Stories from 27 February 2007
Panama: More Deadly Than War
#1: Panama Guide reports on Charity Expat Social: …We ate dinner with Sister Griselda Rios who has been working with the orphanage for more than three years. They have about 160 children there at any one time. She came to the dinner with Felipe Arosemena (hijo) who has been at...
Armenia: Protesting the Land Grab
The CRD/TI Armenia Election Monitor reports on a protest against Armenia's president that took place today outside of the presidential palace. The protesters are former residents of homes that the government evicted them from and for which the government paid less than market value.
Turkmenistan: What If There Was Internet?
neweurasia posts a comment from a reader who was discussing whether or not access to the internet is important for people in Turkmenistan. The commenter points out there are plenty of more serious problems to worry about.
Afghanistan: Heroes and Warlords
Afghanistanica, a new blog covering Afghanistan, looks at the role of public relations strategies in Ahmed Shah Masood being remembered as a hero and Rashid Dostum being considered a warlord. The difference, the blogger argues, is that the latter let his enemies define him, while the former used savvy spokesmen...
Uzbekistan: Plight of the Merchants
Registan.net discusses the plight of Uzbekistan's merchants. Despite recent changes that should make trade easier and more profitable, cross-border traders still face numerous difficulties as a result of police harassment and high taxes.
Tajikistan: Food for the Neigbhors
Elizabeth posts on the Tajik tradition of bringing a plate of food to one's neighbors whenever a large meal is made. The only catch is that one cannot return the plate empty.
Slovenia: Traditional Cures
The Glory of Carniola catches a cold (or something) and contemplates trying a number of Slovenian traditional cures (which, if proved inefficient, would get him tipsy, at least). Get well soon, Michael :)
Poland: Military Intelligence Scandal
Traveling Life writes on the Polish military intelligency scandal.
Poland: On “The Lives of Others”
Traveling Life writes this about the foreign film that got this year's Oscar: “Anyway, Lives of Others did make me appreciate a little more the hate felt by many towards the proponents and tools of the old systems. Even I can remember my mother being taken in for questioning to...
Albania: Tirana Daily Life Photos
Stepping Stones posts photos of the Tirana neighborhood she lives in.
Albania: Post-Election Situation
Our Man In Tirana writes about the post-election situation in Albania: “One week on from the elections we are still waiting for the final results. The process of counting has been incredibly slow – in many cases this seems to have been a deliberate ploy. It was only when counting...
Albania: Property Rights
An Albanian newspaper reprints the election posts by Our Man in Tirana without permission, he responds with tips on “how to run a professional newspaper” and a discussion on property rights in Albania ensues.
Israel: Christians at the End of the Tunnel?
Israel-based blogger Anglosaxy posts an interesting photograph here, which he has aptly captioned: Christians at the End of the Tunnel.
Romania: Real Estate
Romerican writes about Romania's real estate market.
Romania: Bran Fortress
Romerican writes about the really complex history of Brasov’s Bran Fortress.
Iraq: Assassination Attempt Against Abdulmahdi
Iraqi blogger Ladybird keeps us up-to-date with news surrounding the failed assassination attempt against Vice President Adel Abdulmahdi here.
Iraq: Secret Prisons Still Present
Iraqi blogger Ladybird says human rights organisations are still insisting that the US is maintaining secret prisons.
Transylvania: Funeral of Farsang
Csikszereda Musings posts pictures and writes about a mock funeral held in a Transylvanian village on the weekend before Lent begins.
Bahrain: King Vows to Protect Freedom of Speech
Bahraini blogger Mahmood Al Yousif is singing laurels to the King of Bahrain, who has promised to promote freedom of expression here. The King also urged “EVERY BODY TO STICK TO OBJECTIVITY AND HONESTY AND CHAMPION THE NATIONAL INTEREST.”
Soviet History: Chechen and Ingush Deportations
J. Otto Pohl writes about the deportation of the Chechen and Ingush people from their homeland 63 years ago.
Eastern Europe: Anti-Missile Defense
Alaskan Abroad looks at the anti-missile defense program from a dual perspective: as an Alaskan and “as a sometime-resident of the Czech Republic.”
