The latest press coverage on corruption, human rights abuses, violations of freedom of the press and socio-economic exclusion in Angola, every Wednesday on Maka Angola:

Human Rights Watch: Angola: Stop Stifling Free Speech August 1, 2012: The Angolan government is responsible for numerous incidents of political violence, intimidation of protesters, and crackdowns on peaceful demonstrations that might have a negative impact on the August 31, 2012 parliamentary elections, Human Rights said in a report released today. The government should end its crackdown on peaceful protests and the media with the start of the election campaign on August 1.

Reuters: Angola opposition, rights body urge free press for poll August 1, 2012: Angola's ruling MPLA is using state media to its own advantage and restricting freedom of expression in the campaign for a general election on August 31, the main opposition party and a global rights group said on Wednesday.

WSJ: Halliburton Probing Angola and Iraq Operations July 30, 2012: Halliburton Co. said Friday that it had opened internal investigations into its Angola and Iraq operations' compliance with a U.S. foreign bribery law and its own code of conduct.

AFP: Angolan opposition Unita claims intimidation campaign July 28, 2012: Angola's main opposition party denounced Saturday what it claims was a violent intimidation campaign by the ruling party, three days before the start of a general election campaign. According to the National Union for the Independence of Angola (Unita), two people died and around 10 were injured after members of the Popular Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA) ambushed a meeting of Unita party members in Kapupa, in the western Benguela region.

Bloomberg: Halliburton Opens Internal Probe on Iraq, Angola Operations July 27, 2012: Halliburton, the world's second- largest oilfield services provider, has begun internal investigations into its operations in Angola and Iraq. The probes are looking at payments made to third-party agents related to customs matters in Angola and Iraq, as well as visa issues in Iraq, Houston-based Halliburton said today in a federal filing.

Reuters: Angola opposition targets inequality in election bid July 27, 2012: Angola's main opposition party, UNITA, accused President Jose Eduardo dos Santos on Friday of giving a small elite access to vast resources while leaving most Angolans in misery, and pledged to fight poverty if it wins an election next month.

FT: Special Report on Angola: Nation dominated by a rich elite July 18, 2012: The tropical forest of yellow and blue cranes that rises above Luanda has thickened in recent years, as Chinese, Brazilian and local construction companies erect shimmering towers, five-star hotels and luxury apartment blocks that climb above tumbledown slums where probably three-quarters of the capital's residents live. "The brewing problem in this country is the gap between those who have and those who don't," says one international official. "And it seems to be widening rather than narrowing."

Paradigm Magazine: Luaty Beirao: Collective Actions Are Incredibly Contagious July 25, 2012: Few people today are willing to risk their reputation, or life in the spotlight since Fela Kuti and John Lennon who thought their art should have purpose even if controversial. Being a militant political performer as a musician has disappeared into the background. Luaty Beirão is Ikonoklasta, a driven and culturally significant hip-hop musician fighting against the abuse of power in Angola. He feels it is his duty to demand the freedom to live; live without worrying about his securities or the safety of his friends, family, and country.

RedefineMag: Hip-Hop Rapper Ikonoklasta Protests Against The Angolan Government July 25, 2012: In early 2011, as the turmoil from the Arab Spring protests made their way into pockets of Africa, Angolan youth began taking to the streets themselves. At the heart of their ongoing dissatisfaction remains the 32-year reign of President Jose Eduardo dos Santos, who protesters cite as the cause of mismanaged oil revenues, suppressed human rights, and widespread poverty, amongst other corruptions.