Stories about Migration & Immigration from May, 2007
Madagascar: Malagasy bloggers in France criticize Sarkozy's proposed immigration policy
The platform on which France's new president Nicolas Sarkozy was elected proposes the creation of a ministry of immigration and national identity. Immigrants who have been living in France for...
Europe: Still Some More on Eurovision
Another mini-roundup of entries on last Saturday's Eurovision Song Contest: Anegdote encourages readers to rejoice – because they “accomplished something too by watching” Serbia's winning entry on TV; Belgrade 2.0...
The Lives of Africans in Germany
Le Pangolin links to several articles about the lives of Africans living in Germany [Fr] from La Gazette de Berlin, a French language bimonthly.
Outrage as Zimbabwe assumes helm of key global organization
As if all the troubles bedeviling Zimbabweans were not enough, Zimbabweans were aghast last week as it emerged their beleaguered nation is going to lead the UN Commission on Sustainable Development in yet another cruel twist in the nightmare that is Zimbabwe. Zimbabwe's ascendancy occurred in spite of the fact that it is the nation with both the fastest shrinking economy and one of the highest inflation rates in the world.
Croatia: Virginia Kapic
Neretva River writes [link no longer valid] about Virginia Kapic, who, despite involvement with some “violently racist skinhead organizations” of Europe, remains “a leading figure in the Croatian diaspora community.”
Nicaragua: Open Source Software, Machisimo in the Park, and an Immigration Rally
Members of the Ubuntu Group in Nicaragua recently provided a free interactive workshop on the use of open source software. Even though the event did not touch on all of the subjects that it could have, many applauded the effort as the first of its kind in Nicaragua. Other blogs discussed shameful machisimo attitudes, the use of bio-fuels, and a firsthand account of an immigration rally in the United States, where the police used excessive force.
Madagascar: Lack of Activity in Local Blogs in Times of Crisis Sparks Debate
Much has been written about the series of natural disasters that have hit Madagascar recently. Tomavana sheds some light on yet another crisis in the North-West region of Madagascar now...
Latvia: Falsification of History
Peteris Cedrins of Marginalia writes: “On 8 May, I always read Peteris Ermanis’ poem about the rejoicing when the War ended — driven into exile (like my parents — my...
Estonia: On Food (and Peace)
The buzz surrounding Tallinn's Bronze Soldier is slowly subsiding, so here is a completely amicable entry on food and peace, written in Russian on May 3 by Tallinn-based LJ user orang-m.
India: Madras and Home
etcetera on “home”coming. From New York to Madras. “On my first day back, a houseful of relatives encourage me to go take a ‘nap’ at 5 in the evening. I...
Bahrain: Incense-wafting Journalism
This week in Bahrain bloggers have been preoccupied with topics including sycophancy, the welfare of foreign labourers, and the culture of alcohol consumption. Follow the arrows to see how Ayesha Saladana sums up some of the best conversations taking place in the Bahraini blogosphere.
Estonia, Russia: Ansip and Putin
The Russian Dilettante compares the Russian president to the Estonian PM and writes about their respective roles in the current conflict over the Bronze Soldier: “I also suspect that the...
Estonia, Russia: More on the Bronze Soldier
Itching for Eestimaa writes: “With the issue of the Estonian government's decision to relocate a Soviet war memorial to a military cemetery de facto concluded — though the repercussions will...
Myanmar: Burmese Food in the US
Fifty Viss is making his readers hungry with a picture laden post on finding Burmese food in the US.
Tanzania: a short scene from Bongoland film
Bongoland is a Swahili fim with English subtitles about Juma, a Tanzanian undocumented worker in the US, chasing the American dream. Chemi posts a clip from the film.
Zimbabwe: more arrests, regional neglect, and Western duplicity
Zimbabwe's bloggers have a wealth of information on the week that was in the troubled southern African country. There are reports of more arrests and torture, an emergency monetary policy...
Labouring in Qatar
Like many of the Gulf States, Qatar is heavily dependent of foreign expatriate workforce to help fuels its growth. Demographically, Qataris make up less than 25% of the 800,000 people...