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Myanmar e-books · Global Voices
Mong Palatino

Looking for Myanmar novels? Download e-books by visiting Shwesagar e books.


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Myanmar: Extreme cold weather · Global Voices
Mong Palatino

Myanmar’s mountainous eastern and western border areas are experiencing an unusual freezing weather. The Karen State was declared a disaster area because of the cold temperatures. The province is home to a large refugee population. In Rangoon, the winter is coldest in 30 years.

source: news-globalvoices

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

author: Mong Palatino


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Palestine: “In Gaza, only the dead have seen the end of this war” · Global Voices
Ayesha Saldanha

The people of Gaza are discovering the extent of the destruction inflicted during three weeks of Israeli attacks, and are slowly starting to rebuild their lives. Some bloggers are wondering about the less visible psychological and emotional damage. One asks, “What will be the reward for getting up and going on, one more time?”
Australian activist Sharyn Lock writes at Tales to Tell:
Tuesday [20 Jan]: I woke today to the sound of shelling from Israeli ships at sea. I’m not sure they really get this ceasefire concept totally, though of course it is nothing like what it was. In the port area on Saturday night, we had fliers dropped saying something like:
Israel will unilaterally stop attacks at 2am Sunday Jan 18. We won’t retreat from our Gaza positions, and we will respond to any Hamas attacks. Don’t come near us. Don’t go near Hamas positions. We don’t attack civilians, only Hamas….you have to know quiet will bring quiet. You have the choice.
Uhuh.
Canadian activist Eva Bartlett blogs at In Gaza:
(S)o many Palestinians don’t really have a means of addressing their pain and psychological scarring. Particularly as so many have repeatedly endured invasions, as well as other emotionally-damaging things like living under military occupation, being imprisoned or having family members imprisoned, and living under siege and in closed borders, to name but some.
Abdullah, one of Abu N’s grandchildren, cries pretty much all of the time I see him now. He was a bit of a cheeky 6 year old when I first met him 2 months ago. Now he seems stuck in his memories of bomb explosions and drone sounds (the drones I can identify with: even now, near midnight on January 20, 2 days post cease-fire, the drones circle.  The very distinct noise the drones here make is not a noise I can disassociate from the 3 weeks of precise bombardment and death which accompanied it). And very likely he won’t get any sort of therapy for this, although his family is compassionate, and will have to carry this baggage along with future baggage, as will the majority of those here. The most visible aspects of this war on Gaza are the massive craters, the demolished houses and buildings in every direction, in every town and city, the burnt-out warehouses and shops and hospital rooms and schools and cars…and the amputated limbs, the burned skin, the still-burning fires. But those very deep emotional injuries are what were intended to cripple society even more than physical damage.
Louisa Waugh, who was living in Gaza until recently, writes at New Internationalist's Gaza Blog:
My friends tell me Gaza is changed forever, grief-stricken and ruined, and still there is no immediate prospect of the borders opening so people can be released from this jail.  ‘We have lost everything,’ Mohammed, one of my friends in Jabaliya refugee camp, tells me over the phone. ‘My whole neighbourhood has been destroyed. But tell them, tell the world, we do not want food or money – we just want our life back, and we want our freedom.’
Vittorio Arrigoni is an Italian activist blogging at Guerrilla Radio:
A Gaza solo i morti hanno visto la fine della guerra. Per i vivi non c'è tregua che tenga alla battaglia quotidiana per la sopravvivenza. Senza più acqua, senza più gas, senza più corrente elettrica, senza più pane e latte per nutrire i propri figli. Migliaia di persone hanno perduto la casa. Dai valichi entrano aiuti umanitari col contagocce, e si ha come la sensazione che la benevolenza dei complici di chi ha ucciso sia solo momentanea.
Prof. Said Abdelwahed, who teaches English at Al-Azhar University, writes at Moments of Gaza:
The whole Gaza society is depressed for the losses of souls, havoc, devastation, wreckage, casualties and annihilation! Huge losses were seen in the agricultural fields, farmers’ homes, and everything around them! Depression, trauma, shocks and pain are common among the civilians! I am shaken by the psychological situation around! Wherever the Israeli soldiers attacked inside the residential buildings they turned the place into disarray! They scribbled on walls Hebrew threats of death, bad language, David star [Star of David] and they scribbled on the Holy Quran too.
Ghada Al-Najjar works for the NGO Oxfam, and writes at the Oxfam blog:
For two weeks now, I have not been in my home. I had to move out after a strong explosion close by shattered my windows and broke the doors.  Even if I were to fix my windows with plastic sheeting, what would protect me from the shelling? I had to try and stay safe, like my mum said, so I fled to my relatives. It is one day since the ceasefire and I have now returned to my home to find it partially destroyed. […] (I) am thankful that I was safe in the end. Unfortunately, not all of my relatives were. Four members have been killed. […] Irreparable damage has been done to our lives. I may be able to replace my windows but I will never be able to bring back the dead.
Abu el Sharif writes at Shajar El Ba6a6a:
Laila El-Haddad, whose parents are in Gaza, blogs at Raising Yousuf and Noor:
There is an unfamiliar stillness in Gaza today, says my father. No F-16s ripping through the sky. No ravaging explosions. There is time to hear yourself think. All a sort of anesthetic. A pause in a sick calculated brutality – to allow the caged disposables a moment to contemplate their options – to create the illusion they even have options.
“This siege will endure until we are truly persuaded into choosing a harmless slavery but in total freedom!”
[…]
“They destroyed anything in their path-people, buildings, streets…nothing was left untouched” my father said. “It is calm, for now. We sleep, for now. But the siege continues. And make no mistake – Gaza will rise.”
Sharyn Lock tells us in another post:
The strength of Gaza people astounds me. Everyone was out today fixing things. Re-laying water pipes, clearing rubble. Putting aside the thoughts of the children who are dead, to smile for the children who are still alive. How is it done? Where do they find the courage? And what will be their reward for getting up and going on, one more time?
MaRiAm, who blogs at A World Called Contradiction (عالم عنوانه التناقض), quotes a saying:
Sharyn Lock has posted photos of the devastation in the Azbet area of Jabaliya here. Lina Al Sharif, who blogs at 360 km2 of chaos, has made some vlogs (video blogs) of her experience which are linked to here.

author: Ayesha Saldanha


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Paraguay: A Visit to the Jesuit Ruins · Global Voices
Eduardo Avila

Brenda Boston visits the Jesuit Ruins located in Trinidad, Paraguay.

author: Eduardo Avila


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Peru: 2011 Elections Not So Far Away · Global Voices
Eduardo Avila

Perú Político [es] writes that the Peruvian presidential elections in 2011 are so far, yet so close and that 30% do not have an idea who they would vote for.


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Peru: Lima Celebrates Its Anniversary · Global Voices
Juan Arellano

On Sunday, January 18, the City of Kings, better known as Lima, Peru celebrated the 474th anniversary of its founding by Spain. Many bloggers took this opportunity to dedicate a few words to the city or post some photos, such as Ernesto of Física 3 [es], who is currently living abroad.  He writes, “(Lima) is one's heart, the mind takes you back to its streets” or Isabel of Burbujas Recargadas [es] who writes, “Lima consumes you, but it also spoils you. Lima is… complicated.  But, it's my city.“
Not all expressed their sentimentality towards Lima, as some bloggers like Eduardo Villanueva also analyzed the city's problems in a series of posts.  In this post from his blog Casi Un Blog Mk.II [es], he lists some of the things that the city lacks:
3 – Una buena arena deportiva que también sirva para conciertos. La solución actual, el estadio nacional o el estadio de la U, sirve para algunos casos; para otros más pequeños, lo que hay como el Dibós no alcanza, y cada vez que viene alguien que puede traer 5000 personas pero no 15000 falta dónde ponerlo.
4 – Un gran parque abierto a todo el mundo pero con controles de acceso, que sirva como sitio para caminar, disfrutar y ver y hacer cultura. El Campo de Marte no está bien mantenido y lo que se ha hecho con el Parque de la Reserva es una brutalidad: podrían haberse puesto las piletitas en otro sitio si se quería “disneyficar” un espacio público.
6 – Hacer algo con el rio Rímac, que está esencialmente abandonado a su suerte, desde lo ecológico hasta lo urbano.
10 – Casi es obvio: un sistema decente de transporte público.
4 – A large park open to everyone, but with controlled access, which serves as a place to walk, for people to enjoy themselves, look around, and put on cultural events. The Campo de Marte is not well maintained, and what they did with the Reserve Park is pure brutality: they could have put the fountain in another place if they wanted to “Disney-fy” a public space.
6 – Do something with the Rímac River, which is essentially abandoned in terms of ecology and the urban space.
10. And something obvious: a decent public transportation system.
Other of Villanueva's post include: Lima Celebrations [es], Lima: Is There Something to Celebrate? [es] and Why I hate Mayor Castañeda (Lima's mayor) [es].  From a different perspective, the blogger at El Tonto de la Colina [es] writes that Lima is a wonderful city and that its history very interesting:
Lima fue la capital de un territorio que llegó a abarcar toda Sudamérica y la actual Panamá. El virrey que gobernaba desde Lima en representación del Rey de España tenía un poder casi ilimitado dentro de este territorio y poseía una corte que nada tenía que envidiar a las cortes europeas. Hoy nos cuesta pensar que desde aquí se gobernaba todo un continente.
Todas las riquezas del Nuevo Mundo salían desde el puerto de Lima hacia España. El comercio resultante hacía que la ciudad tenga un lujo escandaloso. Se tiene noticia de que en una ocasión, los comerciantes de Lima, para recibir a un virrey, mandaron pavimentar la calle que da a la plaza principal con adoquines de oro, y las dos calles siguientes con adoquines de plata. Si, pues, las calles de Lima estaban empedradas de oro.
Lima was the capital of a territory that covered all of South America and what is now Panama. The viceroy, who governed from Lima representing the King of Spain, had almost unlimited power within this territory and had a court, comparable to European courts. It's hard to believe that from here (Lima), they governed the entire continent.
All of the New World riches left from this Lima port towards Spain. The resulting commerce provided that city with a scandalous luxury. It was reported that on one occasion, the merchants of Lima, to receive a viceroy, paved the street of the plaza with cobbles of gold and the next two streets with cobbles of silver. Yes, the streets of Lima were cobbled with gold.
Other bloggers like El Pensieve of Dinorider [es] posts photos and publishes links to interesting facts about the city. El Amautacuna of Historia [es] posts some videos of old Lima.  The blog of Jota Erre [es] publishes a video collecting images of Lima today.  The blog La Mejor Cara de tu Lim@ [es] summarizes the public celebrations during the anniversary of Lima.  The blog Globalizado [es] also posts some photos.

