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Cuba: Helping Gorki  · Global Voices
Janine Mendes-Franco

Claudia Cadelo De Nevi guest blogs at Generation Y about her role in the protests that contributed to Cuban punk rocker Gorki's release: “I believe today marks a turning point from ‘no we can’t’ to ‘we can.’  We have shown that things can change, that we can stand up to injustices and the abuse of power and that fear is NOT infallible.”

author: Janine Mendes-Franco


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Cuba: Tens of Thousands of Houses Affected by Hurricane Gustav · Global Voices
Eduardo Avila

Zania Regalado writes that 90,000 houses were affected by Hurricane Gustav in Cuba [es], and writes that work is underway to restore electricity to the areas affected.

source: news-globalvoices

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

author: Eduardo Avila


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Finnish voice on death of Ingushetian publisher · Global Voices
Vilhelm Konnander

Istori posts a speech by and publishes a statement about the Ingushetian publisher Magomed Yevloev, who was killed by Russian police in the weekend. Together with Anna Politkovskaya, Yevloev – the publisher of closed-down news site ingushetiya.ru – was a frequent guest at the Finnish-Russian Civic Forum.

author: Vilhelm Konnander


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Georgia: Information War · Global Voices
Onnik Krikorian

A Second Hand Conjecture comments on the information war currently being waged between Russia and Georgia after the recent conflict over South Ossetia. The blog notes that one site established to put forward the Georgian case online utilizes slick marketing skills absent from the Russian side.

author: Onnik Krikorian


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Haiti: Hurricane Hanna · Global Voices
Janine Mendes-Franco

Blog de Port-au-Prince reports that Hurricane Hanna is hitting the area of Gonaives hard, while Pwoje Espwa posts photos.


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India: Public transport · Global Voices
Neha Viswanathan

Punarjanman on the the issue of public transport and a general sense of impatience in Mumbai, India.

author: Neha Viswanathan


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Iran: Made in Iran cars · Global Voices
Fred Petrossian

Kourosh Ziabari, Iran based blogger, informs us that Iranian auto manufacturer ,Iran Khodro, finally unveiled four new types of its national brand.

author: Fred Petrossian


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Iran:Ban on website needs court ruling · Global Voices
Fred Petrossian

According to news sites and blogs, Iranian Judiciary chief Ayatollah Shahroudi said on Sunday that any case of banning a website needs a verdict from the court of justice. He added the websites committing security and immoral acts are exceptions.Taghvimeh Tabid,an Iranian blogger, believes[Fa] this order has not any impact on real life.


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Japan: More on Fukuda Resignation · Global Voices
Oiwan Lam

Tobias Harris from Observing Japan gives more background information about the sudden resignation of Prime Minister Fukuda.

author: Oiwan Lam


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Kazakhstan: Making Friends with Iran · Global Voices
Adil Nurmakov

Michael Hancock reflects on the Kazakhstan's plans to oil/gas partnership and closer economic ties with Iran, and the possible consideration of the Western community's opinions about such cooperation.

author: Adil Nurmakov


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Kenya: Poking fun at Kenyan news with animation · Global Voices
Ndesanjo Macha

Kenyan blog, The Shikwekwes, uses animation to poke fun at Kenyan news.

author: Ndesanjo Macha


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Mexico Marches against Violence · Global Voices
Juliana Rincón Parra

Mexicans, fed up with the increasing violence and insecurity their country has been facing this past year, as it was mentioned on this past Global Voices article,  decided to have a silent march and candle-lit anthem singing throughout the country and in some other locations like Costa Rica, USA, Spain, Israel, Poland and England during Sunday August 31st, 2008. The website Lets Illuminate Mexico has details about who supported the march, their reasons and it will soon have video and photos.
MaJaDeRiA, a Colombian blogger living in Mexico, writes in her blog about her experience marching in this event, and noticing how class divided it was. The upper crust did head out to march, but stayed at the starting point, the Angel of Independence statue, the middle and lower classes, known by some as the “metro travelling class” did meet at the Zocalo. She ends with a few questions for the Mexican citizens:
• Por que no había una unanimidad de consignas?. Entre pedir la paz, pedir que si no cumplen renuncien y pedir que se acaben los secuestros….qué era lo que en realidad pedían?.
• Nunca entendí por que la marcha no era contra la violencia, sino contra la inoperancia de las autoridades. Una cosa va de la mano de la otra?. No debería uno marchar contra la violencia y pedir la revocatoria del mandato de las autoridades en otra parte?.
• Quién es el malo acá?. Los delincuentes, las autoridades, o quién?.
• Por qué llegar al Zócalo y no a los Pinos?. (a.k.a la casa del Presidente).
-Why wasn't there a unanimity in slogans? Among the requests for peace, asking for those who don't do their work to resign and demanding the end of kidnapping… what was it that they were really asking for?
– I never understood why the march wasn't against violence, but against the uselessness of the authorities. One thing goes along with the other? Shouldn't one march against violence and ask the revocation of the authorities mandate somewhere else?
– Who is the bad guy here? The delinquents, the authorities, or whom?
-Why reach the Zocalo and not los Pinos (a.k.a. the President's house)?
Her video Marcha D.F. on how the  is on Blip.tv. The Spanish captions read: I don't know if marches
are good for anything other than giving incentives for informal commerce. But I do know that MANY people were at the D.F. March. It was good to see them walk.From the Mexican city of Monterrey, yazpeace posts a video of the candle-lit anthem singing:

author: Juliana Rincón Parra


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Morocco: Welcoming Ramadan · Global Voices
Jillian C. York

Ramadan comes but once a year, and Moroccan bloggers (like those in Egypt, Libya, and elsewhere) are gearing up for the month ahead.
Lovefrom1stbite shares a recipe for the delicious Ramadan treat chabakia, including a picture of the treats cooking:
Al Miraat/The Moroccan Mirror forgoes words, instead sharing this image:
A day late?
This year, Ramadan in Morocco will start a day later than in most of the world.  Morocco, Mauritania, and Iran all determined Ramadan to start Tuesday, a fact which leaves some bloggers puzzled.  27monthswithoutbaseball, a Peace Corps volunteer in Morocco, says of the delay:
So, Ramadan didn’t begin today after all, at least not in Morocco. It doesn’t really make sense to me – after all, scientists can predict moon phases with complete accuracy from now until the end of time – but they have to wait until the imams say it’s Ramadan. I guess it makes more sense knowing that in every country it’s different – Ramadan started yesterday in Algeria, Tunisia and Libya, today in Egypt and most of the Arab world, and will start tomorrow in Morocco, Mauritania and Iran. Who knows, maybe the moon does look a little different in every country. Science doesn’t always have all the answers. We did change the time last night though – back to old time!
North Africa Notes, also a foreigner in Morocco, commented on her feelings after hearing the news that Ramadan had not yet begun:
But today, Monday, sure felt like Ramadan, I think people were so ready for it to be announced as starting today that it was hard for them to get into eating. As I ate a group breakfast with my friend's family we commented on that, it just felt kind of weird to be eating. We were all happy though that the Moroccan government had decided to repeal Daylight Savings time as of this morning,in order to make Ramadan a little easier on everyone ,they said. So we put our clocks back to how they were before and gained an hour. 10 am became 9 am. Sunset is now at 7 instead of 8, Alhamdulilah.

author: Jillian C. York


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Oman: Forum administrators legally responsible for all content? · Global Voices
Ayesha Saldanha

Muscati, the administrator of OmanForum, explains his decision to remove an article that may have got him into trouble – and reports that the administrator of another forum is under investigation, possibly for the same matter.

author: Ayesha Saldanha


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Ossetia, Georgia, Russia: History · Global Voices
Veronica Khokhlova

“A little about history of Ossetia and Georgia” – at De Rebus Antiquis Et Novis.

author: Veronica Khokhlova


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Pakistan: About Obama · Global Voices
Neha Viswanathan

All Things Pakistan on Obama's connection with Pakistan.


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Panama: Free Blogging Workshops · Global Voices
Eduardo Avila

Dioni of Blogueando [es] invites everyone for the workshop “Bloguea Panama,” which is a three and a half hour free workshop for those wanting to learn how to blog.


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Paraguay: Documentary Film About Filigree Jewelry Making · Global Voices
Eduardo Avila

Muna Annahas writes about the documentary film that she produced about the art of filigree jewelry making, which is popular in her native Paraguay.


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Russia: Ingush Opposition · Global Voices
Veronica Khokhlova

Valery Dzutsev notes on a rumor that “shortly before his killing Magomed Yevloev was about to start the campaign for collection of signatures among the Ingush for secession from Russian Federation. The latest Ingush opposition initiatives may have derived from unilateral recognition of South Ossetia by Russia.”


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Russia: Re-Writing History, Again · Global Voices
Veronica Khokhlova

De Rebus Antiquis Et Novis writes about yet another attempt to re-write Russian history.


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Russia: Riverboat Trip Report · Global Voices
Veronica Khokhlova

De Rebus Antiquis Et Novis posts a photo report from a riverboat trip to Kazan, Cheboksary, Kozmodemyansk, Nizhny Novgorod and a few other places.


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South Korea: Prostitution Business · Global Voices
Oiwan Lam

Korea Beat translated a local feature article on prostitution business in South Korea.


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Tajikistan: SCO Summit in Dushanbe · Global Voices
Adil Nurmakov

Shannon gives updates on the SCO summit in Dushanbe, the capital of Tajikistan, and talks about the attitude of SCO member-countries toward Russia’s actions in Georgia.


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Tanzania: White Priviledge · Global Voices
Ndesanjo Macha

Being a “mzungu” (a white person in Swahili) in Tanzania goes with some privileges. Blogger Mara Gordon explains: “Nobody thought twice about me waltzing in here. Because I’m a mzungu and I’m wearing business casual, the guards all smiled and offered me a friendly “Karibu;” nobody asked to see my room key or demand that I order some food from the lobby bar.”


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Trinidad & Tobago, U.S.A.: Obama & Race  · Global Voices
Janine Mendes-Franco

Notes from Port of Spain asks, “How much does it matter that Barack Obama is black?”


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Turkmenistan: Keeping Children from Cotton · Global Voices
Adil Nurmakov

Nathan reports that Turkmenistan is putting an end to the use of child labor in cotton harvesting, according to the president Berdymuhammedov’s intentions.


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Uzbekistan: Former SNB Agent Seeks Asylum · Global Voices
Adil Nurmakov

Nathan says that Ikrom Yakubov, a former Uzbekistan National Security Service (SNB) agent, has arrived in London seeking asylum.


