Stories from 3 March 2009
Trinidad & Tobago: Spending Habits
From Trinidad and Tobago, This Beach Called Life takes issue with the Prime Minister's spending habits (“$TT 3 million was spent on drapes for the Prime Minister’s mansion”), even as he calls on the rest of the population to tighten their belts.
Czech Republic: Mělník
The Journeys of Captain Oddsocks writes about Mělník, a town 30km north of Prague.
Barbados: Proper Systems
As the Barbados Prime Minister and Leader of the Opposition admit “not knowing that the CLICO statutory fund was in deficit”, Barbados Underground says: “It is incomprehensible that a more efficient framework does not exist that would facilitate the timely flow of urgent information between the cabinet and the office...
Guyana, Bahamas: CLICO Questions
More comments on the CLICO situation, this time from Signifyin’ Guyana.
Czech Republic, Slovakia: Masopust/Fasinek
Belatedly, links to posts on Masopust, a Czech carnival, and Fasinek, a Slovak carnival, at CzechFolks.com and Czechmatediary.
Bulgaria: Fountain Death Case Sentence
Veni Markovski writes about the sentencing of a man in the dysfunctional Sofia fountain death case: “On May 3, 2005, 34-year old Vesselin Petrov died, when he touched the water in the fountain on Slaveikov square in Sofia. The investigation proved that when the fountain was designed, there were serious...
Japan: To you who will graduate this year
Spring is fast approaching, and in Japan that means two things: the fall of cherry blossoms and the start of the new school year, which coincides with last year's graduates joining the workforce. One blogger and university professor posted a letter to a student which struck a drew a huge reaction among Japanese bloggers. The first line of the letter begins, "To you who will graduate this year"...
Belarus: Essay on Nepotism
Adam Goodman posts essays on nepotism and “reliable partners” in Belarus, written by one of his Belarusian students.
Belarus: ARCHE
Andrei Khrapavitski writes about the Belarusian KGB's treatment of ARCHE, “a Belarusian intellectual journal,” whose latest issue was ruled to contain “extremist materials” by a court: “The Belarusian government fears the rise of the new elites. ARCHE authors are mostly educated abroad, sophisticated experts in different fields ready to challenge...
Russia: The Russian Cyberspace Journal
Krusenstern writes (GER) about The Russian Cyberspace Journal, a new online venue published in English, German and Russian.
Russia: Zenit's Female Fans
At GlobalComment, Natalia Antonova reports that “the council of fans of FC Zenit St. Petersburg – the richest club in the Russian Federation and the original stomping ground of star footballer Andrei Arshavin – has decided that season tickets for the coveted fan sector in their home stadium of Petrovsky...
Australian film on Lebanese gangs talk of the town
An Australian film depicting Lebanese gang life in Sydney's western suburbs has sparked more than a series of reviews. “The Combination“ was pulled from several cinemas in Sydney after brawls broke out, following the screenings and the controversial film has been the talk of the town, receiving wide media attention, writes Antoun Issa.
Pakistan: Attack Against Sri Lankan Cricket Team In Lahore
Yasser Latif Hamdani at Pak Tea House breaks the news that a dozen men attacked Sri Lanka's cricket team with rifles, grenades and rocket launchers today morning ahead of a cricket match in Lahore. A few Sri Lankan cricketers were injured and several policemen guarding the cricket team have been...
Nepal: Identity politics
Dr. Divas at ABC discusses the identity politics in Nepal and the debate between the ethnic communities Madhesis and the Tharus on the Madhesi demand of ‘Whole Madhes, One Single State’.
14 People who shaped Taiwan's Internet
Mr. Friday picked up 14 names who he think are among the most influencial in Taiwan's Internet history.(zh)
Armenia: First Anniversary of Bloody Post-Election Clash
Thousands took to the streets of Yerevan on Sunday to remember last year’s post-election unrest in Armenia which left eight civilians and two policemen dead. With some opposition activists still behind bars, Armenia’s government is widely accused of doing little to investigate the clashes properly.
Thailand: “Thai-style democracy”
Khi Kwai analyzes the two major and opposing political forces in Thailand and proposes several political reforms to establish a “Thai-style democracy.”
Myanmar: Firefighters lack equipment
The Irrawaddy reports that the job of Myanmar's firefighters is hampered by lack of proper equipment to handle fire disasters.
Bird Flu in Laos
Lao veterinary authorities have sent a report to the World Organisation for Animal Health about a bird flu outbreak in the northern part of the country. The virus has affected more than 3,000 village poultry.
Laos: Elephant ride
Shannon posts pictures of an elephant ride in Laos and trekking through rural villages.
Journal of Lao Studies
Bryan writes that the Fall 2009 issue of the Journal of Lao Studies has chosen four articles which will cover the fields of Anthropology, Economics, Literature, and Diaspora Studies.
