Archive for
March 28th, 2006
Stories
From Charango to Sea Controversy
Chile and Bolivia have different controversies issues. Last week it was the origin of Charango, a musical instrument that can be found through Central and South America. Bolivian president Evo Morales give it as a present to Condolleza Rice, while ex-president Lagos give it as a present to rock star Bono. See Eduardo Ávila's post for more about the issue.
Access to the sea has been an unresolved issue for the two countries since 1863. The War of the Pacific in 1879 left Bolivia without coastal land or access. On the other hand, Bolivia has occupied that Chilean territory before. The causes of this war are explained in detail on the website “Guerra del Pacifico” (ES).
What do Chilean blogers think about it?
The newspaper “La Tercera”(ES) made a survey, which shows that 66 % of Chileans do not agree with the idea of giving coastal land to Bolivia. Hablemos de Algo (ES) posts an analysis of the survey and also declares that “we have to fight to defend our territory.” Regiones sin Fronteras (ES) posts that “ Evo forgets that in the world there are more than 30 countries without sea access and they don't require it to be successful.” Los Cuatro Puntos Cardinales son tres: el Norte y el Sur (ES) looks at alternatives and decides that “the best way to solve the problem, is by making an agreement that could allow Bolivians to use Chileans ports, with low cost and special rates, or have Bolivian enterprises operate Chilean ports without taxes.” Panorama Político (ES) emphasizes that the solution “is a manifestation of goodwill between Chile and Bolivia.” He also says that “Chile should offer Bolivia sovereign coastal land. Bolivia could offer economic integration, gas, and other compensations”
Tourism, Islamic Vietnam & Blogs
IranMehr (Persian) talks about tourism industry problems in Iran. He writes despite country’s attractiveness such as historical monuments, ancient villages, ecosystems…He talks also about government’s politics to attract 20 million tourists to Iran whose share of global tourism revenue has been less that 1 percent. According to him:
“How Iranian government’s planning would be able to develop within “demand & offer” framework in tourism to expand this industry?…Private section share, lack of residential space, non defined of tourism economy’s concept, air transport problems, domestic tourism development, breaking government’s monopoly on tourism…are among issues to be solved if not there will be no fundamental tourism development in country. Beyond Iran’s place in worldwide tourism responsible should clarify where country’s place in Middle East is tourism?”
Deyareaftab (Persian), another blogger has left a comment concerning tourism for IranMehr he asks :
“Which tourism? Tourists don’t dare to come to Iran!”
Tajzade (Persian), reformist politician & blogger, talks about nuclear crisis and its outcome. He says what Iranian youth needs is peace social & cultural development. Our nation needs to be respected. Of course respecting is a mutual act and without respecting others u are not going to be respected. Blogger writes:
“Absolutists (he means present government) before coming to power promised to make Iran an Islamic Japan…but by following their politics Iran won’t become even an Islamic North Korea but an Islamic Vietnam! Imagining US attacked us and we won the war at the end. What will be price for Iran? What will be happened to 30 years of Islamic Republic achievements?”
Bangladesh Blog Buzz:
What the Bangladeshi blogs around the world are saying:
1) Demolition: Dipu, the “Spoony Writer” reacts on the news that Modhumita Cinema Hall, one of the oldest and popular movie theatre in Dhaka will be demolished.
2) Branding: Shafiur describes his recent experience that ‘curries' and ‘celebrity sex' are re-branding Bangladeshis in the UK.
3) Probe: Journalist Tasneem Khalil posts an investigative report on Hizb_ut-Tahrir — one of the most radical Islamist organizations in the world.
4) Arranged marriage: Like many desi girls in the West, Kia Abdullah is going through the nightmare of arranged marriage by parents. Read her blog ‘Young, free and desperate?' dedicated to recording the process and pitfalls of arranged marriage.
5) Drama: Mahreen shares some pictures of the Rabindranath Tagore play “Tasher Desh” in which she performed recently.
6) Video: Shakia made a short documentary (2:04 minutes) titled 'seasons beginning' which is worth watching.
7) Pain: Scribbles got her first injection and describes her fears and emotions about it.
8) Law: Sadat Shahriar thinks that the anti-smoking law in Bangladesh is becoming a paper tiger.
9) Ranking: Sakib finds out that Bangladesh is the 31st richest country in the world considering the total GDP of the country's population.
10) Bangla blogging milestone: The bangla blogging platform ‘Bandh Bhanger Awaz’ has achieved 1 million page views after approx. three months of its release.
This week in Israel: today is election day
Voting in the Israeli elections. Tel Aviv, March 28. (Photo by Lisa Goldman. Click to enlarge.)
Israelis go to the polls to elect a new government today. The media have been screaming since 10 a.m. that voter turnout is at an all-time low, even though the polls don't close until 10 p.m.
