Stories about Western Europe from January, 2010
Ukraine: UK Ambassador's Ukrainian Vocabulary
Leigh Turner, UK Ambassador to Ukraine, writes on how the Ukrainian phrases he is learning reflect the political, economic and social situation in the country.
Ukraine: Involvement in Afghanistan
Leigh Turner, UK Ambassador to Ukraine, writes about Ukraine's involvement in Afghanistan, now and then.
Europe: BloggingPortal.eu is One Year Old
Kosmopolito announces the first anniversary of Bloggingportal.eu: “More than 500 euroblogs, 25 editors and thousands of visitors!”
Greece: Fiscal Deficit
This month's updates on the 2009 Greek fiscal deficit – by Edward Hugh at A Fistful of Euros: here, here, here, here, and here. And a warning to Hungary – here: “So, Hungarian politicians be warned – You are not Greece right now, but you could so very easily end...
Egypt: Portraits of Egyptians
Tabsir.net published (here and here) few portraits of ordinary Egyptians, by the English artist Frederick Goodall (1822-1904), in the mid to late 19th century. Goodall's work is famous for providing a meticulous “ethnographic” view of Egypt at the time.
Haiti: Un Geste Pour Haiti Cherie
The Armenian Observer comments on the recording of a song by French-Armenian crooner Charles Aznavour and other French singers. The blog notes that Aznavour also recorded a song in the aftermath of the devastating 1988 Armenian earthquake.
Azerbaijan: Demonstrations in London and Paris for imprisoned video blogging youth activists
On the same day that an appeal court hearing for imprisoned blogging youth activists Adnan Hajizade and Emin Milli was adjourned, supporters of the two men protested outside the Embassies of Azerbaijan in London and Paris.
Haïti: No haste about adoptions!
Haïti, après le séisme warns [Fr] about the evacuation of children waiting to be adopted : “To act in haste would be disastrous”. Facing adopting families’ growing impatience and lack of understanding, the NL, U.S. and French governments are taking different stances. From Canada, Secrétariat à l’adoption internationale, as well...
UK: Twitter joke led to Terror Act arrest
Sharpe's Opinion reacts sarcastically to the news of the first arrest in the United Kingdom over a Twitter joke: “Round of applause of the police there. Keeping us safe from those dangerous terrorists who go round advertising their intentions on public social networking websites.”
Egypt: Rain in Luxor
Jane Akshar, a British expatriate living in Egypt, comments on having rain in Luxor for the first time since 2007.
Haiti: International clashes over humanitarian assistance
Five days after the terrible earthquake which has partly destroyed the capital city, Port-au-Prince and others like Leogane and Jacmel, it has been very difficult for rescuers, medical teams and humanitarian services to reach the population and help the survivors.
Is France letting Haiti down?
French collective blog Etats du Lieu has a rant against what they feel as an abandoning of Haïti by the French government. So far, says the post, it has handled the issue with not much more than an emergency phone number, 100 fire fighters and a few million euros, whereas...
Azerbaijan: Demonstrations for imprisoned video blogging youth activists
Two demonstrations are scheduled to take place outside the Embassy of the Republic of Azerbaijan in Paris, France, and London, England, on 22 January in support of imprisoned video blogging youth activists Adnan Hajizade and Emin Milli.
Haiti: “Solidarité Haïti”
After a few days of silence, the collective blog Solidarité Haïti, born after the 2008 hurricanes, has eventually posted [Fr] about a dozen solidarity and relief efforts led by French Caribbean people in Europe or elsewhere.
Netherlands: Miep Gies, Woman Who Helped Anne Frank, Dies at 100
Miep Gies, one of the people who helped Anne Frank and her family hide during WWII and saved her diary after they were deported, has died. People around the world react to the news.
Egypt: Galloway is a persona non grata
Zeinobia writes about the new official news that British MP George Galloway has been declared persona non grata in Egypt – on the background of the Free Gaza March last week. He has been deported from the country and blacklisted in the official and some of the unofficial media too.
Slovakia: First Slovak Terrorist Caught in Ireland, Sort Of
Tibor Blazko translates Slovak netizens' caustic remarks about the botched security test on a plane to Dublin.
Video: In Spain, Camera Free Video Workshop for Kids
In Valladolid Spain, Film-making is taught to children without them having to use a camera. Following are some of the videos showcasing the process and final results of these workshops.
Video: Year End Traditions and Rituals
Around the world, people celebrate the arrival of the New Year with certain traditions. Today, through video we bring you some of the traditions and rituals people follow to improve their luck, fortune or other details in their life for the coming year.
