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Bahrain: When ‘moderate’ means ‘acquiescent’ · Global Voices
Ayesha Saldanha

This week some Bahraini bloggers took part in an evening regarding the role of blogging in cultural development, and the literary aspect of online writing in particular. Hisham Khalifa has posted his introduction to the evening:
Culture is not created by governments, kings, queens or presidents. It’s not created by corporations either. Culture is you and me. And in today’s world of fleeting electrons, culture is not about ceremony, there’s no need to speak or wax eloquent as was done in days past in order to define ourselves, or to gather traditions of a pedantic nature. All we need is a keyboard and a willingness to share our experiences to make them part of our culture. Be it in the arts, literature or the humanities in general, blogging enables each and everyone of us to contribute in an almost instant way to the cultural development of our own peoples.
Continuing in a cultural vein, aMaL is deeply disappointed with a concert given by the renowned Bahraini oud player and singer Khalid Al Shaikh, but makes some allowances:
What disturbed me the most about Al Shaikh’s performance was that he failed to pay attention and cater to his devoted Bahraini audience. Al Shaikh developed his “sophisticated” style in music so far away from the ground and forgot to create a rational link between his early, locally popular, Bahraini songs and his new rigid dreamy style. … I am very upset with and for Khalid Al Shaikh. It is such a shame that Bahraini artists froze in the early nineties, and that includes actors, comedians and musicians. However, considering the current miserable living conditions and the lack of proper freedom of expression, how can you expect a bird to sing lively?
The Nido Generation is a blog dedicated to “Nido-ers”, wealthy, trendy Bahrainis with a Western education. Recently Nido has devoted some posts to the Nido Generation fondness of the networking site Facebook, and comments on the use of the description ‘moderate’ in profiles:
So let us go back to square one and ask what does this “moderate” mean, particularly in a political setting? One would like to think that “moderate” would stand for even handedness, an ability to consider all viewpoints, maybe even being fair, objective, and balanced in their approach of viewing issues. Moderate might even carry an air of giving equal chance to differing viewpoint to express themselves and choosing the most reasonable sounding of them. Indeed, we are accustomed to associate “nice” and “good” traits with being “moderate”. Contrast this with the term “extremist”, which from the beginning is surrounded by a negative vibe to it. Indeed, you don’t find many nidoers describing their political viewpoints as “extremist” on facebook.
If one digs deeper into the term “moderate” it becomes obvious that, from the standpoint of nidoers at least, the term “moderate” stands for none of the above nice qualities listed. Moderate instead should be read as “not wanting much changes to the status quo” or “not having the guts to ask for changes to the status quo” or “acquiescing or meekly accepting whatever the status quo is”. This “acceptance of the status quo” could be because it is in one’s interest or because of other motives e.g. out of fear. In the case of nidoers it is definitely because it is in their interest. Remember, they get the flashy cars, jobs, partners, houses. Why wouldn’t they be “moderate”?
Finally, LuLu writes with frustration about the forthcoming round of Formula 1 in Bahrain, and what she sees as its inevitable financial failure:
I'm not totally idealistic about this… I realize most projects require an initial investment and may not yield profits for years, but I see no hope for this one. I mean, it's a great concept with lots of potential (even my mom attended the 1st season) but I don't think the point of it was to create 1 day of local fun for Bahrainis! I mean, something must be wrong if we can't get people to actually visit Bahrain and buy tickets and it's already the 3rd year!
More from Bahrain next week!

author: Ayesha Saldanha


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Bangladesh: On Hizbut Tahrir · Global Voices
Neha Viswanathan

Rezwan on the Hizbut Tahrir. “Hizbut Tahrir, a global student organization which is very active among UK (including Bangladeshi community there) established their base in Bangladesh a few years ago. They could so far infiltrate in many high profile public and private Universities of the country and could motivate many talented students”

source: news-globalvoices

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

author: Neha Viswanathan


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Bangladesh: The death of a Grandfather · Global Voices
Neha Viswanathan

Sajeeb Wazed (also the grandson of one of Bangladesh's founding fathers – Sheikh Mujibur Rehman) writes an account of the killing of his grandfather and other family members due to political reasons. “Mohiuddin and his cohorts killed the security guards and made their way into the house. They confronted my grandfather on the main stairway, where they shot him. They then proceeded through the house, shooting the rest of my family. They shot my grandmother, three uncles and my two older uncles’ wives.”


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Cambodia: Sex in South East Asia Video Podcast · Global Voices
Preetam Rai

Details are Sketchy has a post on a reporter from Sexerati.com visiting Cambodia as a part of her coverage for a video podcast on sex in South East Asia.

author: Preetam Rai


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Cambodia: SMS blocked During Elections · Global Voices
Preetam Rai

Mungkol in Cambodia says blocking of mobile SMS during the elections is funny and unreasonable.


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East Timor: Electioneering in East Timor · Global Voices
Preetam Rai

Dili-gence describes the campaigning for the upcoming presidential elections   in East Timor.


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Ethiopia: blog blocked · Global Voices
Ndesanjo Macha

Andrew Heavens blog has been blocked in Ethiopia: Surprise, surprise…meskelsquare.com is now out of sight here. Why would they block a blog which publishes stories about Miscalls and Kenyan web watchdogs? Ahunis enezih sewotch cherkavhewin tilew abedu
Of course, blogs on blogspot.com have disappeared once again.

author: Ndesanjo Macha


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India: Flower-Lane · Global Voices
Neha Viswanathan

A flower market in photographs at Trivial Matters. “A kaleidoscope for your senses. Dadar Phulgalli [flower-lane] takes your traditional Bombay smells of sweat, toil, paint, iron and turns them into the smell of marigolds.. Wipe your brow and you find petals in addition to sweat.”


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India: On the shariah · Global Voices
Neha Viswanathan

Indian Muslims on the shariah, law, state and culture. “I firmly believe that in this present day world shariah laws cannot be enforced on people because Muslim society in general has diverted away from religion. Concepts which invite death punishment in Islam are now acceptable in many cultures, like live in relationships and extra marital affairs.”


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Mauritius: players don’t use intelligence · Global Voices
Ndesanjo Macha

Ishtiba on Mauritian soccer following their recent loss agains Sudan, “So much frustration among Mauritian supporters today …but 1 thing that many persons dont understand is that : how can we get good /quality football, how can “we deliver the goods” when there is no effective structure put in place to assure that we get some good players with a minimum of intelligence! So that they can use their brains when playing n not just do anything with a ball when u r a pitch!!”


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Pakistan: On Rawalpindi · Global Voices
Neha Viswanathan

Light Within on the history of Rawalpindi. “The bustling city of Rawalpindi has a lot more to offer than a traffic mess, broken roads and haze-filled atmosphere. The city’s history spreads over several millennia. Archaeologists believe that a distinct culture flourished on this plateau even 3,000 years ago.”


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South Africa: Busisiwe, Rest in Peace · Global Voices
Ndesanjo Macha

