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Brazil’s Famous Flickr Photographer · Global Voices
David Sasaki

The content of Tatiana Cardeal‘s photography is firmly rooted in her native country of Brazil, but her intimate lens and universal themes have generated a wide following of Flickr fans from all over the globe. Last week I emailed Tatiana with questions concerning her photography, her country, her life, and her weblog. What follows is her reply with selections of her photography.
No More Lies?
In the last months, we Brazilians, are suffering day and night with the political news. So much corruption was discovered of the governament. You probably know how president Lula (and the Worker's Party) was symbolic and strong for us, and how much hope we had on this election… but power seems to corrupt everything, and now we are shocked by all those daily lies, after beliving so strong on the Worker's Party flag, wich has the ethic as their first priority. What a shame, and how sad.
I'm very depressed right now about all this. That's one of my motives to say “no more lies“. So, this is a kind of way to give life for those unpublish images and scream about our society. I'm angry with the politics, but I'm also frustrated with the usual cultural being of our Brazilian's society, specially the “midle class”. I'm not sure how to translate, but we have here the richs (a few of very rich and powerfull people), the poors, wich means a large population living in misery, and the “midle class”, which means are not so poor but certainly not rich. Those people see what is happening, but they don't act. Not only about the political ways, protesting, but also the daily problems. One of our most rich and important city in Brazil is São Paulo, were I live.
It's the third big city of the world, and we can see exactly those three words here, and it's easy to see them. You stop on the street and you'll see  expensive car, black windows closed, armored, and a lot of poors, street kids asking money, food… it's everywhere. How people can sleep with that? Faking blind about those things rising, growing day by day? They lie for themselves everyday. That's how I see, but sometimes I feel I'm that one, out of the Matrix, LOL.
Why English?
About writing in english, well, first was a coincidence. I started to publish my pictures on Flickr, and there weren't many Brazilians there as we have now. First I wasn't writing, just showing images, and I was shy about write in english, because I'm not that good on that. But people started to talk with me and asking things about my photos… I started to write. Them I decided to spread the World Social Forum, wich is a fantastic meeting, developing every year, with people from all the world (200.000 came in last january!), and I know the EUA, China, and some others countrys mass media don't use to talk about it. So I decided to make some “publicity” of that, showing the pictures and adding some words and links about. It was the beggining of my blog too. I worked more than ten years as designer and art director for many brazilians magazines, newspapers… but I started tired about, because it is always a world about a few people, a minory class with money to buy things. I was getting exhausted about the market laws and lies, always selling things on the magazines, always private interests behind. I quit my work, and decided to find other possibilities.
That's where I am now! Trying to find ways to show those people and historys without voice, those people wich are not on the magazines, trying to feel alive, and doing something which I believe. It's a hard way, I'm not makin money, I'm spending all I get working those years, but I still believe I'll find a way. I'm now writing a project, trying to find resources to continues my work in a professional way. For sure, I want to have a blog published in portuguese and english, but for now, I have time only for one language, and I can't pay english classes, so I use this as an excuse to continues improving the language. My audience should be people from all the world, sharing experiences and showing my country. European, Asiatics and Americans don't seems to know how people live here, or our culture, and I hope I can tell about that. My dream is to help social programs and to approach cultures. I believe if it happens, the approach of cultures, war should be not so easy to happen.
Urban Outcries
I believe there is no better one to talk about the Urban Outcries than Gregory, from CARF, but I'll tell you how I see the program. I met him last year on Flickr, looking his pictures and his words. I couldn't believe when I met his program! So rare and powerfull! Everyone in São Paulo has seen those kids on the streets, but when I saw that man from Norway doing that work on a smallholding in the urban periphery of Diadema, I just couldn't believe! So, I imediatly started to talk with him and we became friends. I wanted to help, but I don't have money to send, so i decided to give them my work. The Urban Outcries is a piece of the social program, I think is a trimestral happening, always with a theme, it's a comunication program not only to divulge the NGO work, but most important for that population to discuss a lot of problems they live. And those who organize the meeting are those youth Social Entrepreneurs, who lived in the streets before. The program uses not only to invite people to share themes, discussions, but also use all the popular cultural ways, as their music, dance, idols… It's a fantastic way to create deep roots, to give to that people the self believing they need.
Speaking Through Pictures
What you choose to photograph, is what you choose to talk about. That's how I see. Images are a language that everybody can read. For me the social contents are important, so I photograph them. It's my way to talk about, and to call people to think about. Sometimes I also like to talk about self knowledge, about inner experiences, but that is because I'm looking for my personal style and because for me became important to be me, to give meanings to my existence, to act as part of a linked world, as I see and feel the world.
Inspiration
Ahh, for sure I have some favorites as Gregory, from Carf, because he really lives what he believes, and I admire him so much for doing that. I really admire AnomalousNYC, wich has not only a beautiful photostream, but also a strong way to make people thinking about America, Palestine and world. Marcelo Montecino's work – can't find words to say how I feel about his work. He faced death so many times to be able to tell us how was those days in Latin America… I'm always thankfull for his work, and he is my hero. With all the repression at the dictatorial days, we don't have many documents about what happened here, we don't have nothing on the newspapers or magazines from that time. So, what we know about 20 years of our history can be learned just looking his photos. It's a history book. Ayeona, is a special girl who became a great friend. A whisper from the other side of the world who gaves me such inspiration by her friendship. She has the that special way to look the world. That way as the ancestors use to look… very simple, very natural, very honest.
I made all the Indigenous sets thinking of her. We have the Indigenous Tribal Pool together.
But there are so many others, so many good ones, and I could divide them in many categorys, quality of images, creativity… I could spend a night here writing about my favorites.


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D.R.Congo: Activist’s murder · Global Voices
Luisetta Mudie

Human Rights Watch slams the failure of the Congolese government to produce any result from a commission of enquiry into the murder of human rights activist Kabungulu Kibembi in July.

source: news-globalvoices

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

author: Luisetta Mudie


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Egypt: Mubarak Won  · Global Voices
Haitham Sabbah

President Hosni Mubarak won Egypt's first contested presidential race, according to a preliminary count Thursday.  An expected result in spite of all the election's irregularity reports as blogged by Ritzy.

author: Haitham Sabbah


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Ethiopia: Global IT forum · Global Voices
Luisetta Mudie

Ethioblog at Nazret.com reports that Ethiopia is to host the Third World Information Technology Forum in August 2007.


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Ethiopia: Migrant worker’s hell · Global Voices
Luisetta Mudie

The International Institute of Migration posts a photo-diary illustrating the experiences of an Ethiopian woman who was trafficked to Bahrain to work as a domestic helper.


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Ghana Anti-Poverty Event: “Africa Stands Tall” · Global Voices
Luisetta Mudie

Over 300,000 people packed into Ghana’s Independence Square in Accra on Saturday  3 September 2005 for the marathon 15 hour Africa Standing Tall Against Poverty Concert featuring Africa’s leading musicians, leading civil society personalities and anti poverty campaigners.
More photos over at Black Looks.


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Hong Kong: Sky TV & Disney · Global Voices
Jose Manuel Tesoro

Seeking diversions, Simon World watches the giant TV atop the 185 meter-tall AIG tower, while Flying Chair spends a day at the new Disneyland.

author: Jose Manuel Tesoro


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Hungary: László has left the building · Global Voices
Luisetta Mudie

Pestiside picks up on the life and passions of Hungary's very own Elvis, László Komár, who is currently engaged in a legal battle with the ghost-writer of his autobiography.


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India: Daughter or Son? · Global Voices
Neha Viswanathan

Known Turf has a very moving post on the fate of young girls that we bring into the world, and her struggle with empathy.

author: Neha Viswanathan


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Japan: Characters and Conformity · Global Voices
Jose Manuel Tesoro

Andy Gray has been visiting Tokyo's Yoyogi Park and chronicling the characters he finds there on his charming photoblog Japanwindow.  This week he puts up pictures of the 50s boy-gang wannabe Rockabilly guys, a group of joyful African-inspired drummers and hillbilly jug band Tokyo Limelight Circus.  Marie Mockett at Japundit compares U.S. and Japanese teenage conformity and reflects on the social stereotypes of both countries.


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Kenya: SMS the government · Global Voices
Luisetta Mudie

Bankelele informs us that it is now possible to text the Kenyan government spokesman.


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Kyrgyzstan: Reaction on Andijon · Global Voices
Luisetta Mudie

Registan writes about continuing tensions between Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan over allegations that Kyrgyz militants were involved in the Andijon uprising in May 2005.


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Mongolia: Educational anthems · Global Voices
Luisetta Mudie

The Mongol Messenger reports that Mongolian youngsters head back to school as the government inaugurates its new 11-year curriculum, amid a requirement that the national anthem will be heard across the land at the start of the academic year.


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Pakistan: Reporting crimes · Global Voices
Neha Viswanathan

pakistani perspective links to an article that states that women are more confident in reporting sexual violence in Pakistan now.


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Philippines: Hotmanila · Global Voices
Jose Manuel Tesoro

Torn and Frayed in Manila reads the latest issue of e-tabloid Hotmanila and cheers.  Founded in 2000 by disaffected print journalist Alan C. Robles, Hotmanila gained early fame for its coverage of the Manila-born ILOVEYOU worm and disgraced ex-President Joseph Estrada.


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Poland: Focus on Warsaw · Global Voices
Luisetta Mudie

PolBlog is running a competition to spot locations in Warsaw from photographs with an unusual angle.


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Russia: Attempting re-entry · Global Voices
Luisetta Mudie

Scraps of Moscow has recently re-located to the United States from Russia, and reports strange withdrawal symptoms, like not wanting to speak English loudly in front of the cops.


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Rwanda: A child’s-eye view · Global Voices
Luisetta Mudie

George Connard writes about a stunning photo project in Rwanda in which 35mm disposable cameras were given to children. The result is called “Through the Eyes of Children”.


