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Egypt: Goodbye Ossama Anwar Okasha · Global Voices
Tarek Amr

Ossama Anwar Okasha, one of the most famous Egyptian screenwriters and the one behind almost all of the top Egyptian soap operas in the past 25 years, has died.
Reactions from Egypt
Ahmed Shawky wrote about how he already misses his writings just few hours after he passed away on Friday:
Mina wrote in his blog, Voice of Egypt, about Okasha's death and his own opinion on his writings:
Mina then listed Okasha's most famous series:
Ahmed Shokeir also wrote in his blog, how he got to know about Okasha for the first time. He started by writing his opinion in one of Okasha's first soap operas, “El Shahd Wel Domou” (Honey and Tears):
Ahmed then wrote his opinion about Okasha's masterpiece, “Layaly El Helmeya” (The nights of “El Helmeya” district):
The Egyptian movie director, Mohamed Khan, also wrote a post in his personal blog about Okasha
As people normally do not care much to know the names of screenwriters behind movies and soap operas, so Mostafa Abdel Rabbou wrote post in his blog about Okasha, and how such an attitude has been changed with him:
And from other Arab Countries
It seems that not only Egyptian bloggers were sad for his death, but so were bloggers from other Arab countries. Rania El Gaabary, from Jordan, wrote about Okasha and how he has affected her writings.
Also Mohamed commented on the news post in AmmonNews, to say how he wished there was another Osama Anwar Okasha who writes about Jordanians the same way Okasha wrote about the Egyptian society:
Yaaaaz, who is an Iraqi living in UAE, sent the following tweet.
Allah yer7ama!. Such an amazing writer.
And Ali AlMasri tweeted to say:
But some others did not admire him that much…
It seems that some other bloggers don't share the same point of view. Hazem Ghourab isn't really happy with Okasha's writings and believes that he had his own hidden agenda:
Okasha has once criticized a historical Islamic figure, Amr Ibn Al Aas. Thus participants in Forsan El Haq (The Knights of Truth) forum, wrote here showing this disagreement with him, and some of them were even happy for his death.
Mahmoludnet wrote here about his feelings towards Okasha's death.
This made Alzubeir Abou Abdallah wonder if he has really attacked Amr Ibn Al Aas:
Tarik Ibrahim replied :
Whereas according to Ahmed Shokeir, Okasha's opinion on Amr Ibn Al Aas was misunderstood, and people didn't really get what he had said then:

author: Tarek Amr


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Egypt: The Truth About Donkey Heads  · Global Voices
Amira Al Hussaini

Donkey heads and remains have been found in Alexandria. Egyptian Chronicles digs up the truth behind the find: an Uzbek diplomat and an Egyptian man keeping eight lions in two villas near the garden where the remains were found.

source: news-globalvoices

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

author: Amira Al Hussaini


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India: Bloggers Premier League (BPL) · Global Voices
Rezwan

Cafe Ginger Chai hosts the ‘Super 6′ round of the Bloggers Premier League (BPL), a spin-off for the Indian premier League (IPL) cricket tournament. BPL is the first ever elite team blogging competition in Indian blogosphere.

author: Rezwan


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Israel: Flotilla Clashes are a “Serious PR Disaster” · Global Voices
Gilad Lotan

Severe clashes between flotilla members and IDF forces have been highlighted in news organizations and blogs around the world. Massive protests are taking place, calling for justice and for action to be taken against Israel. The exact turn of events is still blurry. What happened at the break of dawn, 60 miles from the Israel coast, as the IDF descended on the flotilla boats?
Many posts paint the following image: “IDF soldiers descend on activist aid boat killing 9 and wounding many.” While these words are nominally true, the statement is overly simplified and lacking context. In the following post I hope to provide context and highlight a diverse set of perspectives from Israeli local media and the Hebrew blogosphere. I hope that you will learn that the outcomes are certainly not black and white; that a day like this actually tears Israeli society apart.
The dire outcomes of today's operation will leave a dark stain on Israel's future. It might be remembered as the day that Israel witnessed its biggest PR disaster yet. It will also be remembered as the day in which Israel-Turkey relationship took yet another hit, where Turkey withdrew its ambassador to Israel, called for an emergency UN session and even flights between Tel-Aviv and Istanbul effectively halted.
So what exactly happened?
The Flotilla expedition left for Gaza a couple of days ago. Israel continuously offered to transfer the goods via land through the Israeli port of Ashdod. After repeated declines, Israel forces decided to intercept the flotilla before it comes any closer to the Gaza shore. As IDF soldiers descend onto the ship, they are ‘attacked with clubs and long knives‘ and come close to a lynch by the mob of passengers. Watch this hair-raising documentation of the soldiers being beaten as they descend onto the boat's rooftop:
As the fighting intensified, IDF officials claim there was little choice but to use live ammunition. Here's a translation of the complete series of events described by Ron Ben Yishai, and Israeli journalist who was present on one of the IDF boats during the operation:
The original plan was to disembark on the top deck, and from there rush to the vessel’s bridge and order the Marmara’s captain to stop.
Officials estimated that passengers will show slight resistance, and possibly minor violence; for that reason, the operation’s commander decided to bring the helicopter directly above the top deck. The first rope that soldiers used in order to descend down to the ship was wrested away by activists, most of them Turks, and tied to an antenna with the hopes of bringing the chopper down.
Navy commandos slid down to the vessel one by one, yet then the unexpected occurred: The passengers that awaited them on the deck pulled out bats, clubs, and slingshots with glass marbles, assaulting each soldier as he disembarked. The fighters were nabbed one by one and were beaten up badly, yet they attempted to fight back.
However, to their misfortune, they were only equipped with paintball rifles used to disperse minor protests, such as the ones held in Bilin. The paintballs obviously made no impression on the activists, who kept on beating the troops up and even attempted to wrest away their weapons.
One soldier who came to the aid of a comrade was captured by the rioters and sustained severe blows. The commandos were equipped with handguns but were told they should only use them in the face of life-threatening situations. When they came down from the chopper, they kept on shouting to each other “don’t shoot, don’t shoot,” even though they sustained numerous blows.
The planned rush towards the vessel’s bridge became impossible, even when a second chopper was brought in with another crew of soldiers. The forces hurled stun grenades, yet the rioters on the top deck, whose number swelled up to 30 by that time, kept on beating up about 30 commandos who kept gliding their way one by one from the helicopter. At one point, the attackers nabbed one commando, wrested away his handgun, and threw him down from the top deck to the lower deck, 30 feet below. The soldier sustained a serious head wound and lost his consciousness.
Only after this injury did IDF troops ask for permission to use live fire. The commander approved it. The soldiers pulled out their handguns and started shooting at the rioters’ legs, a move that ultimately neutralized them. Meanwhile, the rioters started to fire back at the commandos.
During the commotion, another commando was stabbed with a knife. In a later search aboard the Marmara, soldiers found caches of bats, clubs, knives, and slingshots used by the rioters ahead of the IDF takeover. It appeared the activists were well prepared for a fight. Only after a 30-minute shootout and brutal assaults using clubs and knifes did commandoes manage to reach the bridge and take over the Marmara.
It appears that the error in planning the operation was the estimate that passengers were indeed political activists and members of humanitarian groups who seek a political provocation, but would not resort to brutal violence. The soldiers thought they will encounter Bilin-style violence; instead, they got Bangkok. The forces that disembarked from the helicopters were few; just dozens of troops – not enough to contend with the large group awaiting them.
The second error was that commanders did not address seriously enough the fact that a group of men were expecting the soldiers on the top deck. Had they addressed this more seriously, they may have hurled tear-gas grenades and smoke grenades from the helicopter to create a screen that would have enabled them to carry out their mission, without the fighters falling right into the hands of the rioters.
Nine of the flotilla passengers were killed and several wounded on both sides. Intense international criticism towards Israel around the world as well as internally. Israel secures control over all boats and directs them to the port of Ashdod, where they undergo inspection and the passengers are interrogated before being banished back to their country of origin.
Many in Israel believe that the flotilla succeeded in luring Israel into yet another disastrous PR trap. A well planned provocative move, aimed at rallying worldwide support against Israel. In an interview with the Turkish television channel, Tzipi Livni says:
There was a need to stop these ships from reaching Gaza, because it was not a humanitarian mission. I'd like to remind everybody that Israel offered to transfer all the goods through land.
A few ships decided to stop and to transfer the humanitarian goods, and only one ship decided to continue. It brings me to an understanding that it was all about provocation and the need to have this as propaganda and not as a humanitarian aid mission.
Danny Carmon, from the Israel envoy to the United Nations, defends IDF's actions by questioning the motives at play:
“What kind of peace activist would insist to bypass the UN, Red Cross and other well known international organizations? What kind of peace activists carry knives, bats and other weapons to attack soldiers? The answer is clear. There are NOT peace activists!”
On her Facebook page Mihal Ratner posts images of weapons found on board the Marmara:
She adds:
On board of the vessels are so called Peaceful political activists. The Mavi Marmara had the most peaceful activists on it: They brought, on top of humanitarian aid of course, and cement (that was used before to build bunkers and therefore banned), weapons such as knives, metal rods, firebombs, sling shots, water hoses, stun grenades, saws, and more, to attack soldiers who are there to legally enforce the blockade in international waters, and after repeated requests in the naval radio – that were all denied.
Ze'ev Goldstein describes the ways in which the Flotilla was meant to provoke, not provide humanitarian aid:
He who comes to provide humanitarian aid does not come armed for battle, but rather armed with bags of rice and wheat. It is clear that the flotilla was meant to provoke, since they were promised to deliver the goods by land.
Why? Their goal was to deliver the aid, not the delivery route.
Every other person would avoid delays and do anything possible to deliver the aid as fast as possible into Gaza. However these messengers of justice came armed for battle, trained and organized. They had no other intention other than creating a confrontation.
While some support and others vehemently oppose the operation, the mass majority agrees that this has been a complete and utter PR failure for Israel at large. Failure to be the first to report what was going on and failure to react as the events were being covered around the world.
Youval Gazith discusses the many failed aspects of the operation:
Even the extreme right wing agrees that the operation was a terrible failure; read on rotter. The operation's primary focus was on PR. It was possible to prevent the boats from coming close to shore, stop them then haul them, without requiring contact with soldiers.
Intelligence failure – where was the mossad? You do not embark on such an operation without precise intelligence.
Operational failure – the IDF soldiers came out beaten and hurt, 10 killed, c'mon!
PR failure – in a world that lives and breathes realtime, releasing press material with a 12 hour delay is eternal! A Hebrew press conference for foreign press is a joke!
Leadership failure – our prime minister doesn't even bother broadcasting a message. The blame is passed between the political and military echelons…
Amos Harel and Avi Issacharoff elaborate on the massive PR failure attributed with this operation:
Israel knew it was heading towards this confrontation from a comparatively inferior stance – photos of armed soldiers against protesters will never be well received. The decided answer was – attempt to disrupt broadcast from the boats, and simultaneously let invited journalists (local + international) on board one of the IDF ships provide reports, but only once they reach shore after the operation. Even their mobile phones were closed.
The plan failed miserably. The protesters and broadcast teams succeeded in uploading images and updates to the web. The journalists who came with the Israeli forces only later in the afternoon. The formal Israeli response came some five hours after the events. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs was exposed in its full weakness.
In an interview on Israeli TV, Dr. Guy Bechor talks about Turkey's role in supporting the flotilla:
This is not an International operation, but a Turkish one. Erdogan (Turkey's Prime Minister whose had a falling out with Israel since the Gaza bombings in January of '09) is taking Gaza as a tool to harm Israel and increase and support his own interests.
This is not a pro-Palestinian flotilla, but primarily an anti-Israeli one.
One of the boats was provided by the Turkish government. This is a country standing behind the flotilla, not an international flotilla.
He continues to describe a poster his group created which displayed ‘Erdogan’ equals ‘Ahmadinejad’. A similar poster was also used during a protest just outside the Turkish embassy in Tel-Aviv.
Heavy criticism about the operation came from within Israel. Multiple protest on university grounds, and outside the Tel Aviv military headquarters drew massive crowds. Shouting “Danger, danger, Government of war” and other slogans, people gathered to show their disgust with the current government's actions.
Lisa Goldman called out piracy, over Israel attacking in international waters:
And Roy Rotman, criticizing the IDF tactics :
It drives me crazy to think that after the decision for a military operation was made, they couldn't find a more intelligent way to operate. Good god, the IDF special unit was surprised to find resistance on a boat it was taking over on international water? Surprised that there were people who would try to hit its soldiers with bats? How idiotic do you have to be? What did the operation planners expect? That the soldiers be welcome with flowers and rice?
BTW, there's a certain paradox: if you were surprised by the resistance, this means you didn't expect it, hence you didn't really think that these would be boats carrying dangerous, armed terrorists; If you really thought that the situation was truly dangerous, how did you let them surprise you this way?
We've covered the turn of events through the perspectives of local voices from the ground in Israel – The Freedom Flotilla: PR stunt or Humanitarian Act? – and Arab countries in the Middle East – Rage after Israel Attacks Gaza Bound Flotilla
Please continue to be active within our comments spaces, and keep providing additional perspectives.

