Friday, December 12, 2008

Friends Offline? Send them SMS via GML

Your Gmail account is no longer just your chat, email and storage tool.  It is now your SMS tool, soon to come. 

"Now you can keep the conversations going with a new Labs feature that lets you send SMS text messages right from Gmail." says Gmail Leo Dirac, Product Manager of Gmail.

Your Gmail account can now send Simple Text Messages to all your friends in the United States.  As the Gmail team work on this feature and perfect it in the near future, we can expect free SMS send from Gmail accounts all over the world.  Currently, you can send an SMS to U.S. Phone numbers but the good thing is, you can do this from anywhere in the world.

That means, if you are in Africa and your friend is in the U.S., you can shoot them SMS straight to their phone and they can reply back to your GMail chat just like Instant Messaging.  The down side is that the receiver may or may not be charged for the incoming SMS depending on their plan with their respective provider.

GMail users may be proud of GMail for its storage and search efficiency, but trust me, they'll love it for this one!



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Ethiopian troops will Leave after Uganda and Burundian troops leave

Not only are the Ethiopian troops leaving Somalia in the near future, but they'll also take the Ugandans and Brundis with them.

The Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi reportedly told his parliament that the AU troops of Burundi and Uganda requested of him to help them vacate as the fear for their safety when the Ethiopians leave.  Meles said that is the primary reason delaying his widely anticipated departure from the neighboring country.

The news of their intent to leave is shocking to even the resistance in Somalia.  Further more, no time table of their departure is available making it difficult for Somalis to believe in it as more than just a simple trickery by Meles Zenawi.

The AU force currently in Mogadishu were always expected to be in Somalia by the EU, UN, and their primary financier the U.S.  

According to Meles Zenawi, the Ugandan and Burundian forces already made it clear to him that they are no longer interested in staying in Somalia and that they requested support in ensuring safe passage for them.


Ethiopian troops in Somalia
 At this time, we are looking into every aspect of our withdrawal, the main issue now is to ensure that Ugandan and Burundian peacekeepers pull out safe and sound 
Meles Zenawi
Despite his claims, neither country has given any public indication that it wants to withdraw its troops from the beleaguered Amisom force.

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The question is, how long is Zenawi planning on staying back in Somalia.  The answer, he said the Ethiopians would leave as soon as the AU troops leave.

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Wednesday, December 10, 2008

Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed Returns to Mogadishu after two year ban

One of Somalia's main Muslim leaders has returned to Mogadishu, the Somali capital, two years after being driven from power.

Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed's Union of Islamic Courts (UIC) was ousted by the Ethiopian-backed interim government fully backed by the U.S. air force.  It was back late in 2006 when the Ethiopian neighbor of Somalia invaded the country with their war-planes supported by U.S. satellites. 

The Sheikh's arrival follows a deal, between the Ethiopian backed weak TFG government and the and his part of United Islamic Courts (UIC) which he now leads, which should see Ethiopia withdraw its forces later this month.

Despite the calm shown so far by the Al-shabab rival group who control major parts of Somalia now, it is not clear how they would react to his arrival as they have not signed on to the peace deal.  Further, Al-shabab's UIC ally and the leader of the Asmara wing the Islamic Courts accused Sheikh Sharif of betrayal for taking the enemy's side on the Somalia conflict.

Sheikh Sharif's arrival takes place at a time when the capital city is the base of constant battles between the weak Somali government and their Ethiopian enforcers and Islamic and nationalist forces.

Source: Somalia blogs and news 
Technology  Somali Blogs  http://windowsandlinuxwebhost.blogspot.com/

Sports > http://torontobasketballfans.blogspot.com/

 Additional Somali Sources

Af Soomaali blog | Somalia Blog | YouSomali | Number 1 Somali Blogs |  Mogadishu News | Current Somali News  |  Somali News Articles | United Islamic Courts Blog | Somali News Blog | Somali By Somalis | Somali Cities Blogs | US Agenda In Somalia | Somali Music

Other Somali Sources Amin Arts Discussions | Somali News and Blogs


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Al-shabab continue to capture Somali towns

On Dec 9, 2008, the islamic fighters of Al-shabab took control of Baledhawo, a town in the Gedo region, without any resistance from the Somali transitional Government representative security forces who failed secure the town.

After capturing the town, Al-shabab army officials, as usual, told town's residents to stay calm and continue to do their business.  Furthermore, the residents were warned about forbidden activities such as selling or using drugs, illegal check points, or opening any cinemas.