Earlier this month, the South African blogosphere lost a blogger, writer, artist and poet, Busisiwe Sigasa (25). She started her blog, My Realities, at the end of last year with the help of Sokari Ekine.
Busisiwe, whose name means “the Blessed One” in Zulu, was also known as Latifah. She was born in Soweto, South Africa. After finishing high school, Busisiwe obtained a diploma in computers. She also studied Ceramic Design.
According to Sokari, Busisiwe was hoping to become a professional photographer/photojournalist:
Despite much hardship and disadvantage, Latifah is determined to attain her dream of becomming a photographer/photo journalist and hopefully she will soon be able to publish some of her photos on her blog. It will not be easy due to cost of internet access but I believe she will do her best.
Busisiwe went public about her HIV positive status in 2006, which resulted from a rape incident. She encouraged others to do the same. South Africa has one of the most severe AIDS epidemics in the world and some people have dubbed it the “rape capital” of the word.
She posted poems on her blog about her experience as a person living with HIV, her belief in God and the difficulty of being a lesbian in South Africa.
The Fact Remains
– By Busisiwe
The fact remains….
I’m not looking for sympathy or feeling sorry things happened this way
Nothing anyone can say will change anything because
The fact remains….
I am now counted in the statiastics because
The fact remains….
Dont tell me i should have never allowed my story to be published
because….The fact remains….
You dont know how i feel-no one does and the
The fact remains….
Dont tell me what people might say or think because
The fact remains….
Its not going to change anything
Dont ask ask me who was my rapist because it makes me mad
But mad as i can be and for everyone’s sake and my own
Life goes on and still
The fact remains….that
I AM INFECTED!!!
A day in AIDS hospital
– By Busisiwe
There are various and different smells all over the room
Its smells terrible and making one feel like vomiting
Is it the smell of pills? different crowds of sick people? or is it the filthy smell of HIV itself?
When is my turn? She asked:
Where am I going to end?
When is my turn?
When is the virus going to take over my fighting and willing body?
When will it all go away?
BECAUSE….
As strong as I can be
It is within this solid and concrete body of mine.
Tears in the sister's eyes
– By Busisiwe Sigasa
She’s been hurt , harmed and destroyed by these dogs called”men”
Marks and scrars never to disappear have bee left in her body.
She’s been taken for a ride and made to believe she was going to win this time around,by our falsely imposed justice system….the fucked up justice system!
One keeps on asking and wondering….When is is all gonna go away?
When will women be taken into serious consideration by our country,its citizens, the gorvenment and its ministers?
You’re beaten up,raped and molested
Yet, no matter how hard you cry no matter how high you scream…
They just keep on passing you by.
They enjoy your screams. laugh about it. they mock you.call you names.
They praise their stupidity and foolishness about you.
They share their cowardly insults about you while forgetting the most importnt lessosons to be learned and perceived in life about life…love each one as brothers&sisters  so did say GOD!
Zanele Muholi, the programme officer for the Forum for the Empowerment of Women (FEW), wrote her obituary in Behind the Mask:
This week I mourn the death of yet another lesbian friend of mine Busisiwe Sigasa, who at a tender age of 25 died unexpectedly.
Busi Sigasa, a brilliant writer, poet, friend and former colleague at the Forum for the Empowerment of Women (FEW), has passed away. This happened hardly three (3) months after she embarked on a new position at Standard Bank.
Busi passed away on Monday afternoon, 12 March 2007, at her Soweto home in her mother�s presence after suffering from short breath and other complications. She had just started taking her new medication as she had suffered from sugar diabetes and epilepsy.
Sokari describes her as a fighter:
She also was a fighter. She stood up and spoke out about all those things that most people do not want to hear. She was not afraid to stand up as say she was raped, declare her HIV status and that she was a woman who loved other women. I didn’t know her long but I have her face in my mind, her photos and most of all her words. On Friday, Breaking the Silence: positive Survivors – published by POWA as an annual writing competition, was launched and a piece by Busi was not only included but she received one of the prizes. She had everything going for her. I have not made many real friends here in South Africa – actually apart from V and M who are not even South Africans there are only two and Busi was one.
In another post, My sista friend Busi!, Sokari explains how they first me, helped her start her blog, My Realities, and the last time she heard from her:
I first met Busi last October when I came to South Africa and helped her start her blog “My Realities”. She was so happy – she tried so hard. I talked to her most days and on the 4th I took her a desk top computer that another friend of mine had given to her. Again she was happy. We were supposed to meet on Saturday at the LGBTI fest but she phoned to say she couldnt make and I said no worries I will see you when I get back from Durban. Busi had a job – working nights from 10pm to 7am. She was exhausted. Her CD count had dropped again to just over 200. It was hard for her but she tried. She was so tired from the night work. The last text I got from Busi was on Sunday at 16.56
She was buried in Soweto Saturday, March 17, 2007.
Busi, rest in peace. We will remember you.
REMEMBER ME WHEN I’M GONE FOR……I
– By Busisiwe Sigasa
Wrote stories for the nations to read
Stood without fear and told my story
I smiled and greeted without judging
I influenced positive living to the sick
I planted seeds of hope to the hopeless
I groomed and growed the younger ones whose parents died
I created artistic designes with my hands
I crafted and drew beautiful pictures
I installed educatioanl reasoning to some
I taught represented the minority to the majority
I made nations aware
I wronged some and made some happy
I survived against odds
I swallowed my medication even as hard as it was it was sometimes
I did so to remain strong and to llive my live regardless of my status
I fought for women to be taken into serious conideration by our government
I wrote and said “my” spoke word
I fought and showed many that there’s nothing wrong with being diabetic, epileptic and HIV
I represented many of the HIV infected lesbian sisters
I told the truth nevermind the judgements
I lived and I’m still living
I loved and prayed to my GOD
I prayed without hesitation , for , I believe/d
I was a big sister to my younger sisters
I listened to my mother’s teachings
I became friends with father
I’D DIE FOR MY FAMILY, I LOVED THEM SO!
I captured moments with my camera
I brought forth what was unseen to the nations through the power of image,pen and paper
I struggled to make it life
I was taken for a ride by some whom i thought were friends
I showed my rapist how strong i was regardless that he poisoned my blood with his HIV
I beieved and prayed
I stood low and respected all regardless of their age,colour and size
I say along with others
I had a unique voice
I had a message to deliver and a vision to see
I tried,i fell and i never succeeded sometimes
I was patient while to some i was strange
I was loved by some and was hated by some,STILL i did my thing
I loved and appreciated beautiful women
I loved her more than life itself
Some would say…
I am full shit! but spiritually i was full
I was fed with GOD’s glory that’s why I praised HIM
I praised HIM more than i praised friends
I am my mother’s daughter
I made history and marked historical books of this world
SO………
REMEMBER ME WHEN I’M GONE!
FOR..without no doubt i’ll and i am in peace with my maker and creator.
Kachumbari and Mangaliso Jere
As far as I know, Busisiwe is the third African blogger to pass away. First, it was Kachumbari in July, 2006. We learnt from his cousin, Samuel:
My name is Samuel. I live and work in Nyahururu, Kenya.
Kachumbari, the Kenyan Villager was my great friend. I knew his real identity and he had given me the password to access this blog, and four others on blogger. I also have his password for his e-mail, zaleo77@yahoo.com.
Why all this?
Kachumbari is no more, he is gone where we shall all go, one day…
Please join me in wishing him him well… and family too…
Thank you all.
Kachumbari, who started to blog in January 2006, was killed in a car accident in Nairobi, Kenya. Samuel explains further:
It is true that Kachumbari, the kenyan villager, has passed on -he is dead. He was killed by a ‘hit and run’ motorist while on a visit to Nairobi City. As you may have read in one of his previous posts, he had recently set up a shop in Nyahururu town. The shop is selling a large variety of goods, mostly small fast moving items from China, like nail files, toys, cards, key holders, watches, sun glasses, e.t.c. Such shops are commonly called ‘mali mali’ shops. His wife has already decided to relocate the shop to Nyeri, Kachumbari's ancestral home where most of his relatives live, after some time.
On the fateful day, he had gone to Nairobi to buy mechandise for the shop. He had travelled on a Sunday afternoon so as to spend the night in the city, start shopping early in the morning and then return to Nyahururu in the evening. This was not to be. He arrived safely in Nairobi and decided to visit his brother-in-law who lives in ‘South C’ estate. While waiting for a bus to town at around 8.00pm, and in the company of the in-law, a car lost control and hit him and another person. Kachumbari died while being rushed to Kenyatta National Hospital by a good samaritan. The ‘hit and run’ car drove away and nobody was able to read the number plate.
His real name was Anthony. He was 33 when he died and left behind two children and a wife.
Then, Mangaliso Jere (27), of Mangaliso's World passed away in January 18th, 2007 in Malawi. Blogger Austin Madinga wrote about his death:
A good friend and fellow blogger, Mangaliso Jere, left this world today in Mzuzu! I really have no words to describe this brother only that he was a cheerful lad, a hardworking techie and one who loved his motherland. Rest in Peace Dear Brother!
Mangaliso died after having a minor surgery to remove a growth from his nose.
Blogger Nyambuzi started Mangaliso's World 2 in his memory.


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Thailand: Pro-Democracy Protests · Global Voices
Preetam Rai

Publiuspundit has a post on pro-democracy protest in Thailand and the military appointed prime minister's reluctance to declare a state of emergency in Thailand.


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Brunei: Visitor’s Comments · Global Voices
Preetam Rai

The Daily Brunei Resources compiles some of the thoughts from visitors to Brunei.


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Cambodia: Movies Related to Cambodia · Global Voices
Preetam Rai

Andy Brouwer has an update on upcoming Cambodia related movies.


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Chile: Day of the Young Fighter · Global Voices
Rosario Lizana

During Chile's dictatorship period, two brothers, Rafael and Eduardo Vergara were murdered. They were fighting against the government. Since then, some associations in Chile celebrate the day of the “young fighter.” This in not an official government issue. Unfortunately for us, the meaning of the celebration, related to struggle against Augusto Pinochet, has been forgotten. On Thursday, in the centre of the capitol, young students made disruptions and disorder in the name of the “young fighter.” They also said they were going to protest against the failure of Santiago's new transportation system.  Bloggers reacted immediately. Solylunnyta [ES] described the emotional atmosphere:
Que yo sepa, los jóvenes Rafael y Eduardo Vergara, tenían conciencia y una lucha muy clara….pelear por sus compañeros y sacar el gobierno dictatorial de don finao… Pero estos niños no tienen ni idea de quienes eran los hermanos Vergara¡¡¡…. no tienen ni idea cuales son sus ideales aún, ni menos saben cuales eran los ideales de los Combatientes de antaño….Apuesto lo que quieran que si les preguntan no tienen ni idea quienes eran los Vergara Toledo…. Además, por otro lado, queda claro que el tema no era el Transantiago y buscarle una solución… El tema era o la Piedra, ó la Molotov, ó la escopeta hechiza, o el saqueo, pero nada que ver con conmemorar esta fecha…
One of the associations to commemorate this date is the Workers Collective [ES]. They made a very emotional invitation to all the people that were in some way involved in the period when the Vergara Brothers were murdered, to participate in a commemorative act. Here we translate an extract of the invitation:
Aquí están todos los días los hermanos y hermanas que estuvieron antes y los hijos e hijas que estarán pronto, están porque estamos, están porque somos alguien más que nosotros mismos: somos toda nuestra historia de días y noches de amar y de guerrear, somos la rebelde rebeldía y las manos siempre tiernas abiertas para abrazarnos y el puño en alto ante los enemigos del género humano; y claro, somos también cansancio, y un dolor que parte el pecho con su historia de infamia y nos hermana… pero ante todo somos los que somos por vencer las barreras de la pura bronca y del llanto necesario empuñando la necesidad de la sonrisa de todos los niños, porque hacemos de la memoria experiencia y de nuestra historia aprendizaje para seguir caminando nuestro compromiso con más y nuevas fuerzas.
Eduardo Arriagada (ES) published an invitation to the activities in Santiago and some photos about what happened yesterday in the city center.

author: Rosario Lizana


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Ghana: The Joseph Project · Global Voices
Ndesanjo Macha

Do you know about The Joseph Project? “The Joseph Project is part of an elaborate plan to establish Ghana as the homeland for Africans in the diaspora. The project takes its name from the story of the Biblical Joseph who was sold into slavery.”


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Kenya: BarCamp Kenya · Global Voices
Ndesanjo Macha

Skunkworks has posted photos and notes from BarCamp Kenya event, “Started at around 1.30pm with about 10 people in attendance. :) Typical Sat Afternoon in Nairobi. (but a total of about 40+ people attended).”


