The FT has a piece on the growing tensions within the Republican tent over Iraq.
If we quit now, said Condoleezza Rice, the secretary of state, in a speech at Princeton University last month, we will embolden every enemy of liberty and democracy across the Middle East. We will destroy any chance that the people of [...]

In Brazilian football this seems to be the case, quite literally!
For all that they say about detesting corruption in public life, most ordinary Brazilians do not see it as something with a direct impact on their own lives. But one scandal has caused personal offence to millions.
�I was knocked sideways,� says Catarina Pedroso, an 18-year-old [...]

China is getting worried about the impact of the internet on one of its national passtimes:
China on Tuesday introduced an ?anti-online game addiction system? intended to protect players from the mental and physical perils of spending too much time in front of computers.
The system, which will encourage players to play less by cutting the benefits [...]

Well actually it’s called ?Treasure Hunting Ship;? in Chinese, the CNOOC bid for Unocal. Read some intersting discussion and analysis here.

“People are concerned. They would rather it was happening on an aircraft carrier stuck in the middle of the Atlantic than in Auchterarder”
Peter Everett, Chairman of the Community Council, Auchterarder, Scotland on the up-coming G8 meet.
“The rapid rise of China as a trading economy is unprecedented, but inevitable due to its size.”
Morgan Stanley Economist Andy [...]

His name is Eduardo Rodriguez Veltze, he has been a judge in the supreme court, and he appears, at this stage at least, as an interim, compromise candidate:
The action came after lawmakers gathered following a day of demonstrations and under a warning by the military of possible intervention if the spreading chaos isn’t quelled.
Congress rapidly [...]

The situation in Bolivia seems to get more complicated by the day.
“Thousands streamed into the Bolivian capital, La Paz, on Tuesday as Indian protests against the ruling elite gained force even after President Carlos Mesa offered his resignation.
The critical highway to the highlands, where the international airport is situated, remained cut off by roadblocks, [...]

“Taiwan wants to do high-volume mass production…….Once you want to go to high volume, you have to go China. Once you go China, you have to kill other competitors to become even bigger.”
Mason Su, Iwill General Manager
Iwill manufactures the most powerful small computer in the world.

I remember it was not so long ago that people imagined China was so, so far away. Now this kind of news is almost daily.
“Media and publishing group Bertelsmann on Tuesday announced the first big Sino-foreign wholesale book distribution business in China, as overseas investors seek new ways to get access to the country’s book-sales [...]

Nathan’s Registan continues to be one of the most reliable sources of news and analysis, to the extent that he is now being blocked from inside Uzebekistan itself. Among links you kind find there is one to the appropriately named Radio Silence. You can also access an on the ground report of the refugee situation [...]