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Seven People on Hunger Strike Against Censorship Since 1 September! · Global Voices
Haitham Sabbah

On September 1st, the Committees Free Iraq Italy, Italian base of the international coalition organizing the international conference “Leave Iraq in Peace – Support the Legitimate Resistance of the Iraqi People” have initiated a hunger strike with a permanent protest rally in front of the Italian Foreign Ministry in Rome. The hunger strikers are all activists of the Free Iraq movement including Leonardo Mazzei, its secretary.
Their demand is simple: grant visas for the six exponents of the Iraqi civil society invited for the international conference scheduled for 1-2 October: Sheikh Jawad al KHALESI, leader of the Iraqi National Foundation Congress; Ayatollah Sheikh Ahmed al BAGHDADI; Salah al MUKHTAR, former Iraqi ambassador to India and Vietnam; Sheikh Hassan al ZANGANI, international spokesman of the movement of Muqtada al Sadr and former editor of the paper “Hawza” closed by the occupation authorities; Mohamad FARIS, Iraqi Patriotic Communist; Ibrahim al KUBAYSI, brother of the kidnapped secretary of the Iraqi Patriotic Alliance (IPA).
By refusing visas to the Foreign Minister Fini followed the order by 44 US congressmen who demanded to impede the conference, the Italian hunger strikers says that this is not only an appalling violation of national sovereignty but is also trampling the democratic rights to free political expression with feet.
Foreign Minister Fini says, that it is an issue of national security.
Hunger strikers insist: peace is only possible by recognizing the right to self-determination and by talking to the real representatives of the Iraqi people, namely those opposing the occupation. The international conference serves this aim.
The seven hunger strikers on September 3, the forth day of the protest, in front of the banner: “We awant to see the visa”
Their press statement:
Knock if you can hear us!
Seven of us are already in our sixth day of a hunger strike so that the Foreign Affairs Minister of Italy, Gianfranco Fini consents to the concession of visas to the exponents of the popular Iraqi opposition to attend the conference in Chianciano “For a just peace, with the Iraqi resistance”.
The ample and sincere solidarity that has come to them from every sector reinforces their morale and gives strength to their struggle.
But to win the arrogance of Fini and of the “American Party” THERE HAS TO BE MORE. What has to be done? That other persons contribute in some way to the hunger strike.
We are addressing specifically the various organisms who, although not being part of “Free Iraq” are together with us in preparing the Conference. Invite even one of your people to support us!
We invite everyone who is concerned about our struggle and comprehends its political importance, not only to sign the petition “We want to see the visas” (to sign it, send email to: iraqlibero@email.it), but to make a gesture of courage and generosity, to come join the seven at the Foreign Affairs Ministry.
To us, this seems the clearest way to help the hunger strikers, so that they are not alone, so that it is not they alone who are defeated, but a Minister that, for an excess of zeal, does not hesitate to bow down at the commands of Emporer Bush.
To those listening, who would like to come to the aid of the seven who are in front of the Ministry, contact them at 0039 347/781 5904 (Leonardo).
Strikers:
The web page of the hunger strikers is here, and photos of the hunger strikers members here.
[Hat tip to thecutter & umkahlil]


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Singapore: Fear of a White Elephant · Global Voices
Jose Manuel Tesoro

A mysterious installation of cardboard white elephants outside a subway station causes consternation in Singapore.  Singapore Ink speculates on their origins, Doubleyellow cheers their existence, and Omeka na Huria says leave the protest pachyderms alone.


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South Korea: Coalition · Global Voices
Jose Manuel Tesoro

The Marmot's Hole details his problems with President Roh Tae Woo's call for a grand coalition.


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Sri Lanka: Looking beyond Literacy · Global Voices
Neha Viswanathan

Sujata looks beyond literacy on International Literacy Day, and builds a wishlist for Sri Lanka.


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Sri Lanka: Meet at the airport? · Global Voices
Neha Viswanathan

a last minute job on the Norwegian proposal to hold peace talks with the Tamil Tiget rebels at Katunayake(or Bandaranaike) International Airport.


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Afghanistan: Four die in suicide blast · Global Voices
Luisetta Mudie

Afghan Warrior reports on the deaths of four people in a suicide attack the southern province of Helmand. A government spokesman said Taliban insurgents had intended it to blow up U.S. troops.


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Africa: Getting away from wars and famine · Global Voices
Luisetta Mudie

Timbuktu Chronicles picks up on an interview with documentary film-maker Carol Pineau, maker of “The Africa We Never See”.


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Argentina: A Still Physical World · Global Voices
David Sasaki

Argentine blogger Jorge Gobbi says, behind the virtual rhetoric, physical relationships and objects still rule.

author: David Sasaki


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Argentina: Avenida 9 de Julio · Global Voices
David Sasaki

Google Sightseeing shows Buenos Aires’ famed 18 lane avenue from space. Line of Sight has a more terrestrial view.


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Argentina: Protest Against George W. Bush · Global Voices
David Sasaki

Expat Argentina says it's hypocritical of the Kirchner government to allow today's protest against George W. Bush, who will be attending the Summit of the Americas in Mar del Plata, while planned protests against the Argentine government have not been given permission.


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Argentina: Stencil Art · Global Voices
David Sasaki

Robert of line of sight continues his quest of documenting Buenos Aires’ stencil street art. As always, with translations and contextual explanations.


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Armenia: Hanging up the gloves · Global Voices
Luisetta Mudie

Katy at Blogrel digs out a special piece of car kitsch with an Armenian theme on e-Bay.


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Bolivia: The Official List of Candidates · Global Voices
David Sasaki

MABB, Ciao!, and Barrio Flores all write about the official eight presidential candidates for the December 4th election.


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China: More Yahoo! Reactions · Global Voices
Jose Manuel Tesoro

Yahoo Hong Kong's turnover of subscriber information that helped result in journalist Shi Tao's conviction continues to draw comment.  Angry Chinese Blogger provides a link to the Chinese text and English translation of the verdict.


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Ethiopia: Call for democracy · Global Voices
Luisetta Mudie

Ethiopundit compares the situation of his compatriots under the government of Meles Zenawi with that of black South Africans under apartheid.


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India: Thin, thinner, thinnest.. · Global Voices
Neha Viswanathan

There's health, and then there's starvation. Youth Curry has a say on diets, women and thin fads.


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India: Yahoo, Rediff or Gmail? · Global Voices
Neha Viswanathan

Sambhar Mafia links to an article on the online preferences of Indians when it comes to IM, email and news.


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Indonesia: Munir Trial · Global Voices
Jose Manuel Tesoro

Jakartass calls on Indonesia to take more seriously the investigation and trial of human-rights activist Munir's murderer.


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Iran: Holding Hussein accountable for all his crimes · Global Voices
Haitham Sabbah

Iranian Truth says that if the October 19th trial will focus exclusively on Saddam's participation in the massacre of Shi'a villagers in al-Dujail and he get executed without facing any further charges, this would mean that Saddam's involvement in atrocities committed against Kurds, in Halabja, and Iranians, during the 1980-88 war, would go unaccounted for.


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Iraq: Damascus Nightclubs Recruit Iraqi Girls · Global Voices
Haitham Sabbah

Christian Iraq reports that a growing numbers of girls are working as prostitutes in the Syrian capital – some willingly, some not.


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Jordan: GPS in Jordan · Global Voices
Haitham Sabbah

Ahmad Humeid wonders if Jordanians will be enjoying electronic city navigation anytime soon.


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Kyrgyzstan: A different perspective · Global Voices
Luisetta Mudie

Peace Corps volunteer Courtney Calvin feels distant from the emotion of Katrina with no moving images and 24-hour news programming to feed it, and reflects upon life “in the news void”.


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Malaysia: Patriotism · Global Voices
Jose Manuel Tesoro

Kenny of kennysia.com writes a long, heartfelt, and much commented-on post on loving Malaysia: “Be proud . . . Just don't love it blindly.”


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Nepal: An expensive dinner · Global Voices
Neha Viswanathan

The cancelled trip to the UN is set to cost the King a lot in Nepal. A cancelled dinner, and an upset event manager!


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Nigeria: A question of ethnicity · Global Voices
Luisetta Mudie

Chippla blogs about a decision by the Nigerian government to remove questions relating to ethnicity and religion from questionnaires in the forthcoming census.


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Nigeria: Spam scenario · Global Voices
Luisetta Mudie

Irregular Webcomic sets the imaginary scene for all those Nigerian spam e-mails that have plagued inboxes over the last few years.


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Oman: G or J? · Global Voices
Haitham Sabbah

The Muscatis is wondering why Omani's started talking in accents other than their original one as if they were embarrassed of their Omani accents. He sees this evident on Oman Public TV and radio with more and more presenters deliberately changing their pronunciation of most words that have the letter, G.


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Pakistan: Blasts in Karachi · Global Voices
Neha Viswanathan

Instant reaction to the blasts in Karachi at Metroblogging Lahore.


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Russia: European security · Global Voices
Luisetta Mudie

Nathan wishes, via Registan, that the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) would stand up to Russia's petulant demands.


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Singapore, Vietnam: Mooncake Shopping · Global Voices
Jose Manuel Tesoro

Glimpses of the Mid-Autumn Festival in countries where the leaves do not change color:  Shopping for mooncakes in Singapore and Vietnam.


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South Asia: I know about your type! · Global Voices
Neha Viswanathan

AsianSmiles on the truth in stereotypes, and the double edged danger in believing them.


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Thailand: Youthful Dangers · Global Voices
Jose Manuel Tesoro

Steve at Thai-blogs.com describes the dangers facing Thai youth — moto-racing, inter-college rivalry and freshman parties — and wonders why lax school administrators aren't punished.


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Uganda: War ‘nearly over’ · Global Voices
Luisetta Mudie

Uganda CAN reports an announcement by Ugandan military spokesman Shaban Bantariza, to the effect that the war against the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) in the north of the country is nearing its end, but then points out that the end of the war has been imminent several times during the past 20 years.


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Ukraine: Political commentary · Global Voices
Luisetta Mudie

Orange Ukraine rounds up different shades of comment on the Ukraine's political crisis following the mass sacking of government ministers by President Viktor Yushchenko.


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Zimbabwe: The word on the street · Global Voices
Luisetta Mudie

Zimpundit interviews people on the streets of Harare about the government's recent move to double fuel prices, and its impact on their daily lives.


