Global Voices Online

Alexander Sadikov discusses the OSCE's assessment of the environment in which Tajikistan's presidential election will take place.

Chippla discusses the politics of naming public facilities: I have never been a fan of the naming of places or public facilities after individuals. In Nigeria, this appears to be the norm. What is even more perplexing about this is when such places or facilities are named after living individuals—a practice I find appalling. For instance, Olusgeun Obasanjo Way and IBB (Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida) Golf and Country Club in the capital city of Abuja are named after living Nigerian presidents.

Mahoshada discusses the viability of doing business in Sri Lanka. “Conditions for conducting business in Sri Lanka have deteriorated markedly during the last year; this according to the World Bank’s annual publication Doing Business 2007, which provides a comprehensive international comparison of business conditions. “

The Mad Momma writes a wonderful post on coping with her own actions and loving her child. “I slapped my son an hour ago. Not once. But six times in a white hot rage. This after being brought up by parents who even 25 years ago knew that you don't hit a child. A toddler. I have no excuse. A few reasons maybe, but nothing to excuse my behaviour.”

What is Africa doing to help Darfur?, asks Grandiose Parlor: It is a shame that the best Africa leaders can muster is some 7,000 ill-equipped troops that are expected to to police an area half the size of Nigeria! [Darfur=493 180 sq. km , Nigeria= 923,768 sq. km] This is a huge shame.

How some places of importance are reduced to nothing. Light Within on Gogera “It is reduced to a shabby and sleepy suburb of Okara today. Town still boasts its importance when it was important British power centre and district headquarters from 1852 to 1865 and the part played by the resilient people of the area during War of Independence in 1857.”

Mezba comments on Straw's take on the veil, and explores the import of the hijab within the religion.

TOL's Belarus Blog reports on the detention of a young activist on murder charges. Also, there's an entry on demolition of old buildings in Minsk.

White Sun of the Desert writes about Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk street names and monuments inherited from the Soviet times.