the mobile technology panel. An issue was raised, “Why can't people selling crafts, etc in Africa get to participate in e-commerce? This is a case for mobile money.”


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Argentina: Street Art in San Telmo, Buenos Aires · Global Voices
Silvia Viñas

In ¿Qué Sé Yo, Argentina? Allie Lazar writes about the neighborhood San Telmo in Buenos Aires and shares pictures of her favorite thing about San Telmo: street art.

author: Silvia Viñas


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Bangladesh: Tea Shops In Bangladesh · Global Voices
Rezwan

Bangladesh Unlocked reports with pictures about the different tea shops found in Bangladesh.


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China: Home Depot’s failure · Global Voices
Oiwan Lam

Dan from China Law Blog looks into the reasons behind the failure of Home Depot in China.

author: Oiwan Lam


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China: Raising questions on the “Liberate child beggars campaign” · Global Voices
Oiwan Lam

Roland Soong has translated a number of articles raising questions on the “Take chance photos to liberate child beggars” campaign: Stop Running And Think For A Moment by Qiu Ming, Who Is Being Abducted And Sold Off? by Hecaitou.


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Convert Your Driving License To A Sri Lankan License · Global Voices
Rezwan

Need a driving license in Sri Lanka while you are visiting? Simon Shareef explains how to convert your foreign driving license to a Sri Lankan driving license.


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Cuba: Internet Landscape  · Global Voices
Janine Mendes-Franco

Generation Y and Regina Coyula blog about the Internet monitoring situation in Cuba.


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D.R. of Congo/Rwanda: WikiLeaks paint unflattering picture of Congolese leaders  · Global Voices
Ndesanjo Macha

Congo Siasa blog will be publishing a series of articles over the coming weeks drawing on information from several thousand WikiLeaks cables from the Kigali and Kinshasa embassies.


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East Timor: Tebe Dai dance · Global Voices
Mong Palatino

EngageMedia uploads a video featuring Tebe Dai, a traditional Timorese dance from the Kamanasa Village.

author: Mong Palatino


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Egypt: A List of Demands from Tahrir Square  · Global Voices
Amira Al Hussaini

This post is part of our special coverage of Egypt Protests 2011.
Protesting to the beat of a drum on Tahrir Square, Cairo. Photo by Adham Khorshed © Copyright Demotix (09/02/2011)
A list of demands from the protesters at Tahrir Square is being circulated online today, the 17th day of massive demonstrations across Egypt calling for the overthrow of the Mubarak regime. The first item calls for the resignation of president Hosni Mubarak.
Wael Khalil lists those demands on his blog (Ar) and says:
The immediate demands are:
Wael Khalil also lists demands for the transitional period as follows:
Reactions to demands, on the blog, have so far been limited.
A protester in Tahrir Square, Cairo holds up a sign listing crimes of the Egyptian government against the people. By Adham Khorshed © Copyright Demotix  (09/02/2011)
Anonymous wrote:
أولاً جهاز مباحث أمن الدولة لا يمكن حله ، لإنه المسئول عن الكثير من الملفات الحساسة . يكفى إلغاء قانون الطوارئ لكف يده عن أصحاب الرأى . مش لازم تخليص الثأر على حساب مصلحة البلد
ثانيًا : أنس الفقى بيعمل شغله زى ما هو شايف إنه يخدم البلد ، مش معنى إن أى حد ضد الثورة يكون بالتبعية ضد البلد . و الكلام مش على وزير الإعلام كشخص و لكن على كل اللى له موقف مخالف
ثالثًا : حكم الحد الأدنى للأجور ده غبى و مضر بالموظف المصرى لإن أصحاب الأعمال بدل ما يشغل 2 و يدى الواحد 600 هايجيب واحد بس يشغله شغل 3 أشخاص بال1200 .
الأجور زيها زى الأسعار يجب أن تتحدد بالعرض و الطلب فى سوق حرة أى تدخل بقرارات بيأثر على السوق و يخلق مشاكل
رابعًا : إطلاق الحق فى إصدار الصحف و بث القنوات غير منطقى ، ممكن المطلب يكون إعادة تقييم الشروط لكن كل من هب و دب يعمل جريدة و لا مجلة و لا قناة . كفاية البلاوى اللى على المدونات ، يا ريت قليل من الإحترام للكلمة المطبوعة و الأهم من مين هايمسك ميكروفون و يغسل دماغ الناس بإيه
خامسًا : إلغاء الخدمة الوطنية فى الشرطة و نستورد عساكر من الكنغو يعنى ؟؟
Secondly, Anas El Fiqi is conducting his job, as he sees fit to serve the country. This doesn't mean that anyone who is against the revolution is necessarily against the country. And this applies not only to the Minister of Information in person, but to all those who have a different opinion
Thirdly, demanding a minimum wage is stupid and will have a counter effect on Egyptian workers because employers will employ one person for 1,200 EP and make him do the work of three people, instead of employing two for 600 EP each. Wages, like prices, should be left to supply and demand. In a free market, interfering in such things effects the market and creates problems.
Fourthly, opening the right to open newspapers and channels is not logical. You could ask for reassessing the requirements. But you cannot have everyone open whatever they want. We are having enough from the problems on blogs. I really wish there was more respect for the written word and what is more important is that who will be holding the microphone and what will they be brainwashing the people with
Fifth, if we cancel the national service in the police force, where will be get policemen from? The Congo, for instance?
Hany Masry  responded:
And Osiris added:
I'm sorry, but these demands are going to be used against you to show that you guys are not serious. And this is coming from a guy who's 1,000,000% on your side.
First of all, let's realize that although hugely corrupt the government is smart and was able to win over some people, so when we draft our demands we need to keep in mind the misinformation the government has been using against us and show the open minded that they're wrong.
1- If we want Mubarak to resign we have to work within the confines of the constitution that we currently have now and have Fathy Suroor be president (worse than Mubarak). So instead we should say: Mubarak must “temporarily” leave office “for health reasons”.
3- Some people might read that as either dismantling the police force, and others will say “so that El-Ekhwan and AlQaeda can attack us.” So we need to clarify that
5- I am no legal scholar, but legally speaking if this happens who is authorized to rewrite the constitution? Again, we need some grown-up demands here. Something that can actually be met and work in our advantage and not against us.
8- Wow, I didn't even know such a force existed. Talk about a police state.
Now for the transitional period demands:
1- Again, how do we go about doing that? Does the VP have the authority to just write a new constitution? Who do we want to come up with the new constitution? Again, let's get real and practical. Who should choose the ppl to rewrite the constitution?
3- I don't know if I understand this right (r u asking to set the minimum rent amount to 1200?) but what does this have to do with democracy?
Other reactions to the post include a suggestion to start collecting signatures from the square for the demands, and investigating the wealth of corrupt public servants, and demanding the return of their wealth.
The list of demands are signed by Bloggers from Egypt.
This post is part of our special coverage of Egypt Protests 2011.


