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Somaliland: AU luxury on the Nile · Global Voices
Sokari Ekine

The Voice of Somaliland Diaspora-Ottawa asks if African leaders remember the “cries of the hungry children as the savior on French gourmet”.  As the dine on the banks of the Blue Nile and enjoy the comforts of expensive hotels millions of African women and their children sleep under the open skies with no protection.


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South Africa · Global Voices
Sokari Ekine

South Africa comments on an interview with PW Botha and writes  “please make these stupid people shut up“.

source: news-globalvoices

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

author: Sokari Ekine


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South Africa: Arts blog · Global Voices
Sokari Ekine

African Voices and Visons is another new African blog, this time from South Africa.  The blog is written by a young female documentary filmmaker.  The focus so far on the blog is mainly on the arts.


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South Asia: Listening to the Blogs · Global Voices
Kamla Bhatt

BANGLADESH:
Downloading music from the Internet, a new blogging platform and a model-turned entrepreneur helping the local artisans and weavers are some of the topics that bloggers of Bangladesh are writing about.
Salam Dhaka has some pointers on where to look for Bangla music on the Internet. Adda writes about the winds of change in South Asia, and Bangladesh in particular. He writes about a Norwegian company's introduction of a blogging platfrom in his country. Razib has an interesting story about Bibi Russel, a Bangladeshi model turned designer, who works with local artisans and weavers of Bangladesh.
BHUTAN:
Read about the largest book in the world. Bhutan is fast becoming a hot travel destination and here is Aaron's description of Bhutan, while Amelopsis has beautiful visuals of this land-locked country tucked away in the Himalayas.
INDIA:
Should it, or should it not…Bangalore or Bengaluru? This South Indian city famously known as “Silicon Valley of India,” may get a new name and that has become an interesting source of debate among Indian bloggers around the world. Amardeep has a nice round-up about on this hot topic button.
Food is big in South Asia and here are some interesting pictures and blogs from India. A picture speaks louder than words, and here are some mouth-watering image of Gujrati food , while MyDhaba talks about fixing fish the India way. Read why Supersaps feels that all Indian food does not taste the same.
NEPAL:
Nepal and cricket, somehow those two words don't go together when you think of this Himalayan state. Guess what Nepal has a cricket team. Uzwal has a post about it. Oliver writes about the current political situation in Nepal.
PAKISTAN:
If you needed a visual and update on what is the latest mobile PDA making the rounds in Pakistan read Go2Net posting. Saj Shirazi has a fascinating travelogue about Chillas, a small town nestled in Northern Pakistan, which was one an important post for travellers, including Marco Polo. Fiona has a visual and an account of the famous Khyber Pass. Ramla of Karachi Metroblogging has a Google Video link about Karachi, and this slide show comes complete with music and some of you will recognize the Pakistani singer Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan singing.
SRILANKA:
Relief for Sri Lanka highlights 11-year old Rebecca's contribution to the Read Write Sri Lanka Project. Phil Bogle shares some wonderful pictures of Sri Lanka.

author: Kamla Bhatt


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Syria: Blog Censorship in Syria · Global Voices
Haitham Sabbah

The Syrian Domari (Arabic) yesterday became the first blog to be censored in Syria.
Syria Mirror reported today that the Syrian Computer Society, one of two government-owned internet service providers in Syria, has blocked access to the Syrian Domari. The unprecedented move comes two months after anonymous bloggers (Arabic) launched Al Domari in November 2005. The blog uses satire, cartoons and pictures to criticize the current political situation in Syria, Damascene Blog reports.

author: Haitham Sabbah


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Tajikistan: Islam in Schools · Global Voices
Nathan Hamm

James of neweurasia reports that Tajikistan's secondary schools plan to emphasize the importance of Islam in the country's history.

author: Nathan Hamm


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The Race to Wire Brazil · Global Voices
Patrick Hall

The $100 laptop  (previously covered here at Global Voices) isn’t the only contender out there designed to bring personal computers into the lives of a broader spectrum of Brazilian society, as a spin around Brazilian blogs will attest:
O Velho introduces Microsoft’s recent launch into the Brazilian mass market. In a deal with a huge department store called Magazine Luiza, they’re releasing a consumer machine with an unusual payment plan:
“The machine will work more or less the way pre-paid cell phones do: to use it, you have to buy a card that enables you to use the machine for a set number of hours.”
But “Hell Cyberdeliah” crunches some numbers, and he thinks that they don’t add up—free software on commodity hardware is a better deal, in his opinion:
“R$48 would come out to 48 hours of computer use, after the credit runs out the “system” stops working, and the owner has to buy new cards until the price listed in the agreement is reached.”
His tabulation:
A bit of digging around in Brazilian online stores will prove that you really can get a preinstalled Linux box: R$999. And guess where? At the same place selling the Microsoft machines, Magazine Luiza!
But it seems that the low entry price of the Microsoft offering has won over a fair number of Brazilian consumers: Michel Lent Schwartzman at ViuIsso? (“Did you see that?”) describes just how quickly those Microsoft “Connected PCs” are selling—15 thousand Microsoft PCs sold in 13 days.
fofinhopil, on the other hand, reminds us that with a sense of humor you can sidestep all those decisions, and create your own PC… with common household items!
“After the computer for millions, the government created another way hahahaha of popularizing computing in Brazil. What did they do? Easy. They proposed a simpler way to make your own PC. And wow, did that ever work out hahahaha.”

author: Patrick Hall


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There is No Festival in Cartagena · Global Voices
David Sasaki

In the most recent issue of the magazine, Arcadia, a brief note appeared about the virtual event, No Hay Festival (There is No Festival) which, with the collaboration of some friends, I am organizing. The idea of making a magazine about the “dark side” of Cartagena and other cities along the Atlantic Coast came about over a year ago while conversing with the journalists Tadeo Martínez and Juan Manuel Buelvas. Writer and comic strip creator, Alfonso Múnera Cavadía was also interested by the topic. Due to the costs of the project and the difficulty of finding funders, it was shelved, but the dream remained intact and I decided that, before landing the project, we could at least take it for a virtual non-stop test flight which starts on Thursday January, 26 at the website of Fracaso Limitada (Limited Failure). The name was, of course, inspired by the “Hay Festival,” which is taking place this week in Cartagena and is our way of giving it an enthusiastic welcome and recognizing its importance to the city and country. Events like “Hay Festival” can generate positive press attention towards Colombia outside of its borders and are magnificent opportunities for those who are sufficiently privileged to attend the lectures, to listen, meet, and receive the autographs of excellent authors like Vikram Seth, Hanif Kureishi, or Balisario Betancur.
Our “No Hay Festival” will try to show, through a series of chronicles, reports, essays, and columns, the grave situation facing the other Cartagena. The Cartagena that doesn't make it into postcards nor international festivals. The city of the everyday Colombian, the environmental ruin, the unemployment, the displaced, the absolute misery, the sex work by minors … the desolate Cartagena, immobile and invisible which only receives such eminent personalities during election campaigning. With photographs, videos, and comic strips, “No Hay Festival” will have writers in the districts of Bazurto, Nelson Mandela, Zona Suroriental, Henequén, and Mis Cojones. Vistors to the page are free to leave comments and complaints to the different authors. Among those who have confirmed their participation in this first installment of “No Hay Festival” are Juan Manuel Roca, Daniel Samper Pizano, Alberto Salcedo, Heriberto Fiorillo, Alvaro Restrepo, Cristian Valencia, Alfonso Múnera Cavadia, Rómulo Bustos Aguirre, Daniel Samper Ospina, Miguel Iriarte, Andrés Felipe Solano, Alonso Sanchez, Antonio Ungar, Ricardo Silva, Ernesto McCausland, Tadeo Martínez, John Junieles, Juan Manuel Buelvas and Alvaro Suescún.
Returning to the theme of Hay Festival and certain messages which have been circulating online, I don't believe there is any reason to satanize it. It's just one more appointment of literary tourism's vast agenda and I say “tourism” because the writers of these events – apart from touring around – do little else. The routine is more or less the same: the international, national, and local writers repeat the same stories they've by now memorized, the moderators show their expertise in the subject matter, and at the end of the small talk, the public sighs in relief, applauds, and rushes for the cocktails and appetizers. There's no reason to hope for a literary meeting and less so if it is sponsored by the creator of Macondo [Gabriel García Márquez]. Like a beauty contest, the only thing left to put to test at a gathering of various writers is vanity. The rest will be left to the media whose efficacy of giving shape and depth to any matter can not be denied. Which is why, like I said before, the city and country will receive positive media attention abroad and perhaps a tourist or two will decide to visit us.
Cartageneros are accustomed these days to seeing authorities “clean” the central streets of their homelessness and cheap prostitutes. The only thing that has really bothered me, taking into account the philanthropic spirit that seems to enthuse Hay Festival and its powerful supporters, is the cost of entrance. In the majority of the literary festivals that I know about, the public can register for free. And even though it's probable that for tourists and Cartagena's small upper-class the ticket price isn't much more than a mere symbolic contribution, it must be remembered that Cartagena possesses the largest curtain of misery in all of Latin America and that 80% of its inhabitants are forced to survive with less than a dollar a day. I say this as a way of illustrating what the official event's own web page emphasizes: an event which brings with it, “the stamp of hedonism of Hay Festival” to our city.
With this article I hope to have responded to those who unjustly blame Hay Festival for being something more than a pleasure of hearing good and reputable writers in person. It would be an absurdity to demand that a simple literary festival discusses or is even interested in the endemic social diseases of Cartagena or the country; this task is our own and we should reinforce the spaces that already exist and create new ones to ensure their continuity. No Hay Festival is a small contribution to that end and we hope to shortly transmit it from the virtual world to the other Cartagena where the “stamp of hedonism” never finds its way.
Translation by David Sasaki

author: David Sasaki


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Turkmenistan: The Axe Falls Again · Global Voices
Nathan Hamm

neweurasia reports that Turkmenistan has dismissed a handful of government ministers. Yet again. Among the charges this time though were not just the normal accusations of abuse of power and incompetence, though. Polygamy made the list too.


