Stories about Eastern & Central Europe from January, 2016
New Ukrainian Draft Bill Seeks Extrajudicial Blocking for Websites Violating Copyright
A new bill in the Ukrainian parliament wants to replace the common pre-court notice and takedown procedure for copyright violations online with a faster blocking mechanism bypassing the courts.
Russian Internet Users Turn to TV for News, But Trust Online Sources More, Study Finds
37 percent of Russian Internet users believe Russian television and online media report on news in the same way, while an equal 37 percent argue the coverage differs significantly.
Grandma March Day, the Balkan Tradition of Exchanging Handmade Amulets
Balkan countries have joined forces to preserve the custom and push for its inclusion on UNESCO's list of intangible cultural heritage.
Facebook Finally Suspends ‘Pegida Macedonia’ Anti-Muslim Page
Despite numerous user report of Islamophobic hate speech, Facebook stated several times that the page did not violate its Community Standards.
Deus Ex Putina
According to a Russian news site and a whole lot of bloggers, Vladimir Putin’s ex-wife, Lyudmila, has remarried. The RuNet also thinks it's found her Facebook account.
Old Postcards Reveal Forgotten World War I Memories in Macedonia
Made between 1914 and 1918, these photos not only document military aspects of World War I, but also provide views of places and people caught within its maelstrom.
‘Homophobes Are People Too’ Campaign Challenges Macedonia's Hostility Toward LGBT People
The human rights reality for LGBT people in Macedonia is poor, with systemic impunity for hate crimes against sexual and gender minorities in the country.
Salt and Loathing in St. Petersburg
What has in the past helped defeat French legions and German divisions is also an ordinary concern for Russians. Usually, there's little cause for celebration, when considering the Russian winter.
Three Foreign Lawyers Have Returned Home Safely, But What’s Life Like for Local Attorneys in Tajikistan?
What's the difference between a Tajik and a non-Tajik lawyer? In Tajikistan, detained foreign attorneys have a better chance of remaining unharmed and securing a quick release.
Once a Refugee in Syria, This Palestinian Woman Is a Refugee Once Again
Nadera Aboud is a refugee in Europe. But this isn't the first time she's had to flee her home. The first time was almost 70 years ago.
The Only Hero in Russia Who Isn't Named Putin
While Ramzan Kadyrov isn’t Russia’s president, he is far more than a mere regional figure, and the past few weeks have offered only the latest evidence of his “talents.”
Russian LGBT Activist Fined for ‘Propaganda of Homosexuality’ Online
LGBT activist Sergey Alekseenko was accused of "gay propaganda" after posting a quote from a state regulator's report describing another LGBT community on social media.
The Air Pollution in Macedonia Is Bringing People Into the Streets, And There’s an App for That
The open data app "My Air" has helped spark massive protests, making Macedonian citizens aware of the results of air-pollution monitoring. Then came the DDoS attacks and government pressure.
‘Hands Off Our Privacy': Polish Citizens Speak Out Against Surveillance Law
Poland's parliament adopted a surveillance law that would give authorities fast access to citizens' Internet and telecommunication usage data, without prior approval from a judge.
First Russian Pastafarian Gets Driver's License Photo Wearing A Colander
Russian Pastafarians are celebrating: for the first time, an adherent of the religion managed to get his driver's license photo taken wearing a pasta strainer—Pastafarians' obligatory headgear.
Expand Your Movie-Watching Horizons With These 16 Films From Around the World
Follow the exploits of a transgender dad, a rotten tomato, Iranian rockers, a janitor-turned-mayor and others in this list of films that take you to the world beyond Hollywood.
Ukraine Plans Cyber Security Review After ‘Russian’ Attack on Key Airport
A Ukrainian Ministry of Defense spokesman said the recent cyber attack on Boryspil airport in Kyiv had originated from servers in Russia.
Russian Blogger Shipilov Granted Political Asylum in Ukraine
Dmitry Shipilov, a Russian journalist and blogger sentenced to community service for insulting the governor of Kemerovo region on his blog, has been granted political asylum in Ukraine.
Arrrrrr! Putin's New Internet Advisor Tied to Online Piracy
Vladimir Putin's new Internet advisor is known as a hardliner against foreign online resources that break Russian law. Now German Klimenko has been tied to a questionable torrent tracker.
Russian Study Finds that One in Nine Duma Deputies Is an Academic Phony
Dissernet's investigation of dissertation texts found that one in nine lawmakers in the Russian State Duma has plagiarized content in their thesis, raising suspicion about their academic degrees.
The Creeping Politicisation of Theatre, Film and Public Media in Poland
Censorship of a play by Nobel Prize winner Elfriede Jelinek calls attention to the precariousness of state-funded art in Poland.
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