World Watch: Visa denied

* South Africa: Much to the chagrin of Bishop Desmond Tutu the Dalai Lama cancelled his planned trip to South Africa due to visa problems.

* Saudi Arabia: Officials blamed a “foreign country” for provoking unrest amid growing protests in eastern Saudi Arabia.

* Syria: Russia and China vetoed a U.N. Security Council resolution that would’ve placed sanctions against Syria.

* Italy: In the latest blow to the European economy Moody’s slashed the Italian government’s credit rating.

Video Source – euronews via YouTube (“Tibet's spiritual leader the Dalai Lama has had to cancel a trip to South Africa because his visa didn't arrive in time.”)

Online Sources- Voice of America, CNN, MSNBC, BBC News

World Watch: Hunger pangs

* Africa: Oxfam called on African leaders to do more to alleviate a growing famine while Human Rights Watch accused numerous political actors for exacerbating Somalia’s humanitarian crisis.

* Germany: On the fiftieth anniversary of the construction of the Berlin Wall a minute of silence was observed to pay respect to those who died while trying to cross the barrier.

* Iraq: At least 74 people died as the result of a series of bombings in thirteen Iraqi cities.

* China: A Buddhist monk called for the return of the Dalai Lama to Tibet by setting himself on fire.

Image – John Moore/Getty Images via The Guardian (“People await food aid distribution in Mogadishu. Human Rights Watch say Somalia's warring factions have exacerbated the crisis.”)
Online Sources- Voice of America, Bloomberg, BBC News, The Guardian, MSNBC

Weekend World Watch: Japan’s Cinderella story

* Japan: In one of the biggest upsets in women’s soccer history a plucky and determined Japanese squad beat the U.S. to capture the Women’s World Cup.

* Britain: The media phone hacking scandal has claimed the scalps of Scotland Yard police chief Sir Paul Stephenson and former News International chief executive Rebekah Brooks.

* Egypt: Ex-president Hosni Mubarak is believed to be in stable medical condition and not in a coma as was originally rumored.

* U.S.: The Chinese government is upset that U.S. President Barack Obama held private talks at the White House with the exiled Tibetan spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama.

Image – Mike Hewitt/Fifa via Getty Images via The Guardian (“Japan players celebrate winning the women's World Cup after beating USA on penalties in the final.”)
Online Sources- USA TODAY, The Guardian, BBC News, The Independent

World Watch: Beyond Japan

The biggest news story of the past few days has been the devastation caused by a 9.0-magnitude earthquake and tsunami on Japan. It’s worth noting, however, that there are other important headlines in the world news including the following below:

* Libya: While Libya’s civil conflict continues in several cities, foreign powers are divided over whether or not to impose a no-fly zone.

* Tibet: Exiled lawmakers are expected to soon decide if they'll accept the Dalai Lama’s proposal to step down from his political role.

* Bahrain: White House officials denied that Saudi troops entering Bahrain in order to protect the government could be classified as an “invasion.”

* Spain: On Friday Spaniards commemorated the seventh anniversary of series of bombings by Islamic extremists that killed 191 people in Madrid.

Video Source – Al Jazeera English via YouTube
Online Sources- CNN, BBC News, Al Jazeera English, Reuters, MSNBC, The Guardian

Daily Headlines: August 28, 2008

* Puerto Rico: Daddy Yankee’s publicist denied reports that the reggaetonero originally offered to endorse Barack Obama before giving his allegiance to John McCain.

* U.S.: Controversial Latino artist Andres Serrano is working on a new exhibit centering on crap (literally, not so much critically).

* Venezuela: Ex-London mayor Ken Livingstone visited Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez in order to “act as an advisor” on Caracas.

* Dominican Republic: A representative of the Dalai Lama cited “exhaustion” as to the reason why the spiritual leader cancelled his upcoming visits to Mexico and the Dominican Republic.

Image- AFP (“John McCain (L) is endorsed by Latin recording artist Daddy Yankee during a news conference in Phoenix, Arizona” last Monday).

Sources- AFP, Village Voice, The Latin Americanist, Wonkette, Guardian UK