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Nicaragua: One Year Anniversary for Community Portal · Global Voices
Eduardo Avila

The blog community portal Nicaragua y Su Blog [es] celebrates one year of highlighting new and existing blogs throughout the country.


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Pakistan: Cementing Democracy · Global Voices
Neha Viswanathan

Pak Tea House on why democracy isn't assured by just an election, but takes strong institutions and a lot of time.

source: news-globalvoices

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

author: Neha Viswanathan


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Palestine: The Plight of Women · Global Voices
Amira Al Hussaini

Palestinian blogger Al Falasteenyia marks the International Day for Women with this post.

author: Amira Al Hussaini


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Poland: Al Gore Awarded · Global Voices
Veronica Khokhlova

The beatroot writes about Al Gore's recent visit to Warsaw to collect the Confederation of Polish Employers’ award.

author: Veronica Khokhlova


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Poland: Arts, Posters and More · Global Voices
Veronica Khokhlova

Polandian writes about Polish artists and Polish poster art, and posts another installment of the Inside Warsaw series: Q-U.


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Poland: Jaroslaw Kaczyński and the Web · Global Voices
Veronica Khokhlova

Warsaw Station and the beatroot report on how the former PM “managed to show his complete lack of understanding of the world wide web”: “Plans by the government to introduce voting via the internet have alarmed Jaroslaw [Kaczyński]. He thinks that anyone who hangs around on the web is a deviant.”


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Puerto Rico: Teachers  · Global Voices
Janine Mendes-Franco

Puerto Rican blogger Gil the Jenius shares his thoughts about teachers.

author: Janine Mendes-Franco


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Russia: Bulgakov, Bukharin and the Trial of the 21 · Global Voices
Veronica Khokhlova

De Rebus Antiquis Et Novis posts episodes from Mikhail Bulgakov's Master and Margarita that feature Nikolay Bukharin (portrayed in the novel as “Nikolay Ivanovich, a ‘tenant from the ground floor'”). Also, there's a related item on the 1938 Trial of the 21 – co-authored by Dmitry Minaev for ExecutedToday.com.


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Russia: Kadyrov, Hijab and Education in Chechnya · Global Voices
Veronica Khokhlova

Window on Eurasia writes about Ramzan Kadyrov's hijab policy: “Chechen President Ramzan Kadyrov’s requirement that all female students in higher educational institutions there wear hijabs of a particular color and at their own expense in order to be allowed to attend class is backfiring with some students dropping out and others increasingly radicalized as a result.”


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Russia, UK: Olga Freer’s Book · Global Voices
Veronica Khokhlova

The UK’s Daily Mail reviews “a book written by a young Russian woman about her experiences living in London” – and White Sun of the Desert reviews the book review: “[…] it is little wonder that her book is popular in Moscow, as thousands of Russian women will be reading with glee about how fat the British women are and how awful their cooking is. But I’d also hope that plenty of Brits get around to reading it, because the book – coupled with its popularity in Moscow – will almost certainly reveal as much about Russia as it does about Britain.”


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Singapore: Greeting Online vs. Traditionally · Global Voices
Preetam Rai

Missybrowneyes on greeting people online vs. greeting them the traditional way “Apparantly, homo sapiens in this 20th century have pretty warped idea of greetings. You must do it online. Over Friendster and FaceBook. Anything else is considered anti-social or bizarre.”

author: Preetam Rai


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Singapore: Pakistani Roads · Global Voices
Preetam Rai

The blogger at Meditation Chamber shares his views on driving in Pakistan.


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South Asia: Talking about abuse · Global Voices
Neha Viswanathan

Out Against Abuse asks why discussing the issue of domestic violence is so taboo, especially in the South Asian community.


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South Korea: English Teacher Union · Global Voices
Oiwan Lam

Robert Koehler from Marmot hole blogs about the setting up of foreign English teacher union in South Korea.

author: Oiwan Lam


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St. Vincent & the Grenadines: Assault Charges · Global Voices
Janine Mendes-Franco

Blogging from St. Vincent & the Grenadines, Abeni is annoyed at the latest news that “another politician is facing charges of indecent assault”.


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Tajikistan: Public Discontent Comes to Protests · Global Voices
Adil Nurmakov

Vadim reports that people in the eastern part of Tajikistan have taken to the streets in protest against arbitrariness of the law enforcement authorities.

author: Adil Nurmakov


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Thailand: Countries on Tibet · Global Voices
Preetam Rai

Jotman collects official statements and reactions of various countries on the happening in Tibet.


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Thailand: Karaoke Killings · Global Voices
Preetam Rai

Bangkok Pundit and The Lost Boy comment on the murder case where a man disturbed by the bad karaoke singing of his neighbors killed them all.


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Ukraine: “Fortress Kerch” · Global Voices
Veronica Khokhlova

The Gaws writes about a tour of a fortress in Kerch.


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Ukraine: Kyiv Mayoral Election · Global Voices
Veronica Khokhlova

Ukrainiana reports on the yet another upcoming election in Ukraine: “It finally happened! In a long-awaited vote, the Verkhovna Rada Tuesday paved the way for new mayoral elections to be held in Kyiv within 70 days. That means the elections will be held in early June.”


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Ukraine: “NATO Naysayers” · Global Voices
Veronica Khokhlova

Ukrainiana writes about Ukraine's “NATO naysayers” – “local” and foreign.


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Ukraine: Protesting Yushchenko’s March 8 Address · Global Voices
Veronica Khokhlova

Natalia Antonova writes about an open letter to president Victor Yushchenko posted in a Ukrainian feminist LJ community: “Basically, people are outraged that on the 8th of March, International Women’s Day, the President launched into a saccharine speech about how the ladiez are so lovely and admired by men… in a country where women are trafficked and rape is barely prosecuted.”


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· Global Voices
Veronica Khokhlova

De Rebus Antiquis Et Novis writes about Vladimir Vysotsky: “There are some topics I'd like to write about, but as soon as I start, I understand that I just can't. I don't have the right words. Even in Russian. Vysotsky and his poetry is one of such topics. After all, do I have to write about him? He has written everything we should know.”


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Albania: Eagle Mobile · Global Voices
Veronica Khokhlova

Albanian Blogger comments on the arrival of Albania's “much-awaited” third mobile operator.


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Armenia: Right to Know · Global Voices
Onnik Krikorian

Armenia Now reports on the current state of emergency which restricts the media in covering the post-election situation in the country following the 1 March clashes between opposition supporters and the authorities. The blog says that while the print media has become more independent under the outgoing president, the tendency to propagandize and control still exists. Such an approach is an insult to the population, the blog says.

author: Onnik Krikorian


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Armenia: Shameful Diaspora · Global Voices
Onnik Krikorian

Unzipped expresses its concern with statements issued by ethnic Armenian groups and organizations in the United States calling for political forces to find a peaceful solution to the post-election standoff in Armenia and to refrain from violence. Noticeable by its absence, the blog explains, are calls for an independent inquiry into clashes with police on 1 March that left 8 people dead.


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Armenia: The Epic Land · Global Voices
Onnik Krikorian

Deep Roasted Blend posts a guide for tourists interested in visiting Armenia. The guide, accompanied by many photographs, was written by Rhyne from The Armenia Blog.


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Armenia: Volunteerism · Global Voices
Onnik Krikorian

My Stay in Armenia recounts a recent visit to a school where the International Red Cross educated children on humanitarian work and volunteerism. The blog says that the latter in particular remains something “foreign” for most people in the country.


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Azerbaijan: The Nicer Side of Baku · Global Voices
Onnik Krikorian

Lindsay Fincher says that contrary to popular opinion of the Azerbaijani capital as one of the dirtiest cities in the world, it isn't just oil workers interested in visiting. The blogger says that she actually found her own stay somewhat interesting.


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Bangladesh: The promise of America · Global Voices
Neha Viswanathan

Or How I Learned to Stop Worrying writes on the promise of America as articulated by Obama.


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Bermuda: Going Green  · Global Voices
Janine Mendes-Franco

A Radical in Bermuda shares some tips for going green.


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Bolivia: Anniversary of Plan 3000 · Global Voices
Eduardo Avila

Pedro Velasquez of Litoraleño [es] celebrates the anniversary of the Plan 3000 neighborhood in Santa Cruz, Bolivia.

author: Eduardo Avila


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Burkina Faso: Meningitis, mask dances and a special horse festival · Global Voices
John Liebhardt