author: Gilad Lotan


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Jamaica: Art & Violence · Global Voices
Janine Mendes-Franco

“Jamaica's widening gap between rich and poor and our historical reliance on an underground economy related to drugs has created tensions and led to violence of which artists are all too aware”: Petrine Archer notes that several local artists “are engaging with these issues and the social dislocation that has been a feature of Jamaica's recent past.”

author: Janine Mendes-Franco


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Jamaica: Crunching the Numbers  · Global Voices
Janine Mendes-Franco

“Most people I’ve talked to seem to think that the ends justify the means: that if getting the bad guys means detaining some of the good guys as well, then it’s worth depriving some people of their basic human right to be free”: Jamaican blogger Chez Hsia remains unconvinced.


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Jamaica: Ripple Effect  · Global Voices
Janine Mendes-Franco

Islandista says that “the ‘terror in Tivoli’ has inflicted wounds not just on the hundreds injured and scores killed, but on Jamaica’s economy and Kingston’s vibrant entertainment scene.”


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Japan: More Visitors to Twitter than Mixi · Global Voices
Tomomi Sasaki

On the news [ja] that the number of visitors to Twitter in Japan for April have surpassed visitors to Mixi, the largest Japanese SNS, Toru Saito [ja] and Netaful [ja] ask, “Has Twitter crossed the chasm?”

author: Tomomi Sasaki


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Macedonia: NGO Figts Autism Stigma  · Global Voices
Filip Stojanovski

Vlado Trajkovski, president of the Macedonian Scientific Society for Autism, confessed on his blog that even though the NGO has conducted a successful workshop for autistic children [MKD], in which they created paintings to be sold at a charity auction, only 8 out of 60 invited families responded. According to him, the majority of the families are apathetic, “they hide from the truth, they hide from their neighbours, and the cameras.”

author: Filip Stojanovski


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Macedonia: Remnants of the Yugoslav Legacy · Global Voices
Filip Stojanovski

Sead Dzigal reminds readers [MKD] that after “the death” of the .yu domain [SER] this past March, the term ‘Yugoslavia’ officially survives on the international scene only in the provisional reference the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia and the title of the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia, which does not seem like a good company.


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Malaysia: Reactions to flotilla attack by Israel  · Global Voices
Mong Palatino

Several Malaysian nationals were on board the Mavi Marmara when Israeli naval commandos raided a “Freedom Flotilla” of six ships carrying 10,000 tonnes of humanitarian aid. This attack by Israel has sparked indignation in Malaysia.
Khoo Kay Peng hopes that countries which reacted to the sinking of a South Korean ship last week will also condemn the flotilla attack
The attack must be condemned by the international community. If the attack on South Korean ship is risking economic sanction on North Korea by some of the most powerful nations, I hope they will react the same towards Israel and its cowardice attack.
This is a black day when a humanitarian initiative is being attacked and suppressed.
Democratic Action Party wants an all-party caucus to discuss and condemn the attack
It is most horrifying that Malaysian lives could be lost.
The all-party conference, which should be convened within 24 hours, should express the anger and outrage of Malaysians, regardless of race, religion or political affiliation at the atrocity committed by the Israeli forces against the unarmed Flotilla and civilians and demand an international tribunal for such crimes against humanity
Dr. Mahathir Mohamad, former prime minister and popular blogger, issued this statement
1. I am horrified at the violence employed by Israel to stop the ships from carrying humanitarian supplies to Gaza. The ships are in international waters, yet the arrogant Israelis do not care to respect international laws and convention.
2. The claim that the people on the ships are carrying sharp objects is ridiculous. Are they going to fight the well armed Israeli soldiers with sharp objects?
3. Do Israeli soldiers shoot to kill people carrying sharp objects? The act is most cowardly and deserving only of brutes, not civilised people.
4. What kind of world are we living in when it allows a rogue state to use violence and killings against unarmed people on a mission of charity
Rallies were held demanding UN to criticize Israel for the flotilla attack.
Photo by daxmuhamad
Here are some twitter reactions from Kuala Lumpur
tianchua: @pummkin Military attack on peace mission is simply not acceptable! Forced boarding armed soldiers on flotilla was an act of provocatn!
farah_deqya: RT @MukhrizMahathir: As expected Israel accuses flotilla of carrying weapons. Lies to justify murdering innocent peace activists. UN, US, UK & EU must stop them.
ervanj: By preventing us access to the flotilla, means Israel is covering up to ensure silence and only one side of the story! #freedomflotilla
bumilangit: RT @mikeymileos: I guess it's called a blockade for a reason. It blocks aid. #Flotilla
Monica_Voon: @IamMalaysian @IamMalaysian Need to look beyond flotilla at long-standing blockade of Gaza and other atrocities – 80% below poverty line.
Some tweets which probe if the flotilla aid campaign was an act to provoke Israel
MrImaginarium: RT @IamMalaysian: @KarimRaslan the organizers themselves said the flotilla's aim was to challenge the blockade. Not humanitarian aid
andyberan: RT @IamMalaysian: @KarimRaslan not saying Israel was right, but it was clearly provocation on flotilla's side as well. They were asked to turn back few times

author: Mong Palatino


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Mexico: 6 Million Illiterate Adults · Global Voices
Silvia Viñas

Responding to an article from CNN México [es], Ximena Vega [es] on the blog Vivir México [es] says the problem with the staggering figures of illiteracy among Mexican adults (6 million) and the other educational problems the country is facing all stem from one root cause: poverty.

author: Silvia Viñas


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Palestine: “Gaza wanted to greet you as victors”  · Global Voices
Mays Dagher

People throughout the Middle East – and around the world – have been shocked and outraged at the news of the deaths on board the Freedom Flotilla early on Monday.
Palestinian bloggers reacted immediately to the news of Israel's raid on the Gaza-bound aid ships.
Freedom Flotilla – On The Way (photo by FreeGaza, reproduced under Creative Commons Licence)
The students writing at Life on Bir Zeit Campus (Birzeit is a university in the West Bank) are astounded at Israel's actions:
What they have done in the early hours of today is unfathomable. It is senseless. It is horrific, unnecessary, and brutal. […] The worst feeling is that of desolate hopelessness, knowing that you can't do anything, while these good souls on the flotilla have suffered death and injury and terrorizing at the hands of mentally challenged state.
Mutasharrid is a blogger from Gaza who is currently studying in the West Bank, and he writes about his feelings towards the passengers of the flotilla:
Freedom Flotilla – Banner (photo by FreeGaza, reproduced under Creative Commons Licence)
Ola, who blogs at From Gaza, writes in a post called Pirates of the Mediterranean:

author: Mays Dagher


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Peru: Reactions to Release of Convicted Terrorist Lori Berenson · Global Voices
Juan Arellano

