Stories about Western Europe from August, 2013
“Me & My Shadow”: Protecting Data on the Net
The Internet, mobile phones, and other such achievements of progress have become essential aspects of human existence, and have simplified communication between people and integrated them into a new space.
‘The Worst Tours’ Unveils Darker Side of Portugal's Top Travel Destination
An alternative tours agency takes visitors through "the other side" of the city of Porto to show them what life is really like under austerity .
Three Youths Harassed After Speaking Catalan at Music Festival in Spain
Two cases of Catalanophobia, this time reported at Valencia's Arenal Sound festival, once again caused a stir on the Internet.
Spanish Government's Complaint Box Causes Boomerang Effect
Why has the Spanish government's "complaint box" caused such controversy? Elena Arrontes explains.
‘Rewire': How to Be a Better Media Consumer
Commentary from around the French-speaking Web on serendipity and cosmopolitanism, two key concepts found in the book 'Rewire' by Global Voices co-founder Ethan Zuckerman.
Morocco: “Daniel Gate” Sparks Unprecedented National Outrage
Spanish pedophile Daniel Galván was pardoned by the King of Morocco. Street protests led the king to revoke the pardon. Many say it is too little, too late.
Experimental Artists Pay Homage to Mary Magdelene with Puerto Rican Flair
Artists Tanya Torres and Raquel Z Rivera host a dazzling artistic-musical "promise celebration" in honor of Saint Mary Magdalene in New York.
Madagascar Agency Suspended from Network Tracking Money Laundering
Lambo T. reports [fr] on the website of La Gazette de La Grande Ile that Samifin [mg], the agency in charge of cleaning up the financial sector and combat transnational illegal operations in Madagascar has been suspended from the Egmont Group of financial intelligence units. Egmont is an international network that helps tracks...
Do FEMEN's Topless Protests Advance Women's Rights or Jeopardize Them?
When a man sets himself on fire in protest, no one accuses him of harming the movement he self-immolated for. Why does FEMEN face those accusations?
Spain: Catalan Water Polo Player Quits Twitter After Harassment
Roser Tarragó had displayed the Catalan separatist flag and a picture wearing the Catalan team suit instead of the Spanish one on her account.
Tchip: The “Shaking My Head” Meme from Africa
Nadéra Bouazza explains what being “tchippée” [fr] means for french speaking black communities. Tchip is the sound one makes when he/she disapproves of the behavior/action of someone else (roughly similar to the “shaking my head” internet slang). The “Tchip” sound is used across most black communities and has become an internet meme:
News Websites Indicted over Land Grab Report
News Websites Rue89 and Basta Mag are indicted [fr] following charges by French investment and industrial holding group Bolloré over a report in which they implicate Bolloré [fr] in land grab activities [fr] in Africa. The report lists the group's activities in Côte d'Ivoire, Cameroon, Liberia and Sierra Leone. Politis, a weekly analysis website, reacted...
Senegalese Literacy Contest Winner Turns Down French Visa in Protest
Bousso Dramé describes the ill treatment she received when obtaining a French visa in a widely circulated open letter.
DREAM Helps Reduce AIDS Cases in Africa
An interview with Paola Germano, leader of Comunità di Sant'Egidio's DREAM programme in Africa. She explains why research has confirmed a reduction in AIDS cases in sub-saharan Africa.
Italian Appeals Court Upholds Guilty Verdict in Historic Eternit Asbestos Case
An appeals court in Turin, Italy has affirmed Swiss billionaire Stephan Schmidheiny, former owner of cement manufacturer Swiss Eternit Group, is responsible for nearly 3,000 asbestos-related deaths.
