Stories from 1 November 2006
Slovenia, Croatia: Language and Travel
Neretva River writes about Croatian language and new travel regulations for those crossing the Croatian-Slovenian border.
Albania: Lustration
Our Man in Tirana writes about ways of dealing with Albania's Communist past and the (im)possibility of lustration.
Bulgaria: Foreign Minister's Blog
A Fistful of Euros writes about Bulgaria's foreign minister – a blogger.
Uzbekistan: Talking to Europe
Kamron reports on Europe's stepped-up negotiations with Uzbekistan.
Kyrgyzstan: PR Failure
At neweurasia, Yulia reports on the Kyrgyz president's public relations failures in handling negotiations with the opposition.
Armenia: Elections
Is all hope lost? Will the upcoming parliamentary elections be fixed? At Blogrel, Observer writes that there is reason for hope.
Turkmenistan: Murad
Leila profiles Murad, a musician from Turkmenistan who plays the dutar (a two-stringed instrument) and is part of The Silk Road Band.
Russia: “The Abduction of Europa”
LJ user kuzma-diary – Alexei Zimin, editor-in-chief of Afisha-Mir travel magazine, former editor-in-chief of GQ‘s Russian edition – reports (RUS): The Abduction of Europa Afisha-Mir magazine has been receiving alarming signals. It appears as if consulates of European countries are using the slightest pretext this fall to refuse issuing [Schengen...
Kazakhstan: Party Development
Rico reports on recent trends in political party development in Kazakhstan.
Armenia: Medicine & Trust
Zarchka has more to say about the medical system in Armenia. In her latest post, she explains who her family had to turn to when traditional doctors were little help.
Bahrain: The Good Citizen
Citizenship is a sacred honour, a plaque we carry proudly on our chests and a burden pressing hard on our backs. Can we be true citizens and do our country justice if we continue to keep our lips sealed despite all the injustice happening around us? Silly Bahraini Girl said.
Jordan: Jordanians-Palestinians Identities
In fact, I don't see Jordanians of Palestinian as a sect. There are no ethnic or religious differences between the two groups, and any sense of identity is purely a personal opinion or sense of belonging. Many Jordanians (particularly the older generation) feel that they are Palestinian, and many of...
Morocco: Morocco's sand dunes on the move
Visiting the sand dunes in the Sahara is part of most trips to Morocco. Usually this involves a long drive from Fez, across the Middle Atlas and down to Erg Chebi. Well, according to some reports, in the future you might not have to travel so far too see them,...
Saudi Arabia: Saudi intellectuals
“Many intellectuals here have celebrated the announcement of the new succession law issued by King Abdullah last week as an extraordinary achievement, and hailed the king for a wise decision. The so-called intellectuals has given even the slightest hint to the country's need to such law since King Fahad passed...
Iran: Academics under more Pressure
Jomhour reports more independent academics have been deprived of teaching in universities. The blogger adds student activists have been deprived of continuing their studies too [Fa].
Sri Lanka: BPO and scams
A Land like no other on the potential of BPO sector in Sri Lanka and how scams could affect it. “In a recent research finding, it was revealed that main constraints we have in Sri Lanka for this industry is political instability (Obvious!), poor public transportation and high cost in...
Bangladesh: Politics and the Interim Govt
Black and Gray on the current political scenario in Bangladesh and the interim government. “It is surprising; shocking almost that the party that has so overwhelmingly won the elections only five years ago is now frightened to face the voters this time next time round. The level of corruption and...
India: Desi and Londonstani
An Anthropologist Wannabe on being a desi and on Malkani's Londonstani. “Malkani explains, and I paraphrase, that minority (Indian) communities find it difficult to integrate quickly and effortlessly, so, they may do just the opposite, that is voluntarily isolate themselves from other communities, trying to build up their self-esteem and...
Nepal: Maoists and Democracy
Democracy For Nepal on participating in a democracy and Maoists. “The Maoists are not going to be able to keep their militia intact and still participate in the constituent assembly elections. That is out of question.”
India: Violence, Caste and Poverty
Shivam Vij points to caste based violence. “A little over a month ago, four members of a dalit family were massacred in Kherlanji, a village in district Bhandara, 120 kms away from Nagpur in Maharashtra.” [Warning – Images maybe disturbing.] Great Bong comments on what may be real trigger. “Regardless...
East Timor: State of English Language Press
Dili-Gence discovers two new English language dailies in East Timor.