Kadima, the centrist party founded by comatose-since-January prime minister Ariel Sharon, and now led by acting PM Ehud Olmert, is currently projected to win the most seats and thus form the next government. But there have also been many, many warnings that the pre-election polls are likely to prove very inaccurate because there is also a record number of undecided voters - approximately 20 percent.
As for exit polls, let us not forget that Shimon Peres “won” in 1996, based on the exit polls, but after the votes were counted Benjamin Netanyahu emerged as Israel's prime minister. Given, however, that Netanyahu's Likud party is predicted to take only 14 of the 120 Knesset (parliament) seats in these elections (the party that wins a plurality of seats usually forms a coalition with smaller parties in order to cobble together the necessary majority of at least 61 seats), the chances of him becoming prime minister in 2006 are about zero.
Below is a roundup of what the Israeli blogosphere has to say, going into the elections.
(more…)
Kenyan Sphere Dispatch
After the kenyan government raid on standard newspaper early this month, (Something that was covered by MSM around the world), there was talk in Kenya of mercenaries operating in Kenya. Nationmedia (free subscription) had an interview with one of the Artur brothers. The mystery of their involvement can be confusing. Lucky for us, Sammie has a short summary of these events, especially relating to the mercenaries claim and reactions thereafter. M of thinkersroom presents a theatrical piece ‘24 the Mercenaries edition. As reported by Nationmedia, “As a result of the ongoing mercenary saga, one of the hottest new words in the Swahili vocabulary of most Kenyans is Mamluki.”, an ancient term for mercenaries.
Lets do alittle word association. Here are afew words: Kenyan, athletic, Olympian, Japan, Music. If you think there couldn't possibly be a connection? think again, see Mambo's post Wakiihuri the musician “.
In a short and informative post,You missed this points to an ‘interesting development in neighbouring Tanzania', where “Kenya airways wins against the South Africans” adding that “…Oh and by the way, its' [Kenya Airways]key senior management (including CEO Titus Naikuni) are all under 45. Remember the generation this blog is rooting for to take over political power in Kenya?”
Capt. (Ret) Charles Wairia of Kenya Beyond 2005 is urging the government to “Use the army to transport relief food”, stating
There is the immediate need to send food to the remote areas where people are dying daily. The army should mobilize its transport battalion and render support. They are familiar with the terrain; they are disciplined, organized and capable.
New wine translates a passage in the bible from English to Sheng. Sheng is a type of slang/language mash up of swahili and English, spoken by urban Kenyans.
Chrenyan posts ‘The budding gourmet's guide to Lunch in Nairobi'
Kenya Cricket has become an indispensable resource for Kenyan Cricket fans. He is so thorough, he points to an innacuracy in reporting by Kenya times in this post, and has excellent coverage of the Bangladesh series (Kenya lost-badly), he also has great coverage of matches within kenya, notably in Kericho and Nakuru, with what appears to be on the ground reporting.
Mental acrobatics posts the “Latest results from the we-might-as-well-give-the-Kenyans-all-the-medals-and-go-home games also know as Melbourne 2006 Commonwealth Games.”, where Kenya dominated the medals in athletics.
Maitha, points to a possible increase in the number of Kenyan bloggers blogging in Kiswahili, a major language in East Africa. He welcomes the newest entrant Mtandawakazi Maitha shares his thoughts on the discussion that has been going on about sexuality and its place in Africa. The 2 posts he points to that contain these discussions are “Outing hetero-sexuality” by Mad Kenyan Woman, and “homo-sexuality is un-african“, by Gukira a very rough translation being “We should not follow western behaviour, their education is better than ours, but we should not emulate this behaviour, if we just follow, we will have lost direction, like sheep without a shepherd”.
Last but not least,
White African proposes The Africa Network, a web technology idea for Africa, generating discussion on technology and Africa.
African Music Roundup #5
yay! summer is upon us over here in the UK and that only means one thing. concerts, festivals, showcases. 
An abundance of music, sunshine and outdoor runnings. Smiles on peoples faces, the pace less hurried. In rotation as I type? Bongo Flava : Swahili rap from Tanzania, a dope compilation i borrowed from my local library. I got introduced to the Bongo Flava sound listening to the incredible X-Plastaz crew a few years ago and have since heard killer joints from a number of crews. This Cd nicely sums up the players on the scene and is a good introduction to the East African flavour of hip hop. Enter the roundup.
The we mourn the sad passing of Ali Farka Touré of Mali aged 67. Ali has a left a huge legacy for generations to get to know and enjoy.
Matt of 
Benn loxo du taccu remembers and salutes “grand Touré”
“Way, way before I ever even thought of moving to West Africa - or even out of Canada - I was into Touré’s albums Talking Timbuktu, Radio Mali and Niafunké. They were a gateway into the rich world of contemporary African rock and blues, and ultimately helped shape my musical taste for the region.”
