January 13, 2020
Two new flags will be flying high at the Olympic Games in Rio.
For the first time, South Sudan and Kosovo have been recognized by the International Olympic Committee. Kosovo, which was a province of the former Yugoslavia, will have 8 athletes competing; and a good shot for a medal in women's judo: Majlinda Kelmendi is considered a favorite. She's ranked first in the world in her weight class.
;)
(South Sudan's James Chiengjiek, Yiech Biel & coach Joe Domongole, © AFP) South Sudan, which became independent in 2011, will have three runners competing in the country's first Olympic Games.
When Will Chile's Post Office's Re-open?
(PHOTO: Workers set up camp at Santiago's Rio Mapocho/Mason Bryan, The Santiago Times)Chile nears 1 month without mail service as postal worker protests continue. This week local branches of the 5 unions representing Correos de Chile voted on whether to continue their strike into a 2nd month, rejecting the union's offer. For a week the workers have set up camp on the banks of Santiago's Río Mapocho displaying banners outlining their demands; framing the issue as a division of the rich & the poor. The strike’s main slogan? “Si tocan a uno, nos tocan a todos,” it reads - if it affects 1 of us, it affects all of us. (Read more at The Santiago Times)
WHO convenes emergency talks on MERS virus
(PHOTO: Saudi men walk to the King Fahad hospital in the city of Hofuf, east of the capital Riyadh on June 16, 2013/Fayez Nureldine)The World Health Organization announced Friday it had convened emergency talks on the enigmatic, deadly MERS virus, which is striking hardest in Saudi Arabia. The move comes amid concern about the potential impact of October's Islamic hajj pilgrimage, when millions of people from around the globe will head to & from Saudi Arabia. WHO health security chief Keiji Fukuda said the MERS meeting would take place Tuesday as a telephone conference & he told reporters it was a "proactive move". The meeting could decide whether to label MERS an international health emergency, he added. The first recorded MERS death was in June 2012 in Saudi Arabia & the number of infections has ticked up, with almost 20 per month in April, May & June taking it to 79. (Read more at Xinhua)
Dreams and nightmares - Chinese leaders have come to realize the country should become a great paladin of the free market & democracy & embrace them strongly, just as the West is rejecting them because it's realizing they're backfiring. This is the "Chinese Dream" - working better than the American dream. Or is it just too fanciful? By Francesco Sisci
Baby step towards democracy in Myanmar - While the sweeping wins Aung San Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy has projected in Sunday's by-elections haven't been confirmed, it is certain that the surging grassroots support on display has put Myanmar's military-backed ruling party on notice. By Brian McCartan
The South: Busy at the polls - South Korea's parliamentary polls will indicate how potent a national backlash is against President Lee Myung-bak's conservatism, perceived cronyism & pro-conglomerate policies, while offering insight into December's presidential vote. Desire for change in the macho milieu of politics in Seoul can be seen in a proliferation of female candidates. By Aidan Foster-Carter
Pakistan climbs 'wind' league - Pakistan is turning to wind power to help ease its desperate shortage of energy,& the country could soon be among the world's top 20 producers. Workers & farmers, their land taken for the turbine towers, may be the last to benefit. By Zofeen Ebrahim
Turkey cuts Iran oil imports - Turkey is to slash its Iranian oil imports as it seeks exemptions from United States penalties linked to sanctions against Tehran. Less noticed, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, in the Iranian capital last week, signed deals aimed at doubling trade between the two countries. By Robert M. Cutler
"CLIMATE CHANGE: EVERYWHERE"
CARTOON: Peter Broelman, Australia/BROELMAN.com.au)
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TRUCE BEGINS: 157 DAYS
PETITION SIGNATORIES: 521
MILES WALKED: 2698.3
LORD MICHAEL BATES: I have decided to walk over 3000 miles in the hope that we can persuade all signatories to the Truce to do just one thing to implement it. Not only would this bring the flame of hope into conflict zones around the world it would mean that we would rediscover the central purpose of the Ancient Games which was to provide for a pause in the endless cycle of violence through the observance of the Sacred Truce. If they could do it 3000 years ago, then surely we can do it now. If you agree then please join us in this campaign….
