While the bulk of our mainstream media were infatuated over the presence of fake news taking up valuable time, this week there was real news to be had. Critical news, hopeful news, important news. But it's doubtful you heard about it - or you did and it was shoved into a corner overshadowed by noise. Here's what you might have missed.

(Octavia Nasr - the fatal tweet)

Starting off with a report from Al Jazeera's English news service on July 18th over CNN's firing of Middle East correspondent Octavia Nasr and her tweet over the death of a Muslim cleric.

(Julia Gillard - back on the campaign trail)

Did you know that Monday the 25th is Election day in Australia? You would if you lived there or spent much time listening to ABC Radio National. And if you did, you probably heard this broadcast of AM on July 19th. It's election time again and the issues are flying, and true to form, AM has an interview with the primary candidates.

(Tomorrow never knows)

There was the Kabul Conference this past week with Hamid Karzai reaching out and the U.S. organizing the exit strategy. BBC's Newshour program from July 21st explores the conference on the ground with Lyse Doucet and a number of interesting interviews looking at the scenario of a Post-Occupied Afghanistan.

(A cautious fear that we've entered a new era)

From the CBC program The Current, a piece on the car bombing in Juarez Mexico on July 22nd. Noteworthy in that it's the first of its kind under those (drugs) circumstances. Evidence the war on drugs may have taken a new and more lethal turn. The CBC takes a look at the state of the Drug War in Mexico, drawing parallels between what is happening right now in Juarez and what had happened during an earlier drug war in Colombia. Uncomfortable similarities. The story is far from over.

(In case you didn't notice, spiraling out of control)

The current state of unrest and violence in Somalia is worsening by the day. As reported on this installment of Africa Today on July 22nd, the BBC Africa Service explores the increasing tensions and how this can fan out into a full-blown civil war in a matter of days. You know we're going to be getting involved sooner or later, so it's best you know what the story is now so it doesn't come as a shock when troops start showing up in Mogadishu again. Just saying.

(reports keep changing - the numbers keep growing)

And finally . . . I was originally going to run a piece on the current state of potential bank failures in Spain, owing to failures of recent stress tests. But news broke of the tragedy at the Love Parade Festival in Germany where, at the time of the initial reports (where this collection of news via Radio Berlin comes from) the number of dead were listed as 12. Since that time the number has risen to 18 (as of 5:30 pm in Los Angeles on Saturday). The number of injured is very high and the cause of the tragedy makes no sense. I'm sure more will be revealed in the coming hours, but for the moment I am running initial reports, as heard from Radio Berlin (they're in German so . . . ).

And it's not even Monday yet.

For all the insanity going on in our particular neck of the woods, the rest of the world was having their set of circumstances. Mysterious Iranian scientists, terrorist Bombings in Kampala, Gay Marriage in Argentina and the continuing saga of the Dollar versus the Yuan.

And god gave us Tums.

(Shahram Amiri - In perfect Iranian fashion - a myriad of conflicting stories)

In a story that has more questions than answers, the saga of Shahram Airi, the Iranian scientist who disappeared for a year and suddenly resurfaced in Arizona gave the media a certain amount of pause this week. In this case it was the BBC World Service program Newshour from July 13 who gave us the story.

(Bomb scene in Kampala - watching the World Cup has never been so deadly)

The Sunday bombing of several establishments around the Ugandan capital of Kampala served the illustrate just how random and senseless these acts of violence are. Innocent people, caught up in watching the World Cup on TV's at various restaurants and bars around town were caught in a wave of mass murder as a series of explosions ripped through the Capitol leaving some 74 dead and hundreds injured. By the time of this newscast (Africa Today from the 13th) there were groups taking credit for the bombings and arrests had begun. The senseless acts continue.

(I guess you could say "Two Juans Make It Right"?)