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Where in the world are Global Voices translators? · Global Voices
Solana Larsen

These days, Global Voices’ Lingua translators produce 15 different language editions of this website (18, if you count the up-and-coming Swahili, Russian, and Serbian) so people around the world who don't speak English, can join the global conversation.
We have welcomed more than 70 volunteer translators from at least 21 countries to the Global Voices community in the past year and a half.
It's not an easy task to keep up with the 150+ authors, editors, and translators who regularly contribute their energies to Global Voices.
We have no physical office, no geographical headquarters, and only rarely have a chance to meet face to face. You can read more about how Global Voices works on our About page.
Claire Ulrich who heads Global Voices in French has plotted the approximate locations of all Lingua translators on this Google map.
Please help spread knowledge of the many different Lingua translation sites by linking to them in your blog.

author: Solana Larsen


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Africa: Here Comes Big Brother Africa III · Global Voices
Ndesanjo Macha

The third season of the popular TV series Big Brother Africa started last month. The show, which will last for 91 days (until Sunday 23rd November 2008) involves contestants from Angola, Botswana, Ghana, Malawi, Namibia, Kenya, Nigeria, South Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Uganda and Tanzania.
The 3rd season has already developed a huge amount of interest on the continent. African bloggers are currently discussing the show from a variety of angles. Bazanye wants to offer updates of Big Brother III but he does not own a TV. So what does he do? He makes them up:
Because I have no TV (ref Crime Rate) I cannot offer updates of Big Brother Africa III.
Not unless I make them up, as I shall now proceed to do.
Day I
10:40pm
Uti belches loudly and drops his hand to his belt. After a single deft gesture he has his large belt clip open, his fly unzipped and his belly is able to escape from confinement. “That was good food,” he says.
Sheila repeats the first word she uttered when she entered the house. “Fuck!” she says.
Uti, speaking drowsily, replies, “You misunderstood the reason I undid my fly. It’s because I am full. Maybe later.”
Sheila is disgusted and walks away from the table to join a gaggle of other housemates who have drifted towards the fridge. She leaves Morris at the table. Morris is looking at Uti enviously. “How did you do that?”
“How I opened my fly so fast and with only one hand?”
“No, I mean how do you repulse women so fast? I am a pretty boy so I don’t know how to do that.”
He then adds, “Shwinggg!” and walks away, too.
Mimi’s head is literally inside the fridge. She is that eager for a drink. Takondwa is looking at her bum.
11:00pm
Munya and Lucille are having a conversation. “As I said in my intro montage,” Munya brags, “Zimbabweans are the ultimate hustlers.”
“Do you really think that is the best thing to say to the rest of Africa about Zimbabwe?”
“Why? What’s wrong?” he continues grinning because he really doesn’t know what is wrong.
12:00-next morning
Uti farts all night long.
Felix writes a 2-part series about BBA. After briefly discussing other reality shows such as Apprentice Africa, The Ultimate Search, he focuses on Big Brother Africa III:
Let me try and describe the whole scenario, they come into the house, six boys and six girls, youths with hormones pumping like wild fire, desperate to win the prize money of 100,000USD, knowing the craziest in the house or better still the wildest, which means taking showers naked on live television,… Each housemate will scheme and play the game hard in order to be the last man or woman standing to win 100,000 US dollars; while audiences watch every minute and every second of their lives in the house live on satellite TV. Not forgetting those hot and steamy shower hours where everything comes off in the full glare of the Big Brother lenses, and the organizers of the show in other to make this happen, they arrange a cozy, luxury two bedroom apartment with small rooms, and share the participants to be 3boys and 3girls to a room and they are welcomed with enough food, drinks, cigarette and music to swing into the mood of getting to know each other fast enough for action to start taking place in the house.
Funny thing is, I find it really fascinating how watching a group of people sitting around, talking, eating and sleeping? Can be entertaining, yet you get millions of fans going to bed late, because they are waiting for the housemates to go to bed first or hoping some action like what happened in the last edition will reoccur, some might say it’s the Shower Hour( the most watched session), but the truth remains, its gets a lot of fans hooked to the screen, even me…(lol) sometimes.
Is BBA a vehicle for encouraging immorality and promiscuity?
My questions are what is the average Africa youth to benefit from Big Brother Africa which without a doubt has become one of the most followed reality series in Africa and M-net, producers of the show got massive auditions across the 12 countries for season 3. BBA2 received over 900,000 SMS messages; over 14 million registered page impressions and over 4 million viewed video clips on the show’s website and which of course means the organizers of this show are really smiling to the banks each season. My other question now being what value is being delivered? Or are we being westernized to the point where we aimlessly follow a show that is immoral and a vehicle encouraging immorality, promiscuity… but whatever you views are, if you are watching (like I am), it means you asked for what you are getting.
He dwells on the same subject of moral values in his second post:
That is not the worst of it, the news I came back to hear is when the house mates went into a game called “Truth or Dare”. This got one of the girls(Sheila) having to kiss all the guys in the room, one of the guys(Takwonda or T.K for short) stripping butt naked and standing in front of the rest of the house mates and it gets worse, the really crazy guy in the house(in my opinion) Ricco, strips butt naked and gives Sheila a lap dance while kissing her ears, as if they hadn’t showed enough capriciousness, the flirt of the house, Latoya strips half naked and T.K sucks her boobs. Are they getting into an orgy already?
Now I’m sure this sounds like a flick from a porno movie, but truth is I just described an evening 4days into the BBA show, remember this kids are going to be in the house for 91whole days and only four days into the show they have gone this far, your guess is as good as mine what will happen in before the show it comes to an end.
Anyways, I guess I got what I asked for when I subscribed for the program, so maybe I should stop complaining or better still unsubscribe, but really, its mind boggling where we are headed in an attempt to be like our western counterpart or is this all part of the civilization?
“Isnt homosexuality the issue anymore?,”Kenyan Gay Man asks:
The Kenyan representative in BBA stated that she is bisexual and her strategy would be to sleep with all the women first then go for the dudes. This was even reported in The Standard friday magazine.
I was expecting the usual Kenyan reaction with politicians leading the way about morals and homosexuality etc. However, except for Hot 96 fm digress Am I the only one who listens to this station and really love the music? end of digress..erm where was I, oh yes, except for Hot 96fm, I have not heard anyone else comment about this declaration.
Imagine if the contestant was a man and he declared that he would first seduce all the dudes before he takes on the chiles! Now that would be something but that aside, the reaction would be swift and take the Kenya headlines.
Bella Naija does not think the Nigerian contestant, Uti, will win:
I still have a big question mark as per the Nigerian rep. Sorry but off the bat, dont think he will win…Hope I am proven wrong tho but as per first impressions…hmmmm
BTW, the Angolan guy (Ricco) and Latoya (TZ) have already had a mini hookup! within 12 hours of being in the house!
“The guys are kinda cute,” writes Linda Ikeji:
Big Brother Africa is back and I'm so so delighted with their selection this time around. The guys are kinda cute…
I just finished watching shower hour…hmmm…I repeat, the guys are kinda cute…well packed. lol
Sheila, the Kenyan contestant seem to attract a lot of attention from viewers. Is she a bully?:
Oh yes Sheila Kwamboka is a bully in the house. She has bright ideas and feels frustrated if nobody listens to her so she turns to bullying. But she's a friendly bully.
Sheila also led a group so desperate to gossip that they locked themselves in the toilet. They could not leave even when another housemate wanted to use it. That was a shame!
Vybez says that the prize is hers:
She is 23 years old , wild and keeping it real 24/7.  This time all eyes are on her coz  if the other contestants don’t watch it, the prize money is hers. The only forminadable threat or compe is from Mimi the Ghanaian chiq and Towana the Botwasana chiq. Go gal that prize money is ours…lol.
Wanjiku writes about the fake nominations, which took place at the beginning of the week:
The honeymoon is over for the housemates as the inevitable nominations began. They’ve no clue that the nominations are fake and eviction on Sunday will be fake too.
So who nominated who? And why?
Africancorp posts photos of the contestants. Times Multimedia has a video.


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Algeria: The Guessing Game · Global Voices
Amira Al Hussaini

The Moor Next Door briefs us about the political situation in Algeria. “When Ahmed Ouyahia was appointed Prime Minister of Algeria for the third time earlier this summer, it was an important signal for the direction of the country in the next year.”

author: Amira Al Hussaini


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Armenia: Nagorno Karabakh Independence Marked, Anti-Turkish Protests Planned · Global Voices
Onnik Krikorian

Photo: ARF-D Nagorno Karabakh Independence Anniversary Rally, Matenadaran, Yerevan, Republic of Armenia © Onnik Krikorian 2008
While the international media concerns itself with the two breakaway regions of South Ossetia and Abkhazia in Georgia, Armenia Discovered reminds its readers that yesterday marked the 17th anniversary of the declaration of independence by another self-declared republic in the South Caucasus — Nagorno Karabakh.
September 2 is the 17th anniversary of adoption of Declaration of Independence in Artsakh (Karabakh) Republic. During the referendum organized within the frames of Artsakh (Karabakh) the people of the region has made their decision of solving the mistake made by Stalin in the start of 20th century and leave the structure of Azerbaijan according to the Soviet Constitution acting at that moment. The followed military actions initiated by Azerbaijani officials aiming at preventing the independence of Artsakh brought to a war lasted until 1994, factual capitulation of Azerbaijan and signing of unlimited ceasefire.
My The Caucasian Knot also covered the event staged by the Armenian Revolutionary Federation — Dashnaktsutyun (ARF-D), a member of the coalition government in the country, and noted that other regional issues were also on the agenda.
Despite being represented in the coalition government, speakers used the occasion to declare that the nationalist party would stage street protests if the Turkish president, Abdullah Gul, attends this weekend’s football match between Armenia and Turkey in Yerevan. As RFE/RL explains, the statement comes in stark contrast to the message of reconciliation that the president, Serge Sargsyan, has offered to his counterpart in Ankara. Vahan Hovannisian, a key figure in the party, also took the time to comment on the recent war between Armenia and Georgia.
The party line is that ethnic Armenians living in Georgia’s Samtskhe-Javakheti region should be granted autonomy.
[…]
Calls for autonomy in Samtskhe-Javakheti are also not likely to present the right image to the international community either. To be fair to Dashnaktsutyun, the idea of a introducing a federal model in Georgia is not a bad one given the country’s history of ethnic unrest and internal conflict. However, such statements are likely to also be seen as first step to demanding independence. It is not uncommon to hear Dashnaks refer to the Georgian region as historical Armenian territory and to say that “after Karabakh, Javakhk is next.”
Blogian also comments on the rally and notes that the ARF-D promised to  stage street protests when Turkish President Abdullah Gul arrives in Yerevan to attend the Armenia-Turkey World Cup qualifying football match. At the same time, it says that the Armenian Football Federation has banned any political propaganda in the stadium itself — especially if it relates to the 1915 Armenian Genocide in Ottoman Turkey.
Political signs of any kind – including banners about the Armenian Genocide – will not be allowed in Yerevan’s largest soccer stadium this Saturday where Armenia and Turkey will play for the first time.  Armenia Liberty quotes the chair of Armenia’s Football Federation as saying, “Only football-related placards will be allowed there. A victory for Armenia would send a much stronger message that a few banners.”
Armenia’s nationalist Dashnaktsutyun (ARF) party, in the meantime, has started protesting Turkish president Abdulla Gul’s anticipated visit to Yerevan to watch the game with his Armenian counterpart.
While Turkey officially denies the Armenian genocide, blockades Armenia and has taken a partisan side in the Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh, many are encouraged by the recent positive developments in the Armenian-Turkish dialogue.
But if nationalist parties such as the ARF-D plan to protest the probable visit of the Turkish president to Armenia, Unzipped notes that  the opposition considers the event to be as important as the government does. Indeed, the blog commends the opposition for its maturity on the matter.
Ter-Petrosyan led opposition announced its decision to postpone upcoming opposition rally from 5 September to 12 September and to end sit-it protest on the Northern Avenue from 31 August. Instead, there will be only “political walks” daily 7pm-10pm.
[…]
The importance of that game went well beyond sporting significance and considered a possibly key moment in opening up a new page in relationships between our countries.
Opposition does not want its actions to interfere in any way with the importance of developments in Armenia – Turkey relations and objective necessity by the authorities to take all the necessary security actions.
Talk Turkey also takes a more moderate approach and says that despite the differences between the two countries, a visit by the Turkish president couldn't have come at a better time.
With the ongoing Russian restructuring and its hopes of revitalizing the Soviet empire, closer relations between affected neighboring countries are very critical in any normal setting. Then there's the issue of reconciling differences regarding the ‘Genocide’ matter. And the hope for a closer dialogue without the presence of any third parties whose justification for their own existence is the continuation of the very same discord they supposedly are for ending.
A good start . . .
My The Caucasian Knot has photographs from the anniversary event staged yesterday.
Photo: ARF-D Nagorno Karabakh Independence Anniversary Rally, Matenadaran, Yerevan, Republic of Armenia © Onnik Krikorian 2008


