[BLOG] Some Friday links

• Centauri Dreams notes that some astronomers have come up with methods for measuring the densities of the atmospheres of difference exoplanets.
• Crooked Timber’s Chris Bertram thinks that the state of the migration debate in the United Kingdom is grim, given what he thinks is the toughness of even a liberal proposal.
• Eastern Approaches notes that the Czech Republic and Slovakia aren’t as vocal in their support of Ukraine against Russia as Poland.
• At the Everyday Sociology Blog, Karen Sternheimer explores the role of justifications and excuses in culture.
• Far Outliers notes that, on the eve of the First World War, Germany lacked settler colonies.
• The Financial Times‘ World blog worries that Croatia might not be able to make effective use of European Union funds.
• Language Hat notes that Western-style romance novels were popular samizdat in the Soviet Union.
• Language Log’s Victor Mair argues that, between influence from foreign languages and technology, the Chinese language is evolving rapidly.
• Marginal Revolution notes an argument that state-formation in Europe might have been driven by economics not military affairs.
• Towleroad notes the recent progressive court ruling on gay sex in Lebanon.