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Welcome To The Lebanese Blogosphere · Global Voices
Mustapha

Yesterday, Anton Efendi from Across the Bay, posted this picture:
It shows the Prime Minister planting a fatherly kiss on May Chidiac's forehead. May Chidiac is the Journalist who lost a foot and an arm in a terrorist car bomb.
To Anton, this kiss symbolizes the story of Lebanon: a country that throughout its history, survived by countering devastating acts of violence and adversity with great compassion.
The Lebanese have a strange relationship with their country. Most of them leave to find opportunity somewhere else, they complain constantly of its wrongs, they are very vocal of its shortcomings and have built a reputation worldwide for self-hate. Yet at the same time, they all harbor an unbridled sense of belonging, a sense of passion for their motherland, an optimism that one day, the sun of the land of the Cedars will rise again.
It is this paradox that defines what it truly means to be Lebanese, and it is in this context that we have to look at the Lebanese Blogosphere.
My name is Mustapha, and I'll be writing about the Lebanese side of the Blogosphere for the Global Voices project. I'll try every week to summarize what various Lebanese Bloggers are writing, but today, please allow me to introduce you to a lovely bunch: The Lebanon Bloggers.
What makes someone a Lebanon blogger?
Some Lebanese only write about their personal lives, but deserve the title for the cheer fact of them being Lebanese. Take Lala for instance, she wrote yesterday about how upset she is that her best friend is devoting her entire time to her boyfriend. If Lala didn't occasionally mention her Lebanese heritage, you couldn't possibly tell from her blog that she's Lebanese. The same can be said of Opinion From Bloggistan, or The Suffragettes.
Some bloggers lay claim to the title not because they're Lebanese, but because they write about Lebanon. One example is Micheal Totten, an American who lives in and writes about Lebanon. Another is Unfrozen-Caveman-Linguist (UCL), author of Bliss Street Journal. UCL is also an American who lived for a while in Lebanon, but who still blogs about it even after he left.
There are many Lebanon Bloggers out there, and thanks to the great effort of people like Eve, Rampurple, Delirious, Liminal, Tempest, Maldolor, Ramzi and others, they can be found in Lebanon Heart Blogs, a blog about the Lebanon bloggers.
But For the Purpose of the Global Voices project, I found it useful to introduce the bloggers who post regular commentary about current affairs. I already mentioned Anton Efendi, who writes in Across The Bay,  a rather highbrow blog that sees current events as the manifestation of Machiavellian machinations of the political class.
Across The Bay has been around for a while, but a significant chunk of blogs came to light right after the colossal Assassination of Rafic Hariri, Lebanon's previous Prime Minister, and the ensuing “Cedar Revolution”. Those bloggers sometimes like to call themselves the March 14 bloggers, in reference to the day where the Lebanese from all sects and regions stood together to ask for The Truth and for the Syrians to leave.
Raja and Doha from The Lebanese Bloggers, Lebanon.profile from Lebanese Political Journal, and Mustapha from The Beirut Spring (yours truly), started their blogs right after the Hariri Assassination.
This is how The Lebanese Bloggers explain the raison-d'etre of their blog:
This blog was created to honor the memory of heroes of all the Lebanese sects who were assassinated for their patriotic stands…. May God bless their souls and bless Lebanon.
Other bloggers immediately followed. While they don't see eye to eye on some issues, they write with obvious passion and strong wit. Kais author of From Beirut To The Beltway, Carine from Chercheuse D'or, Vox from The Federal Republic of Lebanon (who also writes in French), Ramzi from Ramzi’s Blah Blah, Jose Wales from Lebanonesque, Maya in her space and Abu Takla all have their distinctive personalities and styles.
Those and many more constitute the wonderful world of the Lebanon Bloggers. You will hopefully hear from them all soon.

author: Mustapha


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Zimbabwe: election apathy · Global Voices
Sokari Ekine

This is Zimbabwe writes about the lack of participation in Zimbabwe's elections….“I can’t help but be reminded today of the words of Elie Wiesel, winner of the Nobel Prize for Peace in 1986: “The opposite of love is not hate, it’s indifference”. Perhaps mugabe should take note of our apathy and our disinterest and realise that Zimbabwean voters are further away from him and his policies than we ever have been before. Our anger and pain hasn’t translated into the support that he craves; instead, we’ve moved even further away towards indifference. He should be worried.”

source: news-globalvoices

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

author: Sokari Ekine


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Afghanistan: Election · Global Voices
Fred Petrossian

Afghanistan Warrior:Although 40% of the winners are former jihadi leaders and warlords, the finalized results show that more than 50 percent of the winners are the supporters of President Karzai so there is not a big challenge to the Karzai government.

author: Fred Petrossian


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Africa: AIDS · Global Voices
Sokari Ekine

Its World Aids Day on Thursday and Obifromsouthlondon reminds us of some “distressing” figures…..”Aids is gold and HIV was platinum Sit down, ask them where you get your facts from Five hundred thousand niggaz in the hood with it And a million more niggaz is gettin ready to get it”


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Africa: Western media reports · Global Voices
Sokari Ekine

Zimbabwean blogger Dumisani Nyoni, writing on Dumisani's Blog, offers a criticism of Western media interpretatons of Africa particularly Simon Robinson of  Time Magazine (European edition)……”finally, why are these journalists [Michael Wines of the NY Times fame, as well as Rachel Swans and many others who write for different newspapers as the “Africa specialists”] always dodging the core real issues affecting democracy and good governance and good living in Africa. The issues haven’t changed for over 500 years – the desire to have and control those resources that flow out of Africa. If we’re honest, we’ll admit that democracy in Africa is by and large corrupted by the need to access and control those resources. Often in arrangements involving parties on both sides of the equation. But it’s much, much easier and more acceptable to write about failed leadership and weak institutions. It keeps the dogs of the scent. And it keeps us obsessing about voting for the next loser in Africa and missing the real point.”


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Africa: Western Media reports · Global Voices
Sokari Ekine

Ethan Zuckerman, My Hearts in Accra comments on a New York Times article that has belatedly ‘discovered’ the state sponsored violence that took place in Ethiopia earliar this month. He goes on to discuss other press reports in Western media and notes a possible change in reporting……“there appears to be the beginnings of a movement in the Western press to question the leadership of the “new generation” of African leaders – those that President Clinton, visiting the continent, declared “Africa’s great hope”


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Armenia: Another Protest · Global Voices
Nathan Hamm

Onnik Krikorian reports on another Armenian opposition protest at neweurasia.

author: Nathan Hamm


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Armenia: Gyumri Scenes · Global Voices
Nathan Hamm

Onnik Krikorian has scenes from Gyumri, the site of the 1988 earthquake from which the city is still suffering.


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Armenia: The Referendum II · Global Voices
Nathan Hamm

Christian Garbis explains why the Armenian constitutional referendum is so important.


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Armenia: The Referendum · Global Voices
Nathan Hamm

Oneworld Multimedia has lots of photos of and reporting on this weekend's constitutional referendum in Armenia including an example of the “enormous” turnout and post-election protest.


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Bahrain: Propagating Hate? · Global Voices
Haitham Sabbah

Mahmood says that the Bahraini government does have a responsibility in facing people who spread hate, sedition and sectarian discord. Specially when it comes from religious figures!

author: Haitham Sabbah


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Belarus: German Vibrations · Global Voices
Nathan Hamm

br23 blog reports that struggles in German politics are being felt in Belarus.


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Central America, Caribbean: Garífuna Summit Declaration · Global Voices
David Sasaki

Roberto Borrero posts a copy of the Garífuna Summit Declaration signed by six Central American and Caribbean heads of state to safeguard Garífuna culture.

author: David Sasaki


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China: Damage Control · Global Voices
Jose Manuel Tesoro

Imagethief, a blog written by a China-based public relations professional, discusses how the government could have better managed the aftermath of the Harbin benzene spill.

author: Jose Manuel Tesoro


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China: Nude Chat · Global Voices
Jose Manuel Tesoro

EastSouthWestNorth translates an interesting article on the legality of “nude chat” in China.


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China: Podcasting Explosion · Global Voices
Jose Manuel Tesoro

Fons Tuinstra describes the astonishing explosion of podcasting in China.


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Costa Rica: Impact of the Internet on the 2006 Presidential Elections · Global Voices
Roy Rojas

La versión original de este artículo está disponible en español.
These presidential elections have had a special element as they are the first elections where the internet has played a very important part. Not only for the web pages of the various political parties and candidates (ML, PLN, UPC, PAC, PUSC), but also because these elections have allowed diverse and agreeable discussions of ideas, ideologies, and points of view about one or another candidate. What is most important is that many of these discussions have taken place in the growing community of Costa Rican blogs, in which websites like jdclarke (posts: 1, 2, 3, 4), even include videos of the debates. Or blogs like fusildechispas which commented on the last presidential debate, which lasted more than five hours and did much to lose our interest as the minutes ticked by.
In other blogs like La Suiza Centroamericana (posts: 1, 2, 3, 4), Dean Cornito often puts forth his discomfort with the political class of this country. Bandidocr, one of the courageous few that managed to watch the debate in its entirety gives a small analysis of each one of the candidate's performance. Se salvó el pais speaks about the quality of the public announcements or campaign propaganda just like others of us have commented before on their (lack of) efficacy as much of it has fallen to a ridiculous level and become a waste of time.
To conclude, a good portion of the Costa Rican blogs are playing a very important part in shaping the public's opinion and in stimulating healthy discussion about the presidential elections as they near. Never before have the candidates been so critically analyzed as they are now.

author: Roy Rojas


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Egypt: Source of Dictatorship · Global Voices
Haitham Sabbah

Egyptian Person says, it's certainly a negative thing to have a totalitarian regime that oppresses its people. It's even worse to have a society in which the people themselves oppress their fellow citizens if they choose to have opinions that contradicts to what the majority believes in. But it is definitely a disaster to have both, because it seems that you can't fix one you without fixing the other, and at the same time it is almost impossible to fix both simultaneously.
The Egyptian Person is referring to two recent news articles that show how the people in Egypt oppress their fellow citizens, or even think they don't have the right to be citizens, just because they choose to be different than the rest of the herd.


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Hungary: Hungarikum · Global Voices
Nathan Hamm

Hungarian Accent rounds up reactions in the Hungarian blogosphere to a new television show called “Hungarikum” that some view as disrespectful to historical figures.


