Global Voices Online

Bahraini Naz, who studies in Melbourne, Australia, asks: How would you spot a Khaleeji (Arab Gulf) guy in Melbourne?

Ukrainiana dissects the ad campaign of one more party running in the May 25 Kyiv mayoral election.

Oleksandr Demchenko writes about the Russian and Lithuanian winners of the Knight News Challenge 2008.

“Slovenian parliament yesterday passed a motion to hold a referendum on establishing regions in Slovenia,” Sleeping With Pengovsky reports.

Window on Eurasia writes that Russian companies need more foreign workers than the number allowed by the current quotas.

Sean's Russia Blog writes about a new documentary “on the life, work, and death of Anna Politkovskaya.”

De Rebus Antiquis Et Novis writes about Semion Chelyuskin, a Russian explorer who reached the northernmost point of mainland Eurasia in 1742.

Samaha writes about a book on the history of Bosnians in the United States: Bosnian Americans of Chicagoland, by Samira Puskar.

Life Gets In The Way reports that as predicted by many blogs, both Armenia and Azerbaijan have made it through to the 24 May final of the Eurovision Song Contest in Belgrade, Serbia. The blog says that the vocal range of the Azerbaijani act was amazing and their performance show-stopping. However, the blog agrees with Unzipped: Gay Armenia which says that the vocals from Armenia's entry were disappointing. Meanwhile, my The Caucasus Knot wonders how geopolitics manifested itself during voting given the effective state of war that exists between the two countries. Regardless, the countdown to Saturday's final in the international music competition continues.

Political activist Oleg Kozlovsky blogs about his release from jail: “I look a little worse for wear because I refused to eat while in prison as a way of protesting against the obviously illegal nature of my arrest and trial.” LJ user ivansim reported (RUS) that Kozlovsky was hospitalized shortly after his release; LJ user antimil added (RUS) that he was later moved to intensive care unit. A comment (RUS) from ivansim: “No, no one had been beating him [in jail]. And, according to his mother, nothing terrible has happened, things are more or less okay…”

LJ user yashin posts LJ user marie_automne's pictures of the British football fans arriving in Moscow for the Champions League final. Pictures of Moscow posts a photo report from the “idol worship” in Moscow's Red Square, where the UEFA Cup is being displayed next to Lenin's Tomb.

Cameroonian blogger, Rosemary Ekosso, publishes a book titled “House of Falling Women”: “House of Falling Women is the story of a young woman with quixotic ideas about improving the lot of women who finds out that that the crusader’s cloak is an uncomfortable one.”

Indian Muslims Blog on honor killings - a twisted way to redeem “family honour”.

Bomseh, a Kenya blogger in South Africa, asks, “Is xenophobic South Africa ready for 2010?”: “It is therefore with much shock and disbelief that I watched unfolding events on the news last night about the recent wave of xenophobic attacks in Johannesburg and neighbouring towns within the province of Gauteng. The hate crimes, similar to what we experienced in Kenya not long ago is reportedly spreading like bushfire and as at the moment, slightly less than 100 foreigners have been killed, hundreds more injured in the fracas and many more displaced.”

Words and Bites on microfinance being offered as a panacea for all development issues.

An article on food and migration catches Vantage Point‘s eye and results in some fascinating insight.

Koluki writes about her series, “Echoes From the Angolan Press,” which contains full transcripts of selected articles published in Angolan newspapers: “I intended this series primarily to serve those Angolans and other Portuguese-speakers outside the country who might have limited and/or irregular access to the Angolan media. However, I trust that speakers of other languages will be able to resort to the existing online translators, if so interested.”

Kenya-Byte attended the inauguration ceremony of National Forensic Science Association of Kenya: “A most commendable effort by two dynamic ladies is bearing fruit. Lynne T. Farrah and Sophie Mukwana (both Directors of Biotech Forensics Ltd) came up with the idea of establishing a national forensic science association. We had a successful inaugural meeting on the 7th of May, 2008 in Nairobi Club.”

Libyan blogger Highlander writes: “Once upon a time I was a prolific blogger, but I found myself to have drastically cut down in the last twelve months or so. I am not sure what it is exactly. A mild disillusion, a little weariness perhaps or has the novelty passed.”

In 1996, Khadija Teri took seeds of a Florida tree to her new home in Libya. “I planted two of them in my garden and they overhang in the street in front of my house offering the only respite from the harsh north African sun on my block. People fight to park their cars in the cool shade, oftentimes I am left with my car in the sun,” she explains.