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Bahrain: Service for Others  · Global Voices
Amira Al Hussaini

Asfoory, from Bahrain, says the start of Ramadan coincides with his return to school as a teacher this year. “The best of someone can do during Ramadan to gain the blessings of Allah is to serve other Muslims. Teacher work is the best service someone can do for others,” he writes.


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Bermuda: Government Paper?  · Global Voices
Janine Mendes-Franco

As international criticism continues to pour in over the government's attempts to control the media, Vexed Bermoothes says: “The Premier’s excuse that newspapers are not the best media outlet for Bermuda is wearing a little thin as news leaks out that the Premier’s close allies have invested several million dollars in setting up a competing paper.”


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Cayman Islands: Looking into The Yard  · Global Voices
Janine Mendes-Franco

Blogging from the Cayman Islands, Mighty Afroditee is fascinated by the goings-on in “The Yard”.


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Chile: EngineUp Contest for Web Start Up Projects · Global Voices
Eduardo Avila

Webprendedor [es], a Chilean website for startup web projects announces the EngineUp contest that will award $10,000 to one company to finance its project.


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Cote d’Ivoire: Toxic dumping case reaches court · Global Voices
Jennifer Brea

L'actualite de Cote d'Ivoire writes that twelve people, including the head of Tommy, a local waste processing company, are set to appear before a court in Abidjan later this month; they are charged with “poisoning or conspiracy to poison” for illegally dumping 500 tons of toxic waste.  Tommy was under contract with Trafigura, a Dutch energy company, to process the waste after Trafigura decided it was too expensive to process in Amsterdam.

author: Jennifer Brea


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Cuba: Blogging about Fear  · Global Voices
Janine Mendes-Franco

Havana-based Generation Y blogs about the Cuban diaspora and their “portion of fear”.


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Cuba: Effects of Gustav · Global Voices
Janine Mendes-Franco

The Cuban Triangle says that the effects of Hurricane Gustav were devastating, especially in Pinar del Rio province, while Child of the Revolution suspects that the official figures about the damage “are almost certainly conservative.”


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Egypt: Leading Businessman Arrested  · Global Voices
Amira Al Hussaini

A leading Egyptian businessman has been arrested in relation to the murder of a Lebanese singer in Dubai, UAE, writes Zeinobia, from Egypt.


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Egypt: Tycoon Arrested in Singer’s Murder  · Global Voices
Amira Al Hussaini

An Egyptian billionaire has been arrested in connection to the murder of a Lebanese singer in Dubai, UAE. Following are some reactions from Egyptian bloggers.
Writing at Egyptian Chronicles, Zeinobia has the scoop. She says:
I got unconfirmed news through Twitter earlier today that the General prosecutor accused officially Hisham Talaat Mustafa of Incitement to murder of Suzan Tamim.
Then the news was confirmed according to BBC Arabic , in fact today was not only the accusation day but the arrest day of Hisham Talaat Mustafa himself. Here is the news from Masrawy.com too. “Both news are in Arabic”
Hisham Talaat Mustafa was arrested today in Cairo.
His empire or rather his father empire Talaat Mustafa group “TMG”had an immediate board of directors meeting and his brother Tarek was appointed as the new CEO instead of his brother.
TMG stocks in the Egyptian Stock Market surely did not go up to the sky after the thrilling news , it went down 16% of its face value , already I expect that they will go down more and more tomorrow because the news was not announced as expected today.
Zeinobia provides the businessman's profile here.
Elijah Zarwan, writing at The Skeptic, shares more news. He writes:
Yesterday police arrested Egyptian billionaire Hisham Talaat Mustafa, former chair of one of the country’s largest real-estate development firms and a representative of the ruling party in the upper house of Parliament, on charges that he paid $2 million to have Lebanese singer Suzanne Tamim murdered in Dubai. A earlier ban on reporting any connection between Mustafa and the murder had suggested that the government might stand by Mustafa, who has good connections with the president’s son, Gamal. Apparently not.
Reuters’ Aziz al-Kaissouni is filing updates about the effects on the stock market. And Heba Saleh covers the political angle in article for the Financial Times.
And while on the theme of scandals and high rollers being at the wrong side of the law, Zeinobia has more news:
Mohamed Farid Khamis ,the big tycoon of oriental weavers , the famous NDP , Policies Committee member and the Shura Council member is facing bribe charges !!
It seems the famous old businessman bribed a judge  and from here he was caught red handed through mediums who confessed in front of the general prosecutor.
You do not know anything about because there was a publication ban issued by the G.P as usual ,do not forget Khamis is very strong businessman.
Teach the Masses, blogging from Kuwait, posts more details on Tamim's brutal murder. She writes:
Tamim had a rather chequered past, married twice and even herself named in a plot to kill her second husband. She had been having an affair with Mustafa ( whose family practically ‘own’ Sharm Al Sheikh ) and this was broken off about three months ago. It seems she then high tailed it to London, before heading off to Dubai. Unfortunately love spurned Mustafa trailed her to Dubai and paid an ex policeman a whopping $2M to kill her. This he did by cutting her throat.


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First day of State of Emergency in Bangkok · Global Voices
Mong Palatino

A State of Emergency in Bangkok was declared yesterday by Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej following a violent clash between pro and anti-government protesters.
Members of People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) have camped inside Thailand’s Government House since last week. They are demanding the resignation of Samak.
The political situation is still volatile but it seems life goes on in Bangkok and the rest of Thailand.
Bangkok Pundit advises foreign governments not to overreact in issuing travel advisories:
“My advice is you are more likely to suffer an injury in a traffic accident – particularly on a motorcycle (not wearing a helmet, driving drunk, and driving in the Islands of course add to the risk) – than to suffer any injury from political violence in Bangkok.”
The Bangkok Bugle is more worried over inaccurate reporting from overseas media:
“There's been no noticeable difference to any other day, except that some of my staff were late because the morning traffic was heavier than usual.
“The road outside my office is certainly quieter than normal for a lunchtime. That could be down to any number of reasons including the closures of nearby schools. But my morning has been very normal; it's business as usual at the moment. What worries me is inaccurate reporting from overseas media.”
Susan Loone from Malaysia observes:
“Public transport workers have joined the demonstrations demanding for the prime minister to resign. And public transport was a big problem for many of our colleagues this morning.”
Bangkok life appears normal, notes Christopher G. Moore:
“This morning and early afternoon driving on Bangkok streets everything appeared, on the surface, normal. People were shopping, eating in restaurants, walking on the streets. But across town in the area around Government House, a different story unfolds. If the story were a noir novel, then it is at the point in the story, where the abject bleakness and despair descends as the main characters seek a final confrontation.”
Wassup Nat? tells readers not to worry too much about the state of emergency:
“Nah… don't worry too much about it. It just sounds worse than it seems. If no one told me this morning, I wouldn't even know it. Still had to work today!
“View from my office window. See – traffic still as normal. Except that there's a police stationed there. Though, I don't know why he was just checking on random motorbikes rather than cars.”
Many government employees have joined the protests but most workers decided to report for work. Go East, Young Woman writes:
“Some protesters labor unions are striking, the buses are almost not running, they are threatening to cut off power and water to police stations and government office.
“The construction workers still showed up to make noise renovating another condo on my floor, however.”
Everything is normal, insists Gay Boy Thailand
“Everything is normal in the Silom area where I live.
“Chalerm said his university Rajapat will be closed for three days. It seems most other schools are closed too.
“Chalerm talked about a curfew but I don’t think that one is announced. Chalerm thinks the army will appear on the streets here like they did in 2006.
“The yellows (PAD) want to disrupt public services such as electricity, transport and airports. So far they have done this in other parts of the country but I have not noticed any difference in downtown Bangkok.
“I am not too concerned about the situation. I believe it is more controlled and orchestrated than it looks.”
Good news for moviegoers. The ongoing Thai Short Film & Video Festival would not be cancelled.
My Life in Bangkok on how Bangkok operates in bubbles:
“Here in the business district, there is no inkling of protests – except for the affect on the Thai economy and stock market. But physically, no sign of distress. Near my home? life goes on as per usual. Sunny bright days in Bangkok.”
Power and water have been cut off several times. Pink Hearted Passages writes:
“Businesses are doing strange things too, like some buses who were told they couldn't raise the prices recently by the government, have taken advantage of the chaos to do just that….I have lots of friends who are frustrated and stuck with missed / canceled flights but that seems to be the worst of it so far…..we are being told to expect some blackouts and already the water has been shut off a couple times (strange retaliation by government?)”
The Ramblings of a Byron lives outside of Bangkok:
“I think the government tried to shut down the internet here last night, (to avoid anyone spilling the plans for declaring a state of emergency this morning), and my pay TV service is down. It's all very reminiscent of the 2006 coup. I believe there was a newscast where the PM announced his plans for the state of emergency, but it was Thai language and a Thai TV station.
“So anyways, because I don't really go to Bangkok or live in a tourist'y area, none of it really affects me, (or at least it isn't yet).”
My Thai Life agrees that Samak should resign:
“Yep, seems that there are huge protests going on in Bangkok and Phuket and they closed the Phuket airport. All this for the sake of Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej who in my humble opinion should step down. He seems to be causing more bad than good but again, it’s just my opinion.
“What will come of these politics in Thailand? I know that I will won’t leave and that this is my home. Thailand will survive this political instability and believe me, people will still continue to come here.”
SilapaJarun.com believes the government orchestrated the violence to justify the declaration of a state of emergency:
“It's clear that Samak engineered this violence to justify declaring a state of emergency as well as a curfew and the possibility of using deadly force against supporters who have unmasked him, his administration and his daddy Thaksin.”
He adds that the real battle is in the courts:
“While everyone is watching protests—the truth is the fight is in the courts.  Both Samak and Thaksinhave several court cases coming up nevermind the fact that Thaksin's wife is an escaped convict.
HaPPi like a HiPPo shows why use of violence to disperse rallyists is unjustified:
“The protesters look harmless. Some of them only have an umbrella for self defense, and the rest have nothing more than a yellow “Ku Chart” head band. They're not even charging ahead, just sitting there.”
Inside the protest camp, Newley Purnell observes:
“Despite the fact that gatherings of more than five people have been prohibited, the protest felt much like a carnival: protesters clad in yellow — a color that represents their beloved King — stood in front of a large stage and listened to various speeches. Others relaxed under tarps and clapped, chatted, and snacked. Riot police stood by a few blocks away.”
Many foreigners in Bangkok are secretly supporting Samak, yet many local citizens want the prime minister to step down. absolutelybangkok.com discusses this issue:
“I cannot help but feel astonished at the fact that many foreigners in Thailand quietly side with the Samak government, whereas most Bangkokian Thais condemn the Samak government downright instinctively, naming “corruption” and “bad” as the main reasons without being able to list proper arguments and facts.
“What do foreigners not see what Thais see. Fed by different media outlets, are farangs just not truly aware how deep the divisions and hate in society really are?”
Its time for the King to intervene. New Mandala writes:
“Worryingly, while his majesty’s government is under siege, the king and his privy councillors have maintained a detached public silence.
“He usually stays away from politics but the king is interventionist when it suits.
“What the king says undoubtedly matters. However what goes unsaid can be just as important.
“The king is silent again. Not one word of disavowal. Not one attempt to restrain the mob that protests in his name.
“Today the king should not wait for more ordinary Thais to suffer the consequences of brinksmanship. The People’s Alliance for Democracy is goading the Samak government to over-react. With the real possibility of more bloodshed in Bangkok in the days ahead, the king’s silence is baffling. His lifelong reservoir of charisma is no good to his people if he does not call off the anti-democratic provocateurs acting in his name.”
Pictures of the street clash that led to the declaration of the state of emergency were uploaded by Matichon. Thailand Jumped the Shark posts video clips.

