Stories about Western Europe from September, 2012
Spain: Should the Church Pay (All) its Taxes?
In May of this year, Zamora became the first city in Spain to enforce that the Catholic Church pay Property Tax (IBI). Social networks have captured information and a variety of comments on the topic.
Portugal: Unionists Take to the Streets in Protest
Following the biggest popular protest of the last decades in Portugal, on September 15, 2012, every week people have been taking to the streets. More demonstrations were called for September...
New Caledonia: Political Tension Grows Over Rights to Nickel Mines
Claudine WERY writes [fr] that political tension grows between independentist and non-indenpendentist political parties in New Caledonia over the exploitation of Nickel mines. Non-independentists accuse the other party to strike...
Spain: Creative Alternatives to an Economy in Crisis
Since the start of the crisis that continues to embroil Spain's economy, many Spaniards have opted out of that economic model and instead created viable alternatives to their economy in crisis, such as networks for sharing goods and services or new systems and currencies that promote responsible consumption.
Spain: Proposed Changes for Abortion Law
The 28th of September is the celebration of the Campaign for the Legalization of Abortion, which has taken place for years in Latin America and the Caribbean and this year...
Spain: Two Journalists on Trial for Revealing Corruption in Catalonia
On September 27, Albano Dante and Marta Sibina, editors of the magazine Cafè amb Llet, will appear in court in Catalonia, Spain. The journalists are being sued for libel by an advisor to the Catalan president after alleging that senior officials are involved in corruption of the health care system.
Japan: Petition to Release Violin from Frankfurt Customs
On August 16, 2012, German customs officials at Frankfurt Airport seized a Guarneri violin from Japanese professional musician Yuzuko Horigome when she failed to present correct documentation. They demanded that she...
Why Mali's Army is Hesitant about Foreign Intervention in the North
Tiékorobani goes to great length explaining why Captain Sanogo and the Malian Army are hesitant about foreign intervention [fr] in Northern Mali. He argues that Sanogo fears that he will lose...
Global: The 2012 edition of ‘Wiki Loves Monuments’
Julien L. wrote the following on numerama.com: The Wiki Loves Monuments copyright-free landmarks photo contest is going particularly well. Nearly a week after its launch, more than 50 000 photographs...
Spain: Catalans Continue to Push for Independence
Since last Tuesday saw the largest pro-Catalan independence rally in the region's history, pro-independence activists have continued to pressure politicians to match rhetoric with swift action. Read an overview of the week's action here.
Singapore: Charity Group Targets Poor Children in Laos and Vietnam
A group of seven professional Swedish women based in Singapore have formed the charity organization Together for Charity. Today, the group gathers donations to support an orphanage in Laos and an English school in Vietnam. The group's founders discussed with Global Voices how their charity work is helping poor children in the region
UK: A Geeky Marriage Proposal
Dan Braghis proposed to Global Voices Author, Sylwia Presley in a pitch session at Oxford Geeks event, #OGN28, and she said yes! Congratulations!
Portugal: Demonstrations During Presidential Meeting with State Council
Following September 15's massive anti-austerity protests around Portugal ‘Screw troika! We want our lives’, new demonstrations were organized for September 21, the day President Cavaco Silva is holding a meeting...
Senegal: ‘Completely White’ Whitening Cream Stirs Outrage
Lightening the skin is a common practice in Africa where the sale of skin lightening products is legal in many countries. In Senegal, a product named 'Khess Petch' is creating controversy on the web, as its name means 'complete whitenesss'.
China: Good Englishman in Xian
Peter Barefoot from ChinaSMACK translated a local media's feature story of a British engineer, Tony, who founded the “Yellow River Soup Kitchen” in Xi’an in 2005 and has distributed food...
Kosovo: Venice Biennale “Newcomer”
Facebook page “Southeast Europe: People and Culture” notes that “Kosovo is one of this year's newcomers to the [Venice Biennale]”: The pavilion allows visitors to share their views on Kosovo's...
Albania: Balkans Beyond Borders Short Film Festival
The Balkans Beyond Borders Short Film Festival 2012 opens in Tirana today. This is the third time that the festival is being held; this year's theme is “TALK TO ME...
France: Study Shows GM Corn Fed Rats Display Higher Tumors Levels
Guillaume Malaurie reports that [fr] a team of French researchers led by Pr. Gilles-Eric Séralini found that laboratory rats fed with a steady diet of Monsanto genetically modified corn displayed...
Italy: Workers Occupy Sardinian Coal Mine
When threatened with the future closure of Carbosulcis coal mine in Italy, miners from the pit occupied their workplace some 373 metres underground in protest. The occupation may have ended but over all the situation remains uncertain.
Sudan: YouTube Banned After Protesters Burn German Embassy
Angered by the trailer of a movie which insults Prophet Mohammed, made by an Egyptian in the United States and posted on YouTube, Sudanese protesters burned the German Embassy in Khartoum. Netizens weigh in as Sudanese authorities block access to video sharing site YouTube.
Portugal: Massive Protest Against Troika Sparks Momentum
The biggest demonstration of recent decades in Portugal took place on September 15, under the anti-austerity motto 'Screw the troika! We want our lives'. Nearly one million people took to the streets to protest against the government.