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India: FOSS.IN 2005 so far · Global Voices
Neha Viswanathan

Atul Chitnis provides an insight into the proceedings of FOSS.IN/2005, including food quibbles, interesting speakers and what-nots!

author: Neha Viswanathan


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India: Women over the world · Global Voices
Neha Viswanathan

Uma at IndianWriting on the status of women the world over.


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Indonesia: The Value of Education · Global Voices
Jose Manuel Tesoro

Jakartass takes issue with Indonesian Vice-President Jusuf Kalla's defensive reaction to a poem read at a teacher's celebration bemoaning the low status of teachers. “I know your salary is low, but it will not run out in just a day,” Kalla had retorted. Advises Jakartass: Start implementing the constitutionally obligated 20%-of-budget spending on education.


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Iranian Blogs: Unrest in University, Ahmadinejad in UN · Global Voices
Fred Petrossian

Government chose a cleric and university Professor, Ayatollah Amid Zanjani, as chancellor of Tehran University. There are many questions and concerns  about his education and conservative political background. Fanous ( Link in Persian), a collective blog, writes that Mr.Amid Zanjani has no university degree and government imposed his choice on university . According to Fanous, all of us in university have read his Islamic revolution & its roots book and all know he has nothing to do with university & research mentality.
Students in Tehran University protested against Mr.Amid Zanjani. It is said Iranian state is increasing security forces in universities. Hanif Mazroi(Link in Persian) considers student protest against new head of Tehran University useless. He also says he has a PhD from university. Further information from Khalagi, Iranian researcher based in Washington Institue, showed he was wrong on this point.According to Khalagi, Amid Zanjani is a conservative cleric close to Motalefeh  »(a very conservative group) and several times he was their candidate for parliamentary election. He is the first cleric as the head of University of Tehran, but during last two decades Iranian universities have experienced leadership of clerics many times.
Another hot issue in sites and even international newspapers is Mr.Ahmadinejad’s story in UN. He claims during his speech in UN a light surrounded him ( he means supernatural light).(Link in Persian in BBC).
Abthai (Link in Persian), former Vice President, says if by this light he means presence of Hidden Imam is not acceptable in our religion.


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Iraq: Killing for fun · Global Voices
Haitham Sabbah

Khaled lives close to one of the site that appeared on the video, which show security guards in Baghdad randomly shooting Iraqi civilians. The video has sparked investigations after it was posted on the Internet.


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Islam: homosexuality · Global Voices
Sokari Ekine

Somali/Dutch MP, Ayaan Hirsi Ali received death threats for  her collaboraton with Theo Van Gogh (who was assasinated) on the film “Submission” which addressed gender violence in Islam, is now preparing to set Islam ablaze with a film on homosexuality and Islam.…..”The film will use anonymous actors and carry no credits in an effort to protect those involved in the project.  Ms Ali told Dutch media that she had co-written the script with Van Gogh in the summer of 2004, months before he was killed last November”


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Israeli: Writing about the human condition · Global Voices
Haitham Sabbah

If you are wondering (like me) where to find articles by Lisa, published in Israeli newspapers, here is one of her favorites.


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Jordan: 60 events in memory of victims · Global Voices
Haitham Sabbah

Wael Attili is calling for action. 60 events in memory of our victims! he says, one man can bring an idea, two can embrace the idea, and three can make it happen. There is nothing impossible is just believe we can do it.


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Kazakhstan: How Serious? · Global Voices
Nathan Hamm

KZ Blog examines how serious Kazakhstan's government is about the upcoming presidential election being fair.


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Kazakhstan: Improbable Suicide · Global Voices
Nathan Hamm

neweurasia reports that the Kazakh government has arrived at a strange conclusion in the investigation into the death of an opposition politician.


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Kenya: HIV/AIDS · Global Voices
Sokari Ekine

“This time he has gone to far” writes Feminist African Sister.  “As Kenya made it's application for the PEPFAR funds, it emerged that Bush has extended the GAG rule, to these funds! Going against his own decision not to extend the rule to HIV funds.”  Bush has thus effectively shut down Kenya's HIV/AIDS programme.


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Kyrgyzstan: With the Law Students · Global Voices
Nathan Hamm

Amira talks to Kyrgyz law students about religion, terrorism, and hometown pride.


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Latin America: Soccer Blogs · Global Voices
David Sasaki

Clarín's Weblog Sobre Weblogs charts the growing trend of soccer blogs (ES).


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Latin America: “Weird Food” · Global Voices
David Sasaki

Food Mall is currently featuring “weird food” from around the globe. Tomorrow will feature Latin American cuisine.


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Malaysia: Best Bumiputra CEO · Global Voices
Jose Manuel Tesoro

Peter at Competitive Malaysia comes up with his own list of best “bumiputra” (Malaysians of Malay descent) CEOs, based on their companies’ increase in profits. One commenter wonders why he didn't use increase in shareholder value as the standard; while another asks: why only bumiputra?


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Nigeria: AfroBeat Musik · Global Voices
Sokari Ekine

SoundRoots Music blog takes us down memory lane with some free  downloads of AfroBeat aka Fela's Musik……..”Anyone with an inkling of musical curiosity has at least heard of Afrobeat. It's the funk-drenched, politically charged Nigerian music pioneered by Fela Kuti“


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Nigeria: Computers for all · Global Voices
Sokari Ekine

Grandiose Parlor continues the discussion around £100 laptops, Simputers and computers for the African masses….Dont we need “school for all” and “health for all” before we get “computers for all”?


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Pakistan: Hollywood’s Bleeding Heart · Global Voices
Neha Viswanathan

In all that hype – it does seem like a few Hollywood stars are doing something for the earthquake victims – on Metroblogging Islamabad.


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Pakistan: Reflecting on Rushdie · Global Voices
Neha Viswanathan

OB Van on Salman Rushdie's Midnight Children - the subcontinent and the Kashmiri Identity.


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Palestine:  A Palestinian Podcast · Global Voices
Haitham Sabbah

Yazan Malakha tells us that Iron Sheik seems to have started Kabobfest, a blog and a podcast from a Palestinain perspective. Worth listening to!


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Palestine: Gaza For Jerusalem? · Global Voices
Haitham Sabbah

In her return to blogging, Lawrence of Cyberia is optimistic. She says, she is enjoying as much as anybody the sight of the political realignment in Israel and the drawing in of Hamas to the Palestinian Parliamentary process, and speculating where it might all end. But optimism stops being a plus if you can only keep it up by closing your eyes to what's happening on the ground, and pretending that what you want to see happening really is.


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Palestine: Mourning the Olive · Global Voices
Haitham Sabbah

Nas says, when we mourn the loss of olive trees unjustly destroyed, we also remember the cactus for its spirit of resilience but above all, its patience.


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Panama: Second Independence Day · Global Voices
David Sasaki

Chiriqui Chatter explains why Panama has two independence days in the same month.


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Peru: Video of Dancing to Pluma Pluma Gay · Global Voices
David Sasaki

Petter Chamoli of Cajón de Juguetes has a short video of celebrating Peruvians dancing to the song “Pluma Pluma Gay.”


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Poland: ISO PR Rep · Global Voices
Nathan Hamm

the beatroot says that Poland is in desperate need of a new PR rep.


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SA: Cosatu & Zuma · Global Voices
Sokari Ekine

South African blog, The Fish Bowl writes that Cosatu is the latest in a long list of people and organisations distancing themselves from former VP Jacob Zuma…”It's humourous (and at the same time heartening) to see Cosatu's recent distancing from Zuma. Stating that “that they have never backed Zuma as their preferred succession candidate” is a tough proposition given the dishing out of thousands of “Zuma for President” t-shirts to supporters and the type of rhetoric given at mass rallies in support of Zuma”.


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South Africa: Poetry · Global Voices
Sokari Ekine

The Celestine Truth offers us a poem – “The Articles of my Life”…..With all the harmonius chaos that is surrounding me, Im very fortunate to be blogging now even though I do not have much to say,I will still say my peace anyway…..going through one of my many journals I came across this poem,when I wrote it,it didn't make sense to me but I've grown to understand the voice I think with”


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Sri Lanka: Boxing Day Tsunami · Global Voices
Neha Viswanathan

Zoo Station links to a moving piece on NY Times on the Boxing Day Tsunami and after.


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Tajikistan: Prison Tattoos · Global Voices
Nathan Hamm

neweurasia reports on prison tattoos in Tajikistan..


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Thailand: Left-Handed · Global Voices
Jose Manuel Tesoro

Oakmonster at Thai-blogs.com discusses growing up left-handed in a right-handed society like Thailand.


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Uganda: Judicial Issues · Global Voices
Sokari Ekine

Black Star Journal has two connected posts on Uganda “Ugandan lawyers strike for judicial independence”  and  “Amnesty deal for Besigye?” – it seems Museveni may be having second thoughts on his arrest.


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United Arab Emirates: Flickr in UAE · Global Voices
Haitham Sabbah

Blocking Flickr in UAE is getting a lot of support and attention from all around the world. A group of bloggers created a Flickr group to collect protestant's signature.


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Venezuela: Voting Machines · Global Voices
David Sasaki

On Saturday, Tomas Sancio listed his concerns with voting machines that were to be used in the upcoming elections. Today Oil Wars explains that electoral authorities agreed to not use finger printing machines nor electronic voting lists. Still, several oppositions parties announced they were pulling out.