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Egypt: A Very Egyptian Coup · Global Voices
Salam Adil

Picture by Ahmad347 via Ms MoneyGirl
It started with a wish…
@Sarahngb – That Rainbow over Tahrir is close to a miracle! Let's hope another will follow… RT @justimage: http://yfrog.com/h0jzngjj #jan25
Then a trickle of rumours:
@Sandmonkey – This might end tonite, hussam badrawy just said mubarak is coming on TV tonite to answer the people's demands. Fingers crossed.
…
This was seen by my dad on bbc. If anyone else saw hossam badrawy, let me know.
and by the time the army made “announcement number 1″ on Egyptian State TV – Twitter had a major flood on its hands.
Some people greeted the cryptic army statement with a general WTF?? but @SamihToukan got it:
Army just made a useless announcement saying nothing … Whats most significant about Army announcement is not the announcement itself but fact that Mubarak was not chairing meeting.
And then the fat lady sang:
Mission accomplished. Thanks to all the brave young Egyptians.
wrote @ghonim, Wael Ghonim, the formerly imprisoned Google manager and the revolution's celebrity.
But with the sunsetting of Mubarak, the debate and speculation for the future begins:
@3arabawy disagrees with @gonim in a series of posts he wrote:
We didn't fight and sacrifice all of this, so as to have the army, which is ruling us from 1952, remains in power! … The Revolution must continue … very disappointed with @Ghonim's position.
@ManAbuTaleb went further:
@ghonim said previously “someone like me with an MA degree shouldn't be treated like this” so its OK if one has lesser degree?
@ghonim doesn't speak for me … have you seen him on TV just now? @Ghonim is saying very naive things. Very disappointing. Now where's that unfollow button?
Sandmonkey has put together his own suggestion for a political programme:
Now, I am not a leader of this movement, and god knows I would be loathe to name myself as a spokesperson for the 5 million individuals nationwide who have joined these protests. …
the status quo just won’t do. This lack of action and organization will be used against us (the protesters) in every way possible. … So here are my two cents
And he gives his program for the forming of a new political movement.
And on the Arabist blog Issandr El Amrani discusses the timetable for constitutional reform and discusses various opinions about the future.
I will leave it there – whatever happens, by the time you read this, the world will have changed again! This is only the beginning Global Voices really ought to have a “revolution” tag.

author: Salam Adil


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Egypt: Children, Fish and Cats Ask Mubarak to Leave  · Global Voices
Amira Al Hussaini

This post is part of our special coverage of Egypt Protests 2011.
Children, fish and even cats, have joined millions of Egyptians in their call for an end to the Mubarak regime.
In this video, from YouTube, a young Egyptian boy leads the chants calling for the ousting of president Hosni Mubarak, who has ruled Egypt for 30 years:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dsnPi9Km65A
In Tahrir Square, children are also seen in this video chanting for the overthrow of Mubarak, and his regime:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XjdDf-eT_KQ
On Twitter, Dalia Ziada shares a link to a video showing children in the US, eager to join the protests in Tahrir Square and notes:
From Japan, five-year-old Nina describes the unfolding developments in Egypt, after seeing pictures of the demonstrations in a newspaper:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XyYMVbk2zHg
On Twitter, Sarah Carr shares the following photograph, and says:
And another one: السمك يريد اسقاط النظام http://on.fb.me/eGCQs1 Fish want the downfall of the regime #jan25
Divers put up a sign underwater which says: The fish want the downfall of the regime
And in Bahrain, my cats too are holding their own demonstration, appealing to Mubarak to step down and fulfil the the wishes of millions of Egyptians:
My cat Tiny appeals to Mubarak to step down
Divers photo credit: Ahmed Abdelhamid
This post is part of our special coverage of Egypt Protests 2011.


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Egypt: Mubarak’s Speech Booed by Tahrir Crowds  · Global Voices
Amira Al Hussaini

This post is part of our special coverage of Egypt Protests 2011.
A defiant Mubarak addressed the people of Egypt tonight, saying he will continue to remain president until presidential elections in September, but would delegate presidential responsibilities to newly appointed vice-president Omar Sulieman.
Protesters at Tahrir Square in downtown Cairo, who numbered around 3 million, broke in chants calling for the overthrow of Mubarak, while the speech was going.
As soon as the speech was over, the chants rose, against both Mubarak and Sulieman, clearly showing that the crowds rejected the speech. Among the chants was: “We're off to the palace (presidential), we're going as millions of martyrs.”
Here's a round up of some of the reactions from Twitter, as soon as Mubarak ended his speech:
@tololy: Mubarak delegats presidential responsibilities to VP Omar Suleiman #Egypt #Jan25
@algergawi: Fact that the old man said he's staying till “September” at this speech is proof he put the S in stubborn. #Jan25
@Elizrael: Tomorrow's protests are going to be HUGE. #Jan25
@Sandmonkey: People are leaving in big groups chanting “tomorrow tomorrow” #jan25
@JustAmira: Protesters call for army intervention and a march to the presidential palace http://yfrog.com/h6t8zfj
@RobaAssi: I cant even IMAGINE how people in #tahrir are feeling. I'm seething with rage all the way in sleepy #amman. #mubarakisanasshole
@ahmednaguib: I hope he is ready for the millions marching towards his palace. #Jan25 I know I will be among them.
@MaLek: هو يمشي – LIVE at http://bambuser.com/v/1404062
@tarawnah: Oh. My. God. Sound of protesters chanting now overtaking sound of #mubarak speech. Can hardly hear him. #jan25 #egypt
@SultanAlQassemi: Protesters in Meydan Tahrir are shouting IMSHI IMSHI IMSHI (Leave leave leave)
@asadabukhalil: This speech will go down in history as the dumbest speech ever delivered by a dictator.
@LabibaLaith:
@Egyptocracy: #Mubarak referred to himself in the 3rd person again. He did that already in his last speech. #Egypt #Jan25 #Tahrir
@hazemzohny: Expect utter governmental collapse. The army and NDP Sec. General just said good news coming. This speech is the opposite #Jan25 #Egypt
@fasi_zaka: Mubarak to stay interning in Egypt. Starts Grad school in September. #Hosni #mubarak #jan25 #egypt
@twilight2000: State TV suddenly NOT showing the crowds in #Tahrir – no surprise – only AJE is showing them now. ~AJE #jan25
Millions will be marching across Egypt tomorrow, Friday, and estimates say crowds will swell to more than 20 million.
This post is part of our special coverage of Egypt Protests 2011.


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Egypt: Peaceful Protests to Continue Until Demands are Met  · Global Voices
Amira Al Hussaini

