Global Voices Online

We're always looking for new ideas and good stories to write about. If you have a story or a blog post that you think would be a good fit for our daily roundups, email us with the link and a short blurb about what it's about!

Central Asia

Hans from Kaukasus reports the news that travel to Georgia (the country, not the state) is now visa-free for visitors from the EU, the US, Canada, Switzerland, Japan, and Israel, and invites tourists to come and visit the scenic Central Asian republic.

Registan confirms that the Peace Corp has decamped from Uzbekistan. They also note a slightly odd story from Kyrgyzstan; apparently the acting president has decreed that all regional leaders have to take—and pass—a physical fitness test.

East Asia

Little Cart Noodles gets to tour the USS Nimitz when it makes a port call in Hong Kong and takes a whole series of neat photographs.

Over on the Korean Peninsula, the Marmot helpfully points to an article that discusses Kim Jong-Il’s favorite foods.

Photo by noe0712

South-East Asia

Kenny Sia writes about the always touchy subject of racism in Malaysia; he looks at the state-sponsored preferential treatment Malays receive over other ethnic groups and wonders if it’s gone too far.

The latest political imbroglio in the Philippines revolves around a tape of a telephone call that allegedly implicates President Gloria Arroyo in election fraud. Except that there’s another version of the tape that apparently proves that the first tape was doctored. Except that others believe that both versions of the tape have been doctored. The one thing that’s clear, according to The Sassy Lawyer, is that someone needs to be in jail… we’re just not sure who. Inside PCIJ has more background on the scandal.

Latin America

The big story in Bolivia is the resignation of President Carlos Mesa. Publius Pundit has a good general roundup of the situation, while Barrio Flores, MABB, and Ciao! have immediate reaction posts up. MABB also has a more reflective post that worries that the country may be on the verge of breaking up, and Open Veins has photographs of some of the protests.

South Asia

Youth Curry reports that the growing trend of efficient discount airlines (think JetBlue or RyanAir) has reached India, and is changing the way Indians travel.

On the lighter side, Chien(ne)s Sans Frontières has a post covering the very latest in Bollywood rivalries, featuring two of the subcontinent’s biggest glamour queens.

Europe

In an only-in-Ireland stunt, a young man recently embarked on a Guinness-only diet for a week (well, Guinness with bread, and a pint of milk and a vitamin C supplement). This being the internet age, the natural thing to do was blog about the experience.

In the wake of the EU Constitution referendums in France and the Netherlands, Heiko Hebig thinks that he “should start referring to the Draft EU Constitution as the ‘Terri Schiavo Constitution’”.

Despite the fact that Finns are found to be very progressive and broadminded as a group, Phil at Finland for Thought is distressed that Finland is still listed as a “Tier 2” country in the United States’ report on human trafficking.

In Hungary, Vandorlo of Central Budapest notes that Hungarians are abandoning fixed-line phones, with only a third of them using them to place their calls.

Late-breaking Hungarian news: Pesticide.hu reports that Hungary has it’s third president of the post-communist era, though the parlimentary vote is not without controversy.

Africa

Mental Acrobatics asks: “What would you say the single most important event of the 20th century was for Africa/Kenya?”

Chanuka wonders why Africa needs more loans and more aid when its leaders drive around in lavish cars while ordinary citizens can barely afford a bicycle…

Central Asia

The Kyrgyzstan Kid attends the wake of a stranger in a small town in northern Kyrgyzstan.

Registan.net comes in with two interesting stories: first, the US State Department has ordered Embassy families to evacuate Tashkent, and it looks like the Peace Corps may be evacuating soon, as well; and second, internet cafe fines for viewing political websites are higher than fines for looking at porn in Tashkent.

Photo by TKnoxB

East Asia

Peking Duck reminds us that June 4 is coming up again soon, and suggests that the Ching Cheong arrest was part of the annual crackdown.

New Mongols notes an article that outlines increasing democratic trends in the homeland of Genghis Khan.

Southeast Asia

The Aseanist responds to a thought-provoking comment with a long, well-reasoned post about the upsides—and the downsides—to regional integration.

From the Philippines comes mp3s of the sessions from iBlog, the Philippines’ first blogging summit. Also, Crainial Cavity looks at what it takes to be a Filipino journalist—donning disguises, different routes to work, and, if all else fails, skipping town seem to be the recommended modus operandi…

South Asia

One of the biggest stories to hit the subcontinent this week has been the Indian government’s decision to ban smoking in movies and TV shows. Even movie stars are denouncing the law, though at least one blogger has issues with the actor’s quick response.

Photo by Steve Evans

Middle East

Several Egyptian bloggers have posted their thoughts on the assaults on women demonstrating against the Mubarak regime last week, and the “Protest in Black” demonstration yesterday in response to the attacks.

Meanwhile The Dumb North African reports on statistics on quality of life and inequality in Egypt and asks, “Just how representative do the likes of us bloggers think we are?” — leading to lively discussion in the comments.

In Iran, DoctorZim points to a survey claiming that 92% of Iranians will not vote in the upcoming presidential election, while IranScan discusses an article arguing that the elections don’t matter, because presidential power is so weak. Congrats to GlobalVoices participant Hoder, who was recently featured in several mainstream news articles.