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Echoes from the Tunisian blogosphere · Global Voices
Mohamed Marwen Meddah

Afrique Magazine (in French) has a feature article by the name “Blogmania Au Maghreb” talking about blogging in the Maghreb countries (Tunisia, Algeria, Morroco, Libya & Mauritania).
The article highlights the Tunisian bloggers as pioneers and leaders of blogging in the region. A number of Tunisian bloggers talk about this: Adib (in French), Karim and Marwen. A pdf of the scanned article was made and published online by Karim.
Zizou from Djerba, who will be leaving Tunisia soon to go study at the AUB in Beirut (in French), wonders what happened to Tunisian berbers and how he was wrong to think that it was a good thing they were assimilated into the general population. He now realizes how enriching multiculturalism can be and wishes their culture could be revived in Tunisia.
Adib is happy to announce the launch of a new portal about Kelibia (in French) , the beautiful Tunisian coastal city. The portal is an online gathering place for the people of the city and its lovers; providing information about cultural events, sports, arts and more in the city.
Karim wonders how come the new Omega 3 eggs, which are genetically modified products being sold by Al Mazraa (a Tunisian poultry store chain), don't carry any kind of label mentioning that to the clients nor any sort of certification from the government. He also wonders what the Tunisian law has to say about such products.
On the occasion of the Egyptian presidential elections, Houssein dreams of a democratic Egypt (in French) and thinks that the day that happens the rest of the Arab world will follow, reasoning that Arab countries have always followed Egypt in its idealogical, political, cultural and artistic tendancies; from Islamism, to pan-arab nationalism, to popular tv shows and mythical singers.
Thysdrus reports that Israeli foreign minister Silvan Shalom will be visiting Tunisia in November, accompanied by Dalia Isaac, Minister of Communications, to take part in the World Summit on Information Society.
Marwen is waiting for Tunisia's newest and largest shopping mall yet, under the name “Tunis City”, to open on September 29, 2005, hoping it will ease the huge pressure on the other malls and shopping centres.
Tom reports the recent rise in fuel prices in Tunisia (in Arabic); the second in two months. The rise is due to the record prices oil has reached worldwide.
Nawarat reviews the new women's fashion tendancies for the Autumn-Winter 2006 season (in French), joking that fashion magazines don't seem to know that people in Tunisia are still sweating from the heat and that summer sales are still going on.
Nasnoussa ponders (in French) on how some people in Tunisia are willing to spend huge amounts of money on a night out, while others have to go through weeks without even being able to buy and eat a meat-based meal; and that in the end they're both unhappy.
Zied can't understand why people like horror movies (in French). He thinks all the plots are similar and that all the techniques never change, with a serial killer popping up every now and then.

author: Mohamed Marwen Meddah


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China: Overseas Democratic Movement · Global Voices
Rebecca MacKinnon

ESWN has a scathing post titled The Tragicomedy of the Overseas Chinese Democratic Movement in which he reproduces an interview with a former movement member who has grown very cynical.

author: Rebecca MacKinnon


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China:  Rich vs. Poor · Global Voices
Rebecca MacKinnon

ESWN translates a Chinese newspaper article on The Most Popular Forum Post Ever In China: an internet-bulletin board discussion thread which exposed the strong emotions held by many Chinese over the growing gulf between rich and poor.


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China: War atrocities · Global Voices
Rebecca MacKinnon

Bingfeng points to a Chinese-language discussion of Japanese wartime atrocities. He compares Chinese historical memories of the Rape of Nanking to Japanese historical memories of Hiroshima, and asks: is Hiroshima nuke fabricated by Japanese? (Warning: very disturbing descriptions.)


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China: Yahoo! furore · Global Voices
Rebecca MacKinnon

T-Salon is sickened by Yahoo!'s behavior in China after it helped Chinese police convict journalist Shi Tao.  Angry Chinese Blogger points out that the internal government circular Shi Tao was jailed for revealing included statements such as: “Resolutely never express any opinions that are not consistent with the central (Government’s) opinion.”  The China Herald is not impressed with what former U.S. President Clinton and Yahoo!'s Jerry Yang had to say about the situation at a Chinese internet conference.


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From the Jordanian Blogosphere · Global Voices
Roba Al Assi

On International Affairs:
On the Jordanian blogging front, talk related to Katarina can still be heard. Jameed mentions an opinion that suggests that the focus on looting by “violent gangs” was a means “to divert attention from the total collapse of the infrastructure and the criminally irresponsible relief effort”. He also notes that the aftermath of Katarina is affecting all of the US, “The first sign was filling my car for more than 20 dollars for the very first time last week.” Sha3teely, on the other hand, is comparing the reactions to Katarina with other reactions towards other international disasters. Sabbah also underlines the facts that Arabs donated almost $3 billion worth of aid to Katrina victims, then he mentions the fact that the “U.S. Government gave the Israelis a wall, while New Orleans gets flooded!” and Linda Haddad says, “a double standard exists within the American news media.”
On local cultural events:
Locally, a lot is happening. SC of Utopia reports that American progressive singer David Rovics is stopping in Amman on September 9th to perform one concert before embarking on his first concert tour in Palestine. Roba of “And Far Away” posts about a concert by the Celebration Contemporary Worship Church Orchestra, and Jordan's third Mad Show Advertising show. Ahmad Humeid reports from the Jordan Advertising Awards 2005 saying,” the rising production values of the ads, as well as some forays into creativity, cheekiness and humor, are giving Jordanian advertising better overall scores.”
Jordanian Thoughts:
Lina shares what she found interesting while she did a roundup on blogs and newspapers, and directs us to a blog she recently found- “Schiavoni is an American expat who's been in Jordan for 6 months now, working for iJordan as a fundraising director.” Yazan Malakha points to a short movie by the Creative Community about movie piracy. Palforce, meanwhile, provides a link to a movie called “The Syrian Bride” by Eran Riklis, which talks about the everyday realities that Arabs have to face while under Israeli occupation.
Ahmad Humeid wonders if Amman will be enjoying electronic city navigation anytime soon., and Isam Bayazidi marvels whether Jordan stands for the Open Source technology or not. Natasha points to the “Muslim and Christian Youth and Challenges to Coexistence” symposium and says that it is uplifiting. Haitham Sabbah tackles a more disturbing phenomenon- The latest victims of the prostitution club in the Arabian Peninsula, Yemen!!
Eman of AquaCool is back with the 26th hilarious installment of her Work Diaries, and Ziad of First Home posts his first “personal” entry.

author: Roba Al Assi


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Images from Brazil: Senators accused of being “Liars” · Global Voices
David Sasaki

The graffiti on the wall, found in Buenos Aires, but equally applicable to current day Brazil, reads “Senators, Thieves!” In the caption, D.R. Lynch, from São Paulo, Brazil says:
What can I say about Brazilian politics lately? At first, a lot of us said it was electoral politics, timed to undermine the government the year before the election. Lula trusts people too much, some said. It is a symptom of bad campaign finance laws, we all said (and say). This government is no more corrupt than any other, we said. Maybe true, but is that any excuse? The daily headlines make you want to hide, to ignore politics, to cry. Will it ever end? It is so much easier to be in the opposition than to govern.


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Malaysia: SMS bankruptcy · Global Voices
Rebecca MacKinnon

Brand New Malaysian is concerned about the social implications of SMS polling by TV shows, because people with low incomes are hemmoraging money in order to vote for their favorite TV idols.


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North Korea:  Restaurants in China · Global Voices
Rebecca MacKinnon

The Asia Pages describes the experience of eating in North Korean restaurants in China.


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Afghanistan: Did the Taliban cooperate? · Global Voices
Luisetta Mudie

Wilson's Blogmanac revisits old news reports on the anniversary of 9/11 suggesting that U.S. President George W. Bush's administration turned down offers from the Taliban regime in Afghanistan to hand over Osama bin Laden to a third country.


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Azerbaijan: Candidates lose immunity · Global Voices
Luisetta Mudie

Marianna's Parliamentary Elections Monitor reports on the cases of two major opposition candidates for the November polls who are unable to return to Azerbaijan to join the campaign for fear of prosecution.


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Azerbaijan: Orange demonstrations · Global Voices
Luisetta Mudie

Registan reports on a demonstration by opposition supporters wearing hard-to-find orange clothing in the Azeri capital, Baku.


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Bangladesh: Feminism · Global Voices
Neha Viswanathan

PseudoArab on what is and isn't feminism, and where she stands.


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Bangladesh: Understanding Islam · Global Voices
Neha Viswanathan

Imtiaz's weBlog links to a website run by a Bangladeshi which attempts to portray Islam without the extremist hues attached by others to it.


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Belize: Chosen as Technorati Featured Blog · Global Voices
David Sasaki

Simone Engeln is thrilled that Simones Belize Blog was chosen as one of Technorati's featured weblogs today.


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Cambodia:  Katrina Aid · Global Voices
Rebecca MacKinnon

ThaRum and Cambodia4Kids both point out that even one of the poorest nations on earth has offered money for Katrina victims.


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Egypt: Aljazeera Kids Channel · Global Voices
Haitham Sabbah

Miss Mabrouk of Egypt points to Aljazeera newly inaugurated, first Arabic-language channel dedicated to children. Aljazeera says it will help them “develop self-esteem, respect their traditions and values, appreciate people around them and develop a passion for learning.”


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Ethiopia: New Year · Global Voices
Luisetta Mudie

“Welcome to 1998″, says a post at Meskel Square, with an explanatory link to the Ethiopian calendar.


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Ethiopia: World War Four · Global Voices
Luisetta Mudie

Ethiopundit, blogging on the anniversary of 9/11, says a fourth world war is being waged against those who seek to pervert Islam, “one of the world's great religions”, in the service of “a new totalitarianism”.


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Grenada: Remebering Ivan · Global Voices
David Sasaki

Blah, Bloh, Blog remembers hurricane Ivan on its first anniversary and recounts her own experiences.


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Guyana: Caribbean Internet Governance Forum · Global Voices
David Sasaki

Taran Rampersad has a summary of last week's Caribbean Internet Governance Forum held in Guyana as well as Software Freedom Day. Jacqueline Morris, from Trinidad and Tobago was also at the Caribbean Internet Governance Forum.


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Guyana: Jagdeo’s Promise to Business · Global Voices
David Sasaki

Living Guyana is reluctantly optimistic about president Jagdeo's promise to clear the red tape around investing.


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Images from Singapore: Bloggers All · Global Voices
Paul Frankenstein

“Bloggers All” by Ashwin Kumar
Scenes from a Singaporean blogger meetup.

author: Paul Frankenstein


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India: Can’t learn wearing that! · Global Voices
Neha Viswanathan

Clothes, dress codes and university politics. Shaswati's Blog and Sepia Mutiny discuss the move to introduce dress codes for women students.


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Jordan: Royal Scientific Society · Global Voices
Haitham Sabbah

Firas suggests the The Royal Scientific Society of Jordan if you are looking for professional training on much needed hands-on experience that most students do not get while they are in college.


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Jordan: Silent Protest Against the Wall · Global Voices
Haitham Sabbah

Roba announce that there's going to be a candlelight vigil held in front of the UN building in Shmeisany on Wednesday the 14th of September at 7 PM in silent protest against the Wall that's being built in Palestine.


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Kenya: Customer-friendly police · Global Voices
Luisetta Mudie

Kenyan Pundit reports on a new initiative by the Kenyan police to deal with “customer service issues”.


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Pakistan: Bush and after · Global Voices
Neha Viswanathan

Who after Bush asks Ahmed Bilal, and reminds us that there is more harm done to the world by Bush than what grabs media attention these days.


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Poland: Junk on the streets · Global Voices
Luisetta Mudie

PolBlog posts a photo essay and podcast on the “junkification of Warsaw”.


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Power supply and IT · Global Voices
Luisetta Mudie

Timbuktu Chronicles takes note of the “Energy Solutions Toolkit” issued by USAID on how to use off-grid power sources for ICT projects in areas where power supply is unreliable.


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Singapore: online sedition · Global Voices
Rebecca MacKinnon

From a Singapore Angle rounds up blogger coverage of the two bloggers charged with sedition for racist remarks online. There is also a follow-up post here. mr brown has more views here. Omeka Na Huria asks: are they being made an example?


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South Korea: Bloggers critique Roh · Global Voices
Rebecca MacKinnon

Mingi Hyun of Asia's Secrurity Perils points to an editorial arguing that President Roh tends to “abuse South Korean nationalism”, written for the English edition of OhMyNews  by fellow blogger Bernard Moon.


