· July, 2010

Stories about Western Europe from July, 2010

Spain: First Online Galician Newspaper Closes Down

  28 July 2010

The first monolingual Galician online newspaper Vieiros [gz] has closed down after 15 years because of financial problems. In a melancholy post, Galician reporter McShuíbhne says the loss of language online amounts to a loss of nation.

Egypt: Niqab ban in France stirs controversy

The lower house of the Spanish Parliament is debating a proposal to prohibit the wearing of body-covering burqas and face-covering niqabs in all public spaces in Spain, and the French parliament just approved a ban on niqabs (face veils). Bloggers from across the Middle East react.

Mozambique/Brazil: “Ethanol diplomacy” meets criticism

  22 July 2010

NGOs furiously denounced last week's trilateral accord between Brazil, Mozambique and the European Union promoting ethanol production in Mozambique for the European market. The blogsphere provides some background to this "ethanol diplomacy" and questions its future social and environmental impacts.

UK: No Reckoning for Police Excessive Force

  22 July 2010

Today marks five years since the shocking shooting death of Brazilian Jean Charles de Menezes by London police. The Brazilian blogosphere has yet to respond. Random Blowe reminds that no official has been held responsible, and compares to the G20 brutality case in which it was just announced there will...

Hungary: Turning crisis into advantage

Eva Balogh of Hungarian Spectrum argues that the Hungarian government, led by Viktor Orbán, is turning the failed negotiations with the IMF and the EU, leading to fears of an economic meltdown, into its advantage by portraying it domestically as a David's struggle against Goliath.

Portugal: Seagulls Invade the city of Porto

  19 July 2010

A seagull problem has been occurring in Porto's historical center. Portuguese netcitizens report that the birds are hungry and fearless and have even killed pigeons. For Cristina Santos, they are scaring tourists with their attacks on the garbage piled in the streets. Marta, a tourist, witnessed what she calls a...

Russia: A governor in the gaul?

LJ user bobasta discusses [RUS] ongoing speculations if it really was the governor of Saratov, Pavel Ipatov, who was caught by Italian police on a yacht in the Mediterranean last week on suspicion of smuggling.

France: Blogging about Politics

  17 July 2010

In Billet politique ! (“A Political post !” in French), blogger JeandelaXR presents a list of his favorite political bloggers [Fr].

Brazil: Lusophone Countries United at the Theater Stage

  16 July 2010

For the first time in Brazil, theater groups from East Timor and Sao Tome & Principe will present plays at the FESTLIP (Festival of Portuguese Language) [pt]. The festival taking place in Rio de Janeiro, also includes plays from all the other lusophone states: Cape Verde, Mozambique, Angola, Guinea-Bissau, Portugal...

Equatorial Guinea: Portuguese as its Third Official Language

  14 July 2010

An online petition [pt] against the entry of Equatorial Guinea to the Community of Portuguese Language Countries (CPLP) has been launched by Portuguese and Mozambican organizations. Brazil and São Tomé & Príncipe [pt] support President Obiang intentions. In case the country is accepted, Portuguese will become its third official language...

China: Buy BP assets? Could do!

  14 July 2010

Britain's new foreign secretary William Hague is in Beijing today, and Chinese online media are reporting the goal of his trip is to sell China on BP assets from the company's South American holdings. Comments on the news suggest netizens are eager to help begin negotiating the terms of the deal.