author: Juan Arellano


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Brunei: Rainy days and flooding · Global Voices
Senor Pablo

It is the middle of the annual North-East Monsoon season and Brunei has been experiencing strong winds and rainfall. It was just ten days ago that part of the country was submerged by waters. Blogs, no doubt play an important role in informing the public on the state of the rain and the aftermath.
It was only ten days ago  Iskandar World reported on the flood that has affected another district in the country, whereby his own home was affected by rising water levels.
I was anticipating for a heavy down pour once I reach home…but nothing no rain and not even a drizzle..asked myself mana tia ujan nya ani!…baik tah ujan labat2..heheeh…Oh! boy..my wish sure comes true. Woke up in the middle and found my room nearly flooded (carpets & all the cushions soaked wet), hiya! apparently, the water seep in from the balcony..From midnite till 3am..I was buzy cleaning….damn!!!!!
KB Happening wrote that the rain is possibly, the impact from global warming.
A perfect day that KB and Seria got flooded – on the first day I return to work. Funny that we never seem to encounter these problem a decade ago. Either we are sinking or that global warming is taking its toll.
However, last night's rain has caused much stand still to parts of the country. A main highway underpass tunnel in the capital and some schools were closed due to floods. It has caused diversion in traffic.
AnakBrunei, who was out on an errand trip, was caught in the rain downpour and  stuck in traffic for a few hours.
Finally after another hour or so, traffic started moving again, thanks to the traffic cops on duty. All in all, what should have been a quick 30 minute trip became a 3 hour adventure!
BruneiMotors, a blog that focus on car enthusiasts played good samaritans in informing the public on the state of the rain and areas that are affected by the floods.
]The flash flood occured around 11.00pm to 3.00am on the night of 20/1/2009 and the Royal Brunei Police has block all the road that is unsafe for a motorist to pass through. They have done amazing job containing the serious area to avoid the road user from ruining their cars. Fire rescue and Ambulance are dispatch all around Brunei to monitor the safety of the public.
BruneiLifestyle calls for  a live traffic reports on radio to inform listeners on the current flood situation.
I think its high time for the authority to set up a ‘live’ traffic report especially during the current wet spell and air them over all radio channels in every half an hour or so. Or why not make use of the Internet – after all Bruneians are IT-savvy lots. Video reports live through the handphones to your hands.
The blogger also believes that the current rain and flood is due to the effect of  La Niña, with more thunderstorms expected until the end of this week:
Translated, La Niña means, “The Little Girl” , but sometimes she is called “El Viejo”, “anti-El Niño”, or even just “a cold event”. La Niña is characterized by cooling of waters in the central and eastern tropical Pacific Ocean and stronger than usual trade winds. It occurs almost as often as El Niño and also affects the normal weather patterns in some parts of the world, such as higher than normal rainfall in Southeast Asia.
No doubt bloggers become good samaritans in providing another medium to inform the public. Just like last year, Turqoise and Roses  blogged about a flood in one of the districts in the country. Although reported in the local paper, she updated her blog live from the affected area several times in a day.
The recent event in Brunei do explain the regional phenemenon currently experienced, as reported by others bloggers on GVO on floods in Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines and Fiji,
Photos: courtesy of AnakBrunei, Iskandar World and BruneiMotors.

author: Senor Pablo


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Russia: Images of Life · Global Voices
Onnik Krikorian

English Russia posts numerous photographs of life in Russia by ethnic Armenian photographer, Aleksey Petrosian. The images represent a side of the country that few tourists get to see.

author: Onnik Krikorian


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Sri Lanka: Where Are The Top Leaders Of LTTE? · Global Voices
Rezwan

The Sri Lankan troops have captured airfields and landing strips used by the LTTE but failed to find their aircraft or air force. The Acorn suggests that either the planes have been dismantled and stowed away or they have been used for the LTTE top leadership's escape.

author: Rezwan


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Thailand: Economic conditions last November 2008 · Global Voices
Mong Palatino

The Bank of Thailand released a report on the country's economic and monetary conditions during the month of November 2008. According to the report, “the overall economy notably decelerated. Despite the acceleration in crop production, crop prices continued to decelerate. The number of tourists declined markedly due to the political conflict.”


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Turkey: Obama Trepidation · Global Voices
Onnik Krikorian

Istanbul Calling says that the Turkish media has greeted the inauguration of Barack Obama as U.S. President with some trepidation. In particular, the blog says there are concerns that Obama will do what his predecessors have failed to follow through with in the past — fulfill campaign promises to recognize the massacre and deportation of ethnic Armenians in the Ottoman Empire as genocide.


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Video: Slumdog Millionaire and the Indian Slums · Global Voices
Juliana Rincón Parra

With this post we would like to introduce our new volunteer author for video,  Ruchika Muchhala, who writes in the Channel 19 blog.  Her recent post is about Slumdog Millionaire, a film set and filmed in Mumbai, India, which recently won 5 out of 6 Critics Choice Awards and also won all four of the awards it was nominated for at the Golden Globe Awards. This film has sparked debates about how it shows life in India's slums, and the attraction it holds for foreigners.
Back in October we wrote about the work of Channel 19 in promoting citizen journalism and empowering communities through video training and movie projections:
Video Volunteers is a non-profit organization of media producers from the villages and slums in India, creating content that is relevant to themselves and screening it inside the communities, reaching thousands of people a month with news and events that affect them and call them into action.  Channel 19 is the online video channel where this media, created by and for the communities is showcased for the rest of the population.
Ruchika writes:
I am truly surprised at the film that is on everyone’s mind right now and the fact that it happened to be shot just 30 minutes away from my home in Mumbai, India. Slumdog Millionaire is an energetic film with an interesting storyline and was shot entirely in two locations that are close to where I live – the world’s largest slum, Dharavi, and in slum areas of Juhu. These locations are also near the homes of many of Channel 19 community producers, and for some of them like Venkatesh, these locations are their home!
Ruchika also points out an interesting perspective on how her country is being portrayed on film:
…finally here’s a film which does not profile the villages of remote India exotifying ‘the east’ nor does it show-off the glitz and glam which only a small percentile of the upper-crust in India can relate to but everyone dreams of. Instead, this film shows the reality of modern India by portraying life in the slums and speaking with and working with slumdwellers rather than hiring actors and researchers.
Channel 19 has produced a video calling slumdwellers into action:
Here’s an example of that in this video about slum conditions in Ahmedabad, another major city of India. The producers at Samvad CVU have used this video to educate slumdwellers on how to ask the government for their basic amenities such as toilets!
However, it seems not everyone is satisfied with the portrayal of poverty in Slumdog Millionaire. In Patna, India, actor Anil Kapoor and music director A R Rahman have been sued by the General Secretary of Slum Dwellers’ Joint Action Committee, Tapeshwar Vishwakarma.  Bollywood superstar Amitabh Bachchan on his blog had a response towards naysayers of the movie:
On blog, comments for the film ‘SlumDog Millionaire’ and the anger by some on its contents, prompt me to say the above. If SM projects India as Third World dirty under belly developing nation and causes pain and disgust among nationalists and patriots, let it be known that a murky under belly exists and thrives even in the most developed nations. Its just that the SM idea authored by an Indian and conceived and cinematically put together by a Westerner, gets creative Globe recognition. The other would perhaps not.
This comment however, snowballed out of context into headlines stating that Bachchan was against the movie, and he has been trying to get the media to retract, clearing the misunderstanding on his blog with a letter to a major newspaper where he states:
I was hoping to elicit the views of my readers, hoping to hear their debate, hoping to better inform myself in consequence. The articles published by the Guardian bear absolutely no relation to this endeavour.
Slum life holds a certain fascination with foreigners, who even pay to go tour Dharavi, Asia's largest slum, as we mentioned in India: Poorism, Tourism and the Western Tourist back in 2006. The following video by thegulab shows Dharavi during the Ganesha festival:
This video interview by lpperkins63 helps others understand  why a family would choose to live in a slum, as they explain how in their village there was no paper money, and it was the search for a paying job and a  better opportunity for their children that has led this family to Mumbai:

author: Juliana Rincón Parra


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Vietnam: List of Tech bloggers · Global Voices
Mong Palatino

Fresco 2.0 provides a list of Tech Bloggers who are either native Vietnamese or expats living in Vietnam.


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Africa: Africans Welcome Support for Democracy · Global Voices
Ndesanjo Macha

Africans are ready for democracy support from Obama administration, reports AfricanLoft.

author: Ndesanjo Macha


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Armenia: Homophobic Media · Global Voices
Onnik Krikorian

Despite the country's recent endorsement of a UN declaration against discrimination on sexual orientation, Unzipped: Gay Armenia continues to expose the prevalent homophobia in Armenian society. Following recent discriminatory and alarmist comments from a leading member of civil society, the blog notes that one newspaper has discovered there are lesbians registered on a Russian social networking site and more alarmingly, it says with irony, they are Armenian.


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Armenia: Musings · Global Voices
Onnik Krikorian

Ara Balozian continues to ponder life, the universe and everything on his blog, Ara Home Page. In his two latest posts, the controversial independent writer and thinker considers what it is to be Armenian and contemplates the Armenian view of history.


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Armenia-Turkey: Genocide Historian Responds · Global Voices
Onnik Krikorian

My The Caucasian Knot details and comments on attempts by one group in the U.S.-Armenian Diaspora to silence a prominent Genocide historian. Coinciding with the second memorial of Hrant Dink's murder in Istanbul, Ara Sarafian was quoted by the Turkish media as saying it was ironic that many Armenians seeking to turn Dink into their hero mistrusted and disliked Dink for his message of reconciliation and mutual understanding when he was alive.


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Barbados: Oil Rights  · Global Voices
Janine Mendes-Franco

Keltruth Corp. is worried about the fact that Barbados has awarded its first offshore oil-exploration rights: “If there is a substantial oil discovery off Barbados, tremendous sums of money will change hands. Who will benefit?  Unfortunately with no rules, all we can do is sit back, and blindly trust the Government to manage our property.”

author: Janine Mendes-Franco


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Belarus: “Image Is All” · Global Voices
Veronica Khokhlova

Catherine Reilly's piece on Belarus – at OpenDemocracy.net (more Belarus stories by the same author – here).

author: Veronica Khokhlova


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Bolivia: Community Tourism in Copacabana · Global Voices
Eduardo Avila

Cristina Quisbert of Bolivia Indigena [es] posts a video of a ceremony of the inauguration of a community tourism information center in Copacabana, Bolivia.