Burkina Faso is the diamond stud near the middle of Africa’s meningitis belt, stretching from Senegal to Ethiopia, containing a population of roughly 300 people. The region’s dusty winds and relatively cool nights from December to June decreases peoples’ immunity to respiratory problems. This, along with the area’s high population density adds up to make bacterial meningitis “hyperendemic” to this area. And it’s Burkina Faso which often makes up the vast majority of meningitis cases and deaths.
From Moco in Burkina Faso.
….there has been a meningitis epidemic in the region of Orodara, where I live. About 250 deaths country-wide so far, so the ministry of health set up a huge vaccination campaign and I spent the past week assisting with vaccinations in Tin and the smaller villages nearby which our health clinic serves. After over 2000 vaccinations and almost that many screaming kids (they dont like shots), we're all done. Though it kept me really busy, it was nice to feel useful and hopefully there wont be many more meningitis cases in my area at least.
Also in the name of trying to get something done, Garrett decided as a teacher he would begin a HIV/AIDS statistics project for his students. They had to regard the prevalence rate of the disease in both Burkina Faso and throughout sub-Saharan Africa for men, women and children. Students also had to diagram their statistics and figure out why women are more affected by the disease then men; why some people can get it easily; and, why HIV/AIDS is more common in urban areas. At some point, the project then took on a life of its own.
I also supplemented it with a sex ed lesson, go me. There was laughing here and there, some of it intended, some of it not. The tough question was: why are women more likely to get infected if they use medicines to dry their vaginas for sex? I couldn't figure out a way to explain it so the class didn't crack up. The guy then asked me what a vagina is…grrrr.
Speaking of school: “Technically, primary-level education is free in Burkina Faso,” writes Joel Turner in Burkina by Joel. From there on, the issue of school fees gets complicated and a little confusing. Before long, you may understand why the number of children attending primary school still hovers around 30 percent.  Joel explains.
There are, however, annual dues which are collected by each school’s Parent’s Association (APE). The annual fee comes to approximately $3 per student per school year. $1 per student goes to the APE, which is responsible for the maintenance of the school and teacher housing, among other things. $2 per student goes to the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) which provides breakfast and lunch for all students in Pobé-Mengao (even in Burkina Faso, $2 for a year’s worth of breakfast and lunch is quite a deal). For various reasons, a significant number of parents fail to pay the school fees. Many grasp, obstinately, to the misunderstanding that primary education is gratuitous, as per the Government’s advertisements. Some hold to the suspicion that the APE and the teachers are pocketing the money. Others simply claim that the amount is too much. They cannot afford to pay. While $3 is pocket change in the United States, it must be said that for an average Burkinabé household with five children enrolled in primary school, $3 times five children can become a significant amount. But it is not an unrealistic amount. What lacks is both a vested interest on the part of parents in their children’s education and an effective accountable system of enforcement on the part of teachers and the APE. Between parents and the school there exists a crippling lack of communication and trust. What threatens to frustrate me more than the lack of concern on the part of parents is the defeatist’s approach the teachers and the APE takes to the problem. When I ask “What can we do to get the parents to pay?” the general response is, “It’s not easy” or “Parents, they just don’t understand.” Sometimes the absurdity is so immense, I know not whether to laugh or explode in a fit of anger.
It was a regular Wednesday evening for Becca Faso, who was out buying bread when she stumbled upon a group of people in her village.
There were many huddled in a huge circle obviously watching whatever was going on in the middle of the circle and also many others selling typical Burkina snacks and chatting etc. I asked one of my students what was going on and they told me. Masks! Burkina, indeed West Africa, has a long traditional history of mask festivals so I was excited to finally get to see some for myself. However, my students quickly warned me, “Madame, they will hit you!”
“Did you say hit??”
Yep, they said hit. Part of the dance of these particular entourage of masks was to hit the crowd gathered around with sticks. Okay, no. They dont hit hard. It's more of a playful whack. The Mask dancers are dressed in what essentially looks like a series of mop heads made of big fat hemp. The Mask itself is wooden (i'm told, made from baobob wood) and painted. As far as i could tell it wasn't a representation of anything, just a mask etc.
There are bongo drummers who do a flirtatious musical dance with the masks. The drummer advances and beckons a mask forward. Then, the interactive dance begins: the masked dancer stomps in tune with the elaborate drum music. Jumping and kicking and whirling and whacking the crowd. It was pretty cool. Then that masked dancer sits down and another is beckoned forth. I was pressed in with the pungent sweaty crowd and anytime a mask moved in close the crowd would jump away trying to avoid being smacked with a stick. I'm white and therefore obviously not from Tougouri so they wouldn't hit me . . . not that I think it would have hurt.
Alas, here’s Becca Faso’s take away message.
I always like it when I see traditionally “African” displays of culture. After several centuries of colonial rule so much of the traditional culture has become replaced by “francophone” culture. French bread, tea, language, education system, lots of things are distinctly “french” though always with an African twist to it. But it's things like the Masks and To which make my African experience, African. En tout cas, it was pretty cool.
Mac wisdom, in his blog Ex Africa learned a different kind of lesson in an all-too-familiar dance:
On a chilly January day in Djibo, I stepped outside of Hotel Massa to go and check out Salif’s taxi-brousse for my trip back to site. First thing I see is the cute little African kids with their back packs. They are toting their lunch pails to school as well, being in Djibo most are well dressed. I step onto the cool earth, my flip flops smacking the ground. I round the corner next to the gas station and check out the early goings in the . Then, I see the ultimate contrast: the destitute. The well-off versus the have-nots, the well-dressed versus the tattered-sporting, way oversize just-to-cover-myself-up kids trying to stay warm, the hopefully well fed versus the body-aching hunger that I hope I will never know. The truly hungry kids are following the women who precariously yet expertly balance a tray with gateaux or a large bowl with freshly-made rice inside. I myself received 7 packages that weekend, the kids and others gawking at me as I make my way to the taxi-brousse gare.
“I'm not big on camels,” writes Charlie from Blooming Desert. “They worry me, with their sheer size and legendary ability to scalp a man or at least spit at him.”
Nevertheless, I do admire them – from a distance. You see them often in Burkina, loping alongside the road to Djibo, a turban-swathed rider perched on top. Sometimes you come across them grazing out in the bush, doing their best to demolish prickly trees while pitifully hobbled. Or my personal favourite – pulling cart loads of people through the town, formidable as double-decker buses next to the usual donkey carts. I always give them a wide berth.
I was surprised, then, to find myself not in the least bit intimidated by the lofty giraffes of Niger. These elegant creatures are the last left in the wild in West Africa. Their snake-like necks, sloping backs and legs like sculpted bar stools give the animal an alien-like demeanour, which is enhanced by the pair of funny stumps between its ears. Maybe it's their huge almond eyes and long, feminine lashes (apparently used to protect their eyes from prickles) that make them seem friendly. Anyway – I was very pleased to come within just a few metres of them recently on a trip to Niamey.
Stephen Davies from Voice in the Desert traveled to a horse festival in the village of Barani, a place he describes as without “roads, electricity, running water, secondary school or clinic.”
However, for one weekend, Barani was the focus of the entire country. “Horses in Burkina Faso have always been symbols of royalty, nobility and wealth, and today's shenanigans are sure to bring out the kings in droves,” he writes. “For all its reputation as a ceremonial and sporting occasion, Feshiba is fundamentally a power-fest.”
Here is why:
In Burkina Faso, horse-riding is more than a leisure pastime – it is the tradition, love and lore of an entire nation. It is no coincidence that the country's coat of arms depicts a horse, that the coveted first prize of Ouagadougou's pan-African film festival is the ‘Etalon d'Or’ (Golden Stallion), that the nickname of the national football team is ‘Les Etalons’ or that the most common surname here is Ouedraogo (which means stallion in the predominant more language). In countries populated by dozens of different ethnic groups, national identity is often an elusive quarry, but here in Burkina Faso one thing is sure: that quarry has a mane, a tail and four hooves.
It’s a brilliant post, and a summary won’t do it justice.
Finally, it was unfortunate circumstances that Burkina Mom had to have her passport photos taken on the one day that bone-dry Ouagadougou became balmy and humid in preparation for the mango rains, the one small shower, as locals say, that allows the millions of mangoes drooping from trees around Burkina Faso to draw to finish up the ripening process.
Well, we waited all day for the Mango Rain, but all we got was the Mango Spit. Mango Spit contains little actual water and much dirt. It does not give you any desire to go out and frolic in it, even if you haven’t seen precipitation since October. So, the day was a bit of a disappointment, weather wise.
It was midnight when the real Mango Rain came. It poured down for about an hour and cleaned things up nicely. When I woke up this morning, everything was cool and freshly rinsed.
So, that’s done. The dry season will really set in now. Things will heat up dramatically and there won’t be another drop of rain until June. I miss weather. All we have here is climate.

author: John Liebhardt


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China: Black Days for the Dalai Lama · Global Voices
Oiwan Lam

China matters gave more background to the Lhasa uprising and showed that the Dalai Lama, a moderate spiritual leader, has been marginalized both by the Chinese government conspiracy and hard hand approach.


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China: Patriotism triggered, though under censorship · Global Voices
Bob Chen

Tibet is in commotion, people’s life in danger. Looting and shooting and destroying have been on street. The situation there climbed to the front pages of many foreign papers. But when I walked in, through the massive gate of Great Firewall of China to the domestic blogshpere, I found the turmoil and gory images largely gone, a wind of peace, richness and harmony greeting me. It is supposed to be brought by the re-election of the country’s president and premier, and the big finish of People’s congress.
I came to the Bokee.com, which calls itself the “No.1 global Chinese BSP (blog service provider)”. There featured movie stars’ and beauty’s pictures, seven-colored front page, but nothing related to what’s happening in Tibet, except a tiny link “Tibet” under the headline “traveling”.
No sooner had I clicked the link than I shut it down, as my hope to understand the present Tibet can by no means be satisfied by the alluring pictures of Tibetans’ smiling faces and the spectacular Potala Palace, with a tag reads “welcome here for holidays”.
Then I came to BlogChina, another BSP with mass traffic. The headline is inspiring, which is a quote from a blogger named Wu Zuolai —- applaud for President Hu’s insistence on democracy and law (not a bit about Tibet).
One of only a few articles related to Tibet there riveted my eyes. “This must be illusion —- on hearing the subversion in Tibet” by Liu Kunpeng
简介：胜利团结光荣的两会正在盛开，加上改革开放30年的伟大成就；近期西藏发生了骚乱。大好形势和骚乱，两个中一定有一个是幻觉。
The Congress (National People’s Congress) of victory, solidarity and glory is now going, plus the great achievement of the 30-year “reform and open”; Recently Tibet has been in insurgence. Wonderful state clashes with the insurgence, thus one of them must be an illusion.
A campaign of internet control might have been launched to grasp the fort for propaganda. But different from in history, this time the authority tried to guide the public opinion, so that talks on Tibet were allowed in some way. In several other websites, the public opinion is partially shown.
Let’s turn to Sohu’s blog website and yculblog.com, where half Tibet-related articles were copies of official news already released that condemned the unrest, and the others unanimous voices against the traitors. It might be a result of censorship, but one point undeniable is that the incident this time triggered a sense of crisis and furthermore patriotism among many Chinese.
50-metre Sunlight’s comment “the Tibet traitors are unpopular” represents a typical Chinese thinking on the issue. :
西藏的这次事件，是有预谋的，有组织的，有策划的恐怖行为，西方媒体看不到这些手持尖刀屠杀手无寸铁的卑鄙行经的一面，却混淆视听说我们的政府在镇压西藏的“和平示威”
The incident in Tibet is well-organized and planned. The western media see nothing about those thugs with knives in hand who killed innocent people, but tried to confused people by saying that our government is cracking down “peace demonstration”.
On 163.com and the web forum of people.com, more anger was poured against the mobs in Tibet.
Blogger “Nature” from Inner Mongolia pointed that the series of conspiracy is meant to endanger the unification of China.
西藏的那部分不安分子为什么在这个月暴动？因为3月份台湾公投了，通过的话，台湾就独立了，他们这是在与台湾相呼应！台湾独立的后果怎么样？那等于给M国一个亚洲的军事基地，一个踏足我国的平台
Why do those rebels rise up at this point? It happened because Taiwan is going to make referendum in March, and if it was passed, Taiwan would then be independent. Tibetans are answering the call of Taiwan! What would it be if Taiwan was independent? It would give U.S another military base in Asia, a base on which they can reach us.
The CNN picture was widely criticized as it cuts out a critical part that tells why they are mob rather than citizens. See below the complete one in an Australia newspaper
That tells the complete story.
An appeal for alert by a blogger in sina.com summarizes the crisis China has to face in 2008:
拉萨戒严, 疆独劫机, 台湾大选, 海外反华,国外媒体颠倒是非,趁机抵制奥运! – 中国人民遇到了本世纪最大考验! 2008, 中国人你准备好了吗？
Martial law in Lhasa, Hijack in Xinjiang, Taiwan election, anti-China force abroad, confusion made by foreign media, and boycott of Olympics! Chinese run into the harshest challenge of the century! Chinese, are you ready for 2008?
He further numerated:
中国雪灾更是惨烈！回 家的英雄，维护治安的战士，体现了中国人内心最根本的善良和朴实，让我们的社会道德得到了改善！可是纵观西方媒体，没有一个能正面报道，就别提同情了！西 方的电视里面通过故意删减拼凑镜头和被采访者的语录，拼命在西方舆论媒体中制造中国民众火车站暴动，警察暴力镇压和政府不通人情的不实报道！
1.	How tragic the snowstorm in China was! The heroes going home and soldiers keeping orders both showed the goodness and purity rooted in the nature of Chinese. But looking at the western media, I found no positive report, not mentioning sympathy. They cut and patched up scenes and quotes of interviewees, to make an all-in effort on fake stories about unrest in railway stations, violent crackdown and callosity of the government.
然后，我们不想把奥运过分政治化！可是，某个国际著名的导演利用人权问题与北京奥运会解约，然后就是上海有外国歌手在宣布藏独，明是个白痴歌手,反而被国外媒体吹上了天，成为国际战士！
2.  We don’t want to politicize the Olympics! But firstly a famous director dropped out due to human right issue, and then a singer called out “free Tibet” in Shanghai. Obviously she’s a silly singer, but the foreign media nevertheless boasted her up as an international fighter!
…….
6，从舆论上，我们中了欧美一阴招，美国故意把我们从人权问题名单中删除，然后出奇的在全世界夸奖中国人民权利进步，不到48小时，就报道西藏死伤人暴乱！这是故意用卑鄙的手段，先吸引世界关注中国，然后再让我们当中出丑！
We are trapped by the western countries. U.S firstly put us out of the list of human right violators and praised our progress, and then in 48 hours they reported the unrest in Tibet! It’s a mean plot to first drive the attention upon China and then threw us into a gaffe.
8， 明明是暴徒砸强扰乱社会，抢枪，打伤武警，为什么全部欧美媒体仅仅说我们的部队政府警察打人。把藏独分子说成英雄，把那些受伤的保护人民财产的武警说成匪 徒。还故意把特意断章取义的照片由筛选性的放到各大媒体上，给西方民众制造我们公安武警欺负人民的假象！这就是西方媒体的客观和自由吗？
It is obviously a disruption caused by the mob that unsettled the community, committed robbery and hurt police. Why most of western media only mentioned that our police beat citizens? They made the traitors heroes while the police that protected people robbers. And they purposely put on distorted pictures to trick the western that our police bullied people. Is this the objectivity and freedom of western media?
The list goes on.
I am sorry not to mention the blogger’s name, because at my second time to his blog the article had been removed. I then found it copied by another blog and there it came.
Though people still speculate Beijing is taking the chance to trigger and canal a new tide of patriotism to fight against its enemies, judged from the information survived the censorship, the mainstream opinion is now bearing enmity against those sprung the insurgence.
In Tianya.com and the largest military forum in China, Tiexue forum, few posts about Tibet could be found, letting alone the Xinhua forum that has an official background. There were occasional complaints from bloggers who grumbled about their censored posts.