Being gay in Uganda is like banging your head against the wall: “Can you imagine how hard it is realizing that you are gay, growing up and realizing that your sexual orientation is different in such a society, where ‘officially’ sex is a taboo subject, demonized. And on television and radios, and in school and rallies that is what you hear? Knowing that you are gay, yet the very ‘thought’ of sex is being condemned as evil? That is, sexual thoughts are sinful thoughts, the very expression is more evil.”

Xenophobic attacks in South Africa are felt in Zimbabwe: “The xenophobic attacks against migrant workers in South Africa is having its inevitable knock on impact on people here in Zimbabwe too.”

The Star Tribune review a Swahili movie, Bongoland II: “The beauty of “Bongoland II” arises in its misleading simplicity. Although it could be said that the film tracks Juma's adaptation, it uses larger issues to highlight the ways in which Juma is not - and may never be - fully readjusted. From family secrets to workplace drama, reconnecting with friends to waiting for his girlfriend, it becomes clear that Juma might not fully reclaim who he once was.”

From Israel, Haim Watzman celebrates the success of his son at school - after a lot of hard work and the frustrations of being different.

Syrian blogger Kinan, who lives in the UAE, got urgent home made food supplies from his grandmother - sent to him all the way from Damascus.

Kinan Jarjous, who lives in the UAE, writes about an elderly colleague with him in his office and says: “She's soooooooooooooo adoooooorablllllllllleeeeeeeeeee I want to gobble her all up!”

A fatal road accident along Trinidad's North Coast leads KnowProSE.com to comment: “Emergency medicine infrastructure and preventative measures are not a priority, it seems. It seems a victim of economic triage…does the Government of Trinidad and Tobago value the lives of citizens and visitors, much less the quality of life?”

Uncommon Sense links to a post that Havana-based blogger Yoani Sanchez has written, which suggests that she may soon be arrested, saying: “Please pray for this brave woman, and for her continued safety.”

Rick Lowe at WeblogBahamas.com laments that crime is out of control, while Craig Butler over at Bahama Pundit thinks that parliamentary hearings on crime should be broadcast on television.

This Beach Called Life is worried about the direction Trinidad & Tobago is taking: “I am certain the economy will soon crash. I am basing my economic prediction, not on a feeling, but on newspaper commentaries, comments by the Governor of the Central Bank and the imbecilic looks on the faces of those in the Ministry of Finance.”

Dominic in Armenia comments on how frustrating buying goods with bills in the local currency can be. In particular he recounts how even if a shop has change it will often say it doesn't to avoid having to take bills over 5,000 drams (about $16). Small change is also a problem with shops sometimes handing over boxes of matches instead of money.

Child of the Revolution blogs about claims by Cuba's Ministry for Foreign Affairs that “the top US diplomat in Havana…is handing over money from Cuban exiles to some dissidents on the island”, while El Cafe Cubano adds: “Today is May 2oth, Cuba's date of Independence. Who would know from all the media accounts which have the dictatorship accusing Parmly funneling money to dissidents.”

Montego Bay Day by Day says that one unique local restaurant would be “extremely happy to welcome you” - once you read through the fine print.

“Tourism is the life blood of the Barbados economy. Any decisions made outside Barbados that would have a negative impact on our survival is cause for concern”: Bajan Global Report says that the recent decision by US air carriers to cut their capacity because of rising fuel prices could mean trouble for Caribbean economies that are “still relying on sun, sea and sand!”

As Trinidadian-born filmmaker Frances-Ann Solomon's A Winter Tale opens in local theatres, Jamaican blogger Geoffrey Philp quotes a particularly poignant review: “A storyteller is a shape-shifter who uses every tool, every image, every sense to draw you in, capture your imagination.”

Steady State comments on the passing by the UN National Assembly of a resolution recognizing the right of Georgian refugees to return to the breakaway region of Abkhazia. However, the blog says that despite its passage there was little interest shown by UN member states, most of which either abstained or didn't attend the session. In a second post, the blog casts doubts on the Georgian president's ability to fulfill promises that those refugees will actually do so.

Unzipped Gay Armenia says that Sirusho, the country's entry in this week's Eurovision Song Contest, is the best yet and stands a good chance of winning the international song contest. The blog also says that if she does, next year's Eurovision would be held in Yerevan and attract the attention of LGBT communities in Europe.