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Bolivia: The Situation After the Referendum · Global Voices
Eduardo Avila

The campaign for the Constitutional Referendum has ended across Bolivia and Sunday's vote is eagerly awaited. After months of a tension-filled campaign from both supporters and opponents of the draft Constitution, many are left wondering what will happen after the vote.  Some other bloggers reflect on some of the problems that will still remain regardless of the vote's outcome and who is to blame for the country's predicament.
La Cholita of Sembrando Palabras [es] writes about some people's sentiments that it doesn't matter which Constitution governs Bolivia, that is people will find a way to continue its problems. She hopes that little by little the new Constitution will change that and that people will say “The best thing Bolivia has….is its people!”
The choices and actions made by the Bolivians under the Constitution will be what determines the country's fate.  However, the country will still be facing real challenges, especially in the economic sector.
Roberto Laserna, a social-sciences professor, writes on his blog about the paradox of President Evo Morales’ hold on power [es].  While his popularity is maintaining as proven by his victories in recent referendums and elections, his capacity to govern is diminishing.  The gas industry and one of the major revenue sources of the country is at a standstill, and confidence in the country's hydrocarbons industry is at an all-time low.
Evo, más popular pero con menos poder. Esa es la paradoja. Por supuesto, me refiero a poder no en términos de la autoridad que puede ejercer sobre su círculo de amigos o sobre las masas que lo aman, sino al poder de hacer cosas, de transformar la realidad, de cumplir promesas. Ese poder es cada vez menor y, en gran medida, como consecuencia de sus propios actos.
Evo is more popular, but with less power.  That is the paradox.  Of course, I refer to power, not in terms of authority over his circle of friends of the masses that love him, but to power to do things, to transform reality, to fulfill promises. That power is less and less, and in large part, due to his own actions.
Many opponents of President Morales point to the rhetoric used and criticizes his way of blaming outside parties for the country's problems. Andrés Pucci lists some of the claims over the past three years [es], such as the claim that the U.S. sent terrorists, that the Drug Enforcement Agency was spying, and that there are plans to topple his government.
Pucci also points to the recent inaugural address by President Barack Obama, who directed some words to foreign leaders:
To those leaders around the globe who seek to sow conflict, or blame their society's ills on the West — know that your people will judge you on what you can build, not what you destroy.
and Pucci adds:
Es facil acusar a Estados Unidos para tratar de justificar nuestras incapacidades como sociedad para elegir un buen candidato, esto desde que Bolivia es Bolivia, fácil es culpar a 500 años y a gobernantes pasados de lo que sucede ahora, fácil es guardar resentimiento.
It's easy to accuse the United States in order to try and justify our incapacity as a society to elect a good candidate, which is what has happened since Bolivia became Bolivia, easy to blame 500 years and post governments for what is happening now, easy to hold onto resentment.


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China: Active Consumption is Patriotic · Global Voices
Oiwan Lam

Joel Martinsen from DANWEI translated local discussion about the relation between consumption and patriotism.

author: Oiwan Lam


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China: Hakka Tulou in Fujian Province · Global Voices
Oiwan Lam

Steve from Fool's Mountain explains the distinctive character of Hakka Tulou (a very special architecture for defense) in Fujian Province.


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China: How to tell a RMB 100 fake note? · Global Voices
Oiwan Lam

Rob on Black and White cat teaches you how to differentiate a fake RMB 100 note. It is very helpful as a large amount of fake notes has been circulating in the market.


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China: Obama, can you? · Global Voices
Bob Chen

Obama has been sworn in as the first African American president, with a popular support peaking at its high.  His inauguration summoned as many as two million people, and his address occasionally interrupted by thunder-like claps and acclaims. The rhythmic incanting “O-ba-ma!” oftentimes burst out of the packed and vital throng, people singing and dancing to salute to their new leader with tears in eyes. Though it is in the the depth of winter, swirl pool of crisis, the man has been charged with great hope and authority, thought as the first change people need.
This is astonishing to many Chinese.
It is not that the scene is foreign to us. It is all too familiar. Pomp and ceremony is never absent in the country. People can't help but recall the scene that in 1960s millions of intoxicated crowd parading past Tiananmen Square, with Chairman Mao wavering to them on the platform.  People yelled in chorus “Long live Chairman Mao!”, bearing tears in eyes, because among many, their biggest dream is but to see in person the greatest leader Mao.
Mao with throng
Obama with crowd
Therefore in China today, when faith to the authoritarian is far less fanatic, many of us are so amazed at Americans, puzzled by their “fanaticism”. It is  almost synonymous to personality cult, a tradition largely forgiven, severely criticized, long associated with despotism in China. What happened to the democratic America?
In Tianya, a post with two pages of comments kicks off an interesting discussion of Obama.
yshocker questioned, being confused by the unparalleled heat of America:
我就不明白了，一个总统上任，啥事都没干呢，就搞那么大动静，这是选秀还是干嘛呢，奥巴马说得再好听，那也是嘴皮子功夫了得，到底是怎么样一个人，还是未知呢！
I just don't understand; a new president took the office, having not yet achieved anything, but has already created so profound an impact! Is this just a big show or something else? However sweet his words are, they are just good lip service. What on earth a character is he? It is unknown!
Let-me-say-something (让我也说几句吧), however, proclaims:
看好前景
But AV journalist (AV记者) made laugh of him and those who always expect America as a rescue and an example of China:
奥巴马上台了，有人出自内心的欢呼，有人似乎找到了新的靠山般的欢呼；这种欢呼，每四年都会来一次。但是这么多年来，他们为之欢呼的人物，为他们改变了什么了么？什么都没有！
八滋 pondered on the millions of dollars spent on the ceremony:
我倒是觉得奥巴马这孩子实诚。 上任第一天，就烧了一把大火。 一亿多美元的钱砸下去办派对，该能拉动多少美国人民的内需阿。这真金白银地花出去，可比什么动动嘴皮子的就职演说更能传递信息。[洋人不是常说lip-service is cheap嘛］
建议我国ZF向奥先生学习。多办大办派对呀，音乐会呀。
However, though the image of America, in the 8-year Bush administration, has been very negatively affected by the wars it sowed and its unfavored diplomacy, quite a lot comments on the bulletin board still show faith and hope on the new president regardless of the questions. To be more accurate, it is an assent to the American ideals of democracy and liberty.
The initiator of the thread says:
美国先贤的理想是人类历史迄今为止最为重要、最具历史意义的“思想革命”。
美国建国者的理想之所以可贵，盖因他们宣扬的价值观是符合人性的（没有人喜欢被奴役、被限制自由——贱人除外，呵呵），是要所有人（或套用时髦的“最大多数人”）幸福而非极少数权贵的骄奢淫逸，是对掌权者憎恶至少是不信任因而必须加以限制的，是符合理性人的追求但同时对理性抱有适度怀疑的,，所以，除了宗教的固执和非理性的偏见，全世界的人民都能认同。
These ideals are precious because what they advocate is consistent with humanity (no one wants to be enslaved, or be constrained–except mean people); they are for the happiness of majority rather than for the benefit of a few. They dissent, or at least distrust, the rulers so that restrains have to be imposed; they are in accord with the pursuit of any rational people, but also keeps moderate skepticism of pure rationality. So, unless blinded by bigot and irrationality, the whole world would agree upon the creeds.
accq, in his comment, identifies with Obama's speech, particularly in the part explaining how a country can be powerful:
奥巴马在他的演讲中说，美国的强大不是源于它的坚船利炮，而是源于自由、平等的理念和机会均等的社会体制，这是一切创造力的源泉。可惜很多中国人并没有认识到这一点。

author: Bob Chen


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Conservation Through People · Global Voices
Samuel Maina

The core of conservation is the people who live adjacent to or inside conservation areas. It has therefore always been the goal of forward thinking conservationists to involve the local communities that surround the conservation areas that are under their charge.
In Lubumbashi, DR of Congo, a chimpanzee rescue center, Jeunes Animaux Confisques au Katanga/Young animals confiscated in Katanga (J.A.C.K), has been involving the community in the conservation of primates through education. J.A.C.K receives an average of 12,000 visitors each month who come to learn about the rescued primates, their life in the wild and what they need to do to save them. Majority of these are Congolese school children. Roxane, one of J.A.C.K's managers wrote in their at WildlifeDirect:
We are convinced Conservation is possible through Education only. That’s why in 2009 the Education Program of J.A.C.K is on the agenda : it is very urgent to start working with schools. Not only because the species is in danger but also because the children of today will be the leaders of tomorrow.
In Shimoni, Kenya, the Friends of Shimoni Forest, a volunteer group of individuals who work towards the conservation of Shimoni Forest with the support of Global Vision International – Kenya (GVI Kenya) are taking conservation to the people in a more hands-on fashion. They work with the communities in conserving the Forest.
Recently they reached out to their neighbouring community previously not involved in their work. The had discussions women and youth groups in the village of Anzwani on how to conserve and utilize the forest in a more sustainable way.
Conservation to the Friends of Shimoni Forest is possible if alternative livelihoods can be adopted to replace forest depleting livelihood practices. Drew, an American volunteer from California, wrote on the GVI Kenya blog at WildlifeDirect:
Alternative livelihood is the best way we can encourage conservation, and the people of Anzwani village are ready and willing. We made some really great friends today and I can’t wait to start working with them.

author: Samuel Maina


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Cuba: Quelling the Rumours  · Global Voices
Janine Mendes-Franco

Child of the Revolution confirms that recent rumours of Fidel Castro's demise have been just that – thanks to reports from Havana that the president of Argentina met with him on the last day of her visit to the island.


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Ecuador: Biology Student Abroad · Global Voices
Eduardo Avila

The blog Estudiantes Fuera del Ecuador [es] is devoted to topics related to Ecuadorian students abroad.  It returns after a six-month hiatus with an interview with Edu, a Ph.D biology student in Spain.


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Egypt: Al Jazeera or Al Arabiya · Global Voices
Tarek Amr

Zeinobia compares here between Al Jazeera and Al Arabiya news channels, elaborating on why she hates Al Arabiya more than Al Jazeera.

author: Tarek Amr


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Egypt: Blogger Facing Lawsuit  · Global Voices
Amira Al Hussaini

“I spoke before about the Egyptian citizen Journalism blog from Port Said “El Hakika”. Its owner and blogger Tamer Mabrook was facing the first civil lawsuit against a blogger for defaming a corporation,” writes Zeinobia, from Egypt.

author: Amira Al Hussaini


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Egypt: Bye Bye Bush · Global Voices
Amira Al Hussaini

“I admit…it feels very good that George W. Bush is no longer President of the United States of America,” writes The Arabist, from Egypt.


