大象传媒

John Murphy introduces insight and analysis from 大象传媒 correspondents around the world. In this edition, Andrew Harding describes his final impressions of defiance and frustration in the besieged Libyan city of Misrata, while Helen Ford reflects on the deeper meanings - and limits - of Czech names and name days.

When even rebellion becomes routine

The city of Misrata has been a key strategic base for anti-Gaddafi fighters during the conflict in Libya. In recent weeks the fighting there appears to have settled into a stalemate. Elsewhere, rebel forces have been pushing towards Tripoli, but they now say they have slowed their advance because they don't want to cause heavy civilian casualties in the capital. NATO, meanwhile, continues to bomb Colonel Gaddafi's assets.

Andrew Harding has just been back to Misrata to find a city growing frustrated by the wait.

A "Rose" by any other name - but not in Prague

Choosing a name for a new baby can be tricky. You could always plump for a grandparent's name - very traditional. Or you could follow the American practice and simply recycle the father's name, tacking on "the second" or "the third," or "junior". Or you could trawl through books of names and try to come up with something more original, or perhaps even peculiar.

But in some places, as Helen Ford has found in the Czech Republic, the choice is limited by a surprisingly heavy set of historical and cultural baggage.