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Lebanon: Pains and the Arab Summit  · Global Voices
Moussa Bashir

This week is about posts expressing pain; pain due to sexual harassment; insecurity and the consequences of war; and because of the political uncertainty that the Arab Summit did little to alleviate. There is also a book review and a computer graphic tutorial.
Poetry and Painting:
“The window is the wound of the wall. The door is a closed mirror. You know, bricks also feel pain.” These brilliant metaphors written by Suzanne Alaywan are graphic in their own right nevertheless she incorporated them in one of her paintings.
Sexual Harassment:
The ugly and shameful act of sexual harassment that women and girls could sometimes be subjected to is the topic of this post by Sham. The personal nature of the experiences mentioned add to its already acknowledged significance:
Did you know that I get ready to sexual harassment as i shot the door?
Did you know that I’ve seen naked guys on my way to school?
Did you know when was the last time I saw guy masturbating in front me as I am taking a taxi? Last month
Did you know that I never shut up to sexual harassments?
Did you know that I am blamed for not shutting up?
Did you know that guys harass western girls because they think that White is superior?
Did you know that guys harass Syrian girls because they think Syrian girls are inferior?
Did you know that I am not a feminist?
Did you know that I am not normal?
Did you know that I used to be normal?
Did you know that you (men) have no idea what I am talking about?
Hebrew-Lover Date Pain
Is this dashing Lebanese man trying to make an impression on his American date or is he really interested in learning Hebrew? Adiamondinsunlight reveals this part of a conversation she had with her date in which he expresses his love for the Hebrew language:
Mistaking my “this is definitely the worst date ever” look for one of interest, he continued:
“Hebrew is a beautiful language, Diamond.”
“Should I jump out of the car and run?” I thought.
“Is this the start to some kind of recruitment pitch? Half the people I meet think I am a spy anyway, just because I am American. NOW what will I say when people ask?”
The Arab Summit and the Nuclear Controversy
The Arab Summit in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and its implications was the topic of discussion by Marxist From Lebanon who sees that the situation is that of a stalemate with no chance for progress:
The Arab Summit itself is nothing but forums to read their opinions, while allies and foes in the Arab Region checked with each other in the “private rooms”. All Arab Leaders would simply hope and wish for a change. I am not talking about intention, I am talking about the speeches delivered. Probably the most repeated words were “we hope” or “we wish”. Of course, words on an empty paper are nothing.
The controversy over Iran’s nuclear program as well as the Arab Summit with the rise of ‘fabricated’ Arab Nationalism and the prospects of Arab countries getting Nuclear weapons is the subject of analysis by Angry Anarchist:
Whether or not one agrees with Iran's quest for nuclear capabilities and all that it entails in terms of strategic parity vis-a-vis Israel, one must admit that the IAEA and the international community have been hypocritical in their position on Iran — compared to their position (or rather, lack thereof) on Israel. The farthest they have gone is to call on Israel to “admit” that it possesses nuclear weapons. I mean, wouldn't it have been lovely if Iran would have faced the same amount of “pressure”, and nothing more?
The US Foreign Policy
Speaker of the House Pelosi is planning a visit to Lebanon on which Dr Marcy Newman commented:
Notice that she names Israelis, but no Lebanese; Lebanese somehow do not deserve names for that would humanize them. Notice her merging of US and Israel interests as if they were one. Do we really want her here in Lebanon? I would love to see and be part of a protest against her visit next week.
Dr Victorino de la Vega discusses the draft bill, in Iraq, that aims to allow former members of Saddam Hussein’s Baath Party to return to government jobs and to join the military and thus beginning the ending of the policy of de–Baathifying Iraq that began with the invasion of Iraq.
By “De-Baathifying” Iraq in the wake of the US invasion, Bremer and his Neocon handlers such as US Undersecretary of Defense Dov S. Zakheim (a dual Israeli/American citizen…and an ordained ultra-Orthodox rabbi!) knew exactly what they were doing: they were opening the Pandora box of ethnic and religious strife throughout the Gulf region, thus securing a “long term strategic edge” for the state of Israel.
Book Review
Prof As’ad Abu Khalil give a review of Nicholas Blanford's book “Killing Mr. Lebanon” which he described as the tale of the kind billionaire who allowed his bodyguard to kiss his hand:
Even when Rafiq Hariri offers his hand to be kissed by his bodyguard (a well-known opportunist thug), it is portrayed by Blanford as a great act of generosity and kindness on the part of Hariri: “Hariri had sat on the sofa and raised his hand. [Yahya] Arab took it and kissed it. It was intensely personal moment.”(p. 137)
Prof As’ad also mentioned and criticized, among other things, what the book had to say about the March 14 movement which followed the assassination of Rafiq Hariri:
He cited a Lebanese man saying: “These aren't the $10 crowd. This is the bourgeoisie.” Blandford was very impressed, and he adds: “Glamorous Maronite women, wearing chic black dresses, and sporting designer sunglasses, chatted in French and held aloft pictures of Hariri” (p. 146).
Graphic Design
Finally if you are into making your own computer graphics then Elie Khoury has a step by step illustrated lesson for you to draw a glossy black panel, using Photoshop, that you can use for your site or blog’s banner.

author: Moussa Bashir


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South Africa: where are black bloggers? · Global Voices
Ndesanjo Macha

Khanya asks, where are the black South African bloggers?: Look at South African blog aggregator sites like Amatomu, and the vast majority of the bloggers there are white. And this in spite of the fact that it is run by the Mail & Guardian newspaper, which has several black journalists. So if there are black bloggers out there, why aren’t they showing up on Amatomu?


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Afghanistan: Improving the Army · Global Voices
Nathan Hamm

Afghan Warrior notes that re-enlistments in the Afghan National Army are very low, and says that the government should increase pay, replace old equipment, and provide housing for Afghanistan's troops.

author: Nathan Hamm


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Africa, France: Suing African Leaders for Embezzlement · Global Voices
Alice Backer

Demain le Congo Brazzaville posts [Fr] a complaint lodged in the French accusing of embezzlement African leaders such as  Omar Bongo of Gabon, Denis Sassoun Nguesso of Congo-Brazzaville and Blaise Compaoré  of Burkina Faso. The complaint acknowledges that a French judge cannot adjudicate on salaries of African dictators but emphasizes the massive amounts of real estate owned by the accused African leaders in France.

author: Alice Backer


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Africa: women, where are thou? · Global Voices
Ndesanjo Macha

Kenyan Pundit asks, “Women, where are thou?”: Several of my virtual and real buddies have received scholarships to attend TED Arusha. So far, all the receipients that I know are male…a trend similar to the Blogging Indaba last year… and I’m curious to know whether there are any women out there who’ve applied for/ received a scholarship to TED. Please leave a comment if so.


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Algeria: New Arabism · Global Voices
Amira Al Hussaini

Algerian blogger Nouri  discusses  a new wave of Arabism, led by Saudi Arabia. “Saudi Arabia has been driving efforts to construct a regional Arab block to check Iranian influence in the Middle East, a fact that has some American commentators worried,” he writes.

author: Amira Al Hussaini


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Arabisc: Why People Are Different; Women Wear the Hijab and Flickr is Banned! · Global Voices
Amira Al Hussaini

In today's quick tour of Arabic blogs, we will make three stops. Our first is in Yemen, where we see a blogger's take on why people are born different from an Islamic perspective; the second is in Kuwait, where a blogger is urging a newly appointed female minister not to cave in to pressure and don the Islamic head gear – the Hijab – and the last stop in the UAE, where a blogger has just returned from a trip to Indonesia but is having trouble downloading his pictures online because flickr is banned in his country!
For Yemeni blogger Riyadh Al Ghaili there is a good reason why people are born different. Al Ghaili, who runs a blog of a religious nature, aims to explain the different teachings of Islam in a series of posts. The post I will translate today narrates an imaginary conversation with a friend about why people were created different from each other.
In Kuwait, blogger Zaydoun defends the right of newly appointed female Higher Education Minister Nouriya Subeeh Barrak Al-Subeeh not to wear the Hijab – an Islamic head cover for women.
Our last stop is in the UAE, where blogger Abdulla travels to Indonesia and tells us all about his visit here. Although the post is about uploading photographs of his trip for his readers to see what was he up to in Indonesia, Abdulla doesn't miss the opportunity to point out that photo hosting site flickr is banned in his country!


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Argentina, Colombia, Bolivia: 100 best novels written in Spanish in the past 25 years · Global Voices
David Sasaki

With CNN and the BBC no longer readily available in Buenos Aires, perhaps it's time to get acquainted with what the Colombian magazine Semana calls the “100 best novels written in Spanish in the past 25 years.” Or, if you prefer poetry, Blogs de Bolivia points readers toward a new anthology of contemporary Latin American poetry including Bolivia poet Blanca Wiethuchter.

author: David Sasaki


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Armenia: A1 Plus 5th Anniversary · Global Voices
Nathan Hamm

Onnik Krikorian reports on the public events marking the fifth anniversary of the closure of A1 Plus, the only alternative voice in Armenia's broadcast media.


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Armenia: Dialysis Hurdles · Global Voices
Nathan Hamm

The Armenian Odar reports on poor treatment for dialysis patients at a Yerevan hospital.


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Bahrain: Animal Sounds Banned · Global Voices
Amira Al Hussaini

Bahraini blogger Silly Bahraini Girl  criticises  legal action being taken against two youth accused of making animal noises to a policeman.


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Bahrain: Female Bloggers Meeting · Global Voices
Amira Al Hussaini

Bahraini blogger Silveroo calls for an all-female bloggers meeting, sparking an argument in which some of accusations exchanged were “sexist” and “genderphobic.”


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Bahrain: Where Justice Differs · Global Voices
Amira Al Hussaini

Bahraini blogger Manama Republic laments the loss of a Bahraini security guard, who was shot outside a nightclub, and sheds light on a whole generation of ‘forgotten’ Bahrainis. He questions the lack of police interest in pursuing the perpetrator of this heinous act and wonders whether the killer was a well-heeled blue-blooded specimen. The guard was declared brain-dead and lies in hospital.


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Bhutan: On Archery · Global Voices
Neha Viswanathan

Visit Bhutan on archery as the national game of Bhutan. “The Archery Games attract huge numbers of crowd during the Losar or New years eve where people gather and watch their villages archer edge past over the other villages archer, the archer range or the target would be decorated and the host villages have their own cheers leader girls disturbing the enemy villages while taking aim or the shots.”


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Bolivia: “Tears and Fraud as the Door to Spain Closes” · Global Voices
David Sasaki

Estimates are that as many as 200,000 Bolivians have migrated to Spain in the last three years … The lines at the passport office here in Cochabamba have been so long for so long that people sleep by the door just for the chance to get a ticket securing a space to come back weeks later,” writes Jim Shultz in his summary of reaction to Spain's decision to require visas from visiting Bolivians. Miguel Buitrago adds that “at this point in time, there are no more tickets available to travel by plane. The two airlines servicing that route, LAB and Aero Sur, have sold out all their seats. Additionally, LAB, the Bolivian airline, has been having trouble keeping up with its bills and just days ago, it has completely ceased operations and canceled all its flights to Spain.”


