· February, 2013

Stories about Western Europe from February, 2013

Burundi: Violent Suppression of Demonstration Support for Imprisoned Journalist

The Court of Burundi revised the life sentence for journalist and Radio France International correspondent Hassan Ruvakuki on appeal, reducing his sentence to three years imprisonment. Media professionals demonstrated in sympathy weekly outside the Bujumbura Court building since the sentence was handed down until violent suppression of a march by the authorities.

28 February 2013

Portugal, São Tomé and Príncipe Make Music

Until March 1, 2013, Pantalassa, a cultural association working with Portuguese language countries, is organizing a multidisciplinary program of artistic residences in the “marvelous islands” of São Tomé and Príncipe, together...

28 February 2013

Weary of Austerity, Portugal Sings a Song of Revolution

Thousands of Portuguese people have promised a massive anti-austerity protest on March 2, 2013. Leading up to the date, demonstrators have led a campaign to interrupt government ministers during their public appearances by singing a historic song used by revolutionaries who toppled the country's dictatorship in 1974.

27 February 2013

How Would Africans Feel about A Black Pope ?

Following the surprise resignation, the debate on Benedict XVI's succession was immediately launched. In particular, Africans, on the basis of the fastest growing contingent of Catholics on their continent, began to put forward the names of their favourites among the 18 cardinal Africans who are part of the College of Cardinal and who will meet in conclave to elect the new pope.

25 February 2013

Macedonian Anti-Fascists Protest Against Harassment

On Feb. 16, World War II veterans and their supporters protested against the forced neglect of the Allied Forces' achievements (which include the founding of the Macedonian state), and the continuous harassment of the veterans' organization by the current government at all levels. Filip Stojanovski reports.

24 February 2013

The Spanish Government's ‘Obscene’ Hashtag Makes Waves on Twitter

The Spanish governing party launched the hashtag #QuelaenseñeRubalcaba [#ShowyoursRubalcaba] in order to urge the leader of the opposition to publish his income tax return. The hashtag has been received with great furore on Twitter and became a Top Trend within a few hours. In this article we've collected some of the wittiest tweets, as well as numerous images which surfers have been uploading on the social network. [All links lead to Spanish language pages unless otherwise stated]

21 February 2013

Spanish Parliamentarians Tweet Secret Mario Draghi meeting

El Presidente del Banco Central Europeo (BCE) Mario Draghi pidió que su intervención en el Congreso español se realizara a puertas cerradas. Pero dos diputados desobedecieron la petición de Draghi y transmitieron en tiempo real en Twitter las intervenciones de Draghi bajo la etiqueta que ellos mismo crearon #OpenDraghi.

18 February 2013

Eurovegas in Spain: Panacea or Plunder?

Officials have announced that Eurovegas, the future city of leisure that will supposedly create hundreds of thousands of jobs for Spain, will be built on the outskirts of Madrid. Why, then, are so many people raising their voices against the project, which should be a godsend for a country with more than five million people out of work?

17 February 2013

Spain: €8.1 Million Bail for the King's Son-in-law

Iñaki Urdangarín, Duke of Palma, accused of embezzlement of public funds, fraud, breach of trust/corruption and forgery of documents since 2012, has been in and out of the courts with less than enviable frequency. Recently, a warrant for Urdangarín was issued in relation to misappropriation of public funds.

12 February 2013