Stories about Eastern & Central Europe from February, 2014
Macedonians Prepare to March Against Poverty in Skopje
Macedonia, the most miserable country on earth according to The Economist, will unite in the fight against poverty on March 1, 2014 in Skopje.
Chechen Dictator and Russian Nationalist NOT Taking Over Ukraine
As conflict in Ukraine's province of Crimea escalates, Internet hoaxes muddy the waters.
Yanukovich's Fabulous Palace Familiar to Russians
Russians, admittedly, are already familiar with examples of their own politicians' wealth and bad taste, as photos of their residences regularly leak onto the Internet.
Iran Watches Ukraine With Envy and Dismay
Iranians who once staged mass protests against their own regime were reminded of a revolution that eluded them in 2009.
From Kiev to Moscow: Russia's Tired Protest Antics
As a futile gesture of defiance Russian protesters brought several tires to a Moscow protest against political prisoners.
Big, Bad Bullies of the Russian Media
Last week, popular journalist Vladimir Solovyov dedicated an entire radio show to dissecting and denouncing the Maidan-supportive tweets of a handful of students from Moscow’s Higher School of Economics. Why?
Ukrainian Revolution Rattles Russian Nationalists
Russian nationalists worry Russian-speaking Ukrainians will be "derussified."
Macedonian Court Fines Journalist and Magazine for Quoting Source
Fokus magazine, considered to be the last print edition critical of the Macedonian government, has once again been financially burdened by the government, this time for quoting a source.
Ukraine's President Yanukovych Ousted and Parliament Reshuffled
Following this week's deadly crackdown, an original deal calling for end-2014 elections left protesters unsatisfied. Parliament then ousted Yanuckovich.
South Korean Figure Skater Yuna Kim's ‘Robbed’ Sochi Gold Becomes Photoshop Meme
Russian figure skater Adelina Sotnikova took gold in the free skating event, but many, not limited to South Koreans, questioned the result.
#EuroMaidan Medic Shot in Neck Lives to Tweet: “I Am Alive!”
Olesya Zhukovskaya, was shot in the neck by a sniper and managed to tweet "I am dying". Great relief was felt worldwide when she survived.
Pro-Maidan Video Goes Viral Thanks to Pavel Durov, Russia's Zuckerberg
Given the political climate in Russia now, Durov's willingness to stake such an unabashedly pro-opposition position on the Ukraine crisis is rather astounding.
Russian Politicians Stick to Their Guns as Ukraine Burns
For Russia's politicians, the battle lines over Ukraine have already been drawn, and now there can be no compromise.
#Euromaidan Protests Spread Throughout Ukraine After Explosion of Violence
After almost three months of constant protests in Ukraine's major cities, President Yanukovych's government declared de facto martial law in the country. Violent clashes have spread beyond the capital.
Ukraine: “A Young Man Died in My Arms” #EuroMaidan
A student in Kyiv, Ukraine tweeted from morning till past midnight on the day of a violent standoff between protesters and police led to as many as 25 deaths and hundreds wounded.
Russians Eye Ukrainian Turmoil with Hope, Fear
"Seriously, 13 wounded armed cops equals urban warfare"
The Journalistic Purgatory of Eastern Europe
Central and Eastern European media is less free now than at any point in the past 20 years and the internet is no safe haven either.
Follow the Escalation of Ukraine's #Euromaidan Protests Live
Protests took a deadly turn on February 18, and Ukraine is now the scene of a tense stand-off between hundreds of thousands of citizens and government forces.
To Hell with the Games: Russians Turn from Sochi to Ukraine
Today, after a relative lull, violence returned to Kiev’s streets, causing a dramatic shift in RuNet activity. Indeed, the images coming out of Ukraine depict something like a civil war.
Shadow of Olympics Evictions Looms Over Tokyo
Japan has already seen people evicted from their homes and homeless people evicted from parks for past mega-events.
The Hilarity of Murder Among Russians
Where do you draw the line between a joke and a death threat? That question has been on Russians’ minds this week, after a controversial tweet by blogger Alexey Navalny.