The period of terrorism by the Sendero Luminoso (Shining Path) and the Tupac Amaru Revolutionary Movement (MRTA) ) in Peru is part of the country’s recent history; a period fairly but not yet sufficiently analyzed and much less researched and accepted. Those who lived it hope that something similar never happens again, and they reasonably fear the slightest chance of its reoccurrence. But what happens when our fear affects other people’s rights?
On May 25 the head of the First Supraprovincial Court declared the request by the defense of Lori Berenson (a US citizen encarcerated and charged for terrorism) as fair, accepting the arguments which showed she served three quarters of her sentence to 20 years of imprisonment imposed in 1995 for her links to the (MRTA), as reported [es] by RPP. Consequently, she was given probation and the 27th left [es] the prison and moved to her parents’ apartment in the Lima district of Miraflores.
But even before she was granted this release, the media began to question the decision, collecting opinions mainly against her by former judges [es], congressmen [es],  ministers [es],  vice ministers [es], but above all, from the neighbors [es] of the building [es] and the street [es] where Berenson would fulfill the remainder of her sentence under the probation guidelines. The reaction of the latter soon escalated, asking the mayor of the district [es] to take action, and performing demonstrations [es] and vigils [es] protesting the fact that Berenson decided to live in Miraflores.
Soon the issue led to a discussion of the possibility of expelling Lori Berenson from the country, which took shape when the Minister of Justice confirmed [es] that indeed this measure was being considered. Support for the move quickly surfaced in several [es] sectors [es] and at the moment no one knows what the final decision will be. Meanwhile, Berenson is in her parents’ aparment and has been harrased [es] by neighbors who do not agree with her presence in the district.
The media in turn have had a strong presence on the subject, like the daily La Republica which surveyed its readers: What do you think of the protest by residents of Miraflores with the arrival of Lori Berenson to the district? [es] Others have opened special sections, like the one in El Comercio: Lori Berenson Free [es]; and Perú21 –although it does not have a specific section— has a lot of reader participation in its article “¿Se  puede expulsar a Berenson del Perú? [es]” (“Can Berenson be expelled from Peru?)
The lawyer and blogger Francisco Canazas of Apuntes Paruanos gives his opinion [es] on the case:
Con la libertad condicional de Lori Berenson sucedió lo  esperado: A la  par que se agita el miedo con el asunto, muchos  políticos y algunos  medios han demostrado una gran vocación por la  ignorancia o por la  mentira. … Convertir “libertad condicional” en  “liberación” ha sido el mayor logro  de los medios. Como también el buscar   el rechazo a Berenson con el simple recojo de declaraciones.
One of the first bloggers to protest against the release of Lori Berenson wrote for the blog Caviar de Cianuro and on the 27th said [es]:
La verdad era algo que iba a venir. Ahora los terroristas,  una vez  cumplidas sus condenas (incluyéndoles sus respectivos  beneficios  penitenciarios), iban a salir querrámoslo o no (personalmente, creo   que estaban bien en sus celdas). … La pregunta es: ¿se han  rehabilitado? yo creo que en muchos casos no. Y  una muestra de ello es  que muchos de estos ex-convictos van a querer  participar en estas  elecciones municipales y regionales utilizando  agrupaciones de fachada  tales como Patria Libre (emerretistas)   o Movimiento   por la Amnistía y los Derechos Fundamentales (senderistas).
Silvio Rendón of Gran Combo Club comented [es] on this previous statement:
Según propagandista de Susana Villarán en la blogósfera, un  terrorista no  está “rehabilitado” si al recuperar su libertad después  de cumplir su  condena ejerce su derecho a ser elegido y participa en  elecciones
Silvio also added in a comment showing suspicion the following information:
La sentencia de libertad condicional de Lori Berenson fue  transmitida en  directo por el Canal N. Estuvo presente una  representante de la  embajada de los Estados Unidos en el Perú. Raúl  Vargas de RPP especuló  que era un gesto de buena voluntad de Alan  García para su próxima  reunión con Obama. Lo mismo dice La Razón, aquí.
G. Bastas Chipoco from the blog Varias Posiciones brings another issue [es] to the discussion:
En tiempos de paz la voluntad de la ciudadanía sirve como  una  declaración de principios en contra de los vestigios del comunismo más rojo (sangre) y un paso adelante en la   formación de una identidad y un activismo social más enérgico. La   planeada construcción del Museo de la Memoria no puede ser mucho más de mal   gusto ahora con una enemiga del estado libre y rampante por sus   inmediaciones.
And Luis Alberto Chávez from the blog Polítikha says [es]:
la excarcelación de la Berenson es el acatamiento de una  decisión  judicial por cumplimiento de una condena otorgada por un  tribunal civil  con garantía procesal y en pleno Estado de Derecho. Algo  que, por  supuesto, los fujimoristas, no entienden ni diferencian.
The issue is obviously far from reaching an end, not only in the particular case of Berenson, but for all others convicted of terrorism [es] (and corruption) that are close to serving their sentences or who could benefit from a legal mechanism that would allow them to apply for parole. Will a witch-hunt unleash against them? Doesn't the fulfillment of their sentence entitle them to reintegrate into society under the conditions that they consider most appropriate and using all their restored rights? Is Peruvian society ready for this? Surely these questions will continue to be asked in the upcoming days.

author: Juan Arellano


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Rwanda: List of media outlets and blogs focusing on Rwanda · Global Voices
Ndesanjo Macha

Graham Holliday has prepared a list of media outlets, blogs, twitter users focusing on Rwanda posted at Kigali Wire.

author: Ndesanjo Macha


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Rwanda: On the arrest of an American lawyer · Global Voices
Ndesanjo Macha

Out of Rwanda comments on the arrest of an American lawyer by the Rwandan government. He went to Rwanda to defend the opposition candidate Victoire Ingabire.


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Rwanda: Open Letter to the President · Global Voices
Ndesanjo Macha

A Citizen’s Weekly Open Letter to the President of the Republic of Rwanda, Paul Kagame: “I recently found out that Rwanda is not alone in jailing female opposition candidates who may have a chance of winning free and fair elections against the incumbent candidate.”


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Rwanda: Signs of hope · Global Voices
Ndesanjo Macha

A Kiva Fellow in Rwanda, Claude Mansell, sees signs of hope in Rwanda.


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Taiwan: Chiayi Sound Project · Global Voices
Portnoy Zheng

“Chiayi Sound Project initiated from 2008. It mainly focuses on field recording in southern Taiwan – Chiayi, the recording topics include oral history, nature environment, folk music, industry, religion and local events.” Check the project's latest recording of Mayasvi, one of the two most important rituals of Tsou indigenous people.

author: Portnoy Zheng


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Thailand: Continuing State of Emergency · Global Voices
Arthit Suriyawongkul

Political Prisoners in Thailand blog reports that, on May 24, 2010, Suthachai Yimprasert, a history professor at Chulalongkorn University, was ordered to report to the Center for the Resolution of Emergency Situations (CRES). Rather than being interrogated at the 11th Army Regiment, he was taken to an army base in Saraburi, and is being held for seven days. This is possible, without formal charges being made or evidence being presented under the Emergency Decree.
Few days later, on May 27, Thailand Crisis 2010 blog reports the statement of Suthachai's lawyer after having visited him at Adisorn Military Camp, Saraburi, that the professor decides to go on hunger strike since the morning, to protest of not being allowed to read any newspaper, listen to the radio, watch the television, or follow the news in any way. Even his textbooks, which are needed for preparing lectures, are forbidden.
For a good humor, Matichon newspaper (online) report a response from Colonel Sarnsern Kaewkamnerd, CRES Spokeperson, that not eating any food would probably make Dr. Suthachai hungry. He also suggested that eating jelly should make him full, if the professor doesn't want to eat food.
Suthachai is detained in a solitary unit. Every word in the conversation between Suthachai and his wife on visiting day is recorded by 5 soldiers who stand around the couple.
Many social activists and human rights defenders now fear that the Thailand government would continue extending the state of emergency decree for virtually forever — like Egypt, which has been in a state of emergency almost without interruption for more than 40 years.
To conclude the situation in Thailand right now, let me pick the opening phrase posted by Mr. Wrigley, juxtaposing actor Pongpat Wachirabunjong‘s famous speech, in his Siam Report blog*, :
“Clearly there is not room for any alternative opinions or ideas. You are either with us or against us as George W. Bush once said. You either accept the social, political, and economic framework that largely marginalizes you and benefits me, or get out!”
Following is a letter from Bonsong Chaisingkananont, Department of Philosophy, Silpakorn University, on behalf of friends and family of Suthachai Yimprasert.
27 May 2010
To whom it may concern (especially the human rights organizations),
This is urgent information regarding Dr. Suthachai Yimprasert, a historian professor who was arrested by the Thai authorities on May 24, 2010. Please help campaign for his release.
Professor Bayan, Dr. Suthachai's wife, visited her husband at the Adisorn Army Camp in Saraburi earlier today. The army allows only his wife and mother to visit him, and in the morning only.
Dr. Suthachai is detained in a solitary unit. So is Mr Somyos Pruksakasemsuk who was arrested at the same time. Neither has been charged. In fact the arrests of them involved deception by the authorities. Both had got warrants to report to the police for some questioning. They complied. The police told them that they would bring them to the Crime Suppression Headquarter. Instead, they sent them to the Adisorn Army Camp in another province.
Legally, neither is Dr. Suthachai nor Mr. Somyos a law-breaker or a criminal since there is yet any charge. They are detained for interrogation. But they have been treated as if they were felons. Their treatments are more severe than the UDD leaders who are detained at the Naresuan Police Camp.
Dr. Suthachai brought some books to prepare for his class (at Chulalongkorn University) in a few weeks. But the soldiers took those books away and do not allow him to read anything (except a magazine about horses left by someone in this room). Dr. Suthachai, therefore, protests by going on a hunger strike. Our serious concern is that he has diabetes, requiring insulin injections twice a day. The lack of food may have serious effects on his condition, including a danger to his life.
Every words in the conversation between Dr. Suthachai and his wife on visiting day was recorded by 5 soldiers who stand around the couple.
This coming Sunday is the funeral for Bayan's father. Dr. Suthachai's lawyer will make an appeal to the court to allow him to attend the funeral of his father-in-law. But we do not know if the appeal would be granted, even though he is not yet charged or being a suspect or criminal of any kind whatsoever.
Sincerely,
Bonsong Chaisingkananont
Department of Philosophy
Silpakorn University
On behalf of friends and family of Dr. Suthachai Yimprasert.
P.S. To all “cyber warriors,” Please help spread this info as much as possible.
* If you trying to access this page: http://siamreport.blogspot.com/2010/05/there-is-only-one-color-yellow.html from within Thailand, Blogger.com (Google-owned service) will said “The Requested Blog Is Not Found”. Try Google Cache.

author: Arthit Suriyawongkul


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Trinidad & Tobago: Stepping Out of the Mold?  · Global Voices
Janine Mendes-Franco

“Manning has one more chance at posterity: he can decide whether Trinidad AM (After Manning) goes backward (with Keith Rowley) or forward (with Penny Beckles)”: Trinidad Media Arts & Culture blogs about his impression of the country's former Prime Minister.


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Uganda: Blog exposes genocide in Uganda · Global Voices
Ndesanjo Macha

The Uganda Genocide Info is a blog, which focuses on the genocide against the Acholi people of Uganda.


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Africa: Winners of Museke Online Africa Music Awards · Global Voices
Ndesanjo Macha

Lizha James, Dama do Bling, Amr Diab, Ralph Anselmo and Perola emerged multiple winners of the inaugural Museke Online Africa Music Awards (MOAMAs), reports MightyAfrican.


