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DRC: UDPS Says It Is Not Dead · Global Voices
Alice Backer

Etienne Tshisekedi's political career is not dead and UDPS has not imploded, says  (FR) UDPS Liege. “UDPS has become a spirit and conscience spread among the people. […] UDPS will never die”  writes the blog which also reminds readers that the electoral commission stayed open until midnight on the last day of candidate registration, allegedly hoping  Tshisekedi would not boycott the election after all and register.


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East Timor tourism · Global Voices
Preetam Rai

tumbleweed in timor lorosae writes about some of the attractions in East Timor.

source: news-globalvoices

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

author: Preetam Rai


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El Salvador: Images of Semana Santa · Global Voices
David Sasaki

Tim Muth links to photos and videos of Semana Santa (Holy Week) in El Salvador.

author: David Sasaki


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Estonia: Russian Coverage of Desecration of Holocaust Memorial in Estonia · Global Voices
Veronica Khokhlova

As a Russian news agency reports desecration of a Holocaust memorial in Kalevi Liyva, Giustino of Itching for Eestimaa bemoans the fact that “such a small country” as Estonia “should find itself a graveyard of monuments for lost causes.”

author: Veronica Khokhlova


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Ethiopia: changes in US foreign policy? · Global Voices
Sokari Ekine

weichegud! ET Politics comments that there may just be some “palpable change in the US’ talking points about Ethiopia”  and on the progress of HR4423 - the bill being presented to the US House of Representatives that condems Zenawi's government and calls on the US President to change US foreign policy with regard Ethiopia.

author: Sokari Ekine


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Flying over the Iraqi Blogodrome · Global Voices
Salam Adil

I am still on holiday and the blogs are still running. So here is a summary of what I liked up to the point my kids wake up…
First a special mention to new Iraqi blogger Zappy. According to his profile he is a “34 year old Male living in Baghdad I love Marmite,I hate veggiemite ugh!,love Sea food, hate Green Veggies and stupidity.” His blog is Where The Date Palms Grow.
Aunt Najma says this about his blog.. “Please read this blog, I'm getting addicted to it in a very bad timing. 60 days of studying left, plus 16 days of exams.” If it pulls Najma from her studies it must be worth reading!
If you read only one post this week read this
A lot has been said recently about the bias of journalists. I was there explains the journalist's side of the argument:
When you see all this Iraqi blood and peaces of flesh every where around you at the scene, how could your story be neutral and balanced? Your readers could be Iraqis or non-Iraqis and you still have to put your feelings away when you write for them so your story will be neutral.
To explain, he recalls a story of a bedouin who became rich telling the tale of the death of his beloved one:
He realized, later, how bad he was to become rich out of the death of his beloved one.”
So we have to cover the story as it is for those people who are dieing to make the whole world understand what is going on and why those Iraqis are dieing not to become famous out of it..
April 9th – another anniversary
But which one? I'll let Attawie explain for me..
It was “Baghdad fall” as they call it, or “Baghdad liberation's day” if you may. But I don't know what to call it. For me it's definitely none of them both… Whatever you call this date I still insist is not. Baghdad is still standing and still struggling to gain liberty. Baghdad is still resisting just like it will always be.
Therefore, it is neither a fall nor a liberty.
24 Steps was excited on that day in 2003 and went out looking for the American soldiers to wave at, and:
“I did. He or she waved back… At the end of the day, I felt I did my part. I thanked them for launching this war to help me have a better future. I was waiting for this future to come, or at least to appear in the horizon. And when they came, I believed it would be the first step. I am still waiting!”
Chikitita (the only woman in Iraq who cannot haggle) has to call off a shopping trip. She tells her friend (who is not impressed) “mum says there are seven car bombs waiting to go off any minute, it's in the news, she won't let me go for an errand as stupid as this one, sorry!.” But it turned out to be the opposite of what she expected:
It was the finest day of the lot; no sickening news of bloody carnages or sectarian wars, no political analyses or grim speculations, no mention of conflicts; it felt like the old days…
April 10 was exactly the opposite. Once the Azan was concluded, people flocked to the gas station and the mosque and I finished my prayers, a car bomb went off. Back to real life! Somebody's calendar has been jumbled up!
I was there discovers how many young men felt about the Americans then and now from the pictures on their mobile phones. Apparently Saddam pictures and tunes are very popular. He asked the owners of some mobile phone shops:
“Many young men come every day and ask us to download some pictures for their mobile phones and a lot of them they ask for Saddam Pictures, we bring any thing the costumers want to make more money and we have to look for some thing new every day”…
“The young men used to ask for American flags when the Americans invaded Baghdad, the demand on these desktops [pictures] is not much any more the demand on Saddam desktops is much more, they did not gain from the Americans the things they were expecting”, another mobile shop owner said.
And finally
The Konfused Kid celebrates the Profit Mohammed's birthday in an original way:
I was subtly entranced by an array of sounds that pretty much resembled a mighty crash of so many kettles, teapots, and some other assorted faux-aluminum pans and pots all crashing together at the same time. Word? turns out it's the Birthday Surprise Party for Prophet Mohammed at the local mosque…today they apparently hurled out the nearest cassette they can find of Prophet Praise, which I think was recorded in a kitchen… I just couldn't take it anymore and decided to join in the celebration my own way, by locking the room tight and shedding out my Gibson Airguitar Extravaganza and accessory longhair wig for a lean'n'mean session of headbanging classics, a ritual I haven't done in a looong time
[Aha – I can hear my 4-year-old stirring. Time to end this post. Normal service will be resumed next week..]

author: Salam Adil


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Ghana: Highway of confusion · Global Voices
Sokari Ekine

The Trials & Tribulations of a Freshly-Arrived Denizen...of Ghana – posts on the “Spintex Road” which is the “fastest growing  traffic inducing road” complexes  in Accra.  “From that road, you reach the famous (or should that be infamous?) Tetteh-Quarshie Interchange, where you either get confused by the structure or follow the automobile crowd.”


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Ghana: Tagging in Twi · Global Voices
Sokari Ekine

Neither Here nor There publishes a list of commonly used tags which he then translates into  Twi – one of Ghana's main languages.


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Guatemala: Declartion Against North American Mining Firms · Global Voices
David Sasaki

The Guatemala Solidarity Network is distributing a declaration, which demands that the Marlin Mine of San Marcos be closed.


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Guinea: political crisis · Global Voices
Sokari Ekine

Black Star Journal has a post on the political situation in Guinea where the reformist Prime Minister was recently sacked and trade unions have been on strike over low wages.


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Happy year 2549 · Global Voices
Preetam Rai

Today is the first day of the year 2549 in some South East Asian countries. Lao ocean girl describes the calendar system used in these countries.


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Historical fort restoration · Global Voices
Preetam Rai

Wormie  wants a recently excavated colonial fort in Singapore to be turned into a national monument. The authorities are planning to re-bury the fort as they don't expect the restoration to be economically viable.


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India: Death of an actor · Global Voices
Neha Viswanathan

The death of an actor has had the Indian state of Karnataka in the middle of violence and outpouring on the streets. Dateline Bombay comments on the state of Bangalore.

author: Neha Viswanathan


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India: Walking through Bombay · Global Voices
Neha Viswanathan

Windy Skies explores at a languid pace life in some streets of South Mumbai. “On most days after getting out of Victoria Terminus (renamed CST) in Bombay (renamed Mumbai), I walk down the DN Road in the direction of Flora Fountain.”


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Iraq: Miss Iraq Resign · Global Voices
Haitham Sabbah

What is the second hardest to find in Iraq after the “prime minister”? It is a “Beauty Queen,” Sabbah said. On April 9, Tamar Goregian, a Christian woman, made history as the first Armenian Iraqi to be crowned Miss Iraq. Few days later, Miss Iraq announced her resignation after receiving threats by a group of extremists.
Last night it was left to the fourth-placed contestant, Silva Sahagian, 23, another Christian, to assume the mantle.

author: Haitham Sabbah


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Japan: Celebrity fanfare · Global Voices
John Kennedy

Have you heard of the leather-clad hip-thrusting Japanese celebrity Razor Ramon Hard Gay? A post on the Gen Kanai blog gives a thorough introduction:
“A group of fansubbers have started to do fansubs of Razor Ramon's Hard Gay comedy sketches. They have a wiki, and a forum and put their translations onto YouTube and Google Video. The one where Hard Gay visits Yahoo! Japan is just pure comedy gold, and the ramen shop one is good too, especially with the translators’ notes.”

author: John Kennedy


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Jordan:  Abu Ali and the Culture Shack · Global Voices
Haitham Sabbah

“I do not sell books, magazines, and newspapers, I provide books, magazines, and newspapers because I am a link in a long chain of support for readership and learning,” states Abu Ali firmly. Lina writes about the 64-year-old man bookshop owner since 1970.


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Kenya: It Implementation · Global Voices
Sokari Ekine

AfroMusing continues with explanations on the Solo project (design of a solar powered computer).  Part III
“What next, what now – which style of IT implementation is more appropriate to users in – A major city like Nairobi and Kisumu or – Rural town/village? “


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Kenya: Kaybees Award · Global Voices
Sokari Ekine

Mshairi:  All the nominations are now out for the Kaybee Awards (Kenyan blog awards) the winners will be announced on April 19th


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Kyrgyzstan: Students on Politics · Global Voices
Nathan Hamm

The Golden Road to Samarqand reports on university students’ opinions on the current political situation in Kyrgyzstan.

author: Nathan Hamm


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Latvia: Aivars Lembergs · Global Voices
Veronica Khokhlova

Bob Granico of Publius Pundit highlights the persona of Aivars Lembergs and his political background and aspirations: mayor of a Latvian port city Ventspils for 18 (!) years, he is sometimes likened to Aleksandr Lukashenko, but is actually very popular with the residents of the city he's managed to keep in order for so long. Right now, “Lembergs is said to be considering running for the parliament in the October elections, and could possibly become the Prime Minister.”


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Mexico: “Internet Day” · Global Voices
David Sasaki

RegioBlogs observes (ES) that May 17th will be “Internet Day” in Mexico, celebrating the 20th year of World Wide Web in the country. Some statistics about internet use in Mexico are listed.


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Mongolia: More on the Protests · Global Voices
Nathan Hamm

Tom Terry also comments on the protests in Mongolia, calling on protesters to show a little more wisdom and restraint and warning them that Eagle TV, which he manages, will hand over any tapes of illegal acts by protesters in accordance with Mongol law.


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Mongolia: Protests Updates · Global Voices
Nathan Hamm

Luke Distelhorst of neweurasia has more updates on the escalating protests in Mongolia at his site including news of clashes between police and protesters and the Democratic Party showing signs of solidarity with the protesters.


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Nepal: Political Developments · Global Voices
Neha Viswanathan

Bahas comments on Nepal's move from Monarchy to democracy - “King Gyanendra has called upon all political parties to join in a dialogue, which the King has always advocated, to bear the responsibility of and contribute towards activating the multiparty democratic polity.”


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Nigeria: Coming out gay · Global Voices
Sokari Ekine

Reflections of a gay Nigerian wonders whether anyone is reading his blog? and is contemplating coming “out” in his own name.


