Stories from 22 December 2008
Azerbaijan: Linguistic University Recollections
Sheki, Azerbaijan remembers studying 15 years ago at the University of Languages in Baku. The blog says that corruption was rampant at the university during the Soviet era, but that post-independence reforms in the admission system have improved the situation. It also remembers one lecturer who was sent to Siberia...
Armenia-Azerbaijan: Muntazer al-Zaidy Reaction
The Armenian Observer rounds up reaction to Muntazer al-Zaidy's attack on outgoing U.S. President George W. Bush in Iraq. Meanwhile, IN MUTATIONE FORTITUDO asks whether such an incident could have happened under Saddam Hussein.
Armenia-Turkey: Apology Row
Talk Turkey is unimpressed by various online petitions established to apologize or not apologize for the massacre and deportation of Armenians living in the then Ottoman Empire. Known to most as the Armenian Genocide, the blog says it instead favors a joint Armenian-Turkish commission to investigate the circumstances of the...
China: Why China’s Block of the New York Times Doesn’t Matter
Adam from Shanghai Scrap explained why China's block of the New York Times doesn't matter.
China: Interview with Anti-CNN founder
Jenny Leung interviewed the founder of Anti-CNN.com, Qi Hanting. The interview is posted at China digital times.
Philippines: Fisherman saved by dolphins and whales
According to a Filipino fisherman, he was saved by dolphins and whales when his boat was turned upside down last week in Palawan, Philippines. It is a remarkable story, but is it true?
Colombia: The Murders of Journalists
A recent investigation in Colombia found that the majority of journalist murders have remained with impunity. Victor Solano of ¿Comunicación? [es] asks, “How many more journalists must die before the situation is seen as a priority?“
Uruguay: Holiday Phone Calls Saturate Lines
The Christmas holidays in Uruguay often saturate phone lines due to the increase in the number of phone calls made to friends and family both home and abroad. Chino of Tan Conectados [es] writes that the telephone company Ancel plans to double the number of lines available.
Costa Rica: The Organization of Saprissa
Jaguar del Platanar [es] describes Saprissa, his favorite football club in Costa Rica as “an example of organization, of hard work, joining of forces, and of planning,” which has allowed them to win on the field.
Japan: The early salaryman catches the worm
Blogger Yoshihara (吉原) at Engineer Live no Henshûchô (エンジニアLiveの編集長) comments about a new trend which is spreading among Japanese salarymen. As a response to the Japanese practice of working overtime from morning to night without rest, many white collar workers seem to have decided to dedicate the first hours of...
Russia: LiveJournal and Mass Media Laws
IZO translates LJ user plucer‘s view that the newest LiveJournal addition – this line at the end of the posts: “I hereby give third parties the right to reproduce or disseminate all of my materials as a whole or in part…” – “would mean you were ‘disseminating information’ and mass-media...
Bosnia & Herzegovina: Srebrenica Roundup
A roundup of Srebrenica Genocide Blog‘s recent posts: the process of identification of the victims of the massacre; the ICTY's conclusion on Naser Orić, former senior Bosnian commander in charge of defending the Srebrenica enclave; testimony by Doctors Without Borders representatives delivered at the 2001 French Parliamentary Hearing into the...
Bosnia & Herzegovina: Peter Lippman's Travel Reports
Americans for Bosnia is re-posting journalist Peter Lippman's reports from his travel in Bosnia and Herzegovina: part 1, part 2, part 3, part 4.
Bosnia & Herzegovina: More on “Resolution 819″
More on Resolution 819, the film, at Cafe Turco – here, here, and here.
The Balkans: Distortion of History
Jasmin's Heart writes about deliberate distortions that often pass for the recent history of the Balkans: “Also, history, as written by too many historians here, in recent years, Croatian historians, Serbian, Bosnian – on the subject of the last war and many others that proceeded on this area – is...
Bosnia & Herzegovina: Wartime Childhood Memories
Amila Bosnae shares some wartime childhood memories.
Central & Eastern Europe: Freedom in the Balkans; Visa Restrictions
Ari Rusila examines the Balkan-related results of the Freedom House's Freedom in the World survey at AriRusila’s BalkanBlog, and writes about the Henley Visa Restrictions Index, highlighting the results for countries of Central and Eastern Europe, at AriRusila's BalkanPerspective at Blogactiv.eu.
Macedonia: NATO and the Name Issue
Macedonia's foreign minister Antonio Milososki said this in Helsinki earlier this month: “Republic of Macedonia fulfilled the criteria for membership in the North-Atlantic Alliance, but it will join in when it will be allowed to do so in a dignified manner.” Say: Macedonia comments: “This statement mirrors the public opinion...
Ukraine: Crisis, Microfinance and Politics
Below is a selection of recent posts from English-language blogs on the political and economic crisis in Ukraine.