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Brazilian Air Traffic Strike: Blogs Debate Confusions, Commands and Concerns from the Past · Global Voices
Jose Murilo

Aerial Blackout weblog banner
Last Friday, at the same time Lula was in the air traveling to the US to visit President Bush, a huge crisis was developing back in Brazil. Air traffic controllers had started a strike protesting working conditions, paralyzing flights across the nation and bringing the “Aerial Blackout” crisis to a climax. The problems were started last year with the disintegration of Varig, Brazil's one-time flagship airline, and signs of persistent failure in air traffic control in the southern and central regions of the country were already being noticed by the media in March. It only got worse after the Sept. 29 collision which became  Brazil’s worst air disaster, as the controllers started to perform slowdowns that brought delays in airports all over the country.
The mounting pressure over the issue last week led Lula  to express his personal astonishment with the lack of a precise diagnostic about the problem by the ones in charge, and to demand solutions. What he could not imagine is that on that same week, he would have to handle the crisis personally by the phone from the presidential airplane while leaving the country. When dealing directly with the air controllers on strike, back came the old union leader with the ability to quickly bring the work stoppage to an end. But the deal quickly became an object of debate in the Brazilian blogosphere.
A greve dos controladores de vôo criou um paradoxo. Vitoriosos em acelerar a desmilitarização do setor, não conseguirão celebrar a vitória. Pela lógica política, aliás, terão que ser exemplarmente derrotados, por dois motivos. Primeiro, porque a exibição de poder, praticamente parando o tráfego aéreo nacional, tornou-os uma ameaça. Nem que, daqui para diante, passassem a se comportar exemplarmente; nem que suas reivindicações fossem as mais justas. Segundo, porque levaram o governo Lula, por absoluta falta de pró-atividade, a abrir espaço para a volta de um velho fantasma para o setor: o poder dos sindicalistas versus o da hierarquia militar.
Os Controladores e a Política – Luis Nassif Online
A transferência dos controladores de vôo civis e militares para os quadros do novo órgão eliminará o grande entrave para a concessão de aumentos salariais à categoria. Hoje, 80% dos cerca de 3.000 controladores de vôo em atividade são militares. São de primeiro a terceiro sargento. Reajustando-lhes os contracheques, o governo criaria uma defasagem em relação aos demais sargentos da tropa. Um problema que será contornado com a criação da carreira vinculada ao órgão civil de gestão do tráfego aéreo.
Novo órgão civil fará o controle do tráfego aéreo – Josias de Souza
Se Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva avaliou que o governo precisava ceder aos controladores de vôo, deveria (ou o vice, que estava no exercício do cargo) ter chamado o comandante da Aeronáutica e ordenado o recuo. Se o comandante se negasse a cumprir a ordem, deveria receber voz de prisão. Mas, como o ministro encarregado de informar aos sargentos que o governo iria se render foi o do Planejamento, de duas uma: 1) Lula contornou a linha de comando; 2) Lula mandou o comandante da Aeronáutica recuar e ele se recusou a fazê-lo. Como o comandante da Força Aérea Brasileira (FAB) não está preso e continua no cargo, suponho que a segunda hipótese está afastada. A questão é saber por que Lula ignorou o comando da Aeronáutica. O que você acha?
Uma dúvida (31/03) – Blog do Alon
There is a general perception that the Brazilian air traffic controllers were really working in bad conditions, and some voices blame the military as the main obstacle to the resolution of the crisis due to its resistance in relinquishing control of the country's air traffic system. In order to explain their radical move, the air traffic controllers’ syndicate published an open letter on its website exposing what they see as an unsustainable situation. Lula's critics are ready to prove that he is the one to blame for this federal mess.
A convicção, não só entre militares, de que os controladores de vôo brasileiros devem obedecer a ordens marciais de trabalho e não têm direito a serem ouvidos, muito menos de verem as suas reivindicações atendidas, pode adiar desnecessariamente a solução da crise do setor aéreo deflagrada pelo acidente com um avião da Gol em setembro, que resultou na morte de 154 pessoas. Rebeliões, greves brancas e operações-padrão, como têm ocorrido no Brasil, são comuns em diversos países. Entretanto, aqui são tidas como “traição e baderna” (conforme a revista CartaCapital de 13 de dezembro de 2006) pelos militares responsáveis pelo setor. Assim, um trabalho que é crucial e extremamente delicado é tratado como uma marcha para a guerra, sem espaço para recuos nem discussões, sob pena de prisão, rebaixamento ou expulsão…  A própria Aeronáutica reconhece que o total de controladores no Brasil deveria ser duas vezes maior. As estimativas mais otimistas recomendam um aumento de um terço no total de profissionais. O salário, entre R$ 1.700 e R$ 3.700, teria que ser de R$ 10.000, segundo estudo do Ministério da Defesa (ainda de acordo com a CartaCapital). O equipamento é antiquado e de manutenção deficiente. Mas a hierarquia militar não comporta a discussão nem o encaminhamento desses problemas.
Controle militar dificulta solução da crise aérea – Carlos Drummond – TerraMagazine
A quem é atribuída as paralisações do tráfego aéreo em virtude de fenômenos naturais como chuvas e nevoeiros? . Quem, ao tentar expor as verdadeiras situações do tráfego aéreo nos livros de ocorrências dos órgãos operacionais, sofre perseguições da chefia militar? . Quem é acusado de insubordinado e sindicalista ao executar uma operação de segurança que consta em norma internacional de aviação civil? . Quem é o principal suspeito ao ocorrer panes no sistema de comunicação, queda de energia ou overbooking de empresas aéreas? . Quem é o profissional obrigado a monitorar vôos e milhares de vidas acima do recomendado pelas normas de segurança? . Quem é o militar aquartelado sem o direito de protestar pela falta de operadores? . Quem é o profissional que tem sua dispensa médica ou férias interrompidas pela convocação de oficiais superiores a fim de suprir a falta de operadores? . Quem passa os dias trabalhando com equipamentos obsoletos e prejudiciais à saúde? . Quem tem de se desdobrar para prestar serviço seguro quando ocorrem falhas de comunicação nas chamadas zonas cegas? Para todas estas perguntas, uma resposta nos parece comum: o Controlador de Tráfego Aéreo. Passados seis meses de crise, não há nenhuma sinalização positiva para as dificuldades enfrentadas pelos Controladores de Tráfego Aéreo. Ao contrário, as mesmas agravaram-se.
Manifesto dos Controladores de Vôo – Sindicato Nacional dos Trabalhadores na Proteção ao Vôo
O governo Lula, mais uma vez, conseguiu superar a demência tucana. A crise aérea se arrasta há meses sem ter sido tomada nenhuma providência. 154 pessoas morreram na queda do Boeing da GOL; ontem, segundo a Anac (Agência nacional de Aviação Civil), 18 mil pessoas não puderam embarcar. Hoje de manhã, Luiz Fernando Mosca, de 54 anos, diabético e com sitomas de crise de asma, morreu de infarto depois de passar a noite com a família no aeroporto esperando um vôo de Curitiba para Porto Alegre.
Greve = Bandidagem – A Nova Corja
Although the quick action to neutralize the strike was a necessary move, many bloggers are commenting that the acceptance of all the air traffic controller's demands by the government will create a dangerous precedent. Some commenters were quick to mention the similarities among this situation and the crisis between former president João Goulart and the military, which led to the coup in 1964 and the many years of dictatorship in the country. Coincidence or not, last Saturday (March 31) was the day of the 43rd aniversary of the coup which some in the military still call ‘the revolution’.
Os controlodares aéreos estão com a faca e o queijo nas mãos! … Em Brasília eles iniciaram uma greve de fome por essas melhorias, o comando da aeronáutica decidiu prendê-los, uma vez que estão sujeitos ao severo regulamento da mesma que proibe esse tipo de manifestação por melhores condições de trabalho, nós do Exército não somos tão burros assim, quando queremos algum aumento salarial, mandamos nossas mulheres fardadas com nossos uniformes fazerem manifestações nas ruas e panelaços em frente aos palácios de Brasília! Pois bem, eles foram aquartelados, o que quer dizer, presos mesmo no interior dos quarteis ou das bases aéreas. Mas o presidente Lula, num momento raro de sensatez, mandou soltá-los imediatamente! Para evitar confrontos desnecessários, segundo a secretaria de comunicação da presidência. Vale lembrar ao Ilustrísssimo presidente, que em fins de 1963 e início de 1964, João Goulart incetivava os sargentos a prenderem os generais, almirantes e brigadeiros, a marinha aderiu, a aeronáutica ficou voando e observando e o Exército tomou as rédeas da situação e deu no que deu! Como ontem comemoramos mais um aniversário da revolução, nada melhor que começar outra por esse dias de abril. Seria o Abril Preto, em homenagem ao apagão aéreo!!!
Controladores Aéreos – Considerações Finais sobre Tudo
Ora! Só existe perdão de punição se alguém está punindo e devemos lembrar que Lula mandou “resolver” o problema até antes d e 1º de abril. Acredito que a arrogância que ele tentou mostrar, atiçando as autoridades superiores aos controladores de vôo a bater doído neles, é o que levou ao motim de ontem. O governo no final cedeu e ficou quietinho, e Lula aparece como o salvador, informando que pediu para “retirarem” a punição. Conclusão desta história é uma só: Lula é fraco e o PT não tem credibilidade para mandar em ninguém. Por outro lado, ao fazer acordo para transferir os controladores para a área civil, criou um problema que ele não perde por esperar com a Aeronáutica e os militares (quem viver verá).
Lula não aguentou e cedeu – Blog do Maidana
Existe até um lado positivo na desautorização do comandante da Aeronáutica. Ainda que não tenha tido esse objetivo, a decisão de Lula quebrou de vez o tabu do fantasma militar numa hora simbólica: véspera do aniversário de 43 anos do golpe que instaurou a ditadura de 1964.
De Novo??? Não, Agora Não!!!, de Kennedy Alencar – Tico e Teco Brasil
As usual, bloggers from left and right present interestingly disparate approaches and interpretations to the current events.
Lula voltou antes da hora da reunião de Camp David, com Bush, para desmilitarizar o controle de tráfico aéreo e resolver a crise nos aeroportos brasileiros. Não acredito na última teoria de conspiração que está circulando em Brasília: o ministro da Defesa deixou a crise na aviação civil agravar-se ao máximo – desde o acidente sobre a Amazônia até o caos e morte registrada na guerrilha dos aeroportos – para ter condições políticas de desmilitarizar o controle de tráfico aéreo. Inclusive ficará como um órgão civil debaixo do controle do Ministério da Defesa. Mas o principal que meus amigos controlados de vôo me contaram é a “ataulização salarial” que eles exigem. Um dos amigos era sargente da Aeronáutica, psicólogo e virou controlador para manter a família. Outro é da parte administrativa, há semanas vem concordando que o problema final era de dinheiro, faltava o ministro da Fazenda dar a ordem ao Planejamento para o Tesouro soltar dinheiro. Mas sem desmilitarizar teria que aumentar o soldo de todos os militares – aí a grita da Fazenda é maior ainda. O jeito foi deixar o ministro tocar o assunto com sua experiência política. Aparentemente agora vai resolver, desmilitarizando e concedendo reajuste de salários aos controladores que têm nossas vidas nas mãos. Foi isso que aconteceu ou a coisa correu de outro jeito? PS – Presidente Lula não é salvador da pátria, mas alguém tinha que fazer o serviço de tirar o último reduto das mãos dos militares que remontaram o país durante os 21 anos de ditadura.
Desmilitarizar controle áereo e aumentar salários resolve a crise dos aeroportos – João Arnolfo
A coisa é bem mais séria do que parece, e o que está na nota é a pura expressão na verdade. Atenção: não foi o governo que decidiu criar o órgão civil para controlar o tráfego aéreo, não. Foi a Aeronáutica que rejeitou o dito-cujo. Foi mais ou menos o seguinte: “Se é assim, então não temos mais nada com isso”. A Força teve o juízo que faltou a Lula. Não lhe restava outro caminho: ou admitia a quebra da disciplina, da hierarquia, e engolia um motim, junto com um documento desaforado que expressava desconfiança nos superiores, ou fazia o que fez: “Então essa área não é mais de nossa responsabilidade”. Foi também uma saída mais ou menos honrosa para Juniti Saito, comandante da Aeronáutica. Ele havia determinado a prisão de 18 militares, e a medida foi suspensa por Lula. A Força abre mão do controle, mas ainda insiste nas punições. Os controladores já falaram que, nesse caso, retomam a greve — justamente no feriado da Páscoa. Eis aí uma obra acabada de Lula e seu ministro da Defesa, Waldir Pires. Em reportagem no Estadão deste domingo (clique aqui), lê-se: “(…) os oficiais consideram que se abriu um precedente perigoso para as três Forças. Na opinião de outro militar, melhor seria que o governo se reunisse com o Alto Comando da FAB e revisse a decisão de não punir os rebelados. ‘O que eles (os controladores) fizeram é crime, previsto no Código Penal Militar.’ Um oficial do Exército foi mais longe: ‘Você sabe que os nossos pilares são hierarquia e disciplina. Sessenta e quatro só saiu porque tentaram quebrar esses dois pilares’”.
Controle Civil não foi decisão do governo; a Aeronáutica é que quis se livrar da parte podre; crise militar continua – Reinaldo Azevedo
Amidst all this confusion and uproar, the larger context is provided by the number of Brazilians who have never had the experience of using an airport and flying in an airplane. These are Lula's crowds, and they are numerous.
Ás vezes até bate uma tristeza… penso: “Nossa, queria ter dinheiro pra poder comprar uma passagem aérea e ir dormir lá no aeroporto… Seria tão bom viver alguns dias sonhando em chegar aos céus…” Que pena que sou pobre… Tenho que me contentar com greve de ônibus e metrô. E devo me dar por satisfeito e levantar as mãos ao céu, porque tem gente que não tem dinheiro nem pra passagem do ônibus e ficam sem greve nenhuma… Coitados. Não sabem o que estão perdendo. Felizes são os que têm grana e podem passar por uma greve de 1ª classe. Que chique! Sortudos.
Nova novela “Crise Aérea Brasileira” – Desnome