This post is part of our special coverage of Egypt Protests 2011.
Angry, confused and still insisting on calling for their demands in a peaceful manner, protesters across Egypt continue to in their demonstrations for the overthrow of the regime.
Mubarak's speech earlier tonight did just what his previous television appearance did – rally the crowds and unite them under one banner: calling for an end of his 30-year rule and that of his regime.
The mood on Twitter made a U-turn after a much anticipated speech, which resulted in even more confusion. From jokes on #ReasonsMubarakIsLate, revolution is back in the air, with groups of protesters surrounding the Egyptian State Television Building and Information Ministry, and other marching to the Presidential Palace.
Despite the angry tone, protesters vow to stay away from violence, replying that it was the government which unleashed its paid thugs on them.
Here's a snippet from the conversation on Twitter:
@ElBaradei: Egypt will explode. Army must save the country now
@NevineZaki: all hell has broken loose
@amgadmakarem: Rising our shoes in the air was only a response to ur speech but not our reaction. Peace is our 1st card, but u ran out of cards #JAN25
@hebaelkayal: Let's not lose the respect & credibility we've gained by turning violent, kill them w/ peace #jan25 #Egypt
@Ms_Hala: Protesters maintaining the peace despite their extreme anger over pathetic speeches back to back!! #Egypt #Jan25 #ArabRevolt #fb
@Alshaheeed: Peaceful. Peaceful. All the way. No other option. #Jan25 #Egypt
@monasosh: Stop telling us to keep it peaceful, we have always been peaceful & we r remaining peaceful. Any violence will be from Mubarak's ppl #Jan25
@srfahmy: #Military, every1 is counting on u 2 maintain the peace. Make the right choice & protect the people! Side with them. #Egypt #jan25 #Tahrir
@Ssirgany: I truly want to understand Mubarak said, but even our ambassador to US on CNN is being vague about the “delegation/transfer” of power #jan25
@Alshaheeed: #Egypt Protesters will only surround the palace and the TV building. No one will be violent #Jan25
@3arabawy: Thousands r now heading to the State TV building. #Jan25
@monasosh: Infront of the TV building, we need more ppl COME AND JOIN US #Jan25 http://yfrog.com/h4jpgvvj
@arwaCNN: Human chain of soldiers infront of #egypt tv/min of info bldg, 100s protesters chanting out mubarak #jan25
@NevineZaki: well, ppl are furious, they re heading to TV bldg, which has been evacuated earlier. And they have formed a ring around it
@alaa: We never start violence, the idea is to disable state tv but our numbers not big enough yet and building heavily baricaded #Jan25
@pakinamamer: Still in #Tahrir. Crowds are marginally less but there are thousands still, all offended by Mubarak's defiance of their legit demands #Jan25
@pakinamamer: Here is the latest picture from #Tahrir. #Jan25 #Egypt http://yfrog.com/h7f6cpzj
@emoodz: He dug his own grave.. It doesn't look like it'll be pretty..
@SultanAlQassemi: I don't expect less than 10 million protesters on the streets of Egypt tomorrow.
@CarlosLatuff: (Cartoon) #Mubarak got the chair, Egyptian people got the POWER! #Jan25 #Egypt http://twitpic.com/3yf00q
@algergawi: Dear Egyptians, it seems that the old man won't go until all 85 million of you take to the streets. Bring everyone tomorrow. #Jan25
@tarawnah: #mubarak no diff than Arab leaders who always insult intelligence of youth, Even after millions take 2 streets for 18 days. #jan25 #egypt
@AmoonaE: I don't think it's smart to wait till tmrw for the big protests. Just go NOW, march NOW! They said he'll leave today? MAKE IT HAPPEN! #Jan25
@bb_aisha: People held up shoes during Mubarak's speech.After,some cried,most were just angry & disappointed.Fri's a big day, they say #fb
Massive protests are expected tomorrow, Friday, across Egypt after the noon prayers.
This post is part of our special coverage of Egypt Protests 2011.


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Egypt: Reasons Mubarak is Late! · Global Voices
Amira Al Hussaini

This post is part of our special coverage of Egypt Protests 2011.
Mubarak is expected to address the nation tonight – and the time of the expected speech just keeps moving back. Fed up of waiting, tweeps are killing time, and keeping us all entertained.
Here are a sample of tweets from #ReasonsMubarakIsLate:
@3arabawy: The hashtag #ReasonsMubarakIsLate is hilarious! :D
@SeifSalama: Downloading Skype. #ReasonsMubarakIsLate
@KABOBfest: You think it's easy packing gold bullion bars into vintage Louis Vuitton luggage? #ReasonsMubarakIsLate
@ntorki: #ReasonsMubarakIsLate waiting for the tourism visa for Dubai to be issued
@TheSherio: #ReasonsMubarakIsLate still emotionally traumatized that Tamer Hosni got beaten
@Heebzo: Calling ghonem to negotiate.. But he keeps cancelling the calls? #ReasonsMubarakIsLATE
@lucyhiggsUK: #ReasonsMubarakIsLate Lost his passport!!! #mubarak
@TheDizzAR: Surprised by State TV view of Tahrir! #ReasonsMubarakIsLate
@omargodeh: #ReasonsMubarakIsLate he's waiting for a Saudi visa
@PVVVenlo: The swiss bank is closed #ReasonsMubarakIsLate
@lehan: Because his staff, servants and pets wont mummify themselves #ReasonsMubarakIsLate
@Eyousry: He's checking the new hash-tag #ReasonsMubarakIsLate
@kmokhtar: Crying to Dr. Phil. #ReasonsMubarakIsLate
@Ned_MzH: Mubarak, like everyone else is glued to Al Jazeera #reasonsMubarakisLate #Egypt #jan25
@ThundarKitteh: Getting his hair done. #ReasonsMubarakIsLate
@Kawdess: #ReasonsMubarakIsLate making sure his phone's profile is set to Silent
@BrindisMom: He's waiting for his KFC meal #ReasonsMubarakIsLate
@khalawa69: Gamal broke curfew, he is punishing him #ReasonsMubarakIsLate
@dobror: Watching Seinfeld thinking “it is not a lie if you believe it” #ReasonsMubarakIsLate
@iDiplomacy: Police mistook him for a journalist and he's locked up in prison #reasonsmubarakislate
@LSal92: #ReasonsMubarakIsLate He's rounding up Abbas, King Abdullah & Saudi king for a sleep over at Obama's.
@ANaderGretly: #ReasonsMubarakIsLate He's also waiting for Mubarak's speech.
This post is part of our special coverage of Egypt Protests 2011.


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Egypt: RIP General Saad El Din El Shazly · Global Voices
Amira Al Hussaini

This post is part of our special coverage of Egypt Protests 2011.
Egypt today lost the untold hero of the 1973 October War, Saad El Din El Shazly. On Twitter, tweeps pay their respects to the man, who was dismissed from his post as Egyptian ambassador to Portugal and sent into exile in Algeria, after publicly criticising the Camp David Accords, signed by former Egyptian president Anwar Sadat.
On Twitter, tweeps were quick to point out that Shazly, who was the Chief of Staff of the Egyptian Armed Forces during the October War, was a true veteran.
Here are some of the comments from Twitter:
@_Camara_: The untold hero of the 1973 October War, Saad El Shazly May mercies of Allah be upon you Sir! you sure died in great days. #Jan25 #Egypt :(
@iyad_elbaghdadi: FYI, when #Egypt's army was being pounded in the 1967 war, Saad Al-Shazly was INSIDE Israeli territory and was the last to retreat.
@iyad_elbaghdadi: Saad Al-Shazly recounted his life story in an Aljazeera program called “Witness to History”; part 1 starts here: http://bit.ly/i1lQNl (Arb)
@iyad_elbaghdadi: God I'm at the verge of tears. I really loved that man. Saad Al-Shazly, may we accomplish what they did not let you finish. #Jan25
@iyad_elbaghdadi: For those wish to know more about Saad Al-Shazly: http://bit.ly/huJky6. This is the true hero of 1973 – not #Mubarak. #Jan25
@iyad_elbaghdadi: More can be found here: http://bit.ly/gfIJXv, website dedicated to the life & times and military genius of Saad Al-Shazly #Jan25
@Krimnoor: We lost a great Egyptian ,worrior General and patriot RIP Marshall Saad al Din El Shazly
@digitalhammad: http://el-shazly.com/ Saad El-Shazly , thats a veteran not @DictatorMubarak
@YosriFouda: Rest in peace Shazly, you did well with your life and you shall always be in our hearts #Egypt #Jan25
@izzarian: My great uncle Saad El-Shazly has passed away today إنا لله و إنا إليه راجعون a hero and great man. #Egypt
This post is part of our special coverage of Egypt Protests 2011.


