Stories about Western Europe from October, 2010
Greece: Iranian refugees on hunger strike
Twenty-five Iranian refugees in Athens, Greece have gone on hunger strike since October 14 demanding that Greek authorities process their political asylum applications. Some have had their mouths sewn shut.
Gabon, France: Gabon-raised Frenchman to Run for Elections
Will Mael Nyamat explains [Fr] what a black candidate who was raised in Gabon like himself can bring in terms of perspective to the political discourse during the French primary elections. Nyamat also argues in his book that the historically close tie between Gabon and France [Fr] makes him as sensible...
Global: Rarefying of Rare Earth Metals?
The economy-focused blog Le regard à Lupus explains [fr] that there are increasing concerns over the shrinking access to rare earth metals. These strategical mining resources are indispensable to the high-tech industry and green energy solutions.
France: Youth against Pension Reform
October 19 was the seventh consecutive day of nationwide demonstrations in France against the pension reform bill. As the foreign press is reporting the protests mainyl as a social conflict, broadcasting images of urban guerilla warfare and giving very little press to the reasons, bloggers go in depth about the motivation of the youth and its implications
Evacuation of The Former “House of West African Students” in Paris
Ménilmuche writes on his blog [fr] about the evacuation of “La Maison des Étudiants de l’Ouest Africain” [fr]. In 1950 [Colonial period], French West Africa (AOF) purchased this building to house the elected West African representatives. The building became a student dormitory in the 1960's when the countries reached independence....
Video: Collaborative online reading of Don Quixote
One of the most loved works of literary fiction, Don Quixote, has come to life through YouTube. Hundreds of volunteers are reading fragments of Miguel de Cervantes' work and uploading them to the ElQuijote Channel.
Europe: EU and LGBT Rights
Katerina Todorovska wrote [MKD] on the Macedonia in the European Union blog about EU's imperfect record on LGBT rights and its positive influence in relation to starting the debate and improving tolerance in the Western Balkans, as Croatia, Serbia, and Macedonia strive to join this supranational structure.
France: First Case of Burqa Rage?
Allain Jules, blogging in centpapiers from Quebec, cannot wait for the impending decision of a French court in the case of a 63 years old former teacher who ripped off the burqa of a young female tourist from the United Arab Emirates in a Parisian shop back in February. She told...
Video: How to keep water clean and use it wisely
From tips on reusing gray water or minimizing wasted water when we flush the toilet, to kids in the Valle del Colca in Peru explaining the importance of keeping community water sources clean. Join us on Blog Action Day as we tour the world with World Conservation Videos
Greece: Teargas under the Acropolis
The financial crisis gripping Greece has led to new clashes between protesting workers and police, most recently at the foot of the Acropolis of Athens on October 13 when riot police teargassed contract employees of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, who were protesting against unpaid wages and demanding permanent contracts.
Cape Verde: Stories from the “Camp of the Slow Death”
Paulino Dias describes [pt] his visit to Tarrafal camp, in the Cape Verdean island of Santiago, regretting the fact that the former political prison from the Portuguese dictatorship (1926-1974), known as the “Camp of the Slow Death”, has not yet been transformed into a museum.
Netherlands: Latin American Diaspora Women Unite
The European DiasporaSolidaria.org foundation organized a summit for migrant Latin American women in Amsterdam, where they discussed issues such as their rights, the changing nature of families and remittances. LA Ruta brings us a short video recording some of their experiences.
Greece: Life Sentence for Officer who Shot Teen Sparking 2008 Riots
After two years of deliberations, a court has delivered a sentence of life in prison for the police officer who shot and killed 15-year old Alexandros Grigoropoulos in December 2008. His killing led to mass rioting and protests in several cities across Greece, fueled by rage over police brutality, and impunity and corruption in the Greek political system.
France: Magazine Tells Fairy Tales about Polygamy in Immigrant Families
Le Point, a French weekly news magazine, was the victim of a “militant” of the new kind that is rising up against the portrait being painted of residents of immigrant communities. By pretending to be a mother in a polygamous family, Abdel provoked quite a media firestorm
Video: French Burqa Ban Protest in Minishorts and Niqab
Tea and Politics wonders about the definition of full veil, as two French Muslim girls walk around in niqab (face veils) and minishorts to protest the “Burqa Ban” in France.
Norway: Macedonian Blogger in Trondheim
Maja, a Macedonian living in Norway, describes the beauty of Trondheim [MKD, ENG] in a bilingual, photo-studded post on her travel blog.
Sahel Region: On Paying Ransom for Hostages
Hostage-taking by a militant Islamist group called Al-Qaeda in The Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) is on the rise in the Sahel region which spans across several countries in the north of Africa. In order to free hostages, governments and companies have put political pressure on the African nations involved, or opted to pay ransoms directly. However, the strategy of paying ransom is often decried as ineffective and dangerous in the long run.