author: Jose Murilo


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Caribbean: Rating the West Indies v Sri Lanka cricket match · Global Voices
Georgia Popplewell

Cricketwukup.com rates various aspects of Sunday's Cricket World Cup match between the West Indies and Sri Lanka. The highest marks go to the crowd, for “bravery in the face of the adversity”.

author: Georgia Popplewell


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China: birth of citizen journalism · Global Voices
Oiwan Lam

ESWN has translated an article, “The Most Awesome Nailhouse” Gives Birth to “Citizen Journalism”, by Chen Wanying from yweekend.

author: Oiwan Lam


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China: Nail House Case resolved · Global Voices
Oiwan Lam

The owners of “the coolest nail house in history” have finally signed an agreement with the developer. And the pioneer citizen reporter zuola's blog is now blocked by GFW (zh).


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China: Persecuting economic crimes · Global Voices
John Kennedy

Capitalism is now officially approved at the Party level, but with otherwise law-abiding small-scale sidewalk sellers nation-wide operating in constant fear and in conflict with (photos) the chengguan (more photos), the urban management forces found in every city, has this ideological thaw trickled down to the streets? Not yet, says 50mm photoblogger Bai Xiaoci in his post this past week, Barbecue Stall.
景田南一片，生活公共设施一应俱全，香梅市场附近聚集了不少流动小贩，早上有个临时菜市场，有一段时间因城管驱逐，烟消云散，现在又有点卷土重来的意思。到了晚上，则是烧烤摊的舞台，比较固定的有：拖车场后面的小公园有一家，香蜜三村西南街角的对过有一家。
烧烤摊的出现，在午夜垃圾车驶过之后的街道上，给腌臜的空气中加入了羊肉炙然的香气，这样的烧烤档现在遍布深圳的夜间，成为深圳廉价宵夜的主流品类。捧者甚众，烧烤档不是连锁经营，却像连锁经营，无论是选址，营业标识，还有从从业人员的构成，供应食物的种类，大家都差不多。每个烧烤档的人员结构一般是一对夫妻，男的管炙烤火候，女的负责张罗接待食客，能供应十个人同时就餐，按照每人平均消费15元计，每天营业5小时，他每天的理想流水营业额有在750左右。和新疆烧烤档不一样的是，他们提供的烤串有荤素两类，荤的有羊肉、黄牛肉、鸡软骨、鸡翅、田鸡肉、羊板筋、有的摊点还提供生蚝；素的有茄子、豆角、韭菜、金针菇、豆皮、土豆。一个长形铁箱内盛放炭火，上面盖一张铁丝网做箅子，几把小凳，生火就能开张。
说实话，抛去卫生条件不讲，这烧烤还是挺好吃的，我有一同事经常夜间驱车去长城大厦帮衬那边一个街角烧烤档，长期以来，已经形成了一个固定的消费群体，光顾烧烤摊的顾客，由蒲夜青年，夜间工作人士居多，在午夜，很多商店已经打烊，物美价廉的烧烤摊是他们的不二选择。烧烤生意的红火，也形成了一定的产业链条，甚至催生了一种新的行业，据说在城中村里，有很多人的活计就是削竹签，然后批卖给这些烧烤档主。吃烧烤的人多了，对周边的小卖部也产生了正面影响，香蜜三村附近的一个报摊亭本来在晚上8点后就关门了的，现在有了烧烤摊，他延长了营业时间，因为吃烧烤的人总会喝啤酒，王老吉等酒水饮料，摊主因携带不便，不提供酒水，这部分的消费利润让书报摊分享了。他们之间的经济关系，就像张五常蜜蜂寓言里蜂农和苜蓿农场主之间的关系。
烧烤业的天敌是城市管理人员的执法队，执法力度直接关系到烧烤档的生死存亡，也影响着区域烧烤水准的高低，被执法的后果是损失生产资料。所以烧烤档在选址上非常讲究，一个好的选址，在碰到城管的时候能有效降低损失，他们一般选在城市绿化带附近的次干道上，1，能，保证人流量；3，视线良好；3，能在灌木丛里隐藏烧烤炊具和原料。此外，各个区域的城管人员的执法力度和频率是不一样的，有的片区只管白天，有的则一直巡逻到午夜，有的隔三差五地来一次，有的十天半月也见不着人影。在城管频密巡逻的片区，一般很难有高水准的烧烤食品。据资深夜蒲人士介绍，好吃的烧烤一般在城中村等粗放地带，管的人少，行业水准提升地快，在白石洲等地，有的路边烧烤在经过几年的发展，已经形成了品牌，在积累到一定资本之后，正式租用装修了门面，招聘服务员，成为正经餐饮企业，有的甚至出现了哦连锁经营的局面。
“Bandits!”, “evil!”, “dogs”, “trash!”, “they've no place in a democratic country!” write many Chinese netizens of chengguans in response to a March 31 repost on the widely-read Tianya forumof the netbuzzing story of Beijing peddler Cui Yingjie who, last August, finding himself surrounded by ten chengguans, ended up killing one in the scuffle, then being sentenced to death, later being cast online as a martyr. Among the many responses to the post were this series of photos of a chengguan attack in process in what appears to be the southern Chinese city of Guangzhou:

author: John Kennedy


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Colombia: Protesting Hunger · Global Voices
David Sasaki

Voices are starting to rise up against malnutrition in Colombia. First Carlos Raúl van der Weyden Velásquez writes “we should not be surprised” after news leaked out about the the dozens of starving children who died in Western Chocó department. Adam Isacson describes a protest against hunger in the Colombian municipality of San Miguel, Putumayo, along the border with Ecuador.


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Cuba: Say no to Santana · Global Voices
Georgia Popplewell

Claudia4Libertad links to a petition requesting that Cuban-American music star Gloria Estefan reconsider having Carlos Santana appear as a guest artist on her tribute to Cuba album “90 Millas” on account of Santana's professed admiration of Ernesto “Che” Guevara.


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Egypt: Cover Up Fires · Global Voices
Amira Al Hussaini

A post on the outbreak of a fire in the Sayeddah area of Cairo, Egypt, by blogger Frederik Richter triggered this comment from reader Amil Khan: “One of the fires I went to was right next to the office. I was surprised to find the same senior policeman who oversaw the beating of protesters. To be fair though, he beat the fire onlookers too. I spoke to a bank worker who said that at certain times of the year you’ll see many fires in offices and banks across Cairo. He said they are usually started by senior employees who have been busy in some sort of dodgy dealing and are looking to neatly cover up the evidence.”


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Egypt: In Defence of Kareem  · Global Voices
Amira Al Hussaini

Writing for The Arabist, Issandr El Amrani links to an article written by a Muslim Brotherhood author in defence of jailed Egyptian blogger Kareem Nabeel Sulaiman, who is serving four years for insulting both Islam and Egyptian president Hosni Mubarak.