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Egypt: Tweeps Will Only Rejoice When they Bring the Regime Down  · Global Voices
Amira Al Hussaini

This post is part of our special coverage of Egypt Protests 2011.
Twitter is a riot of speculation as news outlets continue to report that Egyptian president Hosni Mubarak will step down tonight. The Higher Army Council just announced that it would meet continuously to “protect the nation” and “aspirations of the people.” Footage shown on State TV of the meeting did not show Mubarak, who is commander-in-chief of the armed forces, or his vice president Omar Sulieman at the meeting. Instead, the council is being chaired by Hussein Tantawi, the defence minister.
Here are some of the initial reactions from Twitter:
@Wa7damasrya: @3arabawy @aalmasri @Ghonim Mubarak regime still governing even if he will leave #JAN25
@3arabawy: @Firas_Atraqchi only fools r cheering the military takeover. That changes NOTHING! The revolution continues. #Jan25
@AymanM: Army: demands of the people will be met… Ominous sign #jan25 #jan28 #tahrir
@OGT29: #Egypt #Tahrir has to remain people's land & freedom castle till clear measures are announced for a democratic state, No to army rule #jan25
@ArabVoicesSpeak: #Mubarak stepping down will open door to Suleiman and his ilk to take over, REGIME has to go! #jan25
@monaeltahawy: RT @diptychal First they tried 2 break movement using violence, then they used parental reprehension, now 4 last resort: confusion #jan25
@: I'm in front of people's assembly waiting for resignation of mubarak. We will rejoice. But our work is FAR from over #egypt #jan25
@NadiaE: I'm in front of people's assembly waiting for resignation of mubarak. We will rejoice. But our work is FAR from over #egypt #jan25
@weddady quips [Ar]:
And @ANaje says:
@abdulhaykal: Sometimes there are signs …. RT @3arabawy: Rainbow over Tahrir Square :) http://yfrog.com/h0jzngjj #Jan25
@Jnoubiyeh: Al Jazeera: Protesters in #Tahrir Square are chanting, “#Revolution until the end! Revolution until the end!” #Egyptians #Jan25 #Mubarak
@avinunu: The army is not the “guarantor” of the constitution. The people are, and they are still in charge.
@FourYawkeyWay: As @monaeltahawy put it so brilliantly, #mubarak is the Berlin Wall. Looks like we're about to watch it crumble tonight.
@avinunu: Suleiman is to change from Mubarak as Obama is to change from Bush. #nada
@avinunu: The grave danger remains that they sacrifice Mubarak to try to save the regime.
@Sandmonkey: We dunno if this is good news yet. If u believe in god, its time to pray. #jan25
@Jnoubiyeh: #Egyptians will not be fooled by appeasement. Unless the entire #Mubarak-#Suleiman regime steps down, the #Revolution will continue. #Jan25
@Sha3teely: If Mubarak going to step down how are we going to make cartoons? @kharabeesh #jan25 #egypt #Mubarak
@razaniyat: Mubarak is stepping down tonight? So? The ppl want the regime down, not just Mubarak. الشعب يريد إسقاط النظام #Jan25
@Zeinobia: My aunt : prepare the sharbat !!
@H_Eid: RT @AymanM: reports that airport road has been closed in #cairo #tahrir #jan25 #jan28
@abdelrahmanG: all of Cairo Airport staff even the security have been evacuated from the airport and that the presidential plane is there #jan25
This post is part of our special coverage of Egypt Protests 2011.


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Ghana: Battling corruption with CCTV · Global Voices
Ndesanjo Macha

Ghana should fight corruption using CCTV: “I think the way one of the best ways to stop public officials at Customs (and elsewhere) from fleecing law abiding citizens is to install close circuit TV cameras wherever they work.”


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Goa: Liberation Day or Conquest Day? · Global Voices
João Miguel Lima

Paulo Dias writes on the blog Niz Goenkar about the events of December 19, 1961 when the former Portuguese province of Goa was annexed by India. Dias takes this day, which is celebrated nowadays as Goa's Liberation Day, to discuss whether Goa was in fact liberated or conquered by India and raises the issue of independence.

author: João Miguel Lima


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Honduras: Government Says 2011 is Year of Food Security, Food Prices Say Otherwise · Global Voices
Silvia Viñas

RNS in Honduras Cultures and Politics writes: “There's something ironic about Porfirio Lobo Sosa announcing today that 2011 is the year of food security when food prices are  skyrocketing and the government is doing nothing to assure food  supplies.”


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India, Bangladesh: How Many Bangladeshis Live In India? · Global Voices
Rezwan

Diganta Sarkar  at The New Horizon  discusses about the immigration issues between India and Bangladesh.


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Jamaica, Trinidad & Tobago: Of Beauty & Bottoms  · Global Voices
Janine Mendes-Franco

Stunner is incredulous over the skin bleaching phenomenon, saying: “Black is beautiful”, while Lisa Allen-Agostini “can testify that it is not easy for a black woman to be without a big bottom…the cult of the bamsee is strong.”


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Jamaica, U.S.A.: Virtual Reality  · Global Voices
Janine Mendes-Franco

“I wonder if people are somehow lulling themselves into a belief that the digital world is not real or somehow divorced from the real world”: Grasshopper Eyes The Potomac says everything is connected.


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Jordan: Announcement of New Cabinet · Global Voices
Betsy Fisher

A week after being appointed Jordan's next prime minister, Maarouf Bakhit announced his cabinet.  Former PM Samir Rifai resigned after protests demanded he step down, citing grievances of increasing prices and the slow pace of political reforms under Rifai.  The new cabinet was drawn primarily from former cabinet members, but includes leftist politicians and unionists as well as one former Muslim Brotherhood member.
Bakhit invited the Islamic Action Front, representing the Muslim Brotherhood in Jordan, to join his government on two different occasions.  Both times, the IAF indicated that they would not join the government until it was under a prime minister who was elected.  Currently, the king appoints and dismisses prime ministers.  Hamzeh Mansour, head of the IAF, indicated that while the current cabinet resembles former cabinets, the IAF was optimistic about reforms and would be supportive from its role outside the government.
Some on Twitter began by offering their best wishes and support.  LumaQ tweeted:
i pray today's #jo ministers are impressive and up to the responsibility bestowed upon them…
1Shery1 urged patience and support for the new cabinet:
Are we going 2give the new Cabinet the chance 2prove commitment toward reforming OR we will start complaining and criticizing? #JO #ReformJO
A7lamShams was cautiously optimistic:
I can't see how this #JO Gov will work as a team. I hope they prove me wrong. #REFORMJo my the Lord's Grace be with us.
Many noted that, in the face of demands for reform, so many newly-appointed ministers were former ministers.
Taylor Luck tweeted:
#JO gov't remains largely the same with virtually no “opposition” pressence, Parliament is the same. Will protestors be satisfied? #Amman
Ali Abu-Nimah wrote:
Responding to unprecedented unrest Jordan announces new cabinet dramatically the same as all previous ones http://bit.ly/esV7E0 #ReformJO
And Mohanned al-Arabiat added:
حكومة تسعينات في عام 2011 .. #ReformJO
Others expressed concern that the cabinet members were too old to be reformists.  Luma Q joked:
YAY TO THE SENIORS PARTY!! #JO
Abdul Wahab Kayyali tweeted:
Average age of ministers is probably around 60. Doesn't scream “reform.” Expecting the worst, but hoping for the best. #ReformJo
Some were overtly disappointed.  Hamzeh Lattouf encouraged his fellow tweeters that a future government could be more innovative:
next time hanin.. next time \RT @HaninSh: And the new government is formed… #JO
Mohanned al-Arabiat tweeted:
Names of Appointed Minsters are Yawn inducing. #ReformJO
Rula Kanaan resigned herself to the reality of the new government:
New gov. is very disappointing. I seriously wonder how they appoint ministers! Based on what!? Oh well, 3 mnths & they'll be gone #JO #Fail
Others were supportive and optimistic.  Mohammad Khasawneh wrote:
@tarawnah I really think the cabinet contains a lot of good names beside Dr. Toukan. Maybe some with wrong ministry but yet.. #reformjo #jo
Hiba al-Ali tweeted:
Large cabinet but potentially good team. Awaiting immediate surgical measures to reduce burden on budget in identified areas #Reformjo
Nashmiyya simply was more interested in policy than personnel:
Anxious to find out our government action plan and fix-it plan [realize now names don't matter as much] #reformjo