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Voices from Zimbabwe Plus · Global Voices
Zimpundit

The people of Zimbabwe gave the ruling ZANU-PF and indeed all forms of purposeless politics their boldest affront to date as very few Zimbabweans turned up to vote during the senate elections held over the weekend.  At some polling stations, only 6% percent of eligible voters showed indicating the undisputable demise of elections on the national agenda.  Explaining the disinterest, This is Zimbabwe writes,
“Nothing is going to change as a result of having a senate. These elections are not going to improve democracy in Zimbabwe; they won’t fix unemployment; they won’t bring fuel to the country; people won’t suddenly be able to feed their children and afford school fees; the sick are not going to be able to get drugs or treatment in well resourced clinics and employers will still struggle every single day to keep their businesses afloat through hyperinflation and a rapidly collapsing economy.”
Echoing the sentiment, Zimpundit writes,
“Understand this reader dearest; it is not that we don't care about democracy or having the right politicians in place or any other high sounding question you may want to throw at us. No, our nonchalence is evidence only that we care about other things more than we care about politics and governance. We care more about living to see tomorrow. It is all about survival now. Such is the result of how simple and unsophisticated a society ZANU-PF has made us.”
This is Zimbabwe suprisingly notes that ZANU-PF was still not content with the guarranteed win they had going into the elections.  So,
“They still resorted to their old dirty tricks. For example, someone I know who comes from Intabzinduna north of Bulawayo told me that zanu-pf campaigned for the senate elections using food. They brought in maize and only gave it to those that voted ZANU PF in the last election and they told people that others won’t get until they stop voting MDC!”
The MDC still swept all five senates seats in Bulawayo.
Agathon Rwasa decries the fact that the UN has offered neither apology nor explanation a week after Agathon Rwasa's chief of staff was found in posession of UN uniforms when he was arrested last week.
In an extensive roundup of the stories making headlines in November, Adventures of a Retired Armchair Traveler reports among other things that; UN and Congolese troops destroyed a rebel camp, the search for Ugandan Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) rebels in DRC has intensified, and Hilary Benn the British secretary for development urged the government to pay the army to ensure security.
Geeta lauds the efforts of Dignitas International, a non governmental organization whose innovative cooperation with the ministry of  health which impacted the districts in which Dignitas operates.
Mike of Hacktivate explains  how to reverse an ssh connection which among other things allows access to network resources behind a firewall.

author: Zimpundit


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Africa: Commonwealth conference · Global Voices
Sokari Ekine

Mzansi Afrika is one of the few African blogs to mention the recent Commonwealth Conference which took place in Malta to discuss trade issues.        Bronwyn comments…”Well and good. Fair farming practices and competitive trade are essential issues that do need to be sorted out. Handled right, such issues are probably what will pull poorer countries out of the spiral of poverty in which they find themselves. Poor countries do not need handouts, however much they may want them. I keep hearing that old adage, the one about teaching someone how to fish instead of giving them a fish.”


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Aruba, Jamaica: Homosexuality and the Law · Global Voices
David Sasaki

As Jamaica begins to discuss the possible repeal of laws which criminalize homosexuality, Lost in Smallness wonders if either Aruba or the Netherlands Antilles were consulted when introducing state-sanctioned gay marriage in their legal system.


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Bahrain: Street Boiling · Global Voices
Haitham Sabbah

Zainab Alkhawaja reported that a Bahraini activist was raped two nights ago. Due to lack of proper action from local authorities, Mahmood say that Bahrain is going through a situation that threatens to turn the country once again upside down internally, and losing it whatever is left of its tattered reputation internationally.


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Bangladesh bombs: Blog buzz · Global Voices
Rezwan

Bangladesh is in state of shock as suicidal squads of the banned Islamic outfit Jamayetul Mujahideen of Bangladesh (JMB) killed 9 persons and injured 23 by powerful improvised explosive devices (ieds) in two court compounds in Chittagong and Gazipur yesterday.  One bomber died instantly and another one is in critical condition.  Earlier this month such attempt killed two judges, but the bomber survived with injuries.  The terrorist organization waged a jihad against the judicial system of Bangladesh as described in one leaflet:
“We don't want Taguti [non-Islamic] law, let Qur'anic law be introduced. Law framed by humans cannot continue and only the laws of Allah will prevail.”
JMB is still threatening judges, govt. high officials, police forces, schools and even foreign missions in Bangladesh. Meanwhile the security forces have not been able to do any headway to stop these bombings and threats as the kingpins of the JMB are still at large. The court compounds were heavily protected after the November 14 incident. In Chittagong court premises the suicide bomber detonated the bomb while being checked by the police and eyewitnesses say that the crowd of police was his target. According to JMB leaflets, they will not spare anyone who comes in to their way.
* Pictures from BBC  & Yahoo.  News from BBC, AP
Lets read what the bloggers around the world are saying:
Bangladesh:
Blogger Rajputro is panicked  “What’s coming next?”. Unheard Voices posts  a link to one video footage and asks “Is the Prime Minister listening?”
The third world view comments: “All these make one wonder that this is part of a carefully planned agenda to divert people's attention from the upcoming election and other issues. This is a clear case of spreading panic if we look deep into the lunacy.”
Adda comments: “Jihadi terrorist groups are not part of the Bangladeshi community. They don't and won't reflect the inner heart of the Bangladeshi people. I can assure you that Bangladesh will never become Afghanistan. Bangladesh will uniquely wake up much earlier than that.”
Around the world:
Gina Cobb writes that terrorism is adding to Bangladesh's misery. The political pit bull reports that “Reaction to the attacks showed that the people of Bangladesh will not be intimidated by acts of terrorism.”
Gateway Pundit posts a content rich roundup. Clarity & resolve says “The isolated incidents of retrograde violence in God's name go on and on”.
The Big Pharao comments with sarcasm: “Bangladesh should end its occupation of Iraq NOW! Bangali troops, out of Iraq! I believe those who keep on linking Iraq to world terror should pack up and live in the south pole.”

author: Rezwan


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Beautiful Horizons: Haiti Elections Delayed – Again · Global Voices
David Sasaki

Randy Paul comments on yet another delay in the Haitian election. Caribpundit, meanwhile, argues that ex-President Aristide has been completely discredited both domestically and abroad.


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Congo: November in the DRC · Global Voices
Sokari Ekine

Congo Watch provides a monthly roundup of events in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)…


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Darfur: firewood patrols · Global Voices
Sokari Ekine

Sleepless in Sudan reports on the return of the “so-called firewood patrols” in Darfur……The idea behind the firewood patrols is pretty simple: the African Union (who has deployed about 6500 troops to Darfur to monitor the situation and create a more secure environment) is meant to work with local police officers to accompany the women of the camps when they venture outside to collect firewood. Since women often have to walk up to 5-10km away from the camp to get the wood, they are vulnerable to attacks, beatings, rape or worse during their journey – and the presence of the troops is meant to prevent anything happening to them.”


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Ecuador: Quayaquil and “Planting Trees” · Global Voices
David Sasaki

Muerto de Risa describes her day trip to Ecuador's largest city, Quayaquil while Patricia Granda documents the difficulties and details of a carbon exchange program which was to plant 150,000 hectares in Ecuador to compensate for carbon emissions by a plant in The Netherlands.


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Ethiopia: VOA · Global Voices
Sokari Ekine

Ethiopian Politics writes in support of the VOA Amharic Program which is described as “A voice to the voiceless”...We the undersigned Ethiopians, Ethio-Americans and friends of Ethiopia who are concerned and disturbed by the Ethiopian government’s deliberate attempt to shut down all free press and journalistic activities, here by, alert the US Broadcasting Board of Governors of the government’s recent attempts to discredit and disrupt free media not only in Ethiopia but also here in the United States of America.”


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Ethiopia: VOA · Global Voices
Sokari Ekine

Meskel Square reports about an ongoing “war” between Ethiopia and the Voice of America.  The battle surrounds VOA broadcast service in Amharic. The Ethiopian News Agency comments on VOA “In their phone-in programs they have deliberately selected and organized individuals who have rehearsed what bad things to say about the situation in Ethiopia . The overwhelming majority of people arranged to ‘participate’ in the programs are carefully selected.”


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Guatemala: Stolen Artifacts from Parque el Naranjo · Global Voices
David Sasaki

Chapinadas laments the Mayan artifacts which have been looted from an archeological site named “El Naranjo”.


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India: Blogging and Journalism · Global Voices
Neha Viswanathan

Dina Mehta is off to the Global Voices summit and is on one of the panels discussing blogging and journalism. She poses some questions to reflect on recent issues in the Indian Blogosphere, the identity of a blogger, and if at all a blogger wants to be seen as a journalist.


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India: Our American relations · Global Voices
Neha Viswanathan

A brief note on the evolution of Indo-US relations at Varnam.


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Iran: Against Aids · Global Voices
Fred Petrossian

Fanous, a collective blogger, on Thursday different Iranian associations will gather in front of Shahr Theatre to encourage people to fight against Aids and to protect HIV's people rights. (Link in Persian)


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Iraq: Hostages · Global Voices
Haitham Sabbah

Three of the four Christian Peacemaker Team (CPT) hostages in Iraq of whom a video was released today have been in Palestine working as Palestinian Solidarity activists, International Solidarity Movement reports.


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Jordan: Takfiri Culture · Global Voices
Haitham Sabbah

Nas say, “…there was calculation, there was a lack of hesitation, and this requires a degree of indoctrination that can only be traced back to the Takfiri culture of “if they are Muslims who do not agree with us then they are Kuffar” (infidels).“


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Kenya: politics · Global Voices
Sokari Ekine

Kenyan Pundit reports that she is “sick and tired of Kenyan politics”….responding to a comment on the sloth that is Kenyan and African politics, she writes “The sloth has unfortunately often been a two-way street…the politics are incompetent and the electorate tolerate and often encourage the pettiness we see, hopefully the recent vote is the beginning of a move towards demanding a more accountable government. As for progressive politicians…I’m beginning to think that is an oxymoron”.


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Malawi: Dignitas International · Global Voices
Sokari Ekine

Geeta in Malawi writes on a  NGO called Dignitas International which is a humanitarian medical NGO that “responds to the global HIV/AIDS pandemic.”


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Malaysia: “Squatgate” Reporting · Global Voices
Jose Manuel Tesoro

Says Project Petaling Street Blog, in the Malaysian police-political scandal rapidly coming to be known as “squatgate,” opposition politicians’ blogs have been much more adept at using the Internet to get out their message about local officers forcing Chinese illegal immigrant women to do squats in the nude.


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Morocco: Free Press · Global Voices
Haitham Sabbah

Foulla is posting a petition to “Stop Morocco’s Attempt to Muzzle the Free Press. Protest the Moroccan Judges’ Financial Asphyxiation of Tel Quel Magazine.“


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Nepal: Return of the BBC · Global Voices
Neha Viswanathan

United We Blog on BBC World Service returning to Kathmandu, but not without censorship.


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Nepal: To break the spell · Global Voices
Neha Viswanathan

Democracy For Nepal on the logistics for various stakeholders to bring down the current regime.


