Russia: Bukovsky on Putin´s Prison Slang

Former dissident Vladimir Bukovsky says president Vladimir Putin doesn't understand the prison camp slang he sometimes uses, Window on Eurasia reports.
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Jordan: Blogging in English Back

Jordan Watch is back in English, writes Jordanian blogger Batir Wardam.
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When Kids Grow Up Too Fast: The Maine Story

What’s up with that Maine middle school that wants to hand out contraceptives to girls as young as 11?
School officials voted last night to OK a plan to distribute contraceptives to children as young as 11 in Portland, Maine.

The Associated Press says the decision follows at least 17 pregnancies in the last four years among students at the city’s three middle schools. Children who have parental (more…)

Japan: Taiwanese chorus music to the ears

A video of an auditorium in Taiwan featuring 258 Taiwanese people watching and singing along to the lyrics of Japanese anime songs became a hit in Japan earlier this week after it was uploaded to a popular video sharing website, attracting over 120,000 views and nearly as many comments. A Japanese blogger considers how this kind of connection can bring Japan and Taiwan closer together. (more…)