Featured stories about Western Europe
Stories about Western Europe
16 January 2019
Introducing DigiGlot, a newsletter about languages and tech
This is the first publication of DigiGlot,a biweekly collaborative newsletter examining how indigenous, minority, and endangered language communities are adopting and adapting technology for their own needs.
31 December 2018
Why Chinese netizens believe a commodity index can predict global affairs
According to the myth, the Yiwu commodity index predicted the outcome of the US 2016 presidential election and is set to do the same for Europe's "yellow vest" protests.
The Yellow Vest movement in France: What's at stake?
"Every time I read about the 'Yellow Vests' in the media, I feel like there is a lack of information, sources and perspectives on this complex topic."
20 December 2018
In Cardinal George Pell's sexual abuse trial, Australian court fails to suppress the ‘nation's worst kept secret’
"The alleged suppression order on #georgepell is allowing fake news and hearsay and speculation take the place of reputable news sources."
6 December 2018
France seeks three high-ranking Syrian officials in the deaths of French-Syrian nationals
The three officials are wanted in connection with the detention and subsequent disappearance of two French-Syrian nationals, Mazen Dabbagh and his son Patrick.
28 November 2018
British national urges UK to ban Chinese state TV over role in forced confession
The complaint was filed mere weeks before's CCTV's opening of its European hub in Chiswick Park in London.
26 November 2018
On contemporary art in the Balkans: An interview with Jon Blackwood
"When so many citizens have to focus so much of their effort on just survival, it’s little surprise that people have lost the habit of going to art galleries..."
16 November 2018
How do non-native residents of the Netherlands view Zwarte Piet, St. Nicholas’ blackface servant?
“I understand Dutch affection for Zwarte Piet is born out of a warm, and well-meaning Christmas tradition. But I cannot excuse it.”
14 November 2018
Meet the people saving a 12,000 year-old forest from being turned into a coal mine
The Hambach Forest has existed since the ice age. Since 2012 activists have been occupying what's left of the forest, determined to save it and end coal mining in Germany.
1 November 2018
Sarajevo awards honorary citizenship to UK heavy metal star Bruce Dickinson
Iron Maiden's Bruce Dickenson is granted honorary citizenship for the moral support he gave the people of Sarajevo during a 1994 visit to the besieged city.
28 October 2018
‘Voice for the Ocean’ gives European citizens a say on the future of ocean conservation
"It is necessary to connect European citizens and ocean lovers to the political sphere in order to discuss, make progress, and protect the ocean together."
26 October 2018
All art is political: A conversation with Patricia Kaersenhout
"We all have ways in which we are a victim and a perpetrator."
8 October 2018
Portuguese PM drew criticism over clothing choice during visit to Angola
António Costa's official visit to Angola following months of diplomatic tensions between the two governments has caused a stir over his clothing choice.
22 September 2018
Beijing authorities slam Swedish police for humiliating Chinese tourists, but there's another side to the story
"The Ministry of Foreign Affairs wanted to make use of the incident to stir patriotic sentiment to exercise pressure on Swedish government. But netizens know ... what’s right and wrong."
20 September 2018
While some Brazilians tried to school Germans on Nazism, others apologized in shame
Were the Nazis socialists? A video posted by a German Consulate in Brazil has reignited discussion among Brazilians of this historical misconception.
17 September 2018
‘Crimes of solidarity’ in Europe multiply as 11 stand trial in Belgium for helping migrants
Activists in Belgium claim the trial is aimed at dissuading people from helping migrants by establishing an intimidating judicial precedent.
12 September 2018
Under Austria's right-wing government, ‘ethical’ principles for journalists could hijack media rights
If the current draft is adopted as it stands, it will provide for an extra layer of strict control that aims to silence the critique and dissent.
27 August 2018
Nicaragua's diaspora activists bear a ‘double burden’
The political and emotional challenges of diaspora activism are complex: "Receiving news firsthand also means feeling it firsthand."
25 August 2018
Will France’s new street harassment law really benefit women?
"We refuse to let feminism be used to reinforce the French government’s tendencies toward racism and over-policing."
12 August 2018
His world was what it was: the enigma of V.S. Naipaul
"There are books of Naipaul’s I hope never to read again, and books of his without which I can’t understand the world I was born into."