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Guyana: Dirty Laundry?  · Global Voices
Janine Mendes-Franco

The new President of the United States is the Caribbean‘s darling, but the President of Guyana is having a tougher time of it.  Ridiculed for asking the police to track down the creators of a false Facebook page that bears his name and criticized for his government's poor response to the country's recent floods, the latest controversy to plague him comes in the form of his ex-wife spilling the beans about their stormy personal relationship and Mr. Jagdeo's alleged failure to provide her with a divorce settlement.  Bloggers, of course, are all over the story…
Living Guyana was first on the ball, republishing the entire text of Varshnie Singh's press conference statement, the contents of which left him feeling “conflicted”:
The day after the Obama inauguration: on the one hand the world seems on the right path…and what a lovely family, with that adorable Sasha. Then our heart is weighed down by the revelations of domestic abuse by our own President and we feel there is no hope for this country when the person in charge can be allegedly so petty, so vindictive, so cheap and hard hearted to a woman whom he promised to care for through thick and thin.
What hope then for us his subjects whom he does not even know?
The blogger was unimpressed with the official response from the Office of the President, but seemed more concerned about the fallout that he anticipates from the women of Guyana:
The pity is that we can already feel the backlash coming..not from the President whose press release spoke volumes with its silence over the private matters, but rather from women in Guyana who will now rally like a hundred mindless concubines around Jagdeo, while casting this woman as some outsider who came from England and did not ‘know how to look after she man’.
For the most part, bloggers appear to be empathetic towards the former first lady.  Living Guyana, for instance, calls the mainstream media's reaction to the story “tame”:
It plays down the substantive issues Varshnie Singh-Jagdeo raised yesterday. It almost completely ignores the progressive marital neglect and domestic abused the woman suffered at the hands of President Bharrat Jagdeo.
Additionally it carries President Jagdeo's response in full.  Very, very suspicious and we also notice the deliberate move to exclude this matter from the front page but overplaying the Barack Obama inauguration.
Perhaps some enterprising reporter should investigate why this article almost did not even make it into Kaieteur News as Mr. Harris, the editor-in-chief argued that it was a ‘private matter’. He was forced to include it after there was major uproar in the newsroom last night with reporters forced to issue threats of resignation if the article was not carried.
The blogger then publishes a series of posts ruminating on specific details of Singh's statement, culminating in a post that details the former first lady's twelve demands.
Meanwhile, diaspora blogger Signifying Guyana offers a female perspective:
Why should you care?  Because she knows about your greater pain.
Varshnie Singh is a former First Lady who has unquestionably volunteered her services to the sick and infirm in Guyana.  She has spent time with them and their families, and she has been a part of their lives.  She has to be very knowledgeable about the lives of the disadvantaged and the abused in Guyana.
She has spoken bravely because you can't.  She has gotten people to listen because you can't.  She can get this message to a larger audience: If the President of Guyana can treat his wife with such private and then public contempt, by not seeing it fit to address her accusations of neglect and abuse in their marriage, then how can he be expected to care about abused women in Guyana?
She has done this because she knows you can't.
Guyana 911, however, tries to look at the situation from the President's point of view:
This is what I have concluded in a few words:
It's unfair of anyone to classify Mr. Jagdeo as a monster based on allegations. Some things can be classified as either true or false rather easily. Other things are allegations and should be treated with an open mind. So what if Jagdeo is accused of being mean and not speaking to her? This could be as true, or inversely, false or an emotional exaggeration. Whichever you prefer.
We are glad she has a big dream to help and such. But she was impractical in her approach to it and Mr. Jagdeo failed to give her the informed memo. Just because she has a dream of doing something good doesn't mean everyone should jump onto her bandwagon to make it possible. We all have dreams.
Government isn't supposed to jump on board and provide vehicular resources. Government is not required to provide an office in the Office of the President. Government is not supposed to sponsor her charity related over seas trips. Government is not required to provide a location for her fund raiser. There isn't land in the interior waiting for someone with a vision to do something with it. Her being allowed to stay in State House after the separation is at Mr. Jagdeo's discretion.
The debate rages on in the Guyanese blogosphere: private or public matter?  A woman scorned or an unfeeling husband?  As is the case with the presidency of Barack Obama, only time will answer the lingering questions.


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Haiti, U.S.A.: Retro Rhetoric? · Global Voices
Janine Mendes-Franco

The Haitian Blogger takes issue with some of the content of Barack Obama's inaugural speech, calling it “reminiscent of his predecessor”: “I wonder when the ‘West’ will accept some of the blame for the ill will that it has garnered for its actions in the global south and in the Middle East.”


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India: Blog Camp in Mumbai · Global Voices
Rezwan

Asfaq writes about the recently concluded Blog Camp 2009 in Mumbai, India.


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India: Restricting Basmati Rice Exports · Global Voices
Rezwan

The Acorn points out the absurdity of restricting premium Basmati rice exports from India by imposing tax.


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Israel: A Plea to Obama · Global Voices
Ayesha Saldanha

An Israeli human rights activist makes an impassioned plea to the new American president in a video: “Obama, take away the pain in my stomach.”


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Israel: A Russian Photojournalist’s Notes · Global Voices
Veronica Khokhlova

Dmitry Kostyukov (LJ user kostyukov), a Russian photojournalist, is currently on assignment in Israel. In August 2008, he was covering the war in South Ossetia, and here is a 6-minute slideshow of the photos he took there:
Since he posted this selection on his blog while already in Israel, one of his readers asked an obvious question (RUS):
hapylliutejib:
Drawing some parallels [between the two conflicts] or is it just a sudden memory?
Kostyukov replied:
No hidden intent here, no subtext… everything is simpler. First, the war reminded me of the war (although I never really forget about it), and, second, I've sent off [a number of Ossetia pictures] to [the World Press Photo contest], so there is a reason to post it all here.
In his posts from Israel, however, Kostyukov does mention the previous conflict, noting how different it was working there and, yes, drawing some parallels, too. He also provides some general insight into the work of a war photographer. Below are three excerpts, translated from Russian.
Jan. 12, 2009:
[…]
A strange war… in the midst of civilization, in the midst of a wonderful world. As if it's happening in the middle of a fairy tale town. Does not resemble Ossetia at all. Here, they are transporting tanks to positions on trucks, driving on asphalt, because it's faster this way, of course. There's war here, and WiFi nearby, cozy restaurants and hotels. On a country road, a [self-propelled artillery vehicle] is re-positioning, and a farmer on tractor is watering something on a nearby field.
And the people are used to war, ready for it. Here, there are bomb shelters in every house, cafe, gas station. There are shelters along the road. Israelis know how to act correctly, which radio station to tune in to to learn about danger, they know where to run to…
[…]
In Gaza now there must be pure hell, I guess. Seeing how much of everything is falling there now, it's scary to imagine being there yourself. They are not letting [anyone] in and out of Gaza now. We have only one photographer there, I guess. He calls us and you can hear by his voice that the pressure is growing. A missile hit the building next to our Gaza office.
On the Israeli side, all the journalists stand on two or three hills from which one can see well the areas under fire. […]
The main difficulty is that journalists aren't allowed to work with the army. […] Soldiers don't care whether anyone is photographing them or not, it's the military police that's taking care of that, and they are asleep until 8 AM. That's why everyone is gathering pictures to last them the whole day from 6 AM to 8 AM, and then they get their long-range lenses out and observe the bombings.
I guess in this war I am in a position of those journalists who were in Georgia on the [Gori] side – everything is closed off […].
Jan. 17, 2009:
[…] The most disgusting thing is that the editors keep calling, saying things like, “Hey, what are you doing over there? Find us a soldier with a flag standing next to a tank!” Damn, there's nothing like that here! There are some people, but it's a huge territory, the army is moving, and we don't have the right to be here at all. […]
But today we've met this couple. They live right next to the border. The guy said right away that he was ultra-right. He said the following… All that our army is doing here, it's all [really lightweight]. We kill 1,000 – that's very little. They give birth to 500 children in one night. Forty thousand should be killed. […] We should invite Mr. Putin over. Hire him and pay him 2 million a day. And it wouldn't be too much of an expense. He'll quickly do what needs to be done. And we'll be able to leave peacefully for the next 20 years or so.
I'm not going to talk about how ‘slightly’ surprised I was. Of course, there are enough fools everywhere, but how come Putin has become the reference point for the ultra-right? I'm not an expert in the history of the Jewish people, but I suspect that many Jews fled to Israel from the Soviet regime, the repressions, etc. And now there are people in their country who are saying things like this?
Lately, I've been hearing about Russia in the following context, more or less: you journalists are always lying, but tell us, why the U.S. [is allowed to do what it's doing] in Iraq and Afghanistan, why Russia [is allowed to do what it's doing] in Georgia and Chechnya – while we aren't allowed? I hear this “why Russia is allowed” more and more often in all kinds of places. Not just here.
Soldiers and ordinary civilians are often asking: “Why are you lying? Why are you showing Israel from such a negative perspective? What have we done to you? Why aren't you saying the truth?” God, in such moments I just don't know what to say, because we always hear stuff like this.
In Gaza I'd be told the same thing. Why are they killing us? Why are you talking so little about it? […]
In Ossetia, though, it hurt especially badly. We were doing all we could. Dozens of photos every day – tears, dead people, ruined houses, constant commentary… not many journalists were doing this. And still, I was always hearing that we were shit.
We returned and my friends started saying that I didn't do my job well. That, like, it's hard to understand what we were doing there when the whole world thinks that Russia started it first. Why weren't we showing how terrible Georgia was.
Later, I was in Gori and people there were jumping on us again, saying: Why are you lying? Why aren't you showing how tough it is for us? Why aren't you saying how terrible Russia is? A crowd of women started showing the traces of a missile blast to me. They started asking me to take a picture of it. I lost control and said that they hadn't seen Tskhinval and what it was like there now. I think it's easy for you to imagine what and how they responded to me. It's good that there were soldiers nearby.
Perhaps there are professions that are always drawing harsh words and yet everyone continues to use those services. Doctors, the police, teachers, politicians, journalists. And there are reasons to be saying harsh words, of course, but it's also clear that in these professions there are always situations when it's very easy to make a mistake. And sooner or later everyone makes a mistake. But this does not justify us, perhaps. […]
Jan. 19, 2009:
We got nearly shot to death today. Now I have this strange feeling. Keep thinking that a few more seconds and that would've been it… More often than not, journalists do get killed in silly ways. We didn't notice a camouflaged checkpoint, and we stopped only when the safety lock was off and the gun was a few meters away from our heads. Strange, but in a situation like this, all you see are the eyes [of the person about to shoot]. I don't know about myself, but my colleague […] turned white as a sheet in one second. In Georgia, a TASS photographer [Aleksandr Klimchuk] was killed in such an absurd way – he replied ‘Gamarjoba’ [‘hello’ in Georgian] […] to a greeting of the Ossetians. And with me, it's like nothing special has really happened, but in about ten minutes I was shaking so much inside as if I'd drunk ten cups of coffee.
Kostyukov's photos of the Israeli troops’ pullout are here and here.


