Fondy Food Center in tight race for fruit orchard | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Jennifer Reinke
June 1, 2012
Fondy farmers assist a customer at the market. (Photo by Dwayne Burtin)
Fondy Food Center moved up to fourth place in a nationwide competition to win an organic fruit orchard valued at $5,000. Fondy was in ninth place when orchards were awarded to the top five vote-getters in the first round of competition. Ninety-five organizations are now competing for the orchards.
The second round of competition, which ends July 2, will award orchards to the next four vote-getters. Voting is allowed once per day at www.communitiestakeroot.com. The contest will run until Aug. 30.
The winners will receive 20 fruit trees, shrubs, an irrigation system and training in organic fruit production. If Fondy is one of the top 17 vote-getters, it would plant the trees at its Port Washington farm and the fruit would be sold at the Fondy Farmers Market.
“Winning this orchard will allow our farmers, most of whom are low-income, predominantly immigrant farmers, the opportunity to plant and grow fruit trees and shrubs using organic growing methods,” said Young Kim, Fondy Food Center’s executive director.
The competition is sponsored by Edy’s Fruit Bars Communities Take Root Program. Edy’s has partnered with Fruit Tree Planting Foundation, an international nonprofit organization dedicated to benefiting communities across the world by planting fruit trees and plants.


Moldova: “Chisinau Burning”? · Global Voices
Veronica Khokhlova

Lyndon of Scraps of Moscow reviews recent blog, Twitter and media coverage of the situation in Moldova.


South Asians Celebrate American Singer-Songwriter Bob Dylan’s Nobel Prize in Literature · Global Voices
Rezwan

President Obama presents Bob Dylan with a Medal of Freedom, May 2012. NASA/Bill Ingalls. Public Domain.
American singer-songwriter Bob Dylan has been awarded the 2016 Nobel Prize for Literature, becoming the second songwriter to have won the Nobel prize after Indian Nobel Laureate, poet, lyricist and singer Rabindranath Tagore, who received the honor in 1913.
Dylan was awarded for having created new poetic expressions within the great American song tradition. The 75-year-old musician has been influential in popular music and culture for more than five decades. He created much of his best known work during the turbulent times of the 1960s; his songs like Blowin’ in the Wind and The Times They are A-Changin’ were widely popular during the anti-Vietnam War and civil rights movements in the United States.
Bob Dylan is also immensely popular in some South Asian countries. In fact, in 2009 Indian author Nilanjana S Roy proposed on the Serkadis blog that Bob Dylan should be awarded the Nobel Prize:
How many roads must a poet walk down before he is awarded a Nobel? [..] Dylan’s Nobel chances are often treated as a joke; it’s assumed that the austere guardians of the universal literary fame would never unbend far enough to award the Prize to a song-writer. Especially a successful one. And there’s the question of how Dylan, with his twin aversion to formal dress and formal speeches, would react to receiving the Nobel.
The reason why Dylan deserves the Nobel has nothing to do with his popularity, or the fact that his works are actually still quoted, discussed and in wide circulation today. [..]
The argument for Dylan would rest squarely on the quality and influence of his work over the years, and the fact that they have now become classics of modern poetry, decades after they were first composed. It’s not just that Dylan wrote great songs—he wrote songs that were deeply rooted in the history of his times, and in a musical and verbal folk tradition that goes back for decades.
Many Indians celebrated the Dylan's win on Twitter:
Giddy and delirious with joy! Bob Dylan gets Nobel for Literature 2016. Swingin’ Sixties and Crazy Seventies get… https://t.co/hjpCSxjmjz
— কাঞ্চন গুপ্ত (@KanchanGupta) October 13, 2016
Nobel Laureate Bob Dylan. My way of saying congrats! pic.twitter.com/eCY82pszAd
— Abhijit Bhaduri (@AbhijitBhaduri) October 13, 2016
Bangladeshis remember Bob Dylan for his participation at the Concert for Bangladesh, a benefit performance organised by former Beatles lead guitarist George Harrison and Indian sitar master Ravi Shankar on 1 August 1971, at Madison Square Garden in New York City. The concert was organised to raise international awareness and fund relief efforts for refugees from then East Pakistan (now Bangladesh), following the genocide perpetrated by Pakistan army and their collaborators during the Bangladesh Liberation War. A total of 40,000 people attended the concert, and close to US $250,000 was raised for Bangladesh relief. It was also Bob Dylan's return to the spotlight after a few years’ absence from the stage following a motorbike crash.
Here is a video of Bob Dylan performing at the concert for Bangladesh:
Tanvir Haider Chaudhury from Bangladesh, who lost his father during the war, wrote with joy on Facebook:
I have this sense of irrational glee at this news – as if someone in my immediate family or a very dear, old friend had won this. Well done your Bobness
Other Bangladeshis congratulated him on Twitter:
Congratulations Bob Dylan, a true friend of Bangladesh.
— Saifur Rahman (@saifurmishu) October 13, 2016
Congrats for winning Nobel prize! Bob Dylan, a true friend of Bangladesh. ♥♥♥
Love from Bangladesh. pic.twitter.com/oTv9Qv3aQ2
— Shanjiban Sudeep (@ShanjibanSudeep) October 13, 2016
From Nepal, Twitter users reacted:
Very happy that Bob Dylan was awarded Nobel Prize for Literature; always a big fan of his powerful & often brutal lyrics. He deserved it.
— Ujjwal Acharya (@UjjwalAcharya) October 13, 2016
Its a Dylan night baby, and nothing tops ‘The Hurricane’. Congratulations to @NobelPrize for this awesome choice! https://t.co/MytBq5uRHd
— Anurag Acharya (@Anurag_Acharya) October 13, 2016
No wonder some argue that he is one of the most important figures in pop-culture history — his work has clearly transcended international boundaries.


Post from Community: Neu-Life hosts immersive student-led experience at Milwaukee’s Gallery Night | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Neu Life Community Development
October 14, 2021
Neu-Life Community Development will host a new installation exhibit “Metamorphosis: An Immersive Art Experience” on Friday, October 15 at The Shoppe (155 N. Milwaukee St.) from 5:00 – 8:00 pm. The show is the first time Neu-Life’s annual Student Art Show will exhibit downtown as part of Milwaukee’s Gallery Night, and will celebrate Neu-Life’s 20 years of work in the community. The event is open to all, and will feature free appetizers from Neu-Life’s Farmfork Youth Culinary Arts program students.
Neu-Life is a near-North Side nonprofit providing year-round educational and recreational programs for youth, from early childhood to young adults. The annual Art Show presents a unique opportunity for youth participating in Neu-Life’s programs to unite and work together towards a common creative goal.
Previously, the show has highlighted individual works of student art. This year’s exhibit will be experiential and immersive exhibit, and highlight core themes to Neu-Life’s work over the past 20 years: Youth, Growth, History, Education, and The Future. Youth designed and implemented experiences that reflect these themes, including features like light pillars and interactive green screens.
To learn more about the exhibit from Misha Siegfried, Neu-Life’s Creative Director – and lead on Metamorphosis – listen to the most recent episode of Imagine This Podcast here.
Neu-Life works with Imagine MKE through its Neighborhood Partnerships initiative, which focuses on working alongside neighborhood partners to drive forward events and programs that enable arts, culture, and creativity to contribute to building stronger and safer communities.


South Africa: Suggestions for Muti · Global Voices
Ndesanjo Macha

Mike blogs about Muti: “On Muti one can also vote items down if one disapproves of the content. This is my only concern with Muti. It means that people can club together to vote content down the organic hierarchy resulting in what is being perceived as an elitist ‘clique’ owning the prime property on Muti.”


South Korea: Online Petition Requestiong Presidential Pardon to His Vocal Critic  · Global Voices
Lee Yoo Eun

South Korean net users have created an online petition [ko] requesting the Korean President to grant a presidential pardon to his vocal critic, Chung Bong-ju, who was jailed for raising stock price manipulation allegations against the president. Within less than a day, this petition has already gathered more than 8 thousand signatures.


Kazakhstan: Tenge Inflation · Global Voices
Nathan Hamm

Ben Paarmann reports on the inflation of Kazakhstan's tenge against the dollar and the government's efforts to try to keep the inflation in check.