author: Betsy Fisher


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Philippines: Football revival · Global Voices
Mong Palatino

Filipinos use the twitter hashtag #azkals to express support and admiration to the Philippine Football Team known as the Azkals.


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Puerto Rico: Another Violent Day at the UPR · Global Voices
Firuzeh Shokooh Valle

The collective student blog Desde Adentro/Rojo Gallito [es] and the monthly Diálogo Digital [es] report the events of yet another day of violence at the Río Piedras campus of the University of Puerto Rico.  The chancellor has prohibited protests and demonstrations on the campus, which has been occupied by the Police.

author: Firuzeh Shokooh Valle


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Puerto Rico: Triumph Over Television, The Comedy of Esoez.com · Global Voices
Alfredo Richner

Photo: Courtesy of PuertoRicoIndie.com
Back in April 15, 2009, when @Nerdote and @Fetoso sat down in front of a computer to create their first YouTube account, hoping people would tune into their comedy channel, they didn't really know what would come out of the whole ordeal. Fast-forward a couple of years and the duo has developed a loyal following within Puerto Rico's blogosphere, racking up over 800,000 video views on their YouTube channel, and welcoming thousands of visitors a month to their blog – Esoez.com.
Their particular brand of NSFW (“not safe for work”) comedy might offend those with delicate sensibilities – however, Nerdote and Fetoso's charming personalities seem to brake through the “vulgarity” and, in the end, please those initially shocked by their inventiveness. Either that or Puerto Ricans really love their dirty, raw, and irreverent humor!
We sat down with the creators of Esoez.com to talk about the origin of their blog and YouTube channel, their most beloved characters, and the blogosphere. Parts of the interview, originally conducted for PuertoRicoIndie.com (in Spanish), were also edited by the duo into a video which you can watch below – but not on TV.
Global Voices: Esoez.com started off as a variety show of sorts. What was the planning like for that first episode?
Nerdote: I think that in the mind of everyone with the intent to make a video, there's this “Let's go film, and we'll have musicians, and we'll have comedy, and we'll have interviews with people on the street and sketches!” moment. And in reality, once you turn that camera on you realize you have no idea what you are doing. If you watch the first episode of the Esoez variety show, it opens with a shot of myself – dead quiet – because we hadn't planned anything. We tried a couple of jokes – stuff we improvised, without planning, and nothing “clicked.” A friend of ours said: “And what if you don't say anything, you act like you are nervous (which wasn't difficult at all) and just as you are about to speak, we'll cut?” And that was… PERFECT!!!
GV: What was the reaction you got on the Internet to that first episode?
N: We thought people would keel over – that once we completed that first episode, people were going to be like: “Can we be on your show?!?” No one cared at all…
Fetoso: We thought we would have a live audience and everything – but it didn't pan out.
GV: But now the blog has a steady audience. What's Esoez.com's biggest success? What has brought you the most traffic?
N: A character called Fico Fronte – by the thousands.
GV: And what's the origin of that character? Why do you think that it has been well received?
F: People like it!
N: I've been doing a version of Fico Fronte throughout my life. When I was younger, I'd always imitate a “badass” like Fico Fronte – because I'm really a pussy. But everyone has a friend that swears he's super-badass and that's why I think the character has been well received. I don't think its because he swears a lot and calls women “bitches.” People leave us a lot of comments saying: “Damn, I know someone EXACTLY like Fico Fronte.”
F: And like Maritere [Fico Fronte's sometimes-love interest].
GV: Does the character represent a social critique?
N: Look – a lot of our videos, after we've published them online, we've receive comments saying: “Nice video and love the critique.” And maybe after we've made them – and after someone has pointed it out to us – we'll go like: “Damn, it's true.” But not quite with Fico Fronte. There's no real message there. I'm not going to try to sell you something I don't quite buy. Fico Fronte is a character who calls women “bitches”… Perhaps you should use Fico Fronte as an example of how NOT to behave, since I'm making him the target of ridicule.
We have a slogan: Giving good opportunities to bad ideas. I think that sums up the whole thinking behind Fico Fronte and the rest of what we do. Esoez – giving good opportunities to bad ideas. Triunfo (Triumph).
GV: You made the word “Triunfo” or “Triumph” a staple in Puerto Rico's blogosphere – it has become one of your catchphrases in Esoez.com.  How did that come about?
N: It comes from the phrase “estamos triunfando” (we are triumphing) – something I've always said for a long time now. I don't know if there's a bit of sarcasm in it…
F: I started using the word “Triunfo” thanks to @Nerdote. I think it's one of those words that people don't use as much but it sounds really cool to you personally so you start using them. Like “estiércol” (manure). I love saying “estiércol” when I go to the bathroom.
N: “Triunfo” is such a positive word… When I got to work on a Monday and people asked me how I was doing, I'd say “estamos triunfando” (we are triumphing). And people are surprised to hear that, but it's something so positive and so good that… it's a good message. And I know it sounds clichéd but triumphing is good.
Photo credit: Amarilys Oyola for PuertoRicoIndie.com / Used with permission
GV: Do you think that what you do is more offensive than what is commonly shown on local television programming or heard on the radio?
N: Perhaps… We never think about what is or not appropriate.
F: We try to stay true to our name – which by the way, comes from “es soez”, “soez” being a synonym for “vulgar.”
N: I was surprised recently by how many people don't realize that about our name. It is a play with words. It can mean “Es soez” (it's vulgar), “Eso es” (that's it!) or “S.O.S.” (distress signal) but the kick comes from it having the word “soez” (for “vulgar”) in it.
F: And vulgarity is relative because the hypocrisy displayed on television is sometimes more vulgar [than our stuff].
GV: What recommendations can you give someone wishing to join Puerto Rico's blogosphere?
N: I don't follow this… but it helps a lot if you establish a constant rhythm for posts. You don't necessarily need to write much, but if you write once a week, you should maintain that rhythm. I don't follow that rule but I know it would increase the traffic Esoez.com receives.
I also recommend being an active participant: reading other blogs and commenting on other posts, because every time you comment on someone else's blog your name becomes a hyperlink to your own blog. Making good use of tools like Twitter and Facebook – and trying to create content that other people would like to share.
You have to engage and try to maintain a conversation, because the blogosphere is another community, very similar to the one on Twitter, and similar to the one on Facebook… At the end of the day you are talking about a group of people who are doing the same thing. And in the blogosphere, everyone shares a similar goal – for the public to read your blog or look at your photographs or your movies, or what not. The most important thing is to comment and participate within that community.
Photo credit: Amarilys Oyola for PuertoRicoIndie.com / Used with permission
GV: Do you have any plans for 2011?
N: We'll keep making posts and cool videos. And collaborations. We've been collaborating with different Internet projects in Puerto Rico during the last few months.
F: We are going to do something. Don't expect something, in case it doesn't get done. But we'll do something. The only thing planned is that we'll meet to talk about what to do. That is a given. I swear that will happen. We are going to have a meeting and talk about what we'll do. That is the only thing I can guarantee.
A longer version of this interview was originally published at PuertoRicoIndie.com: “Conversando con Nerdote y Fetoso de ESOEZ.”
Learn more about Esoez
Blog: www.Esoez.com [NSFW]
Youtube: Esoez TV [NSFW]
Twitter: Nerdote / Fetoso / Fico Fronte [NSFW]

