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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: 16.04.08

posted by John MacFarlane at 2h55 GMT on Apr 16

In today's roundup: Zimbabwe, Egypt, Italy, Burma, Australia and China.

Photo of Pangsau, Burma, by Flickr user Artisteinconnu-back.

Africa: Morgan Tsvangirai lays down some rules should Zimbabwe presidential rival (and oppressive dictator) Robert Mugabe force a "run-off" vote. If it's me, rule No. 1 would be "No fixing the vote." No. 2: "No attacking those who don't vote for you." In Egypt, 25 Muslim Brotherhood members are sentenced to jail for various crimes -- the organization is banned in Egypt, at least in part because their popularity threatens President Hosni Mubarak's control. Many interesting links on this at the Arabist blog. Also in Egypt, a blog/online editor jailed in that country's crackdown on media was ordered released, though it hasn't happened yet.

Europe: Foreign Policy's blog has an interesting post speculating that an independence movement in Italy's north could gain from the Berlusconi election win.

Asia: Burmese authorities detain an aide of opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi, as well as 20 other activists, as their bogus referendum draws near and scare tactics increase. In Australia, a campaign is being mounted to counter expected protests at the Canberra leg of the Olympic torch relay. The "China isn't really so bad" rebuttle is muted slightly by one of two dishonours bestowed upon the country this week: most executions in the world in 2007. (It's harder to begrudge China's other acheivement - becoming the top carbon polluter on the planet - when Western nations still have much higher per capita emissions.)

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The Overview: 16.04.08

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