Stories from 30 May 2007
Kyrgyzstan: Issyk-Kul and Tourism
Asel is worried that the pursuit of short-term profit from tourism is ruining Kyrgyzstan's Issyk-kul.
Armenia: Real Estate Prices
At Life in Armenia, Raffi K. reports on real estate prices in Yerevan.
Turkmenistan: Relations with Kazakhstan
Bonnie Boyd discusses the great significance of the emerging relationship between Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan.
Kazakhstan: Bikers & the World
neweurasia says that Kazakhstan's government can use the success of Kazakhstani bicyclists to further boost the country's image.
Armenia: All-powerful Seal
Notes from Hairenik discusses the incredible power of seals on documents in Armenia.
One Caribbean; Many Identities…
Calypsonian Lord Nelson once sang, “all ah we is one family”. Optimists in the Caribbean may well agree with these words, but the reality is that if you were to describe Caribbean states as a family, you would have to call it a complex unit - and one in which there is much sibling rivalry. Trinidadian blogger Karel Mc Intosh discusses the intricate subject of Caribbean unity with Jamaicans Geoffrey Philp and Francis Wade and Guyanese blogger Media Critic.
Ukraine: Crisis, Again
Abdymok.net reports: “the so-called agreement reached under the rug at the presidential administration in the wee hours of may 27 lasted . . . about 72 hours.”
Russia, Austria: Raiffeisen, Murder and Money Laundering
Robert Amsterdam writes about the alleged ties of Raiffeisen Zentralbank (RZB) of Austria to murder and money laundering in Russia.
Latvia: Gay Parade and Other “Problems”
“Gay parade is the least of our problems,” writes All About Latvia: abortions, the lowest life expectancy in the EU, and human trafficking are no less – if not more – significant.
FSU: Interview With Edward Lucas
Peteris Cedrins of Marginalia interviews Edward Lucas, the Central and East European correspondent of The Economist – and a blogger.
Russia: KPRF/Just Russia Merger?
Siberian Light reports on the proposed merger of the Russian Communist Party with Sergei Mironov's Just Russia: “[…] I’m sure there are many within the Kremlin who would like to see the influence of the Communist Party diluted still further – although they are broadly supportive of Putin at the...
Slovenia: Vinko Bogataj
The Glory of Carniola writes about the Slovenian skier Vinko Bogataj (who happens to be much more than just his magnificent 1970 crash).
India: Finding Gandhi in Mexico
Organized Nomad on finding Gandhi in Mexico. “Two women, total strangers, in two different parts of Mexico, seemingly free associate India with Gandhi. Seems even more a pity then that while Gandhi's name will forever be worshipped, his message will soon be lost as his country charts a tumultous course...
Pakistan: East and West Punjab
I, Me, Myself in Punjab, Pakistan – and reflecting on the similarities with the Punjab in India. “Then there were the sights and sounds of a Punjab that I had only read about in books or heard about from my elders. There were children studying in a village school in...
Pakistan: Jobs for country runners
The Pakistani Spectator has an interesting list of job profiles. “A matriculate or having a bachelor degree from an un-recognized institution having 30 years political / no-political experience and the age should not be less than 45 years. The candidate will be reporting to relevant institutions abroad but not reporting...
Swahili Blogosphere: Higher Education Blame Game, Miss Universe, and Personal Privacy vs. Public Life
Hardship is the name of the game, it seems, for Tanzania's higher education students both at home and abroad. While the University of Dar Es Salaam has readmitted all the suspended students after the recent students’ strike over ‘unaffordable fees’, another crisis over students funds ensues for Tanzanians in Ukraine....
Pakistan: The Urs
Metroblogging Islamabad with a brief post on the urs of Bari Imam. “His yearly urs, celebrated in these days of the year, is attended by thousands of devotees from all over the country. The urs, now becoming a festivity for many city dwellers and people coming from across various villages,...
Africa: mobile phones and activism in Africa
Black Looks writes from Kenya, where she is attending a conference on the use of mobile phones for activism and advocacy in Africa: “I am here in Nairobi at one of the most interesting gatherings I have attended in a long time. Fahamu have brought together some 40 African social...
Nigeria: remembering the Biafran War
Chxta and Ababoy remember the Biafran War, which took place 40 years ago this month.
Burkina Faso: FA Cup Final in Ouagadougou
English football is big in Burkina Faso as Voice in the Desert reports:”African men care very deeply about their football teams, including the teams they ‘adopt’ from abroad. In Ouagadougou there are passionate Manchester United supporters and equally passionate Chelsea supporters, and today they got together for the Cup Final....
Syria: A Letter from a Syrian Worker in Lebanon
Golaniya posted a letter from a Syrian Worker in Lebanon. “In Lebanon, our hopes are now starting to flee away. We are outcasts. We receive all kinds of cursing and swearing from people. We sometimes got hit and killed. This happens when politicians, deliberately and non deliberately, make their loaded...