author: Alfredo Richner


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Puerto Rico: UPR Protests Continue  · Global Voices
Janine Mendes-Franco

Repeating Islands reports on the violent clashes between student protesters and police at the University of Puerto Rico.

author: Janine Mendes-Franco


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Rwanda: Government fights journalists · Global Voices
Ndesanjo Macha

Nkunda coments on the fight against journalists by the Rwandan government: “For years, Rwanda has argued that the press needs to be restricted because of its role in the 1994 genocide. Such a sensitive call would only be admissible if it were to be based on legitimate fact.”

author: Ndesanjo Macha


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Sierra Leone: Do you believe in witchcraft?  · Global Voices
Ndesanjo Macha

Do you believe in witchcraft?:”A 20yr old girl, Edwina Esther Thorpe has supposedly confessed to being a witch in Wilberforce and is being kept at the chief's house for safe keeping after she accused a neighbor of “feeding ‘witch meat’ to an 8yr old girl and burrying a ‘witch pot’ inside one of the trees in the compound”.


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Tanzania: Sauti Za Busara Live Twitterstream
 · Global Voices
Ndesanjo Macha

Follow live Twitterstream from Sauti Za Busara music festival in Zanzibar, Tanzania.


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Trinidad & Tobago: Economic Parallels · Global Voices
Janine Mendes-Franco

“It is an epic failure in that the world’s strongest and most diversified financial system was brought, literally, to its knees by a tidal wave of greed”: Afra Raymond says that “If any of this sounds familiar, yes, you are right; it is almost the same as our own crisis.”


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Ukraine: Facebook’s Popularity Grows · Global Voices
Veronica Khokhlova

Maksym Savanevsky of Watcher.com.ua reports (UKR) on Facebook's increasing popularity in Ukraine: the number of users has grown by 400% in 2010; monthly growth rate is about 14%; some 1,161,000 people (or 2.5% of Ukraine's population) have Facebook accounts, and, if growth continues at the same rate, 4 million Ukrainians may be on Facebook by the end of the year.


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Venezuela: Hugo Chávez Marks 12 Years in Office · Global Voices
Patricia Acosta

President Hugo Chávez Frías. Image by Flickr user Bernardo Londoy, used under a CC BY-NC-SA 2.0 license
You don't need to live in Venezuela to notice that ideological differences have divided the country into two different nations. While it is true that every country should have different points of view, political parties and groups for and against the current administration to have a healthy state where important discussions can take place, Venezuela has become a phenomenon which transcends the differences that could be considered “normal” in any other Latin American country today. The only thing these two sides have in common is ironically their president, Hugo Chávez, who on February 2, 2011 celebrated 12 years in power.
This division is tangible on the walls of every street in the country. At the same time, through social networks the world has witnessed the arguments in what we call society 2.0: Venezuelans have made Twitter their platform to discuss the country's situation and what for one side means 12 years of the government's mistakes, and for the other the revolution's accomplishments. Luis Vicente León (@luisvicenteleon), director of Datanálisis [es] (Market Research Company), declares:
12 años después Venezuela esta dividida en dos mitades, pero una tiene más plata, poder, control y cohesión.
One just has to look at the tweets from February 2 to notice this division. On the one hand, Sonia Aguirre (@soniaguir) asks:
¿Cómo se puede celebrar la mediocridad??? 12 Años haciéndolo es como demasiado, verdad????
Domingo Sifontes (@dsifontes) says:
Por que Esteban [nombre que hace referencia al presidente por los ciudadanos opositores] se mereceria otra oportunidad? si la tuvo y la desperdicio dividiendo el/al pais. Esta como el esposo q le pega a su pareja.
Luis Manuel González (@Luismac) comments:
12 años… Sin paz
The other side celebrated 12 years of the revolution. FFM, Frente Francisco de Miranda [es], (@fmm_oficial) reports:
En 12 años de Revolución Bolivariana Gobierno Nacional ha construido más de 500 escuelas http://bit.ly/hXfHyD#12revolución
Oscar José Armas G. (@OJarmas) writes:
#12REVOLUCION de libertad y de liberacion de cadenas…..
Constanza Harding V (@ConstanzaHV) shares her feelings about the anniversary with an emoticon:
#12REVOLUCION ♥
These marked differences are noticeable every day; they are what Venezuela has become in 12 years.
Maria Belén Otero (@mariabelenotero) takes figures reported on the newspaper El Nacional and adds them to a list called “#CifrasdelDictador” [#TheDictator'sFigures] [es]:
#CifrasdelDictador: 15 millones de armas ilegales hay actualmente en el país. #ElNacional 13/08/10
#CifrasdelDictador: En los últimos 10 años los homicidios se incrementaron en 134% en Venezuela. #ElNacional 14/08/10
#CifrasdelDictador: El secuestro pasó de 44 casos en 1999 a 795 denuncias en 2009, lo que representa un aumento de 1.707%. #ElNacional 14/08/10
#CifrasdelDictador: El aumento de 1.707% de secuestros en el últimos 10 años no considera la cifra negra, que son los casos no denunciados. #ElNacional 14/08/10
#CifrasdelDictador: Cada 27 minutos un venezolano es víctima mortal de la violencia: 52 al día. #ElNacional 20/08/10
#TheDictator'sFigures: There are currently 15 million illegal weapons in the country. #ElNacional 13/08/10
#TheDictator'sFigures: In the last 10 years homicides have increased by 134% in Venezuela. #ElNacional 14/08/10
#TheDictator'sFigures: Kidnappings went from 44 cases in 1999 to 795 complaints in 2009, which represents a 1,707% increase. #ElNacional 14/08/10
#TheDictator'sFigures: The increase of 1,707% in kidnappings in the last 10 years does not include the unreported cases. #ElNacional 14/08/10
#TheDictator'sFigures: Every 27 minutes a Venezuelan is a mortal victim of violence: 52 per day. #ElNacional 20/08/10
From an opposite perspective, Venezuelan Analysis published an article by  Gregory Wilpert where he argues that,
Venezuela has made significant progress in the past 12 years of Chavez’s presidency towards creating a more egalitarian, inclusive, and participatory society
Wilpert goes on to name the government's advances in the political, economic, and social realms, as well as on the realm of international relations. He also reviews the shortcomings and obstacles the government has faced in these last 12 years.
The anniversary of the 12-year rule of Hugo Chavez has exposed once again the division Venezuela is facing. Some hope that Venezuela will continue the course that has been set in these 12 years, while others yearn for change to come as soon as possible. Venezuelans will go to the polls again in December of 2012 to decide the future of the Venezuelan government.