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Nigeria: New Books · Global Voices
Sokari Ekine

Musings of a Naijaman publishes a list of new Nigerian must reads – Chris Abani “Becomming Abigail” Segun Afolab “A Life Elsewhere” and Chimamanda Adichie ” Half of a Yellow Sun“.


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Nigeria: Star Factor · Global Voices
Sokari Ekine

Adefunke on Adefunke posts on a new Nigerian talent show called Star Factor – auditions are now being held in Lagos, Abuja, Kaduna, Enugu, Jos, Makurdi and for some reason London.


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Pakistan: Some developments · Global Voices
Neha Viswanathan

Crow's nest on a motley bunch of developments in Pakistan – from party politics to the recently held World Social Forum in Karachi.


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Panama, Costa Rica: Gas Prices Up · Global Voices
David Sasaki

In a pattern that surely many across the world can relate to, Don Ray and Bob Glass both mention the rising gas prices in Panama and Costa Rica respectively. It seems the gentlemen also have similar thoughts regarding blog templates.


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Playboy protests in Indonesia · Global Voices
Preetam Rai

A. Fatih Syuhud looks at the protests aimed at the recently launched Indonesian edition of Playboy.


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Polish Blogosphere Update · Global Voices
Jordan & Maria Seidel

On the literary front, As the Warsaw Crow Flies notes the death of Polish author Stanislaw Lem. On Lem, Warsaw Crow writes:
Having only read his novel Solaris, I can't say I'm at all familiar with his work. But from that one book it was clear just what an exceptionally imaginative chap he was.
Not to be confused with Lem's science fiction, The Real Warsaw reports on a recent strike of doctors protesting their paltry incomes.
Currently an average Polish doctor at a state hospital makes less than 10 złoty per hour. That's equal to about 2.5 Euro or 3 USD per hour.
According to Real Warsaw, Poland's health care professionals are demanding a 100% increase in salary by 2007. In the comments section, Hikin Mike argues that Poland needs to spend a higher pecentage of its GDP on the health care sector if things are to improve:
…within your country you need to pay specialized prices for it or you will lose all of the talent to countries willing to pay more (the United States pays 15% of GDP compared to Polands 4%). When it comes to maintaining a healthy society, health care is not where you want to cut corners – pay them what they deserve.
According to P3, Poles won't have to worry about doctors if they keep eating all the fresh fruits and veggies from their local green grocers. But be warned, the vendors are in no mood to haggle over prices:
Me: I'd like some tangerines.
Her: How many?
Me: Well, I'm not sure. How about 2 zl worth? (Not even knowing how much that'll be)
Her: Prosze (she then grabs about 15 tangerines and weighs them out.
Her: That'll be 2.50.
Me: ??
Her: 2.50
Me: Well, it could be worse. (Hands over the money)
Yes, it could be worse, she could be basing her voting choices on the latest transmission from Radio Maryja.  Perpetually in somebody's doctrinal doghouse, this time Pope Benedict XVI's, the beatroot  reports that Vatican “top collars” (perhaps in move to indirectly indict the Polish Church) sent a letter to Polish Church authorities requesting a concrete response to the station's cosy relations with the ruling political party (PiS).  Already infamous for its anti-Semitic, conspiracy-theorist audio screeds, Radio Maryja is now under increased Papal scrutiny for its close ties to politics.   I suppose there's room for only one theocracy in this neck of the woods.
And if that wasn't “putting one's foot in it all,” spring hungry Poles might wish it was according to As the Warsaw Crow Flies. As a new season thaws the “glad to see your back” winter, additional shortfalls are afoot: Warsaw Crow marvels from “Dog Poo Avenue” at the “testament to artistic capabilities of the canine digestive system, for about eighty metres ‘solid’ it represents a pantheon of perfectly preserved doggie deposits.”
Perhaps not the most appealing note to end on, but we promise that next time we will bring you some  additional updates regarding Polish language blogs (we will translate some).
That’s the Poland blogopshere update! Until next time – Do widzenia!

author: Jordan & Maria Seidel


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Popular Myanmar hip hop musician dies · Global Voices
Preetam Rai

Mady June in Yangoon is saddened by the death of her favourite Myanmar rapper.


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Pulse of the Saudi Blogosphere · Global Voices
Ahmed Al-Omran

It had been a relatively quiet week in the Saudi blogosphere this week. However, several good posts can be found by bloggers from inside the country, and also by those who live abroad. So, let's get it started…
A new community website for Saudi bloggers has been causing much controversy, and Saudi bloggers, as well as some Arab bloggers, have reacted to a post written by the co-founder of the first Saudi blogging community. Farooha, the other co-founder, wrote: “you cannot regulate the Saudi blogosphere. You cannot “refine” it nor “filter” it or whatever else I read that you wish to do to it.” The Egyptian Sandmonkey also wrote on the same topic:
They know that this is the one medium of free thought and expression left in the arab world, and that scares the shit out of them, because, as they so rightly fear, Freedom of speech, expression and thought is their enemy. They can only prosper in an environment of censorship, rules and restrictions put and approved by them, while us, the evil old guard, will prosper anyway.
Aya, another Saudi blogger, says she is proud not to belong to the new community: “I have a couple of questions here, first: What makes this community official ? As far as I know, there is nothing official about blogging. Bloggers are independent individuals who don’t officially belong to anyone. Isn’t this an oxymoron “Official – Bloggers”?” she wrote.
Moving to another topic, Fedo has noticed a new fad among Saudi female bloggers, which is writing about sex, and called them to stop doing this because “writing about sex is cheap.” After reading some news of a recent sex scandal, hibbalicious seems to be worried. “This is such a bad situation, what does it reflect about what is happening in our societies now?, not just in Kuwait but in many Arab countries, people are becoming more and more sexually promiscuous, and thats not just single people but married people as well,” she wrote. Meanwhile, Ubergirl calls to change the name of Saudi Arabia to Sexist Arabia. She also has an interesting post on demonic possession.
Responding to a post by another blogger, Dodi wrote on women's rights: “Discrimination and racism do exist everywhere in your society and ours!! A woman is my country is very well respected. Go to a travel agent and you go first, a bank or any other office and you will be served first. I went the High Minister of Education and we waited in a room and the employee himself came to us, took our papers helped us with all he could and even offered us BREAKFAST!!!” Now to let's go to Misso‘s questions: “What happened to the gallant and chivalrous image of a man? What happened to the dream of a “they lived happily ever after”? Is this sensible thinking that comes with the wisdom of age? Or is it the resignation of women who saw and knew better and are just trying to make it work. But then again, I can’t help thinking why try to make it work if it is not working for you?”
Finally, here are three more posts that also worth mentioning: Aya asks: What Saudis are famous for?. Dotsson was getting bored with Saudi blogs, but he found six new bloggers that really changed things around, and last but not least, let's see how a weird coincidence brought two Saudi bloggers to meet.

author: Ahmed Al-Omran


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Reuters-GVO alliance announced · Global Voices
David Sasaki

13th April 2006
REUTERS FORMS ALLIANCE WITH GLOBAL VOICES ONLINE
Reuters today announced an alliance with Global Voices Online, an international network of bloggers coordinated through the Berkman Center at Harvard University.
Reuters has made a contribution to the Berkman Center that has enabled Global Voices to hire a full-time managing editor and to begin enhancing its infrastructure and do more outreach, training and publicity.
The alliance with Global Voices is part of Reuters efforts to invite a wider set of voices and viewpoints into the news discussion. Reuters plans to make these perspectives available to its consumer audience, as the world grows ever more connected and an increasing number of people have the ability to publish information.
Reuters will make material from the Global Voices network available through its websites, www.reuters.com and www.reuters.co.uk.
Reuters hosted The Global Voices Summit in December 2005 at Reuters global headquarters in Canary Wharf, London, an event which brought together bloggers, journalists and commentators to brainstorm and debate the global citizens’ media.
Global Voices will be taking part in the forthcoming We Media event – a two day forum examining power of trust in the media and citizen journalism in London next month hosted by Reuters and the BBC.
“The alliance with Global Voices enables Reuters to present a wider set of voices and commentary from around the world. These voices will help our readers appreciate different perspectives and to engage in a global conversation,” said Dean Wright, Reuters global managing editor for consumer services.
“I believe Reuters, because of our worldwide presence, editorial strength and independence has an important role to play in facilitating this global conversation.”
Rebecca MacKinnon, Co-Founder of Global Voices, said: “We believe that bloggers and journalists share a common goal of informing an engaged global citizenry. We hope that the new partnership between Global Voices Online and Reuters can help us develop ways of using the internet to ensure that voices of people in all parts of the globe can be heard, and to enable interaction between citizen perspectives and professional journalism in ways that were not possible before.”
For further information please contact Reuters media relations:
London
Yasmeen Khan T: +44 207 542 0496
Yasmeen.khan@reuters.com M:+ 44 7990 560496
NY
Samantha Topping T: +1 646 223 5223
Samantha.topping@reuters.com M: +1 917 294 0329
About Reuters
Reuters, the global information company, provides indispensable information tailored for professionals in the financial services, media and corporate markets. Its trusted information drives decision making across the globe based on a reputation for speed, accuracy and independence. Reuters has 15,300 staff in 89 countries, including staff from the acquisition of Telerate in June 2005. It also includes 2,300 editorial staff in 189 bureaux serving 128 countries, making Reuters the world’s largest international multimedia news agency. In 2005, Reuters revenues were £2.4 billion.
Reuters and the sphere logo are the trade-marks of the Reuters group of companies.


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Revolution In Nepal: Monarchy On Its Way Out · Global Voices
Paramendra

The movement has turned into a revolution.
Democracy For Nepal has collected many photos from many sources: Protests, Protests, Protests, Protests, Protests.
DFN also has taken a clearly republican line: Zero Tolerance Policy Towards Monarchy, Nepali Congress Or Praja Parishad, Malaria, Polio, Monarchy, Hamro Nepal: Draft Constitution, Interim Constitution, Revolutionary Parliament, Shoot At Sight Order: Dead End For The King.
DFN has also covered two events in New York City and has mentioned a huge rally planned for Friday: Happy New Year 2063, Nepali Mandir, Friday Rally. There are video clips and photos from the two events.
Samudaya has taken the lead on fundraising among the diaspora for emergency medical services in response to the Gongabu massacre. The site also has an audio interview with the famous student leader Gagan Thapa out in the streets of Kathmandu. There are extensive photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5.

author: Paramendra


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Russia: British Explorer Detained · Global Voices
Veronica Khokhlova

Tim Newman of White Sun of the Desert writes about an obstacle on the route of Karl Bushby, a British explorer in his eighth year of walking around the world: he has been detained in Russia for entering the country without an entry visa.


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Russia: Cell-Phone Protest in Chechnya · Global Voices
Veronica Khokhlova

David McDuff A Step At A Time posts his translation of an article by Umalt Chadayev on a rally that took place in Grozny to protest against poor quality of local mobile network.


