Russia: Olympic Cheburashka and Russian Hockey

Sergey Belyakov of RUBLog posts a cartoon of a really sad-looking Cheburashka, Russia's Olympic team's mascot, and lists the reasons for disappointment: the performance of the Russian hockey team, step by step.

Belarus: President Bush Meets Wives of “Disappeared” Public Figures

br23 blog wonders whether there's any real use for Belarus in George W. Bush's meeting with the wives of two Belarusian “disappeared” public figures.

Kosovo: A Trip to Pristina

Mat Savelli at Roma Roma describes his trip to Pristina, Kosovo, and shares his thoughts on the possibility of the province's change of status.

Reflections on Blogging with Fernando Flores

Chilean Senator

Dubai port transaction and Sami Al Hajj in the Moroccan blogosphere

The Moroccan bloggers covered most of the subjects that made the headlines of the news last week. They talked about the bird flu, and gave their opinions about the Dubai port transaction.They also reacted to the bombings that badly damaged Iraq's Golden Mosque in Samarra. But it wasn't only about...

China: Happiness index

China Digital Times picks up on a report from the official Xinhua News Agency about the introduction of a “happiness index”, which will attempt to measure quality of life for Chinese citizens as opposed to economic growth.

African Music Roundup #4

Nigeria: HIV treatment for children

Kid's Doc in Jos reports on the progress of their PEPFAR HIV/AIDS relief program. The number of children they hope to have on the programme at the end of May has risen from 100 to 300.

Nigeria: Telecoms lagging

Naijablog reports that the telecoms industry in Nigeria is lagging behind compared to neighbour Cameroons, Rwanda and South Africa.

Ethiopia: Nigerian lecturers

EthioBlog reports that Nigeria joins the aid business as it prepares to to send 671 university lecturers to Ethiopia.

Kenya: Ngunyi and Githongo

You Missed This comments on the relationship between the government advisor, Mutahi Ngunyi and government enemy No 1, John Githongo.

Somalia: Smugglers

Coalition for Darfur points to a Reuters report on 63 Somalis who were forced overboard from smugglers boat on its way to Yemen.

Zimbabwe: Breakaway MDC

Zimbabwean Pundit reports on the leader of the new breakaway party from the MDC, Arthur Mutambara.“Not only did Mutambara's reentry into Zimbabwean politics triger a controversy that threatened to discombobulate the faction, his entiree recruitment and ascension to leadership is predicated upon a principle that is antithetical to the very...

Liberia: Deforestation

The Vision reports on the exploitation of forests in Liberia. The new government has established a Forestry Reform Monitoring Committee which consists of local and international civil society groups.

El Salvador, Palestine: Palestinian Connection

Tim Muth, quoting El Salvador's ambassador to Israel, Schafik Handal, explains the country's historical ties to Palestine, noting that current president, Tony Saca is of Palestinian heritage.

Angola: evictions

Squatter sitter reports on evictions in Luanda, Angola to make way for an emerging middle class.