Republic Bharat deletes misleading report on Priyanka Gandhi without clarification - Alt News
Pooja Chaudhuri
24th February 2021 / 5:01 pm
Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi’s speech during Kisan Panchayat in Mathura was interrupted over an alleged rape case in Rajasthan where Congress is in power. A minor girl’s parents alleged their daughter was gang-raped in Bharatpur bordering UP. They were accompanied by a group of demonstrators chanting ‘beti ko nyay do’ (give justice to our daughter). The alleged rape victim and her family claimed that their efforts to demand justice for the past one-and-a-half years have been futile and they were also being threatened by the perpetrators’ family. It is noteworthy that one of the men seen protesting in the video is the one who had threatened Bhim Army chief Chandrashekhar Azad after the alleged gang-rape and murder of a Dalit woman in Hathras. The upper-caste man, along with others, was defending the accused.
Republic Bharat reported that according to its ‘sources’, the police arrested the protestors and Priyanka Gandhi left the venue without listening to the alleged rape survivor’s pleas.
The channel had also tweeted the report. Both are now deleted.
Several media outlets reported that Priyanka Gandhi stopped her speech mid-way and got down from the stage to listen to the grievances of the protestors.
#WATCH | A group of people raised slogans during Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra’s address at a farmers’ rally in Mathura, seeking her intervention in a rape case in Bharatpur, Rajasthan. She got down from the stage & listened to the grievances of the demonstrators. pic.twitter.com/FTfVlC8kUZ
— ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) February 23, 2021
NDTV journalist Saurabh Shukla quote-tweeted Republic and wrote, “This report is incorrect. This is what happened: Priyanka Gandhi got down from the stage, took the rape survivor with her, listened to her and called Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot.”
ये ग़लत ख़बर है.. क्या हुआ : प्रियंका गांधी स्टेज से उतरीं , पीड़िता को अपने साथ ले गईं , उसकी पूरी बात सुनी और राजस्थान के मुख्यमंत्री अशोक गहलोत से बात भी की .. https://t.co/yn7rLZPDzc
— Saurabh shukla (@Saurabh_Unmute) February 23, 2021
Multiple journalists reported the same.
BREAKING: The girl from Rajasthan who reached out to Priyanka Gandhi seeking justice was given immediate attention by her.
She stopped her speech midway to meet her, took her away, dialled CM Ashok Gehlot and directed him to ensure speedy justice for her. Gehlot assured of it. pic.twitter.com/cntntncFx5
— Prashant Kumar (@scribe_prashant) February 23, 2021
UP Congress also tweeted that Gandhi spoke with the alleged rape survivor and subsequently dialled Ashok Gehlot. The party also said that the minor girl wasn’t arrested by Mathura police.
..@Republic_Bharat ये आप एकदम झूठी खबर फैला रहे हैं। प्रियंका गांधी जी ने भाषण रोककर पीड़िता की बात सुनी। उसको साथ लेकर अलग से बात की एवं राजस्थान में सीएम से बात कर एक्शन लेने को कहा।@mathurapolice ने लड़की को अरेस्ट नहीं किया।
ये ट्वीट डिलीट करिए वरना लीगल कार्यवाही की जायगी। https://t.co/Be7NBntXFV
— UP Congress (@INCUttarPradesh) February 23, 2021
Soon after, Republic Bharat took down its article and one of its tweets. Another tweet carrying the misinformation is still live on its Twitter account. However, the link to the article redirects to Republic Bharat’s homepage.
राजस्थान: प्रियंका गांधी ने सभा में इंसाफ की गुहार लगाने पहुंचे रेप पीड़िता के परिवार को किया अनसुना, पुलिस ने किया गिरफ्तारhttps://t.co/z5Gul4pGfD
— रिपब्लिक.भारत (@Republic_Bharat) February 23, 2021
The channel then wrote another piece that read, “Priyanka Gandhi met the family of the rape survivor who plead for justice, Gandhi spoke to the CM and asked him to take action.”
राजस्थान: प्रियंका गांधी ने सभा में इंसाफ की गुहार लगाने पहुंचे रेप पीड़िता के परिवार से की मुलाकात, सीएम से बात कर एक्शन लेने को कहाhttps://t.co/oMan1MOzUr
— रिपब्लिक.भारत (@Republic_Bharat) February 23, 2021
The title and content of its report were changed without acknowledging the earlier false reporting.
Pooja Chaudhuri is a senior editor at Alt News.
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In a now-deleted article titled “दीप प्रज्ज्वलन के वैज्ञानिक और आध्यात्मिक पक्ष, जानें ये है…


Kenya: MP responds to a question online · Global Voices
Ndesanjo Macha

A small step in the journey of Mzalendo, “It seems that our faith and non-cynicism has been rewarded. Over the weekend, MP Ukur Yatani (North Horr) became the first MP to respond to a constituent’s question via the comment page on Mzalendo. He also updated his profile.”


TV Reporter Sacked Over Less-Than-Rosy Tweets About Australia’s War Memorial Day · Global Voices
Manuel Ribeiro

Anzac day ceremony held in Australia. Photo: Manuel Ribeiro/GV
A sports reporter for Australian public broadcaster SBS has been sacked after using Twitter to criticise Anzac Day, a national day of remembrance in Australia and New Zealand commemorating Australians and New Zealanders who served and died in all wars, conflicts, and peacekeeping operations.
Observed on April 25 each year, Anzac Day was originally to honour the members of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC) who fought at Gallipoli (Turkey) against the Ottoman Empire during World War I. This year, the celebrations marked its centenary.
Scott McIntyre published a series of five tweets regarding the day that distressed some readers, blasting some of Australia's actions in WWI and WWII.
The cultification of an imperialist invasion of a foreign nation that Australia had no quarrel with is against all ideals of modern society.
— Scott McIntyre (@mcintinhos) April 25, 2015
Wonder if the poorly-read, largely white, nationalist drinkers and gamblers pause today to consider the horror that all mankind suffered.
— Scott McIntyre (@mcintinhos) April 25, 2015
Remembering the summary execution, widespread rape and theft committed by these ‘brave’ Anzacs in Egypt, Palestine and Japan. — Scott McIntyre (@mcintinhos) April 25, 2015
Not forgetting that the largest single-day terrorist attacks in history were committed by this nation & their allies in Hiroshima & Nagasaki
— Scott McIntyre (@mcintinhos) April 25, 2015
Innocent children, on the way to school, murdered. Their shadows seared into the concrete of Hiroshima. pic.twitter.com/DQOGXiKxEb — Scott McIntyre (@mcintinhos) April 25, 2015
Australian Communications Minister Malcolm Turnbull described these comments as “inappropriate” and “despicable which deserve to be condemned”:
Difficult to think of more offensive or inappropriate comments than those by @mcintinhos. Despicable remarks which deserve to be condemned. — Malcolm Turnbull (@TurnbullMalcolm) April 25, 2015
SBS Managing Director Michael Ebeid also disapproved of Mr McIntyre's statements on Twitter:
Comments from @mcintinhos are his own, disrespectful and not at all the views of @SBS. We remember and commemorate our ANZACs. — Michael Ebeid (@michaelebeid) April 25, 2015
Scott McIntyre. Photo: Twitter
In a statement issued the following day, he and SBS Sports Director Ken Shipp announced McIntyre had been fired:
Mr McIntyre’s actions have breached the SBS Code of Conduct and social media policy and as a result, SBS has taken decisive action to terminate Mr McIntyre’s position at SBS, with immediate effect.
At SBS, employees on and off air are encouraged to participate in social media, however maintaining the integrity of the network and audience trust is vital. It is unfortunate that on this very important occasion, Mr McIntyre’s comments have compromised both.
The episode sparked a debate on Twitter about freedom of expression.
Some users drew parallels between the criticism of McIntyre's comments and worldwide solidarity for French satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo, known for its crass and vulgar humour, following an attack on its Paris office that left 12 dead.
Oh look #sackScottMcIntyre is a thing #JeSuisScottMcIntyre isn't via @nzherald http://t.co/gcejA558dM — Joseph (@JosephKay76) April 26, 2015
We've gone from #JeSuisCharlie to #SackScottMcIntyre in 4 short months. Free speech depends on the subject matter, apparently #Anzac100
— Peter Hinton (@peterjhinton) April 26, 2015
Ten News’ Hugh Riminton agreed that McIntyre's tweets were “immature”, but argued that Australian troops have fought for his right to express them:
#ScottMcIntyre‘s tweets were untimely, immature and in one case offensively wrong. But lest we forget, Our Diggers also died for free speech — Hugh Riminton (@hughriminton) April 26, 2015
Riminton believed SBS should have acted differently:
Wrong call @michaelebeid. You had options other than sacking him.
— Hugh Riminton (@hughriminton) April 26, 2015
SBS Managing Director replied:
@hughriminton Hugh, this has nothing to do with free speech. It's not tenable to remain on air if your audience doesn't respect or trust you
— Michael Ebeid (@michaelebeid) April 26, 2015
The debate its far from over. It is challenging for an individual to find the boundary between expressing a personal opinion without affecting the reputation of an employer.
Academic Julie Posetti is currently writing her PhD dissertation on ‘The Twitterisation of Journalism’ at the University of Wollongong. In 2012, Julie wrote an article entitled “Journalists, Twitter Gaffes and Freedom of Expression” where she argued that it is increasingly difficult for journalists to claim that their personal Twitter accounts “are not the views of my employer.” At the same time, it is growing harder for employers to apply standards of conduct onto journalists when the latter are commenting on personal social media accounts.
The same matter is also being discussed in other countries around the world. In Europe, Portuguese journalists have recently faced pressure from news outlets trying to enforce a code of conduct, specifically when using their private social media accounts. University of Porto journalism lecturer and researcher Suzana Cavaco believes this is a matter of self-regulation, in which the journalist should take into consideration individual ethics in determining if what he or she is about to say is moral.
McIntyre hasn't publicly responded to his termination nor to the Twitter campaign #sackScottMcIntyre.
In the meantime, Australian journalists union Media Entertainment and Arts Alliance (MEAA) challenged the fairness of McIntyre´s dismissal in a statement issued today:
[…] media employees are being required to use social media platforms to promote their work and those accounts are then being used as a marketing tool benefiting media employers. The policies have begun to infringe on the private lives of media professionals, dictating what they can and can’t say in a private capacity, outside of their work.
MEAA believes that employers must recognize that their employees are entitled to a private life, with their own beliefs and opinions; opinions that should be able to be expressed without heavy-handed retribution by the employer.
Striking a balance between engaging in debate and freedom of expression requires social media policies to be nuanced. What MEAA is finding is that social media policies of employers are inflexible and deny staff the right to have and express a personal opinion.
Not all Australians took issue with McIntyre's tweets:
@mcintinhos Scott unfortunately sacking you for telling the truth about bloody fake Anzac is shame, but u won't have trouble finding a job!
— Wes (@WesJalala) April 26, 2015
Anzac Day has become a celebration of war. No one mentions war atrocities, suicides, and domestic violence. Shame. #ANZAC100 #ScottMcIntyre — Jinho Choi (@GoldenTalon) April 26, 2015
And some considered the TV network's actions shameful:
Shame on @SBS for firing @mcintinhos – his tweets were fresh air compared to the gross propaganda of all other media http://t.co/vpryN2zlHS
— Shaharha Tay (@shaharantay) April 26, 2015