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Spain: Yahoo Spain sends cease and desist note · Global Voices
David Sasaki

Julio Alonso of Merodeando writes that his Spanish software blog has been sent a cease and desist letter (translated here) by Yahoo! Spain.


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Sri Lanka: Don’t call the cops · Global Voices
Neha Viswanathan

Running to the cops, or away from them? Mini at LankaBuzz has a story on the police taking advantage of the timid and the lost.


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Sudan: Spotlight on Darfur · Global Voices
Luisetta Mudie

AllThings2All hosts a detailed round-up of blogs, Spotlight on Darfur 1, which focuses attention on the troubled Sudanese region.


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Tunisia: The Simpsons in Arabic · Global Voices
Haitham Sabbah

MMM says that shows like “The Simpsons“, “Futurama” and “Southpark” for example aren't really the kind of shows that could be translated well into Arabic language and culture, especially when you mean to show it in Ramadan. A lot of references to Alcohol, sex, God and other taboos that just won't fit in.


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Ukraine: Armenian bread craze · Global Voices
Luisetta Mudie

Notes from Kiev reports on the craze for Armenian bread, or lavash, sweeping the Ukrainian capital this summer, and stirs up taste-buds over at Blogrel in the process.


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United Arab Emirates: UAE Labour Market · Global Voices
Haitham Sabbah

Keefieboy of Adventures in Dubai writes a very interesting article about “The UAE Labour Market”. He say that the expat workers still need to get the approval of their former employer if they want to change their jobs, unless they have worked for a minimum period of time with the first employer. Bizarrely, this length of time is determined by the level of education of the potential transferee.


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Venezuelan Bloggers’ Views on Chavismo · Global Voices
Iria Puyosa

The Venezuelan blogosphere portrays a fairly complex political spectrum rather than the bipolar one presented by mainstream media. The conversation is becoming more inclusive, allowing escualidos, moderate opposition, neither-nor, chavistas light, and extreme Bolivarians to exchange arguments and build understanding about the country’s political situation.
Recently, Kira Kariakin depicted the current Venezuelan political climate in a thoughtful post. Kariakin concludes “there is a clear sense of lack of substantial changes regarding political maneuvers and corruption between the Fourth and the Fifth Republic. However, given Chávez’s divine nature, he is not held accountable by his loyal followers …” Alex Lanz—who regards himself as one of those Chávez’s loyal followers—agrees with Kariakin on the subject of lack of real political changes in Venezuela, but he alleges that “Chávez generates an affective image (son, father, brother) that nobody else has generated in this country (…) He’s got faltering legs such as corruption that may wear his political effectiveness away, but he is committed to fight corruption, he just lacks tools to do so. Another faltering leg is his milieu (military and civil) in which there are all sorts of people. His administration lacks in planning. His biggest fault is being credulous regarding his squad. He appoints individuals for government positions who do not know what to do, and, lastly, he is a prisoner of the corrupting State bureaucracy”.
Threats to freedom of speech and right to the access of information is another prevalent issue in the Venezuelan blogosphere’s political debate. Recently, Luis Carlos Díaz—a young journalism student who leads a project called Periodismo para la Paz (Jounalism for Peace)—chronicled three cases of limitations to those important rights:
These incidents are not new in Venezuela but they have become more noticeable and more controversial in recent years.
The case of internal censorship in the government youth radio station is even worse in the blogosphere. A host of the censored radio show happens to be a blogger. He wrote about the incident in his blog, and as a consequence the show was cancelled for good. It is fair to mention that the interviewee was the U.S. Embassy Cultural Affairs Officer; but it is also fair to say that the topic was a festival of US independent films organized by the Embassy and featuring Michael Moore documentaries.
The Venezuelan drama movie Secuestro Express (Kidnapping Express) also crosses borders from entertainment to politics. The lawyer of four persons that were prosecuted (and acquitted)  for the killings in the April 11, 2003 opposition demonstration—the one that yielded Chávez’s alleged resignation and the subsequent coup of State—demanded the suspension of the film exhibition because it includes documentary images of his clients firing to invisible targets from Puente Llaguno. In the blogosphere the debate on the petition for taking the scenes out of the movie or stopping its exhibition re-opened the wounds of April 11, making bloggers to take sides in the confrontation.  Luigino Bracci Roa commented, “It hurts a lot that the only successful Venezuelan movies are those talking bad about our country, showing it as a place of degradation and chaos. It speaks badly of ourselves, and it damages all of us; not only Chávez”.
There is also another bleeding political wound that reappeared in the Venezuelan blogosphere. A more recent entry in the blog of the host of the censored radio show tells of his search for a new job. He was applying for a job in a State government. The job interviewer asked for his national ID. He was shocked, not because such request is unusual but because he knew the reason for it. His ID number was going to be checked with the Tascón List, the database that contains the IDs of those who signed the petition for President Chávez’s recalling. During the last two years, the Tascón List has been used for denying jobs in the government, admission to public schools, housing, social welfare benefits, new ID cards, and passports to those who signed for the presidential recalling. As unbelievable as it may sound, the President Chávez himself declared publicly a few months ago that it was enough punishment for those who signed for his recalling, and asked public servants to stop using the list. Apparently, some of his government officers think it is not enough.
The Tascón List is the background information of many discussions in the Venezuelan blogosphere. Without such background may be difficult to understand the negative reaction of Venezuelan fiction authors regarding a government census for establishing the Red Nacional de Escritores (National Network of Writers).
Even more difficult to understand may be a statement like this one: “the State is the biggest procurer in this country, few, very few, can afford the luxury of turning their back to the State as a client. To this end, having arepas 5 on the dinning table every day is what counts”. There have been a couple of Venezuelan bloggers confessing that they or some of their relatives have given up opposition to Chávez because they cannot afford to continue losing business opportunities. Such confessions raise both criticisms and support. Very few can afford to throw the first stone.
Last week an emergent issue hit Venezuelan political debate: government threats of expropriation of private manufacturing plants. Revealingly, such big news items have only small repercussions in the Venezuela blogosphere. Very few feel touched by the issue, since most Venezuelan bloggers do not own nor aspire to own anything else but the car they drive to work, the apartment in which they rest at nights, and the computer from which they blog. The Venezuelan blogosphere is made of the professional middle class and the working middle class. No wealth to worry about.
What concerns most Venezuelan bloggers is growing poverty, and the social illnesses that may come from it. Current political debate in the Venezuelan blogosphere is moving towards what to expect from political leadership in the 2006 presidential elections. Are they going to present a program for progressive reformism that helps the country to overcome poverty? Are they going to allow greater private entrepreneurship and grassroots involvement in policymaking? Is this the time for a truly 21st century Socialism that warrants both social justice and democratic freedoms?

author: Iria Puyosa


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Yemen: Girls World Communication Center · Global Voices
Haitham Sabbah

Stacey describes what shs saw at Girls World Communication Center in Yemen as an absolute haven of efficiency, vision, and warmth. She say that most of the girls would like to work for NGOs and become civil society activists, in any number of fields, and the skills they learn at the Center will help to make that happen.


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Zimbabwe: Constitutional amendments · Global Voices
Luisetta Mudie

Black Star Journal, commenting on the recent constitutional amendments in Zimbabwe, says the government of President Robert Mugabe has turned the country into “one, giant prison camp”.


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Zimbabwe: Human Right Watch report · Global Voices
Luisetta Mudie

Human Rights Watch releases a statement on its new report into recent events in Zimbabwe, saying that the government of President Robert Mugabe has violated the human rights of hundreds of thousands of its citizens.


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Afghanistan: Media analysis · Global Voices
Luisetta Mudie

Afghan Lord gives a brief rundown of the evolution of the news media in Afghanistan.


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Argentina: Explaining High Literacy Rates · Global Voices
David Sasaki

After a tour of his new apartment in San Telmo, Jeff Barry hypothesizes why Argentina has such a high literacy rate.


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Argentina: Las redes de prostitución · Global Voices
David Sasaki

Desde el aula, the blog version of a radio show, discusses prostitution networks in Argentina [ES]


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Argentina: Wealthiest Nation in Latin America · Global Voices
David Sasaki

Jazzero explains [ES] how the World Bank listed Argentina as the wealthiest country in Latin America.


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Armenia: An American Dramaturg · Global Voices
Luisetta Mudie

An American Dramaturg in Armenia writes about the opening night of a Shakespearian monodrama festival in the capital, Yerevan.


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Bahrain: Bahrain World Trade Centre Wings · Global Voices
Haitham Sabbah

Sabbah says that Bahrain World Trade Centre (BWTC) will incorporate the first towers in the world to generate their own electricity using wind turbines.


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Bangladesh: Desh in NY · Global Voices
Neha Viswanathan

A wonderful photo post on the Bangladeshi Live Journal Community, that provides glimpses of Bangladesh in New York. From vegetables to neon signs, it's all there!


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Bangladesh: Migrant workers in Malaysia · Global Voices
Neha Viswanathan

CSR Asia has an article on Bangladeshi migrant workers winning  seven year court battle against their Malaysian employers over unpaid wages.


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China: Murder Case · Global Voices
Rebecca MacKinnon

ESWN translates an article about “hottest subject on the Chinese Internet recently:” The Case of Wang Binyu.


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China: State Secrets · Global Voices
Rebecca MacKinnon

Danwei has a rather cynical (and somewhat racy) post on what is and isn't a Chinese state secret.


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Egypt: Itharak · Global Voices
Haitham Sabbah

Karim Elsahy attended one of Egyptian bloggers meetup last night and the outcome was a new project; Itharak.com. The idea behind Itharak (“get moving” in Arabic) is to get people to pledge to do things that will give them the chance to make some changes in the coming Parliamentary elections in Egypt.


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India: City talk · Global Voices
Neha Viswanathan

Known Turf has a story on Delhi and tailors, while Kamla has a say on Bangalore's infrastructure.


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India: Playing games · Global Voices
Neha Viswanathan

Sambhar Mafia on the partisan coverage given to various sports in Indian MSM, and how some accomplishments are ignored.


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Indonesia: 500 days of blogging · Global Voices
Rebecca MacKinnon

Jakartass celebrates his 500th day of blogging.


