Stories about Western Europe from June, 2008
Israel: Sarkozy Security Scare at Airport
As French President Nicholas Sarkozy departed Israel's Ben-Gurion Airport, shots rang out. A quick assessment revealed that one of the Israeli members of Sarkozy's security detail had turned his weapon on himself, apparently committing suicide. The victim, whose name has not been revealed at his family's request, was in his...
Russia: Euro 2008
Ger Clancy, aka The Irishman, is guestblogging at Sean's Russia Blog about the Russian football team's performance at Euro 2008 – here and here.
Macedonia, Greece: More on the Conflict
Say: Macedonia discusses a Spiegel article on the Greek-Macedonian conflict and writes about a case brought by the Aegean Macedonian refugees before the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg.
Hungary: Open Letter to Austria
Pestiside.hu writes an angry letter to Austria, “on behalf of Hungary.”
Bosnia & Herzegovina: EUFOR Helicopter Crashes; Bosnian in Afghanistan Killed
YakimaGulagLiteraryGazett reports on the two Bosnia-related tragic accidents that have occurred recently.
Bosnia & Herzegovina: Srebrenica Lawsuits
East Ethnia writes about the lawsuits filed by families of Srebrenica genocide victims.
Bosnia & Herzegovina: Mass Grave; Court Case
Srebrenica Genocide Blog posts images from a mass grave excavation at Zeleni Jadar. Foreign Policy Association's War Crimes blog writes about a case brought before a Dutch court to “determine whether Dutch peacekeepers operating under the flag of the United Nations are liable for the 1995 massacre of thousands of...
Russia: Moscow Football Fans
LJ user nl posts two pictures of Moscow fans celebrating Russia's Euro 2008 victory over Sweden – here and here.
Europe: Ideas for Cold War Museum
The Economist's Ceratin Ideas of Europe blog welcomes exhibit ideas for a Cold War museum that may be built “on a site near the old ‘Checkpoint Charlie’ border-crossing point in Berlin.” One reader suggests “a section on anti-communist humour.”
Europe: Football and Politics
Desmond McGrath of A Fistful of Euros writes about football and politics: “Part of the fun of football is the way in which it overturns the international order of power politics.”
The Balkans: Ingeborg Beugel
Say: Macedonia quotes from an interview with Ingeborg Beugel, “a Dutch reporter and author of several documentaries about the crimes committed in Bosnia”: “In an interview for the online site Sarajevo-x.com, she talks about the rise of the Greek nationalism and the participation of Greek mercenaries in the war in...
Bulgaria, Romania: Labor Migrants
Nicolaus Mills explains at Comment is Free why Britain hasn't seen the much-feared “‘tidal wave’ of immigrants” from Bulgaria and Romania.
Jordan: Attacks which will not happen
Jordanian blogger Hareega asks how come the UK is able to warn of terrorist attacks in the UAE — but not when they happen on its own turf. “Do they just warn us from the attacks that will not happen?” he asks.
Blogger of the Week: Solana Larsen
This week's blogger of the week is Solana Larsen, who is celebrating her one-year anniversary as managing editor of Global Voices Online this month. Described as 'cool, calm and collected', read on to see what makes Solana tick!
Malawi: Going back to Malawi
Malawian blogger says “Goodbye Sweden”: “Time came when I came. Time has gone and I should be gone back to Malawi after two years of great stay in Örebro, Sweden. It has been a time well spent. Numerous experiences both good and bad.”
Russia, Finland: Maria Kirbasova's Case
A Step At A Time and Vera's Log report on the Finnish Immigration Service's decision to deport Maria Kirbasova, a half-paralyzed 67-year-old Russian citizen, who was one of the founders of Soldiers’ Mothers organization.
Lithuania: Celebrations in the UK
Lithuanian Jotter writes about traditional Lithuanian celebrations in the UK.
Balkans: “National Science”
Say: Macedonia writes about the Macedonian language – and the “national science”: “This national science is exactly what we don't need anymore in the Balkans. Getting rid of our politically-influenced sciences (i.e. ‘scientific propaganda’) will help us exorcise our nationalistic demons from the past and start building tolerance and respect....
Pakistan: On Polio
CHUP! on the issue of polio in Pakistan.
Spain, Kosovo: “What Is There To Be Afraid Of?”
Café Turco notes that “some signs are starting to appear that Madrid may soon recognize Kosova as an Independent state.”
The Balkans: Euro 2008
Balkan Baby writes about the “Balkan interests” in the Euro 2008 championship.