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Exploring Ecuador’s Cyber-South · Global Voices
Milton Ramirez

Ecuador is a country with low access to the Internet and so most Ecuadorian netizens must save enough money to use an Internet cafe or pay for their own costly connection. The situation is even more interesting if we look at the impoverished southern Ecuadorian provinces of El Oro, el Azuay and Loja. It is in the last of these regions where there's been an advancement in the amount of technologist and professional weblogs. The Technical University of Loja has been instrumental in developing what we've come to call citizen journalism. A recognition of the progress being made at the university has been documented by Ecuadorian journalist and blogger Christian Espinosa [ES] who, mentioning the first blogger meetup organized by Calú [ES], asks Ecuadorean bloggers to become more involved with their southern peers.
There exists a “tipping point” of bloggers in the area, as Professor Espinosa likes to call it. In the city of Loja, Viva el Ecuador [ES] has led several online projects that aim to support local businesses and attract tourism to the region. And the Special Technical University of Loja (UTPL) has its own citizen blog portal.
When you come to visit Ecuador, don't leave without getting to know the bloggers of Loja as well as the city and province.
Translated from Spanish by David Sasaki

author: Milton Ramirez


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Georgia: Stuffing the Goose · Global Voices
Nathan Hamm

Steady State says that the president of Abkhazia, a de facto independent region in Georgia, is trying to attract ethnic Abkhaz who fled to Turkey a century ago to return. Though the largest ethnic group in Abhkazia, all other non-Abkhaz ethnic groups combined outnumber ethnic Abkhaz in the region.


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Guyana: Berbice River Dance · Global Voices
Georgia Popplewell

Andy Moonsammy posts a video mashup on YouTube mixing video from the show “Riverdance” with tassa drumming and Indo-Caribbean chutney music.


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Guyana: Her mother’s voice · Global Voices
Georgia Popplewell

Guyana-Gyal's mother's hoarse voice – the result of a foreign “taliban flu” – reminds Guyana-Gyal of the voices of the vendors on Water street who “don’t talk to one another. They shout.”


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Honduras: Sweatshop Friendly? · Global Voices
David Sasaki

Inspired by a New Zealander blogging about Honduras while in Ireland, “La Gringa” agrees with the description of Honduras as “sweatshop-friendly.”


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India: Barcamp Bangalore 3 · Global Voices
Neha Viswanathan

Barcamp Bangalore 3's on and is seeing a huge number of participants. Photographs tagged with the barcamp at flickr. Posts by Himanshu on the Barcamp here, orione. Meanwhile Ponder Point explain what exactly a barcamp is.


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Internet and Philippine elections · Global Voices
Mong Palatino

Statistics vary on the actual number of internet users in the Philippines. It may range from as low as nine million to a high number of thirty-five million users. This figure is enough to compel politicians to recognize the value of online campaigning. Many candidates who aspire to tap the youth vote are using the internet as a platform for their candidacies.
Inevitable Karma believes internet penetration is not yet that impressive in the Philippines and politicians must still rely on mainstream media. This observation is shared by so many political analysts who insist that internet campaign cannot reach the most number of Filipino voters.
Still, the 2007 midterm election campaign has effectively shown how candidates can increase their chances of winning by maximizing the cyberspace. Candidates have put up their own personal websites, blogs and Friendster accounts (Friendster is the most popular social networking site in the Philippines).
There are various reliable websites and blogs which give updated news and information on candidates, political parties and other election matters. The Pinoy Vote 2007 provides useful links to candidates’ websites. Philippine Eleksiyon 2007 gives a daily report on important election news. Votester asks bloggers to submit election articles; and it conducts an online survey on voters’ preferences. Inquirer offers podcasts of senatorial candidates.
Online campaigning became a necessity for a jailed rebel soldier who is running for Senator. This young soldier has a Friendster blog and his friends have also established an election promotion blog. Check also the blog of his group known as Magdalo.
Tonyo links to an online petition calling for the immediate release of a jailed leftist lawmaker.
Since TV ads are expensive, candidates have begun using You Tube for its affordability and accessibility. Partylist groups representing the marginalized and underrepresented sectors of Philippine society have placed campaign ads in You Tube.
Cyberbaguioboy blogs about this interesting internet campaign of an independent senatorial candidate.
“Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan has launched his very own YouTube-based channel, hoping to show people his day-to-day campaign activities. Using MTV-style production, this online “reality show” is dubbed KTubed (as in KikoTubed) on multiply.com. This same video clip is also embedded in KTube, which the creators describe as an online reality series featuring the life of Senatorial Candidate Kiko Pangilinan as he runs for office and of course at home with his family. No scripts, gimmicks, just Senator Kiko on the go.”
Disbar the First Boor is a blog which became prominent (it was featured in primetime TV news) during the start of election campaigning since it seeks to discredit the First Gentleman.
Wiretapped Delusions has a good point:
“How does one regulate political advertising on the internet without bashing heads with Constitutional issues, like freedom of speech. I feel this is just the beginning. But as early as now, one can hear the warhorn sound in the distance…”
On my way home is the blog of a senatorial candidate whose political group, Ang Kapatiran, is very much praised by civil society for raising the issue of morality in Philippine politics.
The Journal of the Jester-in-Exile writes his rules for voting for a partylist representative.  Adarna's Attic has a list of top political TV ads.

author: Mong Palatino


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Iran: Looking at the Detained British Sailors’ Crisis Differently · Global Voices
Fred Petrossian

The Iran-UK maritime crisis, which erupted after the arrest of 15 British sailors by Iranian forces in the Persian Gulf on March 23, has become one of the top stories in the international media. The British and Iraqi governments say that British soldiers  were in Iraqi waters doing a routine ship control when they were arrested. The Iranian government, however, insists that the British soldiers trespassed into Iranian waters.
The crisis was given a new dimension when Iranian TV began showing footage of leading sailor Faye Turney wearing a headscarf and reading a letter of apology for illegally trespassing in Iranian waters. The story goes on and so does the crisis. You can follow the development of the crisis in photos here.
Some have drawn cartoons about this standoff, many wrote articles and some were inspired to become really creative.
A déjà vu repentance story
Haji Kensigton [Fa] discusses the British sailors’ letters of apology and their criticism of war. What British citizen, he asks with skepticism, would actually believe that his/her countrymen had a change of heart about the war in just six days after serving in the army for about ten years and serving in Iraq for four?
The blogger sarcastically argues that a proposition by a Hezbollah students group to execute the sailors is more humane than forcing them to write repentance letters. Please execute them, he concludes with dark irony, and let Ahmadinejad write the letters himself.
Azarmehr reminds us that:
ever since the 1979 Islamic takeover of Iran, we have become accustomed to Iranian dissidents and opposition or those who have fallen out of favour with the establishment, to appear on state TV and recant the crimes they have been accused of. So much so, that these state TV appearances have very little credibility with Iranians. Thats why I have as much faith in Leading Seawoman Turney's letter being voluntarily written as her Islamic headscarf being of her own choice.
High price to pay for Iran
Jomhour [Fa] says it seems military adventurists also want to control country’s diplomatic and political managment, but adds that the situation apparently developed with Ahmadinejad’s agreement. Jomhour also describes the demonstration organized by a few Basiji students in front of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. They asked Iran to cut diplomatic relations with the UK and to send the sailors to trial.
Security forces who repress peaceful demonstrations of women activists or teachers or workers did not touch these demonstrators. People say that the slogans of these Basiji students were so radical that even foundementalist Fars News did not broadcast them.
Omid Memarian [Fa] says he does not know why this event happened but that all these stories and articles published in Western media will only enforce the voices that say Iran can not be a deterrent and that it must be controlled. Memarian writes that many compare this event to the 1979 hostage crisis in Tehran where American diplomats were taken hostage for 444 days.
Between conspiracy and irrationaliy
Karriz [Fa] touches on the internet's favorite theory: the conspiracy theory. He writes that according to some, this may be a trap by British forces to instigate military action. Was it normal for the UK to ask the United Nations to condemn Iran? According to the blogger, 43 percent of British people now support military action to liberate the arrested servicemen.
Mr. Behi writes that neither one of the governments should expect the other to accept the proposed position of the boats by the other. The border line with Iraq and Kuwait has been a major dispute for a long time in Iran. This Iranian administration, says Mr. Behi, is not very rational. These guys who are surrounding us are not that rational either.
Spies?
Shahrah Edalat [Fa] says Britain has always been hostile towards Iran and the blogger asks why a few years ago the reformist government reopened the UK ambassy in Tehran. According to the blogger British diplomats have a reputation of being spies. Edalat suggests that it is now time for revolutionary government to put an end to Iran-UK diplomaic ties.

author: Fred Petrossian


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Iran:Three Women Activists were arrested · Global Voices
Fred Petrossian

According to Zannevesht [Fa] at least three women activists were arrested while they collected the signatures for the Campaign “One Million Signatures Demanding Changes to Discriminatory Laws.” It happened in Laleh park in Tehran.


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Iraq: Blasphemous Marines · Global Voices
Amira Al Hussaini

Iraqi blogger Truth Teller posts two photographs  allegedly portraying blasphemous acts committed by US marines in Iraq. One shows a drawing of a cross on the Quran and the second graffiti on a wall which reads: Our God is better than your God.


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Iraq: Security Lies · Global Voices
Amira Al Hussaini

Iraqi blogger Raed Jarrar criticises  Senator John McCain's visit  to Iraq, saying that the impression it gave about the level of safety and security in Baghdad was misleading. “I don't think many Iraqis can afford to hire some hundreds of bodyguards and a few helicopters to protect them while they are shopping. Do you realize how would it be for a regular Iraqi to go shopping without the US army's protection, do you realize how your shopping spree would have looked like if you went to a real market with cars driving around?
“How does it feel when you can't stop lying? Don't you think that a better way to support the US, the President, the Republicans, or even yourself is to tell the truth and end illegal interventions in other countries?” he writes.


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Japan: yellow sand · Global Voices
Oiwan Lam

James from Japan Probe blogs about the recent sand storm (with video) in Japan. The mainstream media described the sand storm as a Chinese invasion.


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Kazakhstan: Architecture Square · Global Voices
Nathan Hamm

Leila Tanayeva reports on a new, ultra-moder construction project for Almaty's Republic Square.


