The ordinary African is in the cross-fire of struggles over land and resources, but not of his choice. When elephants dance, the grass is trampled.

Russian PM Putin arrives in Beijing for two days of meetings with Chinese leaders. Agreements on energy and trade are expected, but talks will also touch international politics, Iran, North Korea and the global financial crisis.

The Mapuche people preceded Spanish conquistadores and colonists and remain on the margins of Chilean society. In asserting their rights to land and resources, to what lengths will they go? There are apparent ties to Colombia's FARC terrorists.