Here’s an update on the deteriorating situation in Mali from the Guardian’s Andy Morgan. Islamic militants have declared “war” on music in northern Mali.
The pickup halted in Kidal, the far-flung Malian desert town that is home to members of the Grammy award-winning band Tinariwen. Seven AK47-toting militiamen got out and marched to the family home of a local musician. He wasn’t home, but the message delivered to his sister was chilling: “If you speak to him, tell him that if he ever shows his face in this town again, we’ll cut off all the fingers he uses to play his guitar with.”
via Mali: no rhythm or reason as militants declare war on music | World news | guardian.co.uk.