Stories about Western Europe from October, 2012
Spain: Ryanair (aka Adventures in Flying)
Ryanair, the low-cost, no-luxury Irish airline is coming under fire once again. This time for the various incidents that have occurred in Spain and other countries in the last few weeks. The issue has not left netizens indifferent.
Italian Singer Encourages Kazakhs to Speak Mother Tongue
Son Pascal, an Italian singer and songwriter, has become a celebrity in Kazakhstan by passionately encouraging Kazakhs to speak their mother tongue. In a brief interview with Global Voices Online, Pascal talks about his love for all things Kazakh.
Denmark: “Happy Divorces” with Big Banks
October 1 was the first 'Bank Transfer Day' ever in Denmark. The initiative calls for the Danes to reconsider where they keep their money and to consider if they can vouch for their current bank.
France, Africa: The Debate on Genetically Modified Organisms Grows Contentious
A two year scientific study studying the effects of genetically modified organisms on laboratory rats has been conducted by a team of French researchers. The researchers arrived at conclusions which have reawakened debate on the effects of GMOs.
Spain: Greeting Real Madrid With Catalan Separatist Flags
When the rival soccer teams Real Madrid and FC Barcelona meet for a match on October 7, a Catalan activist group is encouraging fans to bring their Catalan separatist flags in order to fill the stadium with nationalist symbols.
Spain: ‘Carne Cruda’ Cancellation Stirs Debate on Censorship
Fears of state censorship and declining freedom of expression rise as the influential, political satire programme 'Carne Cruda' found itself unexpectedly cancelled from national radio.
Madagascar & Reunion: Maraina, The First Opera from the Indian Ocean
Marie-Clémence & Cesar Paes present a trailer of Maraina, a film that showcases, in their words, “the first opera to be created in the Indian Ocean region” [fr].
Greece: Debunking a ‘Coup That Never Happened’
Impressive reportage from fantasy land, but no knowledgeable editor with a soul was at hand to throw it in the trash. In a Twitlonger post [el], journalist Yiannis Bogiopoulos debunks a controversial expose published in Sunday newspaper To Vima about “a coup that never happened“, and dismisses “loaded” conjectures as to why...