Given Argentina's rather repressive past (military Junta's, overthrows, dictatorships) and a strong influence from the Catholic Church, you'd think the last country in the world to approve gay marriage en masse would be Argentina. But no. On Thursday, Argentina voted to allow Gay marriage to be a legal and binding in that South American country. BBC World Service Global News does a piece - there is also a longer piece featuring an interview (in Spanish) with Maria Rachid from the Federacion LGBT in Bueos Aires at the bottom of the page. The world is loaded with surprises.

(Mao is looking more like Ben Franklin every day)

Yes, there is something of a currency war going on between the U.S. and China - it probably doesn't get that much coverage via our MSM, but it's there and it's going on and BBC Business Daily did a piece on it Thursday.

(Torture allegations - the gift that keeps on giving)

It is highly likely we will never hear the end of allegations of torture by our military and the military of our allies over the next generation or so. So deep and entrenched and secret have these violations of human rights been that each time another set of allegations comes to the forefront it almost makes you wonder how it's all going to end. On this Saturday segment of the BBC Radio Four program The Today Program (no relation at ALL to the one over here), the allegations continue from former detainees at Guantanamo.

(Maria Rachid - pleased and relieved)

And finally, for our Spanish speaking friends (or if you just want to brush up) I am offering an interview done via Radio Nacional in Buenos Aires (a very cool website with a LOT of really useful news) this past Thursday featuring the President of Federacion LGBT Argentina Maria Rachid and her reaction to the passage of Gay Marriage legislation in Argentina.

Until next week . . .

Comparatively speaking, this second full week of July was a little calmer than previous weeks. Maybe the scorching heat wave on the east coast, maybe the distractions from the World Cup (or at least Larissa) or maybe just the calm before the storm (there is that Sarkozy scandal brewing in Paris). In any event, the world still had its share of dramas and no doubt there will be more, as there always are.

(Everyone, it seems put in their two cents for the Polish elections)

Recovering from the shock the tragedy in April, which took the life of Polish President Lech Kaczynski and most of the Polish government, elections were held this past week. The winner was Bronislaw Komorowski, defeating the bid of Jaroslaw Kaczynski (twin brother of the late President) to take over the top spot. Polski Radio's Overseas Service offered a breakdown of the election returns - July 5th.

(first China, now Turkey . .will the wonders ever cease?)

The latest Government versus Internet fracas is taking the form of a squabble between Turkey and Google. Hot from their skirmish with China, Google are now dealing with a rather cantankerous Turkish Parliament who feels that Google, who have been available to Internet users in Turkey, should set up shop in Turkey and pay Turkish taxes. BBC Radio 4's Today Program ran a report on the latest rundown on July 5th.

(oh . . .the Euro again!)

It seems this 8 year old experiment in monetary stability isn't destined to last much longer. As was pointed out in this episode of the BBC World Service's Analysis Program from July 5th, the fallout from the current financial crisis has put quite a dent on the stability of the Euro. Despite proclamations to the contrary, it wouldn't surprise me at all if mattresses are stuffed all over Europe with Pounds, Lire and Francs - just in case.

(Denial on de Nile)

When Mahmoud Taha Swellem told his employers masked gunmen came aboard the bus he was driving in a Cairo neighborhood and started shooting, killing 6 and wounding at least 12, they believed him and quietly said nothing to anyone for the next seven hours. It was only when police started wondering what all the body bags were doing did the story begin to unwind and Mahmoud was accused of mass killing in the deaths of six construction company workers. As the BBC Africa Service' Africa Today program explained on July 6th, part of the denial came as a result of the shock over the unusual nature of the crime.

(In lieu of the Lovefest . . . )

This week also saw the return of Bibi Netanyahu to the White House and a considerably warmer reception with President Obama than just weeks before. What all this means can be taking a million different ways, and Israel National Radio's Tamar Yonah wasted no time speculating. This broadcast from July 8th features a lengthy and very interesting interview with American Journalist Edwin Black on just what might be in the cards in the coming weeks. You can grimace, shrug your shoulders or place bets - it's up for grabs like that.