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Saudi Arabia: Illegal Nigerians in Saudi Arabia · Global Voices
Haitham Sabbah

Looks like the issue of the Nigerian citizens living in the Saudi Arabia illegally is increasingly becoming a chronic problem, Prometheus said.


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Slovenia: Adriatic Gas Terminal Construction · Global Voices
Veronica Khokhlova

Michael of The Glory of Carniola writes that although Slovenia, Croatia and Italy have agreed to cooperate in making the Adriatic Sea cleaner, their efforts are unlikely to produce any results because of plans to build two gas terminals in the area of the Gulf of Trieste. Nearly 22,500 have already signed an online petition to protest the construction.


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Spain: What You Want to Hear · Global Voices
David Sasaki

As handy and effective as the text-based Internet is, it sure doesn't communicate emotions well. Not like film. Which is why I wholeheartedly recommend that everyone watches Guillermo Zapata's short film, Lo que tú quieras oír (What you want to hear). Licensed with Creative Commons, even if you don't understand Spanish, you'll still get the allusion to today's “remix culture” in a heartfelt portrayal of post-breakup healing. You can also watch the film via YouTube on Fernando Casale's ZonaIndie.


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Sri Lanka: Violence against Tamils · Global Voices
Neha Viswanathan

The ethnic conflict, while still not covered by the Mainstream Media, appears to be a part of everyday life. Transcurrents.com on “Trincomalee saw large scale violence being unleashed against Tamils following a series of claymore mine explosions directed against security personnel deployed in the district.”


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Taiwan: Blog conference · Global Voices
John Kennedy

The Taiwan Blogger BoF conference opens this Friday in Taipei. Here's their blog [zh].


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The Week That Was – Bolivian Blogs · Global Voices
Eduardo Avila

A controversial document instructing public servants to contribute to the Movimiento Al Socialismo (MAS) political party generated words of discontent among some Bolivian bloggers.  The letter in question was directed to Cabinet Members, Vice-Ministers and Directors and instructed them to contribute 5% of their salary to “cover National and Departmental events”.
Alvaro Ruiz Navajas characterized the request as extorsion and also cited contradictions from within the party structure.  In his blog Off Topic, he is also highly critical of cases of nepotism within the different branches of government.  Jaime Rubin de Celis of JCR's Place also raises the question of this document insisting that President Evo Morales is failing to distinguish between his political party and the government (ES).  In addition, Miguel Buitrago of MABB believes that this directive coincides with the administration’s desire to cut off funding to all political parties for the upcoming campaign.
The authenticity of this document is discussed (ES) by Jaime Humérez Seleme.  He draws attention to statements made by the Vice-President of the political party, Zacarias Flores, whose signature figures prominently on the letter and who also denies ever signing such a document.  However, in the end, the letter was confirmed to be authentic.  Humérez Seleme, author of Boliviscopio emphasizes that these contributions are nothing new for party members working inside the government, yet he still remains critical of these contradictions of those claiming a conspiracy and those who readily admit that this request for voluntary contributions exists.
Much of this controversy was generated because of the upcoming election in July to elect the representatives to the Constitutent Assembly.   These contributions would theoretically go towards the campaign.  Last week, the different political parties and citizens’ groups submitted lists of candidates for the election.  However, not everyone was please with those selected.  Mario Ronald Duran Chuquimia wrote in Palabras Libres about the different groups, from Afro-Bolivians, the disabled, gay and lesbian groups, labor unions and indigenous groups, that felt excluded from the selection process.  As a result, various outward displays of protest, such as hunger strikes and even the announcement of a parallel Indigenous Constitutent Assembly, indicated that there was much displeasure.
Finally, Miguel Centellas of Ciao! provides a thorough overview of the format to elect the district and departmental representatives to this assembly, complete with links to the law of convocation and a sample ballot from La Paz.

author: Eduardo Avila


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Trinidad & Tobago: Geniuses and landscapes · Global Voices
Georgia Popplewell

Over at the Caribbean Beat weblog JT waxes poetic, defining genius and describing the view from his office window.

author: Georgia Popplewell


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Tunisia: Tunis 94th Among World Cities · Global Voices
Haitham Sabbah

MMM writes that Tunis is ranked 94th in the world wide index for quality of life. The only Arab cities ahead of Tunis are Dubai at the 85th place and Abu Dhabi at the 92nd. The lowest ranking city is Baghdad at the 215th spot.


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Ukraine: Taras Shevchenko · Global Voices
Veronica Khokhlova

Aussiegirl of Ultima Thule writes about her maternal great-grandfather's extraordinary reverence for Taras Shevchenko, Ukrainian national poet, the man who “was born a serf” and whose “freedom was purchased by the sale of an auctioned portrait by some noblemen and artists who recognized his talent.”


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United Arab Emirates:  Burj Al Arab · Global Voices
Haitham Sabbah

What do you know about the only 7 star hotel in the world? NZM writes all what you need to know about Burj Al Arab Hotel, the very distinctive landmark on Jumeirah Beach, Dubai.


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A mixed bag from South Africa · Global Voices
Bronwyn

Commentary.co.za is not impressed.
Why do South African broadcasters feel compelled to make horrible remakes of imported reality shows that were stupid and trashy to start out with? Big Brother SA, The Weakest Link SA, Pop Idol SA and The Apprentice SA were bad enough, and now this [Survivor]? Even worse, I am 100% certain that it’ll be a ratings bonanza. At times like this, I despair of my countrymen.
James at Moral Fiber discusses sexual politics in Nigeria which he calls the “most homophobic country in Africa”.  He writes about amendments to a bill that criminalizes the activities of gay people. Among its clauses, the bill “Criminalizes belonging to any gay-related organization – everything from social organizations to LGBT rights groups”. ” Bans same-sex couples from living together”, and ” Criminalizes the public display of affection between members of the same sex. This includes real people, and the media”. James has the following comments:
These measures are just as oppressive and inhumane as the more infamous racist measures employed by the South African National Party during Apartheid, if not more so. Of course, no one notices. Why do no countries ever condemn Nigeria for these crimes against human rights?
The fishbowl has an analysis of this week's protests against the lack of democracy in the kingdom of Swaziland. The Congress of South African Trade Unions (Cosatu) and Swazi pro-democracy groups clashed with police as they demonstrated at Swazi border posts. Jonty writes about the heavy handed approach of the police towards the demonstrators.
…but the indisputable facts that rubber bullets were used to disperse the crowd, and scores of high ranking Cosatu leaders were arrested are a cause for concern. Cosatu head Zwelinzima Vavi went so far to say that “the general police behaviour has been barbaric and undemocratic.” This puts South Africa in quite a bad light, whatever the provocation from the protesters. All the international media see – and report on – is SA police cracking down heavily on a pro-democracy rally.
Fodder has a short but interesting observation about South Africans who have immigrated to other countries.
Always fun to watch the Afro Pessimists get all steamed up about how bad we have it here in SA. Of course the real irony is that those who left vowing never to look back, then spend their time trolling SA websites and posting comments in an attempt to prove themselves right.
Finally,  Professor Anton Harber is one of South Africa's most highly respected former newspaper editors. He currently heads up the journalism department at the University of the Witwatersrand in Johannesburg, and a writes a regular column in Business Day, one of our top newspapers. Anton has started a blog called The Harbinger that focuses on the media, and it's great to see that he lists Global Voices under his blogroll title “Media sites to watch”.

author: Bronwyn


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Africa: harnessing ICTs · Global Voices
Sokari Ekine

Timbuktu Chronicles points to Afriafya – a project aimed at “explore practical means of ‘harnessing ICT for community health’


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Albania: Ajvar and Baklava · Global Voices
Veronica Khokhlova

Traveller One of Stepping Stones lists two of her favorite Balkan dishes: Ajvar (“a luscious combination of roasted red peppers and eggplant”) and Baklava (“Ohhhhhh my goodness…. this is like eating the food of the gods…”). The former is originally from Macedonia; the latter is found in 22 national cuisines, according to Wikipedia.


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Announcing Our Alliance with Reuters · Global Voices
Ethan Zuckerman

We're thrilled to announce an alliance between Global Voices and global media company, Reuters. Reuters has been supporting Global Voices efforts since late last year, when they hosted our annual conference at their global headquarters at Canary Wharf in London.
Yesterday Reuters announced a major contribution to the Berkman Center for Internet and Society at Harvard Law School, where Global Voices is based. This contribution has allowed us to hire our managing editor, Rachel Rawlins, to continue supporting our outstanding team of regional editors and to bring on translators, to provide better coverage of content in languages like Arabic and Russian. Support from Reuters will also allow us to do more outreach and training in parts of the world where there are currently few bloggers. Reuters’ generosity allows us to expand the range and quality of information we make freely available to anyone who cares to use it.
We're especially excited about the relationship because we see a great opportunity to help Reuters – and the global media community as a whole – to understand blogging better and the impact of Citizen's Media on the world of journalism. We believe that the information, opinions and perspective that bloggers share complement conventional journalism and that bloggers and journalists can work together to give us a more accurate and representative picture of events and opinions around the world.
You can already see some of the fruits of our work together. Global Voices worked with Reuters on their recent Iraq Newsmakers event, where bloggers from the Middle East participated in a conference in New York via streamed video and IRC, asking journalists tough questions about whether media coverage of Iraq has been fair. In the near future, you'll see content by Global Voices editors and contributors appearing on Reuters websites, providing additional information and context to some Reuters newswire stories.
Global Voices Online is possible through the generosity of two groups: the editors and contributors to the site, and sponsors who make the site possible. We're grateful to everyone who has made Global Voices possible so far and we thank Reuters for making it possible for us to make this site even better.

author: Ethan Zuckerman


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Another Belarus · Global Voices
Veronica Khokhlova

