Stories from 27 July 2008
Syria: Proud to be Backward and an Extremist
Syrian blog Mohammed Online [Ar] posts six pieces of advice on how to become “backward” and an “extremist.” He also goes on to tell us why he would be proud being one.
Russia: Nashi at Seliger
Oleg Klimov posts photos – here and here – from Nashi‘s Seliger summer camp. (Text in Russian.)
Soviet History: The Afghan War
The Turkish Invasion writes at length about the Soviet Afghan War and posts pictures from the memorial in Kyiv. Window on Eurasia writes that Russian Afghan War vets “want Moscow to celebrate their war too.”
Russia: Two “Seven Wonders” Competitions
Vilhelm Konnander writes about the results of two parallel competitions whose aim was to choose “Seven Wonders of Russia.”
Russia: Cost of Living in Moscow
Two-Zero writes about the cost of living in Moscow – for expats and for locals.
Czech Republic, China: Pre-Olympics Scandal
The Czech Daily Word reports on the problems in relationship between the Czech Republic and China on the eve of the Olympics.
Ukraine: Iraqi Scientists Trained in Pripyat
Chernobyl and Eastern Europe writes that “three Texas Tech professors and their graduate students trained 27 Iraqi scientists about processes needed to clean up radioactive debris” this past June in Pripyat: “Well, that’s an interesting use of Pripyat – train Iraqis on radiation clean up techniques in a city that...
US, Russia: Gorby vs Yeltsin, Multistate Bar Exam Scenario
Lyndon of Scraps of Moscow shares a bizarre Russia-related multiple choice question from his Multistate Bar Exam practice book.
Serbia: Pro-Karadzic Protest in Belgrade
A video and lots of photos from “one of the daily protests in support of Radovan Karadzic that are being organized by Serbian ultra-nationalists” in Belgrade – at LimbicNutrition Weblog.
Lebanon: Clashes in the North
Blacksmiths of Lebanon posted a video (about 2 minutes) showing live clips of the clashes currently taking place in North Lebanon as shown on a local TV station.
Brazil: Corruption doesn't need captions
Vejo Tudo e Não Morro [I see everything and I don't die, pt] publishes a cartoon that doesn't need captions: corruption is universal.
Serbia: Demonstrators Attack Journalists in Belgrade
Starting with the night when Radovan Karadzic was arrested, nationalist group members and high-ranking officials of the Serbian Radical Party have been gathering in the streets of central Belgrade. Although there were police units nearby, on July 24 the protesters broke several store windows and brutally attacked journalists and cameramen of the "treacherous media." Below are some of the bloggers' responses and other public reactions, compiled and translated by Sinisa Boljanovic.
Brazil: Controversial nuclear project is given green light
Controversial Angra 3 reactor for Brazil's Nuclear Power Plant was given a pre-licence by the Brazilian Institute of Environment and Renewable Natural Resources (IBAMA) last July 23, not before a series of 60 environmental terms were imposed by Environment Minister Carlos Minc.
Ecuador: Guayaquil Celebrates its Past and Present
“Cheers, Guayaquil on your Anniversary!” writes Alex Anazco of Cambiemos Ecuador [es]. He writes about its past, but also about its present, which boasts the best airport in Latin America according to an international business magazine.
Panama: Proposal of Life Sentences for Murderers
Tu Política [es] writes that PRD candidate for president in Panama is proposing life sentences for murderers, which would move towards a tough stance on crime.
Panama: Passion and Disappointment of the Football Fan
Rob Rivera recommends to ask a Panamanian about his football team and, “what it’s like to see their team play beautifully to the point of making them proud, only to have them succumb at the last minute and ruin all the good will they garner from the fans by playing...
Singapore: Should government legalize organ trade?
An important debate is raging in Singapore: Should government legalize organ trade? Health officials, medical specialists and bloggers are exchanging views about the issue.
Paraguay: Breaking Cycle of Corruption
Liam of Políticamente Incorrecto [es] writes that the new Paraguayan government's biggest challenge is to break the cycle of corruption and “that the corrupt has become someone to be imitated, a role-model, a person that is admired because of success, money, living well, and they are no longer scrutinized for...
AFRICOM is a “back door”
Parole de Democrate [Fr] thinks AFRICOM is a backdoor for expanding US influence in Africa and says that American troops are already conducting anti-terrorist activities on Algerian soil, according to an unnamed source.
Bahrain: Missing India
Many Bahrainis study at universities and colleges in India, and one of them is blogger MuJtAbA AlMoAmEn. He recently wrote about his feelings of missing Bahrain when in India - and his desire to go back to India after a long break in Bahrain.
D.R. Congo: Kinshasa's “baroque” style
From architecture to music, from dance to dress, in the throbbing capital of the Democratic Republic of Congo, excess is in style.