(Larissa Riquelme - singlehandedly responsible for the massive rise in interest in football among teenage boys)

And finally, with the final of the World Cup set for Sunday, Spain is now poised to pull off a first. Whether it happens or not is purely up for speculation. The real winner is the game itself, having made millions of new converts to a challenging and rewarding sport that's been around for a long time, but just coming of age here in the States. With Larissa Riquelme around, the sport may never be the same again. Here is a wrap up of the Spanish win from Thursday Juuly 8th by BBC Five Live's World Cup Daily.

And then there's next week . . .

It was a week of spin, shock and spy charges with not a dull moment in sight. The week began with England's loss to Germany at the World Cup and continued with the G20 Summit and resulting protests. The Congo celebrated 50 years of independence. The BP catastrophe continued with new accusations, spin and political ramifications all doing nothing to stop the oil gushing but keeping the MSM busy. And shades of the "good old days" of the Cold War with allegations of sleeper spies unearthed in court and more than casual embarrassment from the State Department and The Kremlin. A fun week all around.

(Meanwhile . . . )

It was Al Jazeera's turn this week to comment on the political ramifications of the BP/Gulf Of Mexico debacle, laying their own set of accusations down and their speculations of how this is all going to pan out.

(Nothing says G-20 quite like a nice riot)

From the CBC Program The Current, reports on the 28th of the outcome of the G-20 summit and the resulting protests which dealt a goodly amount of mayhem throughout downtown Toronto. Since the rest of the world is teetering on the edge of continued disaster, the frustration has been multiplied over recent months. How this particular stinking bag of circumstances is going to pan out is anybody's guess at this point.

(Anna Chapman - no longer your dad's idea of a spy)

When news broke of an alleged sleeper spy ring uncovered by the FBI with the most unlikely group of defendants appearing in Federal Court, shades of the "good old days" of the Cold War began springing up in newsrooms and editorial departments around the world. Particularly when photos of one of the defendants, Anna Chapman began to circulate. The embarrassment portion of the program came since the U.S. and Russia were enjoying warmer relations than they had in years. As this installment of the BBC World Service's Newshour program from June 29th brought to light.

(the Russians were perplexed)

The Voice of Russia, in their newscast of June 29th offered little in the way of detailed explanation over the spy ring charges. That was something for the Kremlin to deal with. The newsreader was suitably non-plussed and quickly went on to other news items.

(President Joseph Kabila during the Congo's 50th birthday - Even the Belgians showed up)

Fifty years ago this week, The Congo declared independence from their colonial influence from Belgium. Not fifty of the most tranquil years, The Congo (or Republic of Congo as they are now known) weathered through civil wars, political upheavals, name changes (it was Zaire for a while), insurgencies and overthrows to achieve at least tenuous stability under President Joseph Kabila. How long their stability will stay is uncertain. But at least they've come this far. This report came from the BBC Africa Service program Africa Today from June 30.

(Raymond Domenech -portrait of a man in deep merde)

Not satisfied with public scorn and ridicule over the French team's dismal show at the World Cup, lawmakers took up the cause and took time out to grill coach Raymond Domenech over why the football team did so poorly during the games in South Africa. Despite the closed door inquiry, the French Press went into warpdrive, looking for leaks, rumors and speculations as to how their team did so badly. Radio France International's Focus On France program offered some insights.

(with disturbing regularity)

Suicide bombings have become a regular, almost daily occurrence of late in Pakistan. The latest bombing in Lahore casts doubt on just how strong the current government is and where this is all heading and just how stable the government is. This episode of Global News from July 2nd via the BBC covers the bombings as well as UK views on the current Immigration Reform issues in the U.S.

(The "oh shit" moment seen 'round the world)

And finally, with the stunning upset of England by Germany in this week's round of World Cup finals, BBC 5 Live offered on June 28th an in-depth look at what happened, how it happened, why it happened and what's next.

The mind can only wonder what next week will bring. But it will bring it soon enough.