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Kuwait: What Bloggers Think of the New Government? · Global Voices
Abdullatif AlOmar

After a long deliberation, Kuwait announced the formation of a new Government, giving enough material for bloggers to mull on.
Blogger Zaydoun wonders what all the commotion is about. He even urges people to leave the new government alone and mind their own business!
بصراحة لا أفهم مدى اهتمام الجميع بالتشكيل الحكومي الجديد الذي أخذ وقته وزيادة في التمخض، الكل ناطر على نار وكأن الحكومة الجديدة ستأتي بما هو جديد ومفيد… روحوا شوفوا شغلكم أحسن لكم وتركوا عنكم دوخة الحكومة
“Frankly, I do not understand why everyone is so concerned with the formation of the new government which took a very long time to come to light. Everyone is waiting on fire as if the new government is going to come with what is new and useful.. just go and focus on your work and leave the government in disarray,” he notes.
From criticising the government, we move to Forzaq8, who expresses his discomfort at the lack of news about the new formation in the government-owned Kuwait News Agency (Kuna) site.
“It's kinda sad that I wanted to read official news about the new government and I check(ed) the Kuna site. Kuna is Kuwait News Agency and is the official one. I have been trying to check the online site for 30 minutes now (and) it's been giving me errors,” he writes.
Krakatoachecks out the new government and tells us who's with whom in the formation.
He lists the ministers, their positions and allegiances. Almost all of them seem to be pro-government.
ـ1 جابر مبارك الحمد الصباح نائبا اول لرئيس مجلس الوزراء ووزيرا للداخلية ووزيرا للدفاع
(اسره)
First Deputy Premier, Defence and Interior Minister: Sheikh Jaber Al Mubarak Al Sabah (adds interior portfolio) (Ruling Family)
ـ2 الدكتور محمد صباح السالم الصباح نائبا لرئيس مجلس الوزراء ووزيرا للخارجية
( اسره)
Deputy Premier and Foreign Minister: Sheikh Mohammed Sabah Al Salem Al Sabah (adds post of Deputy Premier) (Ruling Family)
ـ3 فيصل محمد الحجي بوخضور نائبا لرئيس مجلس الوزراء ووزير دولة لشؤون مجلس الوزراء
( حكومي)
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Affairs of the Council of Ministers Faisal Al-Hajji (Government supporter)
ـ4 بدر مشاري الحميضي وزيرا للمالية
( حكومبرالي)
Finance Minister Badr Mishari Al-Humaidi (government supporter – liberal)
ـ5 شريدة عبدالله سعد المعوشرجي وزيرا للمواصلات ووزير دولة لشؤون مجلس الامة
( محسوب على التيار السلفي )
Minister of Communications and Minister of State for Affairs of the Majlis al-Umma Shireeda Abdullah Saad Al-Muoshirji (Close to the Salafis)
ـ6 صباح الخالد الحمد الصباح وزيرا للشؤون الاجتماعية والعمل
( اسره)
Social Affairs and Labor Minister Sabah Al-Khalid Al-Hamad Al-Sabah (Ruling family)
ـ7 عبدالله سعود المحيلبي وزيرا للاعلام
( قبلي – حكومي)
Information Minister Abdullah Saud Al-Muhailbi (tribal – Government supporter)
ـ8 الدكتور عبدالله معتوق المعتوق وزيرا للعدل ووزيرا للاوقاف والشؤون الاسلامة
( حكومي)
Islamic Affairs and Justice Minister Abdallah Al-Maatouq (Government supporter)
ـ9 عبدالواحد محمد العوضي وزير دولة لشؤون الاسكان
( حكومي)
Minister of State for Housing Abdulwahed Mahmoud Al-Awadhi (Government supporter)
ـ10 علي جراح الصباح وزيرا للنفط
( اسره)
Oil Minister Ali Jarrah Sabah Al-Sabah (Ruling family)
ـ11 فلاح فهد محمد الهاجري وزيرا للتجارة والصناعة
( قبلي – حكومي)
Commerce and Industry Minister Falah al-Hajiri (Tribal – Government supporter )
ـ12 محمد عبدالله هادي العليم وزيرا للكهرباء والماء
( حدسي)
Electricity and Water Minister Mohammad Abdullah Hadi Al-Olaim ( Hadas (Islamic Brotherhood ) )
ـ13 الدكتورة معصومة صالح المبارك وزيرا للصحة
( حكومية- شيعية)
Health Minister Dr Masouma Mubarak (Government supporter – Shia )
ـ14 موسى حسين عبدالله الصراف وزيرا للاشغال العامة ووزير دولة لشؤون البلدية
(؟؟؟- شيعي)
Public Works and Minister of State for Municipal Affairs Moussa Hussein Abdullah Al-Sarraf
( ?? – Shia )
ـ15 نورية صبيح براك الصبيح وزيرا للتربية وزيرا للتعليم العالي
( تكنوقراط
Minister of Higher Education Nouriya Subeeh Barrak Al-Subeeh (technocrat)
Away for politics, we move to plagiarism, where some newspapers in Kuwait are facing problems with photographers after reprinting pictures lifted from flickr , without taking the permission of photographers or giving them credit, as CyberRowdy points out.
“Picture taken by Cajie is in Al-Qabas news paper without his permission!! His photo collection is shared on Flickr with Creative Commons license, which stipulates that use of these images for commercial purpose is not legal,” he writes.
Meanwhile, blogger yo_ghurt issues a friendly warning on the  blog stillkuwaiting.
“If you’re new to Kuwait, you may not realise that we have a fairly substantial rain season which lasts from the end of March until the around the end of April. Anyway, it seems to be here now. Drive carefully,” says the blogger.
Yazeed give us an update and posts the end results of a small project started by blogger Spikey.
“Well Spikey started this project where he’d get a number of bloggers’ voices, each saying a phrase or two, combine them and make it into a “message.” I really didn't think it would be this good, thanks for the effort Spikey,” he notes.
More on bloggers’ collaboration is found here, where kilama6goog is spearheading a campaign to create more awareness of Article 36 – which is a clause in the Kuwaiti Constitution.
المادة 36 من الدستور
حرية الرأي والبحث العلمي مكفولة، ولكل إنسان حق التعبير عن رأيه ونشره بالقول أو الكتابة أو غيرهما وذلك وفقا للشروط والأوضاع التي يبينها القانون
Article 36
Freedom of opinion and scientific research is guaranteed, and everyone has the right to express his opinion verbally, in writing or otherwise
و من هذه المادة سنبدأ العمل على ايقاف كل يد تتسلل لمحاولة تكميم الأفواه و قمع الحريات و اختلاس حق الانسان الكويتي في ممارسة حقوقه الدستورية و التعبير عن رأيه بحرية و شرف
“And from this article we will take action to halt all hands that are trying to gag and suppress freedoms and the  rights of Kuwaitis to exercise their constitutional rights and express their opinion freely,” announces the blogger.

author: Abdullatif AlOmar


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Kyrgyzstan: April Fool’s! · Global Voices
Nathan Hamm

Tolkun Umaraliev reports on an April Fool's story that appeared in the Kyrgyz press.


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Kyrgyzstan: How Many Lives? · Global Voices
Nathan Hamm

Sean Roberts says that Kyrgyzstan's president may have have staved off upcoming opposition protests against him, though he is not entirely out of the woods yet. Roberts says that eventually though, the president will run out of political lives.


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Malaysia: Thinking Blogger Award · Global Voices
Preetam Rai

Yang-May Ooi writes about one of her readers tagging her as a “Thinking Blogger”. “I like the idea behind this award because it will make us all review the blogs we follow as readers, asking “Which one makes me think?” As bloggers, it challenges us to perhaps delve a bit deeper the next time we write a post and to think a bit harder when we write so that we can give our readers some more food for thought.”


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Nepal: On Citizen Journalism · Global Voices
Neha Viswanathan

Khatmandu Speaks on the state of citizen journalism.”Nepali blogosphere- like Nepali citizen reporters who surfaced in Ohmynews International- has roots as old as the royal takeover of King Gyanendra on February 1, 2005. Prior to February 1, the Nepali blogosphere was like a concealed treasure, a secretly kept diary- known to only few insiders and friends. Today, Nepali blogosphere is open and being populated every other day.”

author: Neha Viswanathan


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Pakistan: Rallies and celebration · Global Voices
Neha Viswanathan

Metroblogging Islamabad suggests that money be spent in better ways. “The huge amount of money spent on rallies that is, apart from political propoganda, is not effective at all and the lightening of buildings on such huge scale country-wide, this could have been spent on feeding few mouths, buying few life necessities for some, a positive thinking and the courage to take FIRST STEP is needed.”


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Philippines: Culinary Adventure · Global Voices
Preetam Rai

Eating Asia visits Philippines to try out local food. The blogger has posted pictures and recipes of some of the dishes.

author: Preetam Rai


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Singapore: Anti Smoking Advert · Global Voices
Preetam Rai

Culture Shiok comments on the decision by the Singpore's health authorities to show an anti-smoking advert after 8 PM as some children found the advert too disturbing. “Airing the advertisement late at night may spare some children from having nightmares (Do Singapore youngsters go to bed that early?). We'll just have to wait and see how this will change the smoking trend in this small country.”


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South Korea: irregular workers · Global Voices
Oiwan Lam

Jamie blogs about an irregular worker sit in action in Ulsan.


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Sri Lanka: On NGOs · Global Voices
Neha Viswanathan

MaXXa on the politics of NGOs in Sri Lanka. “The activeness of NGO's in Sri Lanka is full of life especially in issues related to ongoing ethnic conflict and other relevant matters. Whether their intention for such activeness is bona fide or malafide or just to promote their hidden agendas, it causes a substantial influence in government's decision making. The vulnerability of the Government before the International is so high due to the statements release by several NGO's.”


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Thailand: Internet Usage Tax · Global Voices
Preetam Rai

Stuart Towns comments on the recently announced Internet usage tax in Thailand. “And it only gets worse: “In addition to the bandwidth tax, an extra usage tax of 490 Baht (US$14)will be levied on those using Bittorrents and surfing foreign language internet forums.” Unbelievable!”
update: Thai blogger iteau exposes this is an April fool prank.