author: Mong Palatino


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Georgia: IDPs — Lessons Learned · Global Voices
Onnik Krikorian

Following last month's military conflict with Russia, Social Science in the Caucasus examines the issues surrounding Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Georgia. The blog examines the lessons learned from past conflicts in the country in the hope that mistakes can be avoided when international donor money comes flooding in.


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Georgia: Pictures from Batumi and Gori · Global Voices
Veronica Khokhlova

Wu Wei reports that “things are becoming more normal in Tbilisi.” Pictures from Wu Wei‘s pre-war trips to Batumi and Gori are here and here. Lex Libertas posts pictures from last year's trip to Batumi.


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Guyana: Living or Surviving?  · Global Voices
Janine Mendes-Franco

Both Guyana Providence Stadium and Living Guyana blog about the high cost of living: “It is a heart wrenching situation when the mathematics is done based on real terms. Things may be getting better in Guyana but it is still a difficult life and one wonders how people are managing.”

author: Janine Mendes-Franco


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Haiti, Jamaica: Hurricane Update  · Global Voices
Janine Mendes-Franco

As the Caribbean territories that were hit by Hurricane Gustav begin their clean-up efforts, new storms threaten to disrupt these islands once again.
Jamaica's YardFlex.com reports that Gustav actually split the Hope River Bridge and files a separate post detailing the relief efforts.
Haiti, however, is still reeling.  Haiti Reborn says that between Gustav and Hanna, the island is battered:
Hurricane Gustav tore ashore at Jacmel on the southern peninsula of Haiti on August 26th. More than 12 inches of rain fell in a few hours on Haiti's denuded hillsides. More than 75 Haitians lost their lives and over 8000 their homes in mudslides and flash floods in the hours afterwards. The sad truth is that Haiti was still recovering from tropical storm Fay which soaked the island earlier in the month, killing 23.
Just today Hurricane Hanna glanced off the northern coast, bringing concentrated rain to the same region around Gonaive where three thousand died in the flooding of tropical storm Jeanne in September 2004. Preliminary indications are that severe flooding is beginning to take place again…
Pwoje Espwa thought that pictures would describe the situation better than words, but Theo still managed to say a few words himself:
The schools are filled with homeless families; downtown Les Cayes is flooded; at least three locals have drowned. This is sad but, from what I hear, it is much worse in Gonaives which Hurricane Jeanne slammed a few years ago. Keep the folks there in your prayers.


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Hong Kong: Election Diary · Global Voices
Oiwan Lam

In 5 days, Hong Kong will have its legislative council election. dm took a tour around Eastern New Territories candidates with a concluding remark: Eat with the DAB, vote for the LSD.


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Hong Kong: Leave Blogger Alone · Global Voices
Oiwan Lam

Local newspapers had posted extensive photos of an university student who was killed by an accident last month, Jansen suspected that the photos were downloaded from facebook without permission, he urged the media to respect the dead and leave bloggers alone. Sidekick suggested that bloggers should post a will in the blog to prevent media from stealing their content in case they die in accident.


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Iraq: Charming Houses · Global Voices
Deborah Ann Dilley

Finnish blogger Sahmaran writes about the charming houses that she has come across in her travels in Iraqi Kurdistan.

author: Deborah Ann Dilley


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Jordan: First Oscar Submission  · Global Voices
Amira Al Hussaini

“Jordan has officially chosen “Captain Abu Raed” as its first submission to the foreign film category at the Oscars. This is really exciting for all of us who worked hard on making this film a reality,” writes Jordanian blogger Bataranzi.


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Jordan: On Saudis  · Global Voices
Amira Al Hussaini

“Saudis are extremely civilized people, regardless of what the people who have never been to Saudi Arabia and who only see Saudi tourists know and believe. I will happily admit that they are a lot more civilized than us Jordanians,” writes And Far Away, from Jordan.


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Jordan: Queen Rania’s Video Blogging · Global Voices
Eman AbdElRahman

Queen Rania of Jordan has been named  the most famous Arab video blogger on YouTube by Blogger Times, a blogging magazine run by Arab bloggers, following the success of a series of YouTube videos she launched to shake off stereotypes against Arabs.
According to the article:
The article continues:
You can also follow  Queen Rania on her channel.

author: Eman AbdElRahman


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Korea: Tens of Thousands of Buddhists in Seoul  · Global Voices
Hyejin Kim

