Stories from 26 February 2007
Russia: Post-Putin Future Discussed
Scraps of Moscow, Sean's Russia Blog, and Robert Amsterdam discuss this New York Times Magazine piece on Russia's post-Putin future.
Russia: Feb. 23
Thadhaea and Scraps of Moscow desribe what the Army Day in Russia feels and looks like.
Bolivia: The Changing Face of the Flag
Photo taken by Patricia Vargas Claudio and used with permission. National symbols played a role in the presidential elections of December 2005. Jorge “Tuto” Quiroga, the main rival to the eventual winner, Evo Morales, accused his opponent of wanting to change the traditional red, yellow, and green flag to something...
Ukraine: Dubbing
Ukraine List writes about the Ukrainian dubbing debate.
Ukraine: Castles and Fortresses
Ukraine List posts an entry about Ukrainian fortress town Kamyanets-Podilsky. Olechko writes about the Palanok Castle in Mukachevo.
India: On Paan Waalahs
Swajana has a video post of a paan waalah. (Paan seller). “Theoretically a Paan can be compared to an after dinner mint, but culturally it plays a far more significant role. Thereby the maker of the Paan takes on a key sociological role. His role can be considered akin to...
Sri Lanka: On Identity
Tiny Little Fractures on the exploration of identity in the Sri Lankan blogosphere. “Here’s the thing, I think barking up the tree of a “Sri Lankan national identity” is a mistake, especially when it seems to involve pigeonholing people into being Sri Lankan. I mean what makes a Sri Lankan,...
Nepal: Blogs and MSM
Are blogs in Nepal not being given their due? Nepali Voices says “All Nepali bloggers will agree that blogs influence in the country is very little; but bloggers like me who blogged during the King’s direct rule will also agree that during the period blogs were something unavoidable – and...
Senegal Elections: Towards Another Wade Term?
“Senegal Wants Its Freedom Back” headline. By R-Nesto. Yesterday was election day in Senegal. A campaign marked by some violent clashes started about a month ago and most of the Senegalese bloggers were hoping to see the incumbent, PDS [Social Democratic Party] leader Abdoulaye Wade, defeated. Wade has been in...
Bangladesh: Arrested, now what?
Unheard Voices points out that while big players were arrested in Bangladesh, the consequences are yet to be known. “As the initial euphoria over the arrested political leaders dies down, concerns are now seriously beginning to crepe in whether due process is being followed to prosecute these people. While some...
India: India as a destination
the shad king on the discovery of India becoming a destination for people other than nirvana seekers. “There is a significant population of Ethiopian immigrants in Washington DC, a vast majority of whom support their families (and often finance their own higher education) by driving a cab. As I grumpily...
Tajikistan: Islam & Identity
Lola discusses what being Muslim means to Tajik identity and what cultural and religious practices make one sufficiently Muslim without being considered what many in Tajikistan consider a “fanatic.”
Kazakhstan: Afghanistan Veteran
neweurasia posts a fascinatin interview with a veteran of the Soviet war in Afghanistan.
Kazakhstan: Heretical Borscht
At News from the Caravan, Nyura posts her recipe for “cheerfully heretical borscht.”
Kyrgyzstan: Paying for Grades
Tolkun Umaraliev explains the situations in which Kyrgyz students pay bribes to receive good grades. He says that it is horrible to think about what this widespread practice means for the future of Kyrgyzstan.
Armenia: Parliamentary Election Monitor
The CRD/TI Armenia Election Blog surveys the latest news about the upcoming Armenian parliamentary election and urges Armenian readers to get involved by serving as election observers.
Maldives: Torture Techniques in Paradise
The blog Groundsix notes some of the torture techniques used on detainees and prisoners in the Maldives. Putting in stocks: The victim is restrained with his or her ankles and wrists locked in tiny holes in a block of wood. The victim remains bent and does not have the use...
Trinidad & Tobago: Young and black
London-based Trinidadian Sinistra launches a series of posts about being “young and black” with a piece on being “Young and black in Babylondon”.
Trinidad & Tobago: Thank a policeman
In appreciation of the Trinidad and Tobago police force's service over the Carnival season, Keith Francis wishes to designate this week “Thank a Policeman Week”.
Oman: Nintendo DS Treat
Omani blogger Nabhan Abdullatif has just bought the Nintendo DS and can't get his hands off it. I finally got my hands on this baby and I'm seriously enjoying it. I've been looking for it ever since it was released and I was able to get a friend to buy...
Oman: International Shutdown Day
Are you willing to live without your computer for a good 24 hours? Sleepless in Oman says how it could be done on the International Shutdown Day here. The day is expected to be marked worldwide on March 24.