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Many to Many documentary featuring Global Voices · Global Voices
Ethan Zuckerman

Martin Lucas and the Center for Social Media have produced an excellent short documentary, titled “Many to Many – Public Media and the Blogosphere”. The twelve minute film provides an introduction to new efforts that are combining blogging with traditional media. Global Voices is featured alongside exciting efforts like Chris Lydon's Radio Open Source and PBS's POV Borders.
Our South Asia editor Neha Viswanathan and contributor Dina Mehta are featured, talking about their work on the Southeast Asia Tsunami Help blog, and the video captures some of the spirit and excitement of our December conference in London.
For anyone interested in how media thinkers are viewing our efforts, it's worth reading reports from Noëlle McAfee and Martin Lewis offer their views as media analysts of our December conference and the possible role of Global Voices in the larger world of media and journalism.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | RSS

author: Ethan Zuckerman


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Peru, Ecuador, Venezuela, Colombia, Nicaragua, Mexico: Poll Numbers · Global Voices
David Sasaki

Punctual as always, Boz has his Friday poll numbers from across Latin America.

source: news-globalvoices

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

author: David Sasaki


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Peru: Presidential Election · Global Voices
David Sasaki

Taking a break from the usual tech focus, Patrice introduces his readers to Sunday's elections in Peru, noting that they will probably lead to a second round runoff. Peru Election 2006 links to a three page essay (pdf) by Peter DeShazo entitled, “The Lure of Populism.”


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Positive Nigeria · Global Voices
Vandu

From its warm and friendly citizens, soccer stars, its community spirit, movie industry and musical tradition, ijebuman’s diary celebrates all that is positive about Nigeria.

author: Vandu


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The blogosphere responds to Jamaica’s first woman Prime Minister · Global Voices
Georgia Popplewell

On March 30, Jamaica's first (and  the anglophone Caribbean's third, after Dominica's Eugenia Charles and Bermuda's Jennifer Smith) female Prime Minister was sworn into office. Portia Simpson-Miller is a long-standing member of Jamaica's ruling People's National Party (PNP) who won the party's internal vote to elect a successor to retiring Prime Minister P. J. Patterson.
“Sister P. is the New PNP Leader”, was the title of one of Scratchie's blog posts shortly after the election, and in early March eon posted a photo and two carefully chosen sentences: “portia will have Jamaica and the world’s attention as no other. much depends on what she does with it.”
Francis Wade, weighing in on March 11, echoed the bio published in the Jamaica Observer, which stated that Simpson-Miller “has consistently topped opinion polls as Jamaica's most beloved political personality for many years, but has had to beat back detractors inside and outside her party who claim she lacks the requisite intellectual and social credits to lead the country.” According to Francis:
She was not supposed to win, as the word on the street was that one of her opponents was desperate enough to pay party delegates J$3000 (about US$50) to vote for him. There was more word that they (the predominantly male power brokers in the party) would never let her win.
Middle and Upper class Jamaicans were embarrassed, as Portia from time-to-time will lapse in what Trinis call “green verbs” – grammatically incorrect English — and the thought of her “H””s doing a dance from one word to another in the presence of Kofi Annan, George Bush or (God forgive us) THE QUEEN.. was just unbearable to many. . .
But regardless of that (who cares about our H’s anyway given our much bigger problems…) her election has brought a whiff of possibility.
She has come from very humble beginnings, and made herself into a leader of a nation. She overcame the odds, and she is a fighter, and we Jamaicans love that.
She kisses, and hugs, and talks about love and forgiveness and God ALL the time, and we need that — according to my wife, “What Jamaica needs now is a Mummy.”
But above all else, she talks about the future, our future. And she’s doing it in way that no-one since Michael Manley of 1972 has done it, or more importantly, been heard doing it.
“In the same vein as Liberia and Chile, they have decided that ‘Since men have gotten us into this mess, let’s see if a woman can get us out of it’,” noted Mikaila, putting things into a global context over at the pan collective on the day before the election. She added:
Now, Jamaica is an interesting climate of matrifocality and chauvinism, which means that while more women than men earn the money that supports the households, most men still feel comfortable expecting their every desire and opinion to be taken as law. So, are Jamaican men scared about this shift in power? Yes… but they are more than kind of intrigued by this female politician that is known to be Bible-quoting, baby-kissing, and just the right amount of feisty. In many ways, it is her matronly persona that won over even the most sexist of men, who will always have a soft space in their heart for their mamas.
Blogging on inauguration day, Leon couldn't help but wax a bit cynical:
My father and I were watching the news last night, witnessing the plight of ordinary Jamaicans, and a cynical smirk (much like my own) appeared on his face. He then said, “All of this will be on Portia’s head. She won’t have her fine hair for much longer.” “Why is that?” I asked. “Because these problems will gray her hair”, he said. “I remember when PJ first came into power. He had a full head of black hair. Now he doesn’t have a single strand of black hair.” He then paused. “Portia’s being sworn in tomorrow”. “Yeah”, I said. “I wonder if PJ will cry like Sir Florizel did?” We both laughed at the thought. Then my father’s countenance became grim. “She thinks it’s a bed of roses. But it’s not. I wonder how she will do.” I wondered too.
Charles Matheson was more upbeat on inauguration day, writing that “Mrs. Simpson-Miller carries with her the hopes, dreams and aspirations of that sector of the Jamaican society loosely reffered to as the “have nots”, as they see in her someone who will champion their cause. She will have to deliver on the promises and commitments she made during the run-up to her election and afterwards. All we can do at this time is give her our support.”
Citizens of other Caribbean islands had their say on the Jamaican bloggers’ comments threads, and Trinidadian Francomenz devoted part of today's post to Simpson-Miller. “This is a significant achievement not simply because she is only the second female political leader in the English-speaking Caribbean . . .,” wrote Francomenz, “but because in Jamaica, testerone levels seem to run a little higher. That this island nation is now governed by a woman is a BIG deal.”
Francomenz's compatriot Christopher Yee Mon, on the other hand, was downright envious: “Jamaica has a cool Prime Minister now. I'm green with envy considering what we've got.”

author: Georgia Popplewell


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Trinidad & Tobago: Shouter Baptist Liberation Day · Global Voices
Georgia Popplewell

JT at the Caribbean Beat Weblog explains the origins of Shouter Baptist Liberation Day, which was observed yesterday in Trinidad and Tobago with a public holiday.


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Uganda: Conflict · Global Voices
Vandu

Uganda Conflict Action Network reports that the “current rate of death from the war in northern Uganda is three times higher than [that] in Iraq following the US invasion.” Facts and figures are provided to back up this claim.


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Venezuela: Op-Ed Translations · Global Voices
David Sasaki

Katy of Caracas Chronicles has translated an opinion piece, originally published in Tal Cual by Marino González, a professor at Simón Bolívar University. Venepoetics translates an op-ed, also from Tal Cual, by Oswaldo Barreto.


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Armenia: Open Border · Global Voices
Nathan Hamm

Life As I See It reports that the border between Armenia and Turkey has opened. Raffi N and Raffi K of Life in Armenia also weigh in with more.

author: Nathan Hamm


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Central Asia: OSCE Trip · Global Voices
Nathan Hamm

The OSCE recently visited all of the states of former Soviet Central Asia except for Uzbekistan, which it is snubbing and ignoring completely, says James at neweurasia.


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Iran: Democracy & Peace · Global Voices
Fred Petrossian

Alpar (Persian) talks about Dr. Mostfa Moin's, reformist presidential candidate & blogger, interview in Shargh newspaper. Dr. Moin says “democracy at home & peace in world” was more than a beautiful landscape (wishful thinking) and could have become reality. He adds he does not understand Iranian government's policy.

author: Fred Petrossian


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Kyrgyzstan: Protests · Global Voices
Nathan Hamm

The Golden Road to Samarqand posts about protests outside the White House in Bishkek demanding resignations from government officials and that a well-known criminal be allowed to run for parliament.


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Mongolia: Clean Energy · Global Voices
Nathan Hamm

Luke Distelhorst writes about increased use of clean, renewable energy in Mongolia.


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Tajikistan: Success Story? · Global Voices
Nathan Hamm

US Ambassador to Tajikistan Richard Hoagland called the country a success story recently. Alan Cordova takes a look at whether or not that is truly the case.


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The Week That Was in Bahrain · Global Voices
Amira Al Hussaini

The week ended on a sad note in Bahrain, with a tragedy for hundreds of people who have lost dear and near ones when a dhow capsized off the shores of the Kingdom on Thursday.
Stravinsky was the first to report the incident, following a tip from a friend in New Jersey, US.
Thanks to the Internet, news travels fast nowadays, making the world a much smaller place. Silly Bahraini Girl in Canada says her excitement about her trip back home for a holiday has been eclipsed by the tragedy, which she described as yet another black day for Bahrain.
Tito Kayak, writing in Blame in on Bahrain, was also in for a shock when his doorman informed him about the tragedy, after spending a wonderful evening at La Fontaine Centre for Contemporary Arts.
He sums up his thoughts here, reminding us once again how vulnerable and immune we have become overnight:
Then I came home and the night watchman asked me, “did you hear about the boat that sank?” Apparently some people did not enjoy their evening in Bahrain as I did. Really puts perspective on the world, to think that tragic things can happen only a mile or two away from other folks’ beautiful moments. I mean, I'm not just here to have a good time…but I can't blame myself for not helping, can I? Life can be pretty unforgiving sometimes, even in little Bahrain.
My heart goes out to those who lost loved ones on the ferry.
In culture and arts, Manama Republic laments the death of Arab books after visiting a book fair held in Bahrain. He takes us on a literal tour of the fair, dotting his post with an amazing insight to the fair, books and people looking for bargains.
“Another edition of the Arabic Book Fair has folded on yet another sad note of raised and failed expectations,” he writes.
“If the question was: what sort of intellectual output can we expect under conditions of economic/political/ theological failure, the answer can be easily detected at your nearest Arabic book fair. In some countries (Jordan has the only available data), people spend less on books than on kitchen matches,” he continues.
Ouch! That hurts..but so does reality which makes the heart bleed in Haitham Sabbah's report on the horrifying experiences of a Palestinian woman whose only wish in life is to go back home.
“I checked again in the Jordanian border, i took again my bags and i start to walk. I felt my bags lighters, not so heavy than before, the tears were still in my eyes, but my legs were stronger, i am stronger, they make me feel in that way, they don’t understand that every time that they refused a Palestinian at the border they recognize that the Palestinians are there, they must to use the guns to keep something that don’t belong to them, they are afraid to see us trough our eyes, that we are here, near, and always will be near, they know that Palestine Exist!” writes Samia Ali (pseudonym) about her experience.
In keeping with tradition, Mahmood Al Yousif doesn't fail us this week, bringing smiles to some faces and frowns on others following his comments on the Rain Prayer.
Chanad, on the other hand, posts something amusing this week – a story about firemen rescuing a cat which has climbed up a palm tree in Sanabis village!
In silly matters and while we are in the Animal Kingdom, who in his right mind would want to purchase Michael Jackson's  giraffes? Well, someone has to rescue them from their freaky existance in Bahrain Number One Guest's Neverland Ranch.
Last but not least, Desert Island Boy nearly got Gulf Daily News reporter Tariq Khonji killed in DC…from frost bite!!
So much for men not stooping as low and asking for directions!