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Madagascar: Major Damages from Tropical Storm Eric & Cyclone Fanele · Global Voices
Lova Rakotomalala

In the past days, Madagascar has been sandwiched between both Tropical Storm Eric and Cyclone Fanele. Considering that last year's cyclone season was particularly deadly,  bloggers in Madagascar are weary of the consequences of such natural disasters. Despite growing political tension, many of them reacted promptly to share their thoughts on what seems to be another series of damaging catastrophes.
Tropical Storm Eric made landfall on Monday, January 19, in the region of Fenerive-Est (East coast of Madagascar) with wind speeds reported around 100 km/h. Early morning on Wednesday, Cyclone Fanele hit Morondava and its surroundings with wind gusts up to 240 km/h.
Blogger Tomavana describes the general sentiment in Madagascar:
Tropical Storm Eric traveled along the coast of Analanjirofo and Atsinanana regions on the East coast of Madagascar. We can say that once again, the violent winds are piling on against Madagascar.
Lomelle explains that the district of Fenerive Est was already severely damaged by cyclone Ivan last year (Fr). She adds that authorities seem more prepared this time around in the capital city:
Madagascar ne peut éviter les passages de ces tempêtes tous les ans mais l’essentielle est de se tenir prêts aux éventualités [..] L’exercice de simulation d’Anosimahavelona était spécifique par rapport aux autres quartiers parce que le fleuve d’Ikopa est l’enjeu. Le travail consistait l’évacuation au moment du danger, à la traversée des sinistrés pour sortir de l’inondation à l’aide de pirogues, puis au transport par des camions pour rejoindre les sites d’hébergement. [..] Après cet exercice, il se peut que le taux des sinistrés puisse baisser car la prévention est bien préparée et assurée.
Tomavana adds in a follow up post that the initial temporary reports from the passage of Cyclone Fanele in the Southwest region are extremely worrisome (Fr):
- A cause de l’extrême violence des rafales [> 260 kmh] plus aucune maison d’habitation n’a de toit dans le district de Morondava.
– Le journal Express de Madagascar avance le bilan des sans abris à “environ 64 000 personnes sur les 80 000 habitant la ville n’ont plus de toit.”
– Aucune nouvelle du district de Manja depuis hier 23h00 locale.
– L’onde de tempête a provoqué des raz-de-marée dans la région de Belo-sur-Mer et Ankoba.

author: Lova Rakotomalala


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Maghreb Politics Review Launched  · Global Voices
Amira Al Hussaini

“Check out the first post at Maghreb Politics Review. I’ve added some people as contributors, if you want to be added as an editor or as an admin, let me know,” announces Algerian blogger The Moor Next Door.


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Mexico: Cash for the New York Times · Global Voices
Eduardo Avila

Daniel Hernandez of Intersections writes about the cash infusion provided to the New York Times by Mexican billionaire Carlos Slim.


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Middle East: Boycott as a Political Weapon · Global Voices
Tarek Amr

Many people across the Middle East have decided to boycott Israeli and American products in response to the Israeli war on Gaza.
The Angry Arab News Service wrote:
Across five Arab states a new and closely co-ordinated campaign to boycott American goods is being launched, with Starbucks coffee shops their primary target, but with Nestlé, Coca-Cola, Johnson & Johnson and Burger King outlets also on the list.
Among all the American brands, Starbucks was the main target of the boycotting campaigns. Zeinobia, from Egypt, wrote about this saying:
Starbucks, the famous Starbucks branch was closed in Beirut for a day because of the protests. There are calls and actual respond to it across the Arab world to boycott the American products especially 84268245 those products associated with Israel in a way or another.
She then continued:
Of course the Arabic public is convinced that Starbucks in America gives annual donation to the IDF due to the fact that founder and the owner of Starbucks is a Jew, to be honest this is not enough to draw a conclusion that the chain donates to the IDF but news like that one makes the Arab public thinks twice.
Starbucks-IDF rumors are bit old rumours even before it opens its  branches in Egypt ,it was fought in the Arab world.
I remember one day I received any email about the logo of Starbucks and its history , saying that it is the Hebrew Princess that saved the Jews in Babylonian  ancient time  where in reality it is another whole thing.
The boycotting campaigns were not limited to the Arab world only, and American-Palestinian group blog KABOBfest reported here how people in Malaysia are also participating in the campaigns:
Over 2,000 Muslim-owned restaurants in Malaysia have taken Coca-Cola off the menu in an effort to support global boycotts against Israel. Local organizations are encouraging employees of Coca-Cola, as well as Starbucks and other companies, to quit their jobs.
From Jordan, Khobbeizeh also wrote about boycotting Starbucks:
Howard Schultz is an active Zionist, extremely sectarian for the Israeli army. He is supporting them with hundred of millions yearly from Starbucks’ income, and he's one of the major sponsors of their weaponry.
For sure, the Israeli products were boycotted by many people as well, and here is what Body on the Line wrote in her blog:
Farmers say much of their produce is being held in warehouses due to canceled orders, and fear a sharp decrease in fruit exports to countries such as Jordan, Britain, and the Scandinavian countries.
…
Ilan Eshel, director of the Organization of Fruit Growers in Israel, said Scandinavian countries have also been canceling orders.
The American blogger, who lives in Palestine, then wrote about how academics in the United Kingdom are reacting to the Israeli attack on Gaza:
British academics have written an open letter, published in the Guardian, calling for boycott, divestment, and sanctions:
“We must do what we can to stop Israel from winning its war. Israel must accept that its security depends on justice and peaceful coexistence with its neighbors, and not upon the criminal use of force.”
“We believe Israel should immediately and unconditionally end its assault on Gaza, end the occupation of the West Bank, and abandon all claims to possess or control territory beyond its 1967 borders. We call on the British government and the British people to take all feasible steps to oblige Israel to comply with these demands, starting with a programme of boycott, divestment and sanctions.”
In London students also took action in solidarity with Gaza at the prestigious London school of economics:
More than 40 students were continuing their sit-in at the London School of Economics today in protest at the conflict in Gaza.
There are also organizations and sites that are dedicated to spreading word about the campaigns like this, this, and this one.
But on the other hand some others, like Crossroads Arabia were not that much into the boycotting:
Saudi Gazette reports that a boycott of American products in support of the people of Gaza is beginning to take hold in Saudi Arabia. As with earlier, similar boycotts, this one is likely to a) assuage Saudi feelings of impotence and b) hurt the Saudi franchisees and their employees, without actually doing much damage to the US economy, contrary to what a professor from King Abdulaziz University states.
It’s clear that the idea of a boycott has strong popular support, though.
Also Jewlicious wrote a post in reply to Khobbeizeh:
Now, I’m no big fan of Starbucks, or of Coffee for that matter, but the notion that Starbucks supports the IDF to the tune of “hundred of millions yearly” is patently ludicrous. Khobbeizeh my friend, your ample Photoshop skills aside, you are an idiot.


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Nepal: Bollywood Movie Banned Over Buddha Birthplace Row · Global Voices
Rezwan

A Bollywood movie titled ‘Chandni Chowk To China’ was banned in Nepal because a narrator in a scene suggested that the Buddha was born in India instead of Nepal. Badmas comments: “Such false information to the world through bollywood movie has made Nepalese people think, ‘Enough Is Enough’.”


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Nicaragua: Linux Tour to Honduras · Global Voices
Eduardo Avila

Normal Garcia writes about the LinuxTour Nicaragua, where members of the open software community in Nicaragua will travel to neighboring Honduras [es] to exchange information and build relationships with other open software enthusiasts in that country.


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Nigeria: Calabar Carnival · Global Voices
Ndesanjo Macha

In case you missed news about the famous Calabar Carnival in Nigeria, Ladybrille has an update. Calabar is “city known for its tourism [international museum, botanical garadens], culinary skills, beautiful women and very pristine/eco-friendly people and environment, Calabar serves as the capital of Cross River State.”


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Nigeria: Future Awards Winners 2009 · Global Voices
Ndesanjo Macha

Read this to know the winners of Future Awards 2009 in Nigeria.


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Nigeria: Nigeria’s Football Online Community · Global Voices
Ndesanjo Macha

711football.com is a football platform where Nigerian football fans meet to discuss and share views on football. Launched in June 2008, the site is gradually becoming Nigeria’s hottest destination for football news and entertainment from all over the world including the Nigerian Premier league.


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Pakistan: Taliban ban music in buses · Global Voices
Rezwan

Deadpan thoughts reports that after banning shopping for women in the troubled North of Pakistan, the Taliban threatened to ban all music and videos shown in public buses in their held territories.


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Palestine: Coexisting?  · Global Voices
Amira Al Hussaini

Palestinians who choose to co-exist with Israelis “fare no better than any other Palestinian,” observes Ummkahlil, a Palestinian blogger, who lives in the US.


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Paraguay: The Launching of the Government’s News Agency · Global Voices
Eduardo Avila

The government of Paraguay launched its News Agency, and President Fernando Lugo indicated that it will not be a source for government propaganda.  Carlos Rodríguez of Rescatar [es] states that the website should have a Code of Ethics, which would make it the first news site to have one.