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Armenia: Journalist arrested in Liberty Square · Global Voices
Onnik Krikorian

Ianyan covers the case of Ani Gevorgyan, an anti-government journalist who was arrested on 31 May while being among opposition supporters who resisted attempts by police to remove them from a newly reopened public space in Yerevan, the Armenian capital. The blog says that while the reasons for Gevorgyan's arrest remain unclear, opposition media and bloggers believe her detention might be linked to two articles ridiculing the Chief of the Armenian police. The Committee to Protect Journalists has already issued a statement raising its concerns while Unzipped weighs in with its thoughts on official attempts to let opposition activists make use of the area somewhat ironically called Liberty Square.

author: Onnik Krikorian


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Bhutan: Imposing Heavy Taxes On Junk Foods · Global Voices
Rezwan

Penstar questions the logic behind Bhutanese government's intention to impose taxes as high as 150% on junk foods.


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Bolivia: International Book Fair in Santa Cruz Breaks Own Record · Global Voices
Silvia Viñas

The XI International Book Fair held in Santa Cruz has set a new record this year with over fifteen thousand attendees in the first five days. The fair this year commemorates the Bicentennial of Santa Cruz, as Willy Andres [es] explains. Sixty new literary pieces will be presented; the fair ends June 6 [es].


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Brazil: The Eleitor2010 Project · Global Voices
Raphael Tsavkko Garcia

On May 29th Eleitor2010 [Elector2010, pt] was officaly launched. According to the press release [pt] it is a Ushahidi-based crowdsourcing platform which aims to aggregate citizen denouncements during this year's electoral process in Brazil.

author: Raphael Tsavkko Garcia


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Brazil/Bulgaria: Domain Name Debate · Global Voices
Raphael Tsavkko Garcia

Following the debate initiated in January 2010, Eternal Remont blog discusses the ongoing case of the Cyrillic Internet domain name of Bulgaria “.бг” which is, allegedly, too similar to the Brazilian one in latin script “.br”.


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Bulgaria: Bankya Sanatorium Appeal · Global Voices
Veronica Khokhlova

Maya Markova of Maya's Corner reports that “[a therapy facility] for children with cerebral palsy in the town of Bankya near Sofia is being closed down,” translates a letter written by Daniela Peneva, whose son has cerebral palsy, and asks readers to sign a petition (BUL) – or “do whatever else comes to your mind – give publicity to the case, write directly to Bulgarian and EU institutions etc. Because nothing ever improves in Bulgaria without foreign pressure.”

author: Veronica Khokhlova


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China: Creative Kiss Challenge on Streets of Xi’an · Global Voices
Oiwan Lam

PH from veggie discourse translated a forum post and discussion about a creative kiss challenge event hosted by a Xi'an merchant on 29 of May, 2010.

author: Oiwan Lam


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Colombia: Reactions to Presidential Elections from the Blogosphere · Global Voices
Julián Ortega Martínez

The Colombian blogosphere also reacted to the outcome of the presidential elections held on May 30.
On the blog El Pellizco, otro pellizco acrónimo writes [es] about the country of “hopeful conservatives”:
Todo parece indicar que deseamos un cambio político, pero siempre ganan los mismos. En cada ciudadano habita una parte de esperanza que compite con un alter ego conservador, un egoísta más que ha recibido una buena oferta por su conciencia y que al final la vende. Las motivos de las transacciones de conciencias, de las cadenas de excepción para lograr un favor, están en la precariedad en la que vive la mayoría de la población y la carencia de alternativas de subsistencia en sociedad.
Woman in Colombia votes. Picture uploaded by Flickr user Globovisión, used under a Creative Commons license.
Meanwhile, Marsares from the blog equinoXio explains the success of the candidate of the ruling coalition, Juan Manuel Santos, and the reasons for the failure of centrist candidate Antanas Mockus; Marsares concludes [es] with pessimism:
Nada que hacer. Mockus perdió las elecciones de 2010, pero les queda mucho camino por delante a los verdes, constituidos en la segunda fuerza política del país. De Mockus y su equipo depende no malbaratar este inmenso capital político que puede incrementarse en segunda vuelta para fortalecerlo como un verdadero contrapeso político, aunque la diferencia abismal que le tomó Santos puede ocasionar su reducción, lo cual no deja de ser preocupante.
Empero, de hecho Mockus se convierte en el jefe de la oposición, de una oposición juiciosa que debe prepararse en estos cuatro años para convertirse en una verdadera alternativa de poder, acometiendo en primer lugar su papel fiscalizador del gobierno de Santos que muestre a propios y extraños la fortaleza de sus principios.
Ariadna at Hoja Blanca [es] and Javier Pimentel from Revista Claroscuro [es] shared a similar point of view, a mix of pessimism and hope for a Mockus victory on the June 20 run-off; while user Miembro de Número, a Mockus supporter, is already sure [es] a new and definitive victory for Santos is coming, adding that “I had never begun an administration on the side of the opposition [before].”
lncognito writes [es] about the failure of the “green wave” in 10 points. This is one of them:
8. Autosuficiencia y soberbia, una de las grandes decepciones que me lleve de Mockus en estas elecciones fue cuando tiro el portazo a cualquier alianza o coalicion al PDA cayendo incluso en declaraciones extravagantes, estigmatizando a Petro y al Polo… Claro, en ese momento nada hacia preveer que su fulgurante ascenso en las encuestas no coincidiria con los resultados en las urnas. Hoy la realidad es otra y a Mockus le va a tocar tragarse sus palabras en la busqueda de los votos que necesitan los verdes para hacerle frente a Santos en la segunda vuelta.
Journalist Jaime Restrepo carefully analyses [es] the results of the elections, pointing out that the sum of the percentages of votes for Santos, conservative Noemí Sanín and centre-right Germán Vargas Lleras yields a similar figure (around 62%) to the votes President Uribe received in 2006. He also blames the second re-election bid for not allowing the victory of the ‘Uribista’ camp in the first round and highlights the poor performance of the traditional parties as a defeat for ‘anti-Uribism’. Finally, Restrepo states that the outcome of the elections sends a message to Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez:
Después de todas las amenazas del parlanchín guerrerista de Miraflores contra Colombia si elige a Juan Manuel Santos. Después del apoyo que le dio José Vicente Rangel a Antanas Mockus en su programa, la cosa no les funcionó y los colombianos que son víctimas directas de las penurias generadas por la dictadura, decidieron respaldar nuevamente a quien representa la más clara posición antagónica contra Chávez y su proyecto expansionista.
Alejandro Peláez, on his blog El Diletante from the political website La Silla Vacía, writes [es]:
Santos podrá jugar feo y duro pero su victoria fue contundente. Ganó en todas partes, desde los municipios más paupérrimos hasta las mesas de Chicó Reservado. Ganó con el apoyo de la maquinaria, pero también con los votos de ciudadanos libres y responsables, que no son, como los pintan los de la burbuja verde, criminales o vendidos.
El primer deber de un demócrata es reconocer la derrota y respetar las reglas de juego. Valiente gracia ser los adalides de la “cultura de la legalidad” para perder una elección y salir a decir que todo fue por un fraude. Mockus no perdió por un fraude, ni por un complot de la oligarquía y tampoco fue una ficción inventada por el establecimiento como dice Piedad Cordoba. Mockus perdió porque su campaña terminó pareciendo una gran misa carismática, llena de mantras tontos y mensajes confusos.
José Luis Peñarredonda wrote a post [es] on the elections as seen by his grandmother, a long-time supporter of the Liberal Party who voted for Uribe in 2002:
[M]e dijo la verdadera razón por la cual no votó por el candidato de la U. “En esa última presentación todos los demás se le fueron encima. Se nota que es un corrupto”, me dijo refiriéndose al debate del viernes. No sabía que doña Beatriz se trasnochara por la política.
Luego me contó por quién había sido su voto. “Vargas Lleras es el único de esos que tiene cara de presidente”, me dijo.

author: Julián Ortega Martínez


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Cuba: Condemning the Flotilla Attack  · Global Voices
Janine Mendes-Franco

Havana Times notes that Cuba's Ministry of Foreign Affairs has expressed “its strongest condemnation” of the Israeli attack against a Gaza-bound flotilla.


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El Salvador: Storm Agatha Sinking the Country · Global Voices
Silvia Viñas

Conversaciones con Neto Rivas [es]  highlights the outcome of storm Agatha in El Salvador, showing an infograph that, according to the blogger, shows that 80% of El Salvador is sinking. The blog also points out that Winter is just starting and authorities should warn about the high-risk areas and begin evacuating people in danger.


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Ghana: Black Stars going forward or backward?  · Global Voices
Ndesanjo Macha

Is the Ghanaian nation team, The Black Stars, going forward or backward?, asks Ghanaian blogger Mac-Jordan.


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Ghana: Is Ghana’s national team a disaster? · Global Voices
Ndesanjo Macha

Following the 4-1 defeat of Ghana's Black Star by the Netherlands in an international friendly, Ato Dadzie writes, “Black Stars: A disaster waiting to happen.”