author: Amira Al Hussaini


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What Salvadoran bloggers are saying — echoes of the past · Global Voices
Tim Muth

The past two weeks have seen much discussion in the Salvadoran blogosphere about crimes committed during the civil war in El Salvador which continue to have considerable impact on the society.  In particular, bloggers explored considerations of impunity and historical memory arising from the assassination of Oscar Romero and disappearances of children during the war.
The 26th anniversary of the anniversary of the assassination of archbishop Oscar Romero was March 24th.  Bloggers Hunnapuh, Jjmar, demander,  Tim, and  Rebeca
all paid homage to the martyred “voice of the voiceless.”   Just as Romero's assassination in some ways marks the beginning of the civil war in El Salvador, Aldebarán notes that March 24th also marked the 30th anniversary of the military coup in Argentina that brought in 7 years of dirty war, in which tens of thousands disappeared or were tortured by government forces.
This year's anniversary was marked by a surprise revelation — one of the Salvadoran military officers involved in the conspiracy, Alvaro Saravia, gave an interview to El Nuevo Herald asking the Catholic church for forgiveness for his role.   Saravia also disclosed that he is writing a book which will identify persons and actions involved in the assassination plot.  Blogger Soy Salvadoreño hopes that the book will help shed light on past events and strike a blow against impunity in the country.
Impunity is also at issue in the the case of the Serrano sisters as many Salvadoran bloggers point out.  In 2005 the Inter-American Court of Human Rights (IACHR) granted a judgment against El Salvador arising out of the kidnapping by government forces of two little girls, Ernestina y Erlinda Serrano, during the early years of the civil war.  The IACHR judgment required El Salvador to pay reparations to the family, to actively search for the girls and other missing children, and to have high public officials make an act of public contrition.
The time came to make the act of public apology and El Salvador's foreign minister made a public appearance at the cathedral in Chalatenango before crowds including the Serrano family.  But he did not apologize.  The foreign minister expressed only that the government of El Salvador “lamented” the things which had happened to the Serrano family.  The lack of an apology outraged the gathered crowd, as did the notable absence of Salvadoran president Tony Saca at the event.
Soy Salvadoreño goes behind last week's public event and pulls together all of the facts and testimony of the Serrano case from the proceeding before the IACHR.  In addition, he notes the tragedy that the Serrano case was not an isolated instance.  Pro-Busqueda is an organization founded by Jesuit priest Jon Cortina  dedicated to reuniting disappeared children from the civil war with their families.  Soy Salvadoreño notes that in investigating more than 700 cases of disappeared children, Pro-Busqueda uncovered the government's policy of taking children to orphanages without any attempt to reunite them with their families.  Judges would willingly declare the children abandoned, and the children put up for adoption.  More than 120 children have been located in 11 foreign countries as far away as Europe.  Soy Salvadoreño also compiles a collection of links to all the coverage that other Salvadoran bloggers have given the story over the past 18 months.
Jjmar at Hunnapuh laments that the government's failure to apologize for the Serrano case sends a message of impunity to the population.  This is seen as emblematic of a government which is unwilling to take responsibility for the acts in the past or o provide guarantees that they will not happen again.
At Enfrentamientos, Aldebarán notes that for years, Pro-Busqueda reunited disappeared children with their parents, and the country's newspapers buried the stories in their internal pages.  Yet when the government finally sets up its own commission to search for children years later (and only because the IACHR judgment required it) its first and only successful case is celebrated with front page headlines in the conservative papers.  Ligia at Que Joder also blogged about the efforts of Pro-Busqueda to gather support to pressure the government into complying with the judgment.
US-El Salvador Sister Cities reports that activists have gone on a hunger strike in Chalatenango to protest the government's failure to take responsibility and comply with the IACHR judgment.
On a contrary note, however, El Visitador adds comments on the blog of Soy Salvadoreño advancing the argument of the government and others who claim that the Serrano sisters never existed.
These spirited discussions in the blogosphere over impunity are not reflected in Salvadoran mass media.   The existence of bias in that media during coverage of the recent elections was the subject of a debate in Spanish and English the blogs of Tim and El Visitador.  Tim started the discussion with reference to a study of election coverage in El Salvador which showed that the governing ARENA party received significantly more favorable mentions in newspapers and television than did the leftist FMLN.    El Visitador countered with comments arguing that the authors of the study were prominent members of the “global left” and then continued his attacks on the study on his own blog.

author: Tim Muth


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Wives and sisters against the Chinese Communist Party’s war on free speech · Global Voices
John Kennedy

AIDS activist Hu Jia and documentarian/Beijing or Bust blogger Wu Hao were both arrested in Beijing earlier this year on charges that have yet to be specified. While Hu—who went missing on February 16th—was released last week, Global Voices Online editor Wu nears his seventh week in detention.
What's significant about both these two separate incidents is the role blogs have played. Hu's wife Zeng Jin Yan, immediately following Hu's disappearance, began using her blog—started late last year to document her husband's activism—as a means to communicate not only her feelings, but her accounts of her dealings with state authorities and media as well.
这个超级强大的“人”，具有所有的行为能力。但是，当我找到这个“人”，和她的公安局、派出所、检察院讲道理将法律的时候，当在新闻发布会或者会议上和她的总理和她的各个部门的负责人提问的时候，你猜她干嘛了？她装小孩子撒泼撒赖！她说我不知道，她说这事我管不了，她说我不清楚，她说我不……难道一个母亲把孩子弄丢了，别人问她孩子在哪里，她说不知道就可以就此完了万事ok了吗？难道她可以装做自己是一个三岁的孩子犯错了不需要负责任的孩子吗？难道她让每一个部门犯傻拒绝长大成人就可以了吗？
Other Chinese bloggers quickly took notice and as the number of links grew, so too did the number of comments left behind.
When Zeng posted last week that Hu had been released and returned home, the number of comments shot through the roof, cheers and encouragement in both Chinese and English. On March 30, Wu's sister Nina began recording her struggles in a blog of her own, with the first post congratulating Zeng on her happy news:
自从GOOGLE到“胡佳在哪里”以后，就把金燕的BLOG当成自己心灵休息驿站，有事没事会看看她的日志和随后评论，与她一起喜怒哀乐，因为我和她一样经历了亲人不见后的痛苦和迷茫。现在，胡佳回来了，我真诚为她和她的家人高兴，而我将继续寻找弟弟的历程。在朋友的支持下，我相信也会等到微笑的一天。
Translations of Nina's posts can be found here.
As can be seen, Hu has a large and vocal support base from within the Chinese blogging community, something Wu, as an English-language blogger, does not. A search of popular mainland blogs and online forums comes back empty-handed. Most bloggers have never heard of him. Even a Google search from here on the mainland on Wu's Chinese name produces an error message and renders the search engine unreachable for thirty minutes.
Could it be said that vocal international condemnation of Hu's arrest didn't ruin his chances of being released? In regards to Wu, if English-language blogs and media hadn't picked up and jumped on his story, how long would it have been before anyone outside China finally noticed? Hard to say. As solidarity between Chinese bloggers and their peers around the world grows, so, quite thankfully, does the relevancy of this question.
Comments left behind Wu's most recent post:
“This blogger is a great friend of ours.  He has mysteriously disappeared for more than 3 days now.  No body knows where he went.  There is many speculations.  One thing is for sure that he didn't leave by his own will.  Does anyone know where he could be?  Does anyone know his family members?  Can someone contact his family?  His family should definily know and make decisions on what to do. [21:26  February 26]”
“We are worried that this blogger's life could be in serious danger.  Someone who knows his family members please contact his family. Only his family members can make decisions on what to do next right now.  Please, help us find him.  help us contact his family. [21:31  February 26]”

author: John Kennedy


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Belarus: Political Jokes · Global Voices
Veronica Khokhlova

Post-Soviet bloggers continue a good old Soviet tradition of coping with reality and expressing dissent through political jokes (politicheskiye anekdoty) – seemingly innocent stuff that's not really fit to print in a repressive society and is unlikely to make it to state-owned TV in a country like Belarus. Below are some jokes (all translated from Russian) that appeared on Belarusian LiveJournals during and after last month's protests against the rigged presidential election.
LJ user vadea posts a joke about the absurd and paranoid atmosphere in Belarus:
Two KGB officers are traveling on a train and telling each other political jokes.
- Hold on a second, I'll change the tape, – says one.
– Don't bother, you can copy from mine later, – says the other.
LJ user chernidar shares a joke that used to feature former Ukrainian president Leonid Kuchma during the 2004 Orange Revolution; the recycled version is, of course, about the Belarusian president Aleksandr Lukashenko:
The president […] is walking through a forest and gets lost. He sees a boy:
- Little boy, could you show me the way out of the forest? I'm the president, I'll reward you with a Hero's medal!
– I'll ask my mama.
An hour later:
- Uncle President, and will you give me a postmortem award?
– Why postmortem?
– Because mama said that if I showed you the way, she'd kill me!
LJ user morreth posts another one on how Belarusian people feel about Lukashenko (aka known as Bat'ka, ‘father’):
One day Bat'ka is driven through a village in his limo. They run over somebody's pig. Bat'ka, an honest person, stops, gives his driver $100 and tells him to find the killed pig's owner and apologize. The driver leaves and isn't back until two hours later, dead drunk. Bat'ka yells at him: “Are you crazy?” The driver replies: “I haven't done anything wrong: I took the money, put the pig into the sack, placed it on my back, walk down the village street and yell – Dear people! I'm Lukashenko's driver and I've just killed this pig! – and suddenly they're all running towards me, with tears of happiness in their eyes, and start pouring me drinks, one after another…”
A joke about the election results, from LJ user macsim_by:
[Head of the central election commission] Yermoshina enters Lukashenko's study and says:
- Aleksandr Grigorievich, I've got two pieces of news for you, good and bad. Which one should I begin with?
– The good one.
– You've been elected president.
– Okay, and what's the bad one?
– No one has voted for you.
A joke on the violent end of the March 25 rally, from LJ user geroi:
During the demonstration that took place in Minsk, 500 women, elderly people and children have attacked and hurt 2,000 riot police with snowballs and air balloons. “We assembled for action as ordered, drew our shields close together, and attempted to gently push the protesters away with our riot batons. But they rushed at us violently, as animals, and started beating me on the helmet with flowers, on and on and on, bastards,” one of the victims said and began to cry right away.
From LJ user mirilde, a joke from the tent camp on Oktyabrskaya Square in Minsk:
Lukashenko wakes up in the morning, goes into his study and addresses his own portrait on the wall:
- So, Aleksandr Grigorievich, what are we going to do about the situation?
– Ah, nothing special: we'll just switch places with you.
– In what way?
– Very simply: I'll be taken down, and you'll be hung.
Finally, a joke about embellishments and lies broadcast by the state-controlled TV in Belarus, from LJ user kurt_bielarus:
Lukashenko has died. A devil greets him and gives him a tour of Paradise. Everything's very righteous-looking there, dignified and calm: birds are singing, flowers are blooming, various decent people are talking to each other. No zest whatsoever.
Lukashenko begins to wonder: and what is it like in Hell? The devil says, “You can see it for yourself!” and shows Hell to him. It's very lively there, beautiful young women are walking around, and life's in full swing in general. Lukashenko gets excited and cries, “I want to be in Hell!”
And finds himself in boiling water right away.
He cries to the devil: “But where is everything that I've seen – girls, fun?”
To which the devil replies, smirking: “I – just like you – have my own [Belarusian TV]!”