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Touring Libyan Blogs : Chaperones Redux, Successful Women, Mother’s Day and More · Global Voices
Fozia Mohamed

Libyan blogs teemed with discussions during the last couple of weeks. We are glad to know that the Chaperone for Libyan women law  I mentioned two weeks ago has been scraped, possibly following voices of outrage from courageous women.
Here is an update from Highlander:
“Yes the General People's Committee issued an announcement for those who do not read Arabic, here below is the summary.” [more]
A collective sigh of relief at this happy conclusion!
AmericanLibyan has a powerful rant about how men ‘fear the successful woman’. This is unfortunately an aspect much witnessed in Libya, in terms of men preferring to marry women of lesser education or income. On the other hand, another trend is simultaneously in effect, where younger men marry women up to 10 years older than them as successful Libyan women can afford a house and bring in good money in addition to forfeiting their right to a big dowry in order to marry. Of course, I'm generalizing slightly here as there are people who do fall in love with each other regardless of money, education and age. To get back to the American Libyan's topic, do check her post and you won't be disappointed.
“I have always wondered why Arab men have to be such chauvinists when it comes to women, money and careers. For God sake men let it go and stop being such bigots. The reason we go out and have careers is because we WANT to not because we want to flaunt it in your face and start singing “na na nana na I make more money than yoooou and I’m just a giiiirl” and then stick out our tongues at you like some two year old, excluding me of course; I still do that all the time– it’s my guilty pleasure. Anyways I know men want to feel strong and manly and want to have power over women and want to feel that a woman needs them and yatta yatta yatta but uh habibi hate to bust your bubble but who said us successful ambitious women don’t want that? Trust me, we want a strong masculine man in our life and trust me he will have power over us if we love him, and I hate to say this but we need our men. We just don’t need you to run our lives with your cultural ways. So please enlighten me, exactly what are you chauvinists afraid of? ” [more]
On March 21, Libya and many countries in the Arab world celebrated Mother's Day. A mother in  our culture is put on a pedestal as she so rightly deserves.  Unique to Libya is the fact that Children's Day falls coincides on the same day and here Anglo Libyan reminds us of that.
“[..] my parents used to take me and my brothers on this day to watch the Fancy Dress Parade which used to go through the streets of central Tripoli, I used to like all those colourful costumes, is this still going? I wonder! anyway I would like to wish a Happy Child's Day to all of our kids too, May Allah bless all mothers, fathers & children.”
I wanted to tell Maysoon who commented on his post, and whom I'm sure would be very pleased to know that the parade Anglo Libyan is talking about, does still take place indeed. Children do dress in fancy clothes and go to their school and so they do parade on the street on the way to school and back with their finery. This has been captured beautifully by the lens of  blogger Hibo from Tripoli My Sou , and you can check her photos of the children on this site. Also blogger S. Hamid , has some cute photos of dressed up youngsters.
Rose Bud of Field of  Dreams  follows a scent which instantly reminds her of home.
“It reminded me of the countless weddings, engagements, sbouas, and funerals. The times when the family would gather around and have Shahi Ailla. The kanoon would always come out and the bahour would chase away the evil eye. It reminded me of my grand mother, she always smelled nice. I almost forgot that smell, and what a shame that would have been.” [more]
A.Adam of Flying Birds seems to be quitting blogging . “After three days from now this blog will celebrate the 3rd anniversary and it's gonna be the END…” , but the whole Libyan blogosphere is trying to persuade  him not to . We shall find out soon what happens. Besheshentra already figured out it may be his April fool's joke. We hope it is a joke A. Adam !
Rumours are a dime a dozen in Libya and when the popular Allibiya FM radio broadcasting channel was dropped last week,  Maysoon wrote about it in her post “Few things“.
“People what's wrong with Allibeyah FM??? it's been off for couple of days now!?”
This little note generated a lot of replies here , and even a full post by Anglo Libyan, which included a further expounding of ideas.
“Some big suits that lack a lot of education keep interfering with everything to the point of being completely ridiculous, I mean only in Libya they banned the words Television, Radio, Cinema and now FM, they used ridiculous alternatives such as جهاز الاذاعة المرئية (Visual Broadcasting Machine for TV), جهاز الاذاعة المسموعة (Audio Broadcasting Machine for Radio) and خيالة (meaning Cinema) and God knows what for FM!!, these were inventions that were invented by Europeans or western people, their names have become a Trade Mark and are used world wide, its in the same way that the English language uses many Arabic words for things that were invented by Arabs and rightly so” [more]
Our very own Danish Libyan blogger Safia has been the victim of death threats from islamophobes and others in Denmark apparently for her role in uncovering double standards operating in that European country against a Muslim trying to access the ladder of power. To follow the whole story you need to go here. Safia wows she will not be silenced !
Libyan Mental TV is a recent blog depicting Libyans in their natural habitat as witnessed by the authors of the blog. We are treated to ad-hoc  videos of activities that caught their eye in Libya. For the moment there is a young man talking to his girlfriend on the phone and a rock concert at University.
“Libyan Mental TV, is short for Libyan Mentality TV, if that was short at all, it focuses on the Libyan mentality and attitude towards things and it is exhibited in a humorous way, thus we chose to call it Libyan Mental-TV (LMTV)” .
Awesome!

author: Fozia Mohamed


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Tunisia: Dailymotion Censored April 1st · Global Voices
Alice Backer

Tunisian blogger Astrubal writes[Fr]: “Tunisian blogs and sites have been censored, then those of civil society, then those of LEGITIMATE political parties, now the stupidity of Ben Ali's regime is attacking  Dailymotion, one rare remaining space of freedom for Tunisians… Yesterday (April 1st), the Ben Ali dictatorship decided to behead Dailymotion in public .” The blogger posts a Dailymotion clip of a 2004 Bush-Ben Ali conference.


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Ukraine: Between Revolutions · Global Voices
Veronica Khokhlova

A Fistful of Euros writes about Ukraine, and about revolutions eating their children, and about “shift[ing] away from snipers towards tents and blogs as a means of resolving political conflict.”

author: Veronica Khokhlova


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Ukraine: Maidan-2 · Global Voices
Veronica Khokhlova

Ukrainiana explains the essence of “the spring sequel to the Orange Revolution.”


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Ukraine: Revolution, Again · Global Voices
Veronica Khokhlova

Enidd describes what it feels like to be in the center of a revolution: “the main thrust of the revolution seemed to be seeing who could wave most flags and jump about the most, and who had the loudest sound system – which made it very like the reading festival, apart from three things: the music was all crap, the only drug available was alcohol and, most notably, a zillion clean portaloos had appeared overnight, all along kreshchatyk and around maidan.”


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Ukraine: Updates · Global Voices
Veronica Khokhlova

Abdymok.net posts updates on the situation in Ukraine following the president's decision to dissolve the parliament.


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Ukraine: Verka Serdyuchka · Global Voices
Veronica Khokhlova

“The unwashed masses have spoken,” writes Natalia Antonova in her post about Verka Serdyuchka/Andriy Danylko.


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Vietnam: Countryside Wedding · Global Voices
Preetam Rai

Vietnamese God takes us to a friend's wedding in the Vietnamese countryside.


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Zimbabwe: Bloggers invade mainstream media · Global Voices
Zimpundit

With the world's eyes focused on events in Zimbabwe, the country's blogosphere has come of age over the last two weeks.  Zimbabwe's bloggers have claimed their rightful place among the leading re-tellers of the Zimbabwean story.
All of last week, popular group blog This is Zimbabwe was the guest blog featured on Sky News‘ Insider Blog.  In their introduction to the week long feature, Sky News explains why Zimbabwean bloggers are a critical source of information thus;
What is life is like in a country where any sign of dissent or defiance to the Government can result in beatings or jail? Where media is either state-owned or regulated? And where blogging is dangerous.
All this week the Sky News Insider Blog comes from inside Zimbabwe – where activists hoping for democracy are beaten or killed; where HIV/AIDS is rife; where life expectancy is low.
Many of Zimbabwe's bloggers are living the experience that the rest of the world only hears about.
In this article titled Bloggers turn up heat on Zimbabwe, the BBC takes notice of a variety of perspectives on the Zimbabwean crisis coming from the country's bloggers.  Another Zimbabwean blogger, Zimpundit was interviewed by the BBC, and made several appearances on their World update program.
Angry about South Africa's complicit role in the prevailing crisis in the country, the aforementioned This is Zimbabwe have  posted this telling cartoon following the appointment of Thabo Mbeki as the mediator of Zimbabwe crisis.
At Kubatana blogs, this post titled “Under the cover of darkness,” describes the reality on the ground in Zimbabwe yesterday
Zimbabweans who ventured out of home this Sunday morning will have been greeted by the front page news in The Standard of more officially sanctioned violence by members of the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP).
What they wouldn’t know at this juncture is that all 9 detainees bludgeoned whilst in police custody and ordered off to hospital by the presiding magistrate, were last night abducted around 11pm from their hospital beds. An army doctor and a clutch of men in the ubiquitous blue uniforms of youth militia forced the injured into prison garb and dragged them off to destinations not known at this stage. Why? Under what authority were they acting?
Ostensibly our law enforcement agents are trying to bring the perpetrators of a series of petrol bombing incidents to book. They must do this at 11pm at night?
In a normal democracy, there is a separation of powers to ensure that no single arm of governance overreaches its authority. In a normal democracy the police would be out of line. But here they have been given carte blanche to do whatever it takes to beat Zimbabwe’s citizens into submission.
Now, according to the public face presented by SADC’s leaders, Zimbabwe’s democracy is functioning within the norms set by the region.
Zimbabwe:Outpost of Tyranny has a post about a motion introduced in the U.S. congress condemning Zimbabwe.
The bearded man posts multiple updates everyday.

author: Zimpundit


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Lebanon: British Sailors · Global Voices
Amira Al Hussaini

Lebanese blogger Moussa Bachir  links to an article on the British sailors captured by Iran. “No hoods. No electric shocks. No beatings. These Iranians clearly are a very uncivilized bunch. This is an article written by Terry Jones for the Guardian that I like to share with you. His article is a satire that does an excellent job in exposing hypocrisy,” he writes.


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Afghanistan: The Other Side · Global Voices
Nathan Hamm

Afghanistanica writes about the other side of the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan.

author: Nathan Hamm


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Africa: Afrigator arrives · Global Voices
Ndesanjo Macha

A new blog aggregator from Africa, Afrigator: “Afrigator launched today, an excellent new website dedicated to aggregating blog posts from Africa. It joins the ranks of 1-year old Muti, 1-month old Amatomu, and 1-week old Mashada.”

author: Ndesanjo Macha