author: Bob Chen


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Christians in Iraq · Global Voices
Jennifer Brea

French-Lebanese blogger Frencheagle writes about the assassination of the Bishop of Mosul and the plight of Christians in Iraq [Fr].

author: Jennifer Brea


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Croatia: Zagreb’s New Synagogue · Global Voices
Veronica Khokhlova

Balkan Baby writes about the opening of a new synagogue in Zagreb.


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Czech Republic: Erratic Boulder Awards · Global Voices
Veronica Khokhlova

The Reference Frame writes about the Erratic Boulder “anti-prizes” awarded by Sisyfos, the Czech scientific skeptics’ club, for “confusing the Czech public and for contributions to the development of muddy thinking.”


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Czech Republic: Ex-PM Fails Bar Exam · Global Voices
Veronica Khokhlova

The Czech Daily Word reports that former Czech PM has failed his bar exam and will not be able to get his attorney license.


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D.R. of Congo: Kabila says Congolese people are better off today · Global Voices
Jennifer Brea

Le Blog du Congolais comments on President Kabila's perplexing enthusiasm [Fr] about the state of Congo.  During the opening of a new parliamentary session, Kabila said the Congolese people “are better off than they were a year ago, and far better than they were fifteen years ago.”


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D.R. of Congo: Radio Okapi journalist wins blog award · Global Voices
Jennifer Brea

Congolese journalist Cédric Kalonji [Fr] wins a “Bobs” award for best francophone blog.


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Egypt: Face of the Future · Global Voices
Amira Al Hussaini

“If you want to know the future of humanity, don’t look someplace new. Look someplace old: someplace where dynasties and empires have risen and fallen for thousands of years, someplace where scant land has sustained swelling populations for millennia. Look to Egypt. Look to Iraq,” writes Elijah Zarwan, from Egypt.


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Environment: 14 elephants speared in Amboseli, Kenya · Global Voices
Juliana Rotich

Richard Leakey of Wildlife Direct  alerts readers to a disturbing occurrence at the Amboseli National Park in Kenya.
14 elephants speared in Amboseli: “…The range of causes of elephant spearing are complex enough — revenge, political protest, self- or crop-protection, delinquency, and, to a lesser extent in Amboseli at least, ivory poaching. But add to those the current atmosphere of uncertainty and unrest in the country, and the mix becomes volatile, the risk to elephants high.”

author: Juliana Rotich


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Environment: Beijing’s Green Olympics · Global Voices
Juliana Rotich

From the blog Its Getting Hot in here, we get an answer by a Chinese Professor to the following question on Bejing’s Green Olympics: “What will it take to keep Beijing on the right track once they have finished preparing for the Olympics and the international community is no longer scrutinizing its efforts?”


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Environment: China’s Challenges from pollution to severe storms · Global Voices
Juliana Rotich

Dale Wen, writing on China Dialogue looks at the myth that high income lifestyles in the west come with a clean environment; noting that China needs to rethink its development model
The (impossible) American dream: “Exporting pollution”
In the past few decades the environmental movement has achieved a number of local successes in western countries. Air and water pollution have been brought under control, and green areas are conserved, but this is still largely in middle-class areas of these countries. Most problems are not solved, but transferred to other areas. For example, polluting industries are often moved to poor areas of the country, and waste from electrical appliances is (sometimes illegally) exported to countries like China and India.
We have to ask if problems can really be solved by externalising pollution. Greenhouse-gas emissions are a global phenomenon and cannot be exported: we all live on the same planet. In the first half of 2007, for example, Beijing moved 200 factories to the outskirts of the city or other cities entirely. Many cities, rather than controlling water pollution, are bringing in water from further and further away, and extending channels so that polluted water is deposited further away. As one rural resident put it to me: ‘If it’s pollution in the city, it’s still pollution in the countryside.
Understanding extreme weather in China: “What are the potential lessons to be learned for China from extreme weather events that seem to be increasing in frequency?”
The most important lesson China can take from this event is that climate change has real and potentially severe costs. It is true that the US and Europe are responsible for most of the greenhouse gases currently in the atmosphere. However, given its current path of development, China will be the largest single contributor to greenhouse gases added to the atmosphere in the future and will therefore be the largest contributor to those impacts that can still be avoided in the future. It is important, therefore, for China to understand the trade-offs that are inherent to any path of future economic development. Today a carbon-intensive economy may seem to be the most expedient path to economic growth, but the real and unpredictable costs to the economy of future climate change could be debilitating.
Tim Hurst of ecopolitology posts a short Video: State of Resolve
“this short pbs video highlights California's relatively progressive environmental policy and juxtaposes it with *our (lack of) federal policy. The well-produced piece also does a good job of linking our drive for material wealth as a contributor to environmental pollution in China”
*United States


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Ethiopian painters campaign to end early marriage · Global Voices
Jennifer Brea

Lova writes about Ethiopian painters campaigning to end early marriage, through art.


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France: Malagasy nightclub in Marseille · Global Voices
Jennifer Brea

harinjaka writes about a new Malagasy night club [Fr] in Marseille: “I know from personal experience that it's not easy to enter a club here (in France), especially if you are black or berber…It's not the Queen but it's a club where Malagasy people are VIP.”


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Guyana: Rumours  · Global Voices
Janine Mendes-Franco

Guyana-Gyal considers going into the business of rumour-mongering.


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India: Shariah and the West · Global Voices
Neha Viswanathan

Indian Muslims Blog comments on the idea of Shariah laws in the West.


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India: Standardization and Sri Lanka · Global Voices
Neha Viswanathan

Reality Check India takes a closer look at the “standardization system” instituted in Sri Lanka in the 1970s and warns of its hidden dangers.


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Iraq at Five: The World Reacts · Global Voices
Jillian C. York

Today, March 19, marks five years of “Operation Iraqi Freedom.”  Initially a plan to oust Saddam Hussein and “end the war before it started,” the war in Iraq continues to this day, much to the dismay of many ordinary citizens around the globe.  In that vein, Global Voices Online will post reactions today from bloggers in Iraq, the Middle East and North Africa, and elsewhere.
Jordanian blogger The Black Iris leads off a post with a list of “the number of Iraqis freed,” saying “take your pick”:
– 82,000 and 89,000 – Iraq Body Count
– 151,000 – Iraqi government & the World Health Organization (Mar.03 – Jun.06)
– 654,865 – British medical journal The Lancet (March 2003 and July 2006)
– 1,189,173 – Opinion Research Business (as of 2008)
Egyptian Ha Ana Za takes a trip back in time and shares her feelings here:
I remember in 2003, many celebrated the toppling of Saddam's giant statue in the centre of Baghdad and all expected Iraq to be a free and democratic country by the end of the year, a shining beacon of liberal values across the Middle East. Five years on and the death toll has been estimated to being as high as 1,120,000, and with as many as 5 million Iraqis being displaced. Iraq as a country seems to be further away from peace than ever before, with internal sectarian strife making dreams of stability seem impossible.
She also asks:
Why do we continue to forget Iraq? Everyday we are delivered news of suicide bombings and attacks and yet we are numbed to the horror? Perhaps we shed a few tears and then turn our attention back to the football game. In this way we are all guilty.
From Turkey, blogger WorldTurkey laments the anniversary of the war:
For a majority of Americans, today marks the fifth anniversary of the start of an Iraq war that was not worth fighting, one that has cost thousands of lives and more than half a trillion dollars. For the Bush administration, however, it is the first anniversary of an Iraq strategy that it believes has finally started to succeed.
Syrian Maysaloon, referencing Robert Fisk's recent article on the war, comments:
I liked Fisk's last article. It's so easy to be distracted with the rubbish said by both the people who are against the war in Iraq as well as those for it. That is why it is so refreshing to read an article from someone who has an accuate perspective of what's happening – and an interest in history. Regardless of criticisms, Fisk is good when he writes on most things except Lebanon where, I agree with Abu Khalil, he is virtually unreadable. Having said that, Pity the Nation will always be one of my favourite books.
In Palestine, Al-falasteenyia remembers how the war started:
Five years ago-
It was my freshman year of college and I was having dinner with friends at the campus center when Bush came on TV. The campus center was usually very busy at this hour, but when Bush started talking everything stopped. As he declared war on Iraq, I looked around and saw that everyone was completely frozen, staring at the screen- they had even stopped eating. It was one of those moments I would remember forever because life would never be the same after that moment. I couldn't finish my dinner afterwards. I knew what would come next- but I had no idea exactly how bad things would turn out. In the weeks that followed we saw the bombing over Baghdad- the TV lit up in green and they called it shock and awe. I wondered why they didn't call the operation as it is- bombing the hell out of Iraqis.
She wonders when we'll remember Iraq and Palestine:
The sad reality is that whether its Iraq or Palestine or almost any place else in the “Middle East” – we are not in control of our own fate. It's been sixty years and Palestinians are wondering when they will be able to return home. I sometimes wonder if it will take another sixty years before Palestinians and Iraqis make it back home. In the meantime, we continue to sit, watch, and lament: wondering, waiting, for the day we re-claim our destiny.
American blogger Juan Cole (a professor of history and the Middle East) of Informed Comment characterizes the past five years by Bush's actions:
I posit that each year of the war has been characterized by a central lie by the Bush propaganda machine.
Year 1: “There is no guerilla war.”
Year 2: “Iraq is a model democracy.”
Year 3: “Zarqawi is causing all the trouble.”
Year 4: “There is no Civil War.”
Year 5: “Everything is calm now.”
I also suggest that John McCain is pushing for:
Year 6: “Total victory is around the corner.”
Finally, The Angry Arab News Service out of Lebanon reacts to Bush's speech earlier today:
I watched Bush earlier. He is still trying to scare Americans. This guy will continue to scare the American people to the last day of his presidency. There were people like this dude in the middle ages: these were the men who roamed the streets and village squares yelling about the evil of women witches and heretics.
Creative Commons-licensed photo by Dean Terry

author: Jillian C. York


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Israel: Israel or Palestine? Facebook Can’t Decide · Global Voices
Maya Norton

Can't quite figure out politics and geography in the Middle East? You're not the only one. Facebook seems confused as well. Israeli bloggers Dion Nissenbaum of Checkpoint Jerusalem and Carl of Israel Matzav noticed that Jewish settlements in the West Bank had been repatriated to Israel after Facebook previously labeled them part of Palestine. Facebook's changes came in the face of cyber-pressure from both sides of the divide.

author: Maya Norton


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Israel: Secret Service Creates New Blog · Global Voices
Maya Norton

Shin Bet, the Israeli secret service joins the blogosphere this week, causing Molly of Israeli blog The Big Felafel to ask: “Can you really imagine a Shin Bet techie cracking top secret codes and then writing a blog about how neat it is to work underground?”