A typical Vileika backyard – by Yevgenia Mantsevich (LJ user litota_)
LJ user litota_, currently of Minsk, paid a visit to her native Vileika last weekend and posted photos from a three-hour walk she took while there (BEL). Somebody's colorful rugs hung out to dry in one of the backyards (pictured above) made her note the difference between Vileika (pop. 30,000) and the capital Minsk (pop. close to 2 million):
After Minsk, I'm not used to this anymore. But in Vileika – it's an ordinary thing.
The series – which includes photos of a Soviet-time hospital litota_ was born in, a wooden building of the music school she attended, another wooden house with a red star on it (house of a Great Patriotic War veteran) – reflects some of Vileika's small-town spirit as well as the photographer's mood:
[…] this selection isn't representative. Vileika isn't all like this. It's very diverse. And I could've shown it as gaudy and glamorous, or as [sad and gloomy]. But it turned out the way it did because, I guess, I was in this melancholic-nostalgic mood, and that was the mood I wanted to convey.
Inspired by litota_‘s photos, LJ user macsim_by decided to create another_belarus LJ community (RUS):
[…] a page should be created that would have pictures of another Belarus. Everyday, lackluster, a bit too ordinary, but very dear. […]
He began by re-posting his own pictures from another small town, Golshany, which first appeared on his LJ (RUS) – a depressing series, completely devoid of people:
We deliberately didn't photograph the people, because it's exactly the case when the wrapping isn't good enough for what's inside… I'll repeat: everyone we spoke with are wonderful people, they are called the salt of the earth, I guess… I'm sure they aren't the ones who raise bad children, and if only they were treated with a little bit more respect and were given hope… boy, do they deserve it!
The journey took place because of macsim_by‘s foreigner friend who's had enough of the artificially positive, “glamorous” Belarus. Afterwards, drinking local wine, the foreigner had to be persuaded that the local people didn't want to live the way they did – “because, for some reason, it seemed to him that [they] were content with their situation.”
A debate (RUS, BEL) on whether it was reasonable to have an LJ community devoted to this not-so-attractive Belarus focused on the various aspects of the issue of unbearable living conditions:
ftqkatel: […] outskirts of the european, and especially american, democracies look way worse. i think there's no point having this community.
litota_: This is about the aesthetics, not democracy. […]
ozozo: […] as for the european outskirts – well, yes, it's possible to find many samples of unspeakable beauty, here for example – http://community.livejournal.com/abandonedplaces – but this is not what we've got, because people don't live there! and our settings are filled with this special, impossibly deep meaning, such a high pitch, desperate and routine simultaneously. I am awed at this aesthetics – and I am for this community.
macsim_by: thank you for your support. “our settings are filled with this special, impossibly deep meaning, such a high pitch, desperate and routine simultaneously” – this can easily serve as the community's slogan!!!!
[…]
oskoltsev: I don't really understand what feelings these photos should evoke. as a great fan of decadence, I'm excited by these pictures, they take my breath away – I want to be there!!!!
macsim_by: […] I understand that nothing in these photos is theater decorations. it is real life with people, children and old people standing behind the scenes, and I can't wish anyone to live in such decadance…
***
There's a similar community, with more history and a narrower focus, out there: another_minsk (RUS, BEL) – and a trilingual site of the same name: Another Minsk (ENG).


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Armenia: Corruption & Cafes · Global Voices
Nathan Hamm

Onnik Krikorian says that cafes are Yerevan's most visible manifestation of corruption and explains why they are so heavily patrolled by interior ministry troops.


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Bahamas: Videoconference · Global Voices
Georgia Popplewell

Larry Smith reports on the first ever videoconference between the Bahamian capital of Nassau and the Washington D.C., in which “the State Department’s point man for United Nations affairs spoke with local reporters and college lecturers about human rights”.


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Belarus: Opposition Prepares For April 26 · Global Voices
Veronica Khokhlova

Andrei Khrapavitski reports on the Belarusian opposition's preparations for the rally on the 20th anniversary of Chernobyl catastrophe, April 26.


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Belarus: Sanctions Against Lukashenko · Global Voices
Veronica Khokhlova

Andrei Khrapavitski does not consider the EU's sanctions against Lukashenko's regime sufficient: “Had Belarus possessed any valuable natural resources, maybe our leader would’ve been excused and welcomed in Brussels. I don’t know. But with all due respect, the current sanctions do not offer any leverage to democratization of Belarus. They look as a symbolic gesture, and not a real response.” TOL's Belarus Blog is as unsatisfied: “So, Brussels bureaucrats, if this is your way to say, ‘we don’t give a damn’, then we got it.”


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Brazil: A Correspondent Reflects · Global Voices
David Sasaki

Jared Goyette, a foreign correspondent living in Bahia, reflects on his latest piece for Brazzil Magazine. “When I changed the article, I cut out a lot detail I had recorded on the show …”


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Cambodian assistance in demining Sudan · Global Voices
Preetam Rai

Heng at Blog Cambodia has a report on Cambodian soldiers helping out in the demining in Sudan. This is the first time Cambodian soldiers are participationg in an U.N. peacekeeping mission.


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Cambodian film festival · Global Voices
Preetam Rai

The theme for this year's Cambodian Film Festival is “Independent Visions”. The organisers are seeking Cambodian and non-Cambodian entries. Diacritic.org has the details.


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Cameroon: Deputy Convicted of Murder · Global Voices
Alice Backer

Doh Gawanyim III,  deputy to the National Assembly, was convicted of murdering  John Kohtem,  a district-chairman of opposition party SDF, following a dispute between the two over whether Doh Gawanyim was blocking voter registration in their district,  says (FR) Fojrega.

author: Alice Backer


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Chad: civil war? · Global Voices
Sokari Ekine

Yebo Gogo reports that rebels have attacked the Chadian capital, a story also covered in WordPress.org and asks is civil war looming in Chad?


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China: Blog censorship · Global Voices
John Kennedy

Chinese blogger Nick Wong discovers yet another blog has been cut down:
“From time to time I check out the A Space Neither Big Nor Small blog, but suddenly I can't get to it. I go around the firewall and see there's something about Tank Man. Naturally, 89-6-4 (there's no way I'm writing that properly) is mentioned. ESWN also posted on this. Ahh, [expletive] Great Firewall! [zh]


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China: China Post goes bankal · Global Voices
John Kennedy

With China's banking sector having moved toward privatization, China Post appears to be moving in on services left by the wayside, starting with small loans to rural citizens and businesses.
“It has cost China hundreds of billions to bail out the big four banks and prepare them for listings,” says a Simon World blogger. “Hopefully this new venture won't end up costing as much.”
China's four largest banks are Bank of China, Construction Bank, Agricultural Bank and Industrial and Commercial Bank of China.


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China: Hao Wu continues to be held without charge · Global Voices
Rebecca MacKinnon

It has now been 52 days. Global Voices Northeast Asia editor, blogger, and filmmaker Hao Wu still has not been charged or given access to a lawyer. We still don't know where he is. (For a collection of articles about his situation please click here.)
His sister Nina Wu continues to blog in Chinese about the ordeal.  We continue to post translations of her blog at Freehaowu.org. Here are some recent excerpts. On Day 50 she thanked everybody who cares:
Today I received phone calls, emails, and greetings from friends one after another.  They were all asking about Haozi, but I disappointed them.  Currently the family members have no further information about Haozi.  Like everyone else, we are impatiently waiting.  Thank you, friends.  For the many ways in which everyone has spontaneously made efforts to help Haozi be free sooner, we sincerely express our gratitude.  Our family feels gratified to know that Hoazi has these kinds of friends.  I believe that the love from family members, friends, and all who know or do not know Haozi will allow him to see the springtime sunlight again soon.
Nina has often been pointing out on her blog that as a privileged middle class Chinese who works in finance, and who has been generally unconcerned with politics, she hadn't been aware of the extent to which a Chinese person can suddenly lose his or her rights.
…before this happened to my brother, I felt that I had it all: family, friends, a job I liked, and a typical Shanghai “little capitalist” life. I felt that I had the ability to control everything. I could choose the lifestyle I wanted; I could choose my circle of friends…in fact this was just what it looked like. It is so easy for someone to lose his or her privileges. An ordinary person can very easily be taken from his or her daily life. It doesn’t require any warning or reason, and of course it doesn’t require the assent of that person. Legal help is also unavailable. Even though the thirty-sixth clause of the Constitution states, “The physical freedom of the citizens of the People’s Republic of China cannot be violated…it is forbidden to detain or use other methods to take away or limit the physical freedom of a citizen; it is forbidden to illegally search the body of a citizen,” my brother has already lost his freedom. The staff of the Procuratorate did not deny that laws were being broken in the current stage, but no organization or person has stopped these illegal phenomena from continuing.
Really, only when your own rights are violated do you realize their importance to you. I am now beginning to pay attention to law, beginning to look for rights I might have. I hope that it isn’t all too late.
At the same time, I know that I already have lost my right to privacy. I know that they know my every movement. Actually, when you act magnanimously, there is nothing to conceal. I haven’t done anything that I’d be ashamed to show others. I will continue to strive for my brother’s early release. It’s just that I don’t know: when all the legal channels have been exhausted, will anything be left?
Before Hao's detention, she hadn't been aware of the extent of Chinese Internet censorship, either:
After Haozi disappeared, browsing the Internet and searching for related information became a mandatory daily class.  I have googled a great deal of information on “Hao Wu,” but I can’t visit many of the search results, especially addresses with .org suffixes.  Eight or nine out of ten will return “Impossible to display this webpage.”  I don’t know what kind of sensitive information these websites contain. Before, I did not believe in “Internet censorship.”  This was because I used to visit mostly finance and investment websites, which rarely have problems.  Only when I faced a serious predicament did I discover that this was a real problem.
Today someone asked me about the effect of Haozi’s incident on me and other family members.  I think the most direct effect is that I began to be concerned about my own “rights” and the social problems that Haozi was concerned about.
One webpage Nina will be unable to visit without a proxy server is this Radio Free Asia interview with Hu Jia, an AIDS activist who was recently released after being detained without charge for over a month. He describes the circumstances of his detention:
They put a black hood over my head, removing my glasses first, so I couldn’t see anything. Sometimes they forced my head right down to the floor as the car was driving along…
They were making sure that I had no idea where they were taking me. I started to vomit at one point because I was extremely car-sick. I’m not normally car-sick, but because one minute the car was accelerating, the next minute they were slamming on the brakes, and me with my head pressed down against the floor…
Continue reading here. Police behaving like kidnappers or hostage-takers. Is Hao being held under similar circumstances? We have no way of knowing.

author: Rebecca MacKinnon


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Czech Republic: Matzah in Prague · Global Voices
Veronica Khokhlova

David of Prague Blog describes what an ordeal it is to try finding matzah for Passover in Prague.


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Filipino influences in Mexico · Global Voices
Preetam Rai

Spanish trade routes helped the exchange of ideas and influences between the colonies in America and Asia. Milkphish visits Mexico and finds things that originated in the Philippines.

author: Preetam Rai


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Happy water festival – mind the elephant gun · Global Voices
Preetam Rai