So much for Summer being the time of doldrums. While the Western Hemisphere (or at least the northern part of it) was preoccupied with the firing of Gen. McChrystal and the ongoing catastrophe in the Gulf of Mexico, the rest of the world was quietly going about their own dramas. The days long siege in Jamaica over the capture of drug lord Christopher Coke finally came to an end. Australia elected it's first Female Prime Minister. The G20 Summit got off to it's usual start (even though it's in our hemisphere, the demonstration are international in flavor). The Catholic Church was the recipient of the gift that keeps on giving, this time it's Belgium's turn and arrests in the shooting of a Rwandan exile in South Africa are keeping that region under a nervous gaze.

(Christopher Coke - some days it just doesn't pay to get out of bed)

After a siege that went on seemingly forever and leaving some 75 dead in the process, Jamaican drug lord Christopher Coke finally surrendered to authorities to face the next chapter in the drug soaked saga of the Caribbean.

(Julia Gillard - a first for Australia)

For the first time in their history, a woman became Prime Minister of Australia. ABC Radio National's Politics Program took a look at the historic election and the ramifications for the country.

(Now it's Belgium's turn)

Fresh new allegations of sexual abuse and pedophilia by Catholic priests surfaced, this time in Belgium which prompted the Belgian Police to stage a raid on the Archdiocese in Brussels this week. As reported on the BBC World Service's Newshour, records files and mountains of paper were carted away in what is another in a long line of embarrassing situations for the Vatican to pretend never happened.

(It's that time again)

Amidst the flurry of accusations of financial bungling in its hosting, Toronto opened the G20 summit talks this week. The legions of protesters arrived, as did the teargas canisters, nightsticks and horses. While all raged on outside, the financial crisis gripping just about every country the world was raging inside. All in all, a great place to set up a Valium concession. The CBC program The Current did a run down on the first days events.

(Stanley has left the building)

Even our misfortunes didn't escape the scrutiny of the world Press. As reported by the BBC's Lyse Doucet from the From Our Own Correspondent Series, observations and opinions on the aftermath and reactions to the firing of General Stanley McChrystal reverberated all over.

(Faustin Kayumba Nyamwasa - no place to hide)

And finally, arrests in the shooting of Faustin Kayumba Naywasa, the exiled General also alleged to have participated in the Rwanda genocide, sparked a wave of concern the tip of the iceberg had been viewed and more was to come.

Perhaps the Dog Days of Summer will finally catch up to the rest of the world. But the rate things are going, it isn't likely. We'll find out soon enough in the next day or so.

A busy week for floods, riots, apologies and team sports. Aside from our own goings on with the everlasting Gulf of Mexico catastrophe and mumbled "sorry 'bout that's" from CEO's, the rest of the world was having its own set of trials and tribulations to deal with. From the release of a report on a 1972 massacre in Ireland and its reaction in the town where it happened, to another scene of violence in a former breakaway republic in Eastern Europe. The specter of Darfur raised its genocidal eye this week. Further evidence our climate is going haywire if you were living in Southwest France and The World Cup heads into the end of its first week.

(Getting to be a familiar scene)

The violence in Kyrgyzstan erupted again this past week with civil unrest claiming more lives and another flood of refugees. This report from Voice of Russia's Hourly News from June 14th gives some details.

(opening old wounds)

Shocking enough when it happened in 1972. The demonstration turned ugly in January of 1972 when British troops opened fire on a group of unarmed civilians, killing 13 in a day to be know forever as Bloody Sunday. Initially the report claimed the troops were fired on. But an inquest brought about by pressure to the Blair government reopened the old wound and fresh details and horrifying revelations came out. The revelations were such that it prompted Prime Minister Cameron to publicly apologize for unwarranted behavior on the part of the Army. This report from the BBC World Service Newshour program of June 15th also features the statement as well as reaction from the government.

(and thirty-eight years after this scene . . .still seems like yesterday to some)

RTE in Ireland, as part of their News At One program from the 16th of June went to the scene of the original massacre to get reactions from those who were there at the time to see how the report and the apology set with the people who were most effected.