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Israel: Worldwide Virtual Solidarity Rally, March 20th · Global Voices
Maya Norton

Join the worldwide solidarity rally for Israel as it celebrates Purim tomorrow (March 20th). Dave Weinberg of Jewneric has the details for timezones around the world.


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Jamaica: Tunes · Global Voices
Janine Mendes-Franco

Jamaican Marlon James blogs about tunes he must have on his iPod.


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Jordan: Lots of Dust  · Global Voices
Amira Al Hussaini

Jordan was shrouded with a cloud of dust, says Tololy, who posts a picture.


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Kazakhstan: Turkish Saga Continued · Global Voices
Adil Nurmakov

Zhanna Zhukova reports on unexpected continuation of the story around the attack on Turkish construction company’s workers in Almaty, as Turkish side accuses the Kazakh president’s relatives of raider attack and illegal pressure.


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Kyrgyzstan: Fed up with protests? · Global Voices
Asel

Kyrgyz bloggers have been actively elaborating on the Kyrgyz government's initiative to make March 24 – the day of popular uprising in 2005 – a national holiday. The amendment was made to the Kyrgyz Labor Code, according to which from now on March 24 will be officially celebrated as a Day of People's Revolution. The reaction of Kyrgyz blogosphere was mainly negative:
Altaidan writes a witty comment, alluding to disorders that had been accompanying the revolution three years ago [ru]:
So, when are we going to celebrate the Day of Marauding? I suggest that the president makes a new law so that we could celebrate this holiday too.
Greis opines [ru] that
This holiday is only a political date! The society will not accept it as a holiday!
Nessa_ly is really sad to recollect her emotions from the unrest [ru]:
Hmm… so funny that I want to cry… after the revolution I was walking in the city with tears in my eyes..
Speaking about protests, Bektour Iskender and Anna Yalovkina have written  an excellent post on Kloop blog portal about the protest of “I Don't Believe” campaign that was held on 17 March in Bishkek [ru].
The campaigners protest against the results of the last year's parliamentary elections for several months already and the participants were detained every time they showed up on the streets. now and the participants were taken to jail every time they were protesting.
Authors posted some photos from the protest and provided a brief history of these campaigns. The militia officier Taalaibek Shatmanov explained the detention that the protest was illegal and that citizens didn't want it.
Some bloggers tend to concur with the arrests. Seo aggrees [ru]:
Indeed, it is really the case – city residents are fed up with protests.
Perhaps, in support of these words, other hot topics in the Kyrgyz blogosphere are more on the entertaining side. Last week Bishkek, the capital city of Kyrgyzstan, hosted Billiards Grand Prix Eurasia 2008 [ru]. Even though Kanybek Sagynbaev, the world champion, did not win the contest, the Kyrgyzstanis were happy to watch the match:
“I am really glad that such kinds of events are being held in our country”, Svetofor_kg says [ru].
Besides, the Spring Fashion Week has started in Bishkek. Beautiful Kyrgyz models are presenting wool collection of the local designers. Elena Skochilo, one of the most famous bloggers in the country, has taken excellent pictures of them.

author: Asel


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Kyrgyzstan: LBGT community video answer to Russian Orthodox Church´s homophobic comments.  · Global Voices
Juliana Rincón Parra

The videocast created by the LBGT  Labrys organization in Kyrgyzstan in response to the homophobic Russian Orthodox Church's statements has been viewed more than 409 times within the first 15 hours of being uploaded and is now dubbed and subtitled into English.
As Adil Nurmakov mentioned last March 13th, Labrys, the Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Organization in Kyrgyzstan released a video speaking against the Russian Orthodox Church´s homophobic press release.
On February 14th, an event was organized and press was invited for Labrys’ four year anniversary, where they would talk about their past work, the direction they are headed for the future and God’s tolerant attitude to homosexuals, the last part spoken by Rev. Maksim Bratukhin. The following excerpt from Media and public reactions to 14 Feb press conference on the Labrys website.
Among the few, but very noted mass media that covered Rev. Maksim Bratukhin’s speech about God’s tolerance for homosexuals, are Strana.Kg web portal and Channel 5 (no link available.) The latter channel became the unintended culprit of a poisonous press release and press conference held by Russian Orthodox Church, of which we informed in the previous post.
This ’scandal’ was highlighted by kloop.kg news portal with an in-depth investigation at the heart of the argument between the Russian Orthodox Church and the Apostolic Orthodox Church, which Rev. Maksim Bratukhin represents. At the press conference and the press release, the Russian Orthodox Church calls homosexuals ’sodomites’ and names Labrys as the organization that works on protection of rights of ’sodomites’ – adding into the bundle offences against Reverend Maksim Bratukhin, calling him a ‘masked pervert’.
The March 3rd press release is titled “Russian Orthodox Church has never supported, does not support, and will never support sodomites” and  can be found by following this link to Labrys’ site. In response to this press release,  Labrys organized a video response addressing the points the church raised and defending their position and expressing their opposition to the church´s choice of words in referring to the LBGT community as “sodomites“.
From Genderstan:
The videocast was uploaded to Kyrgyz video portal and has been watched 409 times within the first 15 hours of being up.  The video in Russian features Gulnara Kurmanova of AntiAIDS Association who is a strong LGBT ally, journalist Bektour Iskender,  priest Maksim Bratukhin and head of LGBT Organization ‘Labrys’ Anna Kirey. Together they explore the view of religion on LGBT and discuss the possibility of opening a dialog on LGBT issues which most organizations are silent about.
Labrys has now uploaded the full length Russian videocast as well as a dubbed version and a subtitled one.  They “will also prepare an open statement focusing on human rights of LGBT persons and affiliated groups, calling for non-discrimination and integration of LGBT into the general society as equal members”, as written on their blog. Following, the subtitled Labrys videocast.

author: Juliana Rincón Parra


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Kyrgyzstan: Youth Is Flashmobbing in Protest · Global Voices
Adil Nurmakov

Azamat offers a photo-report on the flash-mob organized by youth activists against the Kyrgyz government. They put on masks of sheep and one of them put a mask of a bull and wore boxing gloves, representing the ruling party and the president of Kyrgyzstan.


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Libya: Internet Grooming · Global Voices
Amira Al Hussaini

Anglolibyan, from Libya, draws our attention to Internet grooming – which is slowly finding its way to his country.


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Morocco: Bloggers React to Fouad Mourtada’s Release From Prison · Global Voices
Jillian C. York

At 11:30 GMT, Sami Ben Gharbia broke the news that Fouad Mourtada had been freed.  Mourtada, who was sentenced on February 22 to three years in prison, was released after serving only 25 days of that sentence (he was, however, imprisoned for 43 days total).  So far, no major news sources have reported on the story, but several bloggers have reacted.
Omar El Hyani of Blog Open Source [fr] reports:
Fouad Mourtada, le premier prisonnier de Facebook, a été libéré par grâce royale à l’occasion du Aid Mawlid Nabaoui.
Enfin une happy end à cette histoire.
Mabrouk Fouad!
Finally a happy end to this story.
Congratulations Fouad!
Zainabi.com [fr], the first blog spotted posting the news, stated:
La raison l’a emporté. Fouad Mourtada, le jeune ingénieur qui avait écopé de trois ans de prison pour avoir usurpé l’identité du prince My Rachid sur Facebook, a été enfin libéré. C’est pour moi une grande bonne nouvelle.
DigiActive is quick to celebrate, posting a graphic and saying:
This is a huge victory for digital activism. Thank you to all the people who supported the campaign, both online and offline!
Curt of The Committee to Protect Bloggers is on top of things, reacting quickly to Global Voices Advocacy's post:
Global Voices asserts that Fouad Mourtada has been released from prison with a “full royal pardon.” If this is true, it’s fantastic news for Fouad. Not great news for free speech or Morocco, though, that it took a royal pardon. Can anyone confirm this?
At the time of this posting, no major news sources had reported on Mourtada's release.


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Saudi Arabia: Two Killed in Religious Police Chase · Global Voices
Amira Al Hussaini

“A boy and a girl have died in a horrific car accident after being chased by a patrol that belongs to the Commission for Propagation of Virtue and Prevention of Vice in the northern city of Tabuk,” reports Saudi Jeans.


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Sri Lanka: Arthur C Clarke · Global Voices
Neha Viswanathan

Gallicissa on the death of Arthur C Clarke – who lived in Sri Lanka from 1956 till his death in 2008.

author: Neha Viswanathan


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Sri Lanka: Remembering Arthur C Clarke · Global Voices
Neha Viswanathan

The death of Arthur C. Clarke (1917 – 2008) has many people – some who are ardent enthusiasts of science fiction, and others who know of him blogging about their reflections on the man. From a fleeting glimpse, to an incidental conversation, Clarke is remembered fondly by many Sri Lankan bloggers as a visionary and a futurist. The British author moved to Sri Lanka in 1956 and lived there ever since.
Words of Amaruwan writes on how Clarke's works initiated a love for science fiction.
Sir Arthur is the reason I started loving science fiction. When I was 10 years old I first got my hands on his famous short story: The Sentinel. Ever since then I was hooked. And I couldnt wait to get my hands on more of his work. Which was by no means easy. Sir Arthur was a prolific writer with more than a 100 books to his credit along with numerous essays and short stories. Even wikipedia can only put up a partial bibliography. What made him so appealing was that although the science in his science fiction was of the highest levels his writing was very simple, very entertaining and very powerful. And his stories were more about the story than the science.
Gallicissa remembers meeting the author in 2002.
I arranged this meeting and was lucky enough to accompany him on this visit to meet Dr. Clarke who was at his study browsing some super-magnified pictures of the Mars in his Laptop when we met him. Showing us those Martian pictures soon and pointing to a pale coloured straight line captured clearly in it, he asked what we think about it! We gazed intently at the screen trying to put a proper sentence together and soon noticing our sorry faces, Sir. Clarke helpfully intervened with a smile ‘it looks like someone has driven a pretty large vehicle!’
LIRNEasia laments the loss of a person they closely collaborated with, shedding light on the fact that there was more to the man than writing fiction.
In November 2005, LIRNEasia had its last official encounter with him when few representatives from WorldSpace (our partner in the Last-Mile Hazinfo project) including Dr. Rangarajan met him in Colombo. His insightful comments on the need for early warning for disasters are still being used in the output from that project.
Rants, Raves and Miscellaneous Musings remembers a brief encounter with Clarke – a delightful anecdote on playing table tennis with him. The blogger also brings to focus a controversial episode in the author's life when a tabloid accused him of being a pedophile.
Now I'm not much of a TT player. Hell, the main reason I played was so that some day I could tell people, Yeah, I played table tennis with Arthur C Clarke. But this was humiliating. A 75 year old man, who was supporting himself by holding on to the table with one hand, and not even moving from his position, beat me. he just had a massive reach, and a killer top spin that had me bouncing all over the place, while he calmly stayed there. As a friend of mine said when I told him this: Pwnt!
Ultrabrown from India writes
None of this means that Clarke is insensitive to the minutiae of human lives, or to our deepest feelings: his beautiful, sentimental “Dog Star”, about an astronaut having to part with his beloved dog when he goes to live on a lunar observatory, is about the closest any short story has come to moistening my ever-dry eyes. (It's also one of a few examples in Clarke's work of a rational mind struggling with an experience that borders on the supernatural, and never coming completely to terms with the scientific explanation.)
The author of Moving Images, Moving People! who has worked with Clarke for about 21 years, writes wistfully about the last video message that was shot.
We had already donned him in a colourful bush shirt – and crew and I felt that this was the right attire for a message that was intensely personal and somewhat wistful. The shirt with large prints was far more characteristic of Arthur C Clarke than any formal suit. At that moment, I was the shoot’s director and not his long-standing spokesperson who would be more agreeable with his views and wishes.
A few tense moments passed. Then one of Sir Arthur’s valets had a brainwave. Why not don the casual NASA jacket that Sir Arthur often wore when he felt the air conditioning was getting a bit too cold?
[Photograph from Wikipedia]


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Tajikistan: Opposition Rallies in the Southern City · Global Voices
Adil Nurmakov

Vadim reports that another rally in Khorog to be organized by Social Democratic Party of Tajikistan, demanding restrictiion of the president's power and fight against corruption.


