The Overview: 31.03.08

Africa: It's kind of weird waiting for Zimbabwe's election results, since nobody at all expects them to be fair. Robert Mugabe ordered the announcements of results delayed, a move that all observers understand as an effort to buy time. Sokwanele -- truly a great resource for Zim info -- recounts the amusing rationale provided by elections officials for the delay. There are concerns now that the time being bought is to allow security forces (i.e., thugs) to disperse to prevent any kind of protest once the bogus results are announced. Equatorial Guinea issues an arrest warrant for Sir Mark Thatcher, son of former British PM Margaret, for his alleged role in a coup attempt.

Middle East: Human Rights Watch observes that Egypt's roundup of several hundred activists can't mean anything good for upcoming elections. 

Asia: As diplomats visit Tibet and protesters riot in Nepal, the NYT has a story about Chinese nationalism, very much a cause of the crackdown on Tibetan protests.

South America: Farmers behind a crippling strike over increased taxes on commodities will meet with Argentina's president, Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner.