Stories about Eastern & Central Europe from January, 2018
‘Buy a New SIM Card’ and Await Further Interrogation: Russia's Security Services Detain and Question a Reporter
Russia's FSB security services searched journalist Pavel Nikulin's apartment and seized laptops, documents and copies of his independent magazine.
Russians are Baffled by the United States Treasury's Latest Sanctions List
Russia’s political elite registered a collective smirk at the seemingly toothless report.
Polarized by Populism, Czech Society Braces for a Second Round of Presidential Elections
The election has driven ardent debates among citizens on and offline. As a parliamentary republic, the president has very limited executive powers, yet the election has polarized the nation.
What is More Convincing for World Cup 2018 Fans? Russia's Edgy New Tourism Logo or Their Governments’ Dire Warnings?
With the World Cup fast approaching, will Russia live up to its new “The Whole World Within Russia” tourism brand campaign?
Macedonia Has Its Own #MeToo Movement — #ISpeakUpNow — and It Is Gaining Momentum
Despite the backlash from trolls, the #ISpeakUpNow movement has mostly drawn support and applause for the survivors of sexual abuse who refuse to stay silent any longer.
UNESCO World Heritage Site at Risk: Bulgarian Government Allows Construction in Pirin, Citizens Protest
Protesters want the controversial decision withdrawn and credible guarantees given that park preservation and the rule of law will be protected -- including the resignation of Environmental Minister Neno Dimov.
Gold Mining Threatens Communities in Macedonia's Agricultural Heartland
"We've given mining concessions on top of water springs to dig out an insignificantly small amount of gold. Someone has decided to poison us with arsenic, sulfuric acid, and cyanide."
Why Wait? Wikipedia and Google Accidentally Declare Putin the Winner of March 2018 Presidential Elections
Whether the error was intended as a joke, or as a political move, is unknown.
Did a Wiener Dog That Suffered for Science Really Go Home With Russia's Deputy Prime Minister?
The Russian-speaking web has its doubts.