author: Patricia Acosta


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Bahrain: A $2,650 Gift to Each Bahraini Family  · Global Voices
Amira Al Hussaini

To mark the 10th anniversary of the National Action Charter, Bahrain's King Hamad announced a BD1,000 ($2,650) gift to each Bahraini family.
While some tweeps have already started counting their money and planning what to buy with the windfall, others are complaining that it is too little, too late.
Here are some reactions from Twitter:
@ahmedalsairafi: Bahrain's got around 250,000 families I'd assume, that's 250 million dinars, don't tell me that's not a whole housing project
@ahmedalsairafi: BD250 million could in fact, with a plot of land, build us around 6,000 housing units, but no, I need the BD1000 to pay off my car loan..
@yslaise: #Bahrain1000BD will either buy me a good bedroom for my flat or make a decent vlogging studio in the spare room (I much prefer the latter)
@jenanalaskari: It's times like these that I wish I was married to some bozo so I could get BD1000 :P
@MayMarzooq: My youngest brother want to get married any volunteers? #Bahrain #BD1000
@Ali_Fareed: So BD1000 for every Bahraini Family. I'm SINGLE! So technically in an average family of 5 they'd get BD200 each! CHEAP MUCH!? #Bahrain
@QueeNazli: Unfortunately Bahrainis don't deserve BD1000 and nothing else. They are sarcastic and they can never stop complaining.
@BahrainiTweets: Bahrainis complain about their Govt. Love their King, and thank him for letting them complain & the BD1000 :D #Bahrain #feb14
@ehsankooheji: Giving BD1000 to everyone is a very bad move. It only leads to inflation as more people afford unavailable quantities of commodities. #feb14
@ali_alsabbagh: Guys, I've a bad feeling that the BD1,000 will back fire on us as it will raise the goods’ prices and steer further inflation in #Bahrain
@alialsaeed: what an insult. so Bahrainis are being bribed to shut up with another “makrama”? not enough #bahrain #Feb14
@nymansouri: #LOL @ #Bahrain.. Giving 1,000 Dinars to each family.. First fearful government in #GCC, I salute you! Who's next? #Jan25 #Saudi #SidiBouzid
@iLandBahrain: So BD 1000 for every Bahraini family.. No economic logic will ever endorse it but politically it's a smart move! #Bahrain
@freedomprayers: #Bahrain ppl are angry because they want freedoms, justice and a part in decision making. BHD1000 for each family will not pay.
@freedomprayers: If u arrested our sons tortured them took the security from our lives but then pay BD1000 for each family we'll go silent, sure NOT #Bahrain
@aalman81: Two gifts in one day.. 1000 dinars for every family in bahrain & Mubarak is gone. I think I'll party and cry all at once. #Jan25
@AnwarJanahi: Even if this whole thing is true, it will take around 3 years to get ur 1k

author: Amira Al Hussaini


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Bhutan: Story Of A Sheep Endangered By Construction Boom · Global Voices
Rezwan

Kinley at Kuzu Bhutan Weblog tells a story, which is based on true life events of animals living in and around the expressway in Olakha, Thimphu. This area is experiencing a construction boom.


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Colombia: If Mubarak were Colombian · Global Voices
Julián Ortega Martínez

Around the time Egyptian president Hosni Mubarak was scheduled to deliver his disappointing speech on February 10, 2011, the hashtag #siMubarakfueracolombiano (“If Mubarak were Colombian”) started trending on the local twittersphere.
Some users couldn't help comparing him to, for example, former Colombian presidents:
@afmoralest
#SiMubarakFueraColombiano le tendria miedo a @Alvarouribevel
@YudeNaguib
#simubarakfueracolombiano Seria el mejor amigo de Chavez y @AlvaroUribeVel
@JuanPabloVegaB
#siMubarakFueracolombiano “Aquí estoy y aquí me quedo”
Others related him to episodes in local politics:
@vopa1
#siMubarakfueracolombiano ya habria derrotado la revolucion con una tutela
@donAlvar
#SiMubarakFueraColombiano los Nule ya tendrían el contrato para hacer un parqueadero en la plaza Tahrir
@olgacostany
#SiMubarakFueraColombiano tendria hipopotamos en su casa.
@santana_mao
#SiMubarakFueraColombiano El asesor de imagen seria PIEDAD CORDOBA.
@FaridZardibia
#simubarakfueracolombiano José Obdulio andaria de turbante y con el Corán bajo el brazo. No tendría pincher si no Camellito Arias.
@FernandoCanoC
#simubarakfueracolombiano Ingrid ya lo hubiera demandado y le tendria q hipotecar las piramides
Some users even asked:
@Juanesg
#simubarakfueracolombiano , esperen estamos en un 100% seguros de que no es Colombiano??? …
@AndresCrispin found at least one similarity:
#SiMubarakFueraColombiano perseguirían a los periodistas… MOMENTO, eso igual pasa acá o_o
Finally, other users believe that a revolution like the one taking place in Egypt would be unlikely in Colombia:
@MyloSR
#simubarakfueracolombiano todavía estaría en el poder porque somos demasiado flojos para protestar
@GermanCeron
#SiMubarakFueraColombiano estaría muy tranquilo, porque en Colombia nadie protesta y a los jóvenes no les importa su futuro
@Jacr3D
#simubarakfueracolombiano en este momento estaríamos sin twitter y no existirían HT tan maricas como este :D

author: Julián Ortega Martínez


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Cuba: Calls to Demonstrate  · Global Voices
Janine Mendes-Franco

Uncommon Sense and Antunez blog about two different calls to demonstrate in Cuba – one “to demand the freedom and democracy that have been taken from us” and the other to mark the “one year anniversary of the assassination of political prisoner Orlando Zapata.”


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Cuba: The Disconnect · Global Voices
Janine Mendes-Franco

The irony of having an Information Science Fair “on the Island of the Disconnected” does not escape Generation Y.


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Cuba: What do the Cables from Havana Say? (Part I)  · Global Voices
Elaine Díaz

Around 506 diplomatic cables of the 250 thousand released by Julian Assange on November 282010 proceed from the American Section with Interests in Havana; but, until February 2011, only 34 messages had been declassified on the official WikiLeaks site.
# of wires by year (source: Elaine Díaz)
For the classification of these cables, the State Department developed a manual in which tags or keywords were defined with their meanings, and year of establishment. In the Cuban case, the majority of the messages are on international political relations (PREL), the internal governmental policy (PGOV) and human rights (PHUM), which correspond with the items most covered by the US in all their diplomatic branches.
# of wires by TAG (source: Elaine Díaz)
Of the messages sent since 1966 to date, terrorism (PTER) has been an increasingly important aspect for the US government, to such a point that the related wires are in the 5th place of relevance. From 1987 until 2010, only 11 messages about this issue had been sent from the Havana; however, according to the White House, the island is among the countries that sponsor terrorism.
A cable dated September 2009 by the chief of Havana Interests Section, Jonathan D. Farrar, talks about how this topic was dealt in the meeting at the Cuban capital between Bisa Williams, sub-secretary of the US State Department, and the Cuban vice-minister of foreign relations, Dagoberto Rodríguez. Williams explained that Cuba would be removed from the list if specific procedures are followed and if a review was completed of the process between both parties. However, two years after the visit, the Caribbean nation continued in the list of the countries that sponsor terrorism.
The chart that WikiLeaks published reconstructs the 10,000 words most used in the content of the messages, identifies the main phrases related with Cuba, among them “Havana” and references to Fidel and Raúl Castro.
Keywords mostly used in cables sent from Havana. (Source: Elaine Díaz)
Of the declassified wires to date, 6 correspond to 2006; 4 to 2007; 6 to 2008; 15 to 2009 and 3 to 2010.
*This is the first part of a series on WikiLeaks and Cuba.

