Stories about Western Europe from October, 2011
Greece: When the Crisis Hit the Fan
Freelance journalist Kostas Kallergis started a blog in English about the Greek crisis, documenting on a daily basis various “small things that usually go unreported in the international press,” from...
France: Calls for Official Recognition of 1961 Paris Algerian Massacre
Fifty years after the bloody suppression of a peaceful demonstration by Algerians in Paris, French officials are still struggling to admit their responsibility. Calls for the official recognition of the 1961 massacre have been building in this anniversary year.
Greek Financial Crisis and Anti-Austerity Protests: The Story So Far
The Greek indignant movement seemingly foundered during the summer, but appears to be picking up steam again in September, at the imposition of yet another round of austerity measures. Asteris Masouras gives an overview of the protests so far.
France: New Visa Restrictions for Foreign University Graduates
France has taken a legal step which makes it more difficult for foreign students who have graduated from French universities to work on French territory and thus change their student visa permit into a working visa. Julie Owono reports on reactions to the new immigration rules.
Sounds of the European Podcast Award
The European Podcast Award has its own podcast featuring winners and nominees. The podcast is produced by Karin Høgh from Denmark and Dave Thackeray from the UK. The Global Voices...
United Kingdom: At Age 77, a Life of Inspiration
Julie Kertesz started blogging and photographing at the age of 70. Now at 77, she has become a role-model to people of all ages who desire to lead full and active lives of learning and doing. Paula Góes reports.
Discovering Paris from a Guinean Perspective
Guinean blogger @limsow who recently moved to Paris for an internship, describes [fr] a less-hostile capital than expected on Guinée Plurielle: “I already know how to take the RER (the...
“Law Without Borders” Between Brazil, Angola and Portugal
Brazilian lawyer and researcher Vanessa Bueno, based in Portugal, launched the blog O Direito Sem Fronteiras (Law Without Borders) [pt] where she gives tips and writes reviews about legal issues,...
Greece: Distributing Food From the Haves to the Have Nots
“We can” [el] (@boroume) is an initiative started by volunteers and restaurants to combat excess food waste, acting to utilize it for charitable purposes by supporting the Food Bank foundation.
Libya: A Convenient Execution
Alain Gresh outlines in his post on Libya, “An Ambiguous Liberation” [fr], that Gaddafi's execution “puts an end to the possibility of a trial that would have shone light on...
France: Tunisian Diaspora Open “The Blue Finger Club”
The three-day anticipated vote for Tunisian living abroad is now over and has established a new "blue fingers club" on social media networks. Tunisian voters in France flaunt their ink-stained fingers - proof that they are part of the select club of early voters in the historical Tunisian constituent elections.
Spain: The October 15 Protests and Mass Media Coverage
The global October 15 manifestation that demanded the exercise of real democracy and protested against the corruption of elite financial corporations was truly massive in Spain. In this post, we reveal how a sector of Spanish mass media covered the event and the discussion among netizens.
Ethiopia: Netizens Shine Spotlight on Trial of Swedish Journalists
The trial of two Swedish journalists accused of terrorism in Ethiopia after being detained during a battle between government troops and rebels started on Tuesday. The story has become a hot topic of discussion in both traditional media and online communities worldwide.
France: Tunisian Diaspora Set to Vote
Tunisian residents in France will vote ahead of their compatriots, from Thursday, October 20, until Saturday, October 22, whereas polls in Tunisia open on Sunday 23 October. There are an estimated...
Italy: October 15 Protest Turns Violent in Rome
This post is part of our special coverage #Occupy Worldwide. Inspired by the “Occupy Wall Street” movement in New York and by the Spanish “Indignados”, citizens in 951 cities and...
France: The Twittosphere Pokes Fun at the Presidential Election Campaign
As can be seen on social networking sites like Twitter, the 2012 presidential campaign is well and truly underway in France. The left wing Primaries have animated the media landscape over the last couple of weeks, and resulted in François Hollande being named the Socialist Party (PS) representative. On Twitter, many Trending topics make reference to the up coming elections and are provoking amused reactions.
France: Violence Erupts in French Overseas Departement Mayotte
Violence has erupted during demonstrations against the rising cost of living in Mamoudzou, the capital city of the French overseas departement Mayotte, where one man has died and another is...
France: A Criticism of the “Imperialist Consensus”
“The televised debate between (presidential candidates) Hollande and Aubry showed us that, for the most part, the Socialist Party shares the opinions of the right on foreign policy,” writes [fr] the blog...
France: Towards an Admission of the 17 Octobre 1961 Suppression?
The blog Le Petit Blanquiste recounts [fr] the peaceful demonstration by Algerians in Paris, on 17 October 1961, which was suppressed in blood, and the media reactions of the time. After...
Portugal: Photos and Videos of October 15 Protests
The October 15 protests in Portugal, calling for “participatory democracy, transparency in policy and the end of the precariousness of life”, gathered around 80,000 in the main squares of the country. Citizen reporters used online platforms to share photo and video reports of events.
France: Global Voices in French Recommended in Volunteers’ Guide
Global Voices en français [fr] is happy to see the work of its volunteer translators highlighted and recommended in a recently published book in France, Impliquez-vous ! (Get Involved!) [fr]....