5 things to do and know this week in Milwaukee: Dec. 21 to Dec. 26 | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Ana Martinez-Ortiz
December 21, 2020
Winter Adventure Days are back at the Urban Ecology Center. (File photo by Kelly Meyerhofer)
It’s Monday in Milwaukee, and here are some things we think you should know about as the nation grapples with the COVID-19 pandemic. If you would like your event to be considered for this column, please email<EMAIL_ADDRESS>and put “5 things” in the subject line by .
The Medical College of Wisconsin is hosting a webinar on the COVID-19 vaccine. The webinar is open to the public and will take place from 6 p.m. to 6:45 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 21. There will be a briefing followed by a Q&A segment. Panelists include Dr. John Raymond, the president and CEO of the college; and Dr. Laura Cassidy, an epidemiologist at the college. To register, click here.
Last week, Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley announced that Red Arrow Park, 920 N. Water St., is open for business. This year, skaters must reserve their skate time in advance. Only 25 skaters will be allowed on the rink at a time. Skates cost $7 for ages 17 and younger and $9 for adults. The rink is available to reserve for 60-minute time slots from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday.
3. Winter Adventure Days at the Urban Ecology Center
Winter Adventure Days are back at the Urban Ecology Centers located at Washington Park, 1859 N. 40th St., and Riverside Park, 1500 E. Park Place. The activities are designed for children in grades K5 through third. Participants are asked to wear a mask, bring a bag lunch and dress appropriately for the weather. Registration for each adventure day is required and must be done separately. Costs may vary.
This week, adventure days take place at Riverside Park from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 21, Tuesday, Dec. 22 and Wednesday, Dec. 23 and at Washington Park from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 22 and Wednesday, Dec. 23. After-program care also is  available until 5 p.m.
4. Free viewing of “A Christmas Carol”
Earlier this month, the Milwaukee Repertory Theater released a screening of the 2016 production of “A Christmas Carol.” The video is available to view for free until Thursday, Dec. 24. Those interested in viewing the production must register to receive the link.
TMJ4 News compiled a list of where to see the best holiday lights and displays in and around Milwaukee. To view all the locations, click on the station’s interactive map. Some of the Milwaukee locations include the Mitchell Park Domes, 524 S. Layton Blvd.; Miller Valley; Pere Marquette Park, 900 N. Plankinton Ave.; and more.
The Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service is conducting our annual fundraising campaign. As a nonprofit newsroom, you are never charged to see our work. Yet our labor is not free. Our staff needs and deserves to be paid. Please support us so we can continue telling the stories of ordinary people who do extraordinary things. Donate here.
The latest coronavirus coverage from NNS
Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service reporters are hard at work bringing readers up-to-date information regarding coronavirus. Stay informed by following us on our Facebook page and subscribing to our daily newsletter. All coronavirus related articles can be found on this landing page. If you have a question or concern about coronavirus, send them in our way. We’re here to serve you.


Planned Petrol Subsidy Removal: NLC Suspends Jan 27-Feb 2 Nationwide Protest - Liberty TV/Radio - News - Voice For All! Vision For Alll!
Publisher (A.M)
January 25, 2022
The congress took the decision at its National Executive Council
meeting held virtually on Tuesday.
The NLC President, Ayuba Wabba, who broke the news at a press
conference hinged the decision to suspend the protests on the reversal of
the Federal Government’s plan to stop the subsidy on petrol.
He said members of the NLC who had been mobilised would be
demobilised following the decision to suspend the protests.
The labour leader said the congress has communicated the decision to its
civil society allies who have stood stoically behind Nigerian workers in
their quest for social and economic justice.
The union argued that the attendant effect of the proposed removal of
petrol subsidy would push the pump price of petrol to between N320 and
N340 per litre.
This, it noted, would have exacerbated the inflation in the country,
deepened poverty, heightened social tensions and push the country and
millions of poor citizens to the very precipice.


Brazil: Global Act “We Are All Pinheirinho” · Global Voices
Raphael Tsavkko Garcia

A global act in solidarity with the population expelled from their homes at the Pinheirinho community has been called on Facebook for Thursday, February 23. The idea is to demonstrate in front of Brazilian consulates and embassies all over the world.


Post from Community: Alverno Community Conference will focus on change through equity, diversity and inclusion | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Alverno College
April 7, 2021
Alverno College will host its annual Community Conference virtually on Friday, April 23 as part of the College’s Teach and Learn Weekend. The theme of this year’s conference is “Reaching for Change: Promoting Equity,” and the goal is to explore how we can promote change through equity, diversity and inclusion. Deanna Singh, author, educator, motivational speaker and champion for marginalized communities will serve as the keynote speaker for the event. Her presentation on the Power of Inclusion will kick off the event.
The annual day of learning, which provides an opportunity for the extended Alverno community to share research, new initiatives and best practices, includes workshops, discussions and creative activities. Eighteen breakout sessions will be offered on a variety of topics including LGBTQ+ healthcare equity, cultivating female leaders, racial equity, disability justice, and the impact of COVID on marginal communities.
For more information about the 2021 Alverno Community Conference or to register, visit https://www.alverno.edu/community-conference. Additional questions can be directed to the Assessment and Outreach Center at<PHONE_NUMBER> or<EMAIL_ADDRESS>The event is sponsored by the Menard Center for the Study of Institutions and Innovation.
About Alverno College
Founded in 1887 by the School Sisters of St. Francis, Alverno College promotes the academic, personal and professional development of its students in a collaborative and inclusive environment. Undergraduate programs for women are offered in more than 60 areas of study, and graduate programs in education, nursing, community psychology, school psychology, music therapy, music and liturgy, and business are open to women and men.
A leader in higher education innovation, Alverno has earned international accolades for its highly effective ability-based, assessment-as-learning approach to education, which emphasizes hands-on experience and develops in-demand skills. The college, Wisconsin’s first Hispanic-Serving Institution, ranks among the top schools in the Midwest for its commitment to undergraduate teaching and innovation by U.S. News & World Report. For the past two years, The Wall Street Journal/Times Higher Education named Alverno the country’s most inspiring college.
Based in Milwaukee, Wis., Alverno College is a four-year independent, Catholic, liberal arts college.


