Where did migrants from the “new” EU countries come to in the UK?

Following the accession of Poland, Czech Republic, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Hungary, Slovakia and Slovenia to the EU in 2004, there was a large influx of migrant labour from those countries into the UK and other EU nations. Their arrival had many effects, including putting strain on education resources and boosting church attendances. Some of the predicted problems did not materialise and the UK public generally found the migrants to be a welcome addition to the job market, filling a range of gaps from low skilled farm labouring, such as harvesting, through to more skilled posts, such as plumbing and building work. Many returned home again after a few years, particularly as the impact of the “credit crunch” hit them hard.

This link shows where migrants from the A8 countries arrived in the period from 2004 to 2007:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/7370955.stm

What social problems are associated with mining developments in LEDCs?

Mining is often a useful way for LEDCs to gain finanancially from their natural resources. However, large global mining companies and governments in developing countries often do not enforce the same planning, social and environmental standards as they would in MEDCs. Here are a couple of examples of the allegations that have been made:

A Canadian mining firm operating in Guatemala:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/7934513.stm

A British firm operating in Peru:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/oct/18/peru-monterrico-metals-mining-protest

Coca-Cola in Venice – How does the spread of big brands indicate globalisation?

Many iconic places try to reject big global brands, as a way of preserving their status and heritage. The introduction of 60 Coca-Cola vending machines to Venice has caused an inevitable row, but is the spread of global brands inevitable?

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/7906589.stm

How has the EU grown and how might it grow in the future?

This article discusses how the European Union has grown and how it might grow further. There are serious differences of opinion over who should or shouldn’t be allowed to join and there will need to be a lot of diplomacy before deals are sealed:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/7529707.stm

Where can I track the Swine Flu Outbreak?

An understanding of geography can help us map the outbreak and progress of pandemic diseases and have a realistic understanding of their danger. The BBC did this for the 2009 outbreak:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/8021547.stm

Is Dubai an “impossible place”?

Dubai, in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), has seen a massive boom in construction and investment since the 1990s. Many major projects have been built here, creating impressive landmarks, but there are some questions over whether Dubai is viable in the long term, as  there is limited oil money and much of the rest of the growth is funded by debt…..

The world’s tallest building is under construction in Dubai:

http://www.burjdubai.com/

Update from 2007:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/6910536.stm

Update from 2009:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/7798943.stm

In June 2008 there were plans for a rotating skyscraper:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/7472722.stm

In November 2009, markets were rocked when Dubai revealed that it may not be able to service its debt:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/8382103.stm

How is Cuba changing?

Fidel Castro has handed control of Cuba over to his brother Raul. Cuba is a country which rouses strong and often polarised passions in many commentators. Certainly it proposes an equal society, where all people are cared for equally, but it also lacks democracy and some of the basic freedoms that are taken for granted in the western world.

Whatever your opinion, Cuba is now changing. More private ownership of goods is possible and the keystone policy that meant all people were paid the same wage regardless of their job is under threat. You can find out more about Cuba after Fidel Castro here:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/in_depth/americas/2007/castro/default.stm

The 50th anniversary of the Cuban Revolution has been marked across the country. The changes that Cuba has undergone and is about to undergo will shape the country as it enters a new era:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/7806928.stm

How is Saudi Arabia changing?

Saudi Arabia is a rich and powerful nation. It is also quite secretive and has been accused of infringing basic human rights. There does, however, seem to be some degree of change in the air:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/programmes/from_our_own_correspondent/7462238.stm

In Septmber 2011 it was revealed that Saudi women would finally be permitted to vote in elections. This was seen as a major step forward: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-15052030

 

Can “uncontacted” tribes be protected?

Many areas of the world still contain indigenous populations who live in isolation from “modern” societies. These people often suffer when they are forced to adapt to modern lifestyles. Many die when they are exposed to diseases which they have no resistance to. So how can we protect them?

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/7435272.stm

http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2008/05/080530-uncontacted-tribes-photo.html?email=inside_20080605

Archeologists have found that many areas of the Amazon thought never to have been inhabited were once home to complex societies:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/7586860.stm

In one psrt of the Brazilian Amazon, a tribe has won its case against farmers who threatened to damage the reservation they live on, but it may only be a temporary reprieve:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/7774895.stm#map

What is Britishness?

In our ever-changing society, many people are asking themselves what it means to be British. Visit this site to find out who we think we are:

http://www.whodowethinkweare.org/