author: Veronica Khokhlova


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Bold Flavors of the World · Global Voices
Melissa De León

#1: From Cambodia, Phnomenon
To understand Cambodian cooking, we have to look back to explore the historical events that took place there and the cultures that influenced the building of today's gastronomical bounty.
In the 6th century, Cambodia was a kingdom with an Indian-inspired culture, situated on the delta and along the middle reaches of the Mekong river. Until 1432, Cambodia progressively expanded its borders, taking in present-day Myanmar (formerly Burma) and Vietnam, but in the 18th century the Vietnamese began to colonize the delta and this territory became a battleground between Vietnam and the former Siam. (TWWG)
Now, take a look at this peculiar Corn on the Cob with Grey Onion Sauce. Would you like to try that or not?
#2:  From Thailand & Myanmar (Burma), Real Thai
Talking about the culinary tendencies of the neighboring countries, how about learning a bit about cooking and eating in Burma and Thailand? You are going to love it, first visit here: More Myanmar.
Thai Day: Eating with the neighbors, Explore the largely unknown landscape of Burmese cuisine.
Thai Day: Chili Me Softly, Discovering the delights of Thai cuisine need not be a spicy, complicated experience.
#3: From India, Rani and Raja
Bananas over corn, or going bananas for corn? Anyways, you decide:
I was surprised to find corn used so widely in India. Barbequed corn on the cob sold on the street is a great way to warm up on a cold winter night. One of our favorite corn dishes we sampled was makki roti, a flatbread made with corn flour. Rotis are usually served with vegetable curries or meats. Makki roti is so good it is a great snack all by itself. In Ajmer we were served makki roti dipped in ghee!…
This will help you satiate your hunger for authentic Indian food: Street Food shots in Mumbai
#4: From Trinidad, Can Cook, Must Cook
You know what? How about a rabbit dinner this week? Get some Caribbean inspiration to prepare this delicacy by reading Cute, Furry and Really Tasty!
And what did I think? I absolutely loved it. The rabbit was flavourful and very tender. I was expecting it to taste quite ‘gamey’ but it wasn't.Rabbit is quite versatile, and can work in different styles of cooking quite easily. Unfortunately, rabbit isn't a meat that's commonly used in Caribbean cooking, but I think it would be great in a Trini style stew with dumplings or curried with vegetables and rice.The next time I buy one, I'll certainly be cooking it in true Caribbean style.
#5: From Singapore & Italy, Kuidaore
This is the perfect shopping and culinary vacation guide for Rome. Can't wait to follow her recommendations one by one! :)
When in Rome…11 great things to do!:
That Bacchic excess is Roman in origin comes as no surprise. For there's something about this intoxicating city that makes you want to live life larger than usual. Eat too well, drink too much, shop more than is considered prudent – all this, and more, is par for the course. For latter day sybarites with a serious addiction to luxury, there's no place like Rome.
…The list below includes highlights of my brief stay but is hardly comprehensive. It is in fact downright esoteric. Rome wasn't built in a day. Even a list of 1001 things to do would barely begin to scratch the surface, much less a random list of 11 having no theme in particular other than all subscribing to a set of personal preferences. Quite aside from leaving out the sights to see, I've also virtually weeded out all of the clotheshorse-centric details (this ostensibly being a food blog and all; although if you're into "pre-loved", vintage or re-worked vintage, Via del Governo Vecchio near Piazza Navona and Via del Boschetto in Monti district are heavenly). Also, while we inevitably didn't manage to eat at every single restaurant on our hit list, of the ones we did dine at, I've omitted mention of the meals that didn't live up to the hype or were anything short of spectacular.
#6: From Korea, Umami
Seoul: Foreign Influences?
Korea, being neighbored by two strong and forceful countries like Japan and China, is determinedly proud of its own identity and culture. What the Koreans have also done well is to assimilate the ways of its neighbours and made it their own.
This observation was exemplified by the popular snack and lunch dish of kimbap. Kimbap is rice rolled with pickles, vegetables and a protein treat like tuna or omelet and wrapped round with seaweed. Looks like maki sushi, tasted a little like sushi found in any conveyor joints around the world, but try calling it sushi or maki, and our Korean colleagues would object and insist that it is their invention.
Continue reading…
#7: From Argentina, SaltShaker
Thinking about writing an Ode to Radicchio, but your poetry talents are nearly non-existent and limited to reasonably good attempts at haiku. Why don't you cook then a Radicchio Confit?   An excerpt from the original post follows. For the complete version visit the Argentinean Radicchio Paradise!
After six hours in a slow oven the whole thing had come together beautifully. The radicchio itself has darkened without browning, and it’s taken on a certain transluscent quality from the oil it has absorbed. It’s not quite the same as meat, where the idea in slow, low heat cooking, is to dissolve the collagen that makes meat chewy, resulting in “spoon tender” meat, but it’s akin – the texture changes to one that is clearly solid, but no longer crunchy – it avoids the wilting that occurs over direct heat, and the wedges stay nicely intact. The garlic, too, has softened and poached through, and makes a nice accompaniment served along with the radicchio. I let the radicchio stay in its oil until cool, then put it in the refrigerator overnight. Obivously this is a long process, but could be speeded up to a single day – brine overnight, poach during the work day, and let steep in the oil until later in the evening when you make dinner – I doubt the flavors would be all that different.
#8: From  France, Sweden, the US,  Kalyn's Kitchen-Weekend  Herb Blogging:
How is your aromatic cooking herb's intake this week doing? No more excuses! Take a look at these fragrantly revealing exponents of Kalyn's signature weekly event:
Okra, by Flavors (Arizona, US)
Parsley, by Garlic Breath (France)
Chervil soup with crayfish tails, by Kuchenlatein (Germany)
#9: From Estonia & Scotland, Nami-Nami
Cooking Estonian: Barley Mousse:
Need an unusual dessert for a weekday night? Have no money and need something cheap to satisfy your hungry sweet tooth? This dessert should do the trick then. All you need is some barley flour and sugar in your cupboard, fresh milk in your fridge and some of that redcurrant juice you made from last summer's berries in your chiller cabinet. Failing that, a shop-bought cranberry juice will do.
#10: From Peru, Peru Food
I know you have been thinking about visiting Peru.  That being said, how about exploring the delicious food you could enjoy there: Mega Post on Restaurants in Peru!
See you next weekend!

author: Melissa De León


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Echoes from the Tunisian Blogosphere · Global Voices
Mohamed Marwen Meddah

Mochekes (FR), MMM, Tom (FR), Kaaboura and Adib (FR) write about Dubai's TECOM winning the bid for a 35% stake of Tunisie Telecom, the monopoly fixed-line operator in Tunisia which is also estimated to control 72% of the country’s mobile market.
They hope this will bring about a change to the better inside the company and when it comes to the quality of its services.
Zizou (FR) writes about how a 1997 survey between 500 Tunisian women showed that 33,8% of them were victims of violence at home. He wonders if all women know what to do in cases like this and if everything possible is done to help them. He mentions a number of women organisations in Tunisia, and he states that the position the Tunisian woman is in today is the best in the Arab and Muslim world, but that the fight continues.
Nawarat (FR) talks about shopping in Tunisia and how bad it is, how you're limited to either having to buy mediocre quality clothes at cheap prices that everyone is wearing, or buying clothes you really like at madly expensive prices.
One of the writers at KEN (Khadra Environmental News) writes about how they will start using a Tunisian basket while shopping in Montreal to try to cut down on the use of all the plastic bags and packaging. They think that the Tunisian basket is definitely one of the most ecological means to carry groceries. Not only because it is made of natural products, it's also reusable, and it reflects a Tunisian know-how.
They invite all Tunisians living in Tunisia and abroad, as well as non-Tunisians, to get a basket for their shopping.
Karim provides a coverage of the 5 days of the Mediterranean Guitar Festival that was held in downtown Tunis last week. (Days: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5)
ImperatorKing asks about the necessity and pertinence of having blogger meetups. He wonders if certain groups are being created between the Tunisian bloggers because of the meetups. He also raises the issue of some people being afraid to let go of their privacy and anonymosity to take the step towards meeting these people they don't know in the real world.
Swobodin writes about the name of Africa, which comes from Ifriqia, the old name of Tunisia, which also means ‘The Seperator’. He states that even the Romans used to call Tunisia ‘Africa’ and goes on to explain where the name came from.
MMM writes about blogs being a means of social networking and how many interesting people he got to meet both offline and online because of blogging.

author: Mohamed Marwen Meddah


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Egypt: Wafd and Mubarak · Global Voices
Haitham Sabbah

Yesterday, Elijah was inside the Wafd Party headquarters as rival factions clashed there and 23 journalists, lawyers, and party employees were injured during clashes with supporters of Noman Gomaa. Elijah uploaded few photos which shows the clashes. A few days ago, Elijah also blogged about Gamal Mubarak's first live TV interview and the prospects for succession, eventually proposing Baheyya for president.

author: Haitham Sabbah


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About his father · Global Voices
Connie Veneracion

Rambling Librarian knew that his father once played for the Singapore national basketball team. He did not know, nor did he ask for, the details, not being particularly close to his father. Then he had an opportunity to write for Yesterday.Sg, a Singapore heritage group blog, and decided to interview his father. That was when he found out that not only did his father play basketball well–his father is an important part in Singapore's amateur basketball history.

author: Connie Veneracion


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Afghan Whispers: Apostasy · Global Voices
Fred Petrossian

We all heard  about Abdul Rahman, the Afghan who converted to Christianity, went to prison, and finally find refuge in Italy. Now let's look what Afghan bloggers say about it:
Afghan Lord talks about Abdul Rahman's background. He says:
“Abdul Rahman lived for a long time in Pakistan and was known in the past as a fundamentalist. He had worked for Mudjaheedin and had fought against the Soviet Union….This makes clear for people that he was an active member of Jamiat Islami party which was lead by Ahmadshah Masood, a warlord (The warlord who destroyed the Kabul city vastly). Assassinated by a suspected terrorist just a week before September 11, 2001. In recent years Abdul Rahman was living in Germany, but was deported last year after his asylum seeking was rejected. Abdul Rahman went out of the country but now caused a big tension in the country which can not be stopped soon very easily.”
Safrang , a US-based Afghan blogger, talks about his talk with Guantamo's former Moslem Chaplain, Mr. James Yee, and asked him about apostasy in Islam. According to Chaplain:
“In the early days of Islam, when apostasy was made a crime punishable by death, it was not simply to execute those who abandoned Islam for their change of belief.”
The blogger continues, saying about the historical reasons for apostasy being a crime,
This is the sort of thing that I have not often read in the news in relation to the apostasy case in Afghanistan. This is the sort of thing that people in the West have to pay attention to as much as the clerics and judges ruling on this case.


