Here is the Friday, August 22, 2008 edition of what’s making news and interesting reads from around the world.
Russia to Set Up a Buffer Zone Inside Georgia
Russia says it will maintain military checkpoints within Georgian territory for good, despite a promise to complete a partial troop withdrawal by the end of the day. A senior Russian official said they will build a permanent infrastructure in a ‘buffer zone’ close to the disputed breakaway region of South Ossetia. A video report from Euro News.
Syria’s Assad Meets Russia’s Medvedev in Sochi
Moscow has announced it is ready to sell new weapons to Syria, triggering alarm from Israel. More from the BBC and from Haaretz.
Scores Dead in Pakistan Double Bombings
A pair of suicide bombings in Wah, Pakistan left over three score dead outside a munitions factory. The Taliban claimed responsibility. It is the second major attack since Pervez Musharaff resigned as President of Pakistan. More from the New York Times.
In other news from Pakistan, the Pakistani election commission said that lawmakers will vote for Musharaff’s replacement in just over two weeks.
Mass Protests in Indian Kashmir
Hundreds of thousands of Muslims gathered in Indian Kashmir’s main city Friday for the largest protest against Indian rule in two months of turmoil that have roiled the Himalayan region. More from the Associated Press. Also see my post from yesterday on the Crisis in Kashmir.
In other news on India, international talks are due to resume in Vienna to discuss whether to lift a 30-year global ban on the sale of civilian nuclear materials to India. More on this from the BBC.
UK Economy Shows No Growth
The Office for National Statistics revised down its preliminary estimate for Britain’s GDP in the three months to June from 0.2% to zero growth. The figures shocked City analysts who had predicted a dip to 0.1% and was the bleakest reading since the second quarter of 1992. More from the UK Guardian.
Asia Begins to Lose Some of Its Economic Dynamism
Asian economies are losing their vibrant growth as they feel the impact of slowdowns in the United States and Europe. Intra-Asian trade will offer little in the way of an alternative stimulus, while further reforms are overdue, and much needed, in India and China. More from the Asia Times.