(A possibility of justice)

From the BBC Africa Service also on June 16th, came word of the indictment and arraignment of Abdallah Banda Abakaer Nourain and Saleh Mohammed Jerbo Jamus, the two Sudanese Rebel leaders accused of mass murder during the Darfur conflict. Now comes the trial, the revelations and the opening of old wounds for this part of the world. Seems to be a lot of that going on lately.

(George Osborne - wading through the sea of financial debris)

As BBC Radio 4's Today Program reported, The Bank of England has put into place a scheme to regulate the UK financial sector in an attempt to get a handle on the seemingly on-going crisis. Spearheading that campaign is Chancellor George Osborne, who was interviewed on the program and gives details and points a few fingers in the process. Yes, the first decade of the new millennium was something of a free-for-all for people in banking.

(It seems no one is particularly immune to flooding these days)

While we've been going through our own horror stories of flooding around the U.S. in recent weeks, it's cold comfort in knowing the same is going on in Southwest France at the moment. According to this report from Radio France International's English Service "Focus On France" program from June 17th, this was the worst flooding in the region in over 200 years. Gives further evidence our climate changes aren't imaginary - oh, but some will still think so anyway.

(A very familiar sight this week)

And finally, the Friday installment of the World Cup Daily reports from BBC 5Live. When this piece went to press (at around 6 this morning) the U.S. hadn't played their latest game, so there's no word on the outcome. But I'm sure you've heard about it by now.

Another week in paradise. And another one is poised to appear shortly.

Another week and the world was part of it. From the Dutch elections where a surprising upset by the right-wing VVD Party forced the resignation of the center-left Prime Minister. It also signaled a shift in Immigration policies, with the VVD adamantly proclaiming an anti-Muslim stance. The week also brought about the demise of Helen Thomas, the long standing cornerstone of the White House Press Corps. In France the trial began for former rogue trader Jerome Kerviel which could be a harbinger for similar trials to come in other countries (hint-hint: U.S.). In the UK, a moment of silence and memorials on Wednesday for the mass killing of 12 in Cumbria. A 24 hour strike in Spain in protest to new austerity measures adapted by the Zapatero government. A $2 million dollar wading pool constructed in Ottawa for the upcoming G-20 summit and finally, the World Cup started on Friday in South Africa with a narrow win for South Africa in the first game against Mexico. And there it was.

(Saga of the Fake Lake)

When the final tally came in for construction of an indoor pool to be used as part of a Visitors Center in Ottawa during the upcoming G-21 Summit, it brought about howls of protest from members of Parliament in Canada on Monday. The expenditure, said to run $2Million (Canadian Dollars) for the "Fake Lake" was only part of a somewhat lavish construction scheme viewed as wasteful by the opposition in the wake of austerity measures pledged by the Canadian Government in view of the current financial situation. Prime Minister Harper offered withering justification and in the end, no one was happy as this episode of CBC's The World At Six explains.

(Jerome Kerviel - aka: Deer In Headlights)

From RFI International's Focus On France program also from Tuesday, the beginning of the trial for rogue trader Jerome Kerviel whose exploits lost billions of Euros. The trial, which is said to be a lengthy affair, will try and fix blame on what was a broken system. It would seem a state of nervous hysteria may break out any minute as the result. Particularly when fingers start pointing.

(Helen has left the building . . .)

With the news of the abrupt departure/firing/retirement of veteran White House Correspondent Helen Thomas over her somewhat indelicate remarks regarding the state of the Middle East, it's interesting to get an Australian take on the firing/departure/retirement via ABC Radio National's Late Night Live. Australian/American correspondent Bruce Shapiro offers his take on the events as well as some insights to the current state of Big Oil in the world today, as the Gulf Of Mexico disaster is only part of a bigger picture.

(The all-too-familiar aftermath of the senseless act)

The otherwise quiet English town of Cumbria was still reeling from the events of the last week, when a gunman took the lives of innocent passersby before taking his own life. More questions than answers as is always the case. The end result was a nation in mourning, families torn apart, loved ones struck numb with grief and no words to explain. This report comes from the BBC World Service Newspod from June 9th.

