Increasingly, aid workers, volunteers and even peacekeepers use blogs to share their unique experiences and insights from conflict zones. Take the Darfur conflict in Sudan, for example. Sleepless in Sudan was one of the first blogs to highlight the untold suffering of innocent people in Darfur. Sleepless in Sudan, which was nominated in the 2006 “Bloggies” Weblog Award contest, was maintained by a female aid worker stationed in Darfur. For nine months, Sleepless in Sudan told stories of life in Darfur from the ground. In one post, she gave us insight into the state of the African Union peacekeepers: On the ground, I've heard a lot worse. There is no fuel for [Africa Union] cars, never mind helicopters. Ammunition runs out (as it did during the attack that killed four Nigerian peacekeepers and two AU contractors in October). Soldiers routinely show up at aid agency compounds to ask if they can have some mosquito nets or even blankets. Civilian police officers walk around the camps unable to communicate with people because they have not yet sent them any translators. It's clear the Africa Union has not been able to do its job – and there is still no one actually protecting those who need it most. However, on February 2, 2006, Sleepless in Sudan was closed: It's somewhat bittersweet to write those words after having ranted and raved, moaned and marvelled, and generally obsessed about Darfur for so long. Of course, it's not that I have run out of things to rant about. In this case, it's merely personal circumstance (an agreement with my employer to be re-deployed to another crisis after having completed my mission here in Darfur) that brings an abrupt end to my brief but passionate stint as an anonymous Darfur blogger. Letting go is never easy – and I'm bemused to discover that leaving Darfur is filled with just as much stress, frustration and heartache as living here has been. This blog has provided relief to me not just in terms of self-therapy (at the end of the day, we all just want to have a good rant), but also through the virtual friendships, offers of support, and thoughtful comments that reached me every day through that shaky satellite connection. Sudan Man works with the Mennonite Central Committee in Southern Sudan. He sees signs of peace in the improved state of local public transportation: Anyway, another benefit of peace is that there is now public transport between towns in Sudan and neighboring countries! The rehabilitation of the Yei – Juba road and the road between NW Kenya and Juba has opened up trade between Sudan, Uganda and Kenya. Sudanese who've been living in Uganda and Kenya now have a reliable and relatively inexpensive way to travel to Sudan to visit relatives or to scout out whether they want to “officially” return to Sudan. Fresh fruits, vegetables, packaged and processed foods, beverages, building materials, and loads of consumer goods are now available in Juba and other Sudanese towns. There are still risks though. Our trip to Yei was delayed due to demining activities along the way (not on the road, somewhere nearby) and this brought a reminder that, yes, landmines were used during the war and alot have been cleared but more work needs to be done. Also, there have been incidents of banditry, car hijacking, etc. carried out by “other armed groups” like LRA and random individuals. This hasn't happened on the road to Yei, but other roads to Uganda and Kenya are quite unsafe. But it is great to know that buses are full, people are traveling and enjoying the opportunity to move back and forth for business and personal reasons. Describing the sensation of watching the international media from within the conflict zone, Sudan Man reflects on “What is news?“: What was the BIG NEWS on CNN International? Receiving the most air time was the BIG NEWS that some participants in the UK based Celebrity Big Brother reality television show made insensitive and possibly racist remarks towards the Bollywood (India's Hollywood) actress participant. I couldn't believe that CNN International found this worthy of being one of the top stories several days in a row. Yes, there was strong reaction by Indians in the UK and elsewhere to what obviously were insentive and racist remarks. Is it news that there is racism in the world? I hardly think so. We switched to Al Jazeera and found they were following real news – insightful programs on the Rwanda genocide and how China is influencing Africa; the challenges facing the new Somali government; an interview with the Eritrean president; Condi Rice's visit to Middle East and Germany. I don't doubt the Big Brother story was popular with viewers, but it isn't news.