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Thailand: Misunderstanding Thai Women · Global Voices
Preetam Rai

Thailand resident Stephen Cleary looks at the common misunderstandings that foreigners have for Thai women.


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UAE: Death and Destruction in 200-Car Crash · Global Voices
Amira Al Hussaini

Driving standards in the Middle East have come under the scrutiny of bloggers after several people were killed and 350 injured in a 200-car pile up in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. While one blogger compared the carnage to what we see in the news about Iraq, others said that it was inevitable.
Syrian blogger Dubai Jazz, who lives in the UAE, writes:
I've never seen such a horrible thing happenes in the UAE before, Baghdad sprang up to my mind (evoked by the burning mixture of steel and tires) when I saw these pictures.
Blogger Rosh admits she wasn't surprised with an accident of this magnitude. She writes:
Bad weather/fog is to blame. Even though, (personally) I feel it's quite unbelievable, something of this magnitude could happen in the UAE – am not surprised.
Realize a lot of people are moving into the country, and since driving largely, is perhaps the only option of transport, there are more cars on UAE highways. However, personally, I feel it is way time driving culture in the UAE is educated & disciplined. I have witnessed some of the silliest, careless & appalling ways of driving across the UAE.
Rosh again stresses the importance of safe driving, and says:
World class highways, flashy cars, traffic points or fines alone, shall not prevent accidents and save lives – sane & sensible driving culture is so important, can't stress that enough.
Writing at the UAE Community Blog, Rosh asks:
Is it just me (and Mars) – or anyone else think those cars in flames given the carnage on the 11th (see pictures on post below) quite puzzling? Am confused how several vehicles, caught fire? It seems they were up in flames on impact or something? The flames seem to be on the cars, and not spread across the highway – which should be the case perhaps given leaking petrol?
Am I missing something?
Seabee, from Dubai, cannot hide his exasperation and lets off some steam after witnessing careless driving – despite the accident which sent shock waves through the driving community. He writes:
Since Tuesday morning the media has been full of the carnage of the country's worst traffic accident, caused by brainless, moronic, criminally stupid people.
There can't be a driver in the country who isn't aware of it.
But I've come to the conclusion there's nothing we can do about it.
The fact is, that's how people are. They are morons. They are brainless. They are criminally stupid. And they're all around.
He is also angry with authorities for not pinpointing the real cause of the accident and blaming it on fog. He notes:
The fog drove vehicles in to other vehicles. The fog was not paying attention. The fog was on the mobile phone. The fog was speeding. The fog was too close to the vehicle in front. The bloody fog chased emergency vehicles along the hard shoulder.
The fog.
COME ON!!
The first, vital, step in solving a problem is to identify the problem accurately and honestly.
If you don't do that you cannot solve the problem. Solving it is impossible.
The cause of the crash was driver incompetence. Nothing else.
Driving standards are bad enough as it is, without official announcements that drivers are not to blame for crashes.
Teacherlady writes about her own experiences driving in the Middle East. She notes:
In my own experience, it's rather like bumper cars or go-carts, only with more expensive and more destructive vehicles, usually driven by less than qualified drivers, minors, or rich kids who don't give a s*** who they hurt and will only ever slow down if they see a female walking alongside the road so he can desperately try to either get her number or haul her off to rape her in the desert. Okay, okay, not EVERY driver there does that, but I'm describing the worst ones.
She also provides us with a list of more observations, which include:
1) Red lights are optional.
2) Rules don't apply to the rich.
3) No, that isn't a car driving itself, it's a 10 year old kid.
4) Indicators? We don't need no stinkin’ indicators. You'll KNOW when I'm changing lanes when you see my license plate inches from your face.
5) Windows may be tinted to the point that the driver may as well be wearing a tea cosy over his head.
6) Single digit vanity plates are worth more than your child's college education.
7) Should you take a taxi alone and you're female, assume it as a given that 40% of your taxi drivers will try to molest you.
8) NEVER under ANY circumstances slow down as you approach a zebra crossing (crosswalk) because no one else freaking does.
The funny thing is, I thought it was bad there, but nothing prepared me for Cairo! In Cairo, LANES are optional, but that's an entirely different story for another day.

author: Amira Al Hussaini


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Yemen: No Women Abuse · Global Voices
Amira Al Hussaini

Omar Barsawad discusses reports on abuse and violence against women in Yemen and asks: “I visit relatives and friends in other parts of Yemen – I do not see or notice the kind of general abuse that those articles reported. … I wonder, which parts of Yemen those articles were reporting on?”


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Afghanistan: NATO Launches Psychological Operation Unit · Global Voices
Adil Nurmakov

Sanjar says that amidst increasing public criticism that NATO and its member states have faced lately in Afghanistan, a credible source within NATO contingent has confirmed creation of the Psychological Operation Unit, which is the military version of Public Relations.


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Bangladesh: Cartoonist released · Global Voices
Neha Viswanathan

Unheard Voices announces the release of the cartoonist Arif, after six months of being detained.


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Barbados: Riding the Waves? · Global Voices
Janine Mendes-Franco

Blogging from Barbados, Notes From The Margin reports that Eastern Caribbean territories are bracing for large waves as a result of “a deep low pressure centre that spawned tornadoes and thunderstorms across the US earlier this week.”


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Barbados, UK: RIP Arthur C. Clarke  · Global Voices
Janine Mendes-Franco

Barbadian bloggers Notes From The Margin and Pull! Push! acknowledge the passing of “noted science fiction writer and visionary” Arthur C. Clarke.


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Bermuda, USA: Watching US Elections · Global Voices
Janine Mendes-Franco

“As the American election process grinds on, I find myself more and more impressed by Barack Obama’s apparent decency and integrity”, writes Breezeblog, while Politics.bm says that “many of the themes” in Obama's latest speech “are very applicable to Bermuda.”


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China and Tibet: Conspiracy Theories · Global Voices
Oiwan Lam

ESWN put together two conspiracy theories on the Tibet uprising.


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China: More Olympics? · Global Voices
Oiwan Lam

Josie Liu blogs the discussion at the CPPCC about biding for more Olympics in other China cities [zh].


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China: Spam · Global Voices
Oiwan Lam

It has been found out that 100% mobile users in China have been disturbed by spam messages, Liu Xiaoyuan pointed out that the government should take up the responsibility to protect people's privacy [zh].


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Egypt: Flood the Jail with Letters · Global Voices
Amira Al Hussaini

“In conjunction with FreeKareem.org, the Committee to Protect Bloggers is launching a mail campaign in support of imprisoned Egyptian blogger, Kareem Amer,” announced the Committee to Protect Bloggers. The campaign, from April 7 to 21, encourages people from around the world to send Kareem postcards and letters. Since being sentenced in February last year for four years in prison, Kareem has received around 1,500 letters from supporters.


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Guyana: Firsts · Global Voices
Janine Mendes-Franco

Guyana-Gyal gets “first”ed.


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Hong Kong: Flower Exhibition · Global Voices
Oiwan Lam

Duiman park blogs some photos he took from the annual flower exhibition in Hong Kong.


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Hong Kong: Hijacking Public Space · Global Voices
Oiwan Lam

A group of local artists decided to hijack public space [zh]at Time Square, a landmark at Causeway Bay, down town commercial district. .


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India: A petition for Tibet · Global Voices
Neha Viswanathan

Sacred Media Cow is running a petition against Chinese excesses to control Tibetan protests.


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Iran: A cartoon about elections · Global Voices
Fred Petrossian

Nikhang, blogger and a leading cartoonist, has published a cartoon about recent parliamentary election in Iran where president Ahmadinejad says ” I continue to copy [votes].”

author: Fred Petrossian


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Iran: Happy Norouz,Iranian New Year · Global Voices
Fred Petrossian

Several bloggers such as Boyeh Kabab write[Fa] about Iranian New Year, Norouz, that starts today. The blogger wish the best for new year.


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Iran:Great Photos from Iranian New Year · Global Voices
Fred Petrossian

Mohammad has published several photos from Iranian New Year,Norouz, and its tradition.


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Iran:Iran in Slides · Global Voices
Fred Petrossian

Damon Lynch in asianreflection presents Iran in several slides/photos.


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Iran:Iranian singers celebrate New Year · Global Voices
Fred Petrossian

Several Iranian singers celebrated Iranian New Year. You see a lot of photos from Iran.


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Iraq: Five Years of War and Deception · Global Voices
Amira Al Hussaini

Moi, from My Occupied Territory,  writes about the fifth anniversary of the war on Iraq in this post. “The U.S. will continue to live with this burden for years to come,” she says.


