Stories from 29 July 2010
Latvia: ‘The Harmony Center’ Political Bloc
All About Latvia writes about Saskaņas Centrs (“The Harmony Center”), Lativa's “most popular” political bloc.
Hungary: Poet Endre Ady
Hungarian Spectrum writes about Endre Ady (1877-1919), “one of the most famous Hungarian poets.”
Russia: Interview With ‘A Good Treaty’ Russia Blogger
Sublime Oblivion interviews the author of A Good Treaty blog, continuing the Watching the Russia Watchers interview series that was launched by Andy Young of Siberian Light.
Poland: “Rydzykisation”
Raf Uzar writes about the outcome of the Polish presidential election and the “rydzykisation” of the country.
Poland: Coats of Arms
Polish cities’ coats of arms competition – at Polandian.
Ukraine: Photos From Kherson, Berdychiv, etc.
Danil Nikitin's photos from Kherson, Berdychiv and a number of other Ukrainian locations (UKR).
Belarus: A Conscientious Objector Released From Jail
BelarusDigest reports on the release from prison of conscientious objector Yevgeny Yakovenko.
Ukraine: Simferopol Graffiti
At Russia! blog, Tatyana Bokova-Foley re-posts photos of the graffiti in the Crimean capital of Simferopol and writes about the possible identity of the artist who created them.
Serbia, Kosovo: Another View on ICJ's Ruling
The Greater Surbiton writes that “the ICJ’s ruling on Kosovo sets a precedent that is dangerous only for tyrants and ethnic cleansers.” (More views are here and here.)
Serbia: “Punishing ‘Bad Culture'”
Belgraded writes about a 1980s Serbian pop star's idea to introduce “extra taxes for authors of those works of media that fall under the category of ‘kitsch‘.”
The Balkans: Regional Lottery vs Nationalism
Belgraded writes about the planned revival of “the one big regional lottery” in the former Yugoslavia and does not “miss the opportunity to point out just how stupid nationalism is.”
Russia: Merging SVR and FSB; “Another Sexy Spy”
RFE/RL's The Power Vertical reports on the alleged plans to merge Russia's Foreign Intelligence Service with the Federal Security Service. Scraps of Moscow writes about the newest “sexy Russian spy” scandal.
Costa Rica: 60 Years of the Female Vote
Harolds Blog mentions [es] that 60 years ago, on July 30, 1950, women in Costa Rica were allowed to vote for the first time. Today, Costa Rica has a female president, Laura Chinchilla.
Italy: NO to Restrictions on Online Free Speech
A newly revised Media and Wiretapping bill before the Italian parliament today could introduce a threatening "liability risk" for all bloggers and online media.
Trinidad & Tobago: From the Archives
The Caribbean Review of Books posts some interesting content from its archives.
Puerto Rico: Honouring “Maboití”
A monument in honour of the late master artisan Elpidio Collazo González “Maboití” is being prepared; The Voice of the Taino People Online describes him as “one of the island’s most illustrious carvers of local bird life from wood.”
Dominica: Going Virtual
“The Commonwealth of Dominica has gone virtual with great alacrity” in order to promote tourism; Repeating Islands has the details.
Trinidad & Tobago: Eating for Emancipation
TriniGourmet.com posts some ideas for a mouth-watering menu that honours the spirit of Emancipation Day.
Cuba, U.S.A.: Reason to Smile?
Ariel Sigler Amaya arrives in the United States from Cuba to undergo medical treatment; Uncommon Sense applauds his resolve.
Malaysia: The Kuala Lumpur Zine Fest 2010
Sketch your Brain writes about the Kuala Lumpur Zine Fest 2010.
Vietnam: Pale skin and beauty
Reacting to the uproar in India over a Facebook app which allows users to lighten their skin color, Andy Engelson observes that the idea of equating pale skin with beauty is also strong in Vietnam.
