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Biographical

John MacFarlane is a writer, producer and editor from Montreal, Canada. He has an MA in media studies, a grad diploma in journalism and a B.Eng in electrical engineering. His MA thesis was about the Daily Show. He's interested in civic engagement and communications theory, the digital divide and alternative economic theories, and saving nature.

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The Overview: 27.02.08

posted by John MacFarlane at 0h16 GMT on Feb 27

Africa: Slow progress, if any, in Kenya, where reports from the talks between bitter rivals seems to fluctuate between positive and negative on a daily basis. Today is a negative day, with Kofi Annan suspending negotiations. In Nigeria, efforts to overturn the results of last year's presidential vote, the fairness of which was questionable, were rejected. Robert Mugabe looks to win another term in ruined Zimbabwe, thanks to an effective campaign of intimidation against anyone smarter than him, which is pretty much everyone. Sokwanele, one of the Why Democracy guest bloggers last year, offers the latest in an ongoing analysis.

Asia: It seems weird, but since North Korea is a weird place anyway, maybe sending the New York Philharmonic Orchestra to North Korea will improve negotiations. The IOC, predictably, claims the Olympic Games will improve human rights in China. Condolleeza Rice, meanwhile, urged China to push North Korea on nuclear disarmament.

Europe: Police teargas Bosnian Serb protesters trying to approach a US Consulate. The Kosovo declaration of independence prompts this list from Foreign Policy on how to start your own country.