To remember him Matt has left two mp3 audio links for us to enjoy and listen to the voice of the Blues man from Mali.
Supa Sista leaves us a simple message with a link to Ali Farka Touré's Discography.
“Thank you for blessing us with your music.”
SoundRoots also remembers the great man:
“Sometimes called the “African John Lee Hooker,” Toure won a Grammy award recently for his duet album with Toumani Diabate, called In the Heart of the Moon. It was his second Grammy, following one in 1994 for Talking Timbuktu, his collaboration with Ry Cooder.
Toure died in the capitol, Bamako, but will be buried in his hometown of Niafunke. He was elected mayor of Niafunke in 2004.”
SoundRoots waxes lyrical on the South African Movie “Tsotsi” that recently won an Oscar.
“I don't think of the Academy Awards as a great promoter of world music and culture. But their selection last night of the South African film Tsotsi as Best Foreign Language Film is certain to gain attention for the soundtrack, which is dominated by kwaito. Sometimes called “South African Hip Hop,” kwaito (the term translates as “anger”) seems to run the gamut from cheezy knockoffs of western hip hop to amazing blends of modern beats with roots drumming and choral singing.”
Afrobeat Trainspotter announces the Lake of Stars Festival 1ST - 3RD September 2006 @ Chintheche Inn, Norther Malawi.
“This year the word has spread throughout Africa with artists and festiver-goers alike coming from Kenya, Tanzania, South Africa and Zambia. Headlining and hosting the event will be BBC 1Xtra's Ras Kwame http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio1/onemusic/ras/ , Chibuku residents the Beat Monkeys, Phat Phil Cooper, Maverick Mitchell and Malawi stars Tikhu Vibrations, the Black Missionaries and Wambali.”
Afrobeat Trainspotter talks about Mpho Skeef linking an interview:
“South African born Mpho Skeef seems to be cutting a path through the music inustry. Heard ‘booty la la' track by Bugz in the Attic? Thats Mpho on vocals.”
Soul On Ice has provided a link to an mp3 playlist (london cosmic junction on webjay.org) with the “booty la la” track. listen and enjoy.
Rizoh's Rapup profiles another South African born Artist, the rapper Jean Grae:
“Since she kicked in the door about 10 years ago, Jean Grae (Tsidi Ibrahim)has captured rap in a choke hold and she’s not letting go. Born in Capetown, South Africa to a jazz pianist father and a vocalist mother, the former LaGuardia High scholar is no stranger to music or the controversies that come along with it. Her parents fled to New York when she was a toddler in order to escape the blooming apartheid in South Africa at the time. Rapping about struggles, joy, pain, and sometimes simply kicking knowledge Nasir Jones style, Jean Grae is everything an average female rapper’s not. She’s the exact antithesis of Foxy Brown and Lil’ Kim.”
Doug Paterson guest hosts the Best Ambiance online show to drop sweet African music from across the Continent. Something for all listeners.
ASID blog (anti slackness intellecutal development) drops a reggae style podcast from badgals-radio.com to support the “save daffur coalition rally to stop genocide Apr 30 2006″ presented by Mama Asid.
“Also we ask that you Take a Moment and send a copy to your favorite email lists and your closest email friends. ask them to circulate this plea as humanitarians to end the killing in Darfur. Remember that Darfur Today could be Detroit or Dayton Tomorrow..”
Please support this campaign and listen to the Podcast.
Links for Tue, 2006-03
Salam Dhaka muses on election time decisions. On what basis is the government judged, and what cards are played to maximum effect?
imperct world 2006 on the changing perception of Bangladeshi Diaspora in the UK.
Hayti outlines the reasons certain parties think Haiti should re-instate its army, and why others think the opposite.”Whether it is an army, a national police force, or a combination thereof, it is the poor of Haiti who are the best gauge as to whether it is a good idea for the country,” says Hayti, “because they have been the ones at the end of the batons, the bullets and the machetes.”
“High cost of living; small size; restrictive immigration policy; poor state education system; lack of IT professionalism and work ethic issues; reliance of IT sector on expats; prohibitive telecoms costs; shortage of accommodation; expensive airfares; “political instability” and racial tension; punitive and indiscriminate customs duties; and the Island's location in a hurricane zone.” These, according to one report, are the reasons Bermuda's e-commerce potential is compromised. The Limey reports.
Mexican blogger Leon Felipe Sanchez asks if free and open source software is, paradoxically, also elitist software.
US blogger Boz disagrees with US policy as regards Cuba, but isn't in favour either of the internet access restrictions Cuba places on its citizens.
Tim Muth has one last rundown of El Salvador election analysis.
Adam Isacson gives his assessment of last week’s indictment of fifty FARC leaders for drug trafficking.
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