· December, 2009

Stories about Western Europe from December, 2009

France: The Day Without Immigrants

  1 December 2009

With the embittering background of the French official debate about "national identity", a "Day Without Immigrants" was announced to take place on the 1st of March, 2010. How would the economy and society fare if so-called immigrants suspended all activity during 24 hours ?

Arab World: Reactions to the Swiss Ban on Minarets

  1 December 2009

On Sunday, November 29, 57.5% of Swiss voters approved a ban on the construction of new minarets atop mosques, paving the way for a constitutional amendment. The ban has sparked mixed reactions throughout the Arab and Muslim blogospheres: While some bloggers are outraged, others make the point that banning minarets does not hinder practicing the faith.

World AIDS Day: Reflections and Raising Awareness

  1 December 2009

While it's true that most people know by now that HIV/AIDS poses a threat, World AIDS Day, which takes place today, attempts to focus the world's attention on this disease for a day and show just how big a threat still persists.