Although Korea has many religions, there have not been serious religious conflicts. Different religions have peacefully coexisted. Until now… Peaceful coexistence now seems on the verge of breaking. Tens of thousands of Buddhists protested against religious discrimination from the current government. President Lee Myung Bak is famous for being a devout Christian and has had public activities as a presbyter. Since there were several episodes in which he described his strong religious belief in public and new high officials have expressed their passion for their religion, there have been concerns that preference for Christianity might lead to imbalanced religious power and lead to benefits for a specific religion.
Buddhist monks and believers have been angered by a scandal in which the Reverend Jigwan, the Buddhist order of Jogye's respected head monk, was taken out of his car outside Jogye-sa temple and was searched by the police. The Buddhists ask for a public apology from the President and legal regulations to avoid favoritism toward specific religion. They speak out in the street. Many netizens are concerned that a new kind of conflict will arise in Korea.
[…]불교계는 정부의 종교 편향에 항의하기 위해 스님, 신도 등이 오늘 서울시청 앞 광장에서 `헌법파괴 종교차별 이명박 정부규탄 범불교도대회'를 연다고 합니다. 현재 이명박 대통령과 정부의 일부 고위 관료들은 기독교인입니다. 그동안 불교계에 이에 대해 수차례 우려를 표명하기도 하였고 조계종 총무 스님을 검문하는 과정에서 강력한 항의를 했습니다. 불교의 현실 정치에 시위하는 일은 매우 드문일입니다.[…]
Netizens worry that it could be the harbinger of more conflicts and protests against the government.
[…]우리 사회가 종교문제로 시끄럽습니다. 8월 27일(수) 오후 2시 서울시청 앞 광장에서 대규모 범불교도대회가 열립니다. 도심 한 복판에서 수천 명의 스님들과 십 수만의 불자들이 정부에 항의하는 대회를 치르는 것은 불교사에 없었던 일이라 세인의 주목을 받고 있습니다.새 정부 들어서서 기독교 공화국으로 가는 게 아니냐는 불안감을 주는 공직자들의 종교 차별적 사건들이 연이어 터졌고, 이러한 일들은 장로 대통령 임기 내내 이어질 것이라는 우려가 있기 때문일 겁니다.조계종 총무원장께서 불쾌하게 검문을 당한 뒤 스님들 분위기도 격해진 듯합니다. 만시지탄이긴 하지만, 내부 싸움에만 몰두하느라 남의 일처럼 무심했던 것을 생각하면 불교계가 이 기회를 어떻게 활용하느냐에 따라 전화위복이 될 수도 있다는 생각입니다.
While continual religious comments from government officials upset people, some recent changes in public service generate more conflicts.
[…] 2008.6.20 국토해양부의 대중교통정보이용시스템 ‘알고가’에 수만 평에 달하는 봉은사의 경우 흔적만 존재할 뿐 어떤 곳인지는 알 수 없고, ‘조계사’란 명칭은 어디에서도 확인할 수 없었는데, 반면 봉은사 주위에서만 삼성제일교회 등 7~8개의 교회 정보는 상세했다고 소개함.
2008.7.11 국토해양부 ‘경관법’, ‘경관계획수립지침’의 대상에 향교와 지방문화재 등은 포함되었으나 전통사찰은 의도적으로 대상에서 제외됨
2008. 8.7교육과학기술부, 교육지리정보서비스 학교현황 서비스에 조계사는 물론 봉은사 등 전통 사찰과 대형 사찰들의 정보가 누락된 반면 교회는 명칭과 함께 교회 한 눈에 알아 볼 수 있는 아이콘이 상세히 표시돼 있음.[…]
조계사와 봉은사가 표기를 놓칠 수도 있다.문제는 그에 비해서 교회의 표기를 너무나 자상하게? 했다는 점이다.바로 형평성을 잃은 문제다.문제는 관광자원인데도, 대통령은 경제를 살리겠다고 있는데…
바로 전통성을 버린 문제다.문제는 예전에 표기되었던 것까지 치밀하게 지웠다는 점이다. 바로 고의성이 담긴 문제다.문제는 국가 공권력을 국가 행정력을 사심으로 행사했다는 점이다. 바로 공공성을 밟은 문제다.
이건 실수가 아니라 계획적인 음모다.우리가 두렵고 무서워하는 것은 그들은 그것을 사명이라 여기기 때문이다.그들은 우리가 인내하는 것을 못난 것으로 무시한다.[…]
문제는,
이러한 국가 공권력을 행사하는 국무에 일부 종교인들로 편중되고
이러한 국가 행정력을 움직이는 국정이 일부 종교쪽으로 편향하고
이러한 국가 공공성을 유지하는 국부가 일부 종교인들이 편식하는 것이다.[…]
July 11. 2008. According to the ‘Landscape Regulation’ from the Ministry of Land Transportation and Maritime Affairs, old schools and local cultural properties are included, but traditional temples are intentionally excluded.
August 7. 2008. According to the Geography Information Service at the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, information about Jogyesa Temple and Bongeunsa Temple is omitted. However, Christian churches are introduced with their names and have geographical icons.[…]
It is possible to think that they forgot to make signs of Jogyesa and Bongeunsa temples. However, the problem is that, compared to the mistake, all churches are so well introduced. It means that there is imbalance. Aren’t they tourism resources? I thought that the President wants to revive the economy… Another problem is to abandon orthodoxy. They even deleted parts of the Buddhist temples that had been inscribed before. The problem is the intention. The national authority and administration are used for self-interest. The problem is that they pressed down the generality. These are not mistakes, but planned plots. What we are afraid and scared is that they think of their deeds as missions. They disregard us because we put up with it. […]
The problem is,
State affairs to handle national authority are controlled by these religious people.
National administration is inclined toward this specific religion.
National wealth is held by these religious people.[…]
A rare case of a series of Buddhists’ protests draws strong attention from people.
그동안 정부의 기형적인 종교적 성향에 대해서 다양한 성토의 장이 열렸습니다. 우선 시청 광장을 넘치고 플라자호텔까지 찾아온 불교 신자와 시민들은 현정부에 대한 다양한 의견들을 쏟아 냈습니다. 오늘 서울 광장에서 주로 다루어졌던 것은 이명박 정부의 정치적인 편향보다는 종교 자체에 대한 편향이 옳지 않다는 것에 대해서 얘기하는 자리였습니다. 본질이 너무나 뚜렷한 집회였던 거죠. 결국 불교계는 이명박 대통령의 실질적인 사과를 요구하는게 전부였습니다. 그 이상도 그 이하도 아니었습니다. 오늘 집회에서 또 특이한 점은 불교 신자 뿐만 아니라 천주교 단체의 신부님까지 오셔서 일갈을 하셨습니다. 어떤 잘못을 따지기 보다는 이번 정부가 제대로된 종교관과 정치적 중립성을 통해 평화화 화합을 다지자는 것이었습니다. 이러한 기본적인 집회를 마치고, 거리행진을 시작하였습니다. 행진은 서울시청을 출발하여 광화문 방향으로 향한 후 종각으로 진행하여 조계사로 향하는 순이었습니다. 전반적으로 할머니나 아주머니 등 노인 분들이 많이 참석한 관계로 움직임이 힘들 수 밖에 없었습니다. 다른 그 어떤 집회의 참석자보다 육체적으로 약하지만 마음만으로는 풍요로운 분들의 작지만 커다란 움직임이었습니다. 우선 모임 자체가 순수하고 참가 자체가 평화적이기 때문에 많은 경찰이 나왔지만 행진은 평온하였습니다. 앞으로 이런 집회를 다시 볼 수 없을 것이라는 생각이 들었습니다.
부디 정부는 귀를 열고 이 분들이 원하는게 무엇인지 다시 한번 생각해봐야 할 것입니다. 그리고, 이번 집회가 무력 충돌 없이 잘 마무리 되기를 바랍니다. 끝까지 같이 하지 못해 아쉽네요.
공정한 대한민국을 원합니다.
The government should open their ears and think one more time what those people want. I hope that all meetings for this issue finish well without any physical conflicts.
I hope for a righteous and fair Korea.
Bloggers continue to analyze the issue.
퇴근하고 돌아와서 뉴스들 보니 오늘 하루도 정말 많은 일이 일어났다. 산속의 노스님들까지 거리로 나오게 만든 2mb의 힘은 정말 가공하다. 과연 이명박은 사과를 하고, 어청수는 퇴진하고 종교편향은 없어지게 될것인가? 언론 플레이하고, 시간 끌기 하고, 어영부영 다른 뉴스들로 잠잠해지길 기다리지나 않을까 예상되는데…좌우지간 초딩부터 산속의 노스님들까지 물러나라 외치는 2mb가 얼마나 버틸련지 내기할 사람 모아볼까?
20만 불자들이 모여 이명박 정부를 규탄한 날 마타하리 같은 미모의 여간첩 사건이 발표되었다.국정원은 10년동안 간첩 안잡고 머했는지, 정권 바뀌자 마자 언제쯤 간첩 나타나나 기다리고 기다렸는데.아주 센세이션하게 성을 무기로 한 미모의 여간첩이 20만 불자들이 모여서 정권 규탄한날 잡혔다 발표했다. 언제나 역사속에서 그렇듯이 발표 시점도 죽인다. 간첩사건 내용 다룬 기사… 때가 어느때인데 간첩이야 분노하며 읽는데…왜 선데이 서울이나 일요신문에 나올만한  이야기 같은거지….ㅋ.내용 보고 여간첩에 넘어간 군인들 왜케 많은거야. 국방부 장관 퇴진해야 되는거 아냐!! ㅋ 간첩활동 한 내용 보니 21세기 정보화 시대에 구글검색하고 gps이용하고 인터넷 검색하면 다 나올만한  내용들이던데, 참으로 한심한 간첩같고, 그 간첩 보내서  뭘 어쩌려구 했는지 이해가 가질 않지만… […]백골단 부활에, 여간첩에, 20년전 쯤으로 돌아가고 있는거 같은데….이제 삼청교육대에 장발단속에 미니스커트 단속 이런것도 좀 해야되는거 아닌지 모르겠다.[…]
A blogger talks about this issue and the example of the general attitude toward Japan’s religion.
항상 누구나 말하지만 공인들은 종교에 대한 부분을 중립적 입장에서 바라보고 노력해야한다. 예전 일본총리 고이즈미나 아베 등등 야스쿠니 신사참배에 대한 한국의 모든사람들은 비판했다. 전범 무덤이 있는  신사에 왜 참배를 하냐고 강하게 항의했다. 일본에서 답변은 총리가 믿는 종교인데 강제적으로 못하게 할수없다는 입장이었다. 자 과연 현재 한국에서 일어나는 일들을 보자 정치인들이나 각 요직에 있으신 분들이 자신들의 종교와 타종교를 분리하고 탄압한다는 이야기는 뉴스를 보아도 알수있다.
과연 이분들이 일본의 총리들을 욕할수 있을까?
정치와 종교는 중립적이어야 하는 것인데 아직도 자신들의 잘못을 모르고 있다. 일본 총리와 다른점이 무엇인가? 둘다 똑같다. 참고로 일본은 죽으면 누구나 신이된다고 믿는다. 어느정도 유명하신분들이 모셔있는 신사를 참배하고 믿는다. 일본에서는 종교라고 한다. 그래서 일본은 다신교라고 할수있다.
종교의 중요한 점은 자신의 마음과 행동을 다시한번 고칠수있고 좀더 자신의 안식을 찾기 위한것이다. 다른종교를 배척하고, 탄압하며, 선과악을 구분짓는 행동은 종교인으로써 문제있는 행동이다.
다시한번 이점 깊이 생각하고 문제가 있는 사람들은 반성해야한다.
Even though politics and religion should be separate, they still don’t get it. How are they different from the Japanese ministers? They’re the same. For reference, Japanese believe that if all people die, they can be Gods. They visit shrines that keep famous people and believe them. Therefore, Japan is regarded as polytheistic.
An important part of religion is that people correct their minds and behavior and can look for comforts. If they exclude other religions, suppress them, and try to divide them into good and evil, their behavior has problems. They should think about this part and reflect on their conduct.

author: Hyejin Kim


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Lithuania: “Support for the Georgians in Vilnius” · Global Voices
Veronica Khokhlova

Wu Wei writes about Lithuania's reaction to the Russian-Georgian conflict and discusses the relationship between Russia and Lithuania.


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Lithuania: Vilnius Pictures · Global Voices
Veronica Khokhlova

Wu Wei posts pictures and writes about her trip to Vilnius.


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Pakistan: Attempt to Assasinate? · Global Voices
Neha Viswanathan

The Pakistani Spectator on an assassination attempt on the Prime Minister's life.

author: Neha Viswanathan


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Pakistan: PM’s motorcade attacked · Global Voices
Neha Viswanathan

CHUP! on the Pakistani Prime Minister's motorcade being attacked in an attempt to assassinate him.


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Parti Liberal du Tchad on illegal migration · Global Voices
Jennifer Brea

Parti Liberal du Tchad calls for an “integral” solution to illegal migration from Africa to Europe and the establishment of a high commission to examine the problem.  “Without the flow of migrants, many European countries would not be where they are today.  So it is important to remember what these Africans have lived and continue to live today in order to better understand the origins of this migration.” [Fr]


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Russia: Four Years Since The End of Beslan School Siege · Global Voices
Veronica Khokhlova

Natalia Antonova writes this on the fourth anniversary of the 2004 Beslan school hostage crisis: “And, for many of us, the world has not been the same since. That’s all I can say about it, really. Although, even though I’ve linked to C.J. Chivers’ “The School” before, I’ll go ahead and link to it again.”


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Russia: “Is Putin a Closet Republican?” · Global Voices
Veronica Khokhlova

Sean's Russia Blog wrote on Aug. 31 that “for some, Putin’s Republican affinities are all too clear: Putin is a [closet neocon] and the his real intent of his [interview with CNN] was to cast [a veiled vote for John McCain]. There are 243 comments to this post now.


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Saudi Arabia: No Free Oil for Sean Combs  · Global Voices
Amira Al Hussaini

American rapper Sean Puff Diddy Combs has appealed to his ‘brothers and sisters in Saudi Arabia’ and other oil producing countries to donate some oil to keep his private jet afloat.
The multi-millionaire Grammy Awards winner says soaring gas prices are making it difficult for him to use his private jet, and now has to use commercial airlines to fly. He made his appeal in the following vlog:
Saudi bloggers react. Saudi Jeans quips:
American rapper Sean Puffy Combs complains about the high cost of gasoline, and says he can no longer afford to fly his private jet from New York to Los Angeles twice a month. He is begging the Saudis to send him some free oil so that he can fly in his private jet once again. Sorry bro, you ain’t gonna get nothin’ from these shores, because, just in case you didn’t know, we ain’t got no oil wells in our backyards to give away for free.
Rasheed Abou-Alsamh adds:
Puffy says that a roundtrip costs him $200,000 and that he allegedly cannot afford that. In the video he appeals to his “Saudi sisters and brothers” to send him some free oil so that he can fly in his private jet once again.
I don't think that he's going to get a shipment of jet fuel anytime soon as the Saudis have shown again and again how hard-nosed they can be when it comes to oil prices. A super-rich entertainer such as Puffy might get invited to perform at the private bash of a Saudi royal, but he sure isn't going to get free oil, he can bet on that!


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South Korea: Government Blog · Global Voices
Oiwan Lam

Korea Beat highlights a local report about South Korean President Lee Myung-bak's personal blog. The blog was called Hello policy, however, it has disabled the comment session.