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Philippines: The root cause of the flooding · Global Voices
Karlo Mongaya

The series of floods that hit many parts of the Philippines and the Asia-Pacific region have been dubbed as the first great natural calamity of the new year. While floods are a common occurrence in this tropical parts of the world, the present floodings were said to be the worst in recent memory.
In the Philippines, media reports have cited weeks of heavy rain brought by a cold front as the immediate cause of the massive flooding and landslides. Some Filipino bloggers have started asking more questions. What was the root cause of the flooding? What is really happening? Here are some efforts of Filipino bloggers to make sense of the disaster:
Ed Montalvan of The Mindanao Current gives a historical perspective on the flooding:
I cannot tell you about how it was before I was born but in 1955 there was a big flood… At that time my father used to tell us that every 25 years the river swells but the one before that was in 1941 and he said that was only a 14 year gap. He didn’t like that because he thought it was dangerous.
Then in the 60s (maybe that was 1965 or 1966 because I left Cagayan de Oro after that) the river swelled again but it was only up to the edge of Burgos. The street was never covered by water at the place where we lived…
As my father told us, this used to happen every 25 years and at that time there were no logging operations and the forest cover was thick. If this happens at shorter intervals then it means this world of ours is getting to be in a very bad shape.
The prevalence of religious narratives to account for the floods caught the attention of Kevin Paquet of pinoyteens.net.
BenCyrus G. Ellorin, an environmentalist and community worker based in Cagayan de Oro, blames logging for the flooding:
There were small efforts to reforest our watershed. Our group started a small indigenous forest species (dipterocarp) reforestation project in the Dansolihon, Bayanga areas, in the Monigue Creek, but when external funds went dry, it wasn’t anymore replicated. Many other small initiatives were done, but none big and sustainable enough was pursued. These big and sustainable project, naturally should have been done by the government, both the local and national government. But instead, our officials looked the other way, enjoyed the bright city lights and ignored the elephant in our backyard so to speak. Then came January 3, 2009…
The cause of the disaster that visited us is not a result of short-term causes but a result of 20 – 30 years of abuse and neglect to our forest ecosystem, the watershed of Cagayan de Oro. It was a result of unabated legal and illegal logging and mindless land use conversion.
Coffee Writings  comments on the news of the banning of mining in one of the affected cities:
What happened last week has never happened in the city for decades. A historian said that the last big flood in the city happened during the 1960’s, but the recent one is probably way bigger. I think this is caused by mining, quarrying and an almost depleted forest.
Mayor Constantino Jaraula suspended all quarrying and mining operations, an act which should have been done years ago. Different sectors have been calling for it to stop for a long time. But as we all know, government needs to be poked in the head in order for it to act. Farmers have to hunger strike and walk the miles and miles in order to be heard. In this case, mother nature has to have landslide and floods in order for her to be heard.
The Green Theory adds:
What is sad is that the people who are affected are ordinary people who can barely keep up with day to day living. The high officials who issued permits to logging companies and the owners of these logging companies are in the comfort of their homes this weekend or having golf at an exclusive club while the people in the villages are starving.
The flash floods in Cagayan de Oro tells us forcefully that we cannot have a flash flood free country if we continue on denuding our forests. It may be very hard to tell this to those people who are benefiting financially by the denuding of our forests.
Gracey points at climate change as the cause of the floodings:
As the weather patterns change abruptly, temperatures are increasing and sea levels are rising. this causes low lying islands to suffer from frequent floods. The only thing we can do now is to try and reduce, reuse and recycle as much as possible.
Caustic Thoughts see the floods as the price of development:
Of course, the old ones still believe in conspiracy theories and they suspect that the powers that be have been affixing their signatures in invisible ink on logging clearances. The younger theorists though tend to believe more in the effects of global warming. The Cagayan de Oro flood may very well have been our first taste of the nastiness of this new-fangled environmental mess…
The sad fact is, whether global warming really causes floods or not, these floods are likely related to the price of what industrialists call development, the kind that they enjoy. The ones whose homes were underwater for a day or disappeared with the water forever probably can’t appreciate anything.
Living Life Simply adds:
Cagayan de Oro Archbishop Antonio J. Ledesma, S.J., D.D. has called on the Catholic community to show their faith by extending a helping hand to the victims of massive flooding and stressed the need to go back to the root cause of the flooding. He cited flash mining that have silted the river of Iponan and also the logging upstream not only in the interior of Cagayan de Oro but also in Bukidnon and Lanao del Sur areas have led to the environmental disaster.
Disasters are in the waiting.
Devastations triggered by ‘natural’ disasters stems from ecologically destructive practices. More often, indications of environmental abuse are overlooked because ‘development’ projects appear to be economically viable for the community.
The excessive land use due to economic activities is eroding the natural buffers that protect communities from hazard risk. It also destroys the watershed areas that provide the nature cover to ensure that water flow is not so destructive. These changes often erode people's capacity to recover from disaster.
In the meantime, the Philippine government has ordered an investigation on the cause of the floods. Rescue and relief operations continue. Efforts to help flood victims through blogs and social networking sites are also in progress.

author: Karlo Mongaya


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Russia: Migration Issues · Global Voices
Veronica Khokhlova

Window on Russia writes about a Ryazan Tajik activist's appeal to the Russian media to stop “fanning the flames of ethnic hatred against migrants” and the launch of the Migration-007 magazine, whose goal would be to “'change the stereotypes and myths’ that Russians have about migrants and that migrants have about Russians.”


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Russia: Mosque and Armenian Church Near Olimpiysky · Global Voices
Veronica Khokhlova

Pictures of an Armenian church under construction and a mosque under re-construction in Moscow's Olimpiysky Sports Arena neighborhood – at Pictures of Moscow.


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Saudi Arabia: A boycott that might work · Global Voices
Ayesha Saldanha

Crossroads Arabia reports on a call by Saudi women to boycott lingerie shops that refuse their demand to hire women – an initiative backed by the Jeddah Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

author: Ayesha Saldanha


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Saudi Arabia: Thoughts on the inauguration · Global Voices
Ayesha Saldanha

Saudi blogger Hala, who currently lives in the United States, has posted her thoughts on Obama's inauguration: “For those of us who think it’s possible to see democracy in our part of the world, check the emphasis on holding government officials accountable, can we have such a system in our country?”


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Serbia: 250 Dogs · Global Voices
Veronica Khokhlova

A Yankee-in-Belgrade introduces Katja, a woman who “lives on a strip of land about 12 x 80 meters (approx. 39 x 263 feet) outside of Belgrade with over 250 dogs that she cares for by herself and with the help of a few occasional volunteers.”


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Support Global Voices: Win a ROFLCon Ticket · Global Voices
Solana Larsen

If you're a fan of everything on the internet that makes you “roll on the floor laughing” (ROFL) you're probably familiar with several of the invitees to ROFLCon's party in New York on January 24, 2009, like The Tron Guy, Obama Girl, and the owner of Sockington (the Twittering cat). Tickets to “ROFLThing” are sold out, but by bidding on one of the last five tickets right now, you can help support Global Voices.
Four more tickets are going to support the Electronic Frontier Foundation, Big Cat Rescue, Internet Archive, and New York Cares.
ROFLCon is a tribute to internet memes and what makes them work (see a review in Wired Magazine of one of the original ROFLCon gatherings). If you have absolutely no interest in silly internet memes or live far away from New York, you can still help Global Voices by making a donation to support our work. We're serious about citizen media, but we also know how to have fun.
What would Sockington think you should do?

author: Solana Larsen


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Taiwan: Joyful Tibetan, finally · Global Voices
Portnoy Zheng

dino.utopia, a citizen journalist from Peopo, published a video clip of a party about how exile Tibetans in Taiwan use dances and musics to thank everyone who had helped them get official permit of residence and work. Before this positive outcome, they had a sit-in movement at the Liberty Square lasting for more than a month.(zh)

author: Portnoy Zheng


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The Egyptian Bloggers Bookfair · Global Voices
Marwa Rakha

With more than 15 new titles, Egyptian bloggers take the 2009 Cairo International Book Fair by storm.
Mohamed Hamdy wrote:
Blogger Ahmed Al Sabbagh  created a Facebook group and a variety of events for bloggers who are interested in group visits to the fair, rather than going on their own. The group has almost 2,000 members and the days for the chosen visits are aligned with weekends.
January 23
January 24
January 30
January 31
In addition to the books mentioned in Mohamed Hamdy's notes, Ahmed Al Sabbagh found more bloggers’ books:
Al Sabbagh wrote here about Hesham Abbeya's book: “M Case” and here about Nancy Habib's book: “I love the Cinema.”

author: Marwa Rakha


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Trinidad & Tobago, Bahamas: Start at Home  · Global Voices
Janine Mendes-Franco

While Alien in the Caribbean [Trinidad & Tobago] encourages those with dysfunctional families to finally break free, Doing Theology from the Caribbean [Bahamas] suggests that peacemaking begins at home.


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Trinidad & Tobago: The Fourth Summit of the Peoples · Global Voices
Janine Mendes-Franco

Trinidad and Tobago sees the launch of a new blog about “the upcoming fourth Summit of the Peoples, the alternative to the fifth installment of the Summit of the Americas conferences…where emerging…voices from the Caribbean—farmers and fisherfolk, anti-smelter and gender activists—can connect with themselves and others across the globe, and so amplify their voices.”


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African Blogs Nominated for the 2009 Bloggies · Global Voices
Ndesanjo Macha

Nominations for the Ninth Annual Weblog Awards: The 2009 Bloggies started January 1 and closed January 19. According to the awards website, the Bloggies are the Web's longest-running blog awards, and the nominations, finalist selection, are up to the blog reader. The winner of the awards gets 2,009 US cents!
Five blogs have been nominated in the Best African Weblog category:
Being Brazen: This is a blog from South Africa. The profile of the blogger reads:
Im a quirky, day dreaming, 20-something who believes in love, God, the power of words, having an open mind and that laughter is probably the best medicine. I dont like flying, over crowded places, standing in lines and most bugs.I stumble in stilettos. I write to stay sane.
Appfrica: A web portal for the latest news related to African innovation, education and entrepreneurship in technology.
Glad To Be a Girl: A South African blogger based in Johannesburg.
Her profile:
Sift through my insanity and revel in my genius! Modesty drips off me in buckets ;) Sarcasm is my weapon of choice. Christians, Muslims & Jews only believe in one more God than I do.
West Africa Wins Always: This is a blog by Pauline, a jounalist who has been living in Ivory Coast since 2003.
Last but not least is Scarlett Lion: She is a jounalist based in Liberia.
In her own words:
Photographer, writer, reporter. Going through life with an eye towards creating records and histories. Previously in Uganda, now in Liberia. This blog provides curiosities, cynicism, and commentary. And some photos.
Voting closes February 2 and the winners will be announced in March in Austin, Texas, USA at South by Southwest Interactive Festival.