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Algeria: Qaradawi in Tizi-Ouzou · Global Voices
Haitham Sabbah

The Egyptian immam Sheikh Yousef al-Qaradawi made an appearence in Tizi-Ouzou, Kabylia, Algeria. Qaradawi, who has a television show on Al-Jazeera and founded IslamOnline. According to Nouri Lumendifi, he was glad to be there. But he was not able to spout his usual rhetoric, because Algeria has laws against publicly supporting violence and/or terrorisms, Nouri said.


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Armenia: Notes from the Armenian Blogosphere · Global Voices
Nathan Hamm

Onnik Krikorian's Oneworld Multimedia has a roundup of the Armenian blogosphere.


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Barbados: Newspaper lifts story from bog · Global Voices
Georgia Popplewell

The Nation newspaper lifts a story from Barbados Free Press blog and turns it into an item in the gossip column. “This is serious journalism by the largest newspaper in Barbados? . . . ,” asks Barbados Free Press. “Does The Nation Newspaper fear the government so much that no journalist has the courage to ask just how much Richild Springer has been paid over the last five years and for what?”


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Belarus: Election Observer Intimidated Into Not Reporting Fraud · Global Voices
Veronica Khokhlova

Tobias Ljungvall summarizes the events of the past week in Belarus and reports on how intimidation was used against a foreign election observer: “It happened on 19 March late at night in a territorial election commission, i.e. the mid-level vote tabulation instance. A woman from another country, serving as an official election observer for the OSCE, saw some election fraud much more clearly than was intended for her. She was told that if she wanted to return safely to her home country she should not report this. And she did not.”


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Belarus: Union With Russia Day · Global Voices
Veronica Khokhlova

TOL's Belarus Blog posts a note on the meaning of April 2 – the “Day of Belarus-Russia Unity – for Belarus and its people.


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Chad: Rebel army · Global Voices
Sokari Ekine

Sudan Watch  asks  some questions on the  Chadian rebel army known as “United Front for Change“. Who are they? Who funds them? According to an article in the Sudan Tribune the leader claimed “”I am a soldier. We are currently being forced to do it by the arms and we will then hold a national forum which will bring together all Chadians who will then decide on Chad's political future and we, soldiers, will return to our barracks”

author: Sokari Ekine


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China: Celebrity blogs · Global Voices
John Kennedy

Massage Milk‘s Wang Xiaofeng declares major Chinese portal website Sina.com‘s celebrity blogs a fad of the past and tells us why it was only just a matter of time. [zh]


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China: Corporate art · Global Voices
John Kennedy

Supernaut hopes to be back in time for Guangzhou-based artist Cao Fei's “What are they doing here” show—sponsored by the Siemens arts program—in which the corporation's employees’ hopes, dreams, anxieties and expectations are visualized through light installations, a studio performance and a video.
“In this work,” says the press release, “Cao Fei focuses on the value and identity of the human being in a huge production system, and thereby shows how art can turn a production system that exists in the real world into ‘theater.’ At the same time, the project tries to explain how increasing globalization is affecting the Pearl River Delta, as well as the whole of Chinese society.”


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China: Media laws · Global Voices
John Kennedy

Chen Yongmiao on his Constitution Blog gives mention to an open letter signed by more than two dozen Chinese websites calling for (podcast) China's National People's Congress to examine and abolish the country's provision on internet news and information management, which requires all media to have at least ten million renminbi in startup funds. [zh]


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China: Public art · Global Voices
John Kennedy

Imagethief wraps up a busy weekend of blogging with photos of public art from two of China's largest cities, including some interesting interpretations.


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Desperation · Global Voices
Connie Veneracion

KI Media in Cambodia has an English translation of a news story about an 18-year-old woman who jumped off a bridge in a suicide attempt. Rescued by fishermen, the young woman told the police “she did not want to live because she has no job, no money, and nothing to eat.”


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DRC: Vulnerable forests · Global Voices
Sokari Ekine

Kim Gjerstad in Congo posts on the vulnerability of the DRC's forests…”One unnoticed natural resource is the forest. An area the size of France is harvestable, and within it, some of the most luxurious woods in the trade are found. It is both a great economical opportunity but also a potential environmental disaster. Keep in mind, the DR Congo has the biggest chunk of the world’s second largest lung, after the Amazon.”


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Ecuablogs and El Telégrafo · Global Voices
David Sasaki

Interactions between the blogosphere and mainstream media typically involve skepticism, lack of credibility finger-pointing, and holier-than-thou condescension. The print media hold no viable future, bloggers contend, while full-time journalists argue that bloggers aren't equipped or sufficiently trained to report the day's news. One new initiative in Ecuador, however, reveals a mutually beneficial collaboration between the country's bloggers and its oldest daily, El Telégrafo. The newspaper is courting the active blogging community to fill a page of its weekly supplement with what they consider their best content. The proposal gives bloggers a chance to reach new readers that, perhaps, don't yet have an internet connection and also gives young, web-savvy readers a reason to buy and promote the paper.
Rafael Méndez Meneses from Naranjal, Ecuador excitedly announces on his blog, “Ecuablogs and El Telégrafo get married! (figuratively speaking).”
Mejor no pregunten cuál es la novia y cuál es el macho. ¡Ecuablogs y El Telégrafo se casan! (en sentido figurado) Los duros de Ecuablogs (y yo) acabamos de llegar de una entrevista con la gente de Diario El Telégrafo. Resulta que han ofrecido a Ecuablogs.com la oportunidad de utilizar una página, mínimo cada semana, para publicar posts y temas relacionados con el asunto blogs.
Como muestra de su buena voluntad, invitaron las pizzas, ofrecieron su terraza para un blogs&beers o happening, propusieron la creación de un Consejo Editorial Virtual (o digital, según mi nada humilde criterio) para que participemos en las reuniones con el Consejo Editorial “de a de veras” en encuentros y otras reuniones; y hasta nos dieron pases de cortesía para entrar con barra libre a un lugar en la zona regenerada (es de los que no fueron clausurados, eso nos lo rejuraron). Sólo les faltó ofrecernos un par de secretarias (buenas) para que nos den uvitas en la boca mientras estamos posteando… y bueno, un jugoso contrato.
Las condiciones son:
que escribamos tal como escribimos en el blog (nada de acartonarse)
libertad total (el Director dijo que si es necesario cuestionar al periódico, lo hagamos con confianza)
llenar la página a como de lugar (si no queda otra, hasta yo puedo aportar con algo)
tener continuidad (si vamos a responsabilizarnos por llenar una página dos veces por semana, tenemos que cumplir)
que ayudemos a promover al Decano de la Prensa Nacional (no me refiero a La Noticia)
Showing their goodwill, they treated us to pizzas, offered their terrace for a blogs & beers reunion, proposed a Virtual Editorial Council (or “Digital” according to my not so humble criteria) so that we can truly participate in the Editorial Council in meetings and other reunions, and they even gave us courtesy passes to an open bar. The only thing left is for them to offer us a couple (attractive) secretaries to feed us grapes while we are posting … and, sure, a lucrative contract.
The conditions are:
Guillermo Sornoza adds to Méndez Meneses’ initial announcement:
Actualmente Diario El Telégrafo recibe escritos de bloggers ecuatorianos, y los publica –por ahora uno a la semana- en la revista dominical “Semana Gráfica”, en una sección que han llamado “Blog de Papel”. Si desean ustedes también pueden participar de dicha iniciativa.
La idea ahora es ampliar aún más la sección bloguera del diario, y llegar a completar enteramente una página de dicha revista semanal. Adicionalmente formar un consejo editorial digital, con blogueros, que pueda acceder a información de primera mano, así como invitaciones a simposios, entrevistas a personajes públicos y debates sobre temas que se consideren necesarios. Como nos decía el Director, Carlos Navarrete: hacer que el diario plasme lo que la gente quiere se discuta.
¿Deseas colaborar? Toda ayuda es bienvenida. Y la vamos a necesitar.
Now the idea is to extend the blogger section of the newspaper even more, to start filling out a complete page of the weekly magazine. Additionally we want to form a digital editorial council, with bloggers, that can decide on information first hand, like invitations to symposiums, interviews with public figures and debates on subjects that are considered necessary. As the director, Carlos Navarrete told us: make the newspaper shape to what people want discussed.
Do you want to take part? All help is welcome. And we are going to need it.
Of course, Ecuablogs.com also posted the announcement, which drew a number of comments from the community, most of them focused on what can be published and what cannot.
|_Bonny_| dice:
Interesante. Pero supongo que deben haber algunas restricciones. Por ejemplo: no creo que a los lectores del telegrafo les guste mis articulos de vampiros. O que una historia tenga contenido sexual, politico o religioso… No se, deben haber algunas restricciones con respecto al articulo..
Juan Xavier Larrea dice:
Lo que dice Bonny es cierto. Existen restricciones sobre lo que va a publicar El Telegrafo. Creo que deberían ser claros sobre que tópicos serán considerados a publicarse para que alguien con la mejor de las intenciones no pierda su tiempo en un artículo que jamas llegará a imprimirse.


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Ethiopia: Why TED said no to Bono · Global Voices
Sokari Ekine

Ethiopundit comments on “Why TED said no to Bono” who had requested that every hospital in Ethiopia be connected to the internet.  EP does a brief roundup of various comments from other bloggers on the subject.


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Grenada, Jamaica: Passa Passa · Global Voices
Georgia Popplewell

Yamfoot, a Jamaican living in Grenada, comments on the “passa passa” dances which have made their way from Jamaica to Grenada and which apparently involve lewd behavior on the part of young women. “Well, this didn't sit quite well with the government,” writes Yamfoot. “The Minister of Education came out and spoke against it, so did another minister. Then hear this….they say they are going to call these young women in to let them know there are alternative ways of self expression. . . . Now of course, in Jamaica, you think any Minister of Education could say they going to talk to ‘dancehall queen’ types????”


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Guyana: Happy Birthday, Black on Magenta! · Global Voices
Georgia Popplewell

Nicholas Laughlin at the Caribbean Beat weblog links to a Stabroek News article which commemorates the famous British Guiana 1856 one-cent Black on Magenta postage stamp — “once known as the world's most valuable stamp” — as it celebrates is 150th birthday.


