Where Roma Run the Show

We are looking for a European country that’s home to one of the the world’s biggest self-governing Roma communities.

Sarkozy versus Gypsy

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The Romanian rock band Vama has written a song that takes on some of the common misconceptions about the Roma or Gypsies and skewers French President Nicolas Sarkozy’s expulsion of Gypsies from France earlier this year.Matthew Brunwasser reports. Download MP3

Video:”Sarkozy vs Gypsy”

Global Political Cartoons: September 11 – 17, 2010

There’s a lot of anger and hate in this week’s cartoons, against the Roma, Muslims, women, and government. But there’s also an act of contrition from an unlikely source.

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Roma crackdown in France

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In France, the crackdown against gypsy or Roma people continues. Police have been raiding Roma camps and deporting hundreds of people. Human rights groups and some European officials question the legality of the crackdown. But the government of President Nicolas Sarkozy isn’t backing down. The World’s Gerry Hadden reports from St. Denis, just north of Paris. (Photo: Gerry Hadden) Download MP3

• Multimedia: Gerry Hadden’s photos from France
• BBC video: France rejects UN Roma criticism

Global Political Cartoons: August 28 – September 3, 2010

This week, a melange of Middle East messes. Perhaps a little harsh but we get a lot of visual comments on President Obama bellying up to the Mideast peace bar; the attempt to tie a bow on Iraq; and the uncertainty of a US success in Afghanistan.

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Global Political Cartoons: August 21 – 27, 2010

France expels Gypsies or Roma and sends them packing back to Eastern Europe. The slow trickle of aid to Pakistan; exiting Iraq, and US soldiers watch out for Taliban in Afghanistan.

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Global Political Cartoons: August 1 – 7, 2010

This week the digerati try to break from their online lives for a few hours at the beach; the United Arab Emirates’ stone age answer to the digital age; and debating a proposed mosque near the site of the World Trade Center.

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Istanbul struggles with gentrification

Some of Istanbul’s old neighborhoods are struggling to modernize. The Turkish government is razing buildings to make way for new homes. But in the process, some argue, the original character of the neighborhoods is being destroyed, along with the fabric of the communities that live there. Aaron Schachter reports from Istanbul. (Audio available after 5PM Eastern)

• Slideshow: Istanbul gentrification
• Article on Sulukule from The Guardian newspaper
• Podcast: Istanbul, A Past and Future City