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Nigerian Blogosphere · Global Voices
Edward Popoola

Dabar Objects starts us up this week with “Nigeria and ECommerce: We must be joking”. He pointed out issues about Nigeria doing eCommerce successfully. He discussed why he thinks that even though about 5 million people confortable uses mobile phone in the country, only a minute do eCommerce and that most of them are in Lagos, the country's main commercial hub. He also made some suggestions on how to get PCs into every home.
Still talking technology in Nigeria, Chippla reports about Abuja, Nigeria's Capital going Wireless. In his blog entry titled “Abuja Goes Wireless” he says
“This would be the first of its kind in any Nigerian city and it is meant to be cost-effective and affordable in comparison to current internet technologies used around Nigeria which are, by any standard, prohibitively expensive”
Kazey Journal asked a very vital  question about Nigeria's Technological development. He asks  “Can a Nigerian Afford a PC?” He argues strongly with facts and statistics and concludes that Nigerians sure can afford PCs. He also looked into the content issue, asking whether the average Nigerian knows how to use a PC or what to use the PC for? After a long and convincing piece on why he thinks Nigerians can afford PCs, he concludes that
“Yes the average Nigerian, can afford an average specification pc, and no the government should not fund such schemes like “Computer for All Nigerians Initiative”, they should spend their funds and allocations on creating a better infrastructure and solving poverty rather. This is because never in history has an average Nigerian benefited directly from any scheme targetted to the masses, and thus it can be concluded, that such scheme, would meet the same fate of its predecessors”
On a more lighter mode, Aderemi's notebook discusses Nollywood, the Nigerian movie industry. While he points to us that Nollywood rakes in as much as $200 million annually, making it the third largest in the World, behind Hollywood and Bollywood, he looks at issues plagueing the Industry.  In his words:
“The film industry in Nigeria is overcrowded. Film quality have dropped significantly and the titles (e.g Pure Water, Area Scatter) have become a joke, little thought goes into it”
“Yet the demand continues to grow, why? Recurring themes like Love, romance, fidelity and family cohesiveness observed in the movies is pulling the crowd in. Nigerians aboard also feel the need to stay abreast of the hottest titles further fuelling demand.”
He concludes with the difficulty he faces in parting with his hard earned money to get any of these movies.
Chipla's blog had looked into an article by Paul Salopek of the Chicago Tribune on the peculiarities of Nollywood.
Naija Blog gives us an interesting letter to read and keep in our pockets for the week. He had complained to the BBC about their non-coverage of the “Change in Nigeria”. The post, titled “The BBC and Nigeria” is the respose he got from the BBC. While the letter points out the things BBC has recently reported about Nigeria, the BBC further said:
“As for the wider BBC, a search on the BBC news website on the word Nigeria produces over 200 stories which were filed recently and we have plans for both our Newshour team and our Religious Programmes to go to Nigeria in the next few months to record programmes.”
An interesting read indeed.
Black looks, among her already many posts for this week has an interesting read on what she calls “Cheap Monkeys”. In the post she looks into why researchers in the West are now using Africa as
research bases and testing ground for their work. Of a great note is the issue of Animal rights making things difficult for scientists in the West using animals as test for their work. Lack of such opposition and reduced cost have made these scientist to take Africa as a better testing ground for their work.  She says
“it is the lack of legislation, lack of opposition to animal testing and the lower cost in Africa, which encourages Western scientists to work there”
Oro has an extensive report on his trip to India for the “South-South ICT-Enabled Traveling Workshop, India” Reporting on one session on the use of ICTs by a village of 2,500 he writes.
(She gave) “examples of how the villagers have been able to use ICT tools for information retrieval, agricultural practices support and access to health services (precaution, disease control, etc). The information received by women volunteers are taken to the community in their local languages”
Musings of a Naijaman comments on the “alleged attempt by the Nigerian president to force through a change in the constitution thus guaranteeing himself a third term in office” which has led to an “unwieldy coalition of would-be presidential aspirants, people who have been pissed off by Obasanjo in some way or the other, sheer opportunists and some genuinely concerned Nigerian patriots.”

author: Edward Popoola


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Philippines: Are You Lonesome Tonight? · Global Voices
Jose Manuel Tesoro

“The Philippines is one of the world's major exporters of Elvis impersonators,” claims Jessica Zafra. Read about it here.


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Puerto Rico: Rules Amendments · Global Voices
David Sasaki

Tom Lincoln of the Puerto Rico Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers has posted the new rules amendments which will go into effect on December 1st and also links to a general memorandum.


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Saudi Arabia: Double Win · Global Voices
Haitham Sabbah

Sabbah writes that two Saudi businesswomen swept to an unprecedented victory in elections to the board of the Jeddah Chamber of Commerce and Industry on Wednesday in the first polls in which women stood as candidates in the conservative Muslim kingdom.


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Singapore: History Lesson · Global Voices
Jose Manuel Tesoro

The Higher Criticism reviews the history of pre-colonial Singapore, which is often believed to have been an insignificant nullity.


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Singapore: Un-Confucian Government · Global Voices
Jose Manuel Tesoro

The Useless Tree debunks the Singapore political elite's self-image as “Confucian gentlemen.”


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South Africa: domestic labour · Global Voices
Sokari Ekine

South African blog, Fodder is disgusted at the latest 6.7% increase in wages for domestic workers….”It is a blight on our new democracy that our government says a person can live on such a minute amount of money every month, if one wants to go the minimum wage route then at least ensure the  minimum is a livable amount of money.”


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Sri Lanka: Children in the Conflict · Global Voices
Apsith

The involvement of Sri Lankan children in the LTTE calls for immediate action towards deterring future recruitment as well as helping children already affected by warfare. Following the 2004 tsunami and the civil war, the children of Sri Lanka have become increasingly prone to participation in the military wing of the Tamil Tigers.
The tsunami resulted in the displacement of more than 550,000 persons while the nineteen year civil war in Sri Lanka resulted in the displacement of 800,000 people, one third of who were children. Orphaned children often become targets of the Tamil Tigers organization, which is located in the area where the tsunami hit the country the hardest; thus those orphaned by the tsunami are particularly at risk for abduction and recruitment by the LTTE.
In 2004, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) formulated an action plan in accordance with numerous organizations such as the Ministry of Social Welfare, Tamils Rehabilitation Organization (TRO), Save the Children in Sri Lanka, and the United Nations to address the situation and improve the lives of Sri Lankan children affected by war. This plan called for the LTTE to cease all recruitment of children and release all child soldiers. This plan instructed the Sri Lankan government to take action to rehabilitate the basic infrastructure within the country. Additionally, this plan called for the UN and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to accelerate and improve their implementation of programs related to children affected by war and child rights in this region. of October 31, 2004, UNICEF documented 3,516 new cases of child recruitment since the cease-fire signed in February of 2002. Only 1,206 children were formally released by the Tigers, according to UNICEF. As of November 2004, UNICEF files hold documentation of 1,395 child soldiers within the Tamil Tigers. According to UNICEF these numbers most likely remain low due to the fact that: Some families may be unaware of the possibility of registering, may be afraid to do so, or may have difficulty reaching a UNICEF office…this suggests that the total number of children  remaining with the LTTE may be as much as four times higher than the 1,395 figure suggests.

author: Apsith


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Sri Lanka: Wikify Wikify Wikify · Global Voices
Neha Viswanathan

Procrastination Personified on getting more of Sri Lanka onto the Wikipedia.


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Taiwan: Poor Report Card · Global Voices
Jose Manuel Tesoro

the leaky pen answers the question: “Why is Taiwanese higher education so bad?“


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The Darfur Crisis: Bloggers Speak · Global Voices
Vandu

The western Sudanese region of Darfur made the headlines for a significant portion of last year when millions of civilians were displaced by fighting between rebel groups and the pro-Sudanese government Janjaweed militia. The Janjaweed militia was also implicated in the killing of innocent civilians and the raping of women, leaving a trail of fear and terror wherever it went. To some it was genocide – the mass killing of people who simply sought a greater say in how their lives were governed. To others, it was an unacceptable humanitarian disaster ignited by a rebellious movement in Darfur, which nonetheless had to be brought to an end. African Union troops were then sent in to keep the peace with assistance from international bodies like the United Nations, European Union and the United States. Peace talks on Darfur between the rebel groups and Sudanese government are scheduled to continue (they have been going on intermittently for while) in the Nigerian capital of Abuja on Tuesday, 29 November 2005. The blogosphere has been active on the crisis in Darfur. We take a look at some bloggers and what they have to say on this.
Sleepless in Sudan, a blog by an aid worker in Darfur can be likened to the blogosphere’s premier authority on life in Darfur based on a first-hand account. Authored by a female aid worker, it contains periodical accounts about happenings in Darfur. This article posted two weeks ago laments about the fact that attacks in Darfur still continue:
“More than two years have passed since Darfur's rebel groups first began fighting, and government troops and Janjaweed militia responded by fiercely attacking villages and civilians – but the scenes of horror continue in many parts of Darfur… Not only is it acutely disturbing to hear locals tell you that 50, 60 or 70 people have been killed today – there are also concerns that the insecurity is still preventing humanitarian agencies from assisting victims with food, water and shelter.”
Sleepless in Sudan also documents and reports on the slight positives being achieved in Darfur such as the allowing back of an aid agency to camp and the seventh and final round of peace talks slated to begin in Abuja.
The blog But That’s Just My Opinion takes a rather cynical view of the conflict in Darfur, seeing it as one that reflects a long standing trend in Sudan – an Arab minority wishing to impose its views and values on a black African majority. It says:
“The Arabs have come to dominate the Sudan, and have consigned the indigenous Negroid population to the lowliest status, treating them as slaves, from a tradition which began as the Arabs moved into this stretch of Africa, which was once the site of Nubia, the great African civilization. Sudan has been mired in civil conflict, with the Christians rallying behind the [late] John Garang led Sudan Peoples Liberation Army, SPLA, fighting for control of the South from the Arabs of the North.”
But That’s Just My Opinion also traces the history of the subjugation of black Africans by Arabs on the African continent. In its final analysis, it leaves the following warning with Darfur in mind:
“Sudan remains at war, and the war is endless because the Arab Muslim population in the North is unwilling to grant the Black Negroid population its humanity.”
Sudan: The Passion of the Present focuses on the Darfur peace talks scheduled to begin at Abuja.
The blog Octogenarian asks “Darfur: Where is the American black outrage.” Also touching on the black African–Arab divide in Sudan or what it refers to as the “racial component” of the conflict, Octogenarian challenges African-American leaders to speak out against what it calls the “genocide” in Darfur:
“…I am unaware of an angry outcry about Darfur by the most prominent African-American militants, notably Louis Farrakhan, Georgia Congresswoman Cynthia McKinney, Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson. Most striking is the apparent absence of Farrakhan, head of the Nation of Islam, in the effort to defend fellow black Muslims in Africa. If these activists have expressed outrage at the massacres of African blacks by Arab militias, it has certainly been muted.”
The complexity of the Darfur crisis is reflected by the diversity of voices in the blogosphere. In the long run, peace would only be achieved if the political will for it exists. We should be hopeful that the talks in Abuja will yield fruitful results.