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Uzbekistan: Hip-Hop Scene · Global Voices
Nathan Hamm

Registan.net reports on the Uzbek hip-hop scene.


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WSF Bamako   – What it means for Africa · Global Voices
Sokari Ekine

The World Social Forum (WSF) is a yearly  gathering of civil society groups and social movements that meets every year in order to try to find solutions to fight against the continued domination of corporate capitalism.  For the first time this year the  WSF   changed its format from one centralised forum  to a more global one with events taking place in  2006 – Bamako, Mali (January 19th-23rd) Caracas, Venezuela (January 24th-29th;  and Karachi, Pakistan (date to be set).
The first WSF was held in  Porto Alegre in 2001.  The organisers say they began the forum as a response to neo-liberalism and corporate
capitalism and to enable activists, NGOs and civil society groups  to come together to share ideas, experiences and seek solutions.   This is now the 6th year and some people at this year's forum began to question the fact “that nothing seems to be coming out of this enormous effort“
“This forum will not lead to anything; we'll just hear the same speeches,” said a teacher from Bamako to South Africa's Mail & Guardian on 18 January, the eve of the forum. “Before, it was politicians putting us to sleep with their words – now it's those who question globalisation…” Similarly, the secretary general of Civicus, a world alliance of non-governmental organisations, Kumi Naidoo, called for the forum to agree on and propose real solutions instead of only complaining about the world’s problems
The holding of the WSF in Mali was important to Africans for a number of reasons.   First it allowed the participants to feel “more connected to the process than if it was held elsewhere“.  Secondly it enabled Africans to lay down their own agenda and discuss issues that are more specific to their countries and needs such as Female Genitle Mutilation, early marriage, literacy of girls, the occupation of the Western Sahara by Morocco, and the conflicts in Darfur and the DRC.  The forum also enabled groups such as the Ogoni of Nigeria and the Yaaku of Kenya to speak to their particular concerns.   Finally the forum in Bamako acted as a preliminary to the WSF 2007 which is to be held in Nairobi Kenya and for the other landmark events in 2007 which will mark the 200th anniversary of the abolition of the slave trade and the 50th anniversary of Ghana's  Independence
In addition to the above debates there were 9 major themes at the WSF:   War and Militarism – Security and Peace –  Globalized liberalism – Aggressions against peasantry – Alliance between patriarchal and neo liberalism systems, and marginalisation of women’s fight – Culture, Media and Communication –  Destruction of ecosystems –  International trade, debt and economic and social policies – Social fights, social and human rights.
Heida of Economy & Society  was one of the few blogs that covered the Bamako forum.  The extremely well organised and informative blog has a number of reports but two in particular stand out.  The first is the “World Court of Women“.  The court was created in 1992 and acts as a “symbolic process” holding hearings on gender violence.  This year's theme was: “Resistance to Wars – Wars of Globalisation, Wars Against Women.”  The second report on employment and poverty was attended by male and female trade unionist which ensured there was a gender dimension to the discussions.  Indymedia South Africa reported on the failure of the Bandung du Peuple discussion which was supposed to be a debate on Imperialism from a grassroots perspective but whose outcome was “poor”.
“The tone of the conference was openly anti-american. Although a critique of the forgein policy of the United States of America is not only everbodys right but also more than understandable, the voices to be heard in the conference argued partly in a very unreasonable way and ignored that in today’s world of interconnection and global gouvernance it simply doesn't work to single out one country to be responsible for all the evils in the world. In Bandung in 1955 the states of the Third World were not even that one-sided in their critique and condemned the Soviet Unions, US and French imperialism equally. Here in Bamako it was all one-sided. Members of one panel discussion went so far to call for the unconditional support of the Iraqi resistance and quite a few people supported this. And no one objected. So I do it now”:
The Bandung revival issue was also raised in an article by Open Democracy.  The issue is that Bandung was a movement which led to the creation of the Non-aligned Movement  between countries  whilst the WSF is a “gathering of social movements where neither governments nor parties are invited”.
Pambazuka News has a report on the WSF and what it means to Africa.   The  report asks a number of questions the first of which is “Who funds the WSF?”
“It's very difficult to determine who pays for the WSF: The website cites no sponsors, and it is hard to find any organisations or funding bodies highlighting their role as sponsors. The WSF charter is silent regarding what kinds of international sources of funding may be tapped. The registration fees are minimal. All organisations participating in the WSF are asked to contribute towards a translation solidarity fund, which is intended to help cover the WSF's translation budget”.
Their second question  is “Are grassroots organisations represented?”  The answer to this highlights the problem faced by many grassroots organisations and explains why so few Africans have previously been unable to attend.  Unless groups can find sponsorship from private foundations attending is not possible.
“Organisations working on the ground are usually far more cash-strapped than those that network, train, research or sponsor them, and the former usually (hopefully) spend their money largely on meeting the direct needs of their beneficiaries. Several private foundations did manage to sponsor representatives of grassroots women's organisations to attend the events in Bamako, enabling many to make voices heard that are frequently absent in international ‘jamborees”
Open Democracy also covers the question of whose views are represented at the forum.
“Do the people at the forum represent the views of the organisation whose name they carry around their neck? Do they represent all the people their organisations claim to work for? It wouldn’t be democratic to pretend they always did. A new study by Ibase in Brazil actually shows the majority of participants do belong to an “unaffiliated leftist elite”, that rejects hierarchical structures and “the old practices” of power politics.”
It is difficult to see exactly what  has been achieved after six years of WSF forums.   However it is possible that the change in format from one centralised gathering to this year's format spread over three continents may enable more participation and decision making at grassroots level by activists and civil society members.
It is unfortunate that there has been little coverage of the forum in Bamako by either bloggers or the mainstream media.  When compared with the coverage taking place in Caracas this is even more lamentable.  The African blogosphere has also been sadly lacking in commentary on the forum.  One reason for this may be  the lack of publicity about the WSF in Mali by all sections of the media.  More to the point though is most Africans on the continent do not have access to the technology needed to blog and Mali does not have the infrastructure or the funds  to provide the necessary technology for WSF participants.   Mali is one of the poorest nations in the world  and though there are internet cafes in Bamako, service is sparodic and limited due to poor telecommunications and electricity provision.


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Youth WSF collective blog · Global Voices
Iria Puyosa

Attention-grabbing first person testimonials on what is going at the World Social Forum in this collective blog. Posts about life in the youth camp, the Forum’s (dis)organization, the Bolivarian proceso, Chávez’ misiones, and the Forum debates.

author: Iria Puyosa


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Happy Chinese Lunar New Year · Global Voices
Frank Dai

Today is the Chinese Lunar New Year‘s eve, which are regarded as the most important festival in China and mark the beginning of a year with warm spring coming, so it's also called Spring Festival. We are blogging and aggregating on the what Chinese Blogger are celebrating the evening, with photos, stories and more!
This year is called “Dog Year”. There is a cycle of 12 years in which each year was represented by a kind of totally 12 animals, and this year was for the Dog. People celebrating this holiday by fireworks, banquet, and family reunion in the 7 days off session. “Dog Stamp” and “Dog Year Wishing Card“
The most important part of the festival is the reunion dinner, where family members joined together in new year's eve, served with a banquet of traditional Chinese food like noodles and dumplings. Andrea of T-Salon have some photos showing how the food is like. Daxing Stef have the photo that explained the procedure of making a special kinds of dumpling called “Kok Tsai“. An article on Xinhua news agency reports the debate over a reunion dinner worth of $24444.
Firework is also the very interesting part of new year. When the bell rings at the 12 o'clock, the firework should be set, which means “Goodbye to the last year and Greeting with the new year.” However for recent years firework is prohibited or confined to certain areas for security and environmental reasons in major cities like Beijing. This year the prohibition was lifted and the Beijing police are sending short messages via cellphone  to remind citizens of safety in playing with fireworks.
Sending SMS(Short Message) is also the rising phenomenon in China. People use it to send wishes and blessings to their friends, colleagues and relatives. It was estimated that during Spring Festival which will last from Jan29 to Feb4, there are more than 10 billion short messages sent over the country.
After the dinner, came the “Spring Festival Eve Gala” by China Central Television. For last 20 years, it has become one of the major entertainment of Chinese, featuring many star, singing&dancing and traditional folk performance like cross talk. But due to the abundance in means of entertainment, the audience's passion has dropped dramatically. Raymond Zhou, a blogger and movie critics tells you why. He uses the word “Camp” coined by Susan Sontag to describe it.
BingFeng gives you some suggestions in New Year if you are in Shanghai and he is doing his New Year Blogging.
Wayne, an American who lived in Xiamen, China wrote a great post about his understanding of  Chinese New Year and suggested on helping  foreign people mark the festival like a native.
Laoluo, a very famous blogger, wrote his news year's wishes. China Digital Times has translated part of his post.
Benetleong teaches  you how to read and pronounce Chinese idioms and characters that you usually says when you meet someone in the festival.
See more photos via Flickr cluster, including the clothing, performance, paper back, and parade in China town.
Find more posts via Technorati and Icerocket.

author: Frank Dai


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Iran: 350 Bus Workers Arretsed! · Global Voices
Fred Petrossian

According to Danshamouzaen Mobarez (means Fighting Students) more than 350 bus drivers & workers, who wanted to start general strike today, got arrested (Persian). Some other drivers were beaten by security forces and got forced to drive their buses. Several leading members of Bus Syndicate had already been arrested.

author: Fred Petrossian


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Iraq: Drowning in Rain · Global Voices
Salam Adil

Baghdad Dweller posts some photographs of the rain-swept streets in Baghdad “Millions Dollars spent on “Iraq reconstruction” and the situation as you see in the pictures.“
He also links to the list of Iraqi academics that have been killed, threatened or kidnapped. “Iraqis without exception will not benefit from assassinating educated people.” he writes.