author: Elaine Díaz


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Denmark: Taking Facebook to the Streets in 2010 · Global Voices
Maria Grabowski

Facebook came to life on Denmark's streets in 2010 through a number of events and groups organised via the social networking site.
Creativity characterised Facebook in ‘real life’, whilst motives have been both political and benevolent, and supporters enthusiastic.
An initiative called ‘Love Without Limits’ (Kærlighed uden grænser) arranged a demonstration on 8 December, 2010, against a new law to further restrict Danish immigration policy. International couples – of Danish and foreign origin – now face various legal challenges against sharing a life together in Denmark.
The ‘Love Without Limits’ Facebook page [da] has around 17,000 supporters, and more than 7,000 people took to the streets [da] to show their frustrations regarding the policy.
Christmas is freezing cold in Denmark and an extremely hard time for the country's homeless. This Facebook event [da] gathered 572 activists to share a lasagne they had made with a homeless person.
This unusual initiative certainly made at least one Copenhagen street corner smell – and feel – a little better than usual.
On 16 November, 2010, the Danish People's Party (Dansk Folkeparti – DF) political group received more than 400 lemon cakes as part of a Facebook event [da].
At the time of writing, 17,273 people had chosen to virtually ‘attend’ or support the event, to protest a statement in the Party's membership magazine which blamed ‘immigrants’ greed’ to be the reason why hospitals and doctors’ waiting rooms no longer offer complimentary cake and lemonade [da].
The Danish People's Party took delivery of over 400 lemon cakes as part of a Facebook protest. Image supplied with permission by Dancake.
Let Them (Not) Eat Cake
The Danish People’s Party is a right wing, nationalist and anti-immigration party with great influence as a result of the existing coalition with the ruling Liberal Party of Denmark.
The cake in question is not just any cake; the ‘Lemon Moon’ (Citronmåne) is a sponge cake manufactured by Danish company Dan Cake, which has been a familiar fixture on the shelves of Northern European convenience stores since the 1960s. In Danish homes it is a longstanding accompaniment to a cup of coffee.
The Dan Cake marketing department calls the Lemon Moon a “national symbol” [da], a Facebook fan calls it the “taste of her childhood” [da], and in the UK it has been nicknamed ‘caravan cake’ due to its perennial presence on camping holidays.
The cake is also emblematic of police officers; it was used in both online [da] and offline [da] protests back in 2007, when an underground venue and communal space that had played host to young left-wing groups since 1982, was torn down in Copenhagen [da].
Regarding the cake's recent use against the Danish People's Party, European online magazine cafebabel.com finds it ironic that “the crescent shape of the ‘lemon half-moon’ is also a [M]uslim symbol – a perfect gift on the eve of Ramadan?”. The site also offers a recipe for readers to bake their own Lemon Moon and send it to their local far-right politician.
Danish hospital director Ib Steen Mikkelsen explains that immigrant families do often have more visitors when hospitalised compared to other Danish patients, but that the only remarkable thing is that it is nice for the patient to have more guests.
Blogger Mina on atherosclerosis meanwhile, is puzzled by the comments; she has worked in hospitals in Denmark and does not recall any cakes.
Call for Action
Unfounded or not, supporters of the Lemon Moon Facebook event found the Danish People's Party’s comments resentful and petty, which resulted in the call for action.
The Party is however, no stranger to controversy and some commentators have suggested the Facebook event may have had the opposite effect to the one intended, by raising the political group's profile. Twitter user @idabrixtofte, used the hash tag #ignorerdemdog, meaning “just ignore them”.
@idabrixtofte writes via Twitter:
projekt citronmåne er vand på DF's mølle, og bliver sandsynligvis spinnet til egen vinding i sidste ende #ignorererdemdog #saftgate
@jakobandresen, a journalist student, tweeted:
finder det morsomt, at citronmåne-aktivisterne intetanende hjælper #DF med at profilere sig som partiet med humor og overskud. #Selvmål!
Less concerned Twitter observers chose to see the funny side. Danish Parliamentary candidate @EmilDyred wrote:
klukker af grin over Send en citronmåne til Dansk Folkeparti! og håber, at appetitten er god på DF's gang på Christiansborg.
@KasinoKamilla tweeted:
Har grineren på over kageindsamlingen til Dansk Folkeparti. Kunne være jeg selv skulle smutte forbi med en citronmåne. De har fortjent den
The Party itself states on its website:
Dansk Folkeparti tager kageaktionen med et smil og sætter pris på, at danskerne heldigvis har så meget humor, så man stadig kan føre demonstrationer med noget så harmløst som citronmåner.
They go on to explain their intention to hand out the many cakes received to homeless people or nursing homes. The party also added an ‘online scratch card’ game (now offline) to their website's response, whereby readers could win two cinema tickets if they got three Lemon Moons on their card.
The producer of the Lemon Moon, Dan Cake, appreciated the publicity generated by the Facebook event, with its marketing department commenting that the cake had now reached the proper status it deserved.

author: Maria Grabowski


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Egypt: Kareem Amer is Free  · Global Voices
Amira Al Hussaini

This post is part of our special coverage of Egypt Protests 2011.
Prominent Egyptian blogger Kareem Amer, also known as Abdulkareem Nabeel Sulaiman, has been set free, tweeps confirmed today.
Kareem, who was with independent film-maker Samir Eshra, were ‘kidnapped‘ by a group of thugs after leaving Tahrir Square on February 7. They were then handed over to military security for having violated the curfew imposed on Egypt, since the January 25 protests started. After spending a day in a local prison, they were sent to an army jail “in the middle of the desert” where they spent the last few days, seeing other prisoners being “water-boarded, beaten with sticks and electrocuted,” according to an interview with the blogger on The Daily Beast.
Kareem, who had spent four years in prison for an article he published on his blog, was released  last November 15. His previous arrest and trial, for insulting Islam  and president Hosni Mubarak, as well as his abuse in prison, drew  international condemnation and supporters now fear he may have been  arrested again.
His second arrest – and his consequent release, also drew a lot of solidarity and support online.
Here are some reactions after his release from Twitter today:
@waelabbas: urgent : blogger kareem amer and sameer eshra were released by army
@daliaziada: Good news: blogger Kareem Amer got released. I just spoke with him on phone #FindKareem #Egypt #Jan25
@weddady: Just got news that Kareem Amer was released. #Jan25
@Tom_El_Rumi: Kareem Amer: Army tortured prisoners, flogged, electrocuted, drowned them in cold water #aren #jan25 #tra @waelabbas http://curated.by/b/6M
@sarahbadr: torture in an egyptian prison — famed blogger kareem amer describes the brutality he witnessed while detained: http://is.gd/6aXNJa #jan25
@Newsman22: Kareem Amer, a famed blogger among Egypt's protesters, spent nearly a week in a prison for breaking curfew.
This post is part of our special coverage of Egypt Protests 2011.