author: Vandu


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

The most comprehensive poll to date really got the ball rolling with an increase in discussion about the December 18th Presidential Elections in Bolivia.  In addition to the election of a new President, Bolivia will be choosing Departmental prefects and an entirely new Congress.  Miguel Buitrago (MABB) was one of the first to comment about the poll released by the company MORI.
The large number of undecided voters will be crucial as the eight candidates continue to court these difference makers.  However, only the top three are receiving the most coverage in the Bolivian press. There is a full-court press to reach these citizens who have yet to decide and could need some convincing.  Debates are one way to appeal to this group, but to date many forums and open invitation debates have been boycotted by some of the candidates.
The question whether there will even be a debate this cycle was raised by Miguel Centellas.  In his blog Ciao!, he analyzed the advantages and disadvantages of the front runner Evo Morales’ refusal to debate the other candidates.  Ultimately, he believes that this tactic favors his opponent.  Even Morales’ running mate, Alvaro Garcia Linera is following his lead in declining to debate PODEMOS’ candidate, Maria Rene Duchen.  Centellas thinks, however, that Garcia Linera would fare fairly well against the former journalist. Others have weighed in concerning this topic.  Jaime Rubin de Celis from JCR’s Place believes that if and when Morales finally decides to debate, the contrast between him and PODEMOS candidate Jorge “Tuto” Quiroga may be too much to overcome, which would end up being a risky move for the MAS candidate.  He also believes that Morales has been conveniently using excuses by citing statements made by Quiroga, that has led Morales asking for an apology.
Colors are being strewn throughout the cities.  On the Andean Side writes that the main road in the city of Cochabamba is being overrun by political propaganda and being turned into a “political fruit loops” because of the choice of colors of the two leading parties.  The MAS party is represented by blue, and PODEMOS, which recently formed this year chose red as its colors.  Mauricio writes in Bolivia Hoy that he finds it funny and mildly ironic that the right-leaning Jorge “Tuto” Quiroga’s PODEMOS party chose red with a yellow star.  All that is missing, writes Mauricio, is a hammer and sickle.
The contrast between the PODEMOS and MAS goes far beyond the simple color schemes.  They represent a fundamental difference in a vision for the country.  As a result, the campaign ads and propaganda uses this as a reminder.  Jonathan Olguin from the Journal of Bolivian Business & Politics discovered a string of television campaign commercials online, which displayed some of the “dirty war-style” TV spots.
Other side groups are getting involved with campaign ads.  From the blog Loko Kuerdo, the blogger nicknamed “T-Bone” draws attention to an interesting ad placed in the newspaper “El Juguete Rabioso” featuring a non-Bolivian politician. A group called “Young People for Dignity, Change and Democracy,” which supports the candidacy of Morales, recently printed an ad featuring President George Bush.  The ad says
“If this man (Bush) lived in Bolivia, he would vote for someone that thinks like him.  He would vote for Tuto Quiroga.  You have dignity.  Vote for real change.  Vote for the nationalization of the hydrocarbons.  Vote for Bolivia.  Vote for Evo Morales.”
Not all the political content in blogs is written.  Recently Joaquin Cuevas, editorial cartoonist from the La Paz newspaper La Razon started his blog that features some of his drawings.  The new blog is called La Vida del Chico Larva.  Cuevas also publishes a magazine called “El Fanzineroso”
As always, there is much more than politics around the Bolivian blogosphere.  Sebastian Molina of Plan B announced that the first “Gran Encuentro Gran” meeting of Santa Cruz bloggers was a success.  Pictures to follow.  Finally, a new Bolivian Blogger Frappr map was created to visualize the different places that Bolivian bloggers are located around the world.

author: Eduardo Avila


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Travels in the Kurdish Blogosphere · Global Voices
Deborah Ann Dilley

This week was fairly quiet in the Kurdish Blogosphere compared to week's past. Many Kurds have been focused on the upcoming/ongoing trial of Saddam Hussein. One such blogger, Kurdo from Kurdo's World remarked that after watching the first day of the trial that it was unfair…to Saddam's victims. He gave 3 reasons:
1. The trial is not live. We get 30 minutes delay. Let's hear what the man has to say. Why he did that to us LIVE and without censors.
2. The trial video is edited and censored. This is not fair. So many people have died and so many mothers and fathers and orphans want to hear the facts. Why is the video censored and edited ?
3. All we get to see is Saddam being defiant, his aids crying for help….but nothing about facts…Saddam wanted to explain what he was doing in the video and he was stopped from doing so. Let's hear what the man has to say for fairness's sake.
Another blogger writing about the trial is Hiwa from Hiwa Hopes who wouldn't be surprised if Saddam got out of the trial “clean” based on some sort of technicality like the court translators. However, other trials are looking up. For instance, a Dutch businessman, Frans van Anraat, who is charged with complicity in war crimes and genocide for selling chemicals to Iraq (knowing Saddam Hussein would use them to carry out poison gas attacks) started his trial on Monday. As promised, Hiwa also translated more Kurdish party manifestos of groups running in the upcoming December 15th elections, this week was the Kurdistan Alliance Manifesto.
The Iraqi Vote has also been commenting on topics relating to the December elections, including a short profile of Hamid al-Kiffaey head of the Movement for Democratic Society. He also discusses why Kurds are against the proposed lift of the parliamentary immunity on former Iraqi minister of defense, Hazim al-Sh’alan. The Iraqi Vote also has similar comments to Kurdo about the televising of the Saddam trial.
Roj Bash! has an excellent post with documents and evidence from the Anfal campaign, which is one of many incidents that Saddam Hussein is being held on charges for.
The Is-Ought Problem does an excellent job this week of trying to define some of the nuances of Kurdish politics in Northern Iraq/Southern Kurdistan. For example, Jalal Talabani, who is Kurdish but also the current president of Iraq, recently stated that an independent Kurdish state would not be viable. He also signed off on an agreement with the Arab League catagorizing the nature of resistance and terrorism, which could be construed as advocating the killing if non-Iraqi civilians as not terrorism, but instead legitimate resistance. Whereas Masoud Barzani, the president of the Kurdistan Regional Government, commented that attacks on foreign forces should not be considered as “Resistance”. It seems to be a common misconception that the Kurds are united in all things, and the Is-Ought Problem does an excellent job in showing that reality is not the case.
Moving outside of the realm of Southern Kurdistan. Bleak Blogorrhea posts about student protests in Eastern Kurdistan/Western Iran, and about some of the handicrafts that come out of that region. He also gives a link to the Ottawa Kurdish Community Association which has been newly founded.
From Holland to Kurdistan has a post about a recent press-conference where Prime Minister of Turkey, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, left the conference upon hearing that reporters from Denmark-based Kurdish Roj TV were present, while the rumor and the truth of this story is still left to be found, it has spawned a series of paranoia jokes about the Prime Minister. And while I stated that we were moving away from Iraqi Kurdistan, I would still like to direct you to a wonderful post From Holland to Kurdistan has about the Iraqification of Kurdistan.
Content on the Kurdistan Bloggers Union focused this week on the finding of several new Kurdish blogs, including a link to Wikipedia in Kurdish. While a total of four were mentioned, only two of the new blogs are in English and will be introduced in this posting. The interesting thing about these 2 new blogs is that both were started this week, and I personally find it interesting to watch the birth of both of these blogs. However, as with any new child/project you cannot always tell their full worth from the beginning. Both have postings that cover the entire region of Kurdistan in its scope and it seems difficult to try and classifiy their niche at this time, however I think that we will see a lot from Rasti and Welcome to the East of Kurdistan in the near future.

author: Deborah Ann Dilley


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Turning Point in Venezuelan Legislative Elections · Global Voices
Iria Puyosa

Next Sunday, December 4, is election day for Venezuelan National Assembly deputies. The electoral race had been taking place without much ado from voters, and according polls projected abstention was to be around 70%. It was going to be an easy victory for President Chávez’ twin parties.
However, last week the opposition parties demonstrated to international observers that the thumbprint machines-to be used for screening citizens’ identity before they be allowed to vote- were programmed to log the choice of each one of the voters in a given sequence. Such a log may allow the government to verify whether or not a person voted for Chávez’s candidates, and use such information each time a citizen would need to conduct any business with the national administration, as has been happening with the infamous Tascón’s List. Given that precedent, the opposition has asked the National Electoral Council (CNE – Spanish acronym) to suspend the use of thumbprint machines, otherwise opposition candidates would retire from the elections.
The CNE agreed to suspend the use of the thumbprint machines. Unexpectedly, several opposition parties decided to withdraw from the elections. AD, COPEI, Venezuela Project, and several other small parties announced that they are not longer running for seats in the National Assembly because the electoral process is obviously tainted, and there is not prospect of fairness. MAS  announced that they will keep running, while Justice First (the main opposition party) and Causa R have not made a public statement yet.
Reacting to these events, the Venezuelan blogosphere turned its attention to the elections, which were being overlooked until now. Many opposition bloggers call the for unanimous withdrawal of opposition candidates, while Chavista bloggers claim that the withdrawal is just a “children's tantrum” from candidates who know they were going to be defeated.
Several opposition and independent bloggers argue that the CNE's one-sidedness and the potential for fraud were widely known before the thumbprint machines issue came out. Thus, there is no reason for a last minute withdrawal. On the contrary, some bloggers allege that the opposition could be  in a better electoral position now since the international observers witnessed the irregularities in the operation of the voting machines, which had always been claimed by the opposition parties but had never before been proven. In general, most Venezuelan bloggers agree that the citizens opposed to Chávez cannot depend on these unresponsive parties to represent their political views.
Venezuelans who oppose Chávez seems to be looking for leadership and creative ways to get mobilized. Along those lines, a series of e-mail and cell phone text messages inviting citizens to go to churches next Sunday instead of going to vote  have been circulating widely this week. However, many Venezuelan bloggers think that “praying is not enough”, as Venezuelan diseased folk song-writer Alí Primera should have sung.
Update: MAS
Update 2
On November 30 evening, First Justice announced that they are also withdrawing from the elections. Opposition parties are now demanding the CNE to suspend elections.
Most Venezuelans bloggers consider this series of events  as a travesty that would undermine democracy rather than helping to overcome electoral vices. Abstention is likely to reach historical record, since people do not see the point in voting without the main opposition parties.  A few bloggers are still arguing for voting to keep democracy going.
1: Although the majority of Venezuelans are nominally Christians—mostly Catholics—, most are not customary church-goers.

author: Iria Puyosa


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United Arab Emirates: Mute Maids · Global Voices
Haitham Sabbah

Secret Dubai say, it's a common sight across the UAE: a downtrodden-looking young maid, often Indonesian or Malaysian in appearance, pushing a child in a pram or pushchair. A hijab fully covers her hair, her eyes are lowered, and she does not look at or speak to anyone: not even the child, not even if it starts screaming or throwing a tantrum.