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Angola: Controversy and Contradictions Over New Airports · Global Voices
Clara Onofre

Angola is getting ready to host the African Cup of Nations (CAN) in 2010, an event that makes the Angolan people ever  so proud and motivates the construction of adequate infrastructure to accommodate both football players and foreign visitors. The extension of Luanda international airport – called 4 de Fevereiro (February 4) because the date marks the beginning of the fight for national independence – is on the list of these new developments.
The Angolan government has allocated seventy-four million US dollars for the rehabilitation and expansion of the airport, building work is already underway and expected to last one year. The airport will have a passenger terminal which in turn will have two modern and well equipped boarding rooms and 28 check-in counters with capacity to accommodate over 3 million passengers per year.
The building work will be divided into two phases. The first one will concentrate on arrivals, the car park (with a capacity for about 10 buses, 24 taxis and 650 cars) and the main runway. The second covers the boarding area and the second floor.
The project has received compliments. Maria Liberdade [pt], from Meninos à Volta da Fogueira [Boys around the Bonfire] blog publishes the above image and says how happy she is:
“Boas notícias. Hoje foi-nos apresentado o projecto para o novo aeroporto de Luanda e pudemos saber mais detalhes sobre este projecto colossal que é uma das obras que mais impacto terá na nova imagem da cidade de Luanda, com capacidade para albergar até ao ultimo Airbus A380. O novo aeroporto é a cúspide da modernidade. Esperamos que além das estruturas projectadas, os projectistas tenham em conta espaço para futuras ampliações, pois o país continua a crescer. Espero aterrar no novo aerporto em 2010, como o previsto”.
It should be noted that there were plans for the construction of another brand new airport, funded by China, but those works have been halted for the time being to make way for the rehabilitation and expansion of the already existing 4 de Fevereiro airport. But on this subject, there are controversial and contradictory statements by some leaders and unfavorable opinions about its chosen location. The author of the Desabafos angolanos [Angolan Disencumbering, pt] blog is among one of these voices:
“Vai ser construído um novo Aeroporto Internacional, que ninguém sabe em quanto está orçado, sabe-se apenas que vai ser financiado com crédito concedido pela China. O novo aeroporto vai-se situar na província do Bengo no Bom Jesus e não foi aprovado em Conselho de Ministros e segundo o Jornal Angonotícias, a mão de obra é maioritariamente chinesa, quando há milhões de angolanos desempregados. Que vergonha! Descrédito total pela democracia, pela assembleia e pelos angolanos). Gostava de saber se o governo ou as pessoas que autorizaram esta construção, esperam o crescimento do tráfego aéreo e o crescimento de turistas em Angola; se há estudos que provem que Luanda precisa mesmo de mais um aeroporto e quantas vão ser as companhias aéreas que vão operar a rota Luanda?!
Temos as passagens mais caras do mercado! Turismo no nosso país, não existe! Como pensam ligar o Bengo a Luanda? Os turistas aterram no aeroporto (a intenção é construir um grande aeroporto moderno e luxuoso) e assim que saem, só vêem bairros de lata até chegar a Luanda, em estradas esburacas e cheias de trânsito desordeiro, sem transportes públicos ou seja, chegam a uma cidade cheia de caos, suja e sem beleza!
Acredito que se este projecto for adiante e isto é a minha opinião, os angolanos vão pagar uma factura cara sem necessidade. Estou de acordo que o nosso actual aerporto não nos serve e mete dó…mas isso só porque está sub-aproveitado e mal gerido.”
We have the most expensive flights in the market! There is no tourism in our country! How do they imagine they will connect Bengo to Luanda? Tourists will arrive at the airport (the idea is to build a large, modern and luxurious airport) and as soon as they leave, they will only see slum neighborhoods all the way to Luanda, going through hollow roads full of rowdy transit, without public transport, in other words they will arrive at a chaotic, dirty and charmless city!
I believe that if this project goes ahead, and this is just my opinion, Angolans will pay an expensive and needless bill. I agree that our current Airport is useless and something of which to be ashamed… but this is only because it is under-utilized and poorly managed.”
Other local aiports, such as the ones in the provices of Huambo, Benguela, Cabinda, Luena, Kuíto, Saurimo and Dundo, will also undergo modernization.

author: Clara Onofre


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Argentina: The Timing of Kirchner’s Visit to Cuba · Global Voices
Eduardo Avila

Louis Cyphre of El Opinador Compulsivo [es] wonders why Argentine president visited Cuba when she did “to speak with one of the longest lasting dictators in history just as the first black president was being inaugurated in the US?”

author: Eduardo Avila


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Armenia: Ultra-nationalists · Global Voices
Onnik Krikorian

Unzipped comments on news that an association for ultra-nationalist groups in Armenia was established before the New Year. The blog notes with alarm that the association will collaborate with ultra-nationalist groups in other countries, including Russia.

author: Onnik Krikorian


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Barbados, U.S.A.: True Identity  · Global Voices
Janine Mendes-Franco

Living in Barbados is hoping that “President Obama will help us in the Caribbean and those in Africa rediscover who and what we really are.”


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Bermuda, U.S.A.: Ethics & Transparency  · Global Voices
Janine Mendes-Franco

Vexed Bermoothes thinks that “it is telling that the first orders issued by President Obama…dealt with ethics and transparency in Government” and that “Bermudians must take note of our inadequacies in this area.”


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Bolivia: Dealing With Dengue Fever · Global Voices
Eduardo Avila

Heavy rains in the Bolivian Orient cause destruction to crops and private home because of heavy flooding.  However, they also help create the breeding ground for mosquitos that spread the virus that causes dengue fever.  The symptoms include severe headaches, muscle and joint pains.  There is also a much more severe form which causes dengue hemorrhagic fever and has already caused 3 deaths in the country.
As Erika Pinto of Alkolica [es] writes, dengue fever has already hit the city of Santa Cruz, and she hopes that it doesn't spread to her native city of Trinidad.
Blogger Willy Andrés in Santa Cruz has had first-hand experience dealing with dengue fever [es]:
Esta muy complicado esto del dengue por estos rumbos; no es de tenerlo en poco, especialmente viendo testimonios de personas que han quedado marcadas de por vida por no tratar a tiempo y como debe ser esa enfermedad. Y pensar que todo esto es por culpa de un insecto tan peqeño, al final de todo… ¡qué débiles somos!.
He tenido el tiempo en que pasé por esa enfermedad, no es nada agradable sinceramente, los dolores en las articulaciones, en los músculos… es como si te hubieran pegado.
Around here, dengue is very complicated, it is not to underestimate it, especially when one sees testimonials of perople who are marked for life because it wasn't treated in time, which is very important with this illness. And to think that all of this is the fault of such a small insect, and in the end, we are very weak!
There was a time when I had this illness, and to tell you the truth, it is not very nice, the pains in one's joints, muscles.. it is as if someone had beat you up.
Now, he is helping his wife who has recently come down with dengue. In addition, she is 3 months pregnant, which adds another level of worry.  They went to various clinics around Santa Cruz and it wasn't until the second clinic where they received the proper medical attention.  Things are much better and the baby was unaffected.  He adds:
gracias a Dios, Sara esta mucho mejor y con los medicamentos indicados. A cuidarse del dengue.
Thank God, Sara is much better and is taking the right medicines.  Protect yourself from dengue.


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China: CyberGhost VPN · Global Voices
Oiwan Lam

GFW Blog introduces a new tool, CyberGhost VPN, for getting around the internet filtering (Great Fire Wall) in China.


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Cuba, U.S.A.: An Important Introduction  · Global Voices
Janine Mendes-Franco

“The man is worth your support, and then some, especially after he was arrested while traveling to Havana to watch your inauguration as a guest of the U.S. Interest Section”: Uncommon Sense would like President Obama to meet Jorge Luis García Pérez “Antúnez”.


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Egypt: Bloggers Divided over Geert Wilders  · Global Voices
Marwa Rakha

Amsterdam Appeals Court decided that Geert Wilders, Dutch MP, will be put on trial for his views on Islam. Wilders, and his movie had caused a huge anger wave last year, with both sides denouncing each other. While Perwin Ali thought he deserves to be tried, An Egyptian is blogging for his release.
Perwin analyzed Wilders documentary Fitna,:
Personally, I thought his movie was a one-sided, biased look at Islam, that could be easily refuted, and shown for how out of context it really is, by anyone who understands Islam properly. His documentary is filled with half truths.
For example:
When he quoted Surah 8 Verse 60
“Prepare for them whatever force and cavalry ye are able of gathering to strike terror into the hearts of the enemies, of Allah and your enemies.”
He didn't continue to the very next verse, Verse 61, of the same Surah
“But if they incline to peace, you (also) incline to it, and put your trust in Gof. Verily, He is the All-Hearer, the All-Knower”
Perwin gave more examples of how Wilders took the verses out of context and went on to refute his argument:
On the flip side, just like there are all the verses that Wilders used, there are others that talk about, things like, freedom of religion, talking (and not fighting) as method of persuasion, patience, and acceptance of others to name a few supposedly “humanitarian” ideals (as Wilders likes to call it).
For example:
Surah 109
“Say: O ye that reject Faith! I worship not the which ye worship, Nor will ye worship that which I worship. And I will not worship that which ye have been wont to worship. Nor will ye worship that which I worship, To you be your Way, and to be mine.”
She also found him guilty of what he was denouncing:
While he is shocked from the decision and deems it a black day for “freedom of expression” in his country, I think he should pause and look at himself. He is doing exactly what he's denouncing. Other than the fact that he's acting just like all the fundamentalists he's against (albeit with a fancy suit, and hair color), he too is not allowing others to be free and live as they choose. He basically wants to remove Islam, and everything about it from Europe, just because it doesn't meet with his outlook on life. I re-watched his BBC interview after reading the news update. The guy is a thinly veiled bigot and supremacist. He is also a politician who needs to be controversial to thrive in the public eye. He does not believe in Islam therefore it shouldn't exist in his country.
He also says “We should learn to be intolerant with the intolerant.” He believes in giving conditional tolerance, meaning he'll tolerate you only if he likes you and agrees with you, if you don't agree then he won't tolerate you. Well that's not really tolerance, that, at best, is hypocrisy and double standards.
Standing on the fence, Perwin traces the roots of such prejudice:
One of his mistakes, I think, is confusing between the religion of Islam and the misguided fanatics who abuse Islam. Both Wilders and the zealots he's against, seem to forget that Islam is based on dealing with others, otherwise known in Arabic as “al moamala”. What Mr. Wilders doesn't know, or didn't research thoroughly, and the extremists hiding behind Islam have lost sight of, is that The Quran (that Wilders, and the like, seem to blame) is broken down (by Islamic fokaha or learned men) into 13 parts: 1 for the dos and don'ts, and the other 12 are for how to deal with other human beings.
The movie clearly showed that Wilders does not understand the core of Islam, and merely has a beef with the vocal fundamentalists.
Perwin Ali asks:
Some might wonder why we don't see more grand gestures of good from Muslims like we see from their scary counterparts.
Her reply was:
Well, as habit, terrorists (regardless of their affiliations or religion) are grandstanders. They need an audience, otherwise their objective of terrorizing isn't met. On the other hand, genuine do-gooders don't need an audience, they only need God to know. Whoever believes in God would agree with me when I say that whatever you do, God sees it, hence there's no need for an audience. Try to read what I'm writing with an unbiased eye, you'll see what I mean… You might even be able to accept it without having to agree with it -which is another key trait of Islam and well-balanced muslims.
Taking her post to a personal level, she talks about herself as a Muslim:
Now, I'm not one of the learned in Islam. But… I'm a Muslim. I'm a female. I'm not veiled. I'm free to express my opinions and my choices. I'm free to live my life. I love my religion. I haven't been forced or brainwashed into loving my religion. I believe in it. I respect it. I believe that my religion has more to do with love than with hate. I believe that my religion is forgiving. I also believe that the problems lie with the misguided people not with the religion. Just as it lies with the misguided people of the other religions.
I am the exact opposite of what he makes Islam and muslims to be. There are many others like me.
Personally, I believe he deserves to go on trial. There's a significant difference between freedom of expression and disrespectful misinformation.
It's time the whole world finally learned how to truly exercise the concept of freedom.
An Egyptian does not agree with Perwin as he posted a note titled “Geert Wilders needs your urgent support!“:
The Freedom Party (PVV) and Geert Wilders are faced with an all-out assault. Exploding legal expenses might cripple the continuation of the battle for our liberties. The survival of the
Freedom Party and Geert Wilders’ struggle for the defense of the West are now in jeopardy. Therefore, we need your financial support urgently.
Then he posted several ways to donate money.