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Guyana: Movie review in Creolese · Global Voices
Georgia Popplewell

Itchy-footed Guyana-gyal reviews an Austrian film — in Creolese, no less: “Man, when I tell you some parts o’ Europe poor, believe me, they raggedy poor. And you should see Croatia after the war. Tragic.”


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Haiti: Daylight saving time · Global Voices
Georgia Popplewell

"We have now joined our friends and family in the Central Time Zone," write Troy & Tara & Tribe, US missionaries based in La Digue, Haiti, thinking that Haiti does not observe Daylight Saving Time. Then "a teacher in Port-au-Prince" e-mails, informing them that they'd better turn their clocks forward. "No one in LaDigue seems to think we are springing forward. . . .," says Troy & Tara & Tribe. "No one knows what time it is, and no one cares. So Haitian. We are off to church soon, not sure when it starts, not sure what time it is now. As soon as we hear the singing we'll know it is time."


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Haiti: La Suisse · Global Voices
Georgia Popplewell

Baturrico (es) posts some lovely photos the La Suisse region of Haiti, “one of the places with the most character in all of Haiti's northern department”.


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Hong Kong: Film festival · Global Voices
John Kennedy

sevenyearsinchina's Han Girl bids good farewell to the recent Rugby Sevens tournament held on Hong Kong island and welcomes the Hong Kong International Film Festival, which begins tomorrow.
“Today I picked up a leaflet of a play called ‘ 1587 A year of no significance – a complete record of the failure of China’. The title sounds very interesting. Sometimes I wonder what the causes of failure of China have been,” Han Girl writes.


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Hong Kong: HSBC birthday · Global Voices
John Kennedy

Dave and Stefan from Walk the Talk commemorate the Hong Kong and Shanghai Banking Corporation's 141st birthday with an original biography of its founder, Sir Thomas Sutherland.
“On a trip back to Hong Kong on a steamer, the Scotsman was reading the colonial Blackwood's magazine. He read some articles about banking that made him think that it was be ‘rather simple’ to found a bank based on what he called ‘Scottish principles’ – thrift, hard-work and a canny eye for business and investment.”


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Hungary: Blogging Cop Missing · Global Voices
Veronica Khokhlova

Henrik of Hungarian Accent reports on a possible case of censorship directed at a blogger – a policeman-blogger. Paul at Further Ramblings of a N.Irish Magyar writes on the sometimes dangerous conditions in which Hungarian bloggers work.


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India: Bribe list for a corrupt city · Global Voices
Neha Viswanathan

When corruption reaches new heights, bloggers create a blog that “Will be trying to create a database for bribe rates for the help of all the delhi-ites. SO next time you go for a job you know before hand how much to expect to bribe.” One of the features is on getting a driving license.

author: Neha Viswanathan


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India, Pakistan: Killing the Wiki · Global Voices
Neha Viswanathan

The impact of Indo-Pak rivalry spills onto the wikipedia says Pickled Politics. “Brainwashed to their respective (distorted) versions of history, Indian and Pakistani nationalists are busy slugging it out over the Wiki world. In the on-going battle for ideological supremacy, the quality of many articles (Panipat, Kashmir, Terrorism in Kashmir, Urdu, Shah Jahan and Kargil War) has suffered.”


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India: The Flyover Issue · Global Voices
Neha Viswanathan

What kind of issues take up space in the Mainstream Media. Even within the broader scope of infrastructure, does the media favour issues that impact a small privileged minority more? Death Ends Fun on the flyover in Mumbai that has ruffled quite a few feathers.


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Iran: Asscoiated Press Article · Global Voices
Fred Petrossian

Lara Sukhtian, Associated Press journalist, has written an article about Iranian blogs & bloggers: “Iran hard line regime cracks down on blogs.”


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Iraq: Al-Qaida Replace Al-Zarqawi · Global Voices
Haitham Sabbah

Al-Qaida Headquarters had ordered the replacement of its Iraq regional leader, Abu Musaab Al-Zarqawi. Fayyad from Kabobfest  commenting on the news said: “If the news are proven true, it is may be the first piece of evidence confirming that Zarqawi is not a fictional character created by the US occupation to demonize Iraq and Iraqis through their personification into a villain.”


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Jamaica, Trinidad: The creative class · Global Voices
Georgia Popplewell

Trinidad is more hospitable to its “creative class” than Jamaica, writes Francis Wade.


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Japan: Better economy · Global Voices
John Kennedy

Lee at the Tokyo Times blog looks first to the Nikkei Index's highest close in five years, then to Japanese golf club membership fees as a sign of the country's recovering economy.
“Mirroring the rise of land prices,” Lee writes, “the average membership cost of around 300 courses in the east of the country used to be 2.7 million yen (13,000 pound), but since November that has jumped considerably to a rather more hefty 3.5 million (17,000 pound).”


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Kenya: Eco sandals · Global Voices
Sokari Ekine

White African explains how to make sandals out of tires and points to a non profit organisation that makes eco sandals in Kenya called – well “Eco Sandals”.


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Latin America, Iraq: Bagdad en Llamas · Global Voices
David Sasaki

Bagdad en Llamas is a blog of Spanish translations of every single post from Riverbend's original, English-language Baghdad Burning, which was recently listed as a finalist for the Samuel Johnson Prize for Non-Fiction.


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Living in the karaoke era · Global Voices
Connie Veneracion

Karaoke singing is so popular in the Philippines it is almost like a national sport. It's fun if you're doing the singing but Noisy, Noisy Man didn't enjoy it one bit when his neighbors held a karaoke party, with booze, until 3.00 a.m.


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Mexico: Official Blog of Google México · Global Voices
David Sasaki

Eduardo Arcos links to (ES) the newly created official blog of Google México (ES).


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Nigeria: Pains and gains of Obasjano · Global Voices
Sokari Ekine

Agodi News lists via a graph “the pains and gains of Obasanjo's regime over the past 6-7 years he is in office.”…..gains – more mobile phones, increase in literacy….losses – increase in number of poor and unemployed, increase in cost of living.


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Nigerian Diaspora: Condoleezza Rice · Global Voices
Sokari Ekine

Soul on Ice comments on the recent visit of Condoleezza Rice to the UK… on dress codes? “How can a black person style like that? isnt she a testament to how far black people have come? doesn't this woman remember her history? Can't she see the bushite of the administration.”


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No podcasts in Singapore elections? · Global Voices
Connie Veneracion

Asiapundit quotes Singapore Ink‘s post based on a Channel News Asia story that political candidates cannot use podcasting in their campaigns. Photos of the candidates, party histories and manifestos are the only permissible forms of political advertising on the internet.


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Pakistan: World Social Forum · Global Voices
Neha Viswanathan

Raheel attends the World Social Forum in Karachi and has updates. “Nonetheless, WSF was a great learning and interactive experiences where I made some new friends and atleast interacted with people from such diversed cultures and classes. Indian, Srilankan, Chinese, Malaysian, Japanese, Phillipinese and Australian people were very nice and courteous.”


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Peru: Churchless Sunday · Global Voices
David Sasaki

Patrice explains why church services will be outlawed this Sunday in Peru.


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Poland: Concentration Camps In Poland · Global Voices
Veronica Khokhlova

The beatroot writes about an unfortunate tendency to call Nazi German death camps in Poland “Polish concentration camps.”


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Qatar: Al-Jazeera Sports Plus poised to enter Guinness Book of Records · Global Voices
Haitham Sabbah

According to Friends of AlJazeera Blog, Qatari TV channel Al Jazeera’s sports channel Al Jazeera Sports Plus is poised to get an entry into the Guinness Book of Records as the “fastest growing pay TV channel” in the world, it is reliably learnt. According to sources in the media industry, Al Jazeera Sports Plus which was launched in August 2005 has already reached a subscriber base of 800,000 and it is expected to touch the one million mark by the end of May 2006.


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Sri Lanka: Trolls everywhere · Global Voices
Neha Viswanathan

London, Lanka and Drums reflects “On trolling and what makes a good blog“.


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Thailand parliamentary election news · Global Voices
Connie Veneracion

Parliamentary elections in Thailand are unique. Bangkok Pundit cites section 74 of the election law that says there is no such thing a a sure win for an unopposed candidate–he must get at least 20% of all eligible votes. Voters who want him to lose can cast a “No” vote instead. There are some voters, however, who exercise their right to vote differently. Some write messages like “Thaksin get out” on their ballots. A political science lecturer opted to tear up his ballot in front of the TV cameras. Newshound in BKK has a photo and a write-up on the latter.


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The African women’s blogsphere this week · Global Voices
Nish Matenjwa

Virtual cartwheels are perhaps our only last recourse as apparently African women are (still) invisible.
Black Looks writes about an recent article in the Guardian where  the founder of the Carnival of Feminists  cannot find our blogs. In a post entitled Aint I a Woman???, Black Looks says:
That's odd because  I have been published on the carnival at least once; Black Looks is listed on Feministing and other blogs that go under the label of “feminist” – I am no longer sure what exactly that means and those who carry the label need to give it some reflection; there is a comprehensive list of African women bloggers on my blog roll – not exactly hard to find; a simple technorati or google blog search will come up with African women's blogs as will Global Voices Online – every week…
Over the past week, African women, visible or not, have been writing about a wide and varied list of issues that range from the impossible dream of a paperless office to the need for equal representation in government.
Uaridi  calls upon her own personal experience to ask ’what price beauty’ for women who wear high heels and links the pain endured to the long outlawed Chinese foot binding ritual. She writes:
What prize beauty if after 30 or so years of wearing high heels, you have chronic back pain, calluses, heel pain, bunions, hammertoes, ingrown toenails and you can never wear low heels because your feet and legs conform to the shape of high heels. I personally know 2 women who can no longer wear flat shoes! Is this beauty or torture?
Some sections are in French and English, however, Fleur is pleased to learn that a wikipedia exists in Lingala – a language spoken in the Congo and provides various links for people interested in learning the language.
Although she says  ’we would only see a partial eclipse here in Lagos’, Ore goes all poetic after the recent eclipse and writes:
I saw something of the eclipse. I was tripped by how dark it got and when I saw the moon partially cover the sun, I was awed beyond belief. How I would have loved to have been in the path of the total eclipse.
Black Looks has just returned from the 26th International Gay & Lesbian Association  where discussions and workshops were held around lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender issues. Africa was represented by activists from South Africa, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Uganda, Rwanda, Nigeria and Tunisia. The two issues that most concerned the Africa group were the homosexuality trials in Cameroon and the case of the proposed legislation to ban advocay and support of LGBT rights in Nigeria.
Demonstrating the possibility that a a paperless office is probably an unattainable dream, Pilgrimage to self counts the 12 pieces of paper generated by a fairly simple transaction – one claim.
To ensure representation in parliament, women should ‘start believing and voting for their own’ Kamundulio writes. ’The fewer women are in government the fewer issues that concern us will be taken seriously’ she continues and also says ‘Women voters need to understand that women can make good leaders if given a chance.’
Afromusing who is soon becoming the Kenyan bloggers ‘environmental issues’ guru has posted information on  how to set up your own solar water pump from a shallow spring. This system, which looks easy enough to set up, requires no batteries.
Feminist African Sister comments on a recent dance in Nairobi celebrating International Women's Day..She questioned the style of dancing which had young girls “ gyrating in an extremely and highly sexualised manner”.  She wonders
To what extent should the feminist movement especially that populated by younger women, embrace and give space to these sort of expressions – be they art, dance or written word? For example, should the word bitch have any place in our spaces, considering its use in media and society to demean, belittle, abuse and disempower women and girls?

author: Nish Matenjwa


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Trinidad & Tobago, Liberia: Taylor’s Trinidadian links · Global Voices
Georgia Popplewell

Caribbean Free Radio contemplates former Liberian President and accused war criminal Charles Taylor's Trinidadian links.


