Stories about Western Europe from January, 2015
World Leaders’ Paris March Participation Provokes Wave of Criticism
Internet users responding to images of world leaders at the Paris march against terrorism earlier this month displayed what might be called a "consensus of mockery."
Activists Urge Pope Francis to Drop Fossil Fuel Investments During Philippines Visit
In Tacloban, during an organized luncheon with victims from Typhoon Haiyan, the pope was hand delivered a letter including a call for the Vatican to divest from fossil fuels.
Civil Liberties vs. Terrorism: What Are We Willing to Give Up?
European Union Interior Ministers are considering measures to combat terrorism in the region, which many have branded as draconian.
Sketch Comic Faces Accusations of ‘Glorifying’ Terrorism in Spain
The day after the attack on Charlie Hebdo in France, a Spanish judge summoned satirist Facu Díaz for questioning about a satirical sketch broadcast on his online TV show.
The French Media’s ‘Charlie Hebdo’ Narrative Isn’t for Everyone in France
One schoolteacher pushes back against the French mainstream media's coverage of minority attitudes about the deadly attack on Charlie Hebdo.
The Internet Takes Down Fox News’ ‘Terrorism Expert’ for Saying Birmingham Is a No-go Area for Non-Muslims
In the aftermath of the Paris attacks, Emerson told the news channel UK city is 'totally Muslim'.
Twitter Mocks Anti-Muslim Comments with #FoxNewsFacts after ‘Expert’ Says Birmingham, England is ‘Totally Muslim’
Twitter users quickly got into the game, trending #FoxNewsFacts globally. Social search engine Topsy reports that the tag has been tweeted more than 400,000 times this week.
They Are Not Charlie: They Torture, Jail and Kill Journalists in Their Own Countries
The presence of world leaders at the forefront of the Paris rally drew much criticism online, especially since some of those leaders were among the world's worst free speech offenders.
‘Without Humor, We Are All Dead': Cartoonists Pay Tribute to Fallen Comrades After Charlie Hebdo Massacre
Some of the most striking cartoons and images on the web that have circulated in tribute to those killed.
Charlie Is Ahmed. And Ahmed Is Charlie: Hashtags Emerging From the Tragedy in France
While we consume news from France, commenting on freedom of satirical expression, Islam and France as a society, the concept of French universalism and republicanism is left in the shadows.
British Islamist Anjem Choudary Doesn't Represent All Muslims (Someone Tell USA Today)
The idea of Choudary speaking for all Muslims is laughable, writes Jillian York.
#JeSuisCharlie: Muslims Have Nothing to Apologize For
Besides the actual attack, what bothered me the most was thousands of people asking, “why aren’t Muslims condemning this?”, writes Joey Ayoub.
The #Heimkino Project Crowdsources a Warm ‘Willkommen’ for Refugees in Germany
#Heimkino asks Germans to film themselves saying basic words and phrases as part of a short videos support a German language course at a refugee centre in Siegen.
EU Citizens Petition Against CETA and TTIP Trade Arrangements
This year watch for two transatlantic trade arrangements being negotiated by the EU with Canada and the US respectively. European civic groups fear they will trample over the public interest.
