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)
Tuesday, July 19, 2011 at 4:35PM 20.5 Miles (Total: 736.5 miles) 41,000 (Total: 1,406,091 steps)
“They all said “Hallo” and felt awkward and unhappy suddenly, because it was sort of a goodbye they were saying, and they didn’t want to think about it. So they stood around and waited for someone else to speak, and they nudged each other, and said “Go on”…”
‘Winnie the Pooh’ – A.A. Milne -
Friday, July 15, 2011 at 9:20PM 5 July, 2011
Total: 716 miles (Total: 1,365,091 steps)
“I like to believe that people in the long run are going to do more to promote peace than our governments. Indeed, I think that people want peace so much that one of these days governments had better get out of the way and let them have it.” General Dwight D. Eisenhower 34th President of the United States of America.
On the way from Valbona, I got a lift as far as Dakovica, from where I caught a bus to Pristina. On the bus I sat next to a young man called Mark, who is Kosovan, a law graduate and who runs a coffee bar in Prishtina called ‘Soho’—he gave me a brilliant, if ever so slightly prejudiced, overview of the political situation in Kosova and in return I briefed him about the Olympic Truce.
On arriving in Prishtina, there were enormous traffic jams and so I walked to the Grande Hotel where I had arranged to meet Fisnic Minci, who was helping arrange meetings on the ground. Fisnic is based in Prezren, but is a prolific and respected commentator on Kosovan politics, which makes him the perfect host. We were then joined by Besim Hasani, the excellent president of the Kosovar Olympic Committee and had a discussion about what we wanted to achieve from the two-day visit.
Soon after, I got a call from Joe Preston, Deputy Head of Mission and the British Embassy, who was extremely helpful and came immediately to the Grande with Rachel Lloyd, who is responsible for media. They gave me an excellent overview of the political situation on the ground and offered their support. I asked Joe if the British Embassy had any special rates at hotels in Pristina that I might be able to tap into—he replied “yes” and started with one at a 100 euros a night—the pain on my face must have been visible; and then there is another at 70 euros—I was still in shock. He then asked what my budget was, and I said “30 euros”; he looked shocked. It is one of the things that can happen in major centres of international activity; there is a bubble in hotel prices because all the places are easily taken at top rates by international organisations. Taking pity on me Joe kindly arranged for me to be able to stay at the ambassador’s residence, which was both generous and unexpected.
Then, it was off to the Ministry of Culture, Youth & Sport for a meeting with the minister Memli Krasniqi – a very able and young minister who has risen quickly through the ranks having started as an adviser to the current prime minister. The minister grasped the concept of the truce immediately and said that he had spoken to the prime minister who was sorry not to be able to meet with me as he was out of the country, but that they do want to implement the Olympic Truce even though they are not members of the United Nations yet. It was a tremendous start to the visit and we then headed out to a formal press conference, where the minister publicly stated the commitment to the Olympic Truce. I also urged the Kosovan’s to press for full membership of the International Olympic Committee to enable them to send athletes to compete at London 2012.
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!