Armenia and Me reports and posts photographs from Sunday's annual HIV Awareness event held in Yerevan. The blog says that over 60 Red Cross youth volunteers marched through the center of the capital with candles. The event ended by creating an illuminated HIV ribbon by one of the city's most popular cinemas.

ESWN translated an article about the spreading of earthquake rumors.

Serkan Toto from Asiajin introduces 7 web services targeting at creative people for sharing of their creative work.

Serkan Toto from Toykotronic blogs about the Softbank and Alibaba.com's joint venture in developing B2B web space in Japan.

Matt puts up very informative links to essays and studies on Kwangju Uprising.

CINA comments on the South Korean government education authority's move in mobilizing 800 teachers to disperse student protesters in the anti-U.S beef rally.

Zhanna Zhukova reviews the reports on recent statement by Rakhat Aliev — former son-in-law of the Kazakhstan president — that he allegedly would speak at the so-called Kazakhgate trial.

Myscnu, a teacher discussion board, tried to put together a list of collapsed school buildings in the Sichuan earthquake. So far there are about 40 in the list.

Unicorn criticized the donation guideline within collective owned work unit (or danwei). The guideline is to ensure that one cannot donate more than their superiors.

Zhang Hui, from china-week, compared the attitude of Chinese and Japanese rescue team in the earthquake relief work. The blogger expressed his thankfulness to Japanese friends for bringing a new humanitarian practice to China[zh]. A recent Xinhua photos showed how Japanese rescue team mourned for the deaths when bodies were dug out from the earthquake ruins.

Edgar Ruiz Diaz of Las Preguntas de Venerando [es] provides his thoughts on the first steps that Paraguayan President-elect Fernando Lugo should take upon taking office, such as lowering his own salary, as well as of senators and deputies.

Costa Rica Valley [es] posts information about a lecture called “One Idea = One Business” to be held for potential entrepreneurs in San José.

Arab Environment Watch posts on news about Masdar, saying “This is exciting news emerging from the planners of Masdar city, the first zero carbon city in the world.”

In reflection upon the earthquake, Huyong said that Chinese people should learn to be more humble and fearful of the nature in its developmental model [zh].

Honduras will host a Central American summit on the effects of climate change on the region's economies and what can be done about the issue writes Honduras News.

The Obnoxious 5xmom uploads an email of a mission worker in Myanmar: “It is a sad sight. Nature unleashed an orgy of death and mayhem, wounding an already suffering population. Yesterday, with tears in their eyes, women explained how the waves snatched their babes from their bosoms. A mighty tidal wave ensured that tears stayed on as the children embraced watery graves.”

ko-htike received an email from a friend who had seen the situation in Laputta, Myanmar: “More than ten thousands victims are staying, sleeping on the wet ground under the miserable roofs in the camps of the monasteries and pagodas; and some victims are staying outside in the rain. They have no proper toilets and enough water for drinking and cleaning up. Clinics have no enough medicine for patients. Only the hospital is full with the patients and it can't accept next new patients because of lack of medicine and free beds.”

The Inspired Economy blog writes of a new research program being launched. “It aims to support the world’s decision-makers in their promotion of sustainability and at ensuring that their decision-making will rest on scientific foundations leading to - real change.”

New Mandala received a report from a correspondent based in Yangon, Myanmar. An excerpt of the account: “The stories from the night of the cyclone that the villagers shared with me were gruesome. I was told how streets were turned into rivers through torrential rainfall and storm surges of over 10 feet…It is not only devastating that many lost all their property, but long term income generating opportunities have been drastically interrupted or altogether destroyed.”

deathpower reports about the government's confiscation of Cambodia Daily newspaper because of its “Burma Daily” supplement. details are sketchy writes: “The speculation is that the government is worried that the Cambodia Daily will, if it hasn’t already, print embarrassing revelations about the Burmese government, thus causing a fast ally to lose face.”

An earthquake was felt in Indonesia and Malaysia yesterday. nicster^ rants v.3 wrote: “Barely a couple of hours ago, I suddenly felt nauseous. At first, I thought that it was just a reaction from the bad tummy I’ve had all afternoon.” Read also some Twitter posts about the tremor in Sumatra.

Former Malaysian leader Mahathir Mohamad has resigned from the ruling party. Tumpang sekole asks: Will Mahathir's move spark off the possibility of a snap election?

Local Freakonomics wonders why many Bruneians think private schools are better than public schools.