Puerto Rico: A Travelling Girl · Global Voices
Firuzeh Shokooh Valle

Kanchita, a seven-year old girl from Puerto Rico, has started a blog [es] in which she is recording her thoughts during her wonderful travels through South America. Kanchita is also posting her photos. Yes, her parents are helping her out!


Kazakhstan: Party Changes Name, Not Too Well · Global Voices
Adil Nurmakov

Adam Kesher tells that last week the major opposition party of Kazakhstan, the “Nagyz Ak Zhol”, has changed its name to “Azat” party. He analyzes the change and says that it was probably not the best option chosen.


Indonesia Tops List in Cyber Threats · Global Voices
Mong Palatino

An Indonesian user has nearly a one-in-four chance of encountering an attempt to infect their machine each quarter. Much of the threat is due to widespread Trojan horses, software applications infected with malware
The eWeek magazine has published the 2013 report of Sophos on global security cyber threats. Indonesia is reported to be the riskiest nation in the world in accessing the web.


Wildfire spreading like the plague - 360
Stephen J. Pyne
Published on January 18, 2022
The way we think of fire informs how we manage it. For a long time we considered it physics, but perhaps fire is a biological phenomenon, like a virus.
By Stephen J. Pyne, Arizona State University
What is fire? Usually, it’s defined as the physical chemistry of combustion. The definition matters because it prescribes how we think about fire and what we do with it. If fire is a chemical reaction shaped by its physical surroundings, then we can deconstruct it into its constituent parts. Fuel plus oxygen plus spark equals fire. We can harness it, put it into machines, and contain it by physical countermeasures.
Another perspective might be that fire results from life – biological processes create the oxygen and furnish the fuel. Fire takes apart what plants put together through photosynthesis. Fire’s chemistry is therefore a biochemistry.
Fire depends on the living world to flourish, and facilitates a wide gamut of ecological effects. Perhaps fire is less like a Bunsen burner than it is a virus. Not alive, but dependent on life, it spreads as a contagion of combustion. Often thought of as a natural disaster, perhaps fire more emulates COVID-19 than a hurricane. If so, it responds to biological, not just physical, conditions.
The fire-as-biology analogy is surprisingly robust. When ancestors of modern humans captured fire, it more resembled domestication than tool-making. Tamed fire is more a sheepdog than a torch. The allusion seems strange because we are so accustomed to imagining fire in strictly physical terms and because, while fire radiates metaphors, it rarely receives them. Fire is fire, elemental: other phenomena are compared to it, not it to others. A plague spreads like wildfire. We don’t hear that wildfire spreads like a plague.
Where urban spaces meet the bush – the built environment most vulnerable to burning – protective strategies are similar for wildfire as for COVID. Clearing combustibles around structures is like practicing social distancing. Sealing houses against embers and direct contact is like wearing masks against aerosols and washing hands. Building firebreaks against spread – isolating the infected. Enough buildings shielded to limit damage from the unprotected ones achieves herd immunity.
Fire plagues result from breakdowns in how people and the natural world interact. They emerge, like so many new viruses, from unbalanced environments, when natural reservoirs intersect with human meddling. The flames of wildfires are not so much wild as feral. Thinking about fire in physical terms informs how to halt a fire that is blowing-and-going, but it doesn’t explain how to manage fire on a long-term landscape scale. A strategy for living with fire would mend the ecological fractures on which fire feeds and substitute controlled fire for wild. When outbreaks occur, a biological strategy for fire might respond not only with physical counterfire but with analogues of public health measures like vaccines, quarantines, and disease-specific treatments.
Plenty of burning happens in the undeveloped world, and massive land-converting fires are a characteristic of developing countries (think Brazil and Indonesia). But uncontrolled conflagrations are a pathology of the developed world. Rich countries who are most committed to an understanding of fire that deconstructs it into simple combustion and puts it in machines are the ones that have the poorest fire ecology, experience the worst build-up of fuels, and contribute the most to climate change.
Earth first experienced fire when plants began to colonise continents. Fire and early life on Earth evolved together – call it first nature. Then human ancestors acquired the ability to systematically manipulate fire. Early people grew bigger brains and smaller digestive systems because they learned to cook their food. With this second fire as a catalyst, humans created a second nature. But it was one with internal checks and balances since burning was contained within living landscapes. Ever looking for more stuff to burn, people turned to lithic landscapes – once living, now fossilised plants – coal and oil. These burned in special combustion chambers, and they lacked ecological barriers and buffers; they could burn day and night, winter and summer, through wet and dry.
The advent of third fire resulted from the dominance of the physical model in science and practice. And this unbounded combustion is unhinging the climate, acidifying oceans, and forcing living landscapes to reorganise. This third fire is remaking the planet, informed by fossil-fueled societies that are sublimating fire into electricity, replacing animals with machines, and rewiring geochemical cycles with plastics and petrochemicals.
The third fire challenged the first two. Fossil fuel combustion offered an alternative source of heat and light. It powers machines to suppress fire. It creates landscapes such as cities and farms intended to exclude free-burning flame.
But after a brief grace period, the three fires have begun colluding.
It is as though the world of the ice ages has passed through the looking glass and ice is being replaced with fire. Everywhere fire-catalysed change is driving off the vestiges of ice. Instead of massive ice sheets, there are fire-shaped ecosystems; instead of glacial outwash plains, there are smoke palls; instead of permafrost, biochar. Sea level is changing. A mass extinction is underway. The signature of humanity, long inked in charcoal and now in plastic, is being written into the geological record. A fire age is replacing an ice age.
The Earth has too much bad fire, too little good, and too much combustion overall. This is an artefact of humanity and how we imagine fire. We’ve treated it as a physical event that we can segregate from everything else like an axe or harness in a factory farm, rather than a process entwined with living landscapes and a companion on our journey. Fire may be our ecological signature, but it is not ours to do with as we please. Its power brings obligations.
Definitions, it seems, matter.
Stephen Pyne is a fire historian, urban farmer, and emeritus professor at Arizona State University, USA. His most recent book is The Pyrocene: How We Created an Age of Fire, and What Happens Next.


Iran: “The Internet is a gift to us” · Global Voices
Fred Petrossian

Arsham Parsi is the founder and director of the Iranian Queer Organization based in Toronto, Canada. He talked to us about the presence of Iranian homosexuals in cyberspace, their challenges and projects. Homosexuality is banned in Iran, and punishable by prison or death.
How do you evaluate the presence of homosexual blogs in the Iranian blogosphere? Are there many bloggers that talk about their homosexuality?
Yes, we have many Iranian LGBTIQ bloggers, and most of them live inside Iran. They have nicknames and write anonymously, which is safest for their security, but sometimes the government finds them through their IP addresses. But they do exist and are very active.
How do you use the Internet, including blogs and video films, to talk about Iranian homosexuality?
The Internet is one of our most important communication tools. Without the internet our organization could not do many things. We don't have representatives in Iran because we fear for their safety; we don't want to make problems for them. We monitor their weblogs, and it is one of our resources. The Internet is a gift to us.
What about Iranian reactions to your website/blog? Is there any dialogue there between people who are homosexual or defend homosexual rights, and people who consider homosexuality a “sin” or “an immoral act”?
There are different reactions. We receive many hate messages, and also many messages of support. In the Iranian queer weblogs, they have dialogues with other people, and sometimes bloggers address these issues. But in general, people have changed their views in the last few years.
Is there any online forum where Iranian homosexuals exchange their ideas or leave comments?
We have a magazine, Cheraq. And we have a forum for Iranian homosexuals too. It started a few months ago. But weblogs are more common.
How you see the situation of homosexuals in Iran? Are they involved in cyberspace in order to express themselves?
As I said, a lot has changed. I remember a few years ago, nobody talked about our rights, but now you can find thousands of pages online. According to them, they cannot have physical relations freely, but they exist and they try to be active. I think now, Iranian queer issues have become a human rights issue.
When you look at Iranian gay and lesbian blogs. Do they face different kinds of difficulties?
Of course yes, it is totally different. They have different situations. Lesbians are more invisible, and it is because of Iran's general lack of women's rights. We don't have many lesbian blogs, and those that I know, are active in trying to say lesbians exist too. We have an online magazine for lesbians, Hamjens-e man. It is the first magazine for Iranian lesbians.
Do you have any project, comment or idea to share with us?
We exist, but we cannot speak out. We should support each other. It is our freedom tax.


