Stories from 6 March 2009
Jamaica: By the Bye
Girl With A Purpose thinks that Jamaican politicians should put their money where their mouth is and foot the cost of running by-elections themselves.
Jamaica: Young Writers
Jamaican litblogger Geoffrey Philp features writer Pamela Mordecai's wish list for young writers.
Armenia-Azerbaijan: Artush and Zaur
After the publication of a controversial new novel in Azerbaijan, Blogian posts an interview with its author while Unzipped: Gay Armenia says that a book discussion will be held in Baku on 11 March. Artush and Zaur, the story of the homosexual love affair between an Armenian and Azerbaijani in...
Georgia: LGBT Blogosphere
Following the emergence of many Armenian LGBT blogs, Unzipped: Gay Armenia says that there is now a similar growth of such blogs in Georgia.
Albania: Ponzi Scheme Experience
A Nevada Yankee in King Zog's Court links to Steve Sailer's post about Albania's experience with Ponzi schemes: “[…] an interesting look back at what happened here and how the Western Capitalist World “tut-tutted” at the naivete of Albanians. Who's laughing now?”
Bulgaria: GDP Growth
Veni Markovski reports on Bulgaria's GDP growth in 2008.
Latvia: The Penguins of “Nasing Spešal”
All About Latvia writes on how Latvians “resort to humor” – and to blogging – “to help their own helplessness.”
Poland: “Sexiest Female Politician”
Polandian is holding a vote for Poland's “sexiest female politician.”
Ukraine: “Touring Ukraine's Economy”
Petro of Petro's Jotter posts his observations on business and life in Ukraine, and on the effect that the financial crisis is having on the country's citizens, as he is traveling by car from Kyiv to Kharkiv, and from Kharkiv to Donetsk.
Ukraine: A Visit to Chernobyl Exclusion Zone
The Uncataloged Museum writes about her visit to the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone: “It is now a place of only memories, and for former residents, the memories are not solely those of the accident, but of a place and a time that they called home.”
Ukraine: Riot Police Attack Crimean Tatar House
Ukrainiana describes a tragic incident that happened in Crimea, when riot police stormed a house by mistake, using noise/flash diversionary device and severely injuring people who were inside: “That’s the way police works in Ukraine, and particularly in Crimea. In fact, Crimean law enforcement appears to be bent on inciting...
Russia: Two New Blogs on Economy
Siberian Light introduces two new blogs on Russia's economy: The Parallax Brief and CrisisCrunch.
Russia: Second Trial of Khodorkovsky
Updates and background on the trial of Mikhail Khodorkovsky and Platon Lebedev in Moscow – at Robert Amsterdam's Blog: here, here, here, and here.
Brunei: Largest serving of grilled satay
Last Monday, Brunei Darussalam reached a new milestone for creating the “largest serving of grilled satay in the world”. Just imagine 75,000 sticks of chicken satay being simultaneously grilled from one end to another end (over 200 metres).
Pakistan: Join The Long March
Aisha Fayyazi Sarwari at Pak Tea House urges Pakistanis to stand up for democratic forces by participating in the long march and sit-in organized by the lawyer leaders of Pakistan. Aimed at restoring the deposed judges sacked by former president Pervez Musharraf, these protests will begin simultaneously from different cities...
Kazakhstan: Who will get BTA?
Zara writes a post about the situation around the Kazakhstan’s major bank, which has been acquired by the state recently.
Kazakhstan: Interview with a popular poet
Neweurasia takes an exclusive interview with Erbol Jumagulov, a star and l’enfant terrible of the Kazakhstani modern literature.
Kyrgyzstan: What president wants
Gavin reflects on the interview of the Kyrgyz President Kurmanbek Bakiev to BBC about expulsion of the American airbase.
Kazakhstan: Graffiti in Almaty
Adam posts a set of images capturing the street art of graffiti in Almaty, the biggest city of Kazakhstan.
Mongolia: 1.5 trillion Tugrik stimulus plan
Bilguun reports on the Mongolian government's 1.5 trillion Tugrik stimulus plan for the national economy.
Kazakhstan: Balkhash Lake at a Glance
Michael Hancock posts an extensive and detailed information about Lake Balkhash in the South-East of Kazakhstan.