Mahmood Al-Yousif in Bahrain is concerned about the impact of Western-funded development projects on the local environment. Omar from IraqTheModel asks if the “Integrity Committee” is the right way to fight government corruption in Iraq. And Beirut Spring has changed his blog photo for 5 days in protest of the murder of journalist Samir Kassir.

Africa

Ory blogs about the politics of foreign aid in Africa and Jeffrey Sachs’ new book. Ethiopundit discusses revolutionary democracy in Ethiopia and The Emperor’s New Clothes. And Black Gold reacts to a Human Rights Watch report about violence around the gold trade in the DRC.

Europe

Afoe does its own roundup
on why the Dutch rejected the Constitution treaty, including the interesting stat that 80% of young people voted against the treaty. AFOE also rejoices that the Bavarian cabinet may permit carwashing on Sunday afternoons.

Finland for Thought is happy that deregulation may permit shops to be open on Sundays.

A young boy playing outside in Hungary came across several skulls and bones, and the construction company responsible for recently filling the lot with fresh dirt disclosed that earth had come from a nearby graveyard. Pestiside describes the scene.

Norway's Fjordman reflects on the significance of the French and Dutch votes — “Whatever you think of European integration, there is something inspiring about 20 million people who, having been told what to do by their most respected politicians and after listening attentively, then do the exact opposite. This week’s referendums in France and the Netherlands are probably the most significant event in European history since the end of the Cold War….”

HispaLibertas celebrates “Don Quichotte du Non,” a blogger who “took on European elites.” Find out more by reading HispaLibertas.

Today's blog roundup by Amanda Michel, Erica George and Paul Frankenstein

Middle East:
Firas Georges of Iraq&Iraqis reflects on Iraq's future from Dubai while on his first-ever vacation outside of Iraq. (Photo of Emirates Towers, Dubai, by Saudi)

Iraq the Model gives an English summary of a firsthand blog account in Arabic about a freshly discovered mass grave.

Riverbend of Baghdad Burning describes how one family narrowly escapes tragedy from a nearby car bomb.

Silly Bahraini Girl: “World Press Freedom Day My Foot…“

A Kuwaiti Online is concerned about the bad treatment of foreign workers and residents in Kuwait.
Kuwait now has 168 blogs. Go Kuwaiti bloggers!!

Central Asia:
Afghan Warrior on continued violence and an increase in Taliban attacks.

Blogrel tells us about the thousands of poverty-stricken Armenian children who live like orphans in institutions, but who aren't actually orphans.

South Asia:
Dak Bangla on the regional arms market for Asia's forgotten wars.

AnarCapLip believes poverty in India is decreasing.

East Asia
EastSouthWestNorth (ESWN) of China asks provocatively: “why does the Chinese-interested blogosphere takes such pleasure in going after the official Chinese media but ignore the lies that appear on the so-called ‘dissident' websites?”

Japundit says that in Japan and South Korea, Greenpeace lacks relevance and credibility.

Europe:
Finland for Thought argues about racism.

Africa:
Black Looks talks about death from botched abortions in Africa.

Subzero Blue has photos of the Tunisian bloggers' meetup.

Inspiration of the Day from Africa:
Comic Seriosity Balance tells us about a new comic strip launched by Schoolnet Namibia. Called Ha Ti! or “Listen Up!”, the comic strip “spreads the word about the ways that computers and the internet can transform learners' and teachers' lives.” The strip is produced under a Creative Commons license so anybody can use it. (via BlogAfrica)

More from Africa:

Sokwanele says Zimbabwe needs blood donors desperately.

Sudan Watch points us to a powerful flash video on the genocide in Sudan by Physicians for Human Rights. (via Jewels in the Jungle) Combine this with the Sudanese childrens' pictures released on Friday by Human Rights Watch and reflect on the fate of your fellow human beings.

Southern Cross of South Africa is pleased about the good news on trade and farm subsidies.

Koranteng of Ghana has some music recommendations.
Black Looks has a good post on where to download Moroccan music. (We're also thrilled to see she likes our roundups!)

Central Asia:
Registan.net has some further thoughts in reaction to the NYT's story on possible U.S. prisoner transfer to Uzbekistan, pointing out what it characterizes as one inaccuracy and one omission in the story.

Buritos and “Takobel” in Armenia? Not exactly…

Mideast:
In Bahrain, the Free Ahmed Blog is trying to call attention to the significant number of young people who - according to the blog - get thrown in jail for hashish use, don't get due process or a speedy trial, and have their confessions “extracted under duress.”

Raed in the Middle: Baghdad Remembers Saigon.
Iraq the Model asks some questions about mass graves and the discussion (or lack) thereof.

In Jordan, Sabbah's Blog argues that CNN and NYT are biased.

Kuwaiti bloggers are organizing their fifth meetup.

East Asia:
Isaac Mao continues to wonder why Skype is blocked in Shanghai, with some interesting theories from various people.

ESWN reports that Hong Kong bloggers feel misunderstood.

Southeast Asia:
Jeff Ooi reports on Taxpayers' Day and wonders where the money is really going.

South Asia
United we Blog reports on the joy of getting your mobile phone service back after having it cut off by the government for 3 months.

Europe:
Finland for Thought reports on a procreation strike.

In Italy, Luca DeBaise asks how to believe Americans and has some thoughts about the new Pope.