Stories about Refugees from August, 2011
China: Who Could Have Known The Libyans Hate Gaddafi?
One of China's top military analysts at home, has turned the official line on Libya into something of a joke, and abroad, China's nominal support for Gaddafi may end up costing the country oil contracts and much more. Netizens look at the lessons Beijing could stand to learn.
Somalia: Food Security Emergency Spreads Despite Aid
As the Horn of Africa deals with what the Food and Agriculture Organization is calling the “most severe food security emergency in the world today,” experts warn that conditions in famine-stricken Somalia are likely to further deteriorate. Juhie Bhatia examines the spread of the disaster.
Lebanon: On Mahmoud Abbas’ Upcoming Visit
Bissan writes (Ar) that because she believes in, among other things, the Palestinian Right to Return and that Palestine belongs to the Arab nation, she therefore opposes the upcoming visit of Mahmoud Abbas to Lebanon as well as the prospective Palestinian state intended to be voted upon at the UN.
Malaysia-Australia Refugee Swap Deal Criticised
The refugee swap between Malaysia and Australia that was signed last month has been suspended by the Australian High Court after huge criticism. Under the deal, the next 800 refugees to arrive in Australia will be sent to Malaysia, and in return Australia will take in 4000 refugees from Malaysia in the next four years.
Australia: Malaysia No Solution to ‘Boat People’ Politics
The Australian government’s attempt to take a hard line on people smugglers and asylum seekers arriving by boat has hit a major snag. In December 2010, approximately 50 asylum seekers were drowned at Christmas Island. A legal challenge has postponed a swap of the surviving refugees with Malaysia.
Cuba: Nyad's Failed Attempt
As athlete Diana Nyad gives up her attempt to swim from Cuba to Florida, Generation Y says: “Her laudable intention was to highlight the closeness between the Island and its neighbor to the north, to help reconcile both shores. But the Straits of Florida is also part of our national...
Number of North Korean Defectors Surges In Thailand
ROK drop blog posted a story on a surge of North Korean refugees in northern Thailand. As authorities have failed to give a clear explanation on causes of the sudden increase, net users have raised various speculations on the site.
France: The Forgotten Tunisian Refugees of #Botzaris36
After several months of wandering, 30 Tunisian migrants are currently sleeping rough in a park in Paris. #Botzaris36 is the hashtag launched on Twitter to help them out both financially and legally, in what is a complicated legal and political situation involving France and Tunisia. Anna Gueye reports.
