Global Voices Online

Ted Belman says Israel's economy is booming and this is why.

Libyan blogger A.Adam announced that he would celebrate his blog's third anniversary by marking its ‘end.'

Tunisia-based blogger Sub-Zero Blue discusses what he thinks of small talk. “Small talk, I think, should be reserved for those awkward moments when you're with someone and you have nothing to say to them, they have nothing to say to you, and there's this haunting silence hanging above you; that's when it could be considered somehow useful,” he writes.

Qatar-based blogger Kareem links to an article which announces the 3rd Annual Forum, entitled Media and the Middle East: Going Beyond the Headlines, being hosted by Al Jazeera at the Sheraton Doha and Convention Resort from March 31 to April 2, in Qatar. Sessions in this year's forum will explore the growing influence of politics on media and vice versa, media credibility in times of conflict, the role of media in building bridges or walls, and case studies from the Middle East and Africa on the practical aspects of ‘deep reporting'.

Saudi-American blogger and journalist Rasheed Abou-Alsamh discusses whether a number of jailed Saudi citizens are terrorists or political activists.

Saudi blogger Fedo links to an episode of American Dad, in which Stan Smith and his family are relocated to Saudi Arabia.

Bahrain-based blogger Bint Battuta introduces us to the fresh works of aspiring Bahraini artist Waheeda Mallulla.

Motherhood and two children at The Mad Momma. “I held her against my chest and made him put his head down in my lap and comforted both and tried to fight the sense of utter despair. How would I protect one from the other without destroying one? She is so tiny and physically needs protection and he is so vulnerable and emotionally needs me to support him.”

Khatmandu Speaks responds to a comment made at Global Voices Online on the issue of monarchy in Nepal. “You don't know how he runs his businesses. He manipulates the state mechanism to avoid taxes among other things. Stories of vehicles lost in the country of manufacture- to being sold to our government- they have yet to be confirmed.”