Stories from 17 April 2008
Estonia: Finnish Muslims; Childhood Memories
AnTyx writes about the Finnish Muslim Party's protest against Estonia's presence in Iraq – and shares a few Soviet/post-Soviet childhood memories.
Estonia: Interview With Blogger Flasher T
Itching for Eestimaa interviews “Estonian blogger Flasher T, author of the lively Antyx.”
Bosnia & Herzegovina: Tuzla
Pure Intent writes about Tuzla: “Minus the coal plants and DITA factory, Tuzla would be a pretty groovy place to be.”
Belgium: The Balkan Presence
Tanchi is guest-blogging at Kosmopolit about the Balkan presence in Brussels.
Serbia, Kosovo: Election
Krenar Gashi of Balkan Insight offers a Kosovar's perspective on the upcoming election in Serbia – and the campaigning in Kosovo.
Russia: Putin and Kabaeva?
Lex Libertas wonders whether Vladimir Putin is really marrying gymnast and Duma deputy Alina Kabaeva – or it is all “a long-running April Fool’s joke by Dmitry Medvedev’s wife, Svetlana.”
Hungary: “Economic Ignorance”?
Hungarian Spectrum writes about “economic and financial ignorance in Hungary”: “Another thing that people don't seem to understand is that it is indeed proper and perhaps even more just to tax property rather than to rely so heavily on income tax.”
Hungary: Coalition Not Dead?
Hungarian Spectrum reports that “we still can't be sure whether or not the coalition is dead.”
Egypt: Boycott the World
People around the world are using economic pressure in protest against political decisions by calling for boycotting products from certain countries. With more countries being constantly added to the boycott list, Egyptian blogger Tarek shares the following novel idea. Boycott the world, pleads the blogger.
Jordan: Climate Change and the Arab World
Batir Wardam, from Jordan, says the Arab world is starting to get serious about climate change.
Palestine: International Day of Solidarity with Political Prisoners
Body on the Line marks the International Day of Solidarity with Palestinian Political Prisoners with this post.
Syria: 12 Years for Kamal Labwani
Syrian opposition activist Kamal Labwani has been handed a 12-year jail sentence for “contacts with Washington,” reports …Or Does it Explode?
Saudi Arabia: Women Basketball Team
…Or Does it Explode? posts a video and an article about a Saudi basketball team for women called Jeddah United.
Kuwait: Deportation for Traffic Offenders
…Or Does it Explode writes about a new Kuwaiti law – which calls for deporting expatriate drivers who jump red lights at traffic junctions.
Bolivia: Public Transport in Santa Cruz
Public transport in Santa Cruz is a big problem, as noted by Professor Miriam Vidal. Bus fare has risen to 33% recently, and many schoolchildren are bypassed by drivers because they do not pay the full fare [es].
Armenia: Independent TV Station Faces Closure
Blogian comments on what many consider to be the imminent and effective closure of a regional TV station broadcasting in Armenia's second largest city of Gyumri. The station has been under pressure from the authorities since covering the activities of a former head of state and presidential candidate in the...
Azerbaijan: Peace Corps FAQ
Carolyn & Jesse's Azerbaijan Peace Corps Blog posts an entry answering the most common questions received from readers ranging from inquiries about computer access to attitudes towards single and married women. Intriguingly, concerns about the availability of can openers in Azerbaijan also makes the list.
Angola: On freedom of expression and globalisation
Kianda [pt] thinks that “the fact that someone was born in one country should not revoke their right to think, criticize, vote or even run for elections [in another country]… we are in the globalisation era, in a world with fewer and fewer boundaries and we should all have the...
Egypt: Anti-Strike Facebook Group Formed
To circumnavigate censorship, activists in the Arab world are strongly leaning on online tools to get their messages across and expose what they describe as state brutality against civilians. Word about last week's April 6 strike in Egypt was spread on a Facebook group, which has so far attracted more than 71,200 members. Now Egyptian blogger GEMYHOoOD (Ar) tells us about an anti-strike Facebook group, which has around 1,000 followers.
Jordan: The Camera which Sees Through Clothes
A camera which can see through clothes and is being used to counter terrorism? Zeid Nasser from Jordan has more in this post.
Jordan: Big Brother Reality TV Show Coming Soon
“If you love the TV show, Big Brother, and if it’s been a life-long goal of yours to be a contestant on it, then I’ve got good news for all you die-hard reality TV fans; Big Brother is coming to Jordan and in the most hi-tech of manners,” writes Naseem...