author: Salam Adil


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Revolutionary Awareness in the WSF  · Global Voices
Iria Puyosa

Bloggers attending the World Social Forum in Caracas have been speaking out with constructive criticisms on organizational pitfalls. Issues related to transportation, the youth camp facilities, and information problems have been widely addressed by critical bloggers.
A Berkeley student recounts her  journey across Caracas’ city parks and surrounding natural reserve parks in what turned to be a camp on  the move.  Ten Bard College students co-authoring a collective blog coined the word (dis)organization to summarize the event’s pitfalls.
A Muslim blogger points out different opinions among attendees about Venezuelan government intervention in the Forum. The issue is related to the critical debate focused on the WSF's future path of political action agenda-setting, critical debate forum, or civil society meet up.
Latin American bloggers attending the event have been less vocal about criticisms, and more focused on praising the workshops and roundtables they have attended. Bloggers connected to the open source and the free software movements are excited about the Troll Party held in the Forum. Venezuelan blogger Luigino Bracci opines that the government agency in charge of promoting the usage of free software in Venezuela should follow this path, and hold similar events to disseminate the advantages of open source software among common people.
A group of Venezuelan bloggers against state intervention of the economy and welfare policies opened a blog devoted to report “grudgingly” about the deeds of the lefties attending the WSF. Meanwhile, US bloggers who are not attending the Forum are buzzing about Cindy Sheehan’s participation in an anti-war demonstration.
The odd piercings and tattoos that a person can get in Caracas are creating a fun side at the WSF.  Venezuelan bloggers also report on a never-ending series of parties for both Forum goers and protesters.
The tragicomic note is brought by foreign Chávez's supporters wanting their picture to be taken mocking up  the act of firing guns at Puente Llaguno, the place in which more than dozen of Venezuelans were killed when an opposition demonstration attempted to go to the government house to call for president Chávez's resignation on April 2003.
In any case, the Forum attendees appear to be gaining a lot from the discussions going on in Caracas. As one of the  Bard College’s students says, “awareness is a revolution in itself, all else follows directly.”
Tags: Foro Social Mundial | World Social Forum


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Turkey is Typing… · Global Voices
Deborah Ann Dilley

This week's post will be shorter than normal, please bare with me….
Turkish Torque celebrates his 1000th post this week, congratulations!  Ugur has translated an excellent article about how the media and entertainment world is destroying Turkish culture and comments on rumors of Muslim reformation.  He also writes about the new political chess game being played by the Turkish Foreign Ministry and how it is reacting to the election of HAMAS in Palestine.
Talk Turkey writes about a future United States of Eurasia that has created quite an interesting conversation and comments about the new Kurdish judge to replace the other Kurdish judge to try Saddam Hussein.
A quite funny post from The Need to Know asks for the world to leave Iran alone, she wants a big bonus.
Zen in the Kitchen writes about onion and garlic helping you to remember your left from your right.
Mavi Boncuk returns with a post about Ataturk's adopted children.  Snow is the subject of a post from Metroblogging:Istanbul and well as one from Erkan's Field Diary, well actually not just one post, but two and three.
Amerikan Turk wrote about the big snowstorm in Istanbul as well, but he also covered other items such as bedbug infestations, Turkish hostages in Iran-a story missed by the main stream media coverage, and (my personal favorite of the week) a piece about buzzword word games in office meetings.
Find of the week: We Are the TURKS, a new blog dedicated to interviewing and writing about prominent Turks in American business and culture.

author: Deborah Ann Dilley


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We Love Cooking! · Global Voices
Melissa De León

#1: All Indian food does NOT taste the same!
From the UK, We all live downstream explains this popular belief that find its roots in the lack of adventurous spirit of some when executing this natural, vital and recurrent activity. What kind of Indian food do you get when you go out? Northern Indian probably.
Not that all Northern Indian food tastes the same, but to assume such a diverse country has similar tasting food demonstrates the following: First, people usually order the same thing over and over, being shy to try something new. Second, there are not too many good exponents of Indian restaurants out there, and third, most Indian restaurants offer a limited menu which won't go further than the North Indian cuisine.
If your hunger for authentic Indian food has taken you overseas, to the heart and house of this movement, do not miss your opportunity to visit Panchvati Gourav in Bombay. There you will be able to enjoy an "all-you-can-eat" meal for Rs 145 (approximately a little bit less than $4 US) and more than 20 different dishes are served including 5 types of yummy breads!
#2: It is fried whole-fish time!
From Oman, My Dhaba features a delicious and incredibly easy recipe to prepare "Silver Pomfret Fry". If you've got a bagful of cute silver pomfrets and still have not decided what to cook with it, head over to his blog because this is the first of a series of great recipes where you know who is going to be the star! And, when you are there, please do not miss his slow-death Halwa recipe. It makes me want to go to the kitchen and prepare it right away!
#3: The Chinese New Year of the Dog
Six years is a long wait to indulge yourself with your favorite homemade food, right? That's how long Hotel Kid had to wait to enjoy the food he had engraved in his family memories. New year's dinners filled with an endless list of regional dishes from the land of his ancestors, and the warm, good times spent with relatives and friends were for a long wait for his dream. Now, he is happy as ever, and I couldn't agree more with him. Just take a glimpse at the menu: Yu Sheng, Suckling Pig, Roast Pork, Roast Duck, Roast Chicken, Stir-fry Prawn Noodles, Vegetable Curry (Lontong), Hainanese Beef Stew, Spring Rolls, Garlic Prawns, Scallops & Abalone, Nasi Kunning (Yellow/Tumeric Rice), and Fish Maw Soup. Join him while he shares this amazing story and delicious photos.
#4: Zambia is the place to be
Maeghanjuneray shares her incredible stories and photos of her travels in Zambia. If you are curious about what the local food is, we invite you to read this interesting post. She not only relates tales about the country,  the orphan children, and all of the HIV infection,  she opens a window where we can take a peak and learn about their eating habits…Lots of rice, maize, cabbage, and fish of course, is what satiates the hunger of their body and soul.
#5: Pesto paradise
Have you ever forgotten something in the back of your freezer, to find it many months later? Well, that is exactly what happened to Vickie. Last summer she prepared and posted a delectable step-by-step recipe to prepare and store homemade pesto. Then,  just a few days ago she found them in the back of her freezer. It was the perfect occasion to prepare a really colorful Pesto Cream Sauce. It definitely looks scrumptious served with pasta and chicken breast,…hmmm
#6:  A taste of the world
Part Time Pro-bono Baker is traveling from London to Beijing. Follow her in this gastronomical adventure, and sample her food tales and beautiful photography from: Zagreb-Croatia, Beijing, Rome,  Venice,  Kraków-Poland, Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany, Copenhagen, and many other interesting cities.
#7: The mango fever continues
From Guyana Diaspora, a very interesting post on luscious mangos. An excerpt follows:
There are 1,000 varieties of mangos throughout the world. And beyond being delicious and rich in vitamins, minerals and antioxidants, mangos contain an enzyme to soothe stomach ailments. A 105 g (31/2 oz) serving of sliced fresh mango contains just 66 calories, almost no fat and is a rich source of vitamin A, potassium, vitamin C and fiber.
#8: From Galapagos with LOVE
The Curlin Clan letter from Galapagos in Ecuador is no doubt one of the longest letters I have read recently. I am not complaining at all, because every paragraph is filled with adventurous tales on the family travels in this beautiful Latin American country. It is no secret that I love Ecuador, but I have never been to Galapagos. After reading their story I made very clear to myself that this place would be visited soon, weather I like it or not!!!
After resting, we headed to the pier and fished for piranha on nothing but a line and a big hook. They are the size of bream with beautiful orange black eyes but oh what teeth. Vinnie says there is nothing to fear about swimming in the lagoon with them as they do not bother people with all the other food available. Dad was hoping to swim, but he got sick and I really did not need to have to do it to knock that one out. Everyone landed one except me. They kept eating my bait which was beef. You had to be quick at the jerks. I hooked one but did not land him…They actually cooked them for supper so people could eat some of their catch!
#9: Panama, a culinary destination?
The message is out: "we welcome you to our country, which is a melting pot, one of the richest ones when it comes to a variety of exotic fruits, vegetables, seafood, fish and delectable meats that would satisfy the most refined and trained palates and connoisseurs."
Read more about this fascinating topic here.
#10: Chocolate and Peanut Butter sitting in a tree
Being the chocoholic I am, I could not resist to finish this report with some sweet chocolaty stuff. Here we go…
From Cream Puffs in Venice:
When I think of food marriages, I think of warm bread slathered with soft butter, a freshly-baked chocolate chip cookie and a cold glass of milk, golden fried potatoes and a sprinkling of sea salt … I could go on! The grandest marriage of all, however, has to be chocolate and peanut butter. Wether it's a Reese's peanut butter cup or your own nutella and peanut butter sandwich, the two are made to go together.
Here is waiting for you her recipe to prepare Chocolate Cupcakes with Peanut Butter Filling
Enjoy!

author: Melissa De León


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Iran: Perisan Blog & Israel · Global Voices
Fred Petrossian

Hoder informs us that first blog in Perisan has been launched  by an Iranian from Israel. Blog's name is Cafe Guisbourg and talks about blogger's daily life in Tel Aviv.


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Iraq: Mosul Library · Global Voices
Salam Adil

A Star From Mosul starts a campaign  “to collect  books for the out-of-date libraries in Mosul University in Iraq.” Aunt Najma is asking for: • Donations of money • books from their wishlist • supscriptions to magazines for the university • a call for different universities to hold drives in their schools to collect books. More information can be found here.


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Iraq: Security Meltdown · Global Voices
Salam Adil

Nibras Kazimi posts more on the backroom deals to form the next Iraqi government. Significantly, he reports that there is a security meltdown in Baghdad. “There has been a spike in non-terrorist related violent crime lately throughout Baghdad … a third of Baghdad’s sprawling mass is almost totally lawless.”


