Archive for the ‘View from Abroad’ Category
26
What’z Up Today: April 26?
by dizzycypher 
News, Photo of the Week, View from Abroad, Whatzup
Thanks to Fun Guerilla
Wheeled fun. 3rd office chair racing championship took place in Germany. with winner Pierre Feller from Luxembourg.
NATO drops two F16s on Gadaffi’s house and says it wasn’t an assassination attempt.
Just 18 months left till elections. Possible GOP hopefulls include Mitt Romney, Tim Pawlenty, and Tea party backed Ron Paul.
Thanks to Reuters
Hollywood will not likely be making a movie about this historic prison escape.
The “audacity of the operation” as the Telegraph’s Jeremy Kelly put it, has boosted the Taliban’s rap sheet and has made them even more infamous.
Their daring and unthinkable escape from prison via a 320 meter long tunnel is awe inspiring, despite the negative implications of the situation. Amongst the whopping 514 escapees were 106 commanders who are expected to resume militant activities.
The master-plan of this operation goes something like this.
1) Kandahar, Afghanistan: 5 months of building a 1,050 foot tunnel to the main prison from the south side.
THE UNIMAGINABLE FEAT – “bypassing government checkpoints, watch towers and concrete barriers topped with razor wire”
2) At 11:00 pm, prisoners started to crawl out through the tunnel in a period of 4 & 1/2 hours until 3:30 am.
AN INSIDE JOB? - probably, considering the prison guards ONLY noticed the escape 4 hours after the operation, the tunnel was dug using “modern technology,” and
no one knows who unlocked the cells besides speculation about duplicated keys.
It seems line a rather simple, well coordinated plan, that makes NATO and the Afghan government look even weaker than during the 2008 Taliban attack on the the prison where over 1000 prisoners escaped. The ingenuity of this Great Escape sets it apart from an earlier escape attempt 3 years ago which featured the bombing the prison entrance.
This prison break may have just made it to the top ten most amazing escapes in history including
10. Maze Prison Escape (1983)
9. Alfred Hines (1960s)
8. The Texas Seven (2000)
7. Alfred Wetzler (1944)
6. Slowomir Rawicz (1941)
5. Escape From Alcatraz (1962)
4. Libby Prison Escape (1964)
3. Pascal Payet (2001)
2. The Great Escape (1943)
1. Colditz Escape (WWII)
Fight until the last minute: with just six games remaining in the English Premier League, Manchester United is looking forward to securing its place by continuing their undefeated streak against Newcastle.
Civilian unrest has swept Africa! Burkina Faso’s president for the past 28 years has appointed a new Prime Minister after days of rioting involving students, soldiers, and police.
So how invested could you be in the royal wedding? How about enough to spend $13,000 to win PEZ sweet dispensers in the likes of Prince William and Kate … for a charity auction we might add.
19
“Everybody was kung-fu fighting” … & Flight Attendants!?
by dizzycypher Featured, News, View from Abroad
Bruce Lee’s famous HYAAAAA and Kung-Fu Panda’s SKADOOSH are not the sounds you expect to hear from your flight attendants when flying at 24,000 feet.
Hong Kong Airlines is encouraging …. no wait, requiring all new flight attendants to study a form of kung fu called wing chun. Training is open to all airlines staff, according to South China Morning Post.
“Wing chun can be used in small, confined spaces so it’s suited for an airplane,” Katherine Cheung of the Hong Kong Wing Chun Union and one of the instructors who recently taught a flight crew, told the Morning Post. “It’s easy to learn but difficult to master.”
So next time you fly Hong Kong Airlines, make sure your seat belt is fastened, tray tables are in their full upright and locked position, all carry on items are properly stored, or else …….. it’s wing chun time!
Gbagbo OUT Ouattara IN! Monumental turn of events in Ivory Coast, for better or worse?
They’re Baaaack! U2 beats the Rolling Stones record for biggest grossing tour … EVER.
Only in Qatar. A man pays $3.7 million for 55555 license plate. Well, its better than 666!
12
Unveiling the Ban
by dizzycypher Featured, Islam-a-phobia, News, Text for Thought, View from Abroad
Thanks to Miss France
They’ve done it folks! After years of deliberation, the French government has finally banned the public use of the Burka,a traditional muslim veil, effective Monday April 11.
Anyone wearing the burka or niqab in public will be “fined up to $216 and a citizenship course.” And to enforce this law, men who are caught forcing women to wear a veil will face a much steeper punishment of up to $43,400 in fines and prosecution.
To complicate matters, immigration minister and architect of the ban, Eric Besson (who once described a burqua as a “walking coffin”) is reported to have a Muslim Tunisian girlfriend who is more than half his age. Besson is allegedly considering suing a news website that speculated about his possible conversion to Islam.
Muslims in France are less than certain about the the burqa ban …. ok, they are outraged!
If the protests on Saturday and the peaceful demonstrations on Monday are any indication, this is going to be a long difficult battle.
On Saturday, 61 people were arrested in Paris, 19 of which were women. And attempting to join the party was Anjem Choudary, a member of the outlawed Islam4UK. He was arrested along with two other Muslim radicals.
On the first day of the ban, two women wore their burqas in defiance of the new law and were arrested NOT for veiling their face BUT for an unauthorized protest! It seems the French government is still confused about its own law.
“I’m not here to provoke, but to defend my civil liberties as a French citizen,” said Drider, one of the veiled protesters on Monday.
Taking creativity to a new level, some Muslim women in France are planning on wearing medical masks in order to get around the law. Others have simply left France, which is the 1st country to “bring a ban on face-covering veils.” Although nearly a year ago Belgium passed a similar ban, it has failed to enforce it.
Even more alarming are Al-Qaeda’s massive threats to attack France following the introduction of the ban. Like many Muslim communities abroad, they are not buying Sarkozy’s fight against the “debasement of women” so passionately stated in his state of the nation address last year.
It is curious, odd, and some would say a little incriminating that Sarkozy would support this ban just a year before a national election. 60% do not support Mr Sarkozy according to a recent Paris-based poll. But France’s current political atmosphere seems to be anti-immigration. So it appears Sarkozy may be using the ban as a good political opportunity to boost his popularity.
Just something to think about. Could the ban spread to the UK, Italy, and even the US?
Thanks to msnbc
In a rare show of democracy in Haiti, Sweet Micky Martelly won the presidential runoff with 67.57 percent of the votes.
From a Western point of view, he would not stand a chance, considering he has no political experience and is a carnival singer. Yes, a carnival singer, a popular one at that. He is know for blending African and Latin rhythms.
His win over experienced law professor and former senate Manigat clearly shows the power of the young generation in Haiti. Martelly appealed to over 50% of the Haitian population who is under 25.
Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy
“We don’t cast spells on people” says NY TSA former employee who also happens to be a wiccan.
This might be it! The much anticipated Superman: Man of Steel to be released in 2012 may just compete with the Batman craze of 08. Recipes for success: Amy Adams as Lois Lane and Henry Cavill as Clark Kent.
Small, intimate, and breathtaking. Slovenia is the new travel destination that’s off the radar.
FOB: Fresh Off The Boat … literally! Italian fishermen block off boats full of Tunisian Immigrants in protest.
29
March for the Alternative
by dizzycypher Featured, News, Text for Thought, View from Abroad
Unsatisfied with your government?
The largest mass demonstration since the war in Iraq has hit London. Over 250,000 people showed up to what was a largely peaceful protest against UK’s government austerity measures that plan to cut $131 billion over the next 5 years