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India: Adolescent Love, Parents and Society · Global Voices
Rezwan

Ram Bansal at India In Peril criticizes Indian parents, especially those who are in rural areas, of failing in their duties to guide their children on the issues of adolescent love.

author: Rezwan


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Israel: Fighting the #Flotilla Digital War · Global Voices
Gilad Lotan

The global impact that social media and the real time web had as this story evolved is undeniable. From Twitter to Facebook and onto active forums and talkback threads, the battleground has shifted from the Mediterranean to a digital cacophony of data. It is a battle over the truth, a war over the validity of facts, who is right and what is wrong. Who can get more attention to their version of the story, and who can take down the other's site. Choosing a side is as easy as joining a Facebook group. Showing one's support is as simple as ReTweeting a post or sharing a status update.
The flotilla orgnizers, the Israel Defense Force (IDF) and the world at large is witnessing the sheer power of the flow of information. Most importantly, they are realizing that in this day and age, its flow is impossible to block. Social media tools like Twitter and Facebook create immediate channels that give any user the ability post a message, friction free, and at little to no cost. Once online, messages can easily be passed on, through networks of friends and followers, mostly seen by a few, but sometimes reaching millions.
The term ‘Flotilla‘ has been trending on Twitter for 20 hours over the past day and a half. This in itself, is a huge victory for its organizers, and the Free Gaza movement. The implications of a topic trending globally are immense: massive visibility and attention. Tens of thousands of messages posted within hours, over half of them include links to websites.
When planning the operation, IDF placed an emphasis on making sure no updates would leak from the activists during the operation by means of electronic warfare. Israel was to be the first to deliver news on the turnout of events. Their intent was to block all forms of communication coming from the activist boats and let a group of journalists onboard the Israeli boats be the first to report to the world. To their chagrin, their plan did not succeed.
Avraham Pechter argues that Israel should have opened its communication channels ahead of time:
IDF should have started the operation with a continuous and open communication wave on TV and radio, accompanied by journalists that joined the forces. Describing the events in realtime to the whole world would prove IDF's claims – faced with a violent, organized trap that reached a life threatening situation necessitated opening fire – justified given the circumstances. Adding international journalists would have neutralized the worldwide hostility…
Yoni Ben-Menachem adds:
Its time to reorganize Israel's communications strategy, otherwise Israel will fight the de-legitimization happening against it with “empty hands”. Its time to crumble existing systems, waiting will cause further harm to Israel.
Roni writes:
Playing the provocateur's game – that's the biggest weakness. Israeli failed miserably with regards to PR. The foreign ministry, headed by one of the biggest militants our country ever saw, should be in charge of this subject. From reading newspapers around the world, all us Israelis seem like we support the operation. We have no right to act surprised that the world hates us – since there was no effort made at trying to explain our stance, or to compromise. When you look at the cold facts, Israel seems aggressive, illogical and fundamentalist. The problem with this government and country, and the extremists leading us to total loss, don't understand that we also need to get along with the world, not only fortify our opinions and say that we are right no matter what everyone else thinks.
Twitter is not popularly used by the mainstream in Israel, but has been adopted by Government offices and officials (@IsraelMFA, @IsraelConsulate, @Tzipi_Livni) and media outlets (@Haaretz, @liquid_rotter, @galey_zahal). Out of those posting on Twitter in Hebrew, many rephrase the media headlines like ephic:
RT @nrgcoil the cabinet: intercepting the flotilla – self defence against Hamas: at the end of a discussion on the IDF operation against the activist boats heading towards Gaza http://bit.ly/aPQmOL
Some chose snarky cynicism:
romanrap:
Who is supporting to send a humanitarian flotilla to help the kurds or armenians in Turkey? And of course, not stop when asked to. And if possible, place some clubs and knives on board.
And some provided critique:
dkapuchino:
Israeli shouldn't have been on that boat, and in any case, the Gaza siege is ridiculous. We should respond to violence with *full* force, but the flotilla was not violent.
Facebook is substantially more popular within Israel. Over the past couple days Facebook has been used to host discussions within profile pages and group pages. One Facebook group called to show support for the IDF and a smaller one gathered people who were calling for Bibi Netanyahu and Ehud Barak to resign. One of the largest groups (40,000 members) is pledging Israelis to support a boycott of Turkish goods, and includes the slogan: “I am not selling my national pride for a $500 all inclusive deal”.
Amir Mizroch writes about the power of the ‘#’ sign versus the ‘$’ sign, emphasizing Israel's lack of ability to prepare suitable communications:
Israeli commandos may not have known that members of the Free Gaza flotilla were carrying knives, guns, and metal bars. But they should have known that many in the incoming flotilla were armed with cameras, cell phones, blogs and Twitter accounts. For a country so technologically advanced, and with such acute public diplomacy challenges, to fail so miserably at preparing a communications offensive over new media is a failure of strategic proportions…
Social media is cheap and is antithetical to centralized bodies and subverts their authority. It is, so far, proving to be one of the asymmetrical weapons of choice for grassroots activists…
While Israel is justifiably known as the world’s “Start-up Nation” for its technological dynamism and entrepreneurship, we are being beaten hands down on the PR uses of this new technology. We may be a start up nation, but we are bricks and mortar communicators. Our adversaries have cntrl-alt-deleted us.
Kiwi tech blogger Luke Appleby describes the important role technology played:
the role of technology in this episode can't be overlooked – in fact, it was crucial.
It further demonstrates the impact social media and portable devices can have in aiding the free flow of information, especially in alerting the world to governmental actions, policies and decisions.
People are becoming selective in what they believe, taking information from a vast array of sources and making up their own minds, and that has to be a good thing.
The world is entering a new age – an age of accountability, rapid circulation and global connectivity. There is always someone watching, tweeting, blogging or uploading.
An interesting and relevant comment thread followed his post.
comment 1:
in regards to the technology, I agree with above comments – information is still bias and without an understanding of the wider context of the situation opinions are cheap.
comment 2:
These networks definitely work to the advantage of people trying to get a message out, but they are not necessarily high quality reports. They're likely to be biassed in favour of the reporter. I am not backing the Isrealis or anything, but the picture is still far too confusing to draw any conclusions.
However the vast amount of “information”, mostly trite, tends to bury the important stuff. After a few hours it has been wiped from the social consciousness.
Perhaps this is one reason why the Isrealis boarded so far off shore. Close inshore means more phones etc working making it easier to send voice/pictures/video. Far offshore limits the communications to specialised gear like sat phones etc.
Perhaps that is why Israel chose to intercept the boats in international waters. But the actual reason is still unknown.
As the activists reach their home countries, I am sure we will start receiving more information about what happened. Help us unveil all the pieces of information from the many sides of the story and keep sending us links to perspectives that have not been heard or highlighted.
See our special coverage page about the flotilla raid.

author: Gilad Lotan


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Jamaica: Dudus’ Brother In Custody  · Global Voices
Janine Mendes-Franco

Bloggers are reporting the breaking news that alleged drug don Christopher ‘Dudus’ Coke's brother, Leighton ‘Livity’ Coke, has just been arrested.

author: Janine Mendes-Franco


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Jamaica: New Developments · Global Voices
Janine Mendes-Franco

Two new developments regarding Jamaica's state of emergency are here and here.


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Jamaica: Rock the Calabash · Global Voices
Janine Mendes-Franco

“Calabash 2010 rocked, it really did”: Annie Paul thinks that “this literary festival provides a neat model for similar ventures that could showcase the best that Jamaica has to offer.”


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Japan: Prime Minister Hatoyama resigns · Global Voices
Scilla Alecci

Japanese Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama announced his resignation on Wednesday, after just 8 months in office. Tobias Harris at Observing Japan comments  [en] on the news [en].

author: Scilla Alecci


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Macedonia: If There Was No Internet Comics Followup  · Global Voices
Filip Stojanovski

The Soli pamet blog has also offered a response to the “If there was no internet” meme – through a comics [MKD]. (The blog title – “Salting Mind” – refers to an idiom meaning ‘to teach/preach’.)

author: Filip Stojanovski


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Malawi: On the decision to pardon gay couple · Global Voices
Ndesanjo Macha

Sokari discusses the decision by the Malawian president to pardon a gay couple who were sentence to 14 years in prion: “The decision to pardon rather than allow the Malawian legal process to take it’s own course in the matter raises concerns about the” autonomy and sovereignty” of African states.”


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MENA: Israel will have to Choose  · Global Voices
Amira Al Hussaini

Condemnations are flying left, right, and centre after Israel attacked a Turkish-led flotilla headed to Gaza to deliver humanitarian aid and break the blockade on the Palestinian enclave.
On Twitter, Queen Noor Al Hussein of Jordan tweets:
Time for Israelis to choose betwn life in a rogue pariah state defying international & humanitarian law or to commit to a future of peace.
UAE national Sultan Al Qassemi observes with bewilderment:
Oh look, the Sudanese dictator is also condemning the Israeli Apartheid evil attacks. Now I've seen everything. #jumpingonthebandwagon
And Mariam, also from the UAE, is still looking for a reaction from the United Nations over the attack:
I am searching for Ban Ki Moon's reactions to #freedomflotilla. Latest news published: Ban Ki Moon encourages women to stop smoking.
The first of a series of tweets by Queen Rania of Jordan says:
Shocked by killing of civilians in int'l waters #FreedomFlotilla. Humbled by courage & sacrifice of those on board in name of justice.
She then adds:
Every ship that tries to break the blockade is a Ship of Hope for the people of #Gaza.
A few of the reasons why:
#FreedomFlotilla Fact1:HEALTH–95% of Gaza’s water fails WHO standards leaving thousands of newborns at risk of poisoning. PLZ RT! (source)
#FreedomFlotilla Fact2:EDUCATION–1/3 of schools were destroyed during attack on Gaza in '09; they still haven’t been rebuilt. PLZ RT! (source)
#FreedomFlotilla Fact3: POVERTY – 80% of people in Gaza live below the poverty line; 95% of private businesses have closed. PLZ RT! (source)
#FreedomFlotilla Fact4: NOURISHMENT – Two thirds of Gazans don’t know where their next meal’s coming from. PLZ RT! (source)
Egyptian Abdelrahman was quick to respond to the Queen:
Still in Egypt, Amira Howeidy notes:
Pls stop comparing Israel's army to Somali pirates! This is insulting to the  Somali pirates who didn't murder anyone #flotilla #gaza
Meanwhile, Bahraini Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Dr Nazar Al Baharna tweets:
We are following up with our Ambassador n Jordan & d Palestinian Ambassador n Jordan
& MOFA Jordan 2 follow up on Bahrainis on convoy ships
And Bahrain's Foreign Affairs Minister Shaikh Khalid Al Khalifa reports today:
Bahraini prisoners have just been released … They are in Jordan on their way back home
See our special coverage page about the flotilla raid.

author: Amira Al Hussaini


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Morocco: Where Some People are More Equal than Others  · Global Voices
Amira Al Hussaini

