Stories about Western Europe from January, 2008
Poland, Scotland: Wojtek the Polish War Hero Bear
The beatroot writes about Wojtek the Polish war hero bear.
Bosnia & Herzegovina: New Blogs by Public Figures
A few interesting blogs have emerged in the Bosnian blogosphere recently, showing the growing interest in blogging and Web 2.0 in the Balkans. Elia Varela Serra introduces the newcomers: a president, an ambassador, and a travelguide writer.
Louis Michel Heckled by Congolese Protestors at the London School of Economics
Le renouveau congolais posts a YouTube video which shows Louis Michel, European Commissioner for Development and Humanitarian Aid and formerly Belgian's foreign minister, as he was confronted by Congolese protesters during a talk given earlier this month on the EU and Africa at the London School of Economics. Read the reactions from Congolese netizens and a video response that will make you move your feet.
European Court of Human Rights Condemns France on Homosexual Adoption
In Martinique, Le Blog de Moi doesn't know whether to vomit or dying laughing from some of the online commentary surrounding the European Court of Human Rights’ decision to condemn France [Fr] for refusing to allow homosexual adoption.
Albania, Italy: Adrian Paci
Living in Shkoder writes about the work of Adrian Paci, an Albania-born, Italy-based artist.
Slovenia: Janša, Janša, Janša
Adventures in Wheelville writes about “the new (and rather mysterious) art group Janša, Janša, Janša, a group of artists who'd recently changed their names to that of the Prime Minister for reasons which they would not divulge to the public.”
Israel: Relations with the Germans and Poles
Imshin, from Israel, discusses the relationship between Israelis and Germans and Poles in this post.
UK: Disgrace
Blogrel comments on yesterday's desecration of a stone cross erected in memory of the victims of the Armenian Genocide in the Welsh city of Cardiff. The blogger says that as the vandalism was a disgrace and marked a new low coming as it did on Holocaust Memorial Day he hopes...
UK: Genocide Memorial Vandalism Update
Blogian posts a photograph of the monument erected in the Welsh city of Cardiff that was vandalized yesterday. The desecration of the Armenian stone cross came on the eve of a special event to mark Holocaust Day as well as to pay respects to the memory of Turkish-Armenian editor and...
UK: Armenian Genocide Memorial Vandalized
Blogian and Unzipped report on the desecration of a monument erected to honor the victims of the 1915 Armenian Genocide in the Welsh city of Cardiff. The vandalism occurred on the eve of an event to remember slain Turkish-Armenian journalist Hrant Dink. Seta's Armenian blog posts a press release stating...
Davos: peeking in and participating through videos
The World Economic Forum´s annual meeting of political and business leaders is taking place between January 23rd and January 27th in Davos, Switzerland. This year, common people can participate in this forum by giving their ideas to make the world a better place and posting it on the YouTube video sharing site.
Lebanese Contestant in Italy's Big Brother
Beirut-born Ali Ayach, 28, is one of the nineteen contestants in the eighth edition of Grande Fratello, Italy's version of Big Brother, reports Lebanese blogger Skylark.
Serbia, UK: Fascism and the Left
Greater Surbiton writes on leftist interpretations of fascism – and of Serbian politics.
Portugal: Getting ready for critical mass bike day
This Friday, there will be a Critical Mass bike gathering in many parts of the world, showing how easy and enjoyable traveling in a sustainable way can be. Pimenta Negra [pt] has the local ride info for Portugal.
Ukraine: A Porous Border
Ukrainian news site Korrespondent.net posted a translation of a Sunday Times story on Ukraine's porous borders and illegal migration. The English-language original has received 16 reader comments so far, the Russian translation - 88 comments. While many readers admitted that the problem of illegal migration existed in Ukraine and that corruption among officials contributed to it, most did not seem happy about the Sunday Times' story.
Slovenia: EU Presidency Update
Marko Bucik writes about Slovenia's “overshadowed” EU presidency: “Then comes Kosovo. This will be perhaps the only headline news for the Slovenian Presidency – be it good or bad news.”
Cuba, UK: Visual Expressions
Child of the Revolution‘s interest is piqued by a new London art gallery's exhibition of the work of Cuban visual artists to show how they “discuss contradictions, ambiguities and social negotiations in Cuban life”.
Iraq: Respect Women
Hala S, an Iraqi who lives in the UK, relates an incident which made the following thought ring true: “There will be no democracy and no freedom in the Middle East till men learn how to respect women and look at them as partners not inferiors”.
UAE: French Base Soon
The French are making their presence felt in the Gulf – after signing an agreement with the UAE to establish a military base there, reports Abu Aardvark.
Serbia, U.S.: Bobby Fischer
East Ethnia writes about the legacy of chess champion Bobby Fischer, who died today: “Maybe there will be an opportunity now to remember him for what he achieved, less so than for what he became.”
World Social Forum Global Day of Mobilization and Action
Viriato [pt] posts details of the 2008 decentralized World Social Forum Global Day of Mobilization and Action, listing events taking place throughout the world.
