Global Voices Online

Palestinian blogger Amal A posts an interesting question which spells out the difference between the English and Arabic language readers of a news website. I wonder what the 8000 enlightened people who approved the burning of the book would say if they were asked, “Do you support the burning at the stake of Sharif Kana'neh and Ibrahim Muhawi, the editors of Speak Bird, Speak Again?”, she writes.

Myouez wonders why people spend so much money on jewelery. “Today, my sister said she couldn’t find her necklace, I asked my mom how much it worth. Damn! I could buy a laptop with it. What’s the use of wearing it around?”

The Weight of Silence on India's street children, whose life centers around the Railways. “One, boys are more likely than girls to actually run away from home and leave their villages. Second, for the girls who do arrive, Gyan says they are the first to disappear. The sex trade swallows up the girls immediately. Obviously, some kind of more immediate intervention needs to occur, because once any child is plucked away from the station they are almost always lost.”

An update on the Nandigram issue at Kafila. Where the state swoops down to grab land. “Singur, unlike the impressions outside, is still fighting with strength and spirit. Thousands of bargadars, labourers and also landholders are not for the forcible occupation of land although fencing of 997 acres of the land, protected by the sheer police force i.e., the State’s might stands.”

Joshua Wanyama of African Path blogs about Gokh-Bi System, a West African group that fuses traditional African sound with urban hip hop.

Metroblogging Islamabad on the attack of Freedom of the Press in Pakistan. “Punjab Police entered Geo News office building in evening, shattered glasses and started shelling within office premises. Rubber Bullets were fired on reporters, camera men, hence injuring a few people as well. The camera coverage was demanded to be closed by the officials.”

Democracy For Nepal on empowering Nepalis in New York City. “I don't know how many Nepalis there are in New York City. 35,000? 40,000? Nobody really knows for sure. But we have got to earn voting rights in the city elections. The idea is not new. Those with green cards should be allowed to vote.”

Unheard Voices reproduces a mail on requirements in Bangladesh. “Both arriving and departing passengers need to possess the Immigration Service Code (IS Code) before they
report at the Immigration counter at Zia International airport. Failure to comply with the same may result in offloading of passenger(s).”. The email generates an interesting discussion in the comments space.

Zimcricketnews figures out three options for Zimbabwe in the World Cup Cricket 2007, “The easy option (in maths terms) first: if Zimbabwe beat both Pakistan and West Indies, they’re through.
The “need some help” options: if Zimbabwe beat West Indies, and Ireland beat both Pakistan and West Indies; or Zimbabwe beat Pakistan, and Ireland lose both their remaining matches, then Zim are through.
The NRR options: if Zimbabwe and Ireland each win one and lose one of their remaining games, then the Net Run Rate will decide who goes through from Zimbabwe or Ireland.”