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Sweden: A Newspaper Blog for Ramadan · Global Voices
Vilhelm Konnander

As Iftar – the daily breaking of the fast during the Muslim month of Ramadan – is quickly approaching, Swedish society is reflecting on how to adapt to the traditions of “new Swedes”, and are making their own efforts to celebrate and mark Muslim holidays.
The second largest Swedish daily newspaper, Svenska Dagbladet, has launched a Ramadan blog [SWE], where three practising Muslim bloggers – a policeman, a student, and a lawyer – reflect on everyday life throughout the Holy Month. Subjects span the high and low in an attempt to portray what it means to be Muslim in Swedish society today.
The bloggers usually write in their own group blog, Betraktarens Öga: “In the Eye of the Beholder”.
The relationship between Islam and Swedish society is not without tensions. It's arguable that Muslim celebrations in Sweden did not emanate from the tolerance many Swedes like to pride themselves on, but rather for commercial reasons. Big food chains now market halal meat, and other religiously permissible foods, and the trend has spread to other parts of commerce, which also attempt to meet the demands of the growing number of Muslim consumers in Sweden.
Yesterday, blogger Cherin Awad commented on the Prime Minister's visit to a halal slaughterhouse:
“Såg att vår statsminister igår var och besökte ett halal-slakteri (finns inte alltför många i Sverige).  Om ramadan sa han att det kunde jämföras som en vit vecka och på frågan om han själv trodde att han skulle fixa att fasta svarade han att “bara han gav sig den på´t så..” Coolt. Snacka om att plocka pluspoäng hos en grupp som kanske inte har det största förtroendet hos de blå. Good boy. (…) ska jag ändå passa på att skvallra lite om att några av er läsare lite längre fram kommer ges  möjligheten att  prova på att vara muslim för en dag med allt vad bön, fasta och moskébesök innebär. Men ingen tvångskonvertering. Wallah, jag lovar! Mer info om hur man ansöker kommer längre fram. Statsministern kanske är intresserad av att vara med?”
“Saw that our Prime Minister visited a halal slaughterhouse yesterday – (there aren't too many in Sweden). About Ramadan, he said that it could be compared to an abstinence week, and to the question of whether he himself could cope with fasting, he replied that, “If he only went in for it…” Cool. Talk about picking up plus points from a group that may not have the greatest confidence in the conservatives. Good boy. (…) anyway I am going to blab a little to you, that later on some of you readers will be given the chance to be a Muslim for a day with all the prayer, fasting and visits to the Mosque. But no forced conversions. Wallah, I promise! More info on how to apply will follow later on. Maybe the Prime Minister is interested in joining us?”
Other topics the bloggers have explored are the thoughts of a Swedish Muslim student studying human rights, reaching out to Guantánamo prisoners bereft of those very rights. Then, a recipe for an energy drink, to better prepare for the fasting season. Subjects span all aspects of life during Ramadan, so shwei, shwei – little by little – Swedes might still get the hang of it.
Are Swedish blogger reactions as merciful as befits this time of year? The overwhelming impression is silence. Well, not total silence…
Bloggers Homan Anwari och Semus (SEMUS=Secular Moslems in Sweden) welcome the new Ramadan blog as does Mötesplatsen Fred (Meeting Place for Peace). Meanwhile, Jan Kallberg flogs the idea, comparing it to letting right-wing Christian Evangelists get access to the usually secular Swedish media arena.
Is this merely the silence before the storm? Possibly…
Intolerance and xenophobia is apparently on the rise in Sweden, at least if taking opinion polls and public support for far-right wing parties seriously. As the Ramadan blog started only yesterday, with the rise of the new crescent moon signaling the coming season, much may still happen.
Will blogging about Swedish Ramadan realities change the views of “native Swedes” about Islam in society? It is hard to tell… One thing is sure though. It will take ages before Swedes learn to say “Atyab at-tihani bi-munasabat hulul shahru Ramadan al-Mubarak” (The most precious congratulations on the occasion of the coming of Ramadan).

author: Vilhelm Konnander


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Taiwan: The flying saucer houses will be torn down · Global Voices
I-fan Lin

Photo courtesy of avant.
avant reported that famous flying saucer houses in Taipei County, Taiwan, are planned to be torn down.
三芝飛碟屋已經拋荒30冬，兩个月進前三芝飛碟屋突然間出現佇報紙面頂，主要是講，飛碟屋ê地主hām債權銀行已經對還債ê計畫喬好勢，台北縣政府按算欲kā飛碟屋攏總拆掉，擱起一間新ê渡假村，hām無外遠ê淺水灣沙埔仔串連起來做海濱休閒園區。 *
Lynn was one of the people who were amazed by these interesting and special houses.
This is wonderful. I'm thrilled to see this image. First, I just love the architecture for its complete difference. I hope you'll forgive me for saying this, but when I was a kid, growing up in Australia, I used to watch an American cartoon show called the Jetsons. It was extremely futuristic and these buildings really remind me of it; of what we might have thought in the '60s that we'd be living in by the 21st century. Secondly, it's an absolutely beautiful image. The colours are delicate yet still have a certain strength to them. The reflection helps to strengthen the palette. I just can't believe that this has been abandoned. I really hope that it is preserved.
Because the flying saucer houses are so special, avant proposed that we should preserve them as a national historic monument.
我感覺kā三芝飛碟屋攏總拆掉有一寡拍損，文建會應該比照台北市彼間中正廟，kah指定做國定古蹟！飛碟屋拄a好hām中正廟同款，攏是起佇1970年代。kha輸講，中正廟、圓山飯店、歷史博物館代表官方強欲佇台灣延續中國傳統宮廷建築ê思維，按 呢，飛碟屋遮呢特殊ê建築，會使講是欲掙脫當時主流ê宮廷建築風格ê束縛。擱再講，1970年代後尾，台灣通過石油危機ê考驗了後，經濟起飛，人 民ê所得kah 懸，生活有kah快活，飛碟屋渡假村ê出現，反應到彼當時ê人，毋免干單為著三頓走縱，身軀邊嘛開始有一寡錢，想beh hām先進國家ê人同款，欲試看mai怪奇、稀罕ê待誌ê心理。所以講，咱會使透過飛碟屋，瞭解到30冬前彼當時ê社會狀況hām人ê想法。飛碟屋雖然拋荒30冬，毋拘，伊猶原會使講出屬於伊hit leh時代ê故事！*
If you are interested, Marta Michałowska and Fabian Sowiński provided some background architecture information about the flying saucer houses.
*The original article was written in Hokkien, which is commonly used in Taiwan. Hokkien is currently categorized as a dialect of Chinese.

author: I-fan Lin


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Trinidad & Tobago: Back to School · Global Voices
Janine Mendes-Franco

Trinidadian blogger Coffeewallah has the back-to-school blues.


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Tunisia: Google Chrome Launched  · Global Voices
Amira Al Hussaini

“The buzz in the online world these past 24 hours or so have all been around Google's new open source web browser, under the name of Google Chrome,” writes Subzero Blue from Tunisia.


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Turkey: Dreading the Ramadan Drums · Global Voices
Deborah Ann Dilley

“Last year, we thought it was an opportunity to experience a Davulcu charming dying cultural tradition. This year, it's 30 days of being woken up by drums beneath our open bedroom windows every.single.morning at 3 am, and more than a mild irritant,” writes Carpetblogger on experiencing another Ramadan in Turkey.


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Ukraine: Political Crisis, Again · Global Voices
Veronica Khokhlova

Ukrainiana and Foreign Notes discuss Ukraine's newest political crisis.


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Using Technology to Support the Environment · Global Voices
Juliana Rotich

On the Kabissa blog, Sokari has an interview with Sylvie Siyam of PROTEGE QV, a Cameroonian NGO which promotes technologies that preserve the environment.

author: Juliana Rotich


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Zambia: Mwanawasa funeral in photos · Global Voices
Ndesanjo Macha

Photos of the funeral of Zambian president, Levy Mwanawasa, taken by Zambian photojournalist Richard Mulonga.

author: Ndesanjo Macha


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Abkhazia: Vacation Photos · Global Voices
Veronica Khokhlova

Vacation photos from Abkhazia, by LJ user zyalt – here, here, here and here.


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Algeria: What do you call Skinks?  · Global Voices
Amira Al Hussaini

Algerian linguist Lameen Souag poses the following question for his readers: “Are any readers familiar with skinks? What would you call them?”


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Argentina: Beers and Blogs in Salta · Global Voices
Eduardo Avila

Taking advantage of his time in Salta, Argentina, Jorge Gobbi is helping to organize a Beers and Blog for local bloggers [es] on Thursday, September 4.

author: Eduardo Avila


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Armenia: An Unprecedented Football Match · Global Voices
Onnik Krikorian

A Fistful of Euros comments on this weekend's World Cup qualifying match between Armenia and Turkey in Yerevan. Although there are no diplomatic relations between the two countries, and as the border remains closed, the blog considers the event, which will also be attended by the Turkish President, Abdullah Gul, as a historical one. It argues that while the previous Armenian president relied on the support of a nationalist political party, the his successor has no need to. Although the invitation was extended to Gul before the recent conflict in Georgia, the blog also notes the importance of normalizing relations in its aftermath.

author: Onnik Krikorian


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Bahrain: Traffic Tickets for Erring Cyclists  · Global Voices
Amira Al Hussaini

Cyclists driving in the opposite lanes of incoming traffic are being fined in Bahrain, reports Al Adraj, who posts an email from a Bahraini who thinks that the idea of fining cyclists is ridiculous.


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Bangladesh: Palin and Her Speech · Global Voices
Neha Viswanathan

Mash on Sarah Palin's acceptance speech and the errors within.


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Bermuda: Information & Human Rights  · Global Voices
Janine Mendes-Franco

Vexed Bermoothes quotes the Organization of American States resolution – which recognises access to information as a fundamental human right – to make the point that “Bermuda has paid lip service to freedom of information for far too long.”


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Bolivia: Faith Restored in Institutions · Global Voices
Eduardo Avila

Carlos Gustavo Machicado of Guccio's [es] has his faith restored in Bolivian institutions when the president of the National Electoral Court ruled that a referendum for the new Constitution cannot be called by decree.


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Caucasus: More Journalists Attacked, Killed · Global Voices
Onnik Krikorian

Following the death in police custody of a prominent critic of the authorities in Ingushetia, Terror News Briefs says that a rare anti-government rally held to protest the death of yet another journalist in the Russian Federation is sign of increased volatility in the Caucasus. Meanwhile, The Other Russia comments on news that another two journalists have been attacked in the region — one fatally. The blog says that this brings the number of journalists killed in Russia since 1991 to 220. Dzutsev's Weblog also comments on the news and says the “price of harrassing, beating and murdering a journalist in North Caucasus has dropped down to one of the lowest levels.”


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China: Antimonopoly proceedings against Microsoft? · Global Voices
Oiwan Lam

Donald Clarke from Chinese Law Prof Blog looks into the argument concerning the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC)'s investigation on Microsoft's monopoly in China.

author: Oiwan Lam


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China: LV tatooed pig exhibition · Global Voices
Oiwan Lam

Kenneth Tan from Shanghaiist reports about an upcoming art fair in which a pair of pigs tattooed with Louis Vuitton logos will be exhibited.


