Stories from 25 July 2007
Ukraine: Kyiv Galleries
Olechko posts photos from a few Kyiv galleries – and shares her own artwork, too.
Russia: Sochi Mosque and Other Non-Olympic Issues
Among other things, Window on Eurasia reports that media attention to Sochi might “force the local officials to allow for the construction of a mosque for the city's 20,000 Muslims” – at last, after 13 years of trying to get the permission.
Russia: Counterterrorism (Mis)guidance
A flawed textbook on how to identify and counter extremist groups is on the reading list of the Russian police, writes Window on Eurasia.
Ukraine: Big Houses and Big Macs
Ukraine's big houses and the Big Mac Index data – at Ukrainiana.
Czech Republic: Ukrainian Kids Abandoned
Scenes from the Sidewalk writes about Ukrainian babies abandoned in the Czech Republic.
Ukraine: Party of the Regions Problems
Foreign Notes on the problems withing prime minister Victor Yanukovych's Party of the Regions – here, here, and here.
Iran:Student Activist Executed as Gang-Member
Kamangir says that Meisam Lotfi, a student activist, executed as gang-member recently in Iran. His mother said Meisam spent six month in the infamous Evin Prison after the July 1999 student riots. Meisam had spent 55 days in solitary confinement after he was accused of setting tires on fire during...
Iran:The Revolution Is What Made This Issue Possible
Homeyra writes about new special feature in Artenews:”the revolution is what made this issue possible.” It is about Iranian culture and literature.
Turkey is Typing….Election Issue
The Turkish parliamentary elections were this last Sunday… and despite public protests in the last few months against the ruling party AKP, they still won with a resounding 47 per cent of the popular vote. Turkish bloggers wrote extensively this week about their predictions of the elections and what future...
India At 60: New Book on Partition of India, First Woman President and A Film on Gandhi's Son
A couple of weeks from now on August 15th and 14th, India and Pakistan will celebrate their 60th year of Independence. What stands out in stark contrast is the differences between the two nations in terms of their forms of government and their nation-building exercise. India went the democratic way...
India: Gandhi, My Father
IndieQuill on a film – Gandhi, My Father that explores the story and circumstances of one of Gandhi's sons.
Sri Lanka: Rallies and Traffic
Indi.ca on rallies and the issues with traffic sluggishness that results from these rallies.
Pakistan: News Channels
The Pakistani Spectator on media and news channels in Pakistan.
Japan: Ground Zero at Kashiwazaki-Kariwa
On July 16, shaken by a massive earthquake originating in a fault line that apparently runs directly underneath it, one of the power generators of the world's largest nuclear power plant, Kashiwazaki-Kariwa, burst into flame and started billowing black smoke. This week's post includes a report from Diet member and blogger Kondo Masamichi, one of the first to arrive on the scene, and the reaction of another blogger who questions the government's handling of the crisis.
Turkmenistan: 2021
Abdul Gamid asks his readers to think about Turkmenistan's future: “How will our country be in 2021?”.
Kyrgyzstan: Sealing off the capital
Asel reports that the Kyrgyz authorities are planning to impose harsh restrictions on entering the capital Bishkek during the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit in August.
Central Asia: Google Trends
Michael Hancock shares his experience of learning about the world's attention to Central Asia using Google Trends.
India: Potter Mania
The Mad Momma on Potter Mania following the release of the book.
Uzbekistan: Pop-soda culture
Joshua Kucera is in Uzbekistan now and enjoys the culture of having a relaxed soda at the side of the street the local way.
Armenia: RFE/RL closure imminent
Following weeks of protests to avoid getting Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty's off air in Armenia, the authorities are now refusing to sign a new contract for the independent news outlet. Onnik Krikorian has the scoop.
Afghanistan: Soviet veterans
Two Soviet war veterans who served in Afghanistan are portayed on blogs: Afghanistanica looks at Captain Zakharov, an example of successful counter-insurgency; and Registan.net portrays the mysterious Mahmud Khudoberdiev, who went on to fight in the Tajik Civil War.