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Zimbabwe: Hijack · Global Voices
Sokari Ekine

This is Zimbabwe writes on a near miss “hijack” …..Today I came close to being hijacked. I got the fright of my life. Two cars were waiting facing opposite directions, and as I came past the one did a ‘u’ turn and followed me and the other followed as well. They came up fast and I got onto the cell phone but kept on getting ‘network busy’. Finally I managed to get through to a friend, but by then, after a series of right turns and me looking at them talking into the phone they slowed and I went my way.” Both cars had no number plates and Chipo wonders why the police are not looking for law breakers anymore.


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Argentina: Economics · Global Voices
David Sasaki

GoodAirs takes a look at Argentina's current economic status.


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Armenia: Discussing the Constitution · Global Voices
Nathan Hamm

Notes from Hareinik has a lengthy discussion on Armenia and democracy in light of last weekend's constitutional referendum.


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Bangladesh: Young Lawyers · Global Voices
Neha Viswanathan

Unheard Voices on a group of young lawyers who are getting noticed for speaking up.


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Brazil: World AIDS Day · Global Voices
David Sasaki

Made in Brazil notes that this is the first World AIDS Day to specifically condemn racism's effect on the spread of AIDS.


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Caribbean: “Why We Hate Homosexuals So Much” · Global Voices
David Sasaki

Alien In The Caribbean digs deep to find the roots of homophobia in the Caribbean.


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China, Japan, Korea: Critiquing Critics · Global Voices
Jose Manuel Tesoro

The Asia Pages comments on Asian critics’ negative reactions to Hollywood's choices in bringing the book Memoirs of a Geisha to the screen. “While it would be nice to see a Hollywood production give justice to another culture, it's rarely been seen,” she explains.


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China: Modernized Politics · Global Voices
Jose Manuel Tesoro

On Anti's English Blog, an article translated from Chinese on how only modernized politics can save China's socialist reform.


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Egypt: The Minorities in Egypt · Global Voices
Haitham Sabbah

Zeinobia say that there are other minorities than the Copts “Orthodox Christian Egyptian” that don't have its rights completely. In fact if you compare their conditions with the Copts conditions, we will find that Copts are much more fortunate than them. What are these minorities? Read more…


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El Salvador: International Law Enforcement Academy · Global Voices
David Sasaki

Tim's El Salvador Blog covers yesterday's approval of an International Law Enforcement Academy, which will “use US personnel to provide training of police, judges and prosecutors from around Latin America.”


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India: Arunachal Pradesh  · Global Voices
Neha Viswanathan

The diversity of India never ceases to amaze. Vislumbres goes to Arunachal Pradesh (North East India) and offers some insight.


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India: Living with HIV · Global Voices
Neha Viswanathan

On World Aids Day, Lives in Focus has a feature on Lambadis – or the community of tribes (who are said to be related to Eurasian Gypsies) whose lives are on the margins, and the plight of those with HIV is heartbreaking.


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India: Surveying the disaster · Global Voices
Neha Viswanathan

Why is it that a disaster immediately implies a queue of VIPs who go on pointless aerial surveys? Teakada on the current aerial survey boom in Tamil Nadu.


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Iran: Free Samininejad! · Global Voices
Fred Petrossian

Sarzamine Aftab ( means Sun land) (link in Persian) writes about jailed blogger, Samininejad (link in English), who must stay in prison for two more years. Sarzamine Aftab says other bloggers were released from prison because they were famous . Samininejad is all alone and we must back him.


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Iran: Iranian Blogsphere · Global Voices
Haitham Sabbah

Hoder suggests that there are over 700,000 blogs in Persian out there which doesn't include those hosted on international servers such as Google's blogspot etc.


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Iran: Thank you Mr. President · Global Voices
Fred Petrossian

Pasdar (means guard or revolutionary guard) published Mr. Rezai's, former leader of Pasdaran (Revolutionary guards), letter to Iranian President. Rezai said that we now show the west we don't retreat on nuclear issues and he thanked Ahmadinejad for his policy regarding to western countries.(Link in Persian)


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Israel: Peace and Tolerance · Global Voices
Haitham Sabbah

David say, the friendly soccer match between the joint Israeli-Palestinian soccer “peace team,” and Spanish team Barcelona, went ahead as planned, with Barcelona beating the Israpals 2-1. But the result was not important; the most important thing was the spirit of coexistence on display, a sentiment agreed with by most.


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Jordan: Feminism in Jordan · Global Voices
Haitham Sabbah

Rami say, although there are some shiny and splendid official figures such as women enrollment in education, which accounts for a staggering figure in the vicinity of 90 percent, there are somethings that numbers cannot count. Sadly although women represent half of the society, their chances of finding a job is much less than this percentage, and since I dont trust many official figures, I will trust my judegement on this.


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Kazakhstan: Uzbek Border Issues · Global Voices
Nathan Hamm

neweurasia reports on Uzbek-Kazakh border disputes.


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Kenya: Women enrepreneurs · Global Voices
Sokari Ekine

Kenyan blogger Bankekele posts on a recent report highlighting issues  around Women Entrepreneurs in Kenya....”.46% of SME’s in Kenya are owned by women who face numerous constraints in establishing and running their business. The goal of the program is to transform women enterprises from being informal and micro-sized, located on inappropriate premises, operating in feminized sectors & and locally restricted markets, and which are under-capitalized, making minimal use of technology – all of which limit their potential for growth. This will be done through tailored financial and other solutions”


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Nicaragua: La Purísima · Global Voices
David Sasaki

¡Pura Vida! says that festivities for the holiday of La Purísima have already begun to take place.


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Pakistan: Changing equations · Global Voices
Neha Viswanathan

The earthquake in Pakistan has changed a lot of power equations – given the accusations of mismanagement of the disaster says pakistani perspective.


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Puerto Rico: First World Veneer? · Global Voices
David Sasaki

Gil C. Schmidt wonders if Puerto Rico is a third world country with a first world veneer.


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Racism: Football (Soccer) · Global Voices
Sokari Ekine

Black Star Journal criticises the Italian Soccer Federation for their failure to deal with racism in Italian football.….”England has long had a terrible reputation for racism and hooliganism at their soccer grounds. But this black eye is a holdover from the 1970s ad 1980s when they truly deserved it. While English soccer authorities have made great strides in the last 15 years against the expression of hatred and violence at matches, other European countries have refused to tackle this issue. Racism and hooliganism has diminished in England partly due to efforts by the clubs and partly due to the gentrification of the once strongly working class game. But those illnesses still plague the game not only in Eastern Europe, but in other parts of supposedly sophisticated Western Europe


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Singapore: Execution Eve · Global Voices
Jose Manuel Tesoro

As convicted Australian drug smuggler Nguyen Van Tuong enters his last hours before his hanging, Singapore bloggers continue to write about his situation. Says Xeno Boy: It's all about face. Chemical Generation Singapore is sad that a promising discussion about the death penalty was cut short by self-censorship.  From a Singapore Angle is collecting links on the case.


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Thailand: Media Mogul Misadventures · Global Voices
Jose Manuel Tesoro

Over at Sarasonteh, Tom Vanvanij and his commenter, Post Staffer, have been involved in an informative discussion about the present misadventures of former Thai media mogul Sondhi Limthongkul, whose dreams of an Asia-wide media empire collapsed in the late 1990s.


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Trinidad and Tobago: 3canal · Global Voices
David Sasaki

Caribbean Free Radio debuts the first 2006 single by musical group 3canal in podcast episode 37 while Sweet Trini reviews the 3canal album, “Jab, Jab, Say …”


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UAE: Online Journalism in the Arab World · Global Voices
Haitham Sabbah

Shaden attended the Online Journalism in the Arab World conference conducted at University of Sharjah, 22nd-23rd Nov. 2005. She write a very comprehensive review of the event and it's outcome.


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Uganda: Release Besigye · Global Voices
Sokari Ekine

The Coalition for Darfur reports that the Pan African Parliament has “passed a  resolution calling for the immediate and unconditional release of the jailed leader of the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) Col. Dr Kizza Besigye”


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Uzbekistan: Gas Shortages · Global Voices
Nathan Hamm

Vseuzniy Blog has photos and a short report (in Russian) on new gas shortages in Tashkent. (Background on the situation in English can be found at Registan.net)


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Vietnam: Rickshaw Ride · Global Voices
Jose Manuel Tesoro

No Star Where describes being a foreigner riding a rickshaw in Saigon and quotes Pearl S. Buck: “They are such fools they do not know the proper price of anything, and let the silver run out of their pockets like water.”


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World AIDS Day · Global Voices
Sokari Ekine

World AIDS Day – MentalAcrobatics asks “How do you tackle AIDS as an African writer/writer who happens to be African/blogger of African origin/African blogger? “


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World Aids Day:  · Global Voices
Sokari Ekine

World AIDS Day – Feminist African Sister –  asks some serious questions about HIV/AIDS – We need the answers!


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World AIDS Day · Global Voices
Sokari Ekine

World AIDS Day – Human Rights Watch calls for increase protection of HIV/AIDS activists….AIDS activists around the world face frequent government repression and abuse and need substantially increased support and protections, said Human Rights Watch on World AIDS Day.”


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World Aids Day:  · Global Voices
Sokari Ekine

World AIDS Day – Interview with Stephen Lewis in Pambazuka News……On World Aids Day 2005, UN Special Envoy for HIV/Aids in Africa Stephen Lewis - answering questions from Pambazuka News – adds his voice to those telling western leaders to keep their promises made on fighting the HIV/AIDS epidemic, warning that ‘resting easy’ once promises are made is ‘pure folly’ and pointing to evidence of backsliding following G8 commitments earlier this year. In the interview, Lewis answers questions on the slow-footed global response to the epidemic, his often outspoken statements and where the ‘big breakthrough’ in the fight against HIV/Aids will come from”.


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World Aids Day:  · Global Voices
Sokari Ekine

World AIDS Day – Pambazuka News roundup…”Also unmentioned is the role played by the capitalist mining industry which sequestered male miners in hostels, away from their wives and families for months or years on end, a situation that facilitated the spread of HIV/AIDS. Thus the dominant ideologies keep framing the HIV-AIDS debate in the same terms of individual responsibility, ordinary villagers as ignorant and needing ‘education’, and Africans as more promiscuous than the rest of humanity.”