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Trinidad & Tobago: Two rants · Global Voices
Georgia Popplewell

“It seems to me that rather than trying to use their money to invest in Trinidadian youth, the moneyed elite instead just use it to protect themselves,” writes Club Soda and Salt, responding to the latest cry for more licensed firearms from the Chamber of Commerce. And Francomenz recounts a few of the ills plaguing the Queen's Park Savannah, the “heart and soul” of Port of Spain, Trinidad.


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Ukraine: Yulia Tymoshenko’s Campaign Posters · Global Voices
Veronica Khokhlova

Vilhelm Konnander reviews the results of the Ukrainian parliamentary election and admires Yulia Tymoshenko's campaign posters.


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United Arab Emirates: DUBAI’D · Global Voices
Haitham Sabbah

“DUBAI'D”
To be used in the context of:
“Sami Merhi was “Dubai'd”–that's when you are demonized by unfounded allegations spread by opponents seeking political advantage and then dumped by so-called friends who fear defending you. It is a kind of political terrorism that mixes fear, character assassination, and crass politics,” Axonsax said.


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Venezuela, Brazil: “A tale of two scandals” · Global Voices
David Sasaki

Francisco draws a comparison between a recent bribery scandal in Brazil that was caught on video with another one in Venezuela of which there is also allegedly incriminating video.


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Venezuela: Podcast with Visiting U.S. Professor · Global Voices
David Sasaki

“Bicyclemark” talks with his former professor, Steve Shalom about Shalom's recent 10 day trip to Venezuela.


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Voices from Zimbabwe and the Great Lakes · Global Voices
Zimpundit

After long silence Manulite is back blogging again!  In his very first post, Manu recounts having a bad day,
There are times when you think you are having a very, very bad day. Then there are times when bad days are in season. Of course bad days can be a result of a number of various causes. For example schools are closing in a few days time. That's an obvious bad day coming your way right there, because it means in a month's time you need school fees. So though Easter is somewhere in-between schools’ closing and opening, it simply does not exist. The best use for the Easter holiday is to go kumusha and basically terrorise the rural folks so that they give you a bucket full of maize, some manhanga and nyimo and a bit of peanuts. (Umm…, peanuts as in peanuts, not the peanuts you get at the end of every month.)
Mugabe Makaipa reposts a recent article decrying the sad reality that 20 babies are dumped in Zimbabwe each week as many disenfranchised women recoil from the burdens of child raising in a decrepit economy.
Meanwhile Zimpundit has been following events surrounding the death of Mugabe's former top bodyguard Winston Changara.    The last year of this man's life was turbulent; he was demoted from his position, accused of sexual advances towards the second first lady, he accused the first lady of infidelity, and was reinstated to his post two months ago.  It's even more curious that the government prohibited Changara's family from discovering the real cause of bodyguards death.  They supposedly prevented a post mortem by rushing hero status on Changara which gave the state control of his buriel.  He buried on Friday.  Follow the saga here.
Accoustic Motorbike has a bone to pick with Ken Mufuka a U.S. based historian, philanthropist, and author.  In the post, which was also published as a letter Zimbabwe's leading business weekly, Accoustic Motorbike takes on Mufuka's recent chauvinistic sentiments.
Agathon Rwasa continues to chronicle attempts by Agathon Rwasa, a war crimes suspect who has been evading trial in Burundi.  The latest installments included exhortations for the Tanzanian government to hand Rwasa over for trial and a statement against the ammenesty for murderers.
Carl of Because we're here boy a pilot in the D.R.C blogs about tension in the town of Basankusu.  He attributes the tension tothe fact that the town is controlled by a rebel group that was incorporated into the government after the war so there still might be some distrust.
007 in Africa blogs about sewer systems that were installed a long time ago.  She notes that they can be sources of both discomfort and entertainment as is the case in this post where she recounts how a friend was delayed by a driver who stopped to gawk at a body being retrieved from a sewer pond.
Ingrid at Congowatch blames Africa's leaders for creating internal refugees across the continent.
Congogirl chronicles circumstances that led to the postponement of elections.
Finally, Sahara Sarah responds to stinging criticizm of not-for-profits by several articles in a recent edition of The Economis magazine.
Uganda has a vibrant and intellectual blogosphere too. Here are some of Uganda's bloggers;
-Enock Mayanja Kiyaga is a journalist pursuing a master's degree.  He blogs at Enockopenminded.
-Jay of Jay's Idle Notes blogs from Kampala
-Ernest Bazanye is another Kampala based blogger.
Stop by and checkout the latest from Uganda

author: Zimpundit


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Afghanistan: Abdul Rahman · Global Voices
Nathan Hamm

Afghan Warrior writes about Abdul Rahman, the Afghan who converted to Christianity, saying that Afghanistan should be allowed to enforce its laws.


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Argentina, Cuba, Peru: China and Latin America · Global Voices
David Sasaki

Boz criticizes the special coverage by the BBC, arguing that they are “falling into the usual memes about Latin America,” including a biased view of Latin Americans’ reactions to increasing Chinese influence. Investment Opportunities in Argentina believes that China will soon invest heavily in Argentina. Georgina, writing from Havana, says (ES) that China is selling locomotives to Cuba while Havana Journal writes about the 300,000 refrigerators being shipped over by the Chinese company, Haier of eastern Shandong province. Finally, Perú Político says (ES) that Peruvian textile manufacturing cannot keep pace with China's low wages.

author: David Sasaki


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Armenia: April Fools · Global Voices
Nathan Hamm

Zarchka writes that Armenia has a long way to go before April Fools’ Day is celebrated as widely as it should be. (Though, stepping out of the impersonal voice, I should say that they did well enough to trick me.)


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Armenia: Buying a Home · Global Voices
Nathan Hamm

Christian Garbis writes about the difficulties involved in buying a home in Yerevan.


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Asking the Blogosphere:  Is the media telling the real story on Iraq? · Global Voices
Rebecca MacKinnon

Is the media telling the truth about Iraq? Do you have an opinion on this issue? How does the nature, quality, and content of media coverage of the Iraq war ultimately impact the lives of people in Iraq, the Middle East and around the planet?
In your country, how does the media’s Iraq coverage rate? Fair and balanced? Biased? Which way?  How about bloggers’ reporting and discussion of the issue? Have blogs helped clarify things or added to the confusion? We want to bring the opinions of the world’s bloggers on this issue directly into the debate.  Please join us for a live discussion on Wednesday at 22:00–24:00 GMT (6–8pm EDT).
Here’s the plan: Reuters will be hosting a panel discussion which will be videocast and audio cast via this link: http://reuters.com/IraqNewsmakers.
Several members of the Global Voices community will be live-blogging the event: Middle East/North Africa Editor Haitham Sabbah, Iraq contributor Salam Adil, Iraqi-Australian blogger who now lives in the U.S., Fayrouz Hancock, Omar of Iraq the Model blogging from Baghdad, and Iraqi blogger Raed Jarrar (who will be present in the room in New York).
Panelists in the room will include CBS’s Lara Logan, independent Iraqi photo journalist Ghaith Abdul-Ahad, Reuters’ Iraq Bureau Chief Alastair MacDonald, Lt. Col. Steven Boylan, Chief of Strategic Communication, Combined Arms Center, U.S. Army, and others.
We will have a live IRC chat which you can join (via the link above or on Freenode at #globalvoices. Read here for more instructions for getting on IRC, or you can use the client on the Reuters event site.). I will be present in the room as “IRC ambassador,” representing your questions and comments in the room and making sure that the panelists address as many as possible.
If you have views in advance, you can start sharing them now in several ways:
- Write a comment on this post.
- Write your views on your own blog and trackback to this post.
- When you find blog posts and articles related to this issue that you want to share please tag them “gv-iraq” in Technorati or del.icio.us.
Feel free to tag your own posts that way too so we can find them easily and re-blog them for the world to see.
More links and background:
The ongoing debate about media coverage of Iraq has flared up again recently in the U.S. Last month Washington Post media critic Howard Kurtz asked: Have the media declared war on the war?  Others think the Bush Administration has declared war on the media.  Lara Logan of CBS recently did an interview on CNN in which she responded to critics who think she and her fellow journalists covering Iraq are biased against U.S. efforts there. Her response angered supporters of the U.S. Iraq policy. (Click here to watch the video clip on YouTube.)  The experience of kidnapped journalist Jill Caroll also highlights the risks journalists face in covering Iraq.
In the U.S., the right-wing thinks the U.S. media is biased against the war, and the left-wing thinks the U.S. media was too unthinkingly supportive of the war. There is a real question about whether the war would have happened or unfolded differently if the press had reported different facts. In 2003 a study by the Program on International Policy Attitudes found that an American person’s support for the war had a strong correlation to what media organizations they relied on for their news. After the war started, analysts point out that depending on whether you were American, European, or Middle Eastern, you got a very different view of the war through your media.
Some U.S. media organizations have concluded that their prewar coverage may not have been vigorous enough. The New York Times said in its mea culpa of May 2004: “we have found a number of instances of coverage that was not as rigorous as it should have been.” Such conclusions are unacceptable to those who think the Times was too biased against the war in the first place.
We’d really like to bring your opinions on these issues to a global audience beyond normal blog-readers through this online and offline forum. If you aren’t available to participate in the live online discussion on Wednesday, don’t worry. The Reuters web team will archive the video and make shorter highlights and quotes available as well. We’re also hoping to have a transcript of the IRC discussion. We will summarize, quote, and link to your reactions and opinions here on Global Voices in the days following the event. We’re looking forward to some lively comments threads and trackbacks!
FINAL NOTE: Global Voices participation in this Reuters’ Iraq Newsmaker event is an experiment in figuring out how to create positive interaction between mainstream media and bloggers – with the goal of bringing voices from citizens’ media to a wider audience. For more information about our relationship with Reuters, please see our FAQ.

author: Rebecca MacKinnon


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Bahamas: Brokeback banned · Global Voices
Georgia Popplewell

Sir Arthur Foulkes discusses the banning of the film “Brokeback Mountain” in the Bahamas, comparing the incident with another film banned back in 1950: “No Way Out”, starring Bahamian-born Sidney Poitier.

author: Georgia Popplewell


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Bangladesh: On The Times · Global Voices
Neha Viswanathan

Bangladesh was on the cover of the Times, and that had quite a few bloggers reading into the text. Salam Dhaka on some of the comments made by the Prime Minister.