This week four countries in South East Asia celebrated their traditional new year.  In Thailand the festival is known as Songkran. Usanee tells us why the people in Thailand look forward to this festival.
I am so happy to have 5 days off. It is the longest holiday I would have for this year. Songkran Festival means a lot for Thai people. Those who come to work in a big city will go back to their hometowns to visit thier parents or love ones. People across the country enjoy playing water. So do the foreigners who are in Thailand.
Songkran in Chiang Mai
Playing with water!! Yes, this festival is also known as Water Festival. Cam on Cam, a tourist in Thailand says
The thai new year approaches.  Walking the street of chiang mai, we find ourselves at the epicenter of Thailand's water-filled celebration.   Thousands line the moat that envelops the city's “old town”.  Traffic crawls slowly  down the crowded street, a friendly war in process as the rowdy inhabitants of pick-up truck beds feud in aqueous glee with the bucket-armed population spanning the moat's extensive length.  50-somethings clad with super-soaker guns chase after 5-year-old tricksters; the young ones are laughing ecstatically, with such freedom and beauty, their joyful victory known by an empty bucket in hand and a soaked target.
Kids with buckets looking for their next target
Moe Moe writes about the significance of water. In Myanmar, the festival is called Thingyan.
Burmese in Burma would actually be making special foods for this time of year, they would be out and about throwing water on passers by, going to “Mundutts” – concert stages where there are dancing, singing, and people standing around with water hoses, water balloons, buckets of water, etc to throw it upon whoever is passing by. This is to, of course, cleanse them of their sins, worries, whatever is bogging them down, so they can start their new year fresh.
Myanmar Thingyan
Thingyan in Myanmar. Image from flappingwings flickr.
Dawn remembers her childhood Thingyan
When I was a kid, every time April comes around, and I hear the Thingyan songs, I'll already get excited and anticipate of how I'll have fun in Thingyan. I'll be waiting in front of the house, holding either a small bucket or a water-gun and spraying water on people who passed by. I was just a kid so I couldn't splash water at passing cars mainly because I couldn't carry the water bucket! Sometimes, my father will take us downtown by bus, and we'll watch the dancers at City Hall pavilion, sitting under the spraying water. Sometimes, when my father was in a good mood, he'll take us around the town with the car, and let us get wet. It was fun when I was younger
Jes, another tourist in Thailand, encounters an older Songkran tradition.
You are approached by an older person. She carries a small silver bowl filled with white paste. You are surprised when she dips her hand into the bowl and then smears some paste on your face! A friend whispered that this is one of the oldest Songkran traditions. The white paste is supposed to protect you from evil. You are supposed to allow this adult to apply the paste to your face and neck. Furthermore, you are supposed to leave the paste on until it washes off without any help from you!
In Lao, the festival is called Koudsongkhane. Minh links to an article that describes a Laotian new year tradition – sand stupa making.
There are two ways for sand stupas making. The first way is the monks and novices and local people go the sand beach and make the sand stupas as big as they like. The another way, the villagers brought the sand from the sand beach to make the sand stupa in the pagoda yard. The sand stupa decorated with many types of flags, flowers, white lime and watered by perfume water. Finally, the sand stupas are granted to the monks for merits making.
Chal Chnam Thmey is how the festival is known in Cambodia. Atomicshogun has more about the Cambodian ways of celebrating on her blog.
Laksamee lists why she loves the Songkran festival
1. It involves waterguns
2. You can't drive anywhere because everywhere there are people on the side of the rode, on motorcycles and in trucks, all carrying water and all ready to drench you.
3. It's freaking 105 degrees outside
Yes, it is very hot in the region this time of the year. Some people actually chill the water with ice before spraying it.
And perhaps the best reason for loving this festival
8. Some places have elephants, which make for the best watergun EVER
Laksamee also has some things that might dampen the festive spirit.
1. People party so hard that something like 600 people die every year. Thus showing that motorcycles and alchohal do not mix well.
2. Your car will get dirty
and of course
5. You might eat too much


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Honduras: Schools in Honduras to Receive Internet · Global Voices
David Sasaki

Honduras News tells of a Canadian firm which will install wireless networks in Honduran schools.

author: David Sasaki


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Hong Kong: Uncharacteristic blog behaviour · Global Voices
John Kennedy

EastSouthWestNorth comes up blank tonight save for an error message which reads: “Sorry, you have reached either a non-existent site or the site has been suspended (or deactivated) due to Disk Space and/or Bandwidth Violation / Exceeded.”


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India: Caste and Community · Global Voices
Neha Viswanathan

The issue of reservations has had blogs take polar sides. Rashmi Bansal on the theme of caste – continues the discussion to comment on the distinct differences between caste and community – and the lines that determine (or divide) India.


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India: Disability and Abortion · Global Voices
Neha Viswanathan

Inkspill poses a tough question and an interesting discussion follows in the comments space – “does aborting a disabled foetus mean you are not sympathetic to the disabled and you do not admire their positive attitude to life?”


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Indonesia vs. China  · Global Voices
Preetam Rai

Sarapan Ekonomi argues that Indonesia's acheivements in economic growth and family planning are not too bad when compared to those of China's.


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Japan: Territorial dispute with Korea · Global Voices
John Kennedy

Tough talk can be found in The Marmot's Hole on a post which gives both sides of a territorial feud between Japan and South Korea which was refueled this week following Japan's announcement of a research expedition which will venture into the disputed territory.


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Kyrgyzstan: A Bridenapping · Global Voices
Nathan Hamm

Col give a play-by-play of her host-sister's abduction and wedding. “Bridenapping” is a tradition in Kyrgyzstan, and at least in this case, the abducted bride knew and liked the groom.


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Kyrgyzstan: Baisalov & Stability · Global Voices
Nathan Hamm

Alan Cordova has further thoughts on the attack on NGO head and blogger Edil Baisalov and what it says about the political situation in Kyrgyzstan.


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Malaysia-Singapore half bridge · Global Voices
Preetam Rai

Rajan Rishiyakarn questions the various official statements issued by Malaysian officials on the scrapping of Malaysia-Singapore half-bridge project. The project was questionable from the start as Malaysia has started work on its half of the bridge and supporting immigration facilities while Singapore had not even commited to the project.


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Mexico: Pre-Colonial Immigration Policy · Global Voices
David Sasaki

TlachuiloPilo sticks to the theme of applying pre-colonial history to current events when taking a look at Techotlalla's welcoming treatment towards immigrants.


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Mexico’s Ley Televisa and TV Duopoly · Global Voices
David Sasaki

Sure, the heated U.S. immigration debate is also being discussed south of the border. But so is another controversy, which could have a lasting impact on the future of media in Mexico, but has hardly been mentioned in the English-language press. The recent reform of a law, which gives more power to already established media monopolies, has got Mexican bloggers pecking at their keyboards at a feverish rate. In fact, the peak of attention awarded to the controversy by the blogosphere is clearly displayed in this Technorati graph posted on ALT1040.
Durante mucho tiempo yo no sabía ni que pensar de la Ley Televisa porque no entendía nada. Mucha gente probablemente está un poco en este canal.
So says Eduardo Arcos in his latest podcast (ES) with Fernando Benavides as the two cyberpundits sit down to better understand the new media law and what it means for the future of content distribution in Mexico. Certainly, it is probable that the English-language media has ignored the new development precisely because it is so difficult to understand. Writing from the northern industrial city of Monterrey, Eduardo Domínguez gave context to the controversy facing the reform days before it was approved by Mexico's congress.
El congreso esta a punto de aprobar la llamada Ley “Televisa” de Radio y Televisión. Esta ley a sido súmamente criticada y explico aquí la razón: Los canáles de radio y televisión utilizan un espacio en el espectro radioeléctrico para poder transmitir. Este espacio esta limitado y es concesionado por el gobierno para su uso y comercialización. Con el surgimiento de nuevas tecnologías como la televisión de alta definición y otras más, se liberarán espacios que ahorita ocupan canales de TV, es decir, no se requrirá tanto espacio o ancho de banda para transmitir dejando libre espacio para otros canales y otros servicios como telefonía e internet inalámbrico.
En otros países como Estado Unidos este recurso que quedó libre ha sido retomado por el gobierno para licitarlo nuevamente. Esto tiene beneficios para el país por que es un ingreso adicional, y para el consumidor por que se crearán más y nuevos servicios de telecomunicaciones. En México esto no ocurrirá así. Nuestros diputados y senadores están a punto de aprobar una ley que, en lugar de retomar este nuevo espacio, se lo regalará literalmente a los actuales concesionarios (Televisa, TV Azteca y cualquiera que tenga un canal de TV), promoviendo la creación de Monolpolios u Oligopolios e ignorando las recomendaciones de la Comisión Federal de Competencia. ¿Por qué? pues para que las televisoras apoyen a sus candidatos entre otros intereses mas. La situación es realmente vergonzosa.
The post inspired numerous impassioned comments.
Felipe Olivares remarked:
…solo en México pasan esas cosas. Es una pena. Uno quiere creer que el “gobierno del cambio” no dejaría que este tipo de cosas pasen, pero por lo visto mientras los mexicanos seamos como somos, siempre vamos a tener un “PRI” gobernándonos.
Cesar adds:
Claro que esto solo ocurre en Mexico… En vez de que se preocupen por nuevas reformas que nos traigan bienestar a todos los Mexicanos, se enfocan en otras que traen bienestar a ellos y un circulo muy selecto de empresarios.
And Catalina Gonzalez observes:
Nos tienen tan ocupados tratando de ganarnos la vida “decentemente” que los que tienen el poder tienen todo el tiempo del mundo para denigrarnos a nosotros los ciudadanos y sacar provecho de todo lo que se deje. De verdad que me hiere en lo mas profundo lo que esta pasando … lo peor es que la mitad de las personas que conozco no se ha ni enterado de lo que pasa. La desinformacion es increible y ahora con esta ley peor, aunque tengamos ganas de informarnos… no vamos a tener una fuente confiable inmediata para hacerlo.
In a follow-up, Domínguez publishes the only response he received from the three senators of Nuevo Leon state that he tried to contact. Senator Fernando Margáin of the PAN party replies:
Gracias por tu comunicación. Efectivamente este asunto es muy complejo y no tan limitado y, en ocasiones(según el medio de comunicación), no tan preciso. Estos trabajos tienen casi 10 años realizandose y hoy podria avanzarse varios pasos en el tema o dejarse como esta.¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Cuántas cosas quisiera cambiar y concretar en tantos temas tanimportantes!!!!!!!!! Pero……. Sabes tan bien como yo qué dificil es alcanzar consensos. Saludos.
Domínguez notes that the senator then voted in favor of the reform. It should come as no surprise that not a single Mexican blogger supports the new reform, but protest abounds, beginning with the website No to the Televisa Law (ES) and its accompanying weblog (ES).
Enigmatario explains (ES) how the upcoming election aided the passage of the controversial reforms without protests from any opposition parties:
Y cuidado, porque hasta los candidato a la presidencia (Felipe Calderón, Roberto Madrazo y Andrés Manuel López Obrador) para no tener el enojo de los medios de comunicación (ahora si, en especial, Televisa) cabildearon con sus congresistas a favor de dicha ley, para que así, el tiempo aire o los costos o los comentarios o criticas, no sean desfavorables para su causa.
Some observers are hoping to defeat the media duopoly of Televisa and TV Azteca by saying farewell to television altogether. Marco Carlos Avalos has already proposed a boycott (ES) of television.
In a comment (ES), he argues:
Propongo un boicot a Televisa, TV Azteca y los grupos radiofónicos que se verán beneficiados con esta ley abusiva y absurda. Propongo dejar de ver y escuchar estos medios durante la primer semana de mayo y dedicar ese tiempo a leer este blog de Eduardo Arcoso un libro, o sacar a pasear al perrito o simplemente vivir. Hagamos algo ya para que México cambie…protestemos!
Not surprisingly, Arcos himself is also looking toward the future:
Un día alguien me preguntó que opinaba de la «Ley Televisa» y me pareció gracioso porque es una pregunta que yo como blogger y podcaster he estado haciendo ultimamente a algunas personas.
Lo pensé un poquito y contesté que los más afectados no son los consumidores sino las televisoras; de hecho es probable que consumidores a la larga se vean beneficiados si deciden adoptar herramientas de publicación y crear su propio blog, su podcast o videoblog, inclusive si deciden montar un wiki o un foro de discusión.
¿Por qué? por medio de la reforma a la ley de radio y televisión en México, Televisa y TV Azteca han decidido cerrar el mercado y eso significa una sola cosa: la creación de mercados emergentes.
I thought a little bit and answered that those most affected aren't the consumers, but rather the networks; in fact, it's probable that the consumers, in the long run, are benefitted if they decide to adopt publishing tools and create their own blog, podcast, or videoblog, as well as if they decide to start a wiki or discussion forum.
Why? Because of the reform to the law of radio and television in Mexico, Televisa and TV Azteca have decided to close the market and that means only one thing: the creation of emerging markets.
The full text of the reformed law is available in Spanish as a PDF file.