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Pakistan: Blog-o-mobile · Global Voices
Omer Alvie

I apologize for not having posted for nearly a fortnight, but I have a pretty good reason for being MIA. The traffic on the internet highway has become so excruciatingly bad that it caused my trusted Vespa scooter to finally breakdown and die. I traded it in the remains for a more souped-up version of a Pakistani rickshaw (3-wheeled taxi), see above photo. Impressive isn’t it?  It is turbo charged to maneuver through the narrow bylanes of cyberspace. I also had an ejector seat installed in it, except in this version (unlike James Bond's Aston Martin), it is the driver seat that ejects. It comes in handy when you are stuck in a proxy jam; you can just expel yourself from that agonizing experience and commit cyber hara-kiri.
This top-of-the-line rickshaw also comes with a built-in precision guided missile system which is rather useful when one wants to obliterate those offensive pop-up ads that crop up on certain web sites and blogs.
On to this week's collection of delightful links that reflect the Pakistani perspective. Suspect Paki highlights a frightening reality experienced by the Palestinian children; Teeth Maestro announces the launch of Desicritics.org; Windmill comments on the Kara(chi)film Festival; Fountainhead pontificates on fascism; Lightwithin praises the mountain Porters of Pakistan; Crow's Nest debates the rational of logic; and finally, I present my random thoughts for the day.
I better get a move on, as I need to pick up my customized licence plates for my rickshaw. Simply says “BLOG THIS!”

author: Omer Alvie


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The Year of the Dog Comes to the Rest of East Asia · Global Voices
Jose Manuel Tesoro

“Da Hong Deng Long” (Big Red Lantern) by Yining Zhang
Blogs all around East and Southeast Asia have gone grey this past weekend as many, particularly those in the overseas Chinese community, celebrate the Lunar New Year.  As part of Global Voices Online's continuing celebration of the arrival of the Year of the Dog, here's a quick sampling of celebratory posts around the Asian region, outside China, Vietnam and Malaysia:
Being Korean thoughtfully reminds us that although many people call the Lunar New Year just “Chinese New Year,” the holiday is also celebrated throughout Asia by non-Chinese.  In Korea, the holiday focuses more on reverence of deceased ancestors on the paternal side. He writes: “lunar new year is a unique celebration here in korea and one that i feel is a shame that the legions of non-koreans living here have never had the chance to participate in or even simply witness.”
Kitjar Sukjaidee, a Thai of peranakan (Straits of Malacca-born) Chinese descent, describes on Thai-blogs.com how her Thai-Chinese-Malay family celebrates the occasion, which extends over several days:
Accordingly, it is believed on the 24th night of the 12th Lunar Month, the Kitchen God ascends to Heaven to report the domestic happenings. This is the time for my family to ‘bribe’ the Kitchen God with sweet sticky stuff (thus the sweet chocolates) for him to report only ‘good stuff’ about the family. Of course, this is also a symbolic prayer for enough food on our dining table for the coming year.
The blog of a Sisaket Boy actually prefers Chinese New Year to Thai New Year because of the tradition of giving out little red envelopes, known as “ang bao,” filled with money, to young people.  Many children around this time make out like bandits.  Another account of Lunar New Year in Thailand can be found from Bangkok Mom.  Also at Thai-blogs.com, Richard Barrow has pictures of the celebration.
In Singapore, as in many other places in Asia, Lunar New Year is an extended holiday and thus an opportunity to go elsewhere for vacation, leaving the city-state a ghost town for the duration.  Nakorius is miffed his family decided to go to Thailand the first time he's celebrated Lunar New Year in Singapore in over a decade.  Chronicles of the Beast hates Lunar New Year because he is bored out of his skull.  But Fauzi is happy for the peace and quiet.  Meanwhile, Singaporean chlim01 is bored, who lives in Cambodia, thinks Lunar New Year will be too quiet.  He is disappointed that firecrackers have been banned this Lunar New Year in Phnom Penh.
Jose Morales, a Filipino with some Chinese ancestry who is now living in San Diego, tells us that this Dog year is the Year of the Fire Dog:
Based on tradition, the Year of the Dog is the year for reflection and to assess ones values. In the face of disturbances, the fire dog is known to be always on the lookout, protecting the surroundings. Following this characteristic of the dog, the year is expected to see benevolent and idealistic deeds and various unusual changes coming into being. The Fire Dog speaks of a character that is dramatic, ferocious, alluring, motivated by strength of mind and self-confident.
Jakartass in Indonesia (born in a Year of the Dog himself) wishes his readers a happy Lunar New Year.  He writes: “Remember that the Dog year and those under its influence are protectors of morals and defenders of the weak.”
Finally, Hiswords has a screenshot of the Lunar New Year celebration in the massively-multiplayer role-playing game World of Warcraft.

author: Jose Manuel Tesoro


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Afghan Whispers: Censorship & London Conference · Global Voices
Fred Petrossian

Afghan Lord informs us that there are more and more private TV channels in Afghanistan but he warns about the danger of censorship:
Beside of four private channels like Ariana tv, Tolo tv, Ayna tv, Afghan tv and including one government TV these two is launched outside of the capital. According to the ministry of information and culture more than 25 other private channels are registered to started the gradually the transmission. Last week Afghan TV  was accused and punished to 50000 Afghanis equal to 1000 U.S dollar for broadcasting a un-islamic pictures which showed a half naked body of woman in TV. Now the entire channel started censorship.
Another blogger, Nikobad  (“good and evil” in Persian) says it is time to say no to censorship. The blogger believes freedom does not create immorality but gives  respect to people to take their own  decisions. (Link in Persian) He says the commission responsible for censorship operates under direct supervision of Ministry of Culture & Information.
Dialogue 3 says the London conference decision will be useless for Afghan people. He says NGOs are misusing all the money which comes to the country and people's lives have become worse in past two years. (Link in Persian)
Nikobad has a different opinion about conference. This blogger says 70 countries will come together to help Afghanistan's development in  next 10 years. This conference shows that startegic decision to collaborate with US and Western countries pays off. He says independence in our age means negotiation with the world not being isolated. (Link in Persian)


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Armenia: Notes · Global Voices
Nathan Hamm

Onnik Krikorian has more notes from the Armenian blogosphere–a roundup of posts on Armenian blogs over the past week.


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Bahamas: Majority rule redux · Global Voices
Georgia Popplewell

Sir Arthur Foulkes continues his discussion of majority rule in the Bahamas.

author: Georgia Popplewell


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Bahrain: Cartoons and other stuff · Global Voices
Mahmood Al-Yousif

Dr. Abdulhadi Khalaf, the Bahraini dissident and member of the first parliament that was dissolved in 1975, now lives in Sweden and lectures at Lund University, posts a report about his Christmas visit to the island. He's not very impressed by how companies and individuals “show their love” and respect to the higher echelons of the political structure in Bahrain, concluding that:
I cannot help wondering who is the PR genius who convinced the three royals that billboards will make them loved? He/she must be a secret agent of the opposition who planted him to mislead the royal troika. And, apparently, he (or she?) has done a good job. For who would in his right mind would believe that he needs billboards to gain love or respect? The royal trio were really taken for an expensive ride. And counter-productive to boot.
Manama Republic has another excellent and insightful piece. This time he sheds a light of an insider on the unfortunate fatal accident that claimed one of the king's sons recently, and raises a very important point: Bahrain seems to specialise on squandering opportunities; opportunities which if used judiciously, could very much endear the Royals to their Bahraini subjects and puts the blame on the kingdom's dysfunctional PR machine. He contrasts Bahrain's missed opportunities with those that Kuwait makes a habit of winning.
Talking about cars, Mahmood posts another couple of vlogs (videoblogs); one about a recent visit with his son to the wildly popular Drag Races at the Bahrain International Circuit, the home of F1 in the Middle East, and in the second he takes you on a tour of his newly re-landscaped garden, in between he discusses the complete ineffectiveness of the Minster of Information who is rumoured to be on the way to be fired in a forthcoming cabinet reshuffle, and just like everyone else in the Arab and Muslim worlds this week, he puts forth his two cents regarding the blaspheming Danish cartoons depicting the Prophet.
The other hot topic in the area is the Palestinian elections and the subsequent landslide by Hamas. eMoodz provides his insight into this phenomenon and blames Bush for the increase in Islamists’ wins across the Middle East; he states that: “Such uneducated policies lead extreme Muslim fundamentalists to power, Shiite’s have taken over the Iraqi parliament, have boosted Hizbullah’s in Lebanon, brought radical Ahmedinjad to head Iran, gave the opportunity to the Muslim Brotherhood act to even shine more, and now, Hamas’s victory in the recent Palestinian elections.“
Haitham Sabbah on the other hand has a different take on Hamas’ win; he is despondent and pessimistic on the next four years of Hamas rule. Haitham, incidentally, is taking part in the Al-Jazeera 2nd Forum in neighbouring Doha, Qatar, where he is joined by Global Voices co-founder Ethan Zuckerman where they are both participating in the  panel.
We have another blog to welcome to the Bahraini blogosphere, Mohammed Neama so far writes exclusively in Arabic about things Bahraini.
Onto Silly Things now where an insomniac Silly Bahraini Girl who misses her country to bits, reflects on the injustice of the judicial system where she is aghast at a very light sentence passed on a policeman who was inciting youth to go on a stealing spree on his behalf!
Strav turns his attention on health matters and tracks ‘bird flue’ in the area.
We started this round-up with an ex-MP, so let's end it with a prospective one! Tawfiq Al-Rayyash who was recently elected to the board of the largest political party in Bahrain Al-Wefaq's Steering Committee, reflects on politics and how it could be a noble pursuit if applied with honesty. He argues that instead of violence to replace a regime, political means must be utiltised to the full to do so for almost all Arab regimes suffer from an incurable corruption.
The Joker meanwhile objects on another cartoon and the continued unwanted presence of Michael Jackson in Bahrain, and beaches the powers that be to throw him and his entourage out.
Tomorrow, Jan 31st, 2006 coincides with the Muslim Hijra New Year of 1427. May I take this opportunity, on behalf of my Bahraini blogging colleagues, and wish the whole world a very happy, healthy, peaceful and prosperous New Muslim Year.

author: Mahmood Al-Yousif


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Bangladesh: Bringing the faithful together · Global Voices
Neha Viswanathan

Razib Rashedin on the Ijtema – hosted by Bangladesh. “More than 2500 Muslims from 52 countries, including Indonesia, Malaysia, Pakistan, India, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan and the Middle East, have already arrived at the Ijtema venue, a 160-acre area, to attend the three-day 41th Ijtema.“

author: Neha Viswanathan


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Barbados: The talk on the forums · Global Voices
Georgia Popplewell

Titlayo combs the forums for commentary on the current political situation in Barbados.


