Stories from 4 September 2007
Afghanistan: CNN Youtube debate
Afghanistanica is unhappy that out of the 1,400 questions collected for the presidential CNN-Youtube debate, only two deal with Afghanistan. He asks his readers to help him change this dismal record.
Afghanistan: Herat
Safrang is in Herat and writes down four reasons why he loves this Western Afghan city.
Uzbekistan: Arsenal shareholder
Craig Murray is willing to testify in front of the Premier League to block a rich Uzbek investor from buying himself into Arsenal FC. Meanwhile, Jamiyat says that the children of the businessman are among Russia's richest heirs.
Uzbekistan: Not much has changed
Jamiyat finds that after sixteen years of independence, things in Uzbekistan are very similar to the final days of the USSR.
Kyrgyzstan: Music
Mirsulzhan takes his readers on a tour of Kyrgyz-language music videos (KYR).
The Baltics: KGB Documents Online
For those interested in “the darkest pages of the history of the Soviet occupation of the Baltic states,” some of the relevant KGB documents are now available online, Lituanica reports.
Latvia, Russia: Language Issue
Marginalia writes on the “language issue” in Latvia – and in Russia: “Over at the corner store, after years of learning to shop in Russian, I finally asked whether the cashier ever planned to learn the word for milk in Latvian (it being emblazoned in large letters on every carton...
Uzbekistan: Samarkand anniversary
Central Asian Borders writes about the former Silk Road capital Samarkand's 2750th anniversary. Uzbek president Karimov came on a visit, and his entourage made sure that every major street was blocked for the event, causing lots of hassle for the inhabitants.
Latvia: Snapshots of Everyday Life
Latvian Abroad links to snapshots of everyday life in Latvia – now and 20 years ago.
Kazakhstan: Political soap opera
KZBlog has the latest developments in Kazakhstan's political soap opera, including new rumours why president Nazarbayev rushed to change key personnel and the fate of his son-in-law.
Latvia: Economic Problems
Latvian Abroad argues – here and here – that it is unlikely that Latvia would experience an economic crisis similar to the one in East Asia a decade ago.
Armenia: World Bank corruption update
Onnik Krikorian finds it scandalous that the World Bank's own watchdog “Department of Institutional Integrity” has not yet sent an investigation commission to Armenia following serious allegations of corruption in the Bank's public utility lending.
Ukraine: The Way We Dress
Natalia Antonova writes about one “young, seemingly sane, New York intellectual” who seemed deeply traumatized by the way Ukrainian women dress.
Armenia: School year starts
Observer reports of the new academic year starting in Armenia. There are less children starting school each year, but there are still traffic jams around schools because of proud parents driving their kids to school.
Estonia: Setumaa; Kevade
Itching for Eestimaa visits the border region of Setumaa and watches Kevade, a 1969 Estonian film.
Estonia: Nashi-in-Estonia Interview
Itching for Eestimaa translates an interview with a “Nashi-in-Estonia Kommisar.”
Estonia: Marju Lauristin's Piece
Itching for Eestimaa translates and comments on an opinion piece about Estonia's Russians by a Tartu professor Marju Lauristin.
Moroccan Kitchen Launched
Moroccan chefs Samira and Sabah have started a new blog – Moroccan Kitchen, in which they provide recipes for Moroccan cuisine.
Tunisia: Fish Museum a Let Down
Subzero Blue from Tunisia visits the Aquarium in Carthage and writes: “I was expecting a really cool aquarium, but I was somewhat let down, as it turned out to be pretty mediocre.”
Dubai: Smoking Ban Won't Work
A smoking ban will soon be implemented in Dubai – but Seabee doesn't think it will work.
Yemen: Fires and Flares
Omar Barsawad from Yemen writes about two types of fires – the one in Greece and flaring.