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Mongolia: Protest Updates · Global Voices
Nathan Hamm

Luke Distelhorst has another update on the protests in Mongolia.


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Nepal: New Year and Politics · Global Voices
Neha Viswanathan

Even as the New Year starts in Nepal, Nepali Netbook discusses the relationship between India and Nepal as the country appears to move towards democracy.


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Nicaragua: Semana Santa · Global Voices
David Sasaki

It's Friday and someone is being dragged in chains through the streets of Masatepe, about to be hung. Jason of Nicaragua Travels explains why.


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Nigeria Diaspora: photos · Global Voices
Sokari Ekine

On a lighter note, Soul on Ice series of photos under the title “Signs”.  The photos speak for themselves – take a look.

author: Sokari Ekine


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North Korea: Migrant vulnerability · Global Voices
John Kennedy

Kotaji blogger blogs on the rough and tough lives of North Korean lumberjacks and construction workers in the eastern corners of Russia.


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Pakistan: Hasan Abdal · Global Voices
Neha Viswanathan

Shirazi has a post on Hasan Abdal near Islamabad where “The legend has it that in 1521 AD, while passing through then deserted area on a very hot day, Guru Nanak's companion Bhai Mardana got very thirsty. The Guru suggested that he go to the Saint Baba Wali Qandhari who lived in a hut atop a nearby hill and ask for water.”


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Peru: Elections and Easter · Global Voices
David Sasaki

Un lobo en Perú says that the nail-biting countdown to see who will face Ollanta Humala in the second round of presidential elections will take a back-seat as Peruvians celebrate Easter Weekend. Also mentioned are election irregularities seen in Miami and calls by members of Alan Garcia's party to annul some votes from abroad. Peru Election 2006 says that OAS Secretary General José Miguel Insulza expressed his approval of the domestic electoral process.


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Petition Hu Jintao for Global Voices editor Hao Wu’s release · Global Voices
Ethan Zuckerman

Many Global Voices readers have asked what they can do to hasten our friend and colleage Hao Wu's release from detention in Beijing. Hundreds of you have put badges on your blogs and webpages to call attention to Hao Wu's detention, and this support has helped generate media interest in the situation.
We'd hoped that media pressure would lead to Hu Jintao to release Hao prior to his upcoming meeting with President Bush. Unfortunately, this looks increasingly unlikely. So today we're launching a letter-writing campaign and a petition to ask for Hao's immediate release.
Rebecca launched the letter writing campaign earlier today, and we're encouraging readers to write to their national governments, to the Chinese ambassadors in their nation, to their local newspapers, and to Chinese President Hu Jintao. Her post offers key pieces of information to include in letters or op-eds as well some useful addresses.
We've also launched an online petition, demanding that President Hu Jintao release Hao immediately.
The text of the petition reads:
We, the undersigned concerned citizens of the world, protest the detention without charge of Chinese filmmaker and blogger Wu Hao and call on the Chinese government to release him immediately.
Mr. Wu, a Chinese citizen and U.S. permanent resident alien known in the United States as “Hao Wu”, recently returned to live in China and produce independent documentaries. He was detained on February 22nd without being charged with any crime. Authorities have not given Wu Hao's family an explanation for the detention despite numerous inquiries. According to China’s own Code of Criminal Procedure, a person cannot be held without charge or arrest for more than 37 days. His detention has substantially exceeded that period of time.
It is our understanding, based on speeches by China's own leaders, that China aims to be a country governed by the rule of law. The detention of Mr. Wu without charge, and without access to a lawyer, would appear to be highly inconsistent with that aim.
If Mr. Wu has indeed broken the law, a country that respects the rule of law should uphold Mr. Wu's right to legal procedure. His continued unlawful detention is a clear violation of his universally recognized human rights. We ask for his immediate release.
We'd ask anyone reading this post to please sign the petition and pass the URL onto friends who might be inclined to sign it as well. Your email address is required to sign the petition, but it won't be published. If you're able to translate the petition into another language, please let us know – we'd like to make the document available in as many languages as possible.
Thanks for your support and thanks for caring about our friend.


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Russia: Chechen Children’s Mysterious Illness · Global Voices
Veronica Khokhlova

Bob Granico of Publius Pundit is calling to international health organizations to examine the Chechen children affected by a mysterious illness and investigate its causes: “Given that the children are not recovering, and that there is so much distrust on both sides of the issue, outside medical help is drastically needed.”

author: Veronica Khokhlova


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Sierra Leone: Charles Taylor · Global Voices
Sokari Ekine

Jewels in Jungle writes the first of a series of posts on Charles Taylor.  In particular he highlights the fact that Taylor did not act alone yet he is the only one (at the moment) who is sitting in jail in Freetown.


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South Korea: Blogging community · Global Voices
John Kennedy

The Korean Liberator welcomes an addition to its blogroll: “Chapter 15 is an excellent new blog that follows Korea, the United Nations, and human rights. If you really want to see how [South Korean] Foreign Minister Ban Ki-Moon's run for U.N. General Secretary is going, this is the place.”
Up top at Chapter 15 are three posts looking at Ban's current campaign tour through Eastern Europe.


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Sri Lanka: Your New Year And Mine · Global Voices
Neha Viswanathan

Could something like a New Year celebration divide people? transcurrents.com on the celebrations of the Tamil Hindus, Christians, Sinhalas and the others.

author: Neha Viswanathan


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Taiwan: Kuomintang divided · Global Voices
John Kennedy

The one whole jujuflop situation blogger backs up his opinion that Taiwan's Kuomintang leader Ma Ying-jeou is losing control over the party with a close look at recent internal conflicts among the leadership.


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The shaman of Myanmar · Global Voices
Preetam Rai

Ian, a tourist in Yangoon, meets the famous shaman U Shein of Myanmar. U Shein is known for his magic goldash powder. The shaman's followers allege that this powder can cure cancers and other serious ailments.


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Turkmenistan: Opposition Catch 22 · Global Voices
Nathan Hamm

Rico of neweurasia says that Turkmenistan's opposition parties, which plan to participate in upcoming local elections are in a catch 22.


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UK: Zimbabweans may be deported · Global Voices
Sokari Ekine

The Bearded Man  writes on the ruling of the British governments “The Asylum & Immigration Tribunal”  ruling which had barred the deportation of Zimbabwean failed asylum seekers has been set aside leaving the door open for them to be deported back to Zimbabwe.


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Venezuela: Julio Borges and Government Propaganda · Global Voices
David Sasaki

Katy of Caracas Chronicles offers 20 reasons why she believes that Julio Borges is the man most capable of leading the opposition against Chavez. Oil Wars maintains its objectivity, criticizing the latest PR initiative by the Venezuelan government after a barrage of ads in this weekend's Ulitima Noticias.


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Views from the Horn of Africa and Sudan · Global Voices
Vandu

Ethiopia is one of only four African nations that were never colonies of a European power. Though independent, Ethiopia was subjected to Italian occupation from 1936 to 1941. ethiopundit takes us back in history—110 years ago—to the Battle of Adwa, in which Ethiopian forces defeated the technologically superior Italian colonialists:
“Rising above their regional rivalries and local concerns, all facets of this multi-ethnic society [Ethiopia] pulled together to defeat the Italian invaders who were armed with vastly more sophisticated technology and had the support of all of Europe…The Ethiopian victory at the Battle of Adwa has remained a very important event in the shared recollection of the entire African people. It is the only secular episode in the whole history of Africa that has been celebrated for more than a century with unabated popular enthusiasm.”
Paulos Dandego of Ethiopian Politics laments the deplorable political situation in Ethiopia describing the country as being on a “disturbing journey towards complete totalitarianism.” He also appears unimpressed with a speech delivered to the United States Congress on the situation in Ethiopia by the deputy assistant secretary for African affairs, Mr. Donald Y. Yamamoto:
“Mr. Yamamoto gave the usual lukewarm, wishy-washy speech he’s been giving for the past six month. His testimony made it very difficult to predict what the U.S government plans to do, other than sit on the side lines hoping for a favorable outcome.”
Andrew Heavens of Meskel Square finds bitter excitement at being able to obtain “same-day print-outs of most of the main European and US [newspapers]” in Addis Ababa for the first time. In his opinion, the Ethiopian prints are “in many ways better than the originals” as they use “whiter, cleaner paper [and have a] slightly bigger print.” However, the absence of his beloved daily Sudoku and the relatively high price of the prints makes his joy a little bitter—he states that The Times goes for £ 2.64 as against the London cover price of 60 pence).
The deployment of foreign (non-Sudanese) troops to the Darfur region of Sudan appears to be a contentious issue in Sudan. Sudan Watch quotes a Xinhua report (of China), which states that the Sudanese President, Omar al-Bashir has called on all Sudanese to say no to the presence of foreign troops in Sudan. In the words of President al-Bashir, “foreign intervention is but the old colonization cloaked in the new cloth of the suspicious organizations and arms dealers.” President al-Bashir also
“…lauded the role being played by the Arab countries with respect to supporting peace and rehabilitation in Sudan.”
The Arab League comes in for criticism from the blog Inside Somaliland, which quotes a Sudan Tribune report that asks: “Will the Arabs dare to listen to Somaliland?” It goes on to state:
“The Arab League has the habit of leaving issues to fester until such time when surgical intervention becomes necessary from foreign powers whose interests do not necessarily match those of the Arab world.”
It speaks of a status quo, which Arab nations appear to love, using “energy and resources to ensure that things stay as they are” out of fear of what change may bring.
The Voice of Somaliland in Diaspora-Ottawa says that eminent African scholar, historian and political thinker, Professor Ali Mazrui, has thrown his support behind the independence movement in Somaliland. Somaliland is a self-declared independent region of Somalia. Unrecognized by the wider world, it has managed to remain peaceful with a functional government, unlike Somalia that has been without a central government since 1991. Professor Mazrui urged Somaliland to begin by lobbying Commonwealth countries as it struggles to be recognized as a republic that is independent of Somalia. He also had this message for the people of Somaliland:
“You may consider modifying your name like Somalistan, which has similar ending like those of other Islamic countries such as Pakistan, Afghanistan etc.”
Professor Mazrui was on an official visit to Somaliland, which began on March 21, 2006.

author: Vandu


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Chad: French Military Presence Worries Blogger  · Global Voices
Alice Backer

French troops killed 60 unarmed civilians   in Ivory Coast  4 years ago alleging self-defense, writes  (FR) Generation Consciente, Une Autre Afrique in a skeptical tone.  In light of these events the blogger wonders what will come of the recent influx of french troops in Chad, 3 weeks to elections.  “What are the rules of engagement here? On whom and why did troops receive permission to shoot?”  asks the blogger.


