Stories from 20 June 2009
Kyrgyzstan: Presidential race starts
Elena provides a list of candidates for the presidential post in Kyrgyzstan with brief, yet smart, comments to each of them.
Kazakhstan: The road ahead is murky for “Astana” cycling team
Dina says that the latest news about “Astana” cycling team – the pride of Kazakhstan's elite – are still about its financial problems, which have been haunting the team since April.
Kyrgyzstan: Japanese music comes to Bishkek
Samat reports (with photographs) on the concert of traditional Japanese folk music that has taken place in Bishkek, the capital of Kyrgyzstan.
Afghanistan: Local conflict is aggravating
Nick Fielding reviews a new report from the “Cooperation for Peace and Unity” organisation, which notes that local conflict in Afghanistan is increasing at a faster rate than the insurgency and armed conflict.
Kazakhstan: Defence minister fired
Slavasay informs the readers of resignation of the Kazakhstan's defence minister after a series of corruption scandals in his office.
Kazakhstan: Graduate Test Results
Zara reports on the results and statistics of the Unified National Test of high scholl graduates in Kazakhstan.
Kazakhstan: Nuclear Scandal Deepens
Sorge writes about new developments in the criminal case against the former leadership of Kazakhstan's state-owned nuclear holding.
Iran: Protesters break a taboo and defy Khamenei
One day after Islamic Republic Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei denounced protests and warned reformist leaders against taking to the streets, thousands of people demonstrated in Tehran. They were joined by others in several cities across Iran in ignoring Khamenei's order and voicing their anger against the June 12 presidential election results. They clashed with Iranian police who used tear gas and water cannons to disperse them.
India: RIP Sarod maestro Ali Akbar Khan
“Thank you Khan sahib for sharing your wonderful music and gift with so many people,” with these words of appreciation mourns Kamla Bhatt the internationally renowned Sarod Maestro Ali Akbar Khan, who passed away on the 18th of June. Here is an interview with Ali Akbar Khan by Kamla Bhatt.
Palestine: Water Contamination In Gaza
In Gaza reports on the problem of access to water and the contamination of existing water resources in the Gaza Strip due to the destruction of infrastructure during Israel's attacks earlier this year.
Brazil: The country's largest university becomes a battlefield
For a day in June, a peaceful protest against police occupation at Brazil's largest university became a bloody confrontation for the first time since the dictatorship in the 1970s. The blogosphere reports and discusses.
India, Bangladesh: East Or West, Bengal Is The Best
Painter, photographer and blogger Ujwala Prabhu published a photo book titled East or West, Bengal is the best! based on photographs taken over a 3 week period in India and Bangladesh.
Iran: Security Forces attacked people
Hadinili tweeted from Tehran :”They are beating “people” in Enghelab St., not only the protesters.”
Iran: Mousavi's wife invites people to demonstrate
Zahra Rahnavard, Mir Hussein Mousavi‘s wife, invited [fa] people on his FaceBook to continue the demonstrations today. She asked her 21000 FaceBook's fans to spread the message.
Iran: Women demand change
Ianyan, an Armenian blog, comments on the changing role of women in Iran and their hopes for change in the Islamic republic.
Japan: Iran from a Japanese viewpoint
Gompagompagompa tells about his last trip in Iran, before the elections. The blogger describes Iranians as an extremely kind and hospitable people and explains how he decided to write this post to let Japanese people know that “Iran” is not equal to “terrorism”.