Baledhawo were recently overtaken by members of the Col. Barre Hiiraale, a TFG enforcer, who were themselves chased out by Al-shabab from Kismayo.

In the Gedo region, the Al-shabab mujahidiin fighters captured Garbaharey, Bardhere and now Baledhawo and they now turn their forces towards Luuq and Doolow.


Source: Somalia blogs and news 
Technology  Somali Blogs  http://windowsandlinuxwebhost.blogspot.com/

Sports > http://torontobasketballfans.blogspot.com/

 Additional Somali Sources

Af Soomaali blog | Somalia Blog | YouSomali | Number 1 Somali Blogs |  Mogadishu News | Current Somali News  |  Somali News Articles | United Islamic Courts Blog | Somali News Blog | Somali By Somalis | Somali Cities Blogs | US Agenda In Somalia | Somali Music

Other Somali Sources Amin Arts Discussions | Somali News and Blogs


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Somali Pirates Attacked on Ship!

The MV Faina (10 Nov 2008)
The MV Faina is currently anchored off the pirate stronghold of Harardhere

Reports surfaced that the Somali pirates on board the hijacked Ukrainian cargo ship thwarted a failed revolt by the crew.  AFP news agency said an unnamed pirated told them of the incident quoting him saying "they tried to harm" two of the captors.

The Ukrainian cargo ship is carrying 33 tanks and other weaponry and was seized about two months ago.

"Some crew members on the Ukrainian ship are misbehaving," the pirate said.

No official word from the Ukrainian foreign ministry as their spokesman said they had not received any information of the incident.

"They tried to harm two of our gunmen late Monday. This is unacceptable, they risk serious punitive measures. Somalis know how to live and how to die at the same time, but the Ukrainians' attempt to take violent action is misguided", said the pirates.

The pirates were resting chewing jaat when they were taken by surprise when some members of the crew suddenly attacked them taking out their frustration on the captors.

"Maybe some of the crew are frustrated and we are feeling the same but our boys never opted for violence, this was a provocation," he told AFP by telephone.

Another report of the incident, by Russian Ren TV, quoted one of the pirates as saying that the crew responsible would be "seriously punished".

French naval officers escort cargo ships
The EU is to place armed guards on vulnerable ships in the Gulf of Aden

Gunmen seized the Kenya-bound MV Faina, carrying 33 tanks, grenade launchers and ammunition, on 24 September.

The ship, which is currently anchored off the pirate stronghold of Harardhere, has a mostly Ukrainian crew of 21.

Pirates had initially demanded a ransom of $20m (£13.5m).

In November, a Kenyan maritime official confirmed that a deal had been struck between the ship's owner and the pirates, and that the two sides were discussing the ship's release.

Details of the agreement have not been revealed.


Sports > http://torontobasketballfans.blogspot.com/

 Additional Somali Sources

Af Soomaali blog | Somalia Blog | YouSomali | Number 1 Somali Blogs |  Mogadishu News | Current Somali News  |  Somali News Articles | United Islamic Courts Blog | Somali News Blog | Somali By Somalis | Somali Cities Blogs | US Agenda In Somalia | Somali Music

Other Somali Sources Amin Arts Discussions | Somali News and Blogs 

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Friday, December 5, 2008

Too Precious, too Expensive! on Auction

LONDON: The Wittelsbach Diamond, a 17th century 35.56 carat jewel valued at $13.1 million, is to be auctioned at Christie's in London on December 10.
 

Sports > http://torontobasketballfans.blogspot.com/

 Additional Somali Sources

Af Soomaali blog | Somalia Blog | YouSomali | Number 1 Somali Blogs |  Mogadishu News | Current Somali News  |  Somali News Articles | United Islamic Courts Blog | Somali News Blog | Somali By Somalis | Somali Cities Blogs | US Agenda In Somalia | Somali Music

Other Somali Sources Amin Arts Discussions | Somali News and Blogs 


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Re: Somali Pirates Free Indian crew members on Stolt Valor who return home

PILGRIMAGE PANORAMA: Milling crowds of devotees at Makkah's Grand Mosque on Friday during the annual Haj pilgrimage. The Grand Mosque houses the Kaaba, Islam's holiest site. It stands in the heart of the mosque and contains the holy Black Stone which is believed to be the only piece remaining from an altar built by Abraham.

PHOTO By: AFP
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