Stories about Eastern & Central Europe from August, 2014
Russia Just Doubled Its Internet Surveillance Program
At first glance, "SORM 2.0" seems redundant, but the reform of police surveillance online could vastly expand the reach of the Kremlin.
Even Pussy Riot Fears Russia’s New Internet Crackdown
There was no way to predict that Nadezhda Tolokonnikova, the former Pussy Riot political prisoner, would curtail her online activism to avoid being targeted by the Attorney General.
The U.S. Has Problems in Ferguson. And That's Creating Problems For the U.S. in Russia.
So far, most Russians watching the unrest in Ferguson have taken it as an opportunity to criticize the United States, arguing that America exaggerates its progress in race relations.
In the Fight Against Russia, Ukraine Flirts with Kremlinesque Internet Censorship
A new draft law in Ukraine could grant the government extensive powers to shut down media outlets and block websites in the name of national security.
Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev's Twitter Account Hacked
Earlier today, hackers briefly took control of the Russian prime minister's Twitter account. The group Anonymous International later claimed responsibility.
Hundreds Join a Grieving Father's Silent Protest of Slow Hit-and-Run Investigation in Serbia
Luka Jovanović, 21, was killed while he was fixing his own car on Branko Bridge in Belgrade with several friends.
Crimea's One-Woman Resistance to Russian Occupation
Daria Karpenko says she is determined to stay in Crimea and report the realities of life on the ground, but she fears for her country and her family.
Russia's Trojan-Transformer Convoy to Ukraine
This mystery over the white trucks headed for the Ukrainian border has led many on the RuNet to imagine what is in the trucks—and what Ukraine suspects is inside.
One of Russia's Richest Men May Be Its Most Tortured Patriot
Since he landed on an American sanctions list, life has gotten tough for Gennady Timchenko, one of Putin's closest allies. But the oligarch, a Finnish citizen, considers Russia his home.
America's Has-Been Stars Are Russia's A-List Pride
Some of Hollywood’s biggest has-beens have been making major headlines in Russia lately, thrilling a nation happy to receive approval from America’s formerly famous entertainers.
This Meat Advertisement Is Now Illegal in Russia
Russian police have banned a meat product commercial for breaking the country's advertising laws, which forbid the depiction of illegal acts, including traffic violations and the endangerment of children.
Volunteers from Slovenia, Macedonia and Serbia Are Joining Forces to Rebuild After Catastrophic Floods
Over 50 volunteers from Slovenia, Macedonia, and Serbia have gathered in Kraljevo, Serbia in a self-organized labor action to help rebuild the damage done by floods in the region.
TJournal's Vadim Elistratov Says It's a Political Time to Be Russian
Elistratov explains the creep of politics in Russian daily life, saying the recent barrage of oppressive laws is changing the tone of the country's social discourse.
Will Russia Start Blocking Websites in Real Time?
Already plagued by Roskomnadzor blacklists, blogger registration, and the blocking of Twitter accounts, a Russian organization now wants to introduce real-time filtering of online content.
After a 15-Year-Old's Gruesome Murder, Some Serbians Seek the Death Penalty's Return
The man suspected of abducting and killing 15-year-old Tijana Jurić was arrested on Aug. 7, 2014, in Belgrade. He confessed, sparking public outrage in the small Eastern European country.
Want to Use Public Wi-Fi in Russia? Let's See Some ID
Internet users in Russia won't be able to use Wi-Fi in public spots anonymously any longer. The Russian government now requires individuals accessing public Wi-Fi to present their IDs.
Bulgaria's Mizia Is a City Under Water After Heavy Flooding
Hundreds of people lost their homes in the city of Mizia, when unrelenting rain recently caused the Skat River to overflow. Bulgarians have scrambled to gather supplies for the victims.
3 Years in Prison for Spray-Painting a Fence? Now's Your Chance to Say ‘No.’
This summer, activists launched a "Free Vitishko" signature drive through the global civic organization "Avaaz." The petition demands the environmentalist's immediate and unconditional release from Russian prison.
There's a Woman in Crimea Showing the Men How Blogging Is Done
Political discussions on the Russian-speaking Internet tend to be dominated by male voices. Politichanka, however is an exception to this general trend.
Are the West's Sanctions Against Russia Tough Enough?
The West has hit Russia with the toughest sanctions yet, signaling that it is finally getting serious about Russia’s continued support for separatists in eastern Ukraine. Are they enough?
Putin Is Banning a Bunch of Western Imports. Russians Fear for Their Booze.
Russians might soon be missing Scotch whisky and French cheese. A decree signed by Vladimir Putin bans the import of agricultural products from countries which had earlier sanctioned Russia.
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