Global Voices Digest for October 9th, 2008
Egypt: Gaza Solidarity Activists Kidnapped, Abused and then Released
While celebrating the 6th of October victory and in alliance with the International Solidarity Movement to break Gaza Siege, activists from different Egyptian civil entities, syndicates, and political parties decided to head to Gaza in an attempt to break the siege. The attempt was cut short by the Egyptian Security, and around 36 activists were ‘kidnapped’ and detained.
Kazakhstan: Language, Economics and Foreign Policy
The Kazakhstani authorities have again brought up the issue of state language. Kazakh language has been heavily depreciated in the Soviet times against the background of inculcation of Russian language. Earlier, officials restrained themselves from outright expulsion of the Russian language (which still dominates in the official paperwork and in other spheres), leaving this field to a few nationalist movements. Now everybody is concerned over the plan to introduce a TOEFL-like standard Kazakh language test, which will be required at employment starting from 2010.
Indonesia: Views on the U.S. Financial Crisis
Americans are afraid of another Great Depression as the Wall Street crisis continues to worsen. Meanwhile, many Indonesians are afraid that the 1997 Asian Financial Crisis will happen again if the U.S. economy continues to deteriorate.
Today on Rising Voices: FOKO: A successful Barcamp in Madagascar
A BarCamp was held in Madagascar on October 4, 2008 in the capital Antananarivo. Organized by the Rising Voices Grantee FOKO it was the first event of such kind in Madagascar.
Today on Global Voices Advocacy: The Blogging Revolution: from Iran to Cuba
Antony Loewenstein, a Sydney-based freelance journalist and blogger, has recently published his new book: The Blogging Revolution. This book talks about the impact of blogging on six countries: Iran, Syria, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, China and Cuba.
Roundups
Get the blog buzz from the world over in the Global Roundups, where today you can find Syrian and Saudi relations hitting an all time low, an introduction to the conflict in Nagorno Karabakh, the first free election in the Maldives, and much much more!