Hong Kong’s mass transit rail system (MTR) became a public-private enterprise in 2005 and today has more private shareholders than any company on the Hong Kong stock exchange.

Worldfocus correspondent Dave Marash reports from Hong Kong on how the MTR has changed society.

Worldfocus correspondents Dave and Amy Marash traveled to Taiwan to learn more about the island and its progressing relations with mainland China.

In Ukraine, today’s political realities and yesterday’s revolutionary dreams may not be in line, and progress has come slowly.

In Poland, the anti-Soviet Polish Solidarity movement has reinvented itself in a democratic and economically strong Poland.

In the Czech Republic, the younger generation knows little about the Russian invasion and subsequent demonstrations that took place 40 years ago, and the country has problems discussing its past.

In Hungary, people still commemorate 1956 revolution — when approximately 200,000 Hungarians gathered in front of the country’s Parliament to demand an end to Soviet rule. Even as they move forward, Hungarians never quite leave the past behind.

Correspondent Dave Marash reports in a Worldfocus signature series: After the Fall.

Correspondent Dave Marash travels to the shipyards of Gdansk, Poland, where the movement was born in 1980.

Worldfocus also explores the post-Soviet Czech Republic and Hungary in our signature series: After the Fall.

The revolt ended in defeat, with thousands of Hungarians killed and many others injured or imprisoned. Nonetheless, the revolt and its participants are still commemorated in Hungary each year.

Special correspondent Dave Marash reports from Hungary, which never quite leaves the past behind as it moves forward.

Below, bloggers discuss the lasting effects of the revolution and its commemoration today.

Blogger “Marilyn” describes and posts images from this year’s anniversary in Hungary, traveling to a cemetary in Budapest where many of the revolutionaries are buried.

The “Stucki Family” blog — written by Americans who have lived in Hungary for two years — writes about the resolve of the Hungarian people.

The “Hungarian Spectrum” blog writes that in Hungary today, political parties portray the revolution in very different lights.

The 1956 revolution in Hungary has also been compared to many modern conflicts.

American blogs of differing political persuasions have likened Hungary in 1956 to Georgia in 2008, including Michelle Malkin and The Huffington Post.

The “pentafluoropyridine” blog discusses U.S. inaction in Hungary in 1956 compared to action in Iraq today in response to a statement from President George Bush on the Oct. 23 anniversary.

Martin Savidge speaks with reporters in six countries about reactions to the U.S. presidential election and potential changes in the world’s perception of America.

Though Czechs have benefited from American tourism, U.S. plans to develop a NATO missile shield system on Czech soil have led to some mixed feelings about the U.S.

Dave Marash travels to the Czech Republic to sample Czech opinion of the U.S. For more on the Czech Republic, see David Marash’s report on a delicious Czech tradition: Into the Czech woods for the mushroom hunt.

The government responded to the increases in food prices by restricting grain exports [PDF]. But the current food crisis in Ukraine — a country known as the breadbasket of Europe and the black-earth belt — presents challenges and opportunities. The cost of staple items like bread, eggs and vegetables increased by 20 to 70 percent.

High global prices and demand for grain result in reduced local supply, and therefore higher prices. Private investors are also lining up to buy and develop Ukrainian land, despite a legislative moratorium that prevents the sale of land.

Dave Marash reports from Kiev on Ukraine’s potential to open up land to private investors, feed the world and support its domestic economy.

But the Czech people aren’t the only mushroom enthusiasts — Italians also forage for fungi. At the “Italian Blog,” Serena describes the Italian version of the tradition and suggests recipes.

At the blog “Micah Moves,” an American living in Russia joins a local family for a mushroom outing.

The “Stone Spoon Blog” describes a hunt in the Canadian woods where the author chronicles the different types of mushrooms that he encounters.

Flickr user AnjaLouise dedicates a photo set to different types of wild mushrooms.

The Cornell University Mushroom Blog provides all the scientific information necessary to grow, care for and study mushrooms.