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Don’t go near the sea on Good Friday, and other Caribbean Easter traditions · Global Voices
Georgia Popplewell

The Easter Weekend in the Caribbean arrives at the height of the dry season, with gorgeous weather and Christian traditions conspiring to make it a time both solemn and fun-filled.
A popular Easter weekend activity is kite-flying, and a number of bloggers did just that on Good Friday. Barbados Free Press took the day off, leaving readers with a photo of a spectacular mad bull kite and a link to the lovely photo essay at JustBajan.com about the kite-flying festival at Vaucluse, St. Thomas a few years back. Among the impressive creations featured at that event were a massive mad bull emblazoned with the face of Osama Bin Laden and another featuring Barbadian Olympic sprinter Obadele Thompson.
Caribbean Free Radio took a less impressive ready-made kite out for a spin in the Queen's Park Savannah in Trinidad and, along with Nicholas Laughlin, made a failed attempt to find a Good Friday bobolee, an effigy of Judas Iscariot which is traditionally hung in a public place and beaten. The bobolee is not, however, the weirdest Caribbean Easter tradition: that distinction would have to belong to the Good Friday prohibition against sea-bathing, which Barbadian Campfyah recalled in her Good Friday post:
I vividly remember the no going to the Beach on Good Friday. Boy that was a definite for the villagers, don't dare be caught near the beach. Also the breaking a fresh egg out in the sun at pricesly midday. whatever shape the eggs form is your destiny for the coming year. Eg. a ship or anything resembling a boat means you going away.
For the record, entering in the sea on a Good Friday turns you into a fish. Simone Engeln noted that a version of this superstition also prevails in Belize, where people fear they'll turn into mermaids.
Abeni in St. Vincent had a little fun with the Easter superstitions, writing that:
This Good Friday, I did not place the white of an egg in a glass, put it in a shady place and hope by day end it would take a shape that would determine my future. I didn't cut a peas tree hoping it would bleed, probably because there are no trees in my backyard. Am deathly afraid of snakes so there is no way am going to hunt down one and hit it with the hope of seeing its feet. Am not going to the beach today, not because I fear drowning but simply because I plan to go on Monday.
According to Grand Cayman-based Jamaican Mad Bull, the thing to do over the Easter weekend in the Cayman Islands is go camping on the beach. Mad Bull was also looking forward to a boat race called the Million Dollar Run.
Both Abeni and Campfyah were preoccupied with another great Caribbean Easter tradition — food. “Of course there is the traditional, no red meat eating on Good Friday,” said Campfyah. “Right now I got my fish all seasoned and marinating reading for a nice baking stuffed with some shrimp later today.” Abeni had “some not too hot cross buns after coming back from church service. Later on today am going to eat the traditional Good Friday lunch which will be missing meat. I don't think I will be eating mackerel but definitely something in the fish family.”
London-based Trinidadian Franka Philip was in touch with her mother back home, who “told me she'll be cooking a simple dish of Baked or Steamed Fish with Provisions, Buttered Vegetables and Salad on Good Friday.” Franka's mother also noted another feature of the Easter season:
she told me about the exorbitant cost of fish in Trinidad this year. It's not unusual for the price of fish to shoot up at Easter because of the high demand but apparently it's worse this year because lots of people have stopped eating chicken after a strange disease – not avian flu – killed hundreds of chickens on a farm in east Trinidad.
Madge told me that kingfish which normally costs TT$20 (approx £2) per pound is now being sold at more than TT$40 (approx £4) per pound. This is quite staggering and clearly out of the reach of the average Trinidadian.
Franka herself planned on breaking with tradition and was having curry duck for Easter. “EJ is desperate to cook the two ducks he got in Sainsbury's a few weeks ago,” she wrote. “To make the occasion more lavish, they've asked everyone to bring a dish to accompany the duck and after thinking about it, I decided that I'll make the percect accompaniment – Curry Mango.” (As always, Franka posted a recipe).
ArubaGirl posted a photo of a traditional Aruban Good Friday meal and several Jamaican bloggers mentioned “bun and cheese”. Here was Stunner's take:
At this time of the year local bakeries are kept busy supplying a nation craving for the sweet, spicy, raisin filled bun with the locally famous Tastee Cheese. The Easter bun is basically a modified version of the Jamaican spice bun, that is available all year. The Easter bun is noticeably sweeter than the ordinary spice bun and loaded with raisins. Also it is a bit more moist than the ordinary spice bun as well as somewhat bigger than the spice book. Whereas, the ordinary bun is packaged in plastic, the Easter Bun will not settle for that, it is not only wrapped in plastic, but it is also packaged in decorative boxes which uniquely identify it. Easter Buns differ slightly in taste and texture due to the recipes used by the various local bakeries. The most popular Easter buns include HTB, Yummy and Maxfield Easter Buns. On the other hand, many Jamaicans prefer to employ their own family recipes and bake their own Easter Buns. The Easter bun would not be complete with a slice or two of cheese and the cheese of choice is Tastee Cheese. Yes, there will be Easter Bun and cheese in the hands and bellies of Jamaicans for the next few weeks.
No religious holiday in the Caribbean would be complete, however, without critiques of the increasing secularisation of the occasion. ClaudeMills.com cited one complaint peculiar to Jamaica:
some contend that carnival may be the reason Jamaicans are so enchanted with the trappings of Easter, locally. “Easter is just not the same since carnival has come in to profane the deep religious beliefs of the season. People just want to march, and they take great delight in revelling and wanton behaviour; it's not even about the bun and cheese anymore,” one preacher said curtly.
According to Daily Dominican Republic News, a local cardinal had hit out at people who party during Easter Week, describing them as “inconsequential, superficial, light, clowns, uncultured and without brains”. Even the Cayman Islands’ premier satirist, Cayblogger, was fed up with Easter Bunnies, though his criticisms were aimed not at the public but at the local churches. Those Caribbean citizens who do not happen to be naturally devout, however, but still struggle to inject greater meaning into their Easter, might follow the example of Mad Bull, who planned on doing the following:
Tomorrow is Good Friday! A special day on the christian calendar. I don’t think I am going to church, based upon my recent church going history and the usual length of the Good Friday mass, but I will be doing some reflection upon the sacrifice the Christ made for us. In fact, I may well rent “The Passion of the Christ” and watch it over. That ought to put me in the right frame of mind for the day…


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What’s in a name: Google in Chinese · Global Voices
John Kennedy

Not huge news, but Google's announcement this week of their official Chinese name, 谷歌 [Gu Ge, meaning valley song], has provoked a lot of discussion across Chinese blogs. While most people will likely continue using the particular pronounciation—there are several—of the English name they've grown most accustomed to, that one interpretation of the new moniker suggests something along the lines of rejoicing after a bumper harvest, in a culture that emphasizes subtlety many here say Google could have done better. Here are some snippets of conversation:
CNBruce
估计外国人对”谷”字认识觉得有那般”古””中国”味吧，反正我想到了”绝情谷”什么的类似世外桃源的地方。
不过，也许是思维定式吧，”百度”没出名前还真不知道这词有啥价值~~
又不过，还是觉得有些不能这么容易接受，于是有人也恶搞了下：比如”股沟”、”蝈蝈”
Google，你应该在正式命名中文之前征求下大家的意见嘛
现在网友们只好马后炮了，NND
Lian Yue's Eighth Continent
“谷歌”写给中国政府的保证书
1、我们保证找不到任何色情资讯，但是结果会指向新浪社会新闻。
2、我们保证找不到任何垃圾资讯，但是结果会指向新浪名人blog。
3、我们保证修改搜索技术，将中国提供的官员名单等同于以下关键词——
4、清廉、幽默、朴素、十年一衣、爱民如子、拍案而起、爱、做爱！
5、我们保证”做爱”是百度恶意攻击的结果。
6、我们认为，1988年之后就是1990年。
7、我们还认为，6月3日之后当然是6月5日。
8、我们保证找不到任何国际新闻，我们保证找不到任何敏感的国内新闻。
9、Google商标在中国将改成”000000″。
10、”000000″读为”谷歌”，但我们建议读为”胡哥”。
1. We promise to be unable to find any erotic materials, and all results will point to Sina‘s [major Chinese portal site] society news.
2. We promise to be unable to find any trash information, and all results will point to Sina's celebrity blogs.
3. We promise to modify search technology and equate the name list of government officials provided by China with the following keywords:
4. Incorruptible, humorous, austere, self-denying, loving of the people like their own sons, ironhanded, love, have sex!
5. We promise “have sex” is the result of Baidu's malicious attack.
6. We believe that 1990 follows the year 1988.
7. We also believe that June 5 is the day after June 3.
8. We promise to be unable to find any international news or any sensitive mainland news.
9. Google's logo in China will become ‘000000.’
10. ‘000000’ shall be pronounced ‘Gu Ge’ [valley song] but we recommend the pronounciation ‘Hu Ge’ [big brother Hu Jintao].
Microning from Aleha blog
“谷歌” ，以谷为歌，象征着收获的喜悦，也表达了一种勤恳求实的态度，以及对返朴归真的向往。它同时也想传达出中国人对幸运/吉祥的企盼。
“谷歌” ，是播种与期待之歌，亦是收获与欢愉之歌。
Huang Jixin of MindMeters blog
“谷歌”是Google在全球唯一一个官方非英文名，有人喜欢，有人不喜欢，新郎调查说60%的人觉得不好。我就不说好不好了，我只是觉得，”百度”是从一开始用这个名字就是取辛弃疾的词，而”谷歌”只是为了扣合Google的发音，这就差了一段。
其次，”千百度”已经进入现代中文语汇，但是”谷歌”要成为常用词，Google需要下点功夫。我们熟悉的优秀译名，比如”宝马””奔驰””奔腾””可口可乐”，都是使用了既有常用中文词汇，要创造新词，着实困难。
以前，我总是笑话百度模仿Google，强要把百度变成动词（百度曾经花广告费，让各大媒体在文章的末尾”百度一下”文章的关键词，这使得我之前所供职的那家报纸，常常版式都排好了，就等着百度把”百度一下”送过来），现在看来，相比之下，”谷歌”要变成动词的道路就更漫长了
Keso
“谷歌”，你听到后的第一感觉是什么？我的感觉是怪异。当然，感觉怪异的人，大多是因为太熟悉”Google”这个自造单词了，其实回想起来，当初第一次用Google的时候，对”Google”这个单词也是同样的感觉，怪异。这么多年下来，已经习惯了，不但习惯了，而且觉得这个单词很美妙，就像它美妙的彩色logo。
Google可以在全世界都只用Google一个名字，但在中国，它必须有一个正式的中文名字。 据Google说，43%一直用Google的英文称呼，26%的人称Google为”狗狗”，13%的人称Google为”古狗”。53%的人希望Google有一个中文名字，所以Google就真的有了一个中文名字，符合中国名正则言顺的古训。
我不知道，我需要多久才会习惯”谷歌”，就像当初Viagra进中国，放弃已被民间广泛采用的”伟哥”的名字，而采用一个纯音译的”万艾可”，无论如何总比让中国人接受Viagra要好得多。 Google说，”谷歌” 并不会代替 “Google” 英文名称的使用，这两个名字今后将相互呼应、互为支持。不过还有些小问题我没搞清楚，谷歌是Google的中文产品名称，还是Google的中文公司名称，或二者皆是？

author: John Kennedy


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Africa: European Double Standards on Corruption · Global Voices
Alice Backer

While the EU prepares to impose sanctions on Bielorussian authorities who allegedly committed election fraud, says  (FR) Generation Consciente, “numerous African dictators [who commit election fraud…] consistently visit Europe without difficulty while freely managing their personal affairs[…].”


