Stories about France from July, 2008
Philippines: Monthly salary of politicians
A Filipino politician reveals his monthly salary to belie popular perception that politicians are earning big.
Costa Rica: Concerts, riots and concerns.
Journalist Cristian Cambronero from popular Costa Rican blog Fusil de Chispas posts a recount of Sunday's Concert where youth rioted and destroyed the campus of the Universidad Latina in the capital city of San José. It seems that when around 3000 of them were not allowed entrance to the free concert venue where already 5000 spectators were waiting for the concert some of the irate teens destroyed the university buildings, storefronts,dismantled cars, damaged the church in the vicinity, looted, threw chairs, rocks and bricks everywhere.
Morocco: Another perspective on Faiza Silmi
Last week, Global Voices covered the story of Faiza Silmi, the Moroccan woman denied French citizenship for her beliefs and actions (which included, among other things, wearing the niqaab or full facial veil). Today, Moroccan blogger ...xoussef [FR] chimes in with another perspective on the issue.
French Ambassador expelled from Madagascar because he was bad luck?
Malagasy and French netizens debate the French Ambassador's expulsion from Madgascar. Was it a matter of superstition?
Arabeyes: Moroccan woman refused French citizenship for burqa
Last week a French resident was refused citizenship on the grounds that she was “insufficiently assimilated.” The woman, referred to in the Press as “Faiza M.,” is a Moroccan citizen but has lived in France since 2000 with her husband, a French citizen, and three children, all born in France. The incident has set a precedent and has stirred up the feelings of bloggers around the world, reports Jillian York.
Bahrain: Arrogant French Embassy
Bahraini blogger Mahmood Al Yousif complains about the ‘arrogance’ of the French Embassy in Bahrain in this post – where he claims he wasn't treated well when he went to apply for a Schengen Visa.
DRC: Kabila meets with Sarkozy
At his meeting with Congolese President Joseph Kabila yesterday, French President Nicolas Sarkozy extinguished any hopes of more debt relief. Blogger Alex Engwete has this to say [Fr]: “the lesson to take from the diplomatic debacle is that the development of the DRC will not happen by way of the...
Europe tightens border control, Brazil returns in kind
Father LaCour, a missionary in Burkina Faso, writes about French tourists who were arbitrarily denied entry by Brazilian immigration authorities [Fr], apparently in retaliation for Europe's increasingly strict immigration policies.
France: Restrictions on marriages with foreigners
Racisme et Histoire writes it's getting harder and harder for French to marry foreigners [Fr].
France: Morrocan Woman Denied Citizenship
Blogger Sabria Jawhar writing for Arabisto comments on the recent French ruling denying citizenship to a Moroccan woman for wearing a “burqa”.
Death Penalty for Malagasy Farmers over Land Dispute
Twenty one farmers from the locality of Ankorondrano-Analavory (90 km west of Antananarivo) were sentenced by the state because of a collective act of rebellion that stemmed from a dispute over land ownership. An online campaign for clemency for the farmers and conversations about the verdicts are taking place, keeping online forums users and blogs busy.
Guatemala: Was Antigua the Inspiration for the Little Prince?
For a relatively small country, Guatemala's magnificant scenery can awaken one's imagination. From the 37 volcanoes that rise up from the landscape to the mystical Lake Atitlan, it is a country that has attracted intellectuals in the field of culture and arts, who may have been drawn to this magical land. One other author, Antoine De Sain Exupéry, who is best known for writing “The Little Prince,” visited Guatemala by accident, and leads to the question: Was Antigua, Guatemala his Muse for writing about Asteroid B-612?
China: Is Sarkozy the problem with Sino-French relations?
'Liberty, Equality and Fraternity, what intoxicating words! So why is there still so much animosity between China and France?'
Colombia: Hostage Rescue Raises Concerns
After the rescue dubbed as “perfect” by liberated former Presidential candidate Ingrid Betancourt, who was rescued by the Colombian army on Wednesday July 2nd along with 14 other hostages being held captive by the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) for up to 10 years in some cases. The Colombian community has been voicing concerns about the repercussions the rescue might have, and what interests might have been behind it.