Stories about Western Europe from April, 2009
Italy: citizens provide news and reflections on the earthquake in L'Aquila
More than 250 people dead, about 1,000 injured and over 25,000 displaced: Italy's worst earthquake in three decades. While the situation on the ground is still unfolding, people are widely using online tools to offer updates, commentaries, and help.
Tunisia: Obama Snubs Sarkozy
Tunisian blog Nawaat posts a video which they claim shows US president Barack Obama snubbing French President Nicolas Sarkozy – who is later seen embracing Tunisian President Zeinalabideen Ben Ali.
Netherlands: Dutch minister tweets about Afghanistan summit
During the recent Afghanistan summit in The Hague, Dutch speakers could read updates and direct responses to questions about the summit on Twitter. The updates were posted by Maxime Verhagen, the Dutch Mininster of Foreign Affairs, who hosted the summit. Mr Verhagen is an avid Twitter user.
Global Job Losses and Returning Migrant Workers
This post focuses on the stories of the unemployed and migrant workers who are returning home to their countries. Job layoffs are perceived by most people as the primary and most recognizable indicator of the global economic recession. How has unemployment affected individuals around the world? In what ways the reverse migration of workers creating problems for developing nations?
Azerbaijan: The great outdoors
Scary Azeri in Suburbs continues to examine the differences between life in Azerbaijan and life in England. This time round, the blog comments on the different approaches taken to the great outdoors.
The first Brunei Postgraduate Symposium
Two weeks ago, the first Bruneian Postgraduate Symposium was held at the Brunei Gallery, School of Oriental African Studies in London. The symposium provided an oppprtunity for Bruneian students to exchange ideas and concerns on various topics. Participants discussed the difficulties of accessing resources and data on Brunei for academic research.