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Bangladesh: Unholy hospitals · Global Voices
Neha Viswanathan

While the notion of foreign hospitals in Bangladesh may have economic or even populist reasons, imperfect world 2006 muses on why the word ‘unholy’ is used in conjunction with these hospitals.


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Belarus: Lukashenko Returns · Global Voices
Veronica Khokhlova

Andrei Khrapavitski reports on president Aleksandr Lukashenko's return from the undisclosed location he has been at since March 20.


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Bermuda: How to encourage tourism · Global Voices
Georgia Popplewell

A new campaign advertising Bermuda as a tourist destination prompts Sean to offer his own list of recommendations for promoting tourism in the island.


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Chilean Inexplicable Traditions · Global Voices
Rosario Lizana

Photo by nstark
This is your first day in university. You feel all the expectations in your skin.  You feel proud of your self because you passed the national test, which gives you the necessary points you need to apply for university. Everything is new: faces, places, conversations, smells, and people.
Suddenly, an egg smashes into your face. Welcome to university!!! Automatically your status is “mechón” (that means lock, but the translation is freshman”). Every March and April, when all the new students enter university, the upperclassmen offer them a welcoming that is called “mechoneo”. The date of the mechoneo is secret and sometimes focuses on making student pass through embarrassing situations.
In “Choose Your Destiny”(ES)  a post titled “expensive mechoneo”  refers to graduate students that gave a beating to three new students at a mechoneo party. It ended with one broken nose. Universities are working to end the practice, but some times people just ask for it. “Funkshop”(ES) a new student posts, “today I awake with only one purpose: to be mechoneado. How can be possible that it is the 28th of March and they haven’t gotten us wet yet? I feel like they forgot about us”.  On other hand, Marcelo posted,  “yesterday at 5 o’clock the entertainment activities started with the support of the Student Union. Our students have understood the message; that the eradication of violence and humiliation as a start to university life… was a necessary evolution.”

author: Rosario Lizana


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China: Falun Gong · Global Voices
John Kennedy

Friend Gram at Holidarity links to a recent Reuters story which takes a look at the Singapore-based publication Epoch Times’ claim of the existence of a Falun Gong “concentration camp” in northern China.
“Epoch Times,” says Gram, “is deeply Falun Gong, and is committed to the belief that the Chinese government is ‘evil’ – something that rings more true of the Mao era than today, but this is a difference they hardly recognize. If this concentration camp story is true, international outcry will be warranted.’


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Colombia: Leads World in Land Mine Deaths · Global Voices
David Sasaki

Steven Taylor laments Colombia's dubious distinction as country with the most landmine deaths in 2005.


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Cuba: Castro scrutinized · Global Voices
Georgia Popplewell

Pondblog finds two interesting items on Fidel Castro: an online newspaper report citing excerpts from a forthcoming book on the Cuban leader, and an article by a Canadian journalist which opens, “By so many measures, Fidel Castro has been the modern world's most transparent leader.”


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Cuba, USA: Plans to Assist · Global Voices
Georgia Popplewell

At Perspectivas en Movimiento, Marie-Dominique Bertuccioli (es) counters the United States’ “Plan to Assist a free Cuba” with her own “Plan to Assist with Democratic Transition”. Among her proposals to the US: “Free healthcare for all children so as to reduce infant mortality to the level of Cuba” and “Evacuation of Guantánamo, so as to improve the country's image as well as relations with Cuba”.


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DR, USA: Emigration · Global Voices
Georgia Popplewell

Two participants in the Bronx Blog Project share their experience of emigrating to the United States.


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DRC: Public Transportation and Free Speech Tribulations · Global Voices
Alice Backer

Daily links don't do all discussions  justice. Here are translations of  eloquent quotes posted in the last two weeks on two such issues  by D.R of Congo blogger Tony Katombe.
Public Transportation in Kinshasa: a Workout Before Work
Tony Katombe treated us (FR) to a funny illustrated account of his personal experience with Kinshasa's public transportation. A new chaotic line of   “express ” taxis is hindering his ability to get to work for a reasonable price and on time. Let's just say reading about the trials and tribulations involved in his morning commute could make you as tired as  a full day's work!  And his account comes complete with the requisite dose of  tension between the sexes:
Je m’approche du taxi et exprime ma désapprobation au gars qui a bousculé Grâce. ‘‘Mais c’est la parité, que voulez-vous’’, me répond-il. Eh oui, ces Kinois ont appliqué cette histoire de parité à leurs réalités au point que leur légendaire galanterie s’en est trouvée fortement érodée. Et les Kinoises ne sont pas en reste. Elles d’habitude si respectueuses des hommes en sont aussi venues à réclamer les mêmes traitements avec les males en tout et pour tout, au nom de la parité. A 12 heures, un de nos chauffeurs [… ] me raconte une mésaventure qu’il a vécue avec une participante à une manifestation des femmes. Le chauffeur qui voyait un groupe des dames chanter et danser sur le boulevard en avait appelée une pour s’enquérir du motif de leur exhibition. La bonne dame lui avait rétorqué : ‘‘ Yo yaka nde, parité teee’’ (Toi plutôt viens, parité oblige).
Kinshasa est la capitale des cortèges officiels. Est bien malin celui qui en donnerait le chiffre exact. Il y a d’abord les cortèges de l’espace présidentiel : Kabila, Bemba, Ruberwa, Yerodia et Z’ahidi, ensuite celui du parlement : Kamitatu et Marini … sans oublier chaque ministre et chaque vice-ministre, le chef d’état-major général, le chef d’état-major général adjoint, les 3 chefs d’état-major des forces terrestres, aériennes et navales et leurs adjoints, chaque général, chaque colonel, le chef de la police, le gouverneur de la ville, le chef des renseignements, des migrations … et pour finir Louis Michel. Eh oui l’homme est à Kinshasa chaque deux semaines et jouit d’un cortège digne de noko (oncle).
Gare donc aux chauffeurs distraits. Il faut ici avoir l’ouie exercée et tous les autres sens en alerte maximale quand on roule sur les grandes artères de Kinshasa, pour libérer la chaussée  à chacun des passages des bonzes de la transition. Sinon, on se fait surprendre et on pique une crise d’hypertension. Parfois on s’en sort même avec des coups de matraque pour avoir eu l’outrecuidance d’avoir emprunté la chaussée au même moment qu’une de leurs excellences.
Politics:  Two Repressed Protests in March
Le Blog du Congolais  also worried  (FR) about a tendency by authorities to repress opposition protests, the most recent of which happened March 22 and seemed to have taken place simultaneously in many different towns.
En effet, les sources du Phare rapportent que les militants de l’UDPS ont été brutalement dispersés à 9 heures par des policiers sur ordre de deux autorités locales […] alléguant la non autorisation de la marche. On apprend que le président fédéral de l’UDPS Nord Kivu, Monsieur Rubens MIKINDO, s’est fait arrêté, brutalisé, torturé, frappé et humilié, tel un malfrat, par les éléments du colonel Jérémie […].
Des questions viennent tout de suite à l’esprit de tout homme bien pensant : la première est celle de savoir pourquoi la marche n’a-t-elle pas été autorisée ? La deuxième : pourquoi les autorités censées connaître la loi invoquent-elles tout le temps le défaut d’autorisation, alors que celle-ci n’est nullement spécifiée dans la très moderne constitution comme condition de tenue d’une marche pacifique ? Bien au contraire, l’article 26 de la constitution de la république dispose que les manifestations sur la voie publique devraient plutôt faire l’objet d’une information à l’autorité compétence, non, pour demande d’autorisation, mais afin que des dispositions soient prises pour l’encadrement.
Les inquiétudes des observateurs sont d’autant renforcée qu’à la veille de la tenue des élections dites transparentes et crédibles, des éléments de la police, pourtant apolitiques, donnent l’impression d’avoir pris faits et causes pour certaines formations politiques au détriment d’autres.

author: Alice Backer


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El Salvador: McDonald’s in El Salvador · Global Voices
David Sasaki

Tim Muth documents a December court judgement which rewarded a McDonald's franchisee $24 million in damages from the “Golden Arches,” noting that “some will view it as a sign that El Salvador's legal system is not ready to protect the rights of foreign investors. Others will view it as a story of a successful fight against a rapacious multinational corporation.” Commenters say that the San Salvador-based McDonalds was famously bad.


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Elections in Thailand · Global Voices
Connie Veneracion

Thai bloggers Bangkok Pundit and Bookish are still discussing the turnout in the parliamentary elections. Bookish thinks that the legal status of the spoiled ballots will probably end up in court. Meanwhile, caretaker PM Thaksin Shinawatra has gone on national television–what Bookish calls the first mover’s advantage to announce that his Thai Rak Thai Party has won 60% of the votes cast–a figure that the Election Commission has not confirmed.


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Ethiopia: Banking · Global Voices
Sokari Ekine

Addis Ababa Rocking Fun Zone posts on the banking sector in Ethiopia which he believes may be growing as the ordinary person on the street begins to use banks. This has helped fuel investment and maybe one contributory factor to the huge amount of construction work taking place in the capital.


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First generation of Filipino kids on the net · Global Voices
Connie Veneracion

Noemi, whose daughter Lauren is the first Filipino blogger, reminisces about a 1997 meeting of some of the earliest Filipino kids on the internet–a time when parents were concerned about the (possible) negative impact of the internet on children's intellectual growth and social skills. Today, she views the internet as a tool that gives our kids “the advantage of being exposed to global thinking, varied ethnicities, cultures and religion which they might not have learned in the classroom” and so long as parents take on a hands-on role, set time limits and create a balance of healthy activities for their children, our kids will do just fine.


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Fuel, Singapore and Malaysia · Global Voices
Connie Veneracion

Fuel is more expensive in Singapore than in Malaysia and, according to H J Angus of MalaysiaWatch, it is not uncommon for Singaporeans to drive to Malaysia to fill up their gasoline tanks. But Malaysia is now considering imposing a fee on all foreign cars entering Malaysia to effectively prevent foreigners from enjoying the subsidized fuel rates. Angus thinks the proposal will backfire on the Malaysian economy.


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Georgia: Wildlife · Global Voices
Nathan Hamm

Kaukasus wrotes about over-hunting and mistreatment of wildlife in Georgia.

author: Nathan Hamm


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Grenada: Nutmeg · Global Voices
Georgia Popplewell

“Not much gets prepared in our kitchen without a bit of nutmeg being added,” writes Francine over at The Pan Collective in a post which celebrates the versatility of Grenada's signature crop while lamenting its devastation by Hurricane Ivan in 2004.