All Moroccans are equal, but some Moroccans are more equal than others, writes Moroccan blogger Jamal Elabiad.
He comes to this conclusion following a corruption case allegedly involving a high ranking official in the cabinet and his son's arrest.
Here's what the blogger writes about the incident:
The scandal, in brief, broke out when a policeman arrested the week before last Khalid Naciri’s son for assaulting and stabbing a motorist in front of the parliament building in Rabat. Soon after learning of his son’s arrest, the communication minister showed up personally at the scene. “Are you going to let the boy go, or should I do my work?” is the threat, according to eye witnesses, the minister used to force the policeman to release his son. As a result, the policeman had no choice but to set Naciri’s son free in disapproval of the citizens who observed the incident. For more details, watch the video.
The video link, which has had more than 24,000 hits so far, shows a commotion, many people shouting “democracy” and many angry comments:
One of the comments reads:
Another comment reads:
Back to Elabiad, who shares his thoughts on the incident in a series of sharp observations:
What the communication minister has done shows beyond doubt that all Moroccans are equal, but some Moroccans are more equal than others.
What the communication minister has done means that Moroccans whose family members are ministers or senior officials are above the law.
What the communication minister has done is a clear sign of the fact that something is rotten in the kingdom of Morocco.
He continues:
What the communication minister has done deals another blow to the image of Morocco abroad.
What the communication minister has done means that those who pass laws are still the first to break them. The communication minister is an example in point.
What the communication minister has done is the kind of news some Algerian and Spanish newspapers are looking for.
What the communication minister has done means that he’s among those whose interests and privileges will be in danger if the North African monarchy becomes a place of democracy, freedom of expression, human rights, and equality before the law.
He adds:
What the communication minister has done is what Amnesty International and Transparency International focus on to write their reports on human rights abuses and corruption in many countries around the world, including Morocco.
What the communication minister has done shows that Moroccan ministers throw stones at others though their houses are made of glass. Think of Khalid Naciri’s sharp criticism of Transparency International reports.
What the communication minister has done is an example of what happens behind closed doors.
What the communication minister has done shows that human rights abuses are among the trivialities Khalid Naciri has no time to waste on.
What the communication minister has done is what made the majority of Moroccans lose faith in the elections.
What the communication minister has done means that Comrades in Morocco turn their coats soon after they become VIPs.
What the communication minister has done is among the means some terrorist networks employ to sow the seeds of terrorism.
In conclusion, Elabiad writes:
Lastly, what the communication minister has done shows beyond doubt that today’s Morocco is no different than the Morocco of yesteryear. In other words, reforms in Morocco are only a varnish. Underneath it lies the same old Morocco!
On Istablogs, Mohammed Taha notes:
In his defence, the minister said he acted like any father who was trying to protect his son. if it was just a father trying to protect his son then we’d understand but Mr. Naciri is not just a father, he represents the Moroccan government so he should be Just, he should be the father of all Moroccans, he should be an example, he should be an honest man and makes sure law is applied on his son the same way it is applied on the rest of the Moroccan citizens. Using his position as a minister to threaten a policeman questions his credibility as an honest minister. How can we trust him now?
Taha adds:
If he wants to be just a father he should go stay home and teach his son how to respect others or rather teach him how to stab people without being caught by the police BUT if he wants to be a minister then the minister and his son should learn how to respect the law.
Last but not least, Maghrebi, on Maghreb Blog, observes:
This is the latest in a long series of similar events that showcases how Morocco's officials treat the corpus of the laws in the kingdom. Instead of being a role model for all Moroccans by respecting law enforcement, Mr. Naciri's message is loud and clear: there are two sets of laws in the country, one for those that wield any form of state authority, who abuses their power with impunity. Another set of laws is duly implemented when downtrodden Moroccans are concerned.
And on Facebook, more than 3,700 people have joined a group in protest against the minister's intervention in his son's incident. The group is called: Khalid Naciri Go Home.


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Nepal: Disappointed With The Politicians · Global Voices
Rezwan

“I admit the defeat of hope of an average Nepali in the hands of the politicians whom I had the misunderstanding of having some qualities of the statesman,” comments Ujjwal Acharya at The Radiant Star while discussing about the extension of the term of the Constituent Assembly (CA).


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Niger: From impending crisis to humanitarian emergency · Global Voices
Ndesanjo Macha

Amanda McClleland, blogging from Niger, says that the country has shifted from an “impending crisis” to a real humanitarian emergency.


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Pakistan: Living In Denial · Global Voices
Rezwan

Bilal Qureshi at Pakistan Foreign Policy blog comments that the “denial and blindness to emerging internal threats has turned Pakistan into a global hub of terrorism and the country itself is a ticking time bomb.”


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Russia: Theater Play About Sergei Magnitsky’s Death · Global Voices
Veronica Khokhlova

Playwright Mikhail Ugarov (LJ user m_u) announces (RUS) the premiere of a play about the prison death of Sergei Magnitsky, a 37-year-old Russian tax lawyer: “Those guilty of the hero's death will appear on the stage – investigators, judges, the prison staff, doctors, and each one will be given a monologue. We'll use their real first and last names, no collective images! And they can come to the theater and look at themselves.”


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Social Networking Sites Made In Pakistan · Global Voices
Rezwan

South Asia Wired reports that during the period of the recent Facebook ban three social networking sites from Pakistan have emerged and gained popularity.


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Trinidad & Tobago: Red Earth  · Global Voices
Janine Mendes-Franco

“The Red Earth Eco-Arts Festival has become one of the highlights of Trinidad's cultural calendar”: MEP Caribbean Publishers previews this year's events.


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Africa: Bicycle Charger kit for rural Africa · Global Voices
Ndesanjo Macha

“Nokia unveiled a Bicycle Charger Kit, an alternative charging solution built especially for people with limited access to electricity,” reports Branded of Benin Epilogue.


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Bangladesh: Newspaper Banned · Global Voices
Rezwan

Rumi at Unheard Voice informs that the Bangladesh government has banned (cancelled the declaration to publish) the vernacular daily Amar Desh and arrested its editor.


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Bolivia: Movie on Immigration Debuting Online · Global Voices
Silvia Viñas

The Bolivian movie, “En busca del paraíso” [es] (“Searching for Paradise”) will be released in Spain on June 11 through Televeo.com [es]. Miguel Esquirol Ríos [es] explains that the movie is about Bolivian immigrants in Spain; he is happy that the movie will reach a foreign audience through the Internet.

author: Silvia Viñas


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Georgia: Social Media deployed for local elections · Global Voices
Ana Keshelashvili

Local government elections in Georgia, including a much anticipated vote to elect the Mayor of Tbilisi, the former Soviet republic's capital, were held on 30 May and attracted huge interest from both the local and international community. Considered another test of Georgia's fledgling democratization process, both deployed and relied on online and social media technologies to monitor the vote perhaps as never before during any other previous election held in the country or, indeed, the region.
For about two months prior to the election, reports and monitoring on media coverage, including the use of administrative resources by the incumbent mayor, the candidate of the ruling National Movement party of the Georgian president, were widely spread via email, websites and Facebook. The popular social networking site also served as one of the main platforms for public debate about the candidates and the local elections in general.
Photo by Eka Elbakidze of Caucasusreports
On election day itself, a media center set up by the Georgian Young Lawyers Association, Transparency International Georgia, and the International Society for Fair Elections and Democracy (ISFED) ran press-conferences every hour, using mailing lists and Facebook to spread  information and announcements. Shortly before the vote, as well as during the election day itself, a website set up by the Civic Development Institute allowed citizens to submit reports on violations via text messages, phone calls or e-mails.
Transparency International Georgia also deployed a real-time online system based on information pulled from several observer organizations on a specially launched website, VoteGeorgia.Ge. The initiative marked the first time such a mapping system was known to be deployed for elections in the South Caucasus.
A day before the vote, the Georgian branch of the Institute of War and Peace Reporting (IWPR) also set up their own special coverage site, GeoElection.Ge  [GE] and hired several bloggers, training them in election reporting before sending them out to different precincts to monitor as well as spread information through their own online networks. Some of those reports materialized over half an hour earlier than news reported by professional journalists on the same website, as Dodka [GE], a blogger and coordinator of that section, mentioned in her Facebook status.
Others also recognized how important the extensive online coverage was.
Blogging was also used to inform readers of the mainstream media with journalists from the leftist and critical Liberali magazine blogging from different precincts and political party offices on election day, while Caucasusreports, a news blog contributed to by Georgian, Azerbaijani and Armenian students from the Caucasus School of Journalism and Media Management at GIPA in Tbilisi, ran reports. In one post, for example, a Georgian journalist blogged about the lack of interest in the local elections from many, while another wrote about the opposite attitude from first-time voters.
Tornike Nikvashvili is one of those who went to the polling station for the first time. He thinks that as a citizen of the democratic country his vote has a big importance.
“This is my first elections and voting is my civil duty. I hope my vote will contribute my country in some way. So, I’ll see what results my first elections will have”.
“All my friends participate in the elections. They all are sure that with this, they can play an important part in the future of the country”, he also added.
The coverage also included reports from the Marneuli region, an area mainly populated by ethnic Azeris, but also by ethnic Armenians and Georgians. Two students reported from the mainly ethnic Armenian-populated village of Shahumian.
Out of five local Sakrebulo candidates in the village Shahumian, Marneuli  region, two are Armenians and three – Georgians. Four polling stations are working in the village. […] The village where 80 percent of population is comprised of  Armenians has a lot of isuess but with the coming of the new elections the old promises are being forgotten.
[…]
Being on the borders of two countries, Armenia and Georgia, the villige lacks access to information badly. They don’t have Georgian TV and Radio broadcasting or get newspapers. Only those who have satelite dishes can watch Georgian channels.
Meanwhile, Ali Resh and a mixed group of Armenian and Azerbaijani students reported on how the vote was conducted in mainly ethnic Azeri villages. This included videos showing an incident where multiple voting was observed. In the first video, election commission members turn those having already voted away while journalists were present until giving up in the second.
In Tbilisi, after results indicated that the current mayor, George Ugulava, had been re-elected with 55 percent of the vote as compared to the runner-up, main opposition candidate and former UN Ambassador Irakli Alasania who received just 19%, bloggers naturally commented. Evolutsia.net gave an in-depth analysis of the results, considering that President Saakashvili's National Movement party had “been rewarded for progress” while also noting that there is “a real market in Georgia for a credible, moderate opposition.”
Interestingly enough, Tbilisi, which gave majority votes to the opposition in the hotly-contested 2008 presidential elections, this time around swung back to the UNM, indicating that opposition-inclined voters were unconvinced and unenthusiastic about the current crop of opposition candidates.
Instead, the elections might be taken as an indication that there is a considerable pool of support for an opposition, but not if it appears immature, endangers economic growth, or is willing to sacrifice Georgian sovereignty. In short, certain segments of the Georgian population could be persuaded by a centrist alternative to Saakashvili’s UNM.
DAVID.GE 2.0 ბლოგი [GE] also summed up the vote in a Post-election Post, comparing the average voter to a consumer who has gotten used to wearing old, but relatively comfortable shoes at the same time as seeing a TV commercial for a newer, more attractive pair by another manufacturer. Meanwhile, the analogy continued, the producer of their existing shoes promises a newer design based on customer feedback.
თქვენს თვალწინ დგება არჩევანი: დაელოდოთ რევოლუციურ ფეხსაცმელს, თუ კი ის ოდესმე მაინც იწარმოება, ან წახვიდეთ და იყიდოთ თქვენი შეჩვეული ფეხსაცმლის ახალი ვარიანტი, რომელიც როგორც მინიმუმ იმაზე უარესად არ გეჩვენებათ რაც ახლა გაცვიათ, დღესვე ხელმისაწვდომია და თანაც ახალ კომფორტსაც გპირდებათ.
რას აკეთებთ თქვენ?
So what do you do?
The post, humorous rather than completely serious, became popular on Facebook while the answer to the question and dilemma posed appears to have already been answered for many.

