Thursday World Blog Roundup · Global Voices
Rebecca MacKinnon

Rich pickings today from Southeast Asia:
The Filipino Librarian has launched a campaign with the Filipino blogging community to correct the online image of Filipinas – women of the Philippines. Click on all these links and support their campaign.
Inside PCIJ blogs a recent report about the state of women on the island of Mindanao in the Philippines.
Vietnamese women may attempt an online campaign like the Filipino bloggers someday. Noodle Pie takes a break from his usual Vietnamese food-blogging to reveal a scandal surrounding Miss Vietnam.
Sarasonteh posts on Thailand's “most embarrasing ad contest” and the “fawning correspondents’ club” in Bangkok.
In Singapore, Mr. Brown reports on a blogger flash-party. [LINK CORRECTED] There are Flickr pix too.
Another great Globalvoices Star Wars Post: Mystery Tan Lines does Return of the Sith in Singlish!!
Some people are getting a bit too carried away by this Star Wars craze… Mack at Brandmalaysia reports that a man in a Darth Vader suit has been flashing his “sabre” at unsuspecting women in Bandar Baru Nilai.
More seriously, Mack has a guest editorial on the balkanization and compartmentalization of Malaysian society.
East Asia:
The Mask of China reports that while Starbucks is coming to Dalian, their local staff can't spell.
South Asia:
United We Blog in Nepal expresses solidarity between Nepali and Iranian bloggers.
In India, Vantage Point meets a Muslim taxi driver who is investing in his daughter's future high-tech career, while encouraging his son to drive a taxi because the boy is nowhere near as smart.
3rd World View discusses the Bangladeshi rock scene.
Central Asia:
Nathan at Registan.net has a thorough Uzbekistan news roundup.
Latin America:
Devil's Excrement continues his regular criticism of Venezuela's state oil company, the PDVSA.
Venezuela News and Views has more on the PDVSA and allegations of corruption.
Barrio Flores on the protests in Bolivia.
Europe:
Neeka's Backlog recounts how a primary school class in the Ukraine is basically required by their teacher to support Yushenko.
Scraps of Moscow says: “Russia…appears to be standing shoulder-to-shoulder with China in its response to the events in Andijan.”
According to Fjordman, Dutch Muslims are encouraged to vote “yes” to the European Constitution.
Middle East:
Spark Armada shares his presentation for the Israeli “Blog Day” in which he talks about “The New People” and the role of blogs in people's identity.
In Syria, Amarji believes the President is bound to fail.
The Syrian News Wire analyzes Syria's admission that foreign fighters have been entering Iraq over the Syrian border.
Crossroads Arabia on how the Arab world is reappraising America.
Rafah Pundits Radio comments on a “blogfight” between semitism.net and Israellycool.
Lebanese Political Journal has details on the first round of parliamentary elections to take place this coming Sunday, and argues that Hezbollah is an international issue, despite the fact that politicians have been claiming the contrary.
Sami at An Iraqi's Thoughts thinks Zarqawi's arrest is “irrelevant”.
Hammorabi comments on a civilian's capture of terrorists.
Raed in the Middle wants Al Arabiya to change its policy of filtering viewer comments on its website when those comments are critical of the U.S. presence in Iraq.
Mr. Behi, Iranian Prospect and Farideh at IranScan are all talking about whether Iran's reformers should or shouldn't boycott the election. Neda calls for a boycott.
“Hello from the Land of Pharaohs” describes a failed attempt to vote.
1 Pissed Arab on why some people have problems with the spread of democracy in the Middle East.
Africa:
Commentary.co.za points out South Africa's mainstream media is having credibility problems.
Chippala has an update on the Nigerian presidential campaign.
Black Looks links to a report on Nigerian police abuse.
Black Star Journal points out Africa's 2004 growth rate was highest this century.