(Rumored to be a trend)

The Dutch elections were thought to be close, according to the polls. The Center-left government had been taking hits in recent months from the growing anti-Immigrant sentiment taking place in The Netherlands. But on election night the news was bad for the Christian Democrats of Prime Minister Jan Peter Balkenende who was forced to resign as the result of a stinging defeat for the Chrisitan Democrats party and a huge victory for the VVD Party of Mark Rutte which has been viewed throughout the rest of Europe as a sign of things to come. This report comes from the English Service of Radio Nederland Worldwide via their Newsline program of June 10.

(The World Cup - Desmond Tutu's reaction: "Yippeeee!!")

By the end of the week everything else in the world was put on hold as the 2010 World Cup Games got underway in South Africa. In what is probably the world's most popular game, teams from all over the world landed in South Africa to compete for Soccer/Football/Futbol's most coveted prize. From BBC 5Live Extra and their daily podcast comes the opening day of the games. And as a bonus, the last 90 seconds of the opening game between South Africa and Mexico via Talk Radio 720 in Johannesburg (down here).

(Austerity measures not hitting a positive note in Madrid)

And finally, for our Spanish friends (or those of you brushing up on your Spanish), news from RNE's program 14 Horas from June 8th, the day a general strike was called in Spain in protest to austerity measures proposed by the Zapatero government. The measures, which asked for the laying off a large percentage of the Public work force has not been met with any favorable response. Spain is only one of the latest countries to experience the financial downturn in recent months, coming hot on the heels of the situation in Greece just a few weeks ago. By all indications, the crisis has no intention of quitting any time soon.

And that was the week that was. Get ready for the next one.

The news throughout most of the world this week was focused on the Gaza Flotilla incident, with repercussions going on for days, and in fact continuing with the latest on-going story on the Irish relief ship Rachel Corrie heading towards Gaza and no doubt another confrontation of one kind or another. But the world had other news. In Japan, Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama stepped down, Australian immigration laws were coming under fire (sounds familiar), and the world continued its reaction to the Oil disaster in the Gulf of Mexico.

(Stepping down amid the Okinawa question)

Amid allegations that Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama stepped down as the result of an indecisive stance on the Okinawa question. It was still a surprise when NHK broke in with a bulletin on June 1st informing of the Prime Ministers decision.

(Developing story, even as we speak)

RTE in Ireland reported that 6 Irish nationals had been taken prisoner during the first confrontation with the Israelis during the Gaza Aid run. It was now turning into a diplomatic skirmish as the Irish government was now asking the Israelis for repatriation of the six workers.

(so close, yet so far away for a lot of people)

From ABC Radio National Australia's news program National Interest, news on the immigration problem currently going on in New South Wales, and what is being proposed to be done about it.

(brush up on your French right here)

And finally, for our French friends or people who just want to brush up on their French skills, here's a June 4th broadcast of Journal Francais which discusses the Gaza situation, the Gulf disaster and numerous domestic issues on this 8:00 pm (in France) newscast.

That's the week as it looks from this Friday night. I'm sure in 24 hours everything will change just as it will again by Monday.

If you can't keep up, don't feel bad - nobody else can either.

As the week galloped along, the disaster in the Gulf of Mexico took on cataclysmic proportions as news of grossly underestimated amounts of oil flowing from the accident site came to light. On the other side of the world, the crackdown in Thailand continued and word that former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra would be speaking in Paris on May 31st brought fresh anxieties of more protests. And finally, a Late Night Live sit-down interview with Christopher Hitchens at ABC Radio National in Australia. Some week.

(The storm, the quiet, the crackdown in Bangkok)

From ABC Radio National's PM daily news roundup, word that the ongoing Thai crackdown on redshirt protesters also netted an Irish/Australian responsible for delivering some flaming rhetoric during the height of the protests. Also on this May 25th broadcast, news of an Israeli diplomat expelled from Australia and the criticism because of it.