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World Aids Day:  · Global Voices
Sokari Ekine

World Aids Day – AfroMusing, Kenyan Pundit


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Zimbabwe: AIDS · Global Voices
Sokari Ekine

This is Zimbabwe reports that for the first time prevention programmes are finally beginning to help bring down the rate of infection in Zimbabwe.  “In Harare, HIV prevalence in women attending antenatal or postnatal clinics fell from 35% in 1999 to 21% in 2004. In rural eastern Zimbabwe, declines in HIV prevalence in pregnant women were also reflected in declines among both men and women in the general population (Mundandi et al., 2004). A significant decline in HIV prevalence among pregnant young women (15–24 years)—which fell from 29% to 20% in 2000-2004—suggests that the rate of new HIV infections (incidence) could be slowing, too (p.20)”.


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Argentina: World’s Largest Condom? · Global Voices
David Sasaki

Argenautas has a photo of what they describe as the “super condom” that was draped over Buenos Aires’ famed Obelisk to commemorate World AIDS Day.


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Armenia: Protests Continue · Global Voices
Nathan Hamm

Martuni or Bust!!! reports on today's protests in Yerevan over the passage of constitutional amendments in last weekend's highly suspect referendum.


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Bahrain: Riots and Blogging · Global Voices
Haitham Sabbah

Have a feeling of what is going on Bahrain turbulent political street and blogger field. And don't miss to follow Mahmood on ‘blogging 101′ soon.


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Bangladesh: Fighting terrorism · Global Voices
Neha Viswanathan

Adda on “Incentives for Fighting Terrorism in Bangladesh“


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Bangladesh: Future of the country · Global Voices
Neha Viswanathan

Mezba reflects on the future of Bangladesh – and the general direction of the country and its culture.


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Bangladesh: Why we pray · Global Voices
Neha Viswanathan

Sadiq Alam on why Muslims pray five times a day – offering a multi-cultural perspective on a question that is posed quite often.


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Bolivia: New Vargas Llosa Essay · Global Voices
David Sasaki

A.M. Mora y Leon is impressed by a new essay by Peruvian pundit, Álvaro Vargas Llosa on Evo Morales’ threat to Bolivia.


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Burundi: UN corruption · Global Voices
Sokari Ekine

Agathon Rwasa calls for the UN Secretary General to demand an explanation from Carolyn Mcaskie who heads the UN office in Burundi…..”Never apologise. Never explain”? – Still no answers from the UN on how the FNL obtained UN Peacekeeper uniforms. Still no apology to Burundians”.


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Chilean Bloggers: What happened with our Politics Blogging? · Global Voices
Rosario Lizana

Roberto Arancibia, a well known blogger in Chile, posts that we are only ten days away from the presidential and parliamentary elections and that political Blogs should be burning hot, but….why aren't they?
Most of the comments agree that blogs are not mainstream or still too “elite”. Maria Elena said that “young people are not interested in politics,” while Christian thinks the candidates don’t really have arguments to debate, so they don’t need to use blogs.
“Politicians use their blogs to post speeches and press releases”, comments Angela. And Pato M said that it “is because it's the end of the year”.
Carlos Valencia thinks that it is common for politicians to react late to small revolutions. He and Nadia comment that no candidate offers true participative democracy, while another Carlos also emphasizes that we have to “democratize democracy”.
The majority of political speech is about participative democracy, but why they don’t use blogs as a platform of participatory politics?

author: Rosario Lizana


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China: Red Ink · Global Voices
Jose Manuel Tesoro

danwei discusses the trouble that has hit Beijing Media Corporation, a popular Chinese IPO that was once seen as a way for foreigners to take a stake in China's media industry.


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China: Swallow Love Story · Global Voices
Jose Manuel Tesoro

redredpei posts on Flickr a “swallow love story” — a series of photographs of a swallow mourning over its mate, crushed by a car in a street in China.


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Cuba, Caribbean: Tourism and Imperialism · Global Voices
David Sasaki

wayne&wax takes aim at a recent article in the New York Times about Cuba's burgeoning tourist industry in which Ian Schrager describes Jamaica and the Dominican Republic as “atolls” compared to Cuba's “distinct personality.”


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DRC: train crash · Global Voices
Sokari Ekine

Congogirl reports on a train crash in the DRC in which dozens have been killed...”The people were travelling on top of carriages and were swept off by support beams on the bridge. Officials say about 60 people may have died on the train that was travelling from Lubumbashi in the southeast to Kindu in central Maniema Province. An eyewitness says that most of the passengers were knocked into a river with a strong current”.

author: Sokari Ekine


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Egyptian bloggers and parliamentary elections · Global Voices
Mostafa Hussein

Elections
This week we had the re-run of the second stage and the first run of the third stage of parliamentary elections.
The second stage was the most violent. Although one person died in the first run of the third stage there was less violence but the police and security forces prevented many people from entering polling stations.
76 seats and counting…
The  Muslim Brotherhood (a.k.a: Ikhwan) are winning more and more seats in the next parliament.
Baheyya comments on this issue:
The Ikhwan have done well to take voters and their needs seriously, and voters in turn are returning the favour by braving security phalanxes and demanding their right to be heard (above). Now I am deeply ambivalent about the Ikhwan, but who cares? As my Egyptian politics guru rightly reminds (that’s right, guru), one cannot impugn their fundamental respect for the ordinary Egyptian, and their superior skills at capitalising on and augmenting seemingly puny opportunities. They are not infallible and they are not without schisms, but they are committed. And they are clean.
She adds:
The challenge for the Ikhwan as a political phenomenon will be to maintain and truly live up to voters’ trust. No easy task, and not a foregone conclusion.
Issandar of the Arabist, says that not a single political analyst could have predicted that they would win such large number of seats. He also says that they are not entirely innocent from the incidents of violence, yet they are not directly responsible.
Issandar analyzes the MB's tactics in the media:
A thought has been forming in my head over the past few weeks, slowly taking shape into this basic and perhaps obvious realization: the MB is carrying out a long-planned, highly orchestrated and well-organized media offensive in parallel with its political offensive during the elections. This op-ed, and the one a few days ago in the Guardian are part of a string of evidence that it is making a real effort at communication to Egyptian, Arab and international media.
Haisam  in the 2nd stage re-run, reports that Dr. Mohammed Abdellah President of the University of Alexandria took university students in University busses to go vote for him. He then joins Malek to visit several polling stations. He says that it was the same thing for all stations. The security forces sealed it compeletly only few managed to get in. Outside every station tens of Brotherhood members were chanting their slogans. He also noticed that journalists and elections monitors were denied entry. While chanting a man asks him why he was standing silent, he replied that he was not from the Brotherhood. The man replies telling him “no problem, aren't you a Muslim ?”
Haisam thinks that Brotherhood is not involved in a game or a deal with the NDP as some important figures did lose seats to the Brotherhood. And even opposition figures who made some deals with the NDP were defeated badly.
Freedom for Egyptians thinks that:
It is such a naïve political game is meant to make us believe that the presence and the continuation of the current regime is protecting us against the evils of the Muslim Brotherhood in a country that pretends to be secular. It is either the regime or the Islamists.
Magdy Helal says as a practicing muslim for him the world Islam carries good meanings and the slogan “Islam is the solution” means a lot to him. And if a person doesn't understand what does it mean he should revise what he knows about his own religion.  He also says that whoever is fighting for freedom should support the Brotherhood too. Despite what other opinions say, they have succeeded in opening the doors for the people to choose.
The Second Crossing
The Sandmonkey posts with pictures:
But that's not all. People really wanted to participate and make their vote count, and they decided to outsmart the police who is preventing them from going in, by using laders to sneak into the polling stations like thieves.
In one village, men and women determined to vote resorted to sneaking into the polling station, putting up ladders to climb over back walls — out of sight of police barring the entrance — and slipping through bathroom windows to get in.
Those people braved serious injury so that they can go in and exercise their constitutional right to vote. The Police, which was supposed to facilitate and protect them tried to prevent them from even using that way to get inside the polling station.
Baheyya explains:
Most surprising of all is the tenacity and fearlessness of some Egyptian voters. Unfazed by knife- and stick-wielding thugs, intimidating police formations shooting rubber bullets and tear gas, and the sheer logistical hurdles and sense of doubt accompanying the act of voting, ordinary men and women have trudged to polling stations to demand their rights.
…
But, you see, the vast majority of Egypt’s people don’t have the luxury of over analysing anything. Their life circumstances are much more pressing. The act of voting for them is a matter of survival and dignity.
Ebles considers this the second Crossing.
Rumors
There is a rumor, a strong rumor actually, going around in newspapers and blogs. The rumor says that Gamal Mubarak is going to start a new party together with NDP members who support him. Freedom for Egyptians says that there might be a fight between the old guards and the news ones:
The fight is ongoing between the old guard, led by the Speaker of the Shura Council and former minister of information, Safwat Al-Sharif, and the new guard. Apparently, Al-Sharif alliance won the battle. The new guard led by Gamal Mubarak is seeking to form a new party to overcome their defeat.
Don't bomb Al-Jazeera
The Arabist and Baheyeldin comments on the memo about bombing Al-Jazeera. While I comment on the technology they are using to speak out.
Miscellaneous
Egyptian Person comments on two strange incidents. The first is that a Nasserist  parliamentary candidate is asking for the removal of the names of 2000 registered voters from his electoral circuit because they once lived in Israel and are married to Israeli women. Egyptian Person notes that the women are Arab-Israelis. The other incident is that a lawyer filed a suit to revoke the citizenship from the participants of the recent Coptic conference in the US.
Egyptian Person  asks:
Who said dictatorship or fascism has to come from the government? And how can we ask a dictatorship to implement democracy if many of the people who demand democracy are the same people who try to throw out those who are different and those who disagree with the “opinion of the people”, and consider them unworthy to be Egyptians to begin with?
The Sandmonkey posts about 25 Pakistanis disappearing without a trace in Alexandria, leaving behind their belonging and passports.
Ibn Ad dunia reminds us of an assassination plot by Mamdouh Hamza. Who wanted to hire hitmen to take down an Egyptian minister and a plan to to kill other prominent old NDP figures.
Despite all this Freedom for Egyptianshas good sentiments towards her country and wants to take a break.

author: Mostafa Hussein


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El Salvador: 25th anniversary of slaying of the 4 churchwomen · Global Voices
David Sasaki

Tim's El Salvador Blog links to a resource packet commemorating the deaths of four American church women who were murdered in El Salvador 25 years ago.


