22 August 2006

Stories from 22 August 2006

Hungary: Storm in Budapest 2

  22 August 2006

Searching for Utopia writes this: “We still had no clue of how serious it was until he turned the TV on. It said that more than a million people were gathering around the parliament and they all ran for their lives. Trees fell, cars were damaged, several ships crashed, three...

Hungary: Storm in Budapest 1

  22 August 2006

Central Budapest Blog writes this about the storm that hit Budapest Sunday: “This morning people are picking through the detritus and working out what it all means. On the National Holiday right at the appointed hour for the firework display as everyone (1-1.5 million) was gathered along the Danube the...

Montenegro: Driving Tips

  22 August 2006

Novala, Europa has reached the beautiful Montenegro and shares tips on how to drive there: “If you think drivers in BiH are totally nuts, wait until you reach Montenegro. The closer you come to the sea, the worse the drivers.”

Estonia: 15 Things

  22 August 2006

Giustino of Itching for Eestimaa posts a list of “15 Things Estonia has Given the World Since 1991″ – which includes Skype: “True, Skype is based these days in Luxembourg, but its primary code was written in Tallinn, where one of its main offices is located.”

Belarus: Quick Political Update

  22 August 2006

VW of TOL's Belarus Blog posts an update on political developments in Belarus: some activists have been released from jail, others are on trial – and still others have been taken off the bus and made to cross the border on foot – all because they were allegedly carrying banned...

Palestine: Palestinians must be ready for November 3

In preparation for the mid-term congressional elections in the US on November 2, a wise Palestinian strategy would be to remove all possible contentious issues that can be used as excuses by Israel not to engage directly and seriously with the Palestinian side, from November 3 on, Daoud Kuttab Said.

Syria: Syrian-Israeli peace talks

Ammar has no problem with the resumption of Syrian-Israeli peace talks provided certain conditions are met, namely that they take place within the framework of a wider regional initiative that includes Iran, and that the issues of internal reforms is put on the table.

Saudi Arabia: The Terrible Crime

Ahmed writes about the latest case of DWF (aka Driving While Female) and wonders: “Since when has driving a car become a crime? And not just an ordinary crime that you might commit everyday without even realizing it, but a terrible one, for that matter.”

Sri Lanka: Women, harems and history

  22 August 2006

Life in Taprobane on women in Sri Lanka. “Not that the island lacked pretty women of suitable stature or the Kings got bored of their harems, they wanted to make some symbolic gestures. The Lankan women were a common topic of admiration, as evident in Sigiriya frescos, various temple paintings,...

Pakistan: Bolan Pass

  22 August 2006

Shirazi on the Bolan Pass and railways. “The present day railway track through Bolan Pass is actually the third attempt of laying railways through the pass. In 1889 torrential floods destroyed the track which was first laid on Bolan River bed”

Bangladesh: Cricket and South Asia

  22 August 2006

Cricket runs into stormy weather. Rezwan on when a Pakistani player is accused of ball-tampering, but there are others who claim that South Asian teams are treated differently.