Stories from 27 July 2009
The Balkans: Language Issue
Gray Falcon writes about the language issue in the former Yugoslavia – here and here.
Europe: “When East Becomes West”
Raf Uzar is wondering whether “the definition of Western Europe [is] the same now as it was in 1945.”
Poland: Forests
Polandian writes about Poland's forests.
Czech Republic: New Mosque in Brno?
The Czech Daily Word reports that “Christian Democrats oppose plans to build a new mosque in Brno.”
Europe: “EU Terminology for Dummies”
“EU Terminology for Dummies” – at Kosmopolito.
The Balkans: EU Visa-Free Travel Controversy
AriRusila of Blogactiv.eu‘s BalkanPerspective writes that the EU's intention to introduce visa-free travel for some Balkan entities but not others is dividing the region.
Russia: Mourning Natalya Estemirova
A Step At A Time translates LJ user kutuzov‘s comment “on the political background to Natalya Estemirova’s murder” and links to Prague Watchdog's photo report on “the vigil-cum-rally that was held in Moscow on July 23 to remember the murdered human rights activist.” Oleg Kozlovsky writes about and posts a...
Czech Republic: Significant Czech Woman Abroad Award
CzechFolks.com writes about the 2009 winners of the award for Significant Czech Woman Abroad.
Russia: Notes From Samara
Sergei Khazov's Notes from Samara – at OpenDemocracy.net.
Russia: Stalin
Sean's Russia Blog writes about “the protest against Stalin haters worldwide,” launched by some of Russia's communists.
Ukraine: MP's Son Killed in Car Crash
Ukrainiana comments on the death of another MP's son, caused by reckless driving: “Had he killed somebody else with his car, he would’ve most likely gotten away with it.”
Peru: The “Sport” of Dog Poisoning
Barbara Drake, an ex-pat from the United States, who writes at the blog An American in Lima posts about the risks a dog faces by simply the fact of living in the Peruvian capital city. Her post is titled The Sport of Dog Poisoning in Peru and there she tells...
Syria: How to Make Mutabal
Kano, of Syrian Foodie in London, shares with us the recipe of how to make Mutabal – an appetizer made of grilled aubergine, tahini and yogurt, and found “on every table in every Syrian restaurant.”
Syria: Bits of US-imposed Sanctions Lifted
At KABOBfest, Jillian discusses the US lifting of “two bits of its sanctions on Syria.” “The lifting of the IT ban seems, to me, to be low-hanging fruit, the simplest way to please (or appease) the public while getting rid of a relatively useless rule that wasn’t doing much good...
Morocco: Looking for Food in Fez
Moroccan blog The View from Fez catches up with Gail Leonard whose culinary adventure in the medina (city) leaves you hungry.
Lebanon: Saudi Spills Beans on Show
A Lebanese television show is in danger of being taken off the air “after a Saudi man participated in the show and spilled out all his romantic escapades, which are all out of wedlock,” reports Waleg. The Saudi man is also being threatened with jail.
Syria: Computer and Internet Sanctions Lifted
“The US is removing some of its sanctions on Syria, just months after the embargo was controversially renewed. Syria’s Ambassador to Washington, Imad Moustapha, says the block on computer equipment and internet downloads is being lifted,” reports Syria News Wire.
Morocco: Summer Flower
From Morocco, Hassi Milli posts those photographs which he captions as “Summer Flower.”
Israel: Interesting Talk on Sovereignty
Muse and her husband, from Israel, attended a day at the Knesset and shares her impressions as well as photographs she took in this post. “We attended a very interesting series of talks about Har HaBayit, The Temple Mount and Israel's sovereignty,” she writes.
Mexico: The Subway Economy
Lesley Téllez of the Mija Chronicles [es] takes a look at the “subway economy” and those vendors who ride the trains with the hope of selling products to passengers.
Fiji: Tension rises between government and Methodist Church
The months-long standoff between Fiji’s government and the country’s largest Christian denomination became more heated last week when police arrested, held and later charged seven Methodist Church officials and a high-ranking chief for “incitement” and infringing on emergency rules regarding meetings.