author: Ana Keshelashvili


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Global: Protests In Support of the Freedom Flotilla Continue · Global Voices
Jillian C. York

In the days following the Israel Defense Forces raid on the Mavi Marmara that left nine dead and numerous others wounded, the world has seen an outpouring of support for Gaza.  Several countries, including Turkey, Ecuador, and  South Africa, have recalled their ambassadors to Israel, while still others have called for investigations of the events by a neutral party.  Nicaragua went a step further, cutting off diplomatic ties with Israel.
At the same time, demonstrations have been taking place around the globe.  From Stockholm to São Paulo, activists and concerned citizens have taken to the streets to protest the violence and Israel's continuing blockade of Gaza.
In nearby Beirut, protesters were seen carrying Turkish flags in support of the Mavi Marmara.
Protestors in Beirut carried Turkish flags in support of the Mavi Marmara.  Photo by Mokhtar Joundi.
Halfway around the world in Boston, American protestors gathered outside of the Israeli consulate, waving Palestinian flags and calling on President Obama to denounce Israel's actions.
Bostonians gathered outside the Israeli consulate.  Photo by Anas Qtiesh.
Protesters in the Bulgarian capital of Sofia held an enormous Palestinian flag to show solidarity with Gaza.
Bulgarian protestors with an enormous Palestinian flag.  Photo by Ruslan Trad.
New York City protesters filled bustling Times Square with Palestinian flags and signs of support.
NYC protesters carrying a sign that reads: "Israel kills civilians in self-defense."  Photo by asterix611.
In London, rapper and poet Lowkey was at the lead of one demonstration, chanting “we are sick of it!” with other demonstrators.  One blogger, Have a Good Time, writes of Lowkey's appearance:
Lowkey starts by reminding his British audience of their complicity in the Israeli attack on the Flotilla and the Israeli siege on Gaza. “We were there through our taxes: our taxes were in the bullets that were fired into our friends and our brothers and our sisters…our taxes were there, our Balfour Declaration was there.”   But Lowkey transitions from this depressing reminder of complicity to a vision of solidarity.  “When they drop white phosphorous bombs on Gaza, they drop white phosphorous bombs on us…we must express our solidarity with those people, because they are us.”  We are not only the Freedom Flotilla: we are Gaza.  In addition to knowing that we cause harm to befall Gaza, we also feel that harm as if it affects us.
The protest was recorded on video:
Global Voices author Raphael Tsavkko Garcia snapped photos of a protest in São Paulo, Brazil, which he posted on his blog along with a description of the protests.
Demonstrators in Sao Paulo wore t-shirts that read "I am Palestinian."  Photo by Raphael Tsavkko Garcia.
O protesto em si foi breve, durou cerca de uma hora, mas os discursos foram enérgicos e emocionados. Gritos de “Israel Genocida”, “Israel Nazista” e “Palestina Livre” eram constantes e distribuímos muitos folhetos entre quem passava. Estes, aliás, em geral nos apoiava, acenando, comentando que era um absurdo a situação dos Palestinos e repudiando Israel e suas ações criminosas.
[…]
Foi um ato pequeno mas cheio de significado. Pelo menos algumas poucas pessoas mostraram seu desagrado, seu repúdio e deixaram claro que não tolerarão mais agressões.
Finally, Israel was not immune from criticism by its own citizens.  In Tel Aviv, demonstrators held signs protesting the occupation.  According to the photographer, one of the protesters was detained, as was a counter-protester.
Click on the image to view the original, and translations of the Hebrew signs. Photo by 'photos from zion'
Protesters gathered in the port city of Ashdod as well, despite reported police attempts to send them back to Tel Aviv.
Protesters line the beach in Ashdod.  Photo by Mya Guarnieri.

author: Jillian C. York


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India: Train Accident And Politics · Global Voices
Rezwan

Words From Solitude captures all the politics after the accident of a Mumbai bound train, which caused death of many civilians. The Maoists derailed it near Jhargram, India.


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Indonesia: Protests against flotilla attack by Israel · Global Voices
Mong Palatino

Rallies were held in Indonesia to protest the attack made by Israeli forces against a flotilla of Gaza-bound ships carrying humanitarian aid. About a dozen Indonesian journalists and volunteers were on board the vessels.

author: Mong Palatino


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Israel: Between the Bean and the Ban  · Global Voices
Maya Norton

The current political climate between Israel and Turkey may be tense, but something that every Israeli can enjoy is the beloved national drink, café turkí (Turkish coffee). Israeli Kitchen observes: “I see the sales girls taking a break in the shop doorways – each one holding a cigarette between her fingers, sipping languidly from a glass of Turkish coffee.”

author: Maya Norton


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Israel: Stymied by Einstein · Global Voices
Maya Norton

Did you know that Hebrew University owns the copyright on images of Albert Einstein? Israelity reports that the university is currently suing over General Motors’ portrayal of Einstein's brains and brawn in a recent campaign for the automobile company.


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Israel/Palestine: Drawing the Line in Gaza · Global Voices
Maya Norton

“So Gaza is under a seige,” writes Lirun of East Med Sea Peace, “And Gazans are suffering badly whether we like to believe it or not.. and yet Israel has a grave security risk. I don't care how much people belittle those rockets, the situation sucks.. but where do we really draw the lines?


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Jamaica: Hard Policing  · Global Voices
Janine Mendes-Franco

“Last week many poor people were shot, and while no doubt some were criminals, there is also no doubt that some were innocent”: My View of JamDown from UpSo suggests that “maybe it's time to admit that so-called hard policing is only an easy, cowardly,  way out of complex problems with bullshit band-aid solutions.”


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Jamaica: On the Run  · Global Voices
Janine Mendes-Franco

“Life has more or less returned to normal on the rock except for those who lost family members in the clash and for those who remain on the run”: Annie Paul says that “the tragedy is that the parts of the city where gangsters unleashed violence are the same areas which have long been the killing fields of Kingston.”


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Jamaica: Searching High & Low  · Global Voices
Janine Mendes-Franco

As the Mayor of Kingston's home is searched in an attempt to find ‘Dudus'; YardFlex.com says: “Come on now, even the Prime Minister’s residence should be subjected to a thorough search by the police”, while Girl With a Purpose provides recent updates on the state of emergency.


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Japan: Artistic flipnotes · Global Voices
Scilla Alecci

Meet Oliver (id:olivercd)  [en], a Spanish designer and one of the “Flipnote creators” featured at Hatena Featured Artist, a special section of one of the most popular Japanese blog platforms.
See here to enjoy the flipnotes of other artists.


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Japan: Tech-savvy fishermen get their business online · Global Voices
Scilla Alecci

Asiajin reports [en] that a fishermen cooperative [ja] “launched a fish and seafood e-commerce site that sells what have been caught in Tokyo Bay in the morning of the day.”
Some of the fishermen also live-tweet [in Japanese] from their ships every day @ Yoshieimaru (佳栄丸) and @ Kageyamamaru (蔭山丸).


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Macedonia: Legislative Changes Raise Privacy Concerns · Global Voices
Filip Stojanovski

Human rights activists and Internet users criticize recent controversial initiatives by the Macedonian Government to increase its legal powers of surveillance. Backed by a comfortable majority in the Parliament, the authorities show little interest in transparent and accountable public debate on this issue.
Macedonian Law on Personal Data Protection provides high levels of protection, and is implemented by an independent regulative body, the Directorate for Personal Data Protection. However, in the last few years, the executive branch of the Government instigated changes in various other laws to create legal loopholes for the authorities to spy on the citizens. As part of this trend, the Parliament will soon vote on the amendments of the Law on Electronic Communications, first proposed on May 11.
The first version of the amendments included obligations for ISPs to provide means for the authorities to directly eavesdrop on the communications by their customers at any time, resulting in an outcry by the opposition and requests for explanation by the European Union, which monitors if the laws made in the EU candidate states are up to its standards.
Metamorphosis Foundation voiced its position “that a substantial part of the amendments… are actually threatening privacy, i.e. the constitutionally guaranteed right to protection of personal data of citizens of the Republic of Macedonia and all other persons on its territory.” Article 17 of the Constitution of the Republic of Macedonia (available on the website of the Constitutional Court) clearly states that:
The freedom and confidentiality of correspondence and other forms of communication is guaranteed.
Only a court decision may authorize non-application of the principle of the inviolability of the confidentiality of correspondence and other forms of communication, in cases where it is indispensable to a criminal investigation or required in the interests of the defense of the Republic.
The amendments were revised and returned to the Parliament for adoption, but the contents of the revised version have not been revealed to the public yet. In an attempt to incite the authorities to become more transparent and accountable, Metamorphosis invited them to a public round table, scheduled for June 4. In the meantime, the authors in both the traditional and the new media have started to dig deeper into the issue.
IT.com.mk published an article by Viktor Arsovski, entitled “The Big Brother will eavesdrop at will?” [MKD]. The author notes that the data retention term required by the new law is 24 months–the maximum allowed by the European Directives–even though in practice most EU countries choose far shorter terms. In Germany, for instance, it's 6 months. Arsovski continued:
Another important change is amending Article 112 with the paragraph:
“Operators of public communications networks and providers of public communication services are obliged to enable continuous and direct access for the authorized monitoring body to their electronic communications networks and conditions to independently gather the traffic data…”
What does independent gathering of traffic data mean? Will the authorities be able to eavesdrop without a court order and without even notifying the operator? Or after they receive a permit and start to eavesdrop legally, then it would be up to them to decide whether to continue or not?
Article 115 is also changed in an interesting way: the term “eavesdropping” (surveillance) has been replaced with a new name: “Equipment and interface for communications monitoring.”
IT.com.mk also maintains the most popular ICT-related forum in Macedonia, and its users started a lively discussion [MKD] about this issue. User neW1 pointed to a 2007 blog post [MKD] by Damjan Georgievski that provided an explanation of the term ‘lawful intercept’.
Some disputants expressed doubt as to whether the authorities have the intention or the capacity to eavesdrop on 2 million people, that the ISPs will not allow the changes to pass due to high equipment costs they would need to bear, and that anyway, the surveillance would focus on the “big fish,” while “mere mortals” need not worry.
FOSS activist Arangel reacted to such statements by recommending using encryption tools like OTR, and by posting [MKD] a photo of disappointed Captain Picard. Arangel wrote:
It is unbelievable how many people are brainwashed to the degree that they can throw away their liberty and rights in cold blood because “it is practiced everywhere and it is normal…”
He also added [MKD]:
Someone mentioned that the providers would not agree to this. I have been informed that they already installed the necessary equipment, it is already done.
Vordan, another experienced Internet user, tried to express his bitterness by summing up [MKD] “a few facts”:
So relax, there's not much you can do. Currently the opposition fights tooth and nail against this law, but tomorrow when (and if) they get the power, they will be totally happy to use its “benefits.”
You can't win. You can't even make it even.
Vordan also added [MKD] that his ironic comment came from the feeling of helplessness, but that he agreed with Arangel that “everybody needs to invest the maximum effort to protect the privacy of their communications.”
(Thumbnail source: Aubonheurduweb.com, published under Creative Commons-BY-NC-SA license.)