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Bermuda: Don’t say no to tourism · Global Voices
Georgia Popplewell

Christian S. Dunleavy warns that the government's attitude, in particular the Tourism Minister's recent rebuff of a potential investor, will harm not only tourism development in Bermuda but also “cast doubt over the whole island as a business friendly and attractive jurisdiction for investment.”


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Burundi: Lords Resistance Army · Global Voices
Sokari Ekine

Agathon Rwasa points to an article in the Sudan Times that asks if the “UN will finally call time on the Lords Resistance Army“..

author: Sokari Ekine


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Caribbean: McWatt wins literary prizes · Global Voices
Georgia Popplewell

The Caribbean Beat Blog announces that Guyanese writer Mark McWatt has taken both the Commonwealth Writers’ Prize for best first book in the Canada/Caribbean region, and the prestigious Casa de las Americas prize for Caribbean literature in English or Creole.


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Caucasus: YoungCaucasus · Global Voices
Nathan Hamm

Week one of the Young Caucasus Women Project is underway with posts from Georgia and Azerbaijan.


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China: Behind the Scenes · Global Voices
Jose Manuel Tesoro

EastSouthWestNorth translates an article written last year about Chinese director Chen Kaige's expensive historical epic The Promise, which was scheduled to open before Lunar New Year this year.  Like many epics filmed in China these days, the story occurs in a ravishingly beautiful natural setting — in this case, Shangri-La county in Yunnan province.  The article chronicles how the filming left the area ruined: marred with half-completed structures and littered with trash.


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El Salvador: Outpouring of Tributes for Handal · Global Voices
David Sasaki

Both Tim's El Salvador Blog and Leftside comment on the outpouring of support at the funeral of former leftist political leader, Schafik Handal. The U.S. – El Salvador Sister Cities blog has an economic and socio-political review of El Salvador during 2005 along with some predictions for this year.


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Ethiopia: Aid · Global Voices
Sokari Ekine

Redeem Ethiopia uses Ethiopian leader, Meles Zenawi as an example on the importance of aid to both the giver and the receiver…..The story underlines the notion that aid giving is as important to the international community as receiving it is to Meles. Aid provides the necessary leverage the west needs from governments that have no interest in serving their own population. If aid was given, as is so often publicized, in good faith and for the good of the people then the British would not have had to undertake last week’s PR somersault to give the impression that they have actually done something without having done anything.”


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Ethiopia: War against disinformation · Global Voices
Sokari Ekine

One Ethiopia writes on a complaint he made to The Manitoban about an article they published which he said had numerous errors on “its description of the protagonists and its reportage on the demographic characterstics of the country substantially in error.” they have yet to respond and he now publishes the document “War against Disinformation”.


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Ethiopia: winning athletes · Global Voices
Sokari Ekine

Ethioblog reports on the winning success of Ethiopian athletes…..”Ethiopians Dibaba, Defar race to impressive victories”


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Georgia: Powerless · Global Voices
Nathan Hamm

Ben Wheeler says that Tbilisi is making due with energy shortages but that despite government claims to the contrary, the burdens are not evenly distributed between rich and poor.


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Guyana: Ratings & charity walk · Global Voices
Georgia Popplewell

Roopster rates some of Guyana's online newspapers and web sites, and draws attention to the Guyana Flood Website, which has been documenting the destructive flooding occuring in several parts of the country. And the Guyana Diaspora blog profiles a Canada-based Guyanese who's walking for charity.


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India: Gandhi and India · Global Voices
Neha Viswanathan

How the other half lives – a new collaborative blog set up to “focus on the “other half” that is often ignored by the mainstream media. It will attempt to present a fuller picture than what we normally see around us….” This post is on Remembering Gandhi.


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Indonesia is discussing about blog · Global Voices
Enda Nasution

Discussion about Indonesian Blogs
It's always a good thing when bloggers meet and got to discuss what we love: blogging. :)
This time the discussion was quite a formal one. Invited and sponsored by Detikinet.com  a part of Detik.com the oldest Indonesian Online News Media that specialized itself on technology, IT and Internet news.
Attended by about 20 bloggers, only a fraction of the total estimated 10,000 Indonesian bloggers, the discussion take placed at Detikinet's office [reminding me of the last GVO summit that take place at Reuters's Headquarter].
The attendees represents almost all Indonesian blogging communities such as Blogfam, Blogbugs, Loenpia, ID-Gmail, Merdeka and Blog Indosiar and after short introduction the discussion lead to two main topics that related to one another.
Many ideas thrown to the table regarding the above topics. Each community has plan how to introduce blogs to untouched public segments that has big potential to become bloggers.
Priyadi one of the attended was the one who come up with the ideas of providing a definitive source for blogging information in a wiki based site (in Indonesian). The name ‘WikiBlogia” come up for this Indonesian Blog information center. This wiki will be a place where people can go if they wants to know more about what is blog or how to start blogging.
In the same spirit with Priyadi's wiki, Blogfam [a short for Blogger Family] also planned to launch online blog magazine next week.
From the discussion, he also wrote that Indosiar.com blog communities [a part of Indosiar a national TV station] trying for a more proactive roles to socialized blog where they will visit high schools to promote and introduce blog.
Blog Indosiar.com communities also preparing to launch a Blog Awards 2006 this year to popularized blogging to public.
Hericz another attendee represent ID-GMail and Merdeka, posted about a very interesting idea (in Indonesian) that come up at the discussion is a plan to set 2007 as “Indonesian Blog Year”, where one of the target is to get elementary school students to start asking their parents what is blog.
Detik itself, Hericz wrote, has promise to provide a free online banner slot and 5,000 sponsored free CD's about blogging to be distributed.
On it's own publication, Detikinet's Editors Donny BU who himself a blogger and known as activist in the Indonesian IT community addressed the power of blog as people power (in Indonesian) and cited that some of the Indonesian blogs has in-depth quality that can't be match by the mainstream media because the blogger is an expert on the topic.
He also wrote that the big question after public becomes familiar with blogs and its uniqueness would be how to get it to synergize with mainstream media to provide useful and timely information for the benefits of the public.
About the quality of the blog, Benny Dewanto, Blog Indosiar.com Admin mentioned that blog quality closely related with the blogging process itself. The continuous feedback a blog receives and the support from blogging community will contribute to end result of a better blog.
Blog is the right tools for the younger generation. “It's a self actualization media and a place to practice to speak up so everybody can hear their opinions and thoughts.” he added.
Other bloggers that participate at the discussion and blog about it are #direktif (in Indonesian) and Budiyono.net (in Indonesian)
Other interesting thing in the Indonesian Blogosphere this week:
• Angelina Sondakh a member of Indonesian Parliament from Democratic Party and a former Miss Indonesia [2001] start taking on blogging. On her blog Angelina Sondakh's Diary she wrote (in Indonesian) about her love life and her relationship with a fellow parliament member/actors/models Adjie Massaid that receives huge responses.
• Benny Chandra, blogger who live in Surabaya, East Java wrote about his 7 things to celebrate Chinese New Year (in Indonesian) which is a national holiday in Indonesia. His 7 things is rain, parties, cleaning up, Shio [Chinese Zodiac], Ang Pao, oranges and “Gong Xi Fa Chai” that according to him means a wish to be successful and the complete way to say happy new year should be “Xin nian Kuaile” [Happy Chinese New Year].

author: Enda Nasution


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Indonesia: Property Rights · Global Voices
Jose Manuel Tesoro

Aco at Cafe Salemba discusses property rights as a way to comment on the current controversy in Indonesia over a local version of Playboy.  The economist-blogger suggests that the magazine's opponents, rather than demonstrating, apply an economic solution: buy the magazine, and then burn it.


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Iran: Hunger Strike! · Global Voices
Fred Petrossian

According to Paiz, Nederland based blogger & human right activist, several of arrested bus drivers started a hunger strike (Persian). Hundreds of bus drivers and workers got arrested on Saturday before starting their strike for better work conditions and liberation of their syndicate leaders.


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Jamaica: We’re not the only homophobes · Global Voices
Georgia Popplewell

MadBull takes issue with the notion that Jamaicans are more homophobic than the citizens of other Caribbean islands, noting the uproar in Grand Cayman over the government's decision to allow passengers from an all-gay cruise ship to land in the island.


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Japan, Taiwan: Cute Culture · Global Voices
Jose Manuel Tesoro

An article about Japan's cultural obsession with cute things leads the leaky pen to write on Taiwan's own version of “cute culture.”


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Kenya: lesbian envy · Global Voices
Sokari Ekine

Kenyan blogger, Gukira writes on his his afflication: LE (lesbian envy) “Over the past 6 years, I have met many wonderful lesbians in amazing relationships. While I am familiar with the Drama Diaries, I still take such relationships as real models for the type of intimacy I crave.”


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Kenya: living abroad · Global Voices
Sokari Ekine

MentalAcrobatics responds to the many discussions in the Kenyan blogosphere around Kenyans living abroad....”I won’t deal with the ridiculous idea that all Kenyans abroad live the good life. If you still believe that Fresh Prince of Bel Air represents life abroad I am surprised you can even log onto a computer. I won’t deal with the whole lumping a group of people in one simplistic category for there are millions of reasons why people leave and why people stay.”


