Stories from 16 August 2011
Egypt: The Verb “To Mubarak”
After a San Francisco transportation provider shuts down mobile networks in anticipation of a protest, Egyptians rallied online in support, noting the similarities between events in Cairo and the Bay Area.
Lebanon: Tips for Tourists
“We still have seriously no clue how our country is still going, while we're still sure it's a great place, to be in,” writes Toom Extrain a humorous post of sarcastic tips for tourists visiting Lebanon. Toom Extra (Ar) translates to Extra Garlic.
Lebanon: Checkpoint Detention
Danielle at This is Beirut writes about her experience during the detention and release of her friend (for a couple of hours) at a security checkpoint, as they were returning to Beirut after a day at a winery in the Bekaa Valley.
Lebanon: On Mahmoud Abbas’ Upcoming Visit
Bissan writes (Ar) that because she believes in, among other things, the Palestinian Right to Return and that Palestine belongs to the Arab nation, she therefore opposes the upcoming visit of Mahmoud Abbas to Lebanon as well as the prospective Palestinian state intended to be voted upon at the UN.
Lebanon: 3G Internet Not Before 2012
Najib posts that the long anticipated internet connection speed upgrade in Lebanon will not take place in the next few weeks as was previously reported. He mentions that Lebanon will not be getting 3G technology before 2012 and after passing through three stages which he lists.
Madagascar: Sanctions Result in Economic Decline and Food Insecurity
After two and a half years of transitional government, Madagascar has experienced a slow, seemingly unstoppable decline of its fragile economy that has put a strain on the lives of millions. With an economy ranked worst in the world and a food crisis looming, Malagasy citizens debate the merits and impacts of international sanctions
USA-Russia: Pros and Cons of the Reset Policy
Morning in Moldova joins an intensifying discussion about the US Russia reset policy, and lists pros and cons with the Obama administration's relations to Moscow.
South Korea: Blood Type Personality Theory, How It Works
The blood type personality theory claims that people's blood type is predictive of their personality and compatibility with others. Nowhere is this belief more popular than in South Korea and Japan. Yoo Eun Lee delves deeper into the theory's history.
Poland: Can Communist Architecture Be Cherished?
Michael Dembinski of W-wa Jeziorki discusses whether edifices of communist era architecture, such as Warszawa Zachodnia station, can be as cherished as older historical landmarks.
Hungary: Memory of a Political Thinker
Eva Balogh of Hungarian Spectrum commemorates István Bibó (1911-1975), who in her opinion is one of the greatest political thinkers in Hungary during the 20th century.
Armenia-Azerbaijan: Unlikely Pen Pals?
Tamada Tales comments on an exchange between the President of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, and an Armenian child living in the breakaway territory of Nagorno Karabakh. Tensions between the two ethnic groups remain high, but the exchange ended with an invitation from Aliyev to the 13-year-old girl to visit the oil-rich...
Armenia: An accident and Ramazan
One Hell of a Ride, a blog by an Armenian biker, continues its travelogue documenting a journey across Turkey. After an unfortunate accident, the blog notes the professionalism of the Turkish police before receiving the assistance of locals during Ramazan, the Islamic month of fasting.
Missing Dutchman Returns Home after Detention in North Korea
Robert Neff from Marmot's Hole posted about Van der Bijl, a Dutchman who went to North Korea to buy stamps and painting and ended up missing. He has returned home after being detained in North Korea on charges of anti-state activities. The charges appear to be related to the photos...
Japan: Computers as a social and communicative tool
In Japan's Former Computer Lag, Néojaponisme looks at the development of the Internet and computers in Japan from the perspective of infrastructure and as a social and communicative tool.