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Echoes from the Tunisian Blogosphere · Global Voices
Mohamed Marwen Meddah

The 12th Tunisian blogger meetup took place on Saturday, April 15th, marking a whole year of meetups. The record was broken for the number of bloggers present with around 35 bloggers showing up, and the number of new faces exceeding old ones. MMM, Marsawi (FR) and Bouzguelif (FR) write about it.
Tunizika, the Tunisian musical podcast, have released their 14th episode with a mixture of Jazz, Blues, Rock and Soul through music from Mamdouh Bahri, Issam Mahfoudhi, le Ptypont and Mawel.
Thysdrus writes about the Tunisian movie Bab El Arch (The door to the throne) by Tunisian director Mokhtar Laadjimi. The director describes the movie as the saga of a young tunisian journalist who is caught between “intellectual castration” and ” sexual castration” and his struggle against a stifling family and social context.
Swifty writes about how Canada is a new major destination for Tunisian emigrants, and gives an interesting list of pros and cons of the country from a Tunisian point of view.
MMM writes about the state of cinemas in Tunisia and how they're lacking in every aspect of the cinematic experience. He thinks that Tunisia lacks places where people can go for entertainment, and that new state of the art cinemas would be a great option for investors to venture into.
Troubadour (FR) writes about how her boss found her blog, where she occasionally writes about things that bug her at work, and how she almost got fired for it. She thinks about what she should do now, and whether she should continue blogging or not. She eventually decides to keep writing.
Felsfa (FR) talks about the famous El Mellassine neighbourhood in Tunis, and how it has changed from a jungle of bandits to a market where you can find almost everything at lower prices.
He talks about how the bandits from the different areas of Tunis respect each other's turf and describes the solidarity between the bandits of the Mellassine area, who are actually the sellers in these markets. He also tells a few funny stories and experience from the market.
Slaim thinks that Tunisia should build its own Formula One circuit. He thinks it would be a really good touristic investment to attract Formula One fans, especially that Tunisia is a very close destination from Europe.

author: Mohamed Marwen Meddah


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French Antilles:  Questions about Identity and Unemployment · Global Voices
Jennifer Brea

Questioning Identity in the Diaspora
Tino Land, written by a Martiniquan blogger living in Paris, highlights the tensions that sometimes exist between Africans and French Caribbeans, criticizing French Antillians who reject their African roots and Africans who say that Antillians are “sell-outs” to Western culture:
J'emmerde tout les ANTILLAIS qui méprisent l'AFRIQUE ou qui estime qu'ils n'ont rien a voir avec elle alors que la culture Antillaise s'est fondée en grande partie par des africains que se soit la cuisine, la musique, les arts ou les moeurs…d'ailleurs la syntaxe (construction des phrases) du créole est proche de celle des langues africaines de plus certains mots sont d'origine africaine…sachez une chose mes frères en méprisant l'Afrique vous mépriser vos ancêtres et donc une partie de vous même …
J'emmerde également les AFRICAINS qui disent des ANTILLAIS sont des vendus ou des Bounty alors que c'est essentiellement en Afrique que les femmes se décolorent la peau, afin de sois disant paraître plus belle. De plus encore aujourd'hui nombre de personne en Afrique portent des noms occidentaux qui ne sont même plus d'actualité en France par exemple : Boniface, Alphonse, Hortense, Pierrette, Basile, Hyacinthe … et bien d'autres encore alors sil vous plait comme dit le proverbe ivoirien ” Il faut regarder son caleçon avant de dire que celui de ton voisin est sale ” … à méditer.
The CPE: France's Youth Employment Law, As Seen From Guadeloupe
Bien vu has little sympathy for the French students who protested against the Contrat Première Embauche (CPE), an employment law that, among other things, would have allowed businesses to hire workers under the age of 26 without showing cause.
Petits étudiants couvés chez leurs parents ! Aujourd'hui, vous avez le choix : ou bien vous allez directement à l'ANPE et vous pointez au chomage avec un retour vers des CAP pour coller au besoin du marché ou vous “subissez” le CPE en vous donnant la chance de montrer à votre employeur que vous êtes vraiment un atout indispensable pour sa société. Vous choisissez : PAS DE CPE ! Ok, donnez leur le chomage assuré, les longues périodes intérimaires, les remises en questions personnelles et surtout, donnez leur la chance de parcourir cette grande croisade vers l'emploi assuré. Magnifique cette nouvelle génération qui deviendra les acteurs premiers de notre nouvelle société. Cela promet !  Leur logique impitoyable : Tuons le “chien” et discutons ensuite si nous aurions du le garder vivant !
The French government, bowing to weeks of mass protests by youth, students, unionists, and others around the country, has repealed the law, leading Bien vu to quip that a new French political party has been born: “The Street”:
Le glas vient de sonner pour le CPE, la cérémonie solanelle s'est effectuée dans la joie et la bonne humeur pendant que d'autres pleuraient de voir un nouveau petit espoir de trouver du travail s'effacer. Eh oui, un nouveau parti politique vient de voir le jour, j'ai nommé : “LA RUE” ! Pouvoir puissant qui est géré par des ados qui connaissent déjà tout du momnde du travail et qui donne des leçons au gouvernement en place…

author: Jennifer Brea


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Sweet and Sour · Global Voices
Melissa De León

#1: The weirdest and tastiest grilled rabbit for Easter
If your quota of cute chocolate eggs and bunnies has been reached for this lifetime already, you will love this idea: Easter 2006 – MeatHenge Style. It is never too soon to start planning for next year, right?
I first fired up and got ready the smoking fire. One could grill or sear these rabbit pieces any way you would like, but I wanted to smoke them gently for an hour or so. Something easy to deal with. Once the fire was going, it was time to get the rabbit ready. It takes just over an hour to get them both ready for cooking, these being the meat & fire.
I mixed up a little fresh orange juice, lemon squeeze and mostly lime. Then very tightly minced some onion and garlic along with some toasted cumin seed. Spread evenly over all the extra virgin, must have. This Cubanny idea came from Kevin over at Seriously Good, thanks! A little s&p with some oregano and we're in.  Since I wanted to marinate each piece a different color, it took a few dishes to keep them separate, but equal.
#2: These are the best looking Vietnamese Chicken Balls I have ever seen!
Just take a look at these babies and judge for yourself! Johanna, The Passionate Cook, has done an excellent job. The dish is a Vietnamese delicacy, AND she has a rule in her kitchen that I happen to like very much: …if you do not use the kitchen tool/appliance in over a year, maybe it is time to give it away.  That way you will make some room in your kitchen cabinets and will make someone else happy!
#3: Intellectual Bankruptcy: sad but true, and eating food blogs too!
AP says no need to credit blogs?
A blogger got plagiarized by an AP reporter, the blogger contacted AP and a senior editor replied that AP did not have to give the blog credit because it is a blog.
It’s an attitude problem alright. I believe it’s called arrogance. And I refer you back Leo Magno’s article on how mainstream media regard blogs.
Right. We bloggers shouldn’t preach journalism. Not the kind that AP showed and Leo Magno wrote about. We must preach and serve as evangelists for a higher standard of values AND intelligence.
P.S. Link to the blogger who was plagiarized; link to the blog entry that was plagiarized; link to the plagiarized AP article and author.
This same issue is faced day after day by food bloggers all over the world. It is amazing, we do all the work and someone else gets the credit, and in addition to that they get paid for it??? Take a look at this incident where the same post by The Cooks Cottage, a food blogger from India got plagiarized a couple of times by different publications.
Who would have thought this little blog of mine would have such devout readers. Readers who are journalists, who want to spread my words with such faithfulness as to keep the original untouched, in its exact same form, word for word, comma for comma. And print it in one of the nations English dailies, with (purportedly) the highest circulation.
This should warm the cockles of my beating heart, it should fill me with pride and joy, it should, it should…
Well it doesn't. I am mad.
And after I complain to the person in charge of that section of the paper I receive a phone call from the offending creature. Who calls it ‘research’. Who does not admit to charges of copying even though she has scooped up 400 words of a five hundred word post and did a paste job. Who does not identify herself on the phone .Who has the gall to suggest I ‘want something", as in money, to keep me quiet.
Head over to the Cooks Cottage to read the full post…
Next time, the post will be really scrumptious, from top to bottom! Have a great week :)

author: Melissa De León


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Village cricket match, Caribbean-style · Global Voices
Georgia Popplewell

At this time of year, thoughts in the English-speaking Caribbean turn to the game of cricket. Travel around any of the region's former British colonies and you're likely to come across greens like this one, located in Howsen Village, Trinidad. This Easter Sunday match pitted a side from Howsen Village and environs (batting) against a team from Valencia (fielding) and was watched by a crowd of about twenty, amply supplied with beer and rum and egging on the players in between talk of local matters, including a lovers’ quarrel which most were certain would soon be resolved (this in spite of the fact that the woman had “chopped” the man). The score at tea time was 121 for 5.
The Caribbean's international cricket season kicks off on April 29, with Zimbabwe facing off against the West Indies in Antigua. The West Indies Cricket Blog aggregates the talk about West Indies cricket.


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Albania: Cheerful-Looking Buildings · Global Voices
Veronica Khokhlova

Traveller One of Stepping Stones posts pictures of several colorful buildings in Tirana and links to a piece in the New Yorker about the “radical” mayor who made the city look cheerful: “What's behind the front may still be dark and dreary, but at least there is joy on the outside.”


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Armenia: Easter · Global Voices
Nathan Hamm

Zarchka writes about Easter celebrations in Armenia.

author: Nathan Hamm


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Armenia: Falsified Votes · Global Voices
Nathan Hamm

Onnik Krikorian notes that an official has admitted that the 2003 presidential election was falsified and he comments on the prospects for fairer votes in the 2007 and 2008 elections.


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Ayaan Hirsi Ali: Interview  · Global Voices
Sokari Ekine

Ayaan Hirsi Ali blog posts an interview with Hirsi Ali on a report advising the Dutch government to take a softer line on Islam.


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Bangladesh: Playing cricket · Global Voices
Neha Viswanathan

Bangladesh plays cricket, however the Police seems to be weilding the stick. Rezwan on “The tension mounted during lunch break when the DC North of Chittagong Police started using his fist against a journalist (Jahirul Haque) aged like his father (65) and kicked him continuously to show that this kind of power they exercise on the people of Bangladesh.”