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Israel: A Joyous Celebration of Purim · Global Voices
Maya Norton

The holiday of Purim celebrates the triumph of the Jewish people over those who seek and sought their destruction. Purim is a joyful holiday celebrated with costumes, festivities, good food, and much drinking.
Hannah of Israelity writes:
I grew up loving Purim. It’s probably my favorite holiday. Not only do I get to dress up, eat thousands of cookies, shout and yell in synagogue, but it is kind of required to drink oneself silly (really, it is written that on Purim one should get so drunk you can’t tell the difference between Haman (the bad guy) and Mordachi (the good guy)…
Living in Jerusalem, I’m going to see people dancing in the streets, songs will be sung everywhere and groggers [noise makers] will be handed out at every corner.
If you live in Israel and are still looking for a party, Israelity has a city-by-city list of activities.
One holiday tradition is to send friends and families baskets of gifts and cookies called mishloach manot. Months before the holiday, preparations begin for the festivities. This year in particular, a nationwide effort was made to honor the brave people of Sderot, who are at the battle lines of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Josh of Blogs of Zion recounts a heartwarming tale of Purim generosity.
This morning on Israeli radio, I heard an interview with a number of residents of Sderot and the surrounding areas, who are under an almost daily bombardment. One person interviewed was kindergarten teacher Daphna Solomon, who described how the city has been inundated with Mishloach Manot. Packages have been arriving from all over the country and from around the world. Her genuine happiness at this was heartwarming. She explained that each of her kindergarteners is going home with two or three packages. As a class, they open each package, look on a map of Israel to see where it is from, and then write a thank you letter. Daphna said that it was like getting a big hug from the entire country.
Afterward, the mayor was interviewed. He said, “This nation is the best nation in the world. There is no house that has not received twice or three times.”
Let’s hope that on this Purim we can all find a way to spread as much joy. Happy Purim.
The ever-conscious Green Prophet blog encourages us to think ecologically this Purim, with Jack Reichert offering the following suggestions:
– Think reusable with the Mishloach Manot. Baskets look nice, but they usually go straight to the garbage.
– Save those bottles, some places even give you money for them… (usually supermarkets)
– Do you need to buy a costume? Be creative, see what you can find around the house.
– Think eco when filling those baskets!
Ra'anana Ramblings, a self-professed “busy mom” has a different perspective on mishloach manot, wondering why they can't be healthier. (If you've ever experienced an American Halloween, you may have asked yourself the same question.)
And the junk food frenzy – otherwise known as the Purim holiday – has begun. The kids and the husband all came home from school/work bearing mishloach manot. Aside from the odd bag of raisins, it was all JUNK, giving new meaning to the words ad nauseum. Chocolates, chips, oznei haman, etc. I've already overindulged and we're still at the beginning of our haul- Friday is the big day for exchanging goodie baskets and it won't be easy keeping everyone from pigging out during Shabbat.
I would love to get a mishloach manot like this one… Instead of the usual bisli, bamba, wafers, etc., why not deliver the classic Israeli breakfast? [How about] salad, the eggs (hardboiled, not my first choice, but I guess an omelette wouldn't survive the trip all that well), bread, jam, small packages of tea and coffee.
Purim Costumes: Dress Up Can Be Fun for Everyone (Even the Mildly Resistant)–
Advice from another mother could come in handy with the little ones this holiday. Mia the Ima has some great suggestions for children who don't like getting dressed in costumes.
I have found that the kids who don't like to dress up are more willing to dress up in something that actual people may wear, as opposed to an animal, or something that has to do with their everyday. It seems to be less traumatizing to wear clothes the child is used to wearing but put them together differently. That way you don't have to buy stuff the child will never wear.
Another idea is to have them hold as part of their costume something that will comfort and security… Here are some ideas:
– Dress up like a favorite toy.
– Dress up as a favorite person (dress up like mom or dad)
– Dress up like the profession of someone the child likes. (like uncle Jonathan the basketball player)
– Have a favorite toy as an accessory.
– Dress up together with a friend (get together to dress up or wear matching costumes). This doesn't really work with siblings only with friends.
– Wear regular clothes put together differently.
– Just add fun accessories.
For more news from the home front, Chanit of My Mother's Recipes and More features a No-Bake Date Pistachio Cheesecake for Purim. Check out her website for recipes and photos of this delicious treat.
Enjoying Jewish Humor–
And let's not forget YouTube, a great source for Jewish humor.
The prolific Jacob Richman, author of the Good News from Israel blog presents us with a list of 56 Purim videos accessible via YouTube.
A standout amongst the group is Hypersemitic's “Haman Song: A Purim Rap” by Jewish educator cum lyricist, Matt Bar, creator of The Bible Raps Project.
If you're reading this on Purim, click on Together4Israel to join the worldwide virtual rally to support Israel hosted tonight in Sderot featuring Jewish communities around the world– an impressive technological endeavor.  (Videos will likely be available after the real time showing.)
Wishing a Hag Purim Sameach (happy Purim holiday) to all!


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Israel: Historic Visit by German Chancellor Angela Merkel · Global Voices
Maya Norton

Chancellor Angela Merkel's address to the Israeli Knesset was the first ever by a German head of state. Following controversy that Merkel would speak in German– an issue that enraged Holocaust survivors for its perceived insensitivity– Merkel spoke in Hebrew. Israel On Blog features the full story and a video of Merkel's historic visit.


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Israel: Shakespeare Was a Jewish Woman?  · Global Voices
Maya Norton

The Bard's identity has long been a matter of debate, but a new candidate has entered the scene. Could Shakespeare have been an Italian Jewish woman? Jewcy's John Hudson provides eight  pieces of evidence to convince you.


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Jamaica: Teenaged Crime  · Global Voices
Janine Mendes-Franco

“Apparently the crime rate in the region is the highest in the world for teens ages 15-17″: Jamaican Francis Wade links to an article that gives the details.

author: Janine Mendes-Franco


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Jordan: Five Jordanian Journalists Jailed · Global Voices
Amira Al Hussaini

Five Jordanian journalists have been sentenced to three months in prison each, in two separate cases, for breaking the law in their country. Jordan's bloggers speak up against this latest crackdown on freedom of expression.
According to the International Freedom of Expression Exchange, “two of Jordan's main daily newspapers, “Ad-Dustour” and “Al Arab Al Yawm”, were found in contempt of the judiciary for publishing a news item about a lawsuit filed by a Jordanian against a judges’ decision to deprive him of his citizenship” in the first case. In the second, a satirical writer's article about the Higher Media Council was considered slanderous by the court.
Writing at the Black Iris of Jordan, Naseem Tarawnah asks:
When HM King Abdullah said some time ago that “the sky is the limit” when it comes to press freedoms, I don’t think this is what he had in mind.
What more can I say?
Nothing.
Mental Mayhem is outraged with the situation and writes:
I lost hope in freedom of the press in Jordan a long time ago. I can't remember exactly when but I think it goes back to my early twenties when I first joined the ranks of repressed Jordanian journalists. I have written about violations of press freedom on this blog many times, then I got tired of it. Until when, really? Things seem to be going from bad to worse.
She further adds:
Since when is reporting on a court case a crime in Jordan? I'm baffled.
Lina Ejeilat  asks the following questions too:
So it's against the law for the press to debate court rulings. But I'm a bit confused as to what this exactly entails. Don’t we criticize reduced sentences in so-called honor crimes all the time? Is that against the law?
Of course, we all want to be living in a country where no one is above the law, but that doesn’t mean the law is perfect the way it is and cannot be scrutinized. Commenting on the law or criticizing it, and abiding by it are not mutually exclusive.


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Kazakhstan: Allco Avoided Kazakhstan  · Global Voices
Adil Nurmakov

KZBlog reports that Allco, an Australian bank that had planned to invest in Kazakhstan, shortly after the Parliament elections pulled out saying it was “too risky”.


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Kazakhstan: Oddities of the Digital Present · Global Voices
Adil Nurmakov

In the most recent counple of weeks the Kazakhstani blogosphere – usually heavily politicized – was focused more on the developments in telecoms sector and Internet-related novelties in Kazakhstan. The country's authorities are still aiming to enter top 50 of the most competitive countries, although the Economist's index of “e-readiness” still puts Kazakhstan on 64th place among 69 countries between Pakistan and Vietnam. World Economic Forum ranked Kazakhstan 73rd among 122 countries in 2007 – 13 lines lower than in the previous year.
Nevertheless, enthusiasts don't lose hope and try to come up with new projects, while the officials try to get use of them for promotion of Kazakhstan's international image. Thus, for example, neweurasia's Lena B-va reports that an ambitious project – Second Astana – can be a step towards promotion of the brand called “Republic of Kazakhstan” in the world:
Social service Second Astana is something more than Google Maps (city hall of Astana, the capital of Kazakhstan is already finishing creation of the city's 3D map). The first spots of the Kazakh land in popular virtual world of Second Life. Developers say it was their own project – not the official one – and plan to expand the SL area to Almaty, Turkestan and Borovoe – the major tourist destinations in Kazakhstan.
Online shops are also gaining more popularity in the country for cheaper prices – most of the major retail chains offering home appliances and electronics now have Internet-based shops. Moreover, some of them orientate their business specifically for expats and foreign customers. Syedin, a blogger and an editor of a glossy magazine, recommends Art Of Central Asia website to the lovers of ethnic arts [ru].
It's a kind of online gallery of works of the Central Asian artists and craftspeople for the outer world. The goals are high: to open Central Asia's modern art to the connoisseurs from all continents.
Social networks are capturing minds and time of the people across CIS – highly popular Russian resource called Odnoklassniki (analogue of classmates) will launch localized versions in Ukraine and Kazakhstan, writes utkir-aka [ru]. The owners of social service do not exclude creation of Kazakh and Ukrainian language versions.
However, not everything is shining and happy here. For example, the news about publication of a trilingual e-terminology dictionary was met with irony and bewilderment. The book in Russian, Kazakh and English languages was co-sponsored by the Cisco Academy and Digital Kazakhstan magazine. Habrahabr reacts [ru]:
In Kazakhstan they translate everything, even such international words like “airport” or “computer”. Now the dictionary is going to be published. Most of the terms have just got a Kazakh suffix, but widely used words like “USB” or “adapter” are not “adapted”, but translated!
Master-mahno, a well-known IT expert, is very critical concerning the prime-minister's order to “facilitate adoption of the State Concept on Development of the Kazakhstani sector of Internet” [ru]:
Today KazNet accounts only for 5 percent of the traffic in Kazakhstan; 86 percent goes to Russian websites and the rest – to the West. Now the authorities want to select 30 “most demanded resources, including 20 state-run and 10 private, and to promote them”. What is that about? Promote them among those 5 percent of users who visit Kazakh websites? How? Install billboards on the streets?
So, the Soviet-style administrative measures and state regulation is expanding not only on the energy sector, but also online. At the same time, tuganbaev, a key figure in the Russian blogosphere, producer of several Internet projects and an ethnic Kazakh, is very praiseful towards Kazakhstani blogosphere [ru]:
My morning in the Internet starts with Kazakhstan. People are up earleir there – both geographically and traditionally. In their blogs they don't compete in a hangover degree, don't complain about Mondays, and rarely dig up in emotional self-reflection. Kazakhs earn money on their resources and will soon become a major foreign investor in Russia. They build elite housing in downtown of Moscow; they bought land near the Domodedovo International Airport to build warehouses. They own banks in Russia and erect their own tower in Moscow-City business district – so that young Kazakh businessmen – who got Western degrees due to the president's educational program – could have a place to occupy.
I read Kazakhstani bloggers and try to understand the secret.


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Kazakhstan: Opposition Starts Drive for Signatures Campaign · Global Voices
Adil Nurmakov

Lena B-Va reports on the Kazakhstan's major opposition party’s call for drive for signatues campaign in support of its suggeted measures to combat poverty and promote democracy.