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Iranian bloggers : Literature World Goes Blogging  · Global Voices
Fred Petrossian

There are more and more Iranian writers and poets who  have become  experienced  bloggers. We discover more and more their creations on their blogs. Ofcourse in Persian. Moniro RavaniPour, a famous Iranian writer, is writing her first story on her blog. Abbas Marofi, Germany based writer, regularly writes short stories and poems in his own blog. It means weblogs are becoming a source of high quality literature and a place for their readers to discover new creations, leave their comments and know about their favourite writer daily life or reflection. In one of Marofi's poems we read:
“My love I will not lose you again. Even if street is crowded I will hold your hand and I will become peaceful”.
Yadola Royai, France based Iranian poet, is another one who writes time to time his poems on his blog. He was a pioneer poet before revolution and has inspired many others.
It is also fascinating that young wrtiters have opportunity to share their stories and poems with others on their blogs. One of them is Dastangoo which means storyteller in Persian. Dastangoo was born in 1981 in Iran and his/her mother didn't send Dastangoo to school because she didn't want State/public schools influence her child. Dastangoo learned writing & reading at home and start writing stories at the age of 12. Sometimes reality is more amazing than fiction!
Anyway professional writers and new comers in literature express themselves more and more on blogs. A chance to discover new talents and writings without censorship.

author: Fred Petrossian


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Israel: BBC Bias · Global Voices
Haitham Sabbah

Mark Elf of Jews sans frontieres writes about the BBC's pro-Israel biased reporting over the Middle East conflict.


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Kenya: Wi-fi wanderings · Global Voices
Luisetta Mudie

George Conard, on his way home to Seattle, checks out the much-vaunted wi-fi connection in Kenya's Jomo Kenyatta International Airport.


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Lesotho: Essential phrases · Global Voices
Luisetta Mudie

Sotho gives a detailed Sesotho language lesson, covering suffixes which locate something somewhere, how to ask for the toilet, and how to do everything politely.


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MABB: Commentary on Bolivia’s Democracy · Global Voices
David Sasaki

Manuel Buitrago of MABB comments on the development of Bolivia's democracy.


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Malaysia: Mahatir critiques Iraq war · Global Voices
Rebecca MacKinnon

Jeff Ooi at Screenshots has links to lots of commentary Dr Mahathir's speech at a human rights conference last Friday where Western diplomats diplomats walked out on him after he criticized the U.S. and U.K for invading Iraq.


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Mongolia: Vietnam veteran · Global Voices
Luisetta Mudie

New Mongols remembers a Mongolian, Cpl. Enver Bajin, who was killed in the Vietnam War (1957-1975).


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Palestine: Gaza Settlement Tour · Global Voices
Haitham Sabbah

Laila Um Yousuf of Raising Yousuf: a diary of a mother under occupation blog writes an interesting article after her first visits to what used to be Israeli settlements in Gaza. She says:
Palestinians wandered around in disbelief, trying to absorb the scene and the moment. For some, like 26-year old Omar Budran, who lost a leg to an Israeli helicopter gunship that fired at a group of Palestinians not far from the settlement in the crowded Nusseirat refugee camp two years ago, the day was particularly poignant.
“It’s an incredible day for me. I am overwhelmed with happiness, and I am optimistic what the future might bring,” he said.
But many Palestinians, while basking in the momentary elation, expressed concerns for the future. Dermatologist Muna al-Farra, who has finally been able to access land her family owns in the Abo Holi junction, said she was worried about the longer-term implications of Gaza being turned into like a large prison.


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Philippines: Transport Strike · Global Voices
Rebecca MacKinnon

Metroblogging Manila believes that the latest transport strike is  an exercise in futility thanks to the energy situation.


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Russia: Chechen singer beaten · Global Voices
Luisetta Mudie

One Step at a Time reports on the beating last week of Chechen singer-songwriter Liza Umarova in a Moscow street.


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Somaliland: French scholar expelled · Global Voices
Luisetta Mudie

Inside Somaliland highlights the expulsion from Somaliland of French academic Roland Marchal, who slammed the summary style of his deportation in a letter to the interior minister.


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South Korea: Blaming the U.S. · Global Voices
Rebecca MacKinnon

Marmot points to a South Korean opinion poll revealing that 53 percent of South Koreans polled believe the U.S. is most responsible for the continued division of the Korean Peninsula.


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Sri Lanka: Lessons from Indonesia · Global Voices
Neha Viswanathan

LIRNEasia presents findings of a study that assesses the success of WiFi based expansion of Internet access and identifies the conditions that gave rise to this innovation in Indonesia.


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Sudan: Trauma report · Global Voices
Luisetta Mudie

Sleepless draws our attention to a report by UNICEF on the traumatic effects of the Darfur atrocities, and re-tells a tale that made a prominent African community leader cry in public.


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Trinidad and Tobago: Soucouyant Legend · Global Voices
David Sasaki

My Issues Are Showing posts about the Trinidadian folk legend of the Soucouyant. In a comment, Abeni says the same legend exists in St. Vincent.


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Two Singapore bloggers charged for sedition for racist comments online · Global Voices
mrbrown

Two Singapore bloggers have been charged under the Sedition Act for posting racist comments online. The last time the Sedition Act was invoked in Singapore was at least 10 years ago. Twenty-seven-year-old Benjamin Koh Song Huat and 25-year-old Nicholas Lim Yew are being accused of posting racist comments on an online forum and their blogs. They are currently out on bail of SGD10,000 each.
This is the Channel NewsAsia (CNA) report: Two bloggers charged under Sedition Act over racist remarks.
“This charge came as a shock to many in the blogging community.
Said Singaporean blogger Benjamin Lee (Mr Miyagi): ‘A lot of them will be looking at their blogs and wondering if they made any legally seditious remarks. I think because of the way this will be played up, it's negative publicity for the Singapore blogging community.’
“‘Currently if you surf the net you will come across a lot of bloggers making such comments. You will probably see a drop in such cases henceforth. At the moment I am not aware of any cases except of a case in Iran where bloggers are charged. But Iran has a different legal system from Singapore,’ said Leonard Loo, managing partner of Leonard Loo & Co Advocates & Solicitors.”
The issue also made it onto the U.S. techno-news blog Slashdot, with popular Singaporean blogger Mr Miyagi mentioned in one of the comments. The comments on Slashdot have been fast and furious and, to quote Singapore Angle, “most of it very…American.”
And it seems that some Americans have not forgotten the caning of Michael Fay's backside, or our infamous chewing gum laws.
Here are some of the reactions from the online communities:
Moderator of popular Singapore Delphi Forum Sammyboy's Alfresco Coffee Shop says: “Based on the the list, just about every mother's son and daughter who has ever posted any messages here will soon be in jail.”
Singapore blogger based in Hongkong, Little Cart Noodles, says:
“I long for the day when Singaporeans can engage in active debate over social and national issues, and question the Government, without fear of persecution, direct or indirect.
But for now, the idiots who insult my Malay friends can fry.”
Singapore Angle, says:
“My gut feeling is that the unhappiness that is bound to be generated will be driven by the lack of transparency. People are going to ask: “Just what did the two post that make them deserving of such a serious charge?” And if the details are not forthcoming–as they usually are not–non-netizens will simply do the easy thing and draw the worse conclusions–about the morals of “bloggers” and netizens in general, or about the “climate of fear” in Singapore.”
Tym, says “The personal is political”:
“Be personal, be political, certainly be responsible, and pray very hard that no one finds you seditious. Be aware that you can't just say anything, but don't let it stop you from saying the things that need to be said. Be a good citizen. Be engaged. Love your country.
Don't scared.”
Singapore metablog Tomorrow.sg has a growing list of blogs and sites covering the case.
And e pur si muove has a wiki for this case on his blog too.

author: mrbrown


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Uganda: Museveni and Sudan · Global Voices
Luisetta Mudie

ngomrom comments on what Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni might have to lose from a peace settlement in neighboring Sudan.


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United Arab Emirates:  Falling Gulf Air · Global Voices
Haitham Sabbah

This is the story of an airline that could and should have been the united pride of the Arab world. Secret Dubai comments on Abu Dhabi decision to quit Gulf Air and quotes Western diplomat who said that, “National airlines and national pride are still more important to the Gulf states than anything else. The GCC operates more in name than anything else.” In an ideal world, the six GCC states would sink their money and energy into greater cooperation and coordination – not just of their airlines, but also of aviation services of all kinds.


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Uzbekistan: Guardian on Andijon · Global Voices
Luisetta Mudie

Nathan at Registan examines an article about the Andijon massacre in the Guardian based on recent interviews with Uzbek refugees in Romania.


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Venezuela: Venezuelan Bloggers Meet in Miami · Global Voices
David Sasaki

Veneblogs has a roundup of Venezuelan expat bloggers who met up last Saturday in Miami.


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Vietnam: Street vendors · Global Voices
Rebecca MacKinnon

Vietnamese God has some fun photos of the “walking clothes shops” of Northern Vietnam.


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Afghanistan: Condemnation of 9/11 attacks · Global Voices
Luisetta Mudie

Afghan Warrior condemns the attacks on the United States on Sept. 11, 2001, and hopes that U.S. coalition troops can put an end to terrorism.


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Afghanistan: Media and elections · Global Voices
Luisetta Mudie

Afghan Lord posts an announcement from Afghanistan's Media Commission, which has thrown open the doors to the country's news outlets to all 2, 889 election candidates ahead of Sunday's poll.


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Argentina: Depending on Government · Global Voices
David Sasaki

Hurricane Katrina reminds Doug of All-Ecompassingly that both Argentines and Americans criticize the government but also depend on it.


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Argentina: Falkland War Film Opens in Argentina · Global Voices
David Sasaki

The Argentina Film Guide says Iluminados Por El Fuego, a film about the Falklands War starring Gastón Pauls has opened in Argentinian theaters.


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Armenia: Project Smile · Global Voices
Luisetta Mudie

Onnik Krikorian flags a fund-raising event to help integrate people with severe mental disabilities into society, in the Armenian capital on Sept. 16.


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Bangladesh: One more perspective · Global Voices
Neha Viswanathan

moodlogic attempts to bring one more point of view to understand the blasts in Bangladesh.


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Bolivia: “Another Bolivia is Possible” · Global Voices
David Sasaki

Nick Buxton, just returned from a gathering of social movements in the rural town of Camiri, says “another Bolivia is possible.”


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Bolivia: Cochabamba’s Independence Day · Global Voices
David Sasaki

Eduardo Avila wishes a happy 195th birthday to his native city of Cochabamba. Complete with music.


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Bolivia, Ecuador, Peru: Explaining the Peace · Global Voices
David Sasaki

Autonomia Ya (“Autonomy Already!”) tries to explain why Peru has remained relatively stable [ES] compared to Ecuador and Bolivia's recent chaos.


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China: Shanghainese in Beijing · Global Voices
Jose Manuel Tesoro

Bingfeng Teahouse tells tales of being a Shanghainese in Beijing.


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D.R. Congo: Peacekeeping problems · Global Voices
Luisetta Mudie

Black Star Journal draws attention to the difficulties of peacekeeping in the Democratic Republic of Congo with just 16,000 troops to cover an area the size of Western Europe.