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Global Voices Seeks Managing Editor · Global Voices
Rebecca MacKinnon

Global Voices is growing fast! We are now looking to hire a full-time Managing Editor.
THE JOB: This person will be responsible for coordinating day-to-day content flow on the Global Voices blog, run regular online editorial meetings, manage the work of our rapidly expanding international team of Regional Editors and volunteer contributors, and coordinate daily with editors from our news media collaborators and partners. He or she will also help steer the future of Global Voices into non-text media, other languages, and help to innovate and implement new technologies and tools. As Global Voices is a virtual organization, the Managing Editor would not be expected to relocate. However, he or she needs regular access to high-speed internet connectivity and will be expected to travel. Salary and other compensation will depend on the candidate’s experience. Start date: as soon as possible in 2006.
THE REQUIREMENTS: Our ideal candidate has solid experience in blogging and online citizens’ media and at least some experience with professional news media. He or she has the ability to work independently and responsibly with only remote supervision. Solid English-language writing and editing skills are a must. Programming/HTML knowledge not required but strong familiarity with the use of online social media tools (blogging platforms, aggregators, use of RSS feeds, and tagging) is important. He or she must be a diplomatic team player, capable of communicating effectively with bloggers as well as news reporters and editors, who enjoys pioneering uncharted territory. Ideally he/she will have the ability to read and write well in at least one language other than English and working knowledge of other languages. Preference given to candidates from outside the United States and Western Europe.
Interested candidates please send CV and Letter of Interest explaining why you'd be a good candidate for the job to: GVJobs AT gmail DOT com.

author: Rebecca MacKinnon


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India, Pakistan: Bats, balls and friends · Global Voices
Neha Viswanathan

Things like cricket can change their feverish pitch. From Hot to Fuzzy warm, thanks to a few good men says The Vantage Point.


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Indonesia: Unsafe in Jakarta · Global Voices
Jose Manuel Tesoro

Indonesia Anonymus responds to a British reader, who feels fairly secure in the Indonesian capital, to explain why they don't feel safe in Jakarta.


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Iran: Free Books in Persian · Global Voices
Fred Petrossian

Farsibooksonline is a blog which offers free download for many books in Persian. We can find different subjects in this category: Poetry, Economic, Social issues,….(Link in persian)

author: Fred Petrossian


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Kazakhstan: Disturbing Election Preparations · Global Voices
Nathan Hamm

Sean Guillory discusses disturbing events in advance of Kazakhstan's presidential election.

author: Nathan Hamm


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Kiswahili blogoshere this week · Global Voices
Ndesanjo Macha

Mawazo na Mawaidha writes about the new Bob Marley CD.   He specifically likes the song, Slogan, one of seven songs found in Marley’s working room. The song, which features Eric Clapton on guitar, was produced by Bob Marley’s children, Stephen and Ziggy.
Dira Yangu, writing from Uganda, asks his readers not to be suprised if it happens that he is arrested for writing about Dr. Kiiza Besigye’s court case.   Besigye is facing charges of treason and rape before the High Court and charges of terrorism and illegal possession of firearms before the military court.   Recently, the government of Uganda banned the local media from discussing anything related to Kiiza Besigye.
Gaphiz does a wonderful translation of Karl Marx's theory of class struggle.  He considers the Arusha Declaration an example of what Karl Marx was working for.
Bakanja, a catholic monk, does not understand the logic behind urban “development” in Tanzania.  Most places in Tanzanian towns and cities, he laments,  do not have street names, the sewage system has not been improved since Tanganyika got independence in 1961, and the urban population is growing very fast.
Harakati announces his new English blog, Proud African. He joins a small group of Tanzanian English bloggers.   Harakati has been blogging in Kiswahili from Toronto, Canada since August this year.
Michuzi posts photos from presidential campaigns in Tanzania.  Christopher Mtikila is the controversial chairman the United Democratic Party.  He has been to court and in jail more than any other politician in Tanzania.  He made a name for himself in early 90’s after refusing to recognize the union between Tanganyika and Zanzibar.  The two countries united in 1964 to form Tanzania.   Freeman Mbowe  is the leader of one of few stable opposition parties in Tanzania, Chadema.  He has become very popular because of using a helicopter in his campaigns.

author: Ndesanjo Macha


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Kyrgyzstan: Kick-Start the Economy · Global Voices
Nathan Hamm

Baktygul talks about ways to improve the Kyrgyz economy at neweurasia.


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Nepal: Attacking Royalty · Global Voices
Neha Viswanathan

United We Blog! on the attack on the convoy of the Crown Prince in Nepal.


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Nepal: Bringing down the house · Global Voices
Neha Viswanathan

Democracy for Nepal on why reviving the House won't work.


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News From Chinese Blogosphere · Global Voices
Frank Dai

Bush Visit: Geogrge W. Bush, president of United States, visited China from Dec. 20th and met with Chinese leaders, talking about issues like trade and religious freedom. A Chinese journalist who participated in the welcome ceremony in a church posted on his blog about Bush titled “Bush's Hairy Hands” (in ZH) and ESWN  translated the article. Danwei also have reviewed his visit and rounded up the official media stories.
HuYaobang: Dec 20th is the 100th anniversary of Huyaobang’s birthday, the former president of communist party of china in mid 1980s, who has been often connected to the Tiananmen Protest in 1989 and thus a subject to media censorship. The CPC choose to have a official memorial service dedicated to him. Most people regard this as a possibly good step toward political reform.
Podcast Map: Podlook, the largest podcast directory website in China has set up a map of Chinese podcaster using the great tools of Google Maps API. If you are a podcaster, please sign up for a membership in the website and then you can submit your location so that everybody can see where you are. Also a contest named “The Best Chinese Podcast in 2005” is under way. They will begin voting in December.
Blogosphere Marriage: Welleway(in ZH) reported that he found two bloggers are going to be married after they met and fell in love with each other on MSN Space. In the invitation (in ZH) the to-be husband invited others to take part in his so-called “Blog Marriage Ceremony”.
DW Weblog Awards winner: The winner for best Chinese journalist blog was “Milk Massage”, a blog written by a famous journalist Wangxiaofeng. His major writing style is mixed with satire and entertainment.
Blogger Hack: Webleon is now writing a series of life-hacking posts (in ZH), instructing on how to use the popular blog hosting service Blogger, powered by Google. However its Blogspot domain is still blocked in China in many parts of China.

author: Frank Dai


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Nigeria: Plagiarism and bloggers · Global Voices
Sokari Ekine

Chippla's Weblog writes an important piece on “Plagiarism And Bloggers” in which he reminds us that plagiarism is illegal and violates copyright laws…..”Around the blogosphere, issues of copyright are yet to be brought to the fore. However, this blogger believes that as time progresses, an increasing number of blogs might begin applying stricter copyright protection as found on company web sites. For now, some blogs leave you wondering as to what their copyright policies are.”


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Nigeria: Yakubu Gowan · Global Voices
Sokari Ekine

Nigerian Times writes that former military commander  Dr Yakubu Gowan “Dr. Yakubu Gowon is the best head of state Nigeria has ever had since Independence to date.”


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Pakistan: Blog-O-Manic · Global Voices
Omer Alvie

Ladies and Gentlemen, welcome to this week's round up of Pakistani blog posts.  As you can well imagine, the task of collecting relevant articles (of interest) for your perusal is not any easy one. One has to skim through many sites of pointless verbiage before something of interest is sighted. The whole process can take many months. Actually that is a slight exaggeration, it actually takes only an hour or so but believe me it isn't all fun. “Excruciating Browsing (EB)” is what I call it.
EB is a rather precise technique devised by yours truly after many years of internet surfing. The modus operandi is not for amateur internet researchers and can result in bodily harm if not followed correctly. The EB method basically comprises opening 8 browser windows, and then viewing multiple sites simultaneously. All this is done while eating a large bag of Tortilla chips ensuring that the bits do not fall in the gaps in between the keys on your keyboard. The research comes to an end when you have finished your bag of Extra Cheesy Doritos.
Without much further ado, I present to you the result of my recent EB:
Windmill rather interestingly compares Lahore to his favourite city; Meandering writes about reward-oriented nurturing; Opinionated Voice does an Anti-Islam round-up; Thatta Kedona celebrates the birthday of the founder of the Village Of Dolls; Politically Incorrect rants about Teenage Attitudes; Random Thoughts contemplates the price of his apparel; Hasan Mubarak presents the symptoms of internet addiction; Venial Sin tells it like it is; Anwaar Hussain (Fountainhead), my dear cyber friend, presents the Forward to his upcoming book; and finally, Help-Pakistan.com (online campaign founded by Teeth Maestro) makes its first monetary contribution to TCF's relief funds for Pakistan's earth quake victims.
I shall bid you all adieu now, as I have to vacuum the crumbs off my laptop keyboard.

author: Omer Alvie


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Pakistan: Dubya in text · Global Voices
Neha Viswanathan

So who are they actually trying to impress? A poem in Urdu on Dubya makes it to the 11th grade textbook in Pakistan says Metroblogging Lahore.

author: Neha Viswanathan


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Philippines: Presidents · Global Voices
Jose Manuel Tesoro

Ricky Carandang analyzes why a recent survey has President Fidel V. Ramos, considered the country's most effective post-war President, slipping in the scales of popularity. Is it because he supports the current troubled President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo?

author: Jose Manuel Tesoro


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Poland: Bravest Woman in Politics · Global Voices
Nathan Hamm

Warsaw Station reports on the bravest woman in Polish politics.


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Saudi Arabia: Sami Al-Arian Case · Global Voices
Haitham Sabbah

Sami Al-Arian has been in jail for 1016 days now, waiting for a verdict from the jury. June say, “it would absolutely horrible if your father was in the same city and every night you go to bed knowing that your dad is in a jail sell all alone.“

author: Haitham Sabbah


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Singapore, Malaysia: Assessing Explusion · Global Voices
Jose Manuel Tesoro

Rajan Rishyakaran reflects on Singapore's expulsion from Malaysia, which resulted in the city-state's independence. He concludes it was a loss to Malaysia: “Should Malaysia kept Singapore, Singapore probably wouldn’t be as developed, however Malaysia with Singapore probably would be democratic.”


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Singapore: Poor Little Rich Girl · Global Voices
Jose Manuel Tesoro

Dutch Diary describes how Singapore is like a misunderstood child.