Global Voices Online

Unzipped comments on news this week that a cleaning woman was killed by the pet bear of the head of the Armenian military police. The blogger notes that the rich and powerful often have “private zoos” and that keeping a lion, tiger or bear is considered a sign of “masculinity.” Given that the bear and possibly a tiger was kept on the premises of the Military Police headquarters, Unzipped asks rhetorically who should be held accountable for the 59-year-old's death?

Recent Links also in Central Asia & Caucasus

KZBlog's post is about some good news about the cycling team Astana after losing two premier cyclists and a long period of doubt over funding.

Aravanski reports that the Kyrgyz government sharply increased the prices for electricity and heating, making those barely affordable by most citizens.