Women’s Organizers Hopeful Under Trudeau Leadership - New Canadian Media
Shan Qiao and Debbie Douglas
March 9, 2016
Women’s rights advocates are looking for influential Canadian female figures to join a national women’s coalition to raise awareness about women’s issues and get more government funding.
On Mar. 5, the third day of the National Metropolis Conference, a roundtable titled “Changing Support to Women’s Organizations: Implications For Immigrant Women” was hosted by Debbie Douglas, the executive director of the Ontario Council of Agencies Serving Immigrants (OCASI).
Other presenters included representatives from Status of Women Canada and several frontline workers from different women’s organizations serving specific ethno-cultural groups or geographically located clients.
“The opportunity arose when we brought all different women’s organizations from across the country together,” said Douglas. “What we saw happening was that by the end of it, there was real enthusiasm for a network and very concrete suggestions on holding a national women’s symposium on a broader range of women’s issues.”
What these women’s organizations try to build are networks that include indigenous women, immigrant and refugee women, lesbian and trans-women, and moms facing problems like finding affordable childcare and returning to the workplace.
“We need to get together as Canadians, regardless how long we’ve been in this country.”
“We need to get together as Canadians, regardless how long we’ve been in this country,” Douglas urged.
Some issues they want to examine are violence against women across all races, cultures and classes; wage gaps and women not being able to advance in careers because of gender discrimination; and limited childcare spaces.
As a result of an engaging roundtable discussion, one of the participants, Fatima Filippi, the executive director of Rexdale Women’s Centre in Toronto, proposed the idea to form a national women’s coalition to gather different women’s service groups together, asking for government support and sustainable funding.
The roundtable participants brainstormed on who should be involved and suggested groups for immigrant women, mothers, foreign caregivers, women from shelters and feminists.
Participants also proposed inviting influential female figures, such as the Minister of Status of Women Canada Patricia Hajdu and Sophie Grégoire Trudeau, who is the prime minister’s wife.
Government funding for women’s organizations has been continuously deteriorating from when it was at its peak in the ’80s, explained Douglas.
Yannick Raymond, regional director of Status of Women Canada in Ontario, comes from one of four locations across the country that works for the ministry to deal with all stakeholders. There used to be 16 locations before former Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s government took power and closed 12 of them.
Raymond was among a dozen stakeholders who discussed women’s issues from the perspective of the government. She praised Hajdu, who she said has a thorough understanding of current women’s issues based on her past social and community service experience.
As for the new Liberal government led by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, women’s advocates say they are starting to see a change in tone, which at a minimum slows the downfall of the women’s movement in Canada.
“Beginning with Brian Mulroney’s government, we started to see a real cut in social programs, followed by the Liberal government that stayed in power for almost 13 years, who really did deepen cuts, but still had the language and values of supporting women’s organization,” explained Douglas. “In comes Harper. They changed the mandate of Status of Women where all references to women’s equality were removed.”
Douglas continued, “We saw the closing of significant women’s organizations, immigrant women’s organizations, and indigenous women’s organizations.”
An earlier workshop, also hosted by Douglas, titled “Impact of Ten Years of Conservative Rule on Women’s Political Organizing”, shared the same perspective on the deteriorating changes to women’s organizations due to funding cuts.
“Twenty years ago, Canada ranked first in women’s equity. Now we are 14th. We were way worse under Harper.”
Writer and activist Judy Rebick who gained national prominence as president of the National Action Committee on the Status of Women in the early ’90s, quoted statistics from a report by the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) on Canada’s inequality index number to explain the funding cuts.
“Twenty years ago, Canada ranked first in women’s equity. Now we are 14th. We were way worse under Harper. The lack of connections between the government and women’s advocacy was huge,” she said.
However, Douglas remains optimistic.
“Come 2015, we see the articulation by a prime minister who talks about the importance of women’s representation. For example, 50 per cent of his cabinet is female, his attention on indigenous issues. He at least articulates a value for wanting to see immigrant and racialized women succeed,” Douglas said of Trudeau, adding, “We’ll have to see what’s in the budget.”
Shan is a photojournalist and event photographer based in Toronto with more than a decade of experience. From Beijing Olympic Games to The Dalai Lama in Exile, she has covered a wide range of editorial assignments.


Terrorist escape and Singapore politics · Global Voices
Mong Palatino

Singapore Angle answers this question: Just how dangerous is Jemaah Islamiyah leader Mas Selamat and what is the threat posed by his escape on Singapore politics?


We Don’t Have Democracy, People Fear Govt – Utomi - Liberty TV/Radio - News - Voice For All! Vision For Alll!
Publisher (F.BA)
October 20, 2021
He added that Nigeria did not have a democracy yet.
Utomi spoke on Tuesday during the commemorative lecture and public presentation of a book edited by Chido Onumah titled, ‘Remaking Nigeria: Sixty Years, Sixty Voices,’ in Alausa, Ikeja.
The event themed, ‘One Year After #EndSARS, 35 Years after Dele Giwa and the Quest to Remake Nigeria,’ was held to reflect on the assassination of the former Newswatch editor-in-chief and youth activism.
Utomi said, “Nigeria needs to build citizenship and raise citizens – people who have a passion for a shared humanity. At the bottom of society’s ladder are idiots, people who care just about themselves, and at the next level are tribalists who care only about people who share the same blood or language. For tribalists, everyone who does not share in their parochial base is an enemy.
The former presidential candidate added that the practice of democracy in Nigeria had been turned upside down.


Pakistani University Tells Its Students ‘No More Hanky Panky’ · Global Voices
Anushe Noor

University of Sargodha, Lahore Campus. Photo by Jibran Sammi / MSc IT
Earlier this month, students at the University of Sargodha, Lahore Campus, were shocked to receive a bizarre notice from the school's administration: the co-education campus issued a restriction on male and female students’ interactions as “couples.” Since its opening in 2002, the university has had both male and female students.
The notification, which cites complaints by parents about “inappropriate interactions,” was signed by the school's secretary of the discipline committee, Dr. Arbab Khalid Cheema. Before long, a copy of the notification was shared widely on social media. The text stated:
In view of our cultural and religious bindings and complaints by parents, inappropriate interaction between male and female students is strictly prohibited within the University premises.
Students are not allowed to sit anywhere in the University premises as a couple. However, they may sit in a group of 3 or more.
In response, students have complained that the university is trying to enforce cultural and religious norms. In a widely-shared Facebook post, Waseem Altaf wrote:
While co-education is no more an issue with schools of higher learning in the enlightened world,our so-called educationists in a significant number of universities are perturbed by male-female interaction at the campus-lest they commit a sin.
Rather than focusing on improving the quality of syallabi, capacity building of the faculty, library and lab facilities,they are more concerned with “piety and character” of the student body.
Before long, Internet users added to the debate the university's student dress code, which sets out the following requirements:
The clothing worn will be clean, neat, modest and reflective of the culture in which we are operating. The dress restriction is not to impose any rigidity regimentation but it is in accordance with the spirit of discipline which is the cardinal aspect of the life at the University of Sargodha, Lahore Campus
The school's dress code stipulates different clothes for men and women, putting an extra burden on women to avoid things like “excessive” makeup and jewelry, as well as clothes bearing obscene remarks. Failure to observe the dress code can result in fines and even expulsion.
In 2008, students from University of Sargodha's main campus participated in a 16-days demonstration to end violence against women. Photo: CWGL / Flickr.
Several Twitter users accused the university of “moral policing”:
Moral Policing reaches new heights
Male & female students barred from sitting together in Uni of Sargodha, Lahore. pic.twitter.com/TttlMFm7vt
— _-_ (@DefectoPM) May 15, 2016
Not that I ever would, but remind me to never go to the University of Sargodha.
— Baneen (@baneenz) May 15, 2016
Human rights activist Arshad Mahmood asked what the university administration considers to be “inappropriate interactions”:
After University of #Swat now University of #Sargodha. By the way, what is inappropriate interaction? https://t.co/GCfDO2bepC
— Arshad Mahmood (@amahmood72) May 15, 2016
Some time ago, a similar case was reported in Pakistan at the University of Swat, Kyber Pakhtunkwa, where administrators considered prohibiting male and female students from walking in tandem and sitting together, both inside and outside. Students caught violating the ban would face fines of PKR 5,000 ($47). The school's vice chancellor rejected the idea, however, and suspended the chief proctor as a disciplinary measure.
The dress code and crackdown on campus sexual behavior coincide with the rising international status of several Pakistani universities. Co-education universities are commonplace in Pakistan and make the top ten institutes, according to the Higher Education Commission. For students and families that are uncomfortable with men and women learning together, there are still many samesex universities available.
Critics say the focus on keeping men and women at a distance in universities is a useless distraction from the more important, substantive challenges of improving and further building the country's system of higher education.