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Guatemala: April Fool’s Day · Global Voices
David Sasaki

Oscar Mota notes that April first (ES) is April Fool's Day in much of the world, unlike Latin America where “Día de los Inocentes” falls on December 28th. Several fictitious stories were mistakenly submitted to the Digg-like Spanish aggregator, Menéame.


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Hong Kong: Labor strife · Global Voices
John Kennedy

The EastSouthWestNorth blogger translates a report on a recent protest in the southern Chinese city of Shenzhen and finds some missing details in corresponding English-language coverage.


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Hong Kong: Mainland development · Global Voices
John Kennedy

Simon World blogger HK Dave sees some meaning in a photo which, although admittedly doctored, came away with the top prize in this year's China International Press Photo Contest．


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Hungary: National Election Coming Up · Global Voices
Veronica Khokhlova

Timbo of The Hungary Years reports on what it feels like to be in Hungary on the eve of this weekend's national election.


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India: Changing face of Afghanistan · Global Voices
Neha Viswanathan

Ashok, an Indian design director in Kabul has a photo post on the changing face of Kabul.


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India: Female politicians · Global Voices
Neha Viswanathan

Female politicians in India end up playing roles of sacrificial or raving ones. More than their ideology, their behaviour seems to indicate their acceptance and standing. More on this at Nikita's GenderBenders.


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Indonesian media’s attitude towards blogs · Global Voices
Connie Veneracion

A. Fatih Syuhud laments that mainstream media still fails to appreciate blogs apart from the context of technology and as a playing field for the young.


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Kenya: Vote for women · Global Voices
Sokari Ekine

Kenyan blogger 4Sheezy asks Kenyan women to stop complaining and vote for women – “No this is not feminism. It is a fact. The fewer women are in government the fewer issues that concern us will be taken seriously.Women voters need to understand that women can make good leaders if given a chance.”


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Kyrgyzstan: TsUM, the Pirate King · Global Voices
Nathan Hamm

David Read writes adoringly on Bishkek's central department store, which he calls “temple to dodgy goods and illegal stuff.”


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Latvia: Energy Market · Global Voices
Veronica Khokhlova

All About Latvia writes about energy policy and politics of the Baltic states and how some of them contradict the EU's requirements.


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Liberia: refugees  · Global Voices
Sokari Ekine

The Vision reports that in six months Liberians will no longer be considered for resettlement in the US and refugees will be encouraged to return home.


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Mongolia: Too Much Celebrating · Global Voices
Nathan Hamm

Luke Distelhorst asks whether or not Mongolia is going over-the-top with its celebrations throughout the year of the country's 800th anniversary.


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Nepal: Curfew time · Global Voices
Neha Viswanathan

With political dissent being the dominant theme in the public discourse in Nepal – Democracy For Nepal on beating the curfew.


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Nigeria: Charles Taylor escape saga · Global Voices
Sokari Ekine

Grandiose Parlor wonders if Charles Taylor received help from the Nigerian government in his attempted escape….”Taylor definitely received some help to escape; however, to assert that his escape was probably orchestrated by the top hierarchy of the Nigerian security forces is troubling and warrants a thorough investigation”


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Peru: Pro-Gay Protests Tomorrow · Global Voices
David Sasaki

Andrés Duque announces two planned protests in Lima against recent anti-homosexual statements by the mother of presidential candidate Ollanta Humala.


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Sierra Leone/Liberia: Charles Taylor · Global Voices
Sokari Ekine

Black Star Journal posts on Charles Taylor's day in court and lists the many charges against him including murder, use of child solidiers, sexual violence, physical violence, abductions and forced labour.


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Somaliland: Arab League · Global Voices
Sokari Ekine

Inside Somaliland points to an article in the Sudan Tribune which asks “Will the Arabs dare to listen to Somaliland?” referring to the Arab League's failure to act on other issues such as Sudan and Darfur.


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South Africa: Hugh Masekela · Global Voices
Sokari Ekine

SoundRoots reports on Hugh Masekela's birthday celebrations today….”When you think of Masekela, you have to think not only of his music, but his role as something of an ambassador-at-large for South Africa (and specificically, black South Africa). The stories he tells in his songs capture snapshots of life, past and present, for ordinary South Africans”


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South Africa: World Cup stadium · Global Voices
Sokari Ekine

South Africa writes on the politics surrounding the  building of the World Cup Stadium in Cape Town


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South Korea: North Korea · Global Voices
John Kennedy

Orackay looks at North Korean apologist voices in the South Korean media in “just say no to workers’ rights.”
“Even if one assumes that publicly taking issue with the gulags can only be motivated by selfish political motive (and that certainly seems to be the motive with some people),” writes the blogger, “shouldn't South Koreans be especially conscientious about not exploiting workers in Gaeseong? It's not like you trust the big-name South Korean companies doing business there to care about workers’ rights. The North isn't going to care, and while the South's government might, it is not going to hold South Korean companies accountable.”


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Taiwan: TV debate · Global Voices
John Kennedy

Rank‘s Beginner blogger finds humor in a television debate between two of Taiwan's top politicians, Ma Ying-jeou and Chen Shuibian.
“This may be the first time I've seen Chen in a conversational context and it's the first time I've understood his appeal. He makes me laugh. The most amusing part of his ‘conversation’ with Ma was when he asked him to define the boundaries of [the Republic of China] under his ‘one China, each his own interpretation’ ('92 consensus) model.”


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This Week in Palestinian Blogs: They Bloom Again! · Global Voices
Shaden Abdulrahman

From the soul unfolds itself :
In 1976, Israeli policy of expropriating Palestinian land in northern Israel to build Jewish settlements provoked Palestinian residents in the Galilee town of Sakhnin to protest on March 30. Six Palestinians were killed during the demonstration. Since then, Palestinians inside Israel and the West Bank have commemorated March 30 as “Land Day” and turned the day into a general protest against what they view as discriminatory practices by the government.
freckle attended a demonstration in Rafat village in the West Bank where 3000 Dunam were taking out of 3500 by the Annexation Barrier.
The 30th of March 2006 marks the thirtieth anniversary of Land Day in Palestine. Umkahlil posts the declaration made by the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine on the occasion. al-falasteeniya posts a picture by Ismail Shammout.
Springtime in Gaza. Photo credit: Raising Yousuf
News of the blogosphere…
On Friday Gaza City has undergone aerial and sea shelling. Laila of Raising Yousuf said it was unlike anything the city has seen in recent years:
As I write this, F-16 warplanes-not Apaches or tanks-are bombarding Gaza City, where I live, just a few roads away from my house
On the 31st of March 2006 in the West Bank, 37 Palestinians were abducted by Israeli occupational forces according to PalestineFreeVoice.
Laila el-Haddad of Raising Yousuf calls all diaspora Palestinians to make themselves heard and have a say on recognizing Israel and Palestinian politics in general. Check out her first post featuring a voice from Gaza  speaking about her hopes and fears.
News roundup from my occupied territory covers the latest and hottest news of the Middle East.
What we talk about…
moomin13 of Postcards from Palestine, talks about his own experience with Kach's leader and blogs a story by Al-Jazeera about Israeli anti-Arab parties. moomin13 says:
He is the leader of Kach, a far right wing Israeli political party designated as a terrorist organization by the US State Department. I'd see him walking around Tel Rumeida often, his children were particularly nasty, they threw rocks at me and spit at me quite any number of times
Haitham Sabbah spreads the story of Samia, a Palestinian who was denied entrance to her homeland:
This is a true story. Samia, my Palestinian friend who lives in Brazil send me her story about her experience while crossing the borders from Jordan to Palestine. It is touching true story that kept me sleepless last night, that’s why I decided to share it her.
The Black Iris of Jordan talks about Akaber Adbelrahman Zaid, just another Palestinian child killed by Israelis:
she was on her way to a doctor’s clinic to have stitches removed from her chin. Instead she received a barrage of bullets to the head
On the Israeli elections…
Ramallah Online blogs the speech of Palestinian Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh talking about the double standards of the US and Europe; when they've demanded  from the Palestinian groups and authorities to recognize Israel, call off resistance and commit themselves to past deals and treaties in order for them to be legitimized while on the other demanded nothing from Israeli political parties in a similar regard. He continues to give Kadima as an example of a leading Israeli group which instead of committing itself to peace with the Palestinians ran its programme on defying UN security council resolutions and violations of International laws.
On KABOBfest, an opinion by Saree Makdisi who says that the real winner of the Israeli elections is not Ehud Olmert and his Kadima but rather it was Avigdor Lieberman leader of Yisrael Beiteinu whose goal is basically to finally have Israel
cleansed of the remainder of the indigenous Palestinian population.
Another blogged story by KABOBfest is about Israeli soldiers faking it. After photos have spread showing two of the Israeli Army voting two days before the real thing on Tuesday, the army had to send a written apology for not telling journalist that the ballot they've used was a dummy.
To lighten up…
A fashion post by FAYYAD of KABOBfest, highlighting Mr. Haniyeh's latest fashion during his swear-in day. Very interesting view.
Amal of meiroun has drawn a picture of Maryam Nour.
The little things that matter…
From Palestinian Solidarity Community's Journal, Imagine Life is seeing success in highlighting issues about Palestine:
I am quite impressed and I think the approach they are taking is a good one because they are finally highlighting they sorts of issues that may actually make Americans care about Palestine, issues like the persecution of Christians, the death of children and perhaps the most important (sadly): the wasting of our hard earned money by the government.

author: Shaden Abdulrahman


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Trinidad & Tobago: Early Minshall costume · Global Voices
Georgia Popplewell

At the Caribbean Beat weblog, Nicholas Laughlin posts an image and short commentary on an early — “pre-canonical” — costume by renowned Trinidadian Carnival designer Peter Minshall.


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Troll causes Sri Lankan blog riot · Global Voices
Mahangu

Wikipedia defines an online troll as someone who comes into an established community such as an online discussion forum, and posts inflammatory, rude or offensive messages designed to annoy and antagonize the existing members or disrupt the flow of discussion.
In a nutshell, that's what the Sri Lankan weblog community has been plagued by during the past two weeks. Although Internet trolling is by no means a new phenomenon, this is the first time that the Lankan blogspace has been seriously affected by it.
The troll, who we will not link here for fear of feeding it, seems to have an in depth knowledge of the community and its members – something which is not often seen in troublemakers of this kind.
What is most interesting however, is the filth the blog has fueled. The comment threads of the offending posts have filled up with messages that vary from mildly rude to thoroughly disturbing, with varying degrees of profanity. I've tried to sum up what's happening in a blog post of my own, which outlines, among other things, a possible explanation for this behaviour.
All in all though, the .lk community is going through a bit of a slump, with many bloggers refraining from posting in fear of being targeted by the newcomer. The upside however is that these recent happenings are a sure sign that the Sri Lanka weblogging community has finally arrived. And of course, never forget that drama brings hits.

author: Mahangu