"On 26th March the protests are coming to the UK. THIS IS GOING TO BE BIG! Change you CAN believe in. A huge demonstration of the whole working class movement, the trade unions, youth and communities suffering cuts will take place on 26 March. The march will certainly see hundreds of thousands -- perhaps over a million people take to the streets of London. The importance of this demonstration cannot be overemphasised."

Will you be attending the protest? What do you think about the ideas shown in the video? Tell us and remember... Disqus! . . read more

After Tunisia erupted in popular protests, pundits all over the world were writing about the event as if it was a trigger-point for similar rebellions to take place in similarly repressive dictatorships all over the Middle-East.

I like many was sceptical.

Pundits love to heap significance on an event as if it's world changing or the start of something special - most often they're wrong or are connecting dots that don't exist. 

It seems though that this time their predictions were right; Bahrain is splintering and the once fighting fit Gaddafi is lying on the ropes - looking as if he'll have to throw in the towel like Ben Ali and Mubarak. 

It seems like the implications of these protests can't be overstated. 

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Globalisation as we know it will be transformed by Sinolisation - the process by which Chinese state-owned enterprises become trans-national. Forget about the Mafia - this'll be a godfather beyond anything we can imagine. . . read more

Our shared future is not only one about harmony between nations and peoples. It is also about harmony with nature — the “Unity of Man and Nature” — a concept with ancient roots in Chinese thought. We all share responsibility for the future. One of the big future challenges for Australia and China is climate change. Australia is committed to strong action domestically and internationally on climate change. Because we know that climate change is the great moral, economic and environmental challenge of our time – one that all nations have to work together to overcome... I also believe it is important for China’s own future. Unless we are successful, China will face increasing pressure on its water supplies, changing rainfall patterns and rising sea levels.

A strong relationship, and a true friendship, are built on the ability to engage in direct, frank and ongoing dialogue about our fundamental interests and future vision. In the modern, globalised world, we are all connected; connected not only by politics and economics, but also in the air we breathe. A true friend is one who can be a “zhengyou” , that is a partner who sees beyond immediate benefit to the broader and firm basis for continuing, profound and sincere friendship. In other words, a true friendship which “offers unflinching advice and counsels restraint” to engage in principled dialogue about matters of contention. It is the kind of friendship that I know is treasured in China’s political tradition. It is the kind of friendship that I also offer China today.

Translation from Kevin Rudd's address to students at Peking University, Beijing. . . read more

"Clashes in Algeria between student protesters and police have left dozens of injured on both sides. Several thousand students took to the streets yesterday for the latest of a number of demonstrations over poor conditions in higher education and unpopular reforms."

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