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Kenya: solar concentrator · Global Voices
Sokari Ekine

Afromusings points to a report on a $450 “solar concentrator” “Specifically for Africa:First of all, the concentrator can be bought as part of a co-op project. Combine it with a water pump, and you have a way of pumping water from either a borehole or a small dam. Add drip irrigation (You might need a second solar concentrator for that) and you have increased productivity despite the lack of rains. Other applications abound, and are too numerous for me to get into now.”


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Kenya: war on terror · Global Voices
Sokari Ekine

Captain Marlow points to an article on the “Gentle side of the War on Terror”  – the US military in Kenya….”A small U.S. military task force in East Africa is installing water pumps, rebuilding schools and health clinics, making medical house calls, and training national armies – all part of a mission to stabilize a region that is seen as a potential breeding ground for terrorist groups.”


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Korea: Singing Rain · Global Voices
Jose Manuel Tesoro

The Asia Pages is mystified about the apparent rising popularity of South Korean pop singer “Rain” in the United States.


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Kyrgyzstan: Nepotism · Global Voices
Nathan Hamm

T-Moor discusses the Kyrgyz president's response to criticism over his appointment of his brother to a government post.


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Malaysia: Happy Chinese New Year · Global Voices
SK Thew

Yesterday was the start of the Year of the Dog based on the Chinese lunar calendar and it's also one of the major celebration in Malaysia.
During the Chinese New Year eve, reunion dinner is a must, such as blogger Passion Flower, who is very excited to celebrate Chinese New Year once again, with the usual reunion dinner on eve and confess that "we Chinese, can eat till our hearts content". After the reunion dinner, blogger May was pondering whether she should try her luck on cards games, as part of the Chinese tradition.
Blogger Slickdrums commended the Chinese New Year celebration as a truly Malaysian festival, not so much a Chinese festival as our culture is a great big harmonised tune of all races. He called upon everyone to celebrate this festival and holidays ala Malaysian.
As for blogger Simon, feeling tired after hours of driving on the Malaysia North-South Expressway, reached destionation safely and relieve that there weren't any major accidents throughout the journey.
While most of us celebrate new year in conventional way through house visiting, The World of Fat 4  managed to post 22 entries on his blog, not reaching his initial target of 40 entries, in his very own way of welcoming the Chinese New Year. Same to minishorts.net as she is on a long break, so she thought it would be a good idea to spruce up her blog, with the help of blogger Edrei. Raymond.CC Blog provides some Feng Shui tips from a Malaysia master Lilian Too while blogger Hock Lai is ready to up the challenge of going-to-be a working adult, as told from the horoscope's perspective.
East-Malaysia Kuching blogger cynical-idealist is back to the hometown again for CNY celebration, her first in two years period while Bubble Bath was feeling homesick at foreign land, however she is equally enjoying there, especially the hype of firecracker celebration which is banned back here in Malaysia.
Sending greeting to friends and relatives is one of the must-do item on CNY too. Together with her family, blogger Jolene set out a different way of wishing Happy Chinese New Years to friends and family, by recording her family Chinese New Year message, albeit in a pirated way while blogger Edison posted a few fireworks photos, as a way of wishing Malaysians a Happy Chinese New Year!
Blogger Justin Wong preferred to celebrate his new year at home watching Astro (a subscription-based multi-channel satellite TV service) and having oranges, rather than following his parents to do house visiting. Un-chinese, that's how he labelled himself.
So, what is your resolution for the Year of Dog if blogger Zyban vows to quit smoking on the Chinese New Year?
We're thankful that the tapestry of Malaysia is interlaced by threads of understanding, sensitivity and love for one another. The cords that bind us together have stood the test of time. In years to come, let us be rich in the many virtues that cut across race and religion, including the virtues of patience, peace, love and goodwill.
Gong Xi Fa Cai to everyone!

author: SK Thew


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Nepal: Foreign Media · Global Voices
Neha Viswanathan

United We Blog! has observations on Nepal in foreign Media.


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Nepal: Migrants and the Country · Global Voices
Neha Viswanathan

Samudaya.org has a post reacting to some comments on the condition of migrants in Malaysia. The post reflects on the role of diaspora and how it determines the future of the country.


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Nigeria: Davos · Global Voices
Sokari Ekine

Grandiose Parlour reports on the World Economic Forum meeting in Davos and asks…”What does it mean to Auntie Ngozi in her dusty, remote, erosion-ravaged village in the hills of Ubakala, or Jelili in Makoko, one of Lagos slums? What does it mean to my brothers and sisters in Dafuar- Sudan, and those Africans who fled their homelands because of political or/and economic strives and now locked up in immigration detention cells worldwide”


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Nigeria: Fela and the State · Global Voices
Sokari Ekine

Chippla's Weblog writes on Fela and the State…..”While the state appeared to have no problem with Fela's marriages, it simply refused to accept a republic within the Nigerian republic where people could do as they pleased. Kalakuta was raided at least twice by the Nigerian government. In 1977, it was brunt down in an assault by the military—Fela's mother, who lived in Kalakuta, died as a result of this.”


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Nigeria: feminism in Africa · Global Voices
Sokari Ekine

Jangbalajugbu-Homeland Stories reports on a discussion at his university (University of Obafemi Awolow – Ife) on “Feminism & its role in contemporary Africa”….”the audience argued about Religion and Culture and both’s contribution to the subjection of the women folk. Jerome particularly stated that the Bible and the Quoran has been used a over the years as a weapon to that effect. Not surprisingly, the ladies cheered any speaker that talked about the indiscipline of men. They argued men are the cause of the problems women face.”


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Philippines: PCIJ’s Plagiarism · Global Voices
Jose Manuel Tesoro

The problem of people packaging content created by bloggers for profit is becoming a serious one.  The Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism (PCIJ) published and sold a book lifting comics drawn by blogger Happy Vergara.  Happy asked another blogger, the Sassy Lawyer, for advice.  PCIJ apologized (but not on its blog).  Happy asks, “If anyone is conceited and haphazard enough to re-publish original work from the web and make a buck off of it without permission, and get away with a slap on the wrist (as this appears), then what defense do bloggers ultimately have?”  One Filipino blogger, Divergent Poles, who has since dropped PCIJ from his links, wonders: “At the end of the day, how should we ensure that incidences like this do not occur?”


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Poland: Tragedy at Katowice · Global Voices
Nathan Hamm

the beatroot reports on the tragic collapse of a roof in Katowice, Poland in which over 60 people have died. Their reporting continues with a look at whether or not negligence is to blame for the disaster.

author: Nathan Hamm


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Puerto Rico: Island without a coast? · Global Voices
Georgia Popplewell

Tinta Digital (ES) contemplates the possibility that Puerto Rico could become “an island without a coast” unless the laws which allow people and organizations to restrict access to beachfront are changed.


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Republic of Congo: Sassou-Nguesso · Global Voices
Sokari Ekine

Congo Watch reports  that the newly elected Chairman of the AU, Denis Sassou-Nguesso, began his role as “African peace mediator on Sunday, meeting with the prime minister of civil war-divided Ivory Coast.’


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Singapore: Baby Makers · Global Voices
Jose Manuel Tesoro

Illusio discusses the release of the official figures for the 2005 birth rate in Singapore.  It increased slightly above 1% — a big deal for the country, which has experienced declining birth rates in recent years.


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South Africa: Stereotypes · Global Voices
Sokari Ekine

South African blog, The Hope Flower points to a piece written by” Caine Prize winner Binyavanga Wainaina on stereotypes about Africa. “


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Sudan: genocide · Global Voices
Sokari Ekine

SudanReeves reports that Sudan's displaced populations in Darfur are still at risk of being annihilated….”The ghastly final stage in the ongoing violent destruction of non-Arab or African tribal populations in Darfur has begun. An increasing number of reports highlight attacks on camps for displaced persons by Khartoum’s murderous Arab militia proxy, the Janjaweed”


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Tet in Viet Nam · Global Voices
Tu Van Cong

“Fanning the Lions” by iamblueone (taken at a Tet celebration in San Diego)
Tet – Lunar New Year in Viet Nam – is the most important festival tradition, observed by all Vietnamese, even those abroad. Every family in Viet Nam, whether they have money or not  still tries to buy traditional goods such as flowers, sweets and square ricecakes for this special occasion.
A few bloggers around the country are posting their perceptions on the lead up to the Year of the Dog. Royby, a blogger from Ho Chi Minh city mentions that Tet should  bring good luck and prosperity for the following year if…your house is overflowing with food, drink
In my blog, I write that the western New Year festival is not the most important for the Vietnamese; the lunar New Year is the one that every Vietnamese celebrates. The preparation for Tet is chaotic, with shopping being the number one priority. Some Hanoians travel as far as Lang Son, on the Viet nam-China border for supplies where goods are dirt cheap and , of course, made in China. Virtual-Doug, an American blogger currently living in Hue, watches as walls are painted and houses are cleaned in preparation for Tet. There is always a race on for builders to finish all construction work before the end of the year to ensure good luck for the occupants.
For a Vietnamese like me, currently living away from home, seeing everyone preparing their houses, shopping for their children and themselves makes me happy with anticipation. The Vietnamese goverment has banned the use of fire crackers, which is sensible as the injury and death associated with them no longer occurs. However, the local authorities in the big cities do organise official fireworks displays which are attended by thousands of families who want to see in the New Year with a bang!
‘Tet’ by Vietnamese God

author: Tu Van Cong


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Trinidad & Tobago: Calypso exhibition · Global Voices
Georgia Popplewell

Richard Bolai discusses  the travelling exhibition “Calypso Music, Photographs and Illustrations in Postwar America from 1945 to 1960″, now on in Port of Spain, Trinidad.


