If you tweet

protect Iranian bloggers by setting your location to Tehran and your timezone to GMT + 3.30

State security forces are searching for pro-democracy bloggers in Iran using location and timezone, so this helps create a logjam.

Lovers Melody

in Rag Zila Kafi, by virtuouso Ustad Ali Akbar Khan.

Here it is on Youtube.

He died yesterday, at 87.

Tällberg-ho

I'd hadn't heard of the Tällberg Forum until the invitation plopped into my inbox.

Dear Shailja,

At the recommendation of Aya de Leon, it is with great pleasure that we invite you to the Tällberg Forum 2009, which will take place in Tällberg, Sweden on 24-28 June 2009.

Since 1981, conversations at Tällberg have been foreseeing that the integration of governance, environment, energy, economy and equity would be a decisive factor in reducing risks and producing a more sustainable formula for progress.

The Tällberg method is unique: it gathers diverse participants, encourages reflection, explorative conversations, and cross-sectors design sessions, and it integrates fully the experience of arts and nature. This provides leaders with a space to question their thinking and assumptions about the future, and to gain new insights into risks and opportunities.

Poetry at Tällberg is always deeply embedded in our conversation. Bring your passion, your words to Tällberg. We need your voice!

When I told colleagues at NAI about the invitation, they got very excited.

This is a big deal!

When I read the list of guest speakers this year my eyebrows climbed. President Paul Kagame of Rwanda. Luis Moreno Ocampo, prosecutor of the International Criminal Court. In previous years, Al Gore.

Tällberg seems to be Sweden's answer to Davos. A saner alternative. With art and nature in the mix. I am there.

Thank you, Aya.

Iran

Shades of Kenya burning 18 months ago.

Thinking how it must feel to be in Iran right now, desperately trying to get the truth out. Witnessing and experiencing violent state suppression of peaceful protest.

Hoping against hope that the Iranian people will achieve what they voted for. Something approaching the justice that was denied to Kenyans.