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Korea: Independence Movements in Tibet and in Korea  · Global Voices
Hyejin Kim

As groups in other countries support Tibetans’ rage and criticize the violence of the Chinese government, Korean netizens are also busy making signature-seeking-campaigns or boycotting the Beijing Olympics. The participants who express their opinions on the internet and put their names on the campaigns are more and more.
The reasons why Koreans should understand Tibetans’ anger and support them seem to be related to the colonization times that they went through and the current situation, including historical conflicts between Korea and China, and North Korean defectors who are forcefully sent back to North Korea by the Chinese police.
Here is a post about why a netizen insists on the boycott against the Beijing Olympics.
최근 중국이 티벳 대규모 유혈 시위 진압 사태로 물의를 빚고 있습니다. 무려 100명 이상이 죽었다는 주장도 나오고 있습니다.한쪽에서는 티벳독립운동으로 죽어가고 한쪽에서는 올림픽한다며 흥겨워하는 것이 정말 아이러니한 모습입니다. 그러나 그뿐만이 아니라 지금도 중국은 북한에서 탈북한 탈북자들을 사형당하는줄 뻔히 알면서도 북한으로 돌려보내고 있습니다.
개인적으로 중국은 올림픽 개최할 자격이 없다고 생각합니다. 인권이 뭔지에 대한 개념이 없고 사람이 너무 많아서 그런지 사람 목숨 알기를 우습게 아는 것 같기도 합니다. 이번 티벳사태로 그 사실을 다시한번 확인한 것 같습니다. (그럼에도 중국정부는 ‘티벳사태가 올림픽에 아무런 악영향을 끼치지 못한다'고 말하고 있습니다.)
중국에게 올림픽은 단지 경제성장 과시하고픈 이벤트에 지나지 않으며 올림픽의 정신이 뭔지 개념도 없습니다. 그 뿐만이아니라 중국의 농 수산물, 중국산 음식물들은 이미 전세계에 신뢰를 잃어버린지 오래입니다. 최근의 일본 농약만두 사건때에도 중국은 자기들은 잘못이 없다면서 발뺌만 하더군요. 주변국강제합병, 역사왜곡, 동북공정/ 미성년자의 성매매와 아동학대등(청소년도 처형) 장기매매 인신매매문제 등 그 외에도 열거하자면 많지만 중략하고 중요한 것은 잘못된 것이 무엇인지 알고 고치려고 노력하는 자세를 보여주는 것이 아니라 중국은 무조건 덮고 진압하고 발뺌하는 후진스러운 마인드를 보여주고 있다는 것입니다.
할리우드 스타 리처드 기어는 “중국이 티베트 내 소요 사태들을 평화적으로 해결하지 않을 경우 베이징 올림픽 참가를 거부해야 한다”고 말했으며 유럽의 일부 정치인들은 이미 중국 올림픽 보이콧에 나선바 있습니다. 이번 보이콧 움직임으로 최소한 중국이 무력진압을 자제하고 자국의 약자 문제에 대해서 적극적인 대처를 보여줬으면 하는 바램입니다. 중국이 노력하는 모습을 보여준다면 즐겁게 올림픽을 볼 수 있겠지만 과연 그 근본적인 마인드가 변할지는 의문입니다…
In my own opinion, China doesn’t have the qualification to hold Olympics. They don’t have any concept for human rights. Maybe they think that they have so many people and look down on a human’s life. We could see this again through this Tibet Protest. (But the Chinese government insists that ‘The Tibet Incident will not have a bad influence on the Olympics.’)
To China, the Olympics is an event to show off their economic growth. They don’t have any understanding of the spirit of the Olympics. In addition, agricultural and marine products from China, and food from China have lost the trust in the world. Recently, in the scandal of agrichemical dumplings that were exported to Japan, China rejected it as their fault. Forceful annexation of neighbors’ lands, distortion of history, China’s Northeastern project/sex trade of teenagers and child abuse (execution of teenagers), human organ sales… there are so many problems to list. But the most important thing is that they don’t show the attitude and efforts to recognize what they do wrong and try to correct, but they show the backward mind that tries to hide and suppress.
Richard Gere, Hollywood star, said, “In this situation, if the Chinese do not act in the proper way, change their ways, acknowledge what is going on, allow free access to communication, then I think that absolutely we have to boycott” and some European politicians also boycott against the Olympics. I hope that this movement will make China restrain the suppression by force and concern about the weak in their country. If they show these kinds of efforts, we can enjoy the Olympics. But I doubt whether their fundamental mind can be changed…
Interesting comments are below.
Bluesky is concerned about next steps from China.
티벳은 시작에 불과하다!!!
Some netizens try to react more rationally. Realism in politics?
너무 감정적으로 대응하는 것은 아니라봅니다. 물론 중국이 올림픽을 개최할 자격이나, 자질이 있는 나라는 절대 아닙니다. IOC가 미친거죠. 하지만 보이콧이라뇨. 그것도 우리나라만… 차라리 IOC에 탄원서를 내는 쪽이… 그것은 개인이 할수 있는 문제가 아니지만.. 전 단지 티벳의 민족들이 불쌍할 뿐입니다. 그것을 보고만 있는 세계의 눈들을 뽑고 싶은 심정입니다. 올림픽의 모토는 세계의 평화인데, 중국은 평화를 모르는 나라입니다. 암튼 각설하고.. 보이콧이라는 극단적인 방법보다는 다른 평화적인 방법을 찾아야 한다고 봅니다. 보이콧도 하나의 일방적 폭력이라는 것을 왜 모르십니까?
Historical ties between Korea and Tibet are mentioned a lot.
티베트 독립 지지 서명에 참여해주세요. 그리고 구체적으로 독립자금을 모아 전달 합시다. 티벳의 독립운동은 남의 일이 아닙니다.일제시대때 우리 한민족의 독립운동과 같은것입니다.
힘없이 36년간 일본의 식민지배를 받아온 우리대한민국은 뼈아픈 역사가 있는나라다 그런데 어찌 티벳민중들의 독립호소에 침묵하는가 중국의 눈치를살피며 살아야하는 비겁한나라인가 티벳이여 함께 통곡하노라.
How about the security?
저렇게 위험천만한 곳에서 어떻게 올림픽을 해요.
What is the spirit of the Olympics?
올림픽의 개최의미가 점점 희박해져가는 것 같네요.개최국의 힘자랑하는 이벤트로 변해버린 것 같네요.
올림픽 정신에 반하는 사고를 가진 나라에서 올림픽을 개최하는것은 절대 반대합니다.
But how about the national interest?
서명은 합니다만, 현실이…중국이 너무 커져 버렸지요. 중국이 우리나라를 왕따를 시키면 아니 전세계를 다 왕따를 시켜버리면 세계경제가 다 마비되죠…미국에선 메이드인차이나가 아닌 물건을 구하기란 보통 일이 아니라고 하죠…그렇지만 서명은 확실히 합니다.
서명합니다…근데 이게 무슨 도움이 될까 의문스럽긴 하네요ㅜㅜ
How about Korea, which had a successful Olympics at the time of continuous demonstrations and suppressions?
저기…우리나라 80년대 때 엄청난 사건이 많이 터졌져..대략 민주화 운동이라고나 할까..그때 우리나라 보면 지금 중국보다 심해여…시민한테 총이나 쏘는 우리나라는 올림픽 개최 가능하고..중국은 안된다?좀 어이없네여.

author: Hyejin Kim


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Lebanon: At the Lebanese-Syrian border · Global Voices
Moussa Bashir

Returning to Lebanon after a trip to Syria, Bech shares his experience with the officials at the Lebanese side of the border.

author: Moussa Bashir


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Lebanon: Dutch embassy without flag · Global Voices
Moussa Bashir

“Since a couple of days, The Dutch embassy in Beirut has stopped flying its flag,” reports Harald Doornbos from Beirut.


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Lebanon: Hanging on · Global Voices
Moussa Bashir

Marillionlb shares the story of a middle aged man who is keeping his faith in Lebanon despite the odds and hardships.


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Lebanon: Lack of interest · Global Voices
Moussa Bashir

“To be completely honest with you, I’m having a sudden lack of interest in Lebanese affairs these days… It could be a serious case of disillusionment about Lebanon and its politics, or it could be a simple case of I-need-a-break,” says Beirut Spring about his lull in blogging.


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Lebanon: Solidere demolishes synagogue · Global Voices
Moussa Bashir

“The last witnesses to Beirut's architectural heritage and to the once-thriving Lebanese Jewish community in Wadi Abu-Jmil fall to the bulldozers of Saad Hariri's Solidere,” writes Hanibaal.


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Morocco: Prisoners Pardoned · Global Voices
Amira Al Hussaini

More than 560 prisoners were pardoned in Morocco, to mark the Prophet's Birthday, announced The View from Fez.


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Nepal: Independence, Autonomy and Tibet · Global Voices
Neha Viswanathan

Bahas on the politics of Independence, Autonomy and the Dalai Lama, and the issue of Tibet as it emerges in South Asia.


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South Korea and China: Human Rights Protest · Global Voices
Oiwan Lam

Nayan Sthankiya posted a slide show on a protest in Seoul against China's human rights condition. Via Ohmynews.

author: Oiwan Lam


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South Korea: Under U.S Occupation · Global Voices
Oiwan Lam

Matt quoted a chapter from “I married a Korean” to show the history of Korea under U.S Occupation (1945-48).


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Sri Lanka: Agriculture and Policy · Global Voices
Neha Viswanathan

Perceptions explores how flawed agricultural policies in Sri Lanka have had an impact on other aspects of the economy in the country.


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Taiwan: Discussions about NCC draft law · Global Voices
I-fan Lin

The National Communications Commission (NCC) in Taiwan held its second hearing on Sept. 20th, 2007, to discuss the second draft of a new communication law.  This new law will integrate the three communication laws — the Satellite and Broadcasting Law, Cable Radio and the Television Law, and Broadcasting and Television Law.
From Newstory :
通訊及傳媒產業從八Ｏ年代產生三大面向的發展：媒體「匯流」、「全球化」及「解除管制」，而通訊傳播管理法就是NCC因時制宜下的產物。
On the other hand, NCCwatch, a civil group, is afraid that this trend encourages monopoly in the media industry.  Since media is considered to be a carrier for culture, we must pay attention to its content.  As a result, after the second hearing, NCCwatch claimed there are some serious problems in the second draft of the law:
一、反對NCC刪除徵收業者「特種基金」：[…]未來業者將不必負擔公共責任（將營業額百分之一成立基金）。[…]
二、反對NCC不當開放外資：[…]此舉不但對本地影視產業發展及勞工權益並無助益，未來本地文化及我國的文化主權也將受到嚴重戕害！ […]
三、反對NCC取消跨媒體經營的限制：[…]放任跨媒體所有權集中，未來台灣媒體壟斷將更為嚴重。[…]
四、反對NCC降低業者違法之罰鍰：[…]不僅對改善媒體亂象全然無益，消費者權益將會受到嚴重侵犯！[…]
五、反對NCC刪除本國自製節目比例明確規定 […]
(2)We are against allowing overseas investors to own a very high percentage (49%) of shares in the nation's broadcast television companies. […]  This act will not benefit local media industries and our labors, and it will damage our culture and our identity.[…]
(3)We are against lifting the restrictions that prevent corporations to run different kinds of media.[…]  This act will encourage centralization of the media's ownership and will aggravate the monopolization in media industry.[…]
(4)We are against reducing the penalties drastically for the media operators for breaking the law.[…] This act cannot protect consumers from being assaulted by low-quality media.[…]
(5)We are against lifting the regulation that specifies the exact percentage of television programs to be locally produced.[…]
Newstory also discussed some articles in the second draft of the new law that raised concerns, which can be summarized into three points:
(1) “條文「頻道事業提供之節目或廣告，不得有煽動族群仇恨或性別岐視情形」，[…]如果沒有認定標準，這項條文很難執行。”
(2) “現行規定廣告總時間不得超過每一節目播送總時間六分之一，[…]現改為每日廣告時間不得超過播送時間的六分之一 。”
(3) “草案新增除新聞與兒童節目外，允許置入性廣告，但必須要在畫面上呈現「廣告」或「贊助者」字樣。 “

author: I-fan Lin


text:
Bahrain: Kindest People Ever · Global Voices
Amira Al Hussaini

Sous, a Swedish woman living in Bahrain, wonders about the impact of development on Bahrainis. “Bahrainis … are the most kind people I have ever met. They are polite, educated, funny and friendly. There is no pretend and they are really down to earth which I appreciate. I hope this mentality will stay but I am worried it will change as Bahrain is changing with all the things that are going on here,” she writes.


text:
Barbados: Atlantic Storm  · Global Voices
Janine Mendes-Franco

Notes From The Margin reports that Barbados has had one fatality because of “huge waves generated by an Atlantic storm.”