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Inside The Japanese Blogosphere · Global Voices
Nevin Thompson

David Jacobson at Japan Media Review has prepared an excellent summary about how Japanese bloggers covered the country's recent parliamentary elections on September 11.
As part of the post, Jacobson documents the emergence of “housewife-turned-journalist” Ai Izumi, who, at 38 and despite having no training as a professional journalist, was able to interview some of Japan's top policy makers, and posted transcripts of the interviews on her blog.
Besides the election, Japanese bloggers are trying to get to the bottom of the “White Wristband Fraud.”
“Every three seconds in the developing world, a child dies,” the Hottokenai organization reminds Japanese internet users, who can help by purchasing white wrist bands sold by the organization at convenience stores and other locations for 300 yen (US$2.70). Modeled on the “One” campaign in the United States, proceeds are supposed to help alleviate poverty in the developing world.
However, as one blogger points out, none of the proceeds from the sale of the white wristbands in Japan will be directly donated to people in need, and the Hottokenai website even admits as much.
Instead, 90 percent of the money raised will be spent on manufacturing and distributing the wristbands (which are made in China), while the remaing 10 percent – 30 yen per white wrist band – will be used to create a “campaign” to change government policy towards developing nations. Activies include organizing events, educating people about the campaign, and buying media time.
So, while not exactly a fraud, many bloggers say Japan's white band campaign is a waste of money.
“It's unfortunate,” says one blogger, “that there is no mention in stores of how money raised from the writstbands will be spent, and people who buy them will probably think they've donated money to less fortunate people, when really they haven't.”

author: Nevin Thompson


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Ethiopia: EU report welcome · Global Voices
Luisetta Mudie

Tsegasaurus at Satisfy my Soul gets back from a summer trip and catches up with the main political stories, calling a critical EU election observers’ report “a downpour in the middle of a drought”.


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Ghana: Blog-work balance · Global Voices
Luisetta Mudie

E.K.Bensah promises a juicy perspective on last week's anti-poverty concert in the Ghanaian capital, Accra, but tries for a blog-life balance this week (“The unbearable lightness of blogging.”)


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Images from Argentina: Tango Callejero · Global Voices
David Sasaki

“Tango Callejero” means “Street Tango.” The photograph was taken in Buenos Aires, Argentina.


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In the Presidents’ shoes… · Global Voices
Luisetta Mudie

Mental Acrobatics challenges readers to identify Presidents Benjamin Mkapa of Tanzania, Mwai Kibaki of Kenya and Yoweri Museveni of Uganda just from their shoes.


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India: Intel Outside · Global Voices
Neha Viswanathan

Intel decides not to go ahead with its USD 700 million plan in India reports Sambhar Mafia.


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India, Pakistan: Conflict and propaganda · Global Voices
Neha Viswanathan

Ahmed Bilal has a post on the India vs. Pakistan situation, and elaborates on the role of propaganda, government and people.


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Israel: Dangerous Pop Stars  · Global Voices
Haitham Sabbah

Abu Aardvark writes that an official Israeli report denounced Nancy Ajram, Haifa Wehbi, Maria and other Lebanese popstars as posing a destructive and serious threat to the Israeli state because of their “political activities which have great influence in the Arab world due to their great popularity.”


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Japan: Election Wrapup · Global Voices
Jose Manuel Tesoro

Japundit wraps up its coverage of the recent elections, and announces that it's back to posting on sex and festivals!


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Kenya: Financial reform plan · Global Voices
Luisetta Mudie

Bankelele reports on a comprehensive reform plan set out by the World Bank for Kenya's financial sector, including the top four state-owned banks.


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Kuwait: Blog Search · Global Voices
Haitham Sabbah

Good news for all bloggers! If you haven't heard of it yet, nibaq points to the new Blog Search by Google. One commented on his post and added that Blogger has launched their search too. Update: They are actually returning the same results, since Blogger.com is owned by Google.


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Nepal: Army in the country · Global Voices
Neha Viswanathan

United We Blog! wonders about the changing role of army in Nepal.


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Nigeria: Call for Taylor to face tribunal · Global Voices
Luisetta Mudie

Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International have called on the Nigerian government to show its commitment to justice by handing over former Liberian President Charles Taylor to the Special Court for Sierra Leone, which has indicted him for war crimes and crimes against humanity.


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Oman: Art for Giving · Global Voices
Haitham Sabbah

The Muscatis recommends that everyone should attend ‘Dar Al Atta‘ (Art for Giving) Exhibition, which started in Muscat. 57 artists have contributed a total of 172 pieces for the exhibit. The artists are donating 50% of the sales to Dar Al Atta.


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Pakistan: Blogspeak · Global Voices
Omer Alvie

So, what's going in the Pakistani Blogsphere? Quite a lot actually, but let me just bring everyone up to speed on some of them.
Starting with blatant self promotion, the olive ream comments on the expected Mike Brown (FEMA) resignation; the Republic of Tea pours out a deeper meaning and lesson from Hurricane Katrina, Suspect Paki complains about the ruin of the English language; the Fountainhead explains the affect of John Bolton on the UN; Teeth Maestro commends G. W. Bush for accepting the responsibility of mismanagement the New Orleans disaster; and Politically Incorrect pontificates about Dan Brown's talent as an author.
Lots more coming in weeks to follow…stay tuned.

author: Omer Alvie


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Pakistan: How to become a Pakistani · Global Voices
Neha Viswanathan

Reality TV's take on becoming a Pakistani at Sepia Mutiny.


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Russian: Brekher clip · Global Voices
Luisetta Mudie

Neeka posts a mystifying and hilarious audio clip in which an unknown caller and a directory assistance operator search for the mysterious letter “kh”.


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Saudi Arabia: Kissing Hands · Global Voices
Haitham Sabbah

Alhamedi writes about the cultural differences between West and East, particularly with body language (kissing the King hands).


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South Korea: Seoul Man · Global Voices
Jose Manuel Tesoro

One Free Korea writes a detailed profile of Seoul mayor Lee Myung Bak, one of two potential Grand National Party candidates for the presidency.


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Sub-Saharan Africa: “Wake up!” · Global Voices
Luisetta Mudie

“Who say Africa is poor?” blogs Positive Africa. “Wake up!”


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Thailand: Minority Reports · Global Voices
Jose Manuel Tesoro

Stilee at Thai-blogs.com‘s posts on Muslim schools in the Thai south and Chinese dialect associations have generated much discussion about the kingdom's minorities.


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Uzbekistan: What can the West do? · Global Voices
Luisetta Mudie

Nathan, of Registan fame, posts a long essay on a change in emphasis in commentaries about relations with Uzbekistan, and asks what Western countries could do that would make any difference to the regime.


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Venezuela: Chavez calls for greater Venezuela-China co-op · Global Voices
David Sasaki

Venezuela in the News says Chavez has called for greater Venezuelan-Chinese cooperation.


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Venezuela: Fête de l’Humanité · Global Voices
David Sasaki

Hand Off Venezuela has a Venezuela-centric post on last weekend's Fête de l’Humanité, an annual Communist party, held in Paris, France.


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Venezuela: Seizure of La Marqueseña · Global Voices
David Sasaki

Daniel of Venezuela News and Views covers the Venezuelan Army's seizure of property belonging to the Vestey group.


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Vietnam: Travel Advisory · Global Voices
Jose Manuel Tesoro

The impending visit of Our Man in Hanoi‘s parents prompts him to write a letter to visitors to Vietnam:  “The first thing you have to realize is — nothing is what it seems.”


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Welcome to the Kurdish Blogosphere · Global Voices
Deborah Ann Dilley

The subject of Kurdistan (be it in a political or idealist setting) has always been a controversial one. While no political entity of Kurdistan exists, the topic of establishing a homeland for the Kurds (the largest single ethnic group in the world without their own state) is still a primary political aim of the majority of Kurdish peoples. Kurdish history, culture and language is decidedly rich; and many of the Kurdish bloggers have made it their mission to disseminate as much information as possible about the Kurds to a wider audience. Countries with large populations of Kurdish peoples and/or have regions referred to as Kurdistan are: Iran, Iraq, Syria and Turkey. The majority of bloggers who blog from Kurdistan are located in Northern Iraq, however the Diaspora movement has been gaining more and more ground in the blogosphere. The goal of this weekly posting is to introduce readers to the world of the Kurdish Blogosphere and provide updates onto the current issues being discussed and debated within their blogs.
Perhaps the best site for an introduction into the Kurdish Blogosphere is the Kurdistan Bloggers Union, which has done an excellent job of bringing many diverse voices together in support of the Kurdish peoples. Recently celebrating its one year anniversary, the Kurdistan Bloggers Union has tackled topics ranging from the history of the Kurds, current events in the region, to more whimsical subjects such as combining popular culture with Kurdish culture. Reader support has even lead to the creation of a KBU Forum, used to discuss everything Kurdish, and a News-site. The links on this blog are highly recommended as they have one of the most comprehensive lists of Kurdish Blogs that are written in English. Recent activity on this blog has been focused on the activities of the various members. Vladimir, a Dutch journalist, was recently highlighted for his efforts in the Kurdish cause and an intro was given to his new blog From Holland to Kurdistan, which focuses on the history of the Kurdish people. Piling, another member of the Kurdistan Bloggers Union, gave a photo tour of the Library in the Kurdish Institute of Paris where she is employed as a librarian.
Thematically, the Kurdish Blogs can be divided into 3 main areas of content: Culture, History and Political Commentary. A more detailed explanation of these areas will be given in next week’s installment. However, within the Kurdish Blogosphere it is important to note that in times of crisis the Kurdish Bloggers have proven themselves to be surprisingly quick to respond to issues and, in some cases, fill in the gaps left by media coverage. An example would be of the July 2005 violence against the Kurds within the borders of Iran, most notably in the province of Mahabad. When little or no news was to be found on the events taking place, Kurdish Bloggers formed a site dedicated strictly to giving news about the happenings in Mahabad. This ability (while still in its infancy) to form grassroots activism in the blogosphere is a sign of strength within the Kurdish bloggers and should prove to be interesting to monitor the political development that will generate in the days, months and years to come.

author: Deborah Ann Dilley


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Mexico: Patriotism in Nuevo Laredo · Global Voices
David Sasaki

As Nuevo Laredo gets ready for tonight's “scream of independence,” Google Sightseeing reveals the gigantic Mexican flag at the U.S.-Mexico border.


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A Study in Frustration · Global Voices
Nathan Hamm

New Mongols’ Nabetz is frustrated with a report claiming China is the center of Mongolian studies and looks forward to the day on which Mongolia is recognized as the academic center of its own heritage.

author: Nathan Hamm


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Anguilla: 2005 Parade of Troupes · Global Voices
David Sasaki

Janine Edwards has posted photos of this years Parade of Troupes on Bob Green's Anguilla News.


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Applauding Humanitarian Investment · Global Voices
Nathan Hamm

Nabetz of New Mongols discusses and applauds Mercy Corps for encouraging small-scale investments in economic activity over awarding grants in rural Mongolia.


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Aruba: Moving On Past Holloway · Global Voices
David Sasaki

Lost in Smallness promises to not post again on Natalee Holloway and has her last say in doing so.


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Bahamas: “Bahamas Government Admits Cronyism · Global Voices
David Sasaki

Bahamas Blog says that Minister of Education, Alfred Sears, admitted at a town hall meeting that construction “contracts were given to people for political reasons who did not do an adequate job.”