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Estonia: Arvo Pärt · Global Voices
Veronica Khokhlova

Robert Amsterdam's Blog writes about “Estonia's most famous contemporary composer Arvo Pärt,” whose latest symphony is dedicated to Mikhail Khodorkovsky – and whose 2006-2007 works are dedicated to Anna Politkovskaya.


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Estonia: Skinheads · Global Voices
Veronica Khokhlova

Itching for Eestimaa writes about Estonian skinheads – the “purposefully/prematurely bald” young people: “I secretly ponder what is the position of the baldheaded on persons of Mediterranean background. Did we spend too much time in the kiln of the creator or were we baked just right? In any case, we are probably low on the list: I mean, who has time for pestering paesans when there might be an unsuspecting Indian student on the next block?”


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Europe: Entropa · Global Voices
Veronica Khokhlova

Belatedly, links to some posts on Entropa: Margarete of The Foreigner's Guide to Living in Slovakia believes “it should be taken down”; Kosmopolito thinks that “the debate around the project is also part of the installation”; BBC's Mark Mardell writes that “the fact that it is a hoax does not mean that the art itself is bad”; Blue, Black and White Alert doesn't think Entropa is “that incendiary”; A Fistful of Euros considers Entropa “an ugly but really funny piece of work.”


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Honduras: Vacation in Tornabé · Global Voices
Eduardo Avila

Hugo Chinchilla writes about his week-long vacation in Tornabé, Honduras [es] and adds photos of the peacefulness of the small beach village.


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Hong Kong: LGBT content filtered away · Global Voices
Oiwan Lam

Leslovestudy conducted a research on the filtering of LGBT content (zh, pdf) in Hong Kong private and public filters. I have post a summary of the report at GV advocacy.


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Jamaica, Barbados, U.S.A.: Bonne Chance! · Global Voices
Janine Mendes-Franco

Jamaican diaspora blogger Pamela Mordecai holds high hopes for the Obama administration and wishes the new President well, while Notes From A Small Rock [Barbados] sums up her sentiment like this: “Now we wait. We wait to see if the words match the deeds. We all want so much of you Obama and we’re waiting.”


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Liberia: Photos Of Liberians Watching Obama · Global Voices
Ndesanjo Macha

Scarlett Lion posts photos of Liberians watching Barack Obama's inauguration.

author: Ndesanjo Macha


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Uganda: Mountain Gorilla Population May Have Declined · Global Voices
Samuel Maina

We have always known that there are around 700 Mountain Gorillas still alive in the wild today – 336 of which are in Uganda - but a new study published in the journal New Scientist indicates that that might be a little optimistic.
The 336 individuals said to be resident in Uganda's Bwindi Impenetrable National Park were estimated using a method that counts the number of nests that the majestic primates build each night. The new study now indicates that this method may have overestimated the number of individuals in the population since gorillas make more than one nest a night.
Paula Kahumbu, writing in the Gorilla Protection blog, says of the report:
Recent DNA tests from dung were conducted by Katerina Guschanski of the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology in Liepzig, Germany, …revealing that there are actually far fewer mountain gorillas. She found evidence of 302 separate genetic codes or individual gorillas, suggesting that the nest counting method overestimates the population size because some gorillas create more than one nest.
A previous DNA study – in 2007 – had placed the population at 340 individuals. This indicates that th Bwindi population has declined by 10%. The scientists are however cautious and not quite ready to declare that the population is declining, or stable.
If the Bwindi population has indeed declined then it is not good news. Paula says:
If it is true that the Bwindi population is shrinking, then this is bad news for mountain gorillas – it is estimated that there are only around 700 in existence, this work suggests at least a 5% decline of the global population.
Meanwhile, the death toll from the 2 January 2009 Lords Resistance Army (LRA) attack on Garamba National Park has risen to 10 since we reported about it on 14 January and on 11 January. Three people are still missing as reported on the Baraza blog. The victims have also been identified and this particular blog post in Baraza lists those killed, wounded and missing.
The Gorilla Protection blog also comments on the arrest of Laurent Nkunda, Congo's renegade general and rebel leader, by the Rwandan military as reported on the BBC, which could actually be good for gorilla conservation.


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Russia: Putin’s Painting · Global Voices
Veronica Khokhlova

Eternal Remont writes about Vladimir Putin's painting: “Hitler would be jealous.” LJ user olegpanfilov2 posts two samples of Photoshopped spinoffs inspired by Putin's painting – one of them features Mikhail Khodorkovsky behind bars (there are many more in the comments section to this post by LJ user tema).


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Serbia: Things To Do in Belgrade · Global Voices
Veronica Khokhlova

“A list of less-than-usual tourist things to do when you are a tourist/resident/expat in Belgrade” – at Belgraded.com.


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Ukraine, Canada: Crossword House, Varenyk and Pysanka · Global Voices
Veronica Khokhlova

LJ user alex-pingvin posts a picture of a “crossword house” on Andrey Sakharov St. in Lviv. Flickr user mariyaz posts pictures of “the biggest dumpling ever (Ukrainian pyrogy) in Glendon (Alberta, Canada)” and of “a monument of Ukrainian Easter Egg in Vegreville (Canada).”


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USA: Blogging their Dreams of Citizenship · Global Voices
Hoa Quach

Each year, thousands of children are brought to the United States by undocumented immigrant parents and can go through regular public schooling without ever acquiring legal residency. Even if they have never known another country, they are at constant risk of being deported to their birth countries as they grow up.
A proposal for a law that would allow undocumented students to become legal residents, the DREAM Act, has so far been rejected by U.S. legislators in 2007 (similar bills were also rejected in 2001 and 2006). At least 65,000 undocumented students would benefit from its passage.
Days before President Barack Obama was inaugurated, more than 655,000 people participated in an online vote about which issues American activist website Change.org should focus on in 2009. Thanks to campaigning from DreamACTivist.org and other online immigrant activists, passing this law was selected as one of the top 10 priorities.
It’s personal
A post-graduate student and DREAMActivist in California named Prerna, describes her personal blog as, “part of a growing network of pro-migrant voices online that seek to counter the hatred and ignorance spewed by hate groups and promote meaningful immigration reform.” It's called No Borders and Binaries.
On DesiCritics, Prerna has also written about her struggle to stay in the United States. Because she is 24, she cannot claim legal U.S. residency even though her entire family has legal status. Her only “option” is to get married.
She raises other personal issues:
“Fiji: The country where I was born tells me that I am a colonizer, that I don't belong there.
India, Pakistan and Bangladesh: The countries of my ancestry predetermine me as a criminal even though I have never stepped foot anywhere in the Indian subcontinent.
The United States of America: The country where I have spent close to a decade, continues to demand a Green Card and a nine-digit number in order to accept me, regardless of the fact that the rest of my family comprises tax-paying citizens and legal permanent residents.”
Another blogger, “Somfolnalco”, a Mexican immigrant who received a university degree in 2007, questions what exactly being “illegal” means in his blog, Documenting Me.
“I would like to take this time to clarify something.
I (insert my name here) am NOT prohibited by law.
So why does this inaccurate label refuse to detach itself from me? Well because it makes things easier.
By labeling me as “illegal” I am suddenly robbed of the ability to be identified as a part of society. I am robbed of my humanity. Which in turn makes it easier for others to deny me of rights, to deny me of an identity, in essence to deny me of my being.”
Blogger Marip0sa, who is also “undocumented” explores the similarities and differences between her and “documented” Americans.
Many other voices can be found blogging across the country, including: Maria M. from Pennsylvania blogs about what the DREAM Act means on Give These Kids a Chance; “El Random Hero” living in California writes about the “Green Card Marriage,” on his blog, American Wetback; and, Alexander Spero writes about his experiences on his blog, Dreaming to Live.
The controversy from the DREAM Act is also present on YouTube, where students at the University of California in Los Angeles tell their stories in the video below. The same video was shown in a congressional hearing in May 2007.
In July 2007, students in California also posted numerous videos from a week long fast to campaign for the DREAM Act.
Is the DREAM Act fair?
For blogger Maegan la Mala of VivirLatino, the issue is personal because it affects her friends.
“I have friends who are finishing their college education pero can't find jobs because they don't have papers. I know students who are graduating high school but worry about college as an option because they don't have papers. While generally I am wary of promoting that a certain class of immigrant should be “legalized” over another, because I feel it promotes the classist ideal that only “educated” immigrants should have access to a status out of the shadows, the DREAM Act is worthwhile because it is a step in helping a younger generation of immigrants move forward and don't we all deserve the access to make ourselves better? Isn't that what that whole “American Dream” talk is about.”
Mala adds that another problem with the proposed legislation is the requirement of beneficiaries to enlist in the military.
Although the DREAM Act has a number of supporters who are immigrants, one commentator on Latina Lista, latnszzl, writes that the DREAM Act would be a “burden” despite the fact that she is also from an immigrant family.
“I am for giving people opportunities, but what I have a problem with when immigrants come here and want more education, is that the tax dollars necessary for that education are shrinking in these tough times.
Further, do Americans have the same opportunities in the countries mentioned by the applicants who want to stay? I think not. There is a double standard, that excludes foreigners from attending their institutions (not that I would want to).”

author: Hoa Quach


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