Cuba: Machisimo  · Global Voices
Janine Mendes-Franco

Havana-based Generation Y is “tired of macho wrapped in its olive green uniform” and longs “to switch to words like: prosperity, reconciliation, harmony, coexistence.”


Armenia: Balloon Festival · Global Voices
Onnik Krikorian

A new blog from Armenia, Lifelines, posts photographs of the first ever balloon festival held in the country. The blog says that the event was a resounding success and enjoyed by all.


South Korea: Bird Starvation · Global Voices
Oiwan Lam

R. Elgin from Marmot's Hole blogs on the Korea government project on turning wetland into farmland in the past 15 years, which leads to bird starvation and extinction.


Trinidad & Tobago: Phagwa Pics · Global Voices
Janine Mendes-Franco

Nicholas Laughlin's blog etc. posts a flickr photoset of Trinidad and Tobago's 2009 Phagwa celebrations.


UNIMAID produces 78 first class graduates in two year combined convocation ceremonies | EduCeleb
25th April 2018
The University of Maiduguri would be producing 78 First Class graduates in the combined convocation ceremony for the the 2015/2016 and 2016/2017 academic seasons.
They are among among the 17,895 persons to be awarded degrees and diplomas at the undergraduate, postgraduate, and diploma levels during the ceremonies.
This is according to the Vice Chancellor of the university, Ibrahim Njodi, who spoke at a press briefing to herald the 23rd edition of the ceremony holding this Saturday, 28th April.
Of the figure, 3,527 students were graduands of the Post Graduate School programmes comprising of 56 Ph.D graduates; 570 Masters Degree graduates and 2,901 Post Graduate Diploma graduands.
Statistics of the undergraduates showed that 8,643 graduands would be awarded degrees, 7,278 of the number were from the regular programmes, 573 from affiliated colleges and 714 were Distance Learning programmes.
Ibrahim Njodi
Professor Njodi noted that despite the security challenges from the wake of the Boko Haram insurgency, the institution has never closed academic activities and has excelled in the past forty years as a centre of excellence.
recalls that the university had been hit by not less than five attacks in the last two years when the convocation ceremony did not hold. The most recent was a lone bomber attack on one of its hostel that affected only the bomber.
An attack by the insurgents on the university campus in January 2017 led to the death of four people, including an infant and a professor.
Researchers at the University’s Geology department who were kidnapped in July 2017 were released earlier in February. During their abduction, 69 people were killed.
Last year, the Chairman of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) at UNIMAID, Dani Mamman, said at least 70 lecturers had resigned from the university since 2009 owing to the Boko Haram insurgency.
The VC praised members of staff and students who committed to moving the university forward despite the insecurity challenges.
At the ceremonies, three distinguished academics would be conferred Emeritus
Professorship. The VC said that these persons have been with the institution for over 40 years contributing to its development and progress since it was nicknamed the North-East College of Art and Science.
They are Emeritus Professor Abdulhamid Abubakar, Emeritus Professor John Akinyili and Emeritus Professor Joseph Alumona.
According to the VC, their appointment was in recognition of their intellectual excellence, exemplary characters and dedication to service to the humanity and the university.
Njodi was worried that beyond monthly salaries paid by the Federal Government, the university needed more there are challenges of under funding of academic research and basic academic and infrastructural facilities and amenities on campus for students and lecturers.
He challenged government to urgently address these while stressing the need to increase facilities in the institution to accommodate more students.
In the area of admission, he emphasised the need to increase the annual admission quota of 9,000 to accommodate the high number of potential candidates or applicants that runs between 29,000 to 37,000 within the
catchment area of the university.
He revealed that President Muhammadu Buhari as the visitor to the institution, is expected at the convocation where he will be inaugurating the new ultra-modern N1.5 billion senate building.
also gathered that the governors of Yobe, Borno and Niger States were to play key roles at the ceremonies.
Yobe State Governor, Ibrahim Gaidam will inaugurate the newly constructed Multi-purpose Lecture Theatre, while his Borno State counterpart, Kashim Shettima will inaugurate the newly constructed Veterinary Intra-Modern Centre.
That of Niger State, Sani Bello is expected to commission the newly constructed
Instructional Technology Entrepreneurship Complex.
Expected to preside over the ceremonies is the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi, who doubles as the Chancellor of UNIMAID.
Njodi heaped praises on various organisations for their contributions to the development of the university. Particularly, he mentioned LNG, NNPC, USAIDS, TETFund and Indimi Foundation.
The press conference was attended by top management and staff of the University of Maiduguri.


Madagascar: Independence Day Stampede Kills 15, Wounds 75 - Liberty TV/Radio - News - Voice For All! Vision For Alll!
June 27, 2019
Authorities in Madagascar said at least 15 peoplewere killed and 75 wounded in a stampede at a stadium after a military paradein Madagascar’s capital to mark the country’s Independence Day.
Joseph Ravoa-hangy Andriana-valona Hospitalconfirmed the casualties, said Secretary of State for the Gendarmerie GeneralRichard Ravalo-manana.
Defence Minister, General Richard said it wasunclear what had caused the stampede. Some witnesses said people were trying topush their way into the stadium but that authorities had only opened one smalldoor.


China: Generation 90 · Global Voices
Oiwan Lam

Maryannodonnell discusses the common stereotype of generation 90 in China.


