Stories from June, 2008
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.
Russia: Facebook, Etc.
The Lede reviews the Russian-language versions of American search engines and social networking sites and their Russian counterparts.
Serbia: New Government, Almost
A Fistful of Euros announces: “Serbia almost has a government!”
Cuba: Above average
The Cuban Triangle comments on the astonishing results of a UNESCO education study on third and sixth graders, in which Cuban students did so much better than the rest of Latin America.
Barbados: New laws
The Barbados Free Press is cautiously encouraged by news that the government promises final drafts of Integrity, Freedom of Information and Defamation laws by the end of the year.
Azerbaijan: Media Concerns
Writing on AFP's Correspondent blog, the news organization's Caucasus Bureau Chief, Michael Mainville, laments the state of the media in Azerbaijan. The post recognizes the pressures and restrictions in place on local journalists in the oil-rich country and comments on the case of Agil Khalil who has been recognized by...
Caucasus: Religious Practices Update
Social Science in the Caucasus provides an update on its survey of religious practices in the South Caucasus. The blog of the Caucasus Resource Research Centers (CRRC) says that women place more significance on the importance of religion in their lives than men.
Armenia: Eurovision Metal
Unzipped: Gay Armenia comments on rumors that Armenian-American rock band System of a Down (SOAD) are interested in representing Armenia in next year's Eurovision Song Contest. However, there is also speculation that the band are interested in using the contest to gain exposure to campaign for Genocide recognition. The blog...
Armenia: European Media Demands
Following last week's landmark ruling by the European Court of Human Rights, Unzipped comments on the importance of the judgment for the embattled A1 Plus TV station which was deprived of its broadcasting frequency by the authorities in 2002. The blog says that pressure on the government to allow it...
Ecuador: Constituent Assembly President Steps Down
The president of the Ecuadoran Constituent Assembly, Alberto Acosta, recently stepped down. Many local bloggers are wondering the role that President Rafael Correa and his political party had in this resignation. Others wonder about the future of the new Constitution and whether articles will be passed through without much discussion, now that a person considered to be fair is no longer presiding over the debate.
Uruguay: International Airport Website Tools
The international airport Carrasco in Montevideo, Uruguay has several tools on its website making life easier for travelers and paying more attention to customer service writes Tan Conectados [es].
Trinidad & Tobago: Glass Towers
A Trinidadian blogger fears that what sets the island apart is being lost among the tall buildings going up in Port of Spain. Why does the glass have to be half empty or half full? asks why do “we deny our people the right to our waterfront? Where is the...
Cuba: Exploring Oil
The Cuban Triangle is puzzled by a Florida Congressional delegation's idea that Cuba should be blocked from drilling for oil in its own Gulf waters. He says comments by Senator Mel Martinez, reported in El Nuevo Herald, must sound to Cuban readers, “as if he thinks he is in charge...
Serbia: Socialist Party Forms Coalition Government With Democratic Party
The Socialist Party of Serbia (Slobodan Milošević's party) is forming a coalition government with the Democratic Party. This means Serbia will continue on its way towards European Union integration. Many bloggers reacted to this news, and offered their predictions.
Barbados: New Consumer Watchdog
Barbados Underground welcomes the emergence of a new consumer organisation in the island. The blog says Barbados Consumers Watch “will advocate using the novel approach of the electronic channels of Facebook and blogging” in serving the needs of the public.
Guyana: Death of a President
Ruel Johnson's Fictions notes the passing yesterday of Arthur Chung, the first President of Guyana, at the age of 90. He held the post from 1970 to 1980, and was “the first ethnic Chinese President of a non-Asian country.”
Jordan: Internet Cafes
Jordanian Qwaider warns Internet users about the security concerns from using Internet cafes.
Saudi Arabia: Flying to Cooler Climes
Saudi blogger ibusy [Ar] notes how many people are escaping his country's heats to cooler climes this summer.
Morocco: Amazigh Festival Planned
The fourth annual Festival of Amazigh Culture will be held in Fez from 3 to 6 July, reports Moroccan blog The View from Fez.
Bahrain:Blocking Sites
Blocking websites is the most effective way of making them famous, notes Bahraini blogger Mahmood AlYousif on his country's latest threat to block some sites.
