Stories from 3 February 2009
Russia: “More Journalists Than Participants”
Window on Eurasia writes: “More than 100,000 Russians took part in demonstrations over the weekend for and against Moscow’s economic policies, but in the case of most of these actions – except those organized by the pro-government party ‘United Russia,’ there were, in the words of one observer, ‘more journalists...
Ukraine, U.S.: Pinchuk and the Clintons
Ukrainiana writes about the alleged connection between ex-president Kuchma's son-in-law and the Clintons.
Russia: Glukhov and the Army's Other Problems
A story on Aleksandr Glukhov and other problems that the Russian army is facing – at OpenDemocracy.net.
Russia: Video of Jan. 31 Protesters
Oleg Kozlovsky posts a video report from victims and witnesses of the violence that took place during the opposition rally on Jan. 31 (in Russian, with English subtitles).
Latvia: Farmers’ Protests
BBC's Mark Mardell, Baltic, and All About Latvia write about farmers’ protests and other political matters in Latvia; All About Latvia posts pictures from the protests.
Ukraine: Notes on the Economic Crisis
Anna Ershova writes about Ukraine's economic situation.
Russia: The New Patriarch
Anna Ershova writes about Russia's new Patriarch: “In a little under two decades, Russia went from officially avoiding religion to having a religious leader who has his own TV show.”
Czech Republic: Olomouc Astronomical Clock
The Journeys of Captain Oddsocks writes about the Olomouc astronomical clock.
Czech Republic: Trains
CzechFolks.com writes about the Bohemian Train and efforts to improve the image of the Czech Railways.
Bulgaria: Education and Interethnic Relations
Maya's Corner writes about Sofia's schools and the relations between local Gypsies and ethnic Bulgarians.
Pakistan: Queer Culture
“Internet, lies, hiding and partying will not give anything to gays of Pakistan. They have to enter a political struggle. Sooner or later,” writes Shaheryar Ali at Pak Tea House while discussing the LGBT movement in Pakistan.
Bangladesh: Migratory Birds
Pallab writes about the seasonal migratory birds in Bangladesh.
India: Saying No To Chawla
Seriously Sandeep has voiced disapproval of Navin Chawla, a Commissioner in the Election Commission of India. Read here for details.
Sri Lanka: Shelling at A Sri Lanka Hospital
Three separate artillery attacks struck a hospital in Northern Sri Lanka killing nine people and injuring many more. Ramblings of A Mind condemns the attacks on the hospital. Chitrangi discusses who could be behind this.
Antarctica: Latin Americans Blog from the Coldest Place on Earth
The frigid surroundings of Antarctica may be the last place one would think to find bloggers. However, a handful of Latin Americans have become interested in sharing their experiences traveling or working on this desolate continent. Some even write directly from Antarctica, posting photos and videos, to help readers feel what it is like to be so far away from home. This is part 1 in a 2-part series.
Trinidad & Tobago: Traditional ‘Mas
Trinidad-based Caribbean Free Radio‘s most recent podcast “takes us to Belmont, a community rich in carnival history…for a chat about the ups and downs of making traditional, hand-crafted mas’ in an age of mass production.”
Trinidad & Tobago: Singing the Blues
Even as Attillah Springer suffers from the pedestrian blues on a rainy Monday in Port of Spain, she still manages to notice when “the clouds part to reveal a weak, bleak patch of blue.”
Barbados, Trinidad & Tobago: The Million Dollar Question
From Barbados, BC Pires asks the question that may be on many people's minds following the failure of two large Trinidad-based companies: “How much of his own money did the respective jefes of the HCU and CL Financial put in to save their companies?”
Trinidad & Tobago: Dear Mr. Hart
This Beach Called Life writes an open letter to Calder Hart, the man at the center of the Commission of Enquiry into the Trinidad and Tobago construction sector.
Jamaica: Learning from Black History
As Jamaican blogger Stunner recognizes Black History Month, he says that “not just people of the black ethnic group, but everyone…can learn from these pages of history.”
Jamaica: Hunger Strike
“I've come to believe more and more strongly that all or each of us has to take more and more radical steps to contribute to changing what we all agree is a completely untenable situation in almost all our countries”: Jamaica-based Annie Paul joined in yesterday's worldwide fast to draw...