The North and Nigeria’s Security Challenges By Jibrin Ibrahim - Liberty TV/Radio - News - Voice For All! Vision For Alll!
Editor 4
July 8, 2019
Nigeria is confrontedby an unprecedented situation of a rapidly deteriorating security situation invirtually all parts of the country. About seven years ago, the then NationalSecurity Adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki drew the nation’s attention to numerous activesecurity threats that have led the military to send troops to 34 out of the 36States in the country. Since then, the situation has become much worse. Therehas been a massive increase of the circulation of small arms and light weaponsin the country. These arms are used by insurgents, militants, criminal gangs aswell as ethnic and religious bigots to attack, kill and maim Nigerians. Inresponse, communities have been establishing numerous vigilante “self-help”groups from Civilian JTF to through neighbourhood watch groups to “Yan sa kai”to try and defend themselves.
It’s a statementthat Nigerians are fearful of and responding to the incapacity of the State andits agencies to provide for their security. Insecurity is further fueled by therapidly rising level of hate and dangerous speech in the traditional and socialmedia. Today, in many parts of the country, farmers can no longer go to theirfarms and there is a real threat of famine in the coming months. There is aboveall, a real challenge posed by the near total collapse of national and localgovernance, and the rapid and extensive growth of ungoverned spaces. Themessage everywhere is that citizens must rise to the occasion and devisestrategies to provide for their own safety.
It was in this contextthat the Arewa Research and Development Project (ARDP) in collaboration withSir Ahmadu Bello Memorial Foundation (SABMF), Savanah Centre Diplomacy,Democracy and Development (SCDDD) and the Joint Action Committee of NorthernYouth Associations convened a two-day Northern Nigeria Security Conference inKaduna on 1st and 2nd July to develop a survival strategy for the communitiesof the North and map out pathways for national survival. The Conference focusedon what Northern communities can and should do to protect themselves andimprove public safety. Concerned citizens and people with experience insecurity, logistics and intelligence carried out a thorough assessment anddeveloped a thorough analysis of the security crisis in the country and decliningState capacity and proposed a novel approach and action plan to address therising state of insecurity in the country.
Conference workedthrough the syndicate system in which stakeholders with specialties worked witheach other to develop cogent analysis and recommendations which they reportedback to plenary on. The syndicates were on: The Boko Haram Insurgency,Ethno-religious conflicts, the Farmer-Herder Conflicts, Rural Banditry andCommunal Conflicts, Kidnapping and Armed Robbery, Urban Youth Violence andDrugs and Regional Diplomacy towards our neighbors in Cameroon, Chad, Niger andBenin Republics.
The Conference drewattention to the fact that Nigeria, and the North in particular ischaracterized by deep structural challenges that have created vulnerabilitiesthat push towards conflicts and rising violence. Poverty has been growing anddeepening over the past decade while inequality and conspicuous consumption ofthe rich, most of whom have stolen public funds, is creating anger among the people.Northern Nigeria has the highest population growth rate in the contemporaryworld with a fertility rate of over seven births per woman in the average. Thishas created a huge youth bulge confronted by unemployment and underemployment.These young people are fleeing urban poverty and migrating to urban slums,squalor and precarity.
The root of thecurrent crisis is the breakdown of socialisation processes within the family.The family is in crisis and high poverty levels have created a significant pushfactor leading to poor families sending their boys out as almajirai andmarrying their daughters out at a very young age – often, before their teenageyears. This means families are abdicating their traditional roles of groomingthe next generation to adulthood. The girls are married off too young, producemany children while often lacking the maturity to maintain their marriage whileplaying into male patriarchal notions of men having the right of frequentchange of spouses. The result, serial polygamy and unstable families.
Still on the family,the rise of new religious movements has affected socialisation and religiouseducation within the home. The younger generation moves into new religiousmovements and no longer receive religious education from their parents andtraditional clergy within the community. This process opens the possibilitiesfor the penetration of radical ideas, interrogation of parental and ultimatelypolitical authority. This process is insidious because it undermines the transmissionof values within the community. It was in this context that with the Boko Haraminsurgency, we see young men slaughtering their own parents as if they weregoats. The scorched earth policy that has marked the rural banditry in NorthCentral and North Western Nigeria is another marker of this tendency.Meanwhile, the disintegration of the family is essentially among the poorestsection of society while elite families are able to invest in the provision ofall-round quality education for their own children. Northern society istherefore deeply bifurcated and the ruling class is often unaware of thereality of life on the other side. At the same time, social cohesion and familylife for virtually all families – elite and the masses are being torn apart by aserious and growing problem of drug addiction.
These dimensionsindicate that the nature of the problem is much more than security andsolutions must be all encompassing. Social issues must be addressed and the13.2 million children out of school in Northern Nigeria must receive theeducation they need and deserve. The Almajiri system must be addressed andearly marriage for girls must be discouraged, and access to school until theyare 18 years is the best pathway. The medium-term approach to improved securitytherefore has a massive role for parents, religious and traditionalleader.
This year, the BokoHaram insurgency is a decade old, and while their forces has been, according tothe consecrated word, been degraded, they are still doing a lot of harm. Themilitary approach is simply insufficient and there is a risk that the conflictwill linger for many more years if the “soft” elements of countering violentextremism such as improved religious education and control and development ofcounter narratives by religious authorities is not fast tracked. Improvingcivil-military relations and winning hearts and minds of civilians so that theybecome willing to share intelligence with security agencies is crucial.Security, is everybody’s business and communities must be inward looking alsoto work out what they can do to improve their own safety.
One of the mostserious challenges in the North, is that a lot of the violence and killingsthat do not have the drama of playing into the Christian/Muslim divide hardlyget reported. Recent violence between Muslim and Christian belligerents inTaraba State for example got massive press reports. When the conflict turned toChristian Tiv and Jukun groups, the media lost interest. The massive killingsin Zamfara, Kaduna and Katsina States have also not had a lot of presscoverage. It is therefore necessary for Northern communities to createmechanism for the documentation of the insecurity they live on a daily basis.This could be the basis of feeding into the implementation of a nationalprogramme of early warning and early response to violent conflict that must bedeveloped.
The Nigerian PoliceForce is focused on the provision of VIP protection for those who can afford topay. It is virtually absent in contemporary rural Nigeria, so the police arefriends only to the elite. In this context, all communities must startconsidering the most effective modalities for promoting their security. Theperformance of security agencies must however be improved so that the trend ofself-help and massive procurement of arms by civilians is curtailed. Nigeriancommunities must insist on a robust conversation with Federal and StateGovernments on creating synergy in promoting public safety, combatingcriminality and peace building.
Finally, we all have acollective stake in encouraging the development of responsive and responsiblesocial media platforms and influencers to combat hate and dangerous speech andpromote peaceful coexistence in the country.


Pakistan: Images from the Manghopir Shrine · Global Voices
Aparna Ray

Blogger Karachi Walla shares some images from a visit to the Manghopir Shrine – one of the oldest Sufi shrines located in the suburbs of Gadap town, to the North-West of Karachi.


Need help with your taxes? These organizations offer free services for those who qualify. | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Sam Woods
March 9, 2023
Did we miss a program that offers free tax services? Post it in the comments below or send an email with the subject line ‘”Free Tax Services” to<EMAIL_ADDRESS>It’s tax season once again, and if you need help, check out the IRS’s Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program, or VITA.
The VITA program connects volunteers with tax-filing experience with people with low incomes who want help making sure their taxes are filed correctly and that they get the maximum return they are entitled to.
You can get help through the VITA program at multiple locations in and around Milwaukee, some of which allow walk-ins while others require an appointment. Some locations also help in English and Spanish. You can find a full list of VITA locations here.
This year’s tax deadline is Tuesday, April 18. However, many locations offering VITA require you to submit documents by late March or early April.
Click here to see what documents you should bring to your VITA appointment and look below to see the list of some organizations that offer the VITA program.
From the archives: You can read more about how the VITA program works here.
Riverworks Development Corporation, located 526 E. Concordia Ave., offers the VITA tax program year-round through its financial clinic. Services are offered in English and Spanish. You can schedule an in-person appointment or submit your documents online. The deadline to submit documents is March 25.
For more information and to schedule an appointment, click here.
From the archives: NNS Spotlight: Riverworks clinic teaches financial literacy.
The Social Development Commission, or SDC, provides a VITA program to people with a household income of $66,000 or less. SDC offers a drop-off and pickup model. Individuals can fill out the required forms and drop off the forms and tax documents at a SDC location of their choosing. The forms can be found online or at one of the following SDC locations:
The SDC locations:
North Avenue Office: 1730 W. North Ave.
Teutonia Avenue Office: 6848 N. Teutonia Ave.
Chase Avenue Office: 2968 S. Chase Ave.
Northwest Office: 9155 N. 76 St.
All SDC locations are open during the following hours:
Monday: 8:30 a.m. to noon, 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Tuesday: 10:30 a.m. to noon, 1 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Wednesday: 8:30 a.m. to noon, 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Thursday: 10:30 a.m. to noon, 1 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Friday: 8:30 a.m. to noon, 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Saturday: 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Sunday: CLOSED
For more information, click here or call<PHONE_NUMBER>.
Milwaukee Area Technical College, or MATC, is partnering with Get Your Refund to connect students speaking 14 different languages, including Spanish, Hmong, Arabic and French, with people with low incomes to get their taxes filed through VITA.
You can get started by submitting your documents online here.
Individuals without access to technology can drop their documents off at the Oak Creek Campus, 6665 S. Howell Ave. It will also be accepting drop-offs from noon to 8 p.m. on Tuesdays through April 4. No appointment is necessary.
St. Francis Church, located at 1937 N. Vel R Phillips Ave., is offering VITA services from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Call<PHONE_NUMBER> for more information.


Slovenia: State of the Slovene Blogosphere · Global Voices
Nathan Hamm

The Glory of Carniola comments on the state of the Slovenian blogosphere


Macedonia: Activist’s Trial to Continue in November · Global Voices
Filip Stojanovski

On his Facebook page, activist Žarko Trajanoski wrote [mk] about the latest session of his trial (started in 2010):
‘The Process’ continued – the accused presented his defense in absence of ‘the brave’ plaintiff, whose attorney said he did not know his whereabouts. The Court was allegedly informed that he moved out…
Žarko Trajanoski
Trajanoski published the text of his defense on his blog [mk] and on Okno.mk [mk]. On Facebook, he added:
The trial will continue during the first week of November. We'll watch videos, if the plaintiff comes… One more treat: the Judge asked me about the meaning of the word ‘charlatan.’ I told her that next time I'll bring a dictionary, so we can look it up :)


Peace Missions: Buhari Meets Ex-President Jonathan In Aso Rock - Liberty TV/Radio - News - Voice For All! Vision For Alll!
Publisher (F.BA)
October 7, 2021
The agenda of the meeting was unknown to newsmen, while no official statement has been issued on the outcome of the meeting.
Jonathan, who is ECOWAS Special Envoy to the Republic of Mali, had been updating President Buhari on efforts by West African leaders to restore stability to the country.
President Buhari recently came back from New York, where he attended the 76th Session of the United Nations General Assembly UNGA, with a special request from the UN Secretary General, Antonio Guterres, to help in restoring socio-political order in troubled West African countries.
Guterres had commended Buhari for his leadership roles in Africa as well as stabilisation of the West African sub-region.


