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 . . .