(Stumping a new book on a visit to Sydney with a surprisingly civil chat)

However you feel about Christopher Hitchens (and I know there is probably an equal number of you hating his guts for various reasons), having the chance to sit and listen to a civil interview with him being conducted in a civil articulate manner as it happened on the ABC Radio National program Late Night Live was somewhat refreshing. Maybe it's our media . . . who knows? Anyway, here is an hour long interview done live on the 26th.

(If the finger being used to point blame could plug this hole . . .)

The saga of the Gulf Oil Spill seems to have no end in sight. It has already surpassed the infamous Exxon Valdez disaster of the late 80's in sheer magnitude and amounts of oil spewing out and destroying mile after mile of coastline. Now the Blame Game is in full engagement. But as this May 27th installment of the BBC World Service program Newshour asks, what is the political price going to be?

( . . and all he got was a lousy T-shirt)

From Radio France International's English Service, their program Focus On France from this past Friday (May 28th)talks about the upcoming visit of former Thai Premier Thaksin Shinawatra and fears that he will refuel the fires of protest back in Bangkok and how the French feel about that as he prepares to deliver his speech on May 31st.

(New Ethiopian leader Meles Zenawi - some folks aren't happy)

And finally, from The BBC World Service Africa Service comes This Week In Africa, a roundup of events taking place the past week and broadcast earlier today (May 29th). Among the news items is the report of the recent elections in Ethiopia and the victory of Meles Zenawi and how the opposition is crying foul and demanding a recount . . .how unusual or maybe how unusual if they didn't?

So that's it from the rest of the world. As always, if you thought this week sucked, there's always next week and it should be coming up shortly.

So what else went on in the world this week? Any ideas? Iran and Turkey got friendly with the concept of Uranium. The Euro has gone haywire. China is suddenly in love with Nigeria's oil. It's not a good idea to be gay in Malawi, unless its in a song and Spring hits Tehran.

(The Continuing adventures of Hu, Wen and Goodluck)

From the English Service of Radio France International (and also on the 15th of May making it a slight cheat), comes this report on the latest developments regarding China's heavy investment in Nigeria's Oil Production capabilities. Several readers have asked me to feature what's going on with China's current status on the continent of Africa. Yes, it's continuing and I'm sure getting more complex as the days wear on.

(Ahdmed in Istanbul - trying to get to the Nuclear Club through the backdoor)

From the BBC World Service on the 17th comes word that Iran and Turkey have set up an agreement to trade Uranium. Doubtless this is a little unsettling since Iran has been trying to skirt UN sanctions having to do with Nuclear capabilities. I think it might be time to start placing bets as to when the "surgical strike" taking out Iran's reactors will take place. Anyone for August?

(Portrait of Leopard In Search Of New Spots)

It's always interesting to hear how the rest of the world views our particular ritual of elections. In this case it's the much-celebrated Late Night Live program from ABC Radio National in Australia with American commentator Bruce Shapiro offering insights to the upcoming primaries from May 17th. It's a well-worth listening to hour (download if you can and play in your car).

(As The Euro Turns . . .)

BBC Radio 4's Today program ran a feature on Thursday regarding the continuing crisis with the Euro. Despite bailouts and shore-ups, this situation isn't going away any time soon. It speaks to a bigger question as to our current state of monetary chaos being worldwide rather than something happening only on our side of the globe.

(Being gay in Malawi is no picnic.)

I suppose it's cold comfort to know that homophobia and bigotry are just as alive and well in Africa as anywhere else in the world. So it is with Malawi, exercising an anti-gay stance by sentencing a couple to fourteen years hard labor for the simple act of being in love with each other as reported on this May 21st broadcast of The Current from CBC Radio 1. Further evidence intolerance is universal. Hate and prejudice, more so.

(Farsi for Speed Dating)

And finally, from the BBC World Service program From Our Own Correspondent on Saturday the 22nd, a report on the current state of dating in Iran, a nation where over half the population is under 25. How do you work out having a repressive, fundamentalist regime and a tidal wave of raging hormones? And it happens every Spring.

Until next week . . .