Global Voices Online

Bien Vu writes (Fr):”It's been more than 8 months since 152 Martiniquans died in a crash in Maracaibo [,Venezuela]. Since then, talks at cross-purposes between the Association aux Victimes du Crash Aerien [association of victims of the aerial crash] (AVCA) and the Brazilian insurer of West Caribbean Airways who cannot seem to agree on the amount of indemnification for the victims' loved ones. (…) the insurer's lawyer has started a case-by-case determination. (…) But how much money is that much pain worth? (…) who can declare that this person or that person is worth more than others?”

Echoing the optimism of another US-Based DRC blogger, The Salon writes (Fr): “The elections have finally begun. Though there are justified worries about the election's transparency, this is a a historic experience on this vast land which is as large as Western Europe. As a Congolese, while keeping a sane dose of carefulness, I rejoice in the fact that my compatriots can experience this long awaited process.” The blogger also posts links to media that are covering the blow-by-blow of the event today.

US-based Reunion-born blogger Reunion-USA2 discovers (Fr) cultural differences between Maryland and Florida:”My husband is happy in Florida: no more politically correct here! When he goes out with colleagues, they all drink beer –in Maryland, nobody drank during work hours so as not to be labeled a drunk. Yesterday they had their cake and ate it too by having lunch at Hooters.”