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China: The Fictive Wu Jinglian Spy Case · Global Voices
Oiwan Lam

ESWN translated a Caijing report explaining how the Wu Jinglian Spy story got spread around from Internet news source to mainstream newspapers.


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Chrome Welcomed with Accolades and Controversy in the Middle East · Global Voices
Jillian C. York

On Tuesday, Google joined the browser game by launching its very own browser, Chrome, to positive accolades and a bit of controversy.  The free browser, which is currently only available for Windows, caused not only a media storm, but a blog storm as well, from nearly every corner of the globe.  The Middle East and North African blogosphere, always quick to react to big stories, immediately began buzzing about Chrome yesterday, and haven't stopped since.
The Fans
The vast majority of bloggers love the browser, at least so far.  iKuwait‘s enthusiasm about Chrome just keeps building:
i can get used to this, click on the picture to find out more about Chrome.
i even love the icon
update: you guys must try this, its just perfect, i finally found my soul browser (soul mate browser)
Also from Kuwait, SOME contrast thinks Google made a smart move:
As the title suggest, google made a browser. Smart move, google. They said in their introduction that since everything we do online nowadays is within a browser; emails, chat, sites..etc. then they might as well make their own browser and build it from a scratch.
Tunisian blogger Subzero Blue, also a clear fan of the product, explains its interface:
The browser uses the WebKit rendering engine, the V8 JavaScript Virtual Machine, an optimized approach to tabs, a homepage presenting most visited websites, and a number of security and privacy options; in addition to other interesting features.
I think this is a really promising product from Google; and I can't wait to see where they take it, and what it will do for web apps.
Also from Tunisia, Au Monde des Merveilles [fr] is impressed:
Après avoir testé Google Chrome, je conclus qu’il est le seul vrai concurrent de Firefox.
After testing Google Chrome, I conclude that it is the only true competitor to Firefox.
The Critics
Other bloggers have concerns about Chrome.  Moroccan tech blogger Thinkervine notes its issues:
My first thoughts on the browser: light and fast, sober and user friendly. But it still has a lot of improvements to get before maturity. Still lot of bugs (javascript and SSL/Certificates handling), still missing lot of options (Java VM, extentions and theming, bookmark organization, own proxy management, RSS,).
The blogger concludes:
I will be waiting for the next betas in order to see how it improves but it is still far from being mature enough to replace Firefox as my default browser.
From Qatar, AmmarTalk [ar] lists concerns about the browser.  A few:
2- عدم دعم Google Chrome لخاصية الملخصات أو rss feed.
3- هناك العديد من الاخطاء الإملائية لدى فريق الترجمه بشرح مزايا المتصفح وأقصد الشرح الذي نزل على ملفات فيديو بصفحة تنزيل البرنامج.
4- فكرة التسويق عن طريق قصة جميلة جداً لكن أعتقد أن المتصفح يجب ان يسهل مواصفاته للمستخدم العادي بوضع صور توضيحيه لا الإطاله بقصة ابتكرت طريقاً في التسويق ونست أن المتصفح قد لايكمل مشوار القراءة.
2- Google Chrome does not support rss feed.
3. There are a lot of spelling mistakes made by the translation team explaining the browser's features and I mean here the explanation about downloading videos
4. The idea of marketing it through a story is a lovely idea but I believe that the browser's features should be clearly illustrated to the user – and not through a marketing story which the user may not read to the end.
Jordanian Bakkouz likes Chrome but has a few reservations:
However, Google chrome does need a little getting used to, the interface is very simplistic to the point that it can get a little bit confusing, for example, the “Home” button is by default removed from the U.I, and you’d have to go into settings and add it manually. Another thing that might be confusing to beginners and new users is the absence of the traditional menu bar altogether (file – view – edit – tools, etc…). Another thing is the lack of a drop-down bar for the last visited websites, Chrome compensates that by the use of the auto-completion feature that will automatically try to complete the URL you’re trying to get to once you type in the first few letters, but still this could be somewhat of a nuisance.
For more reviews on Chrome outside of the mainstream media, one must only point one's browser to Palestinian blogger Memories Documented (a definite fan), who shares a smattering of reviews from around the globe and proclaims:
I am totally in love with Chrome, in fact, it has replaced all my other browsers as my #1 browser. I'm already using it alone on all my machines

author: Jillian C. York


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Costa Rica: Lack of Transparecy with China · Global Voices
Eduardo Avila

Dean Córnito of La Suiza Centroamericana [es] criticizes Costa Rican president for the relations with China and the lack of transparency with some of the financial agreements, which includes the construction of a new national stadium.


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Cuba, Barbados, U.S.A.: Palin’s Speech  · Global Voices
Janine Mendes-Franco

While Cuban diaspora blogger Babalu is “still a bit in awe from Palin's speech last night”, Barbadian diaspora blogger Jdid says: “She tried to attack Obama on some trivial stuff that he's been attacked on before, she didn't break new ground and with her Tina Fey look and those weak punchlines was it just me or was anyone else expecting her to break into ‘Live from New York it's Saturday Night'”?


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Egypt: Harassment against women is all the same  · Global Voices
Amira Al Hussaini

Rantings of an Arab Chick writes: “I read these sadly familiar accounts of sexual harassment from women living in Cairo. I would hazard a guess that any woman living in most Middle Eastern countries is just as familiar with this sort of treatment, not just from fellow citizens of their particular country but from a majority of expat males too.”


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El Salvador: Oral Histories Project · Global Voices
Eduardo Avila

El Salvador: Memories of War and Hope is an oral history project created by Sofia Jarrin-Thomas.  She posts both Spanish and translated audio clips of interviews with Salvadorans affected by the civil war.


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Haiti: Political Propaganda · Global Voices
Janine Mendes-Franco

The Haitian Blogger refers to an article that ran in a mainstream Egyptian newspaper to make the point that “the human rights of Haitians are violated daily by the international community.”


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Hong Kong: Exist Poll · Global Voices
Oiwan Lam

Alone in the Fart discusses about the recent pressure given by the election committee to a research center in Hong Kong University concerning the disclosure of exist poll during the legislative council election and points out that other exist poll research organizations are far more politically charged.


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India: Floods in Bihar · Global Voices
Neha Viswanathan

Keep Nepal Free on the lack of adequate relief programmes in the flood struck areas of Bihar in India.


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India: No Orissa · Global Voices
Neha Viswanathan

Naveen Roy  on how issues like the violence in Orissa are not discussed on the Indian blogosphere.


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Jamaica: ‘Bata’ Bouncers · Global Voices
Janine Mendes-Franco

“Nothing seemed to say ‘made in Jamaica’ as much as Bata”: Long Bench discovers the roots of the shoe brand that saw her through her school years and realises “there’s a little bit of us in what we consume.”


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Jamaica, Guyana: Poet as Maker · Global Voices
Janine Mendes-Franco

Jamaican litblogger Geoffrey Philp features Guyanese poet Cyril Dabydeen in his own words.


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Japan: Anonymous online forum for women · Global Voices
Oiwan Lam

Shunichi Arai from Asiajin introduces a successful anonymous online forum for women in Japan.


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Japan: How much does a trip to Japan cost? · Global Voices
Oiwan Lam

Some helpful travel tips from Ryuichui: How much does a trip to Japan cost?


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Jordan: Any thoughts on Body of Lies?  · Global Voices
Amira Al Hussaini

“Ridley Scott’s latest film, Body of Lies, starring Russell Crowe and Leonardo DiCaprio, is set to release this fall.  In this thriller, a CIA operative in Amman who is trailing a high-ranking terrorist gets some unexpected help from the head of Jordan’s intelligence agency. Any thoughts?” asks an American in Jordan.


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Jordan: Bi-Monthly Video Clips  · Global Voices
Amira Al Hussaini

Jordanian Hareega is posting bi-monthly videos from YouTube on his blog. Here's the latest, featuring a plane landing on water. “It's not pretty,” he warns.


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Kenya: Harambee Stars must win · Global Voices
Ndesanjo Macha

Harambee Stars blog quotes the coach of the Kenyan national team, Francis Kimanzi, saying that Kenya must beat the Namibian national team, Brave Warriors. The two team are playing on saturday.


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Kuwait: Hacking the Highway Sign  · Global Voices
Amira Al Hussaini

Kuwaiti Frankom [ar] links to a video on hacking a highway electronic sign and says he liked the idea it contained – whether it was fake or real.


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Lebanese: Kufi Scripts Makes Fashion Debut  · Global Voices
Amira Al Hussaini

Lebanese blog Letters features summer fashions which highlight Arabic Kufi calligraphy patterns in this photo post.


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Lebanon: Political Tension Takes Over The Blogosphere · Global Voices
Nash Suleiman

The political tension in Lebanon is escalating to critical levels with each passing day. The latest helicopter downing by Hezbollah managed to add more conflicts between the politicians and the citizens as well. Intense debates and political opinions can be seen everyday on the evening news and now on the blogosphere too. Local bloggers armed themselves with their personal opinions and analysis, taking the “battle” into their web spaces.
Tigermarks’ opinion on the current situation in Lebanon focuses this week on General Aoun’s recent comments and press releases post the helicopter downing:
Of course, he is throwing this out there to try to overshadow the Hezbollah killing of the helicopter pilot, whether by mistake or intentionally. He wants his supporters to focus on something else so he cooks up some more rumours and false claims of corruption against the March 14 block. Meanwhile corruption continues to fester in all parts of the Lebanese state and Hezbollah continues to play army in any part of Lebanon it wants to and continues to be the last word on whether we are at war or not.
Targeting the Lebanese Force's recent campaign in the opening of his latest post, Bech writes about the  Maronitism and what he perceive as a sign of the downfall of its a political agenda:
Now here comes the interesting part, early in the war, the Lebanese Forces, then a rising organization under Bashir Gemayel, proceeded into killing most of ‘the Tigers’, in effect removing potential rivals on the “Christian arena”. Dany Chamoun was spared till much later, assassinated along with his two little sons, wife, and dog, though maid and daughter could hide in closet. His daughter Tamara vehemently accuses Samir Geagea then and now leader of the LF of having perpetrated the act.
Hanibaal‘s frustration found its target in the newly elected Lebanese President, Michael Suleiman. Hanibaal posts this news article calling the new president a traitor and a pro-Syrian:
“Slime” was appointed by the Syrian occupation as chief of staff of the army, and when the Syrian army was being evicted out of Lebanon in 2005 by the Lebanese people, this [President] followed his Syrian masters to Anjar to bid them farewell and tell them how sorry he was that they were leaving…How can he be anything but a traitor?
There are no men left in Lebanon – only traitors and more traitors.
The Owuet Front’s blogger N10452 defended the Lebanese Forces against recent claims accusing them in the past to fight against the Lebanese army:
It has come to my attention many people still think that the LF were fighting the Lebanese army back when Aoun was in command. This major misconception is very much exploited by Aounists and lately by Hezbollah who was trying to innocent himself from the murder of Army pilot Samer Hanna by showing the ‘atrocities’ the LF did to the army almost 20 years ago.
Bart Peeters at In the Middle of the East commented on two recent published reports about the political and military situation in the south of the country and draws back the attention to the helicopter incident:
In Lebanon itself, meanwhile, a Hizbullah fighter last week mistakenly downed a helicopter of the Lebanese army, mistaking it for an Israeli one, thereby killing an officer and wounding two soldiers. Considering the Lebanese army owns a whopping total of 3 (three) helicopters, and Israeli aircraft are violating Lebanese airspace on a daily basis, this is not as far-fetched an explanation as it might sound… In any case, Hizbullah has owned up to its mistake and voluntarily handed over the 20-year old fighter to military police. Nevertheless, various parties in the country predictably continue to try and spin a lot out of the incident.