(Video produced and edited by Sam Farmar)
Thursday, November 3, 2011 at 8:56PM 28 October, 2011—Video Diary
Thoughts on leaving Italy
20.4 miles (Total 1845.2 miles) 40,800 steps (Total: 3,994,001 steps)
Thursday, November 3, 2011 at 8:42PM
26 October, 2011
11.8 miles (Total 1824.8 miles) 23,600 steps (Total: 3,953,201 steps)
The added benefit of taking the train from Premosello to Domodossola the previous day was that I arrived to the hotel, which was conveniently located just across the road from the station, in time for a scheduled phone interview with North East legend, Pam Royle and Ian Payne of ITV’s North East Tonightprogramme which had been set up the producer Mary Wimpress. I wanted ensure I had a good line to them as Mary goes to a lot of effort to do these regular updates using pics from my Flikr site to illustrate the interview. I didn’t want the call ‘watered down’ by the spray of trucks whilst sheltering under a tree at the roadside, so being able to speak from a quiet hotel room on a good quality line was a bonus. I do get a shiver down my spine when Pam says “This is Pam and Ian in Gateshead, can you hear us.”
My hometown, Gateshead! I think of how much I miss it. The welcome as you enter from the Angel of the North, our first home in Beechwood Avenue, Low Fell, Saltwell Park, where I would push Matt and Alex around in their push chairs and where in a few years it will be their turn to return the compliment, Chowdene Chapel, the Sage concert hall, Kell’s Lane School, my father and uncle’s insurance office where I had my first job, the Metro Centre which I had the honour of along with John Hall escorting Margaret Thatcher around when she came up to support me in my first General Election campaign in 1987, Emmanuel City Technology College which was conceived during that visit in 1987 and delivered three years later by Peter Vardy—both of these buildings, less than a mile apart, separated by the Gateshead Garden Festival site (another Conservative policy idea), were to transform the economic prospects of the town by showing that through vision, self-belief, excellence and enterprise wastelands can be transformed into lush meadows of commerce and fertile minds in which the seeds of learning could be planted and flourish. Gateshead continues to shape my vision of the purpose and power of politics.
The photo is of what I thought was the Matterhorn, but was mistaken…..still, impressive.
Wednesday, November 2, 2011 at 8:40PM 25 October, 2011
17.3 miles (Total 1813 miles) 34,600 steps (Total: 3,929,601 steps)
Update—having miscalculated the distance from Stresa to Domodosolla on account of misplacing and mispurchasing my maps and found that I was unable to take the main road but must use the twisting, turning, up and down ‘B’ roads for my journey, and having decided to make an Internet booking of accommodation in Domodossolla, I concluded that the ‘wise thing to do’ was to catch the train from Premosello to Domodosolla, use my hotel booking, get dried off, warmed up, buy a map and make the return train journey back to Premosello the next morning to complete this section of the walk. This I did.
Prime Minister David Cameron: "The whole House will want to congratulate Lord Bates on his great feat. We will promote a fresh resolution at the UN calling for the continued observance of the Olympic truce for the 2012 games. We wish to make the most of that historic opportunity, [and] we are considering other international initiatives to promote the spirit of the truce."
Ban Ki-Moon, United Nations Secretary General - Message: Dear Lord Bates, The Secretary General commends your dedication to the Truce as well as the commitment you have undertaken through your campaign 'Walk for Truce' Your initiative is significant, given the importance of observance of the Olympic Truce, which upholds the Games' ability to unite humanity around the universal aspirations of equality, fair play, sportsmanship, tolerance, and above all peace. The Secretary General therefore hope to join you and the International Olympic Committee, and the International Paralympic Committee and the United Nations General Assembly, in urging all warring parties to observe the Truce for the 2012 London Olympic & Paralympic Games. Please accept, Sir, the assurances of my highest consideration.
Pope Benedict commends Lord Bates on Olympic Truce walk.
Monique Coleman & the GimmeMo' Foundation: "I support the Olympic Truce and encourage you all to do the same. Sign your name, and let it serve as your pledge and commitment to peace. If not now, then when?" Click here to sign the petition
Support Lord Michael Bates in his Walk from Olympia Greece To London WEAR THE WALK FOR TRUCE T SHIRT!