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Bahrain: Workplace Respect · Global Voices
Haitham Sabbah

Amira asks, what is it with people who have zero respect for their workplace?


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Bangladesh: Terrorists and other partners · Global Voices
Neha Viswanathan

Adda offers perspective on political partnerships in Bangladesh, and to draw a parallel, asks if the US would ever collaborate with the terrorists that attacked them.


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China: Fired editor to write online column · Global Voices
Luisetta Mudie

The former editor of Guangdong's cutting-edge Southern Metropolis News, Cheng Yizhong, has been invited by Sohu.com to write a daily commentary on Chinese newspapers, reports Sophie Beach at China Digital Times.


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China: Male model on Xinhua · Global Voices
Luisetta Mudie

Danwei notes that Xinhua news agency has published a series of tastefully decorated nude photos of top male model Hu Bin on its “Inner Mongolia Channel”, as a counterpoint to its more commonly seen images of semi-clad women.


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China: Trial of Huang Jingao · Global Voices
Luisetta Mudie

EastSouthWestNorth reports on the trial of former Lianjiang county Party Secretary Huang Jingao, best known for a letter he once wrote to the People's Daily online edition entitled “Why I Wore a Bullet-Proof Vest For Six Years”.


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Ethiopia: Poorest in the world · Global Voices
Luisetta Mudie

Nazret.com‘s EthioBlog picks up on a report by the World Bank which lists Ethiopia as the poorest country in the world.


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India: Education and Classrooms · Global Voices
Neha Viswanathan

Uma has a post on the value of learning, education and teachers in the community, and links to other sources.


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Indonesia: Tsunami slideshow · Global Voices
Luisetta Mudie

Tony Demark has built a del.icio.us-tagged slideshow which allows you to toggle between Before and After shots of the tsunami as it hit Banda Aceh and Sri Lanka's Kalutara Beach. The Digital Globe images aren't new, but this shocking presentation makes sure we don't forget, and links to donation sites for the victims.


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Iraq: Freedom of Speech · Global Voices
Haitham Sabbah

Sami of An Iraqi's Thoughts says that now Iraqis have freedom of speech, they are abusing it and sadly instead of pushing towards changing the country, they instead try and build bridges between themselves.


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Jordan: The Power of Nothing · Global Voices
Haitham Sabbah

Mozzy talks about the power of nothing, we should first consider the mystery of nothing, is it unbearable, the word mystery?


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Kenya: A Constant Gardener · Global Voices
Luisetta Mudie

E.K. Bensah takes a look at movie reviews for the forthcoming movie The Constant Gardener, based on the novel by John Le Carre, which is set – and banned – in Kenya. Former Nairobi expat Marian also takes note…


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Kenya: All of a ferment… · Global Voices
Luisetta Mudie

Onyango Oloo sorts the bananas from the oranges in a long essay on the Kenya Democracy Project, looking at the prospects for political change and providing a recipe for an alcoholic beverage made from bananas.


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Krylatskoe Station · Global Voices
Nathan Hamm

As part of its “End of the Line Series,” Scraps of Moscow has images and text from Krylatskoe Station, the end of the light-blue line.


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Mexico: Bush’s Bathroom Note · Global Voices
David Sasaki

Like most of the blogosphere, AnimalPolitico finds it humorous that the president of the United States asks permission to use the bathroom.


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Mike Tyson Continues His Russian Tour · Global Voices
Nathan Hamm

Neeka's Backlog reports that Mike Tyson continues his travels in Russia. He is now in the Chechen city of Gudermes for the opening of a boxing tournament commemorating Akhmad Kadyrov.


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Pakistan – A little Musharraf bashing · Global Voices
Neha Viswanathan

Ko has a go at pulling Musharraf's leg, and quoting him in various instances making some very tall claims.


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Pakistan: Madrassas and Education · Global Voices
Neha Viswanathan

The politics of Madrassas. The “war against extremism” could mean less education opportunities for some children says Publius Pundit.


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Pakistan, USA: Bridging cultures · Global Voices
Neha Viswanathan

pakistani perspective links to an article on families, and a mother-in-law from Pakistan. The author says:
When I told these stories to a class in terrorism at Wilmington College in Ohio earlier this year, the students turned their attention away from whether Osama bin Laden is hiding along the Afghanistan-Pakistan border and peppered me with questions about my marriage and everyday life. What most Americans know of Pakistan can be summed up in the images we glimpse on CNN when a bomb explodes or a government collapses.


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Revolutionary Sitting · Global Voices
Nathan Hamm

Oneworld Multimedia reports on revolutionary cafe culture in Yerevan.


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Saudi Arabia: Google Tour · Global Voices
Haitham Sabbah

Emirati offers his readers a guide to tour Saudi Arabia major cities, using google earth.


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Singapore: Two bloggers charged with sedition · Global Voices
Luisetta Mudie

From a Singapore Angle posts another follow-up on the case of two ethnic Chinese bloggers charged with sedition for allegedly making racist remarks on their blogs.


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South Korea: Protester profile · Global Voices
Luisetta Mudie

The Asia Pages takes a look at the deep deference to authority behind your average raucous South Korean protest.


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Sri Lanka: Presidential Elections · Global Voices
Neha Viswanathan

Lanka Libertarian on why “knockouts are better” when it comes to Presidential Elections in Sri Lanka.


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Sudan: Violence against women · Global Voices
Luisetta Mudie

Congo Girl expresses anger at a news release from the United Nations detailing the continuing nightmare of sexual violence against women and girls in the troubled Sudanese region of Darfur, asking whether such late publicity will translate into action.


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Supermajors Seek Russian Oil · Global Voices
Nathan Hamm

White Sun of the Desert reports on President Putin's upcoming meeting with major Western oil companies seeking access to Russian oil reserves.


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Zimbabwe: IMF cliffhanger · Global Voices
Luisetta Mudie

Zimpundit posts an analysis by top political adviser Eddie Cross on Zimbabwe's chances of getting kicked out of the International Monetary Fund for not servicing its debts.


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Attacks on Kyrgyz Independent Media · Global Voices
Nathan Hamm

Ben Paarmann discusses attacks on independent media in Kyrgyzstan.


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Bahrain: Aggregator is On · Global Voices
Haitham Sabbah

Mahmood just launched BahrainBlogs.com. It is simply an aggregation service to aggregate all the Bahraini blogs he knows of.


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China: Beijing tabloid · Global Voices
Luisetta Mudie

Danwei highlights the front page of the tabloid Beijing News, which features a photo of corrective surgery being performed on a three-legged hermaphrodite baby.


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China: Guangdong to close mines · Global Voices
Luisetta Mudie

China Digital Times notes, via the People's Daily, that the authorities in the southern province of Guangdong are to close all coal-mines following a flooding disaster at the Daxing coal-mine earlier this year.


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China: Shanghai blogger moot · Global Voices
Luisetta Mudie

China Herald posts a photo from last night's meeting of Shanghai bloggers, linking to participant Brocco Li's account of the event.


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Community Based Tourism in Kyrgyzstan · Global Voices
Nathan Hamm

Amira of The Golden Road to Samarkand writes about community based tourism in Kyrgyzstan, a model that is both inexpensive for travelers and that provides direct benefits to local populations, and laments that similar options are not available in neighboring countries.


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Driving Sheep in Kakheti · Global Voices
Nathan Hamm

Hans Heiner Buhr has photos of a sheep drive in Georgia's Kakheti province.


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Egypt:  Trust in Religion · Global Voices
Haitham Sabbah

Ritzy Mabrouk says that Egyptians are more likely to define themselves by religion than any other people in the world.


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India: Pretty Pregnant! · Global Voices
Neha Viswanathan

Rashmi Bansal on pregnant women in movies, the reality of being pregnant in India and a peek into the freakonomics of it.


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India, U.S: Post 9/11 · Global Voices
Neha Viswanathan

Four years ago, a Sikh was killed in a hate-crime in the post 9/11 world in the US. Sepia Mutiny relives some of the tense moments and Sambhar Mafia has a post on Valerie Kaur's movie – Divided We Fall.


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Interviews With The Diaspora · Global Voices
Nathan Hamm

As part of an ongoing series on the potential role of the diaspora in building Armenian democracy, Onnik Krikorian has published his interview with Raffi K. Hovannisian, the US born Foreign Minister of Armenia.


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Kenya: Nobel Peace Prize nominee? · Global Voices
Luisetta Mudie

Black Star Journal notes the work of Kenya's Gen. Lazaro Sumbeiywo as a peace-broker in southern Sudan, as reported in the Christian Science Monitor.


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Mexican Independence Day · Global Voices
David Sasaki

195 years ago today, in the town of Dolores, Guanajuato, a Catholic priest named Miguel Hidalgo rang the bell of his church and, in a call for Mexican independence, cried out, “Mexicanos, ¡viva México!” That famous and passionate cry is now referred to as the Grito de Dolores or “Cry of Dolores” (a play on words referring to the town itself as well as the pain Mexico endured during its struggle for sovereignty) and is reenacted each year across the country at midnight on the night of the 15.
Maricela Hinojosa, who blogs at Retrato de un Sueño (“Portrait of a Dream”) says:
Today I will dress in the colors of the flag and scream “Viva México!, feeling proudly mexican, happy to have been born in this country, of being a person 100% made in this, my dear Mexico. And since I'm made in Mexico … I'm well made.
Entre Menos Burros + Elotes and Sala Verga have slightly less poetic ways of wishing their fellow patriots a happy Independence Day.
Daniela A. Ortega Herrerías from Veracruz, however, takes a more critical look at the holiday and how it is celebrated on Olganza:
Just like other Mexican holidays, we celebrate them with our heart in one hand and money in the other; we spend money that maybe we already would have but probably not and the following day it ends with a moral hangover.
Despite her problems with the consumerist slant Independence Day has taken in Mexico, she goes on to wish readers of Olganza a festive day celebrated for “continued freedom and keeping Mexico in your hearts and minds.”
El Crimen del Padrenatas, written by Chuy Asecas from Mexico City, recounts a conversation about Mexican patriotism he once had at a party:
He said, “The truth is I'm embarrassed to be Mexican. We're a cultura of losers, we're not a winning culture like the Gringos, we're surrounded by mediocrity, bla, bla, bla.”
… and I answered him with, more or less, the following: “You know what? I'm also embarassed to be Mexican, especially when I find myself by idiots like you. You say that we're not a culture of winners like the Gringos? How do you understand ‘winning culture?’ A culture that invades weaker countries and exploits them insensitively?”
Mexicanwave has a hyperlinked transcription on Mexico's Independence Day from Tony Cohan's book, On Mexican Time. Ocho Cuartos, written from the northern industrial city of Monterrey, posted a few days ago, “as Independence Day nears, what better way to remind ourselves why we celebrate than taking a look at some statistics which reveal what we have achieved as a nation.” One of those statistics reveals that Mexico leads the world in deaths caused by acne (3).
Isopixel links to the government version of Mexico's Independence history and gets a loud response of virtual vivas. Nuahu.ti offers some advice on Independence Day, telling readers to liberate their own time and free themselves while not losing who they are.
Mexican-American bloggers Strolling Luna, Xoloitzquintle, and Soul Musings also shouted out their blog-gritos.
Are you celebrating Mexican Independence Day? Leave us a comment and let us know.