OPINION: What I want my patients to know as the school year begins | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Dr. Bryan Johnston
August 18, 2020
(Photo by Adam Carr)
Editor’s note: Have something on your mind? “Community Voices” is the place to let Milwaukee hear what you have to say. To be considered, we need your name, email address and phone number for verification. Please email your submissions to<EMAIL_ADDRESS>Dr. Bryan Johnston, a family physician working on the North Side of Milwaukee, returns again to offer advice for students and families for the approaching, unprecedented school year.
The COVID-19 pandemic shows no signs of abatement as the school year approaches. Left with imperfect options and impossible decisions, what can we as families and communities do?
I’ve had many conversations with patients and colleagues about how to approach starting the school year in a pandemic. Inspired by these conversations, here is what I would like my patients to know.
Data from spring school closures shows that students lost out on learning when schools went remote. This gap was most apparent for students of low socioeconomic status, Latinx and Black students, students with disabilities and younger students. It is estimated that the “achievement gap” widened with schools going remote in the spring.
Learning is far from all that is missed. School is an important aspect of childhood nutrition in our society, furnishing millions of needed calories daily and taking financial burden off of families. Social development is hard to replicate remotely, especially for younger students.
The increased family burdens, normally shouldered by in-person school, also include the following: increased childcare burden, more intensive need for homework and other learning assistance, technical support and lack of healthy breathing room within the family unit.
As a grim reflection of this increased burden, abuse rates have risen with more concentrated time at home.
A major risk is spreading infection, of course — to and from children, families, other contacts and the community at large.
Perhaps because children generally do not get as sick as adults, there is some sense that children are immune to COVID-19. This unfortunately does not appear true.
In the last two weeks of July, nearly 100,000 American children tested positive for COVID-19. While it is true that a young child becoming very ill or dying from COVID-19 is rare, around 600 children have been reported to develop a severe inflammatory syndrome.
We also are learning that when infected, children have similar viral loads to adults, indicating they are quite capable of infecting others. Whenever schools go in-person, we can expect increased transmission within schools and the community.
Milwaukee Public Schools will be starting remotely with a staged reopening approach based on infection control metrics.
In the setting of unavoidable risk, a harm reduction mindset can be helpful. As a family physician, I often use a harm reduction approach in working with my patients on their health goals.
A harm reduction approach to managing diabetes mellitus says, “We acknowledge that you may occasionally decide to have a slice of cake. Let’s make plans to minimize the harm from this.”
A harm reduction approach to negotiating a pandemic says, “What are the risks of an activity or exposure, and how can we minimize them? What are the benefits and how can we maximize them? Am I comfortable that the benefits outweigh the risks?”
The approaching school year demands many new decisions from families. Some districts are asking parents to choose whether and when their child will attend in person, whether to participate in sports teams and after-school or weekend programs.
This is in addition to the many family-level decisions and approaches to home learning, homework, out-of-school contact with classmates and other family members—especially those in high-risk groups—and many other areas.
As the pandemic looms over our decisions in the coming months or years, one constant to bank on is that families will be confronted over and over with new decisions.
When approaching a new and complex COVID-19-related opportunity or decision, I find it helpful to write things down.
Here is a method I’ve used with my own family that might help illustrate what I mean:
Here is an example of what I came up with for my family as we consider returning my daughter to daycare (pardon the poor handwriting):
At the end of this exercise, I see some opportunities to reduce risk, and some areas of potential harm to others that I hadn’t been thinking about. Overall, I feel more empowered as a parent to approach this decision and find myself feeling more comfortable with her return.
National failure to control the pandemic, and in some cases prioritization of the right to disregard public health guidance, has placed impossible decisions in front of the families in our community. As we move together through this murky period of risk, let us work to prioritize reducing harm incurred by our families and young people.
OPINION: What I want my patients to know about COVID-19 right now
OPINION: What I want my patients to know right now: Two months later
OPINION: Eight ways you can stay safe while protesting during the pandemic


Japan: Apology Problem · Global Voices
Oiwan Lam

Did or didn't Abe apologize for Japan’s wartime use of sex slaves? Oftenover from Japundit comments on the news about Prime Minister Abe's recent apology on sex slaves issue.


The Balkans: Macedonia and Montenegro Recognize Kosovo · Global Voices
Veronica Khokhlova

On Oct. 9, Montenegro and Macedonia recognized Kosovo's independence.
Douglas Muir of A Fistful of Euros noted that “coincidentally, this raises the number of countries recognizing to exactly 50.” He described the significance of the event in general terms:
[…] Macedonia and Montenegro are small countries, but they have outsized importance because (1) they’re neighbors of both Serbia and Kosovo, (2) they’re EU-members-to-be, and (3) they’re former Yugoslav Republics. So while this is no surprise, it’s still interesting. […]
Viktor Markovic of Belgraded (a blog formerly known as Belgrade 2.0) presented a humorous “short version of what happened and what could happen”:
[…] Now, both Montenegro and Macedonia decided to recognize Kosovo. Kosovo will probably return the favour by recognizing them back. While they’re at it, they could decide to recognize South Ossetia and Abhazia, provinces who decided to declare independence from Georgia (not the American one, but the one next to Russia) this year. That way Kosovo would support Russia in helping South Ossetia and Abhazia break away, but it would upset the United States and the rest of the world who oppose Russia, but support Kosovo, Montenegro, and Macedonia in their independence efforts. Serbia should support Georgia because we know what it’s like to be deprived of territory, right, but that way we would upset Russia, our best friend when it comes to not recognizing Kosovo. Georgia, US already recognized Kosovo, but Georgia (the country) should definitely not recognize it, because they clearly do mind provinces breaking away from countries. But if they don’t recognize it, they could upset the US and the other countries who recognized it.
Russia first said that it’s not ok for a province to break away, but now says it’s ok. USA first said that it’s ok for a province to break away, but now says that’s a bad thing and a big no-no. […]
One of the readers, Owen, posted this comment to Viktor's post:
I think you’ve over-simplified.
Viktor responded by proposing a way “to make things even more confusing and interesting” – which would be for Serbia to “un-recognize Montenegro and Macedonia”:
[…] I don’t know if that’s even possible, to un-recognize a state, but that’s what we are trying to persuade other countries that recognized Kosovo to do, right? So we should set an example and un-recognize Macedonia and Montenegro. […]
Vitaly of The 8th Circle mentioned some of the consequences of Serbia's neighbors’ decision to recognize Kosovo – clashes in Montenegro and the expulsion of the two states’ ambassadors from Belgrade – but ended his post on a rather positive note:
[…] My guess is that the protests are an immediate expression of rage, and should not become a problem in the long-run, but that may change depending on whether the animosity is permitted to crystalize and become imprinted in people’s memory.  Or, will the parties choose to look to the future where borders, under the auspices of the EU, matter little?
Jonathan Davis of LimbicNutrition Weblog wrote that he is “for an independent Kosovo,” wants “Serbia in the EU as soon as possible” – but is “sickened by lies, foul play, hypocrisy and bullying” of “the EU/US/Kosovo bloc.” To him, the prospects of Macedonia and Montenegro did not seem too bright:
[…] Now, however, they will also have to live with the anger of their largest trading partner and the destabilising effect that their recognition will have on their internal political situations. […]
Writing about “the massive vote in favour of allowing Serbia’s challenge to Kosovo’s legality at the International Court of Justice” that preceded the recognition of Kosovo by Macedonia and Montenegro, Jonathan suggested that “the pre-prepared plan to force Serbia’s two tiny neighbours […] to recognise Kosovo within a day of the vote” was “designed for psychological and propaganda effect”:
[…] (1) To ruin the party for the Serbs and (2) to reset the frame by getting the global media’s focus away from Serbia’s UN victory and focussed on Serbia supposedly by being “stunned” by Montenegro and Macedonia’s “betrayal”. […]
He also wrote about “the follow-up insult-to-injury gambit”:
[…] the Nobel Peace Prize being awarded to Martti Ahtisaari, a loathed figure in Serbia, widely considered to be blatantly pro-Albanian and the man who handed Kosovo its (illegal) independence. The prize was expected to be awarded to imprisoned Chinese dissident Gao Zhisheng, but the committee decided instead to continue its tradition of politically motivated awards, almost certainly in my opinion as part of the co-ordinated response to Serbia’s UN victory. […]