| Learning from Chechnya
MOSCOW. (RIA Novosti political commentator Dmitry Shusharin) - The inauguration of Ramzan Kadyrov, the new president of Chechnya, has added color to Russian political life - a serious political event was the subject of mockery for the first time. A group of young people gathered at the Chechen Republic's Moscow mission to congratulate Mr. Kadyrov on his new position and nominate him for the Russian presidency. One of the slogans was "Putin today - Kadyrov tomorrow." Strictly speaking, this was not open challenge to Kadyrov or the federal authorities, but in reality this action reflected what a large proportion of citizens and public associations with diverse political views think about Kadyrov's presidency - not much, to put it mildly. Ramzan Kadyrov irritates both Western-democracy-oriented human rights activists and those who consider themselves patriots of Russia.
United States: The Economics Of Mobile Virtual Network Operators
Recent reports of the success and failure of mobile virtual network operators (MVNOs) have generated a great deal of media and industry interest in these wireless resellers. Virgin Mobile USA LLP is the typical success story, as it signed up over three million customers in its first 30 months of service and is currently the fastest growing mobile service provider in the US. .
Learning from NZ's farmers
New Zealand and Taiwan have much in common. Both are island nations living with much bigger neighbors. Agriculture is important to both, but in recent years, service industries and technology -- building a "knowledge economy" -- have become an aim for both nations. Undeniably, Taiwan is in a slump. Growth has been slow and reform of the economy has stalled. While other "Little Dragons" have been powering ahead, Taiwan has stagnated. It's hard to avoid the impression that the government has put politics in command, diverting attention from the economy. Taiwan's prime competences -- of making money, manufacturing and economic development -- have been put on the back burner. New Zealand has never been riven by the disconnect between the so-called Taiwanese and mainlanders, as in Taiwan, but the truth is, a bad economy puts pressure on all aspects of society and makes things worse.
No Victory for Any Party in Lebanon
From 8 to 22 February this year we made a second visit with D4net from the Netherlands to Lebanon. We wanted to speak to our contacts from our first visit in September 2006, and meet new people too. Our main questions were: how do the people on the ground see a way out of the political stalemate between government and opposition? What are the effects of the June war and the internal political struggle? Is a third way possible? What effect does the sectarian system have at present, and what are peoples thoughts on Lebanon in the light of international developments? In part 1 of this article we try to give an idea of the current situation in Lebanon on the basis of all the discussions we had and our own impressions. In part 2 we attempt to sketch out the conditions that could lead to more positive developments.
Nigeria: Uduaghan And April 14
THE April 14 governorship election will play a crucial role in the political and developmental future of Delta state which is why any false step by the electorate in the state might draw it back by another decade. For this reason, it is important for the electorate in Delta state to ensure that any candidate or party without an articulated programme is not considered at all on election day. This issue has more to do with candidates vying to occupy Asaba Government House because any of them who could not provide a convincing programme before the electorate should be considered as not too good to lead the good people of Delta state come May 29.This is the truth. .
Cartel in the Cards
Kommersant has learned that last week some of the world's leading natural gas exporters reached a final agreement on the creation of a so-called "gas OPEC." The consortium of gas-rich countries, which at the moment includes Russia, Iran, Qatar, Venezuela, and Algeria, is due to be formally organized in the Qatari capital of Doha on April 9. The appearance of such a powerful player in the energy arena will undoubtedly meet with an extremely negative reaction from the United States and the European Union.
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Editor-in-Chief: Mir Shakil-ur-Rahman
GENEVA: More than 12,000 people have fled fighting in Mogadishu in the past week and a humanitarian crisis there is intensifying with aid workers unable to access the needy, the UN refugee agency said on Friday.
Dozens of civilians have been killed by mortar rounds and gunfire in the Somali capital, where Ethiopian and Somali troops are battling militant Islamic insurgents, said William Spindler of the UN. High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).
There has been a steady outflow from Mogadishu, he told a news conference on Friday, estimating 57,000 people have been uprooted by the conflict since the beginning of February.
Those fleeing the capital have headed south to Lower Shabelle or northeast to Galkayo, a difficult journey where they risk being robbed, raped, abducted or killed, Spindler said.
United States: New Jersey Attempts An End Run Around PL 86-272 ...
New Jersey continues to take aggressive stances against foreign corporations. It asserts that physical presence is not necessary to subject a foreign corporation to income taxation in New Jersey. See Lanco, Inc. v. Director, Division of Taxation, 188 N.J.... .
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