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Nepal: Clashes in Bagbazar · Global Voices
Neha Viswanathan

Dinesh Wagle has a post on the changing venue of demonstrations in Nepal, and what it implies even for little children.


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Pakistan: Musharraf’s comment · Global Voices
Neha Viswanathan

Reality Cafe has a take on the deplorable comments made by President Musharraf on the issue of rape.


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Pakistan: Once upon a Puppet Show · Global Voices
Neha Viswanathan

Metroblogging Lahore has a delightful post on the world of puppets and tv shows for children in Pakistan.


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Qatar: Friends of Al-Jazeera Hacked · Global Voices
Haitham Sabbah

The Friends of Al-Jazeera website was defaced by Brazilian hackers. Instead of the familiar news stories, the site was replaced by a simple message – “SpyKids of Brazil”. As no political message was posted, it is believed that this was a random attack rather than a politically motivated hack. The site has been restored and is now back online.


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Remembering Gongadze · Global Voices
Nathan Hamm

Neeka marks the fifth anniversary of the disappearance of Georgiy Gongadze.


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Somalia: Political rallies · Global Voices
Luisetta Mudie

Inside Somaliland reports on two political rallies held to mark the start of campaigning for parliamentary elections in the internationally unrecognized territory, at which Somalia is urged to learn from Somaliland's example.


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South Korea: Appraisal of the Roh administration · Global Voices
Luisetta Mudie

Asia's Security Perils notes an op-ed piece by Bernard Moon on OhMyNews, applauding his insights into the use of nationalistic sentiment by the administration of President Roh Moo-hyun.


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Sudan: Peace deadline passes · Global Voices
Luisetta Mudie

Sleepless in Sudan posts about the lack of news and the challenge of staying hopeful in the troubled Sudanese region of Darfur, sparking a long comment full of historical background from a Sudanese expat.


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Uganda: Release the condoms · Global Voices
Luisetta Mudie

Human Rights Watch posts an open letter signed by more than 100 groups and individuals inside and outside Uganda, calling on the governments of the United States and Uganda to stop undermining the country's once-successful HIV/AIDS prevention program.


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United Arab Emirates: Census Time · Global Voices
Haitham Sabbah

Secret Dubai diary post a story, which shows that census can be scary too.


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U.S. Treasury fingers Macau bank · Global Voices
Luisetta Mudie

Barry Briggs at NKZoneblogs briefly about accusations from the U.S. Treasury Department that Banco Delta Asia in Macau is engaged in laundering money for criminal activities by North Korean government agencies and front companies.


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Venezuela: Chavez’s Speech to the UN · Global Voices
David Sasaki

Iria Puyosa has an excellent roundup on both weblog and mainstream media reactions to Chavez's speech at the UN – where he called for UN headquarters to be moved from New York to Jerusalem – as well as a link to the speech itself.


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What one does with a dumbwaiter in Georgia · Global Voices
Nathan Hamm

Sueandnotu details the myriad uses for a dumbwaiter in Georgian apartment life.


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Yemen: North & South · Global Voices
Haitham Sabbah

Stacey is in Aden. She can identify the “border zone” between the former South and former North Yemen.


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Zimbabwe: Grass roots action · Global Voices
Luisetta Mudie

Sokwanele Civic Action posts a story about a Christian activist engaged in helping forced evictees in Matabeleland, who has a brush with the law, with a somewhat unexpected outcome.


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Bolivia: Presidential Ballot · Global Voices
David Sasaki

Miguel Centallas has posted a copy of the official presidential ballot which will be used in December on his Flickr account.


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From the Indonesian Blogosphere · Global Voices
Enda Nasution

Two tonnes of durian:
At the start of last week, September 5th, more than 100 people died after an Indonesian Boeing own by a small airlines, Mandala Airlines failed to take off and crashed into residential area in Medan, the capital of North Sumatra province and the third biggest city in Indonesia. The victims in this accidents included the current governor to the province Tengku Rizal Nurdin and the former governor Raja Inal Siregar.
This week Indonesia blogger, JalanSutera.com  wrote that the media reported the cause of accident was over weighted cargo of 2 tonnes of durians, a smelly tropical fruit but a popular and expensive refreshment to many Indonesians.
Pujiono, the owner of the blog, adds that he didn't know whether the report it's true or not, almost to the point of amazement, hoping that the origin of the tragedy was not some simple foolishness like that.
Indonesian President visits US:
Indonesian President, Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono or SBY for short, is on his presidential visit to United States and has visited Columbia on 13 September where he spoke at length about Aceh, detailing the roots of the secessionist movement there. Roby Muhammad, a PhD candidate at Columbia noted this event on his calendar blog, Beruang Halus.
On his blog this week he also wrote about the dilemma of many Indonesian living overseas to go back to Indonesia. Based on his three criteria (Spiritual, Material and Intellectual) he decided to go back after he finish his study citing that in term of spiritual and material, living in Indonesia is better for him even if intellectually, US is a far better place.
Australian Embassy bomber death sentence:
Nick at Bali Blog wrote that Iwan Darmawan, also known as Rois, the planner of the 2004 bombing of the Australian embassy in Jakarta was sentenced to death for playing a major part in the bombing. The Australian embassy bombing killed 11 people including the suicide bomber.
For some reason active Jemaah Islamiyah or JI in Indonesia is more keen to target Australian than American in their terror acts.
Nick noted:
The reason for this is Australia's involvement in the Middle East. When you deal with ideological crazies, all kinds of weird connections can be made. The JI leaders want a Pan-Islamic state and hate Israel. The US supports Israel and attacked Iraq. Australia supports the US, so in some kind of twisted way that makes Australians and British people legitimate targets in some people's minds. Who would of thought in 2002 that Aussies on holiday could get blown up in Bali because the US supports Israel? Well it happened.
Rois appeal of the conviction to President SBY will unlikely to get any result.
He praised President SBY, that while the president is a social conservative, is not in any way a religious fundamentalist.

author: Enda Nasution


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From the Jordanian Blogosphere · Global Voices
Roba Al Assi

On International Affairs:
With the Israeli withdrawal, there is a lot to say in the Jordanian blogosphere about Palestine, both in relation to the withdrawal and otherwise. Biesan describes the withdrawal as “a historic day for the Palestinian people and for Gaza in particular”. Meanwile, Sugar Cubes reports that Israeli exports to the Arab world rose 48% in 2004, saying, “I don’t understand why we need to import such products at all!”
Biesan also says that she was so excited to see “the donation made by Al Amaari Refugee Camp in the West Bank city of Ramallah to Hurricane Katrina survivors”, then she notes the lack of importance given to such a significant incident saying, “If one Palestinian made a politically incorrect statement concerning the Katarina tragedy, the news would have been all over the media… this was a positive move from the Palestinian refugees it hardly made its way through the international media.”
Echoing Biesan's thoughts on the one-sidedness of American media, Deeb Dweik says that he was “a little pissed off” when he heard about an American article that claims that the killing of Mohammed Durra, which helped spark then intifada, was “an almost perfect media crime”.
Lulu of CafeLulu writes a thought-provoking post in remembrance of the 1982 massacre in the Sabra and Shatilla Palestinian refugee camps by Israel, saying, “For how long will Palestinian deaths be ignored and swept under the rug, only rarely making it to the sidelines of reported news?” Sabbah of Sabbah's Blog has a post on the failure of the UN to set a global definition of “terrorism“.
This month also marks the launch of PalestineBlogs.net by Sabbah, a blog that is dedicated to pro-Palestine advocacy through the presentation of news and views of the blogosphere.
On local events:
Wednesday the 14th marked the 6th Jordanian Bloggers meet-up. The 7th Jordanian Bloggers meet-up will take place on the 2nd of October.
Roba of And Far Away reports about the Royal Film Commission's screening of 13 short movies directed by young Jordanians, ” I was deeply impressed by the fact that some of the shorts were pivoting around significant social criticism that I have never seen portrayed in such a medium before.” Wael Attili talks about the exhibition by architect Sahel Hiyari at Darat al Funun saying, “I was quite impressed with the daring ideas and design experience in his work.”
Eman of AquaCool brings forward two new local projects, one being the construction of a a path for bikes in King Abullah 2nd Street  and the inauguration of three-star hotel located in the heart of Madaba.  She also mentions “Follow the Women” ride for peace which will be passing by Jordan.
Ahmad Humeid has taken the initiative to “GPS Amman” as as a wikipedia-like effort, so it would be great if people with the following expertise can help:
Jordanian Thoughts:
Lina Ejeilat has a thought provoking post wondering where students are when it comes to activism- “apathy and indifference are a plague among young people in our society.” Linda Haddad, meanwhile, wonders if Jordanian courts are too lenient.  On a lighter note, Natasha Tynes writes about her baseball experience.
Ahmad Humeid's Mix Up Arabia is also back with another episode.


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Images from Indonesia: Finding the Fish · Global Voices
Paul Frankenstein

“Finding the Fish” by Budi Sukmana
Fishermen (and fisherwomen) sort through the catch on the beach in west Java.


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Book Review: Interview with Roy Moxham · Global Voices
Kamla Bhatt

This is a 2-part interview with author Roy Moxham, who wrote,  “The Great Hedge of India: The Search for a Living Barrier That Divided a Nation”,  and  “Tea: Addiction, Exploitations and Empire”.  Mr. Moxham recently retired from the University of London library, where he was in charge of preservation and conservation of books. He is currently spending time in India researching for his third book, “Malabar Dreams.” In Part-I of the interview he talks about his books, India, and how he researches for his books. In Part-II he talks about his new book project, and how he goes about researching and writing for his books.
Some interesting views on Moxham's work can be read here and here.
Roy Moxham Interview
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
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author: Kamla Bhatt


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Images from India: A no-show rock show · Global Voices
Neha Viswanathan

Photograph by Soumik
The Mumbai Independence Rock Concert was a no-show this year thanks to the Mumbai police. It was cancelled last minute. Lazygeek has a post with an open letter written by Farhad Wadia to fans.  More of the issue here. Soumik says
Independence Rock, Mumbai's Annual Rock festival was cancelled on Saturday 3rd Sept at the last moment as the Mumbai police didn't give the requisite permission on the grounds that commercial shows were not allowed at the Gateway. The 20th Anniversary of the I-Rock was going to be an eventful evening when the announcement was made leaving the 4000 fans who came from all over the city surely dissapointed.
This photograph seems particularly ironic given the advert behind the cancellation notice that urges us to express ourselves!