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Maghreb: Views on Freedom Flotilla’s Unfolding Drama · Global Voices
Hisham Almiraat

Reactions to the Israeli raid on the Gaza Freedom Flotilla still reverberate across the world, not least among Maghreb bloggers who have been commenting on unfolding events.
Moroccan blogger Ibn Kafka posts pictures published on the Israeli ministry of foreign affairs’ Flickr page, allegedly of weapons seized on board the raided ships. The blogger writes:
On the Israeli ministry of foreign affairs’ Flickr page, the pictures of the so-called weapons seized on the ships taking part in the Gaza Freedom Flotilla provide ample evidence of the deviousness of those darned anti-semitic terrorists. Be forewarned: the following pictures are not for the faint-hearted.
The blogger goes on commenting the pictures:
Exhibit A: bulletproof vests
A slight snag though: two commentators, probably anti-semitic, point out that this photo really is from February 2006.
[…]
Horror knows no bounds- exhibit C: pepper spray.
Futés ces Turcs pour utiliser des sprays au poivre toujours sous emballage.
[…]
Do not faint just yet, because here is exhibit E: an electric saw – on a ship! Really, those terrorists really are beyond the pale.
[…]
Please bear with me, because here comes exhibit F: night vision equipment, of course utterly useless on high seas.
Finally, the smoking gun as it were: a butterfly knife of sorts, with a blade slightly shorter than a thumb, a weapon ideally suited for use against marine commandos armed with high-velocity firearms:
If all this hard evidence isn’t enough to convince you of the legitimacy of the Israeli action, I rest my case.
Moroccan-Belgian Kenza el-Yaznasni, was filmed few hours before she joined the Gaza aid convoy. The video [Fr] of her interview, posted by myskinnywonderland went viral on YouTube as bloggers expressed concern about her well being and as rumors spread about her possible death during the Israeli raid. In the following video Kenza is asking for international support for “this completely peaceful and noble action.”
Some Tweeters heard news about the death of Kenza.
But unconfirmed news [Fr] are now emerging attesting that Kenza and three other Belgian nationals are indeed safe and in their way out of Israel.
Allas Di Tlelli is an Algerian blogger whose controversial sympathy for Israel has brought him a bit of fame in his own blogosphere. He writes [Fr]:
[A]u-delà même de l’évidence qui fait que derrière cette flottille, ce sont les mêmes régimes (Algérie, Egypte, Syrie, Iran, Turquie…), voire même les organisations intégristes (Hamas, Hizbollah…) qui financent et tirent les ficelles pour que ce problème du Moyen-Orient puisse retrouver un peu de sa “splendeur” médiatique afin de manipuler encore et toujours la rue arabe et musulmane et de permettre à ces régimes de se faire oublier, eux et le marasme social qu’ils produisent pour leurs gouvernés, et à ces mouvements islamistes, de retrouver un peu de légitimité populaire…
Algerian blogger nomadius writing on L'archipel d'Algérie [Fr] expresses outrage at Israel's intervention and thinks Israelis may have gone a step too far. He writes:
Cette attaque de ce convoi maritime humanitaire sonne une fin de la barbarie sioniste, sommé depuis longtemps et plus maintenant à se conformer aux normes d'un Etat respectable ou disparaître à la manière de l'apartheid, du fascisme, du nazisme et des autres fléaux de la planète. Que fera l'Etat sioniste quand un autre convoi méné par d'autres associations se dirigera encore une fois pour briser le blocus de Gaza ? Frapper encore ? Rien n'est moins sûr. Les faits sont là, Israèl s'enferme et s'enterre. Israèl est son propre ennemi aujourd'hui, maintenant, et depuis Moise.
From Tunisia, Lina Ben Mhenni, whose writings have prompted her government earlier this year to block her website, expresses surprise and relief at the Tunisian authorities’ rare decision to allow a march in solidarity with the Gaza Freedom Flotilla in the capital Tunis. She goes on telling the story [Fr] of a day full of surprises:
Aprés les attaques meurtières et atroces sur la flotille de la liberté , tous les peuples du monde sont sortis manifester spontanément contre ce crime.Nous on devait obtenir une autorisation pour le faire . Nous devons obtenir une autorisation pour exprimer notre colère, notre douleur…
Et comme par miracle , on a obtenu cette autorisation pour la journée d ‘après.
[…] Nous avons parcouru l ‘avenue Mohamed V  , depuis la place du7 Novembre, arrivés a l ‘autre extremité , les forces de l ‘ordre nous ont aggréssés (m**de je croyais que la manifestation était légale ) , une aggression verbale et physique .Ils ont utilisés leur artillerie , ils se sont attaqués aux manifestants  comme des betes féroces  pourtant la manifestation était légale.
Reactions are still pouring in as the situation on the ground continues to unfold.

author: Hisham Almiraat


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Myanmar: New political parties · Global Voices
Mong Palatino

According to the website of the Myanmar government, 28 of 32 parties that submitted applications for registration as political parties have been granted permission to register as political parties.


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Myanmar: Women can’t marry foreigners · Global Voices
Mong Palatino

The Burmese Ruby Diary reacts to the decision of the Myanmar government forbidding women from marrying foreigners.


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Pakistan: Attacks Against Ahmadi Community In Lahore · Global Voices
Rezwan

Sana Saleem at Mystified Justice criticizes the “indifference of people, the authorities, and the media towards the attacks against the Ahmadi community in Lahore on Friday.”


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Philippines: Election fraud monitoring site · Global Voices
Mong Palatino

Bantay Garci 2010 is an “online central clearinghouse where the Filipino people can report anomalies in the recently concluded 2010 automated elections.”


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Russia: Artists Against State Bureaucracy · Global Voices
Alexey Sidorenko

Several artists led by Alexey Biryukov launched the blog “Artist! Set Yourself Free!” [RUS]. The idea of the blog is to attract attention to the issue of export of modern art from Russia. Currently an artist needs a state permission to move his/her piece of art outside the country (even for an exhibition).

author: Alexey Sidorenko


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Tanzania: Will Tanzania benefit from playing Brazil? · Global Voices
J. Nambiza Tungaraza

Football fans in Tanzania are eagerly waiting to see FIFA world Cup five times winners Brazil taking on Tanzania national Team on June 7, 2010 at the National Stadium in Dar es Salaam.  The international friendly between the five times world champions and Tanzania national team is part of Brazil’s World Cup preparations before the opening match of the World Cup on June 11th in South Africa.
The match will be broadcasted live in over 160 countries and some anticipate that the 90 minutes attention will promote Tanzania’s image abroad. As well as generating publicity for the country, it will also be a lifetime opportunity for local football fans to see the Brazilians play on Tanzanian soil.
A debate is brewing in the Tanzanian blogosphere over the amount of money involved in the deal and the benefits to Tanzania. Chahali started with a post titled Taifa Stars vs Brazil on Metro But for all the wrong reasons where he pasted a paragraph from the UK Metro saying:
Tanzania Football Federation admits paying several million dollars to persuade brazil to play the Taifa Stars but president Leodgar tenga insists it will be worth every penny
Although Tanzania Football Federation has refused to disclose the amount of money paid to the Brazilians for the opportunity to play in Tanzania, readers in Michuzi’s blog have seized upon the story.  ankal kamau who claims to be from Kenya writes:
After reading this piece, “Tanzania Pay Brazil Price” from BBC, I decided to write something for my neighbours Tanzanians. A country in the bottom of the poorest in the world, I was shocked on the rationale and thinking of these people. How could Tanzania pay such a price for Brazil to come and play soccer in Tanzania, while women giving birth are dying in hospitals because they cant get medicine. The could have used the money to modernize their Airport to be the Best in East Africa.
Some readers seem to agree with Ankal Kamau:
Let's be serious, the money is too much, the govt should at least invest in building schools and hospitals rather than bringing Brazil. It's a shame seeing students sitting on the floor in schools while our govt is wasting money…
While Kamau’s post has evoked negative reaction, in another post [SW] readers are more positive about the match citing benefits to Tanzania’s tourism urging the government to seize the opportunity and promote Tanzania:
Kwa upande mwingine, vipi kuhusu utalii. Tafadhali, wahusika (nawanyooshea vidole watu wa Wizara ya Utalii) mtumie hii fursa ipasavyo. Brazil itakuja na wanahabari kutoka kila kona ya dunia.
Another reader in Ankal Kamau’s post questions the use of tourism promotion to justify the spending:
I'm sick and tired of people using tourism as the justification for such a disgraceful act on the part of our government. We still do not have the basic necessities of water and electricity let alone decent schools and hospitals. Personally I am very disturbed. How are we promoting tourism by hosting the Brazilian football team? Someone please explain the rationale to me. When will we realise that enough is enough and that we are being taken for a ride? Lets wake up guys. Seriously…
Despite local football fans whinging about the highest entrance fee to watch the match on Monday (200,000TShillings, about 140USD while the lowest fee is equivalent to a monthly minimum wage (30,000TShillings, about 21USD), tickets are expected to be sold out as philanthropists, companies and institution have already started to buy giveaway tickets for the fans.
Posting from South Africa Faustine’s Baraza has more world cup related posts in Kiswahili and English here and here.
World Cup 2010 remains one of the main subjects in Vijana FM blog. More posts here [SW] and here [SW].

author: J. Nambiza Tungaraza


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Thailand: New Immigration Office · Global Voices
Mong Palatino

BigBabyKenny blogs about the new immigration office of Thailand


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Trinidad & Tobago: Saving our Heritage  · Global Voices
Janine Mendes-Franco

Afra Raymond blogs about the need for Trinidad and Tobago to preserve its heritage buildings.