author: Nash Suleiman


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Mexico: Much More Needed Than a March · Global Voices
Eduardo Avila

Thousands of Mexicans in attendance for the march in Mexico City protested against the government's inability to halt kidnappings and violence against citizens.  Similar marches were held in other cities around the country. Already some citizen's media videos have already been posted.  Now, bloggers from the capital and in other cities across the country provide their reflections and reactions to the march.  However, many do not see that much will change without other actions by civil society.
El Nahual of Mexico Para Los Mexicanos [es] is one that doesn't think that the march will make an immediate difference, but what is needed is a continued effort by all:
La marcha por si misma no resuelve las cosas y sólo es una señal de presión hacia el gobierno, pero esta presión social hacia el gobierno si es de sólo un día no funciona, debe de ser continua y a todos los niveles para que funcione. Salir, vestirse de blanco y encender una velita en la noche, es muy loable, pero no suficiente. Se necesita que todo el tiempo y continuamente le exijamos al gobierno, en todos sus niveles y expresiones, que realice su trabajo y que lo haga bien; y que nosotros cumplamos las leyes y señalemos a quienes no lo hacen. Se necesita que despierte la sociedad civil.
The march itself will not solve things, and it is only a sign of pressure on the government, but this one-day pressure on the government does not work, it should be continuous and at all levels for it to work.  Taking to the streets, dressing in white and lighting a candle at night, is all very commendable, but it is not enough. What is needed is that we demand from the government at all levels, that it fulfills its job and it fulfills it well’ and that we respect the laws and draw attention to those that don't.  Civil society needs to wake up.
Ana, a commenter on the blog Ocho Cuartos [es] responded to the question whether readers attended the march:
Yo quería marchar no pq creyera en la marcha (dejé de creer en las marchas y los efectos “cambia la realidad y el gobierno ya” desde los tiempos del olvidado mosh y todo ese dismother que armó alla abajo en el df) sino pq creo en méxico y quería manifestar esa opinion.
Lei los periodicos y me senti confundida. Muchos marcharon por convicción, pero otros marcharon pq el amigo, la novia, etc estaban ahi -en otras palabras por evento social-.
I wanted to march not because I believed in the march (I stopped believing in marches…), but because I believe in Mexico and I wanted to state that opinion.
I read the newspapers and I felt confused.  Many marched out of conviction, others marched because the friend, the girlfriend, etc. were there – in other words because it was a social event.
JC Cortés of Cargamento [es] is extremely cynical about the value of such a march and thinks that it will take years before things change, when this generation of criminals disappears:
En este país, la protesta causa molestia… ¿no es ese el comportamiento habitual del mexicano frente a una manifestación?… ¿no son unos nacos los que se manifiestan?… ha habido infinidad de marchas y nunca sirvieron de nada.
Las hubo para exigir justicia, para evidenciar corrupción, para acusar fraudes electorales, para mejorar el ambiente social. Ninguna sirvió, esta no será la excepción
In this country, protests cause annoyance.  Isn't that the customary reaction by Mexicans when they see a protest? Aren't the ones who protest just some idiots? There have been an infinite number of marches and they never were worth anything.
There have been marches calling for justice, to uncover corruption, to accuse of electoral fraud, to improve social environment.  None of them worked, and this won't be any different.
Carlos Garduño of Vivir México [es] is another that felt that the march did not accomplish much, and what is needed to fight against crime and against organized crime is “to attack the foundation that sustains them: the economic foundation that supports them and corruption.”


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Oman: Ramadan Unusual · Global Voices
Riyadh Al Balushi

You might think that the recent activity at the Omani blogosphere is mostly about the religious atmosphere of the holy month of Ramadan, but strangely the majority of the posts are anything but Ramadanic.
The notorious Muscat Confidential blogger recently posted a blog post about how to have sex in Muscat. His blog seems to get hits through searches for sex-related keywords, and I quote:
You know, I get a lot of hits from guys (I'm assuming here) in Oman searching for Filipino girls, Muscat girls, how to get girls in muscat, muscat sex, sex omani girls, prostitutes muscat, gay sex muscat, etc etc etc. Sex is clearly, like the rest of the world, on the mind of a lot of people in Muscat. Oh yes.
Expat wife Angry in Oman does not like her colleagues at work, does not like the people on the road, and surely is not happy about staying Oman. Some tell her it is a transition period and she will eventually like it here, but until that happens, the suffering continues. Here is the starting paragraph of her latest misadventures:
It always happens that when I think things can't get any worse, they of course do.
I now have a toothache to the point the whole right side of my face hurts and my bosses wife's driver came round to the office last night and took the keys away.
I told #3 yesterday that I NEED to get my check cashed today and that I will be late coming into the office. He was fine about it and when I got here I told him that I made a dentist appointment for Thursday.
Leo Americanus thinks that there is something seriously wrong with the perception of women in the Arab culture. He is surprised by the statements made by the family of the recently murdered Lebanese singer Suzanne Tamim:
While female singers have been taken advantage of by rich men the world 'round, I cannot help but feel that there is a special misogyny that surrounds men of power in the Middle East. Alaa al-Aswani's novel “The Yacoubian Building” paints a pretty damning picture of this kind of man in Egypt. The sad thing is that there is a line of thinking that perpetuates such acts.
Popular female blogger Suburban observes the state of hypermarket Lulu (she prefers to call it ‘Zoo-Lu’) during the Ramadan. She generally likes it because it is very cheap, but there are a few things that are starting to drive her crazy, here is one of them:
Wonky shopping carts. I am telling you, I have never had a shopping cart there that rolled straight. I am a small girl, and by the time the thing is full, I look like some sort of comic superhero in blue jeans, feet sliding on the lino floors, body inclined to 45 degrees, frantically attempting to navigate the corner of the dairy isle.

author: Riyadh Al Balushi


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Palestine: No Student Associations · Global Voices
Jillian C. York

Rebellious Arab Girl explains her dislike for student associations in a humorous account of her involvement in an Arab student group.


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Palestine: The Excellence of Iranian Universities  · Global Voices
Amira Al Hussaini

Palestinian Random Consistent Ideas links to an article on the excellence of Iranian universities. “The question that begs itself is: how can they do it? The article's explanation is rather shallow: all these top students want to leave Iran so bad, education excellence is their ticket out,” he notes.

author: Amira Al Hussaini


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South Africa: Highway Africa 2008 · Global Voices
Ndesanjo Macha

Solomon Moyo interviews Highway Africa 2008 conference delegates: “We asked our delegates about their thoughts on the theme and its relevance; and also about their expectations for the conference.”


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Syria: Love of Twitterfox · Global Voices
Jillian C. York

Syrian blogger أدهم [ar] shares a love of the Firefox plugin Twitterfox, stating that Firefox “continues to shine” with its add-ons.


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Syria: Sarkozy and Assad’s dinner · Global Voices
Jillian C. York

sasa shares a photo of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad dining with French President Nicolas Sarkozy and divulges where the presidential duo shared a meal.


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Tunisia’s ban on Facebook lifted · Global Voices
sami ben gharbia

The ban on the popular social networking website Facebook has been lifted in Tunisia since yesterday 3 September 2008 after a massive protest by Tunisian Netizens. Tens of Facebook groups protesting the ban have popped up in recent weeks surrounding this issue. But, according to Al Chourouk newspaper, the President Ben Ali intervened personally ordering the lifting of the ban and restoring access to the website.

author: sami ben gharbia


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Turkey: Drawing Parallels to Tough Political Women · Global Voices
Deborah Ann Dilley

Erkan's Field Diary compares vice-presidential nominee Sarah Palin to former Turkish Prime Minister Tansu Çiller stating that “she of course confirms a cliché. In order to move up as a female, you have to acquire ‘masculine’ traits…. “


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Venezuela: Return of the Student Movement After Long Absence · Global Voices
Eduardo Avila

Luis Carlos Díaz of Periodismo de Paz [es] writes about the lack of activity from the student movement in Venezuela, but that they have returned to make statements regarding the political situation in the country.


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Angola: Chatam House pre-election assessment · Global Voices
Ndesanjo Macha

Koluki writes about the Chatham House's pre-election assessment, which examines the run-up to elections in Angola.


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Angola: Elections underway · Global Voices
Ndesanjo Macha

No Longer at Ease on elections in Angola: “Parliamentary election is underway in Angola, the first in sixteen years. The governing party is expected to win, and international observers from EU, AU and SADC have all been invited.”


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Armenia: Remembering Meline’s · Global Voices
Onnik Krikorian

Unzipped: Gay Armenia posts photographs and remembers Meline's, Yerevan's only gay bar which recently closed because of financial problems and construction work in the city center.


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Bahrain: A friend in need… · Global Voices
Ayesha Saldanha

Bahraini blogger Icon explains why she has chosen to help her ex-boyfriend's girlfriend who is pregnant.

author: Ayesha Saldanha


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Bahrain: Gratitude to a teacher · Global Voices
Ayesha Saldanha

In Bahrain, a blogger who calls herself Dedicated To Him pays tribute to her teacher: ‘It’s rare when an English teacher…becomes you becomes your friend, your mother, & your sister… It’s rare to find a person like her among us.’


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Bahrain: Life of leisure?  · Global Voices
Ayesha Saldanha

Bahraini blogger Garden of Sands, currently living in the USA, is surprised to discover from a co-worker that Bahraini women do not work: ‘Nope, not a single one of us. Not only do we not want to, we surely don't need to. Why? Because we are all sitting on oil fields.’


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Bahrain: Traveller’s tales · Global Voices
Ayesha Saldanha

Bahraini blogger Cradle of Humanity, who studied in the UK, describes a recent visit to London, and the intensity of her feeling for Britain when there: ‘I’ve always been a victim of nostalgia, but did not quite expect it to be triggered by mere names in the street. … To me London is more than a holiday.’


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Bermuda: Daily News  · Global Voices
Janine Mendes-Franco

“The media should ask tough questions;  it keeps power honest. It is not the media’s fault if the answers to those questions are inadequate or embarrassing or rejected by the public”: Vexed Bermoothes suspects that Bermuda's new daily “is designed as a political tool rather than an independent news source.”

author: Janine Mendes-Franco


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Bermuda, U.S.A.: Political Parallels · Global Voices
Janine Mendes-Franco

Politics.bm finds parallels between US and Bermudian politics.