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Barbados: Easter Traditions  · Global Voices
Janine Mendes-Franco

Living in Barbados blogs about Easter traditions in the Caribbean.


text:
Bermuda: Race Therapy · Global Voices
Janine Mendes-Franco

“Bonds grow through community, not through confrontation,” writes Vexed Bermoothes, as he administers some group therapy for Bermuda.


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Bolivia: Maradona on the Pitch · Global Voices
Eduardo Avila

Diego Maradona was in Bolivia for a football match to raise funds for the flood victims, as well as to protest the veto of games played at a certain altitude.  Boris Miranda of Ventarrón [es], a self-professed fan of the Argentine star, was on the field as a member of the press. He also writes about the pre-game conflicts between government officials, as well as companies fighting for precious advertising space.

author: Eduardo Avila


text:
China: Civilians in violence and conflict · Global Voices
Bob Chen

In order to stop the spreading panic, most of the detailed recounts of what is happening in Tibet are filtered out; however, a few blogs have survived to report what had happened at the frontline.
In the propaganda sparring, each side has shown their best skills to stand their positions by the name of “people” on their banners. But given the records of people who have in person witnessed the violence and anti-violence by the means of crackdown, it's the thousands of commons who were hurled into a sea of infinite fear.
Jiandanai posted a letter from his Tibetan schoolmate in Tibet, which records the violence aimed at Hans in Tibet
在我个人看来，此次事件策划非常圆满，从3月10号开始，拉萨周边寺庙的喇嘛尼姑就入城集会闹事，被迅速驱散（市中心大昭寺广场，数十名僧人举藏独的雪山狮子旗呼喊独立口号，两分钟内被抓捕）。之后，拉萨大批警力被派往寺庙周围，城内警力有限。到了14号上午10点，开始有人围攻市区内小昭寺外执勤警察，迅速演化为暴力行为，全城开花。可以说是非常漂亮的声东击西。
I personally think the riot is quite successfully planned. Since 10 March, monks and nuns around Lhasa have entered downtown to protest, but were soon dispelled. Then, great hordes of police were sent to around the temples at suburb, thus the force available in city was limited. On 14th, 10 am, some started to siege the police outside the Xiaozhao Temple in the city, and the action soon turned into violence. The whole city was then thrown into the insurgence. A very pretty feint.
14 号白天，在骚乱地点是见一个汉人就杀，死亡数据是封锁了的。但在14日晚九点，我同事的爱人在公安厅，当时透露了一个数据，汉族平民死亡大概在一百七八十左右，之后就没有数据了。拉萨各医院住满了伤亡者（我在报社的朋友去医院采访，亲眼见到5个失去了耳朵的伤者，还有一具被点了”天灯”女尸），武警总医院是隔几分钟就抬入一个受伤战士（因为白天不能动武，只靠人墙去挡）。顺便，可以告诉你两例真实的暴行：一是三名藏族男子追上一汉族女子，每人一刀；另一是以纯专卖店的5位花季店员，汽油瓶丢入，卷帘门拉下，被活活烧死。
On the day of 14th, (mobs) killed every Han they met at where the riot was going. But the overall death toll was unreleased. However, my colleague’s spouse who worked in Public Security department told that about 170 Hans died. Then there was no more statistics. Hospitals in Lhasa were crowded with the injured. My friend working in newspaper office has been there and saw in person 5 people lost their ears and one body of a female burnt to death. In the police hospital, every a few minutes an armed police was sent in, as in daytime they could not crackdown by force but could just stopped the mob with flesh wall.
By the way, I can tell you 2 cases of real violence: 3 Tibetans caught up a Han girl and each gave her a knife stab; another case —– 5 young salespeople were kept in a shop, door shuttered up and gas bottles thrown in. They were burnt to death.
14号夜间，对于冲击武警的，已经可以开枪了。15号凌晨5点（拉萨在西部，此时还是黑夜），军队进城，同时有40多辆轮式装甲车进入。15号15点（在拉萨，这个时间相当于天津13点），三十余辆履带式装甲车入城（对于所有汉族人，振奋人心）；同时，15号开始入户搜捕。16号22点，履带式装甲车撤出，局势基本控制，但仍有零星事件。现在17号11时，我们正常上班。
On 14th, the police were allowed to shoot at those who strike them. At 5 am, 15th, the army drove in with 40 wheeled armor cars. (That inspired us Han). And on 15th the police broke in homes for search. On 22; 00, 16th, the pedrail tanks withdrew, situation under control. But pieces of violence still existed. At 11 am, 17th, we were back to work.
Shops on fire
Town after battle
A girl working in Lhasa also recorded the day and night during the unrest. She kept using “scared” in a row.
一整个下午，都在惊恐中度过，一会儿听人说看到有装甲车出现……一会儿听人说坦克也开出来了……一会儿看到冒烟了，方位是小昭寺，我不敢出去，也不知道到底外面怎么了，只是听到很吵，有尖叫，有起哄，有追赶的声音，后来还听到两次120的声音，还有什么东
东爆炸的声音。
The whole afternoon was spent in panic. For a while we heard that armored cars had showed up…. for another while it’s said tanks came too, and then smoke rising at around Xiaozhao Temple. I dared not go out, and had no idea what’s happening outside. There was all noise —– screaming, guffaws, sound of chasing, 120 (emergency medical call) for twice and something blown up.
晚饭还好，有中午剩下的菜汤，再加点菜，居然很香！吃饭时发现多了好多人，一共十几个人吧，哪冒出这么多的人？奇怪？还有两个四川人，好像受伤了 一问，才知道是翻墙逃到隔壁屋顶上，观察良久，再翻到我们院子里来的。不知道是不是傍晚时分在我们巷子里被打得很惨叫声的主人。当时我们也吓坏了，都不敢 说话，也不敢开门，怕一说话，坏蛋一听是汉人就冲撞进来，那后果真是不敢想像……
The dinner, some soup left from lunch plus a few more dishes, is fine. It tasted so good! When at table I found quite more people, over 10 totally. Where did they come up? So strange. And there were 2 men from Sichuan, who seemed injured. The men said they hurdled the wall and observed the situation for quite a long time before skipping down to our yard. I was not sure if they were exactly the men beaten up howling when at dusk. We were so scared too, speechless, daring not to open the door for the fear that the thugs would broke in on hearing we are Han. I am too frightful to imagine that.
我打电话给还住在平措青年旅馆的温州女孩联系，问她是否平安，她说现在停 电了，什么都看不到，晚上只有一点点吃的卖很贵，下午看到平措的两边门都烧起来了，边上有家银行（应该也是门）也被烧了，旅馆老板在楼下值班守夜，她很害 怕，安慰了她一阵子挂了电话，其实我也害怕……
I phone a Wenzhou girl staying at Pingchuo Youth Hotel for regard. She said the place was out of power. The only little food could be bought was so dear. She saw the doors of Pingchuo burnt at noon and so did the door of a bank nearby. The hotel owner was keeping watch downstairs and she was also scared. I comforted her for a while and ringed off. Actually I was scared no less.
和我们一起的有游客，有在拉萨投资的，当然还有这家主人，大家表面上都不说，可是我相信大家心里都很怕！很 很怕！很很很怕！ 这逃进来的两个人中其中一个告诉我们，他的摩托车被烧了，车上有现金两万元人民币和无数帐单……我们当时就告诉他，人没事才是最重要的！他们被打劫了， 身上的钱也被抢了，而且，被打得好惨，进到我们这里，脸都是惨白的……虽然我没和他们在一起，听到他们说这些，仍然觉得，有政府各部门的关爱真是一件非常幸福的事情！假设这个时候没有政府在保护，我们这些待在拉萨的人们，是怎样的一番场景？
Staying with us were tourists, investors in Lhasa, and of course the owner of the house. Though no one spoke it out, I was sure every one of us was very scared. Very very very scared!
One of the two found here a shelter said his motor was burnt along with the 20000 RMB cash and bills on it…. We told them it’s the personal safety that matters!
They were robbed and beaten up, faces pale.
Though I had not been with them at the time, when hearing this I still thought how lucky to have the care from the government. Imagine what would have happened then without the protection of the government? What would we staying in Lhasa be?
They are both wanted by the government. Who are they? Martyrs or just killers?
Finally, a wife is praying for her husband who had been sent to Tibet for crackdown.
老公前天晚上挺进西藏了，现在也也不知道到哪了，怎么样杨，手机估计又是没有电了，联系不上，昨晚给邱打电话问了问说是要求三天内到达，应该也快到了吧。
郁闷，前几天没有看新闻，不是老公说是要去西藏还不知道发生了这么大的事情，不过好像也跟我们的生活没有太大的关系，日子照旧。可是现在不同了，这一切却 是跟我的生活挂钩了，老公去了青海保护西藏去了，在我生日的前一天晚上确切说是我生日当天的凌晨，这是我最后一个单身生日了，可是老公不在
Two nights ago my husband marched to Tibet, and I know nothing about where he is now. The cell phone must have been out of power, contact lost. Qiu told that they were demanded to reach within 3 days. They should be there now.
Gloomy…. I hadn’t read news a few days ago until my husband said he would go to Tibet. But it seemed to have nothing to do with our life. Well, now everything is different. My husband was sent to Qinghai to protect Tibet, exactly on the early morning of my birthday, a time He should have been here.
就在他们出发的那天下午—还不知道要去，去买了戒指项链等东西，总共有一万六七吧，不过还好花了7000。要不我肯定有的心疼好长一阵子了。给他也买 了不过好像也不是特别合适但是晚上他就出发了，现在也没有办法去换，只有等到回来了再去。我的戒指也稍有一点大，可是他那没有这个款了，而且这个还是铂金 镶的VVS级别的钻，应该说是很不错的，换一个可能就不会有这么好了吧。
下午去跟妈妈逛乐逛，看了看婚纱，水分还是挺大的，有一个老板要500多，后来直接跟我们说不到300，应该还能便宜。
这两天晚上一个人也不想睡觉，看电视到困的不想看了抱着枕头倒头便睡，不习惯没有他的日子，不习惯没有人陪，希望他们在外边一切顺顺利利，能够照顾好自己，也不知道给他带的衣服会不会冷，笨蛋的我还是忘了给他带洗发水了，怎么洗头发呀？
期望西藏早点安定，盼望老公早点回来
祝福西藏，祝福老公！
On the day they set off —– we didn’t know it then—- we did shopping for rings and necklace. It’s good that we just spent about 7000 or I have to be sorry for the money for quite a while. I bought some for him too, but it doesn’t fit very well. However, we had no chance to ask for a change now. I have to wait until he is back.
These two nights I don’t feel like to sleep until the TV shows made me extremely sleepy to midnight. So unaccustomed to the days without him, without a companion.
Hope they can be fine outside, take good care of themselves, and I don’t know if they’ll suffer cold with the clothes I sent. How stupid that I forgot to bring him shampoo. How could he wash hair?
Wish a peaceful Tibet coming soon, wish my husband coming soon.
Blessing on Tibet, on my husband!
They carry out orders. But what are their stories behind the cool masks?


text:
China: Press Freedom · Global Voices
Oiwan Lam

Lianyue said that press freedom is a necessary element for dealing with Tibet issue[zh].