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Trinidad & Tobago: The sacred and the profane · Global Voices
Georgia Popplewell

CaribPundit notes with delight that Trinidadian Carnival designer Peter Minshall is back after a two-year absence with a Carnival band called “The Sacred Heart”, reporting in the same post on an incident in southern Trinidad where police attempted to quell a demonstration over poor road conditions using tear gas, mace and rubber bullets. Caribbean Free Photo has images of Minshall from a talk he gave yesterday.


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Turkmenistan: Rukhnama in Space · Global Voices
Nathan Hamm

Peter of neweurasia reports that Turkmenistan has sent more national paraphernalia into space.


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Zambia: open source · Global Voices
Sokari Ekine

Zambian blogger, Real Life of a Journalist argues for the use of open source in Africa as the best alternative for women and children……”Free and open source software Foss is the way of the future in terms of making technology accessible to neglected groups such as women and children in Africa.”


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Zimbabwe: IMF · Global Voices
Sokari Ekine

Eddie Cross writing in Zimbabwean Pundit questions the repayment of millions of US$ to the IMF which they do not need and which could have been used by Zimbabwe….”We could have imported enough liquid fuels to overcome the persistent fuel shortages that are crippling our public transport system and pushing transports costs through the ceiling. We could have satisfied the needs of all our hospitals for disinfectants, cleaning materials, drugs and essential medical supplies.”


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Africa: Contributions to civilisation · Global Voices
Sokari Ekine

Afrikan Eye publishes an article on the Africa's contribution to civilisation…..“Contributions to astronomy”


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African Music Roundup · Global Voices
Obi

What is African hip hop?  From Nairobi to Dakar hip hop has caught the imagination of the youth producing so many rap crews, breakers and all round b-boys.  Some argue it's roots go back to the days of the African Griot, others argue its a unique African American experience.  Whatever hip hop's roots one thing remains the same.  Beats and Rhymes.  My name is Obi and I blog as soul on ice.  Welcome to my African Music Roundup.
Complicated Fun posts on Kenyan hip hop and Afrofuturism and talks on the Kenyatta Day '05 celebrations in Minneapolis (October 10).
“While Kenyatta Day offers a glimpse of Africa's future in hip hop and cinema (see below), the local exhibit, discussion, and events surrounding Afrofuturism at the Soap Factory (near St. Anthony Main) peer forward into the future of the African Diaspora, and use the sci-fi imagination to satirize the past”
Complicated Fun goes on to talk about the local premiere of a documentary called Hip Hop Colony by Kenyan director Mike Wanguhu.
Bob's blog talks on Senegalese hip hop crew Daara J:
“If Africa is in the midst of a hip-hop renaissance, the Senegalese trio Daara J could be the movement's foremost statesmen. Earning accolades worldwide for their vibrant 2004 record Boomerang (Wrasse Records), the Dakar-based MCs Faada Freddy, N'Dongo D and Aladji are keen to explore the links between worlds old and new, and their music lies at the crux of what they call an emerging “hip-hop civilization.”
Bob's blog provides a link to an interview with Faada Freddy and a link to some of their music (kexp seattle).
The African Cup of Nations is on and Naija Jams reminds us of Nigeria‘s failure to qualify for the world cup.  On the eve of their opening match against Ghana words of encouragement come from US-based musician and self-acclaimed soccer nut, Pa-J:
“When it comes to Nations Cup,
Ghana Go Hear Wien…
Na den, them go sabi what’s up
Ghana Go Hear Wien…
Shebi na 3-0 dem go chop
Ghana Go Hear Wien…
When the green white green enter the green grass
Show time, make we skata anything dey waka pass”
Naija Jams look forward to some excellent football and provide an mp3 link to Pa-J‘s song, Ghana go hear wein.
The Best Ambiance blog introduces us to:
“New music tonight from Ladysmith Black Mambazo and the Mahotella Queens from South Africa, as well as music from Brazil, Madagascar, Angola, Cameroon, Guinea-Bissau, Nigeria, Senegal, Ethiopia, Eritrea, and much more.”
The Best Ambiance blog has posted a link to the online radio show (kexp seattle) and provides a playlist for the music.  You can also find links to archived shows in the blog.  I find the Real Audio links work the best.  Excellent music.
BluePie Artists blog posts an interesting interview with  Thomas Turino, a professor of musicology and anthropology at the University of Illinois at Urbana.
After conducting extensive field work in Zimbabwe during the 1990s, he published
“Nationalists, Cosmopolitans, and Popular Music in Zimbabwe” (University of Chicago Press, 2000).   A complex work examining the role of music in Zimbabwe’s liberation struggle and establishment of statehood, Turino’s book provides an excellent account of the social, political, and historical circumstances in which Thomas Mapfumo rose as a composer, singer, and bandleader.
Thomas Mapfumo was and is still very popular for his musical stance against the then Rhodesian government.  In the interview Professor Turino talks on his research work and time in Zimbabwe.
WFMU's Beware of the blog highlights a very interesting music project by DJ Doug Schulkind's called Culture Shock.
“Dont pass up this amazing collection of jaw-dropping, mind jarring cross-cultural music hybrids. Eighty minutes of melodious map-melters that set the world on its ears”
Culture Shock features music from a number of African (Ali Farka Toure, Babba Maal), Indian and Chinese artists.  Doug has provided all the mp3s free for download with information about each song as a gift to his listeners.  He also hosts an online music show called Give the Drummer Some .  Past shows are archived on his page.

author: Obi


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Argentina: Little Press Coverage of Chinese New Yeaer · Global Voices
David Sasaki

SaltShaker has a difficult time finding information about the Chinese New Year festivities in Buenos Aires’ Chinatown.

author: David Sasaki


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Aruba: Buying a house · Global Voices
Georgia Popplewell

At 25, ArubaGirl is wondering whether it would be wise for her to buy a house. “Am I being crazy to cling to the land?” she asks.


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Asia Blogger Profile: Cambodia’s Seserak · Global Voices
Beth Kanter

Seserak (Vicheth's nickname)  writes the “Cambodia to Japan”  blog, a journal of his experience as a Cambodian living and going to school in Japan.
He grew up in Kampong Speu Province,  located an hour's drive outside of Phnom Penh.  After graduating from a local high school, he came to study business and English at the National Institute of Management and Royal University in Phnom Penh.   In 2002, he received a scholarship from the Japanese government to study law at Osaka University.   He plans to pursue his Masters Degree in Public Policy and return to Cambodia where he hopes to work as a researcher at a university or with a nonprofit organization (NGO).
He blogs about his homeland, including Cambodian culture.  For example,  his posts about Palm Trees  and sorcery. He is also a poet and often publishes his poems on his blog and elsewhere.   He also writes about his life in Japan, including his Japanese language class.
1.	What is like to leave Cambodia and study in a different country?
If you visit Cambodia, one thing that you will definitely notice is the striking difference between life in the city and life in the provinces.  Phnom Penh is a crowded city with streets, cars and buildings.  Phnom Penh people live a modern lifestyle.  Outside Phnom Penh are rice fields, scattered villages and very small towns.  The majority of these village people live by farming the same way their ancestors did several hundred years ago. As a boy from outside the city, I used to think that Phnom Penh was another world for me.
Not until when I came to Japan did I realize that all of Cambodia is a truly different world.  Outside the crowded Japanese city where I attend school, are more crowded cities.  That’s very different from Cambodia.  In Japan,  it's hard to tell the haves from the have-nots, the great from the humble.
I am particularly impressed by the modern structures in Japan.  The huge and tall buildings, the beautiful bridges and apartments, and the modern transport system.  I marvel at the advanced technology,  ranging from mobile phones, TVs, cameras, computers and other electronic equipment.  Also,  there is far more variety of reading materials like books and magazines.  I’ve come to Japan to more clearly understand why countries in the world are classified as developed or developing countries, industrialized or agricultural countries.
I find the cost of living in Japan surprisingly high compared to my country. But I am equally impressed by the high income of the Japanese people.
I've also experienced the difference in language, culture, political system, and society.  There is a striking difference in the way of thinking and the way of life in Japan compared to Cambodia.
2.  What do you miss most about Cambodia?
That must be food. Well, I'm getting used to Japanese food but Cambodian food is always on my mind. I always think of it every time I eat Japanese food.
3.   Why did you start blogging and the benefits?
I had long wanted to create a site to post my thoughts and my writings, but I didn't have computer programming skills.   So last year when I stumbled across Tharum's blog,  I was really impressed.   I learned about the free software for creating a blog and then I started a blog!
I can share my thoughts with people from all over the world.  I like to read people's comments.   Blogging is a good way to broaden my knowledge of topics.  If I want to write a blog post,  I carefully do the research and find reference to the topic.   Another benefit is that blogging encourages me to write more.  Finally, I am able to meet many people from all around the world.
4. What is your greatest hope about your country, Cambodia, for the future?
Like many other Cambodians, my dream is to see a peaceful, truly democratic and prosperous Cambodia in the future.   Historically, we reached our peak in the 13th century. But a century later, as historian David Chandler once put it, “Cambodia ceased to grow.”   It has been seven hundred years.   Such a long pause.   Now it's the 21st century- the age of globalization- and many countries in the world are moving ahead.  The question is what is Cambodia waiting for?  It's time for us to grow, to advance, and to prosper.

author: Beth Kanter


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Barbados: Music awards · Global Voices
Georgia Popplewell

Titilayo writes about the newly launched Barbados Music Awards, and thinks the event signifies good things for Barbados's music. But she also wonders whether they'll last.


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Barbados, Venezuela: Patilla amarillo · Global Voices
Georgia Popplewell

Caracas-resident Barbadian Campfyah discovers patilla amarillo.


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Belize: Flooding and highways · Global Voices
Georgia Popplewell

Caribbean Colors ventures out on to the highways and byways of Belize during the recent flooding, and takes some photos.


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Belize: Friends and business · Global Voices
Georgia Popplewell

Simone posts Part 4 of her “Moving to Belize” guide, and solicits input from people who've “tried to set up a business abroad with friends”.


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Bolivia: “Washington Week in Review” · Global Voices
David Sasaki

Democracy Center director, Jim Shultz spent last week in Washington D.C. where he spoke on U.S. – Bolivian relations after the inauguration of leftist president, Evo Morales. In his notes on the visit Shultz calls Bolivia's new Ambassador-Designate, Sasha Lorenti, “a super pick for this job” who is “well-respected on all sides in Bolivia, having served as a mediator in some of the most serious conflicts between the social movements and past Bolivian governments.”


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Burkina Faso: Gold mining · Global Voices
Sokari Ekine

Keith of under the acacias writes on gold mining in Burkina Faso and asks if they are a blessing and for who?…..Mining has been a controversial subject in Burkina Faso and elsewhere in Africa. Events in Ghana, South Africa, Namibia, Sierra Leone, and other places have highlighted common problems in mining, inlcuding impact on local populations and the environment, poorly treated workforces, corruption, and how the profits of the mine do not always benefit the local people or area.”


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Bus Strike & Bloggers in Israel · Global Voices
Fred Petrossian

Iranian bus drivers tried to start a strike on Saturday for better work conditions and liberation of their syndicate leader. A one event blog, Otobos1 (Otobos means bus in Persian), was launched by supporter(s) of bus syndicate to cover strike news . Otobos1 (Persian) asked others including Iranian bloggers to support strike and inform people about what is going on. According to Otobos1(Persian),  security forces arrested hundreds of bus drivers and workers and several of them were beaten and forced go to work.Fanous, a collective blog, (Persian) says that  students who backed this movement have been asked to be present in front of discipline committee in university. Blogger adds that several workers in prison has started hunger strike. Penlog, an association of bloggers with 200 members, asked them to inform humanitarian organizations such as Amnesty International about repression and ask them to help for liberation of prisoners.
Hoder, Toronto based blogger, has taken a trip to Israel. We read in his blog:
“One thing I have to clarify here is that my focus in this trip is only on Iran and Israel relationship and when I talk about peace, I mean between these two states. As a non-religious Iranian (which means I'm a non-Arab, just in case some people don't know that), my interest, at least in this trip, is not in issues between Arab world and Israel.
What I'm trying to primarily do here is to try to help Israelis and Iranians have a better understanding about one another and contribute to stop the dangerous process of de-humanization that both side are doing”.
Hoder says he has received positive comments from Iranians:
“I'm really surprised by how much my Iranian audience of the Persian blog have been quite supportive about this trip. Over 130 people have commented so far on the post I announced my decision to visit Israel and maybe less than a dozen have been negative”.
There is an article about his trip and Iranian blogs in Haaretz. Lisa Goldman, Blogger, journalist and GV member from Israel, covers Hoder's trip in her blog too.
Some Iranian bloggers have written about Hoder's trip. Mr.Behi, Iran based blogger, considers Hoder's action (in his what's new section) an innovative action. FM Sokhan (Persian), Iran based blogger and journalist, has put Hoder's photo
Shaharm Kholdi, UK based blogger, shares Iranian reaction to his 2003 trip to Israel:
“To many of these Iranians in Toronto, I was absolutely clear as to why I was going to Jerusalem, as it was a workshop/course which was to be considered as a full credit, and for which I was to write an essay and be graded accordingly. The trip was funded by the University of Toronto's Political Science Department and the Canadian Friends of Hebrew University of Jerusalem's Foundation in TorontoHowever, and despite this full transparency, the great Iranians of the University of Toronto consider a person who supports a two-state solution, like myself, for the respective conflict, a collaborator and a Zionist. Coupling that with my S'Can-Iranic attitude, perhaps I am the worst kind of political cultural species for many of them”.
One things is sure: When you follow Iranian blogs and bloggers, you never get bored. You have both news and news makers!

author: Fred Petrossian


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Caribbean: BlogHer’s site launches · Global Voices
Georgia Popplewell

BlogHer's new “internationalized” site is now online, with Karen Walrond covering Latin America and the Caribbean.


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Caribbean: The Taíno & Catholicism · Global Voices
Georgia Popplewell

Indigenous issues blog Voice of the Taino people links to an article entitled “Christianity, Capitalism, Corporations, and the Myth of Dominion”, noting that the “Roman” Catholic Church still has not properly addressed the call by the Taíno and other Indigenous Peoples world wide for the revocation of the 1493 Inter-Ceatera Papal Bull” and that “as Samuel Alito is posed to be confirmed as its next justice, for the first time in U.S. history, five Roman Catholics — a majority — would now sit on the Supreme Court”.


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Chilean Scout Blogs · Global Voices
Rosario Lizana

The Scouts movement has existed in Chile for the last 96 years. This networked community has leaders that promote and share the social values of the organization. Currently, more than 70,000 young people are involved and 11,000 adults volunteer in 850 base groups throughout Chile.
Some of these groups have created informative weblogs to serve as a window showing their activities. Primo Works, is a school leader who posts about recent summer camps. The Scout Group, Antu Ayekan, publishes various hymns and stories from their summer camp.
The San Agustín Group, shows photos and communicates to the parents information about their activities.
A non official Scout blog, aims to be a meeting point for scouts. One can find comments about parental concerns, an introduction to various scout groups, and possible locations for upcoming summer camps.

author: Rosario Lizana


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China: More Crackdowns · Global Voices
Jose Manuel Tesoro

Danwei summarizes the recent crackdowns on print publications in China that characterized the end of the Year of the Rooster.  But there is a note of hope: “Yet as we enter the Year of the Dog, things are very different than they were even a year ago. The Internet has proved itself a far superior medium for spreading information than any newspaper or magazine can hope to be, and Chinese journalists, editors and writers are taking full advantage of it.”


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Ethiopia: internet reporter held · Global Voices
Sokari Ekine

Meskel Square reports from Ethiopia on the three headline news items…Ethiopia indefinitely bans exports of four kinds of food crops ; Internet reporter held without charge in Ethiopia; Court orders death sentence for police officer in killing of students


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Grenada: Kick ’em Jenny · Global Voices
Georgia Popplewell

Yamfoot posts two photos of Grand Anse beach, and wonders if the sea's unusual turbulence in the second could mean that submarine volcano “Kick ‘em Jenny” is acting up.


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Guyana: Conversations & CCH Pounder · Global Voices
Georgia Popplewell

MediaCritic has begun posting a series of conversations with anonymous Guyanese figures. So far he's conversed with London-based Guyanese, Prodigal, a journalist who's moved to another island, and Young Bright Guyanese Female. And Guyana Diaspora profiles CCH Pounder, Guyana-born star of television series The Shield.


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India: Dharamshala · Global Voices
Neha Viswanathan

Vikrum reflects on visiting Dharamshala - the town which is now home to refugees from Tibet, and houses the Tibetan Government in Exile.


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Indonesia: Deaf Driving · Global Voices
Jose Manuel Tesoro

Indonesia Anonymous becomes curious about what effects the loud noise Indonesia's motorcycle rickshaws, a.k.a. “bajaj,” have on their drivers.  It's called “noise-induced hearing loss.”


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Ivory Coasts: French interests · Global Voices
Sokari Ekine

Watch France writes that France is only concerned with advancing French interests….”Anything that advances French interests is acceptable. Murder, corruption, the buying off of African leaders, disinformation and the list is endless. A look at what is happening on the Continent bears me out.”


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Japan: Jellyfish vs. Whale · Global Voices
Jose Manuel Tesoro

Mutant Frog Travelogue suggests that rather than hunt whales, Japan ought to focus on snaring jellyfish which have been multiplying in its waters.


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Japan, Korea: Grateful Colonies · Global Voices
Jose Manuel Tesoro

Oranckay rebuts an article in the Japan Times that argues, among other things, that Japanese colonial rule benefited Korea.  “It’s one thing to know that mentioning “Japan’s contribution to Korea’s modernization… only creates anger in Korea,” but it’s another to understand that one of the reasons it angers Koreans so much is because many among the Japanese Right talk as if it that justifies all Japan’s abuses or as if Korea has something to be thankful for.”


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Kenya: Myths  · Global Voices
Sokari Ekine

Diary of a mad Kenyan woman writes on the “myth of the strong black woman“


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Mexico: Online Library of Chinese Piracy · Global Voices
David Sasaki

Wave Making notes that the popular, controversial (and often offensive) blog, Pinches Chinos has celebrated its one year anniversary and takes the occasion to examine the complex feelings Mexicans have towards China. As always, the post is also available in Spanish.


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Mozambique: floods · Global Voices
Sokari Ekine

African Water Journal blog reports on the floods in Mozambique which is presently affecting some 12,000 people….”Water levels in the Zambezi River Basin were still precariously high”


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Nigeria: hostages freed · Global Voices
Sokari Ekine

Nigerian Times reports on the freeing of hostages in Nigeria's Niger Delta.


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Nigeria: Ngugi wa Thiong’o · Global Voices
Sokari Ekine

Molara Wood points to an interview with Kenyan writer, Ngugi wa Thiong'o, in Saturdays UK Guardian…..”I told them I wanted to be in touch with the everyday. But we returned to a nightmare”


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Panama: Manuel Escala · Global Voices
David Sasaki

Leon Kadoch  for up-and-coming Panamanian musician, Manuel Escala.


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Philippines: Rent Control · Global Voices
Jose Manuel Tesoro

Another Hundred Years Hence, a blog by an urban planner, blames artificially low rents for the degeneration of the Philippines’ capital city: “Want to know why Metro Manila is in a state of disrepair? Five decades of rent control. Want to know why we have squatter colonies? Rent control. Want to know why we're losing beautiful old homes? Rent control. Want to know why we have a small middle class? Rent control.”


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Plan Colombia and Beyond: Notes on a Senate staff trip to Colombia · Global Voices
David Sasaki

Adam Isacson has a typically meticulous post documenting the visit by Senator Richard Lugar's assistant, Carl Meacham to Colombia where he released a report calling for the continuation of US aid in its present form.