Stories from 10 December 2009
México: Mercado Negro's Hispanic Albums of the Decade
Hosts of Mercado Negro radio program blogged their “albums of the decade” lists for three categories: Mexican indie proyects, hispanic bands and “mainstream” hispanic bands. Some of the bands included are Café Tacvba, Babasónicos, Los Bunkers and Calle 13.
The Balkans: A Travel Roundup
“Street and alternative photography of Belgrade” – at Belgrade Raw; “Other people's journeys: Balkan travelogues 2009” – at Balkanology Blog; a map of Belgrade's hostels – at Belgraded; a review of the “best flight options to Sarajevo” – at Bosnia Blog.
Poland: “My Polish Street”
At Polandian, “My Polish Street” series – here, here, here, and here. Also, a post on “drifting” into “voyeurism” in Krakow: “Having a designated smoking window that looks directly onto a dozen brightly illuminated flats on the other side of the street didn’t help.”
Czech Republic: Travel Roundup
The Reference Frame writes about a replica of Prague's Old Town City Hall in Seoul. The Journeys of Captain Oddsocks writes about Jan Žižka, “the most feared and respected military leader and tactician in Czech history,” and describes travel to Písek and Tábor.
Russia: Drug Abuse; HIV/AIDS
At OpenDemocracy.net, Elizabeth Rigbey writes about drug abuse and harm reduction efforts in Russia. Sean's Russia Blog writes about HIV/AIDS in Russia. Scenes from the Sidewalk links to a documentary on children and HIV/AIDS in Russia.
Russia: Online Media Should Be Responsible For What They Publish
A representative of the Russian Information Ministry urged online media in the country to moderate their blogs and forums. He reminded that online media are responsible for everything they “allow” to publish on their sites, Russian news agency “RIA Novosty” reported [RUS].
Russia: Climate Change in the North
AskYakutia.com and Window on Eurasia write about climate change issues in the Russian North.
Russia: Flu Panic in Orenburg
At OpenDemocracy.net, Elena Strelnikova writes about flu panic in Orenburg.
Poland: Jaruzelski and the Soviets in 1981
The beatroot reports on the release of “documents which appear to show that General Jaruzelski did indeed request support from Moscow if Solidarity protests got out of control.”
The Baltics: Laughland's Piece
Itching for Eestimaa dissects John Laughland's piece in The Brussels Journal, “The De-Russification of the Baltics Serves a Geopolitical Purpose”: “…I believe it contains some interesting and all-too-familiar anti-Baltic memes. Taken one by one, each can be unfolded and discussed. But put them all together, and you have one mesmerizing...
