Global Voices Online

Laura discusses peace efforts in Sudan: “In the three days since the Sudan Now initiative launched, we’ve seen a number of bloggers and journalists qualify their reports of activist frustration by noting that the Obama administration has indeed been active in trying to address the multiple crises in Sudan”

Intlxpatr, self-described as an expat currently living in Doha, Qatar, comments on the case of a Sudanese UN female employee Lubna Hussein, who has been sentenced to 40 lashes for the “sin” of wearing trousers in Khartoum.

Sokari urges readers to vote for Pambazuka News, the source of authentic voices of Africa’s social activists and analysts : “For the fifth year running, Pambazuka News has been selected as one of 25 finalist nominations in the ‘Top 10 Who Are Changing the World of Internet and Politics’ competition.”

The Sudanese government wants journalists to be registered; “The Sudanese government started a move last week to issue a law on journalist to require them to register themselves with the government media regulator so that the government would monitor them if they misuse there power as journalist.”

What do you see on these images taken in rural Kenya? asks Erik. “Under each image you’ll see why it’s interesting. By the way, I too missed the relevance of the flip flops at first glance…”

Daudi Were blogs from the G20 Summit discussing Africa's relevance on the global scene: “On the global scene African countries have very little influence, even less power and no force at all (except against other African countries).”

Ryutaro Yanagawa (柳川龍太郎) in his podcast program Nekura Nomikon Onvoice (ネクラのみ来ん on voice) [ja] reflects upon issues related to Japanese foreign politics. In the last episode, the podcaster invites us to not forget those areas of the world, such as Darfur or Sri Lanka, that too rarely are the centre of media attention. He also expresses worry over the role of Japan abroad, particularly in Somalia, where recently the Maritime Self-Defence Forces (自衛隊, Jieitai) have been dispatched to collaborate in an anti-piracy mission.

Take at blogs written by journalist blogging from Africa. The list is compiled by Scarlett Lion, “I'd like to make a sort of ongoing list of foreign correspondents in Africa who blog. Feel free to add to the list in the comments section and eventually I'll put out a revised full list, complete with your suggestions.”

Eternal Remont reports on the release of the MV Faina crew by the pirates, “a deep discount” on the ransom paid - and the future of the ship's cargo: “T-72s and assorted weapons” to be delivered to “Sudan, er, ‘Kenya.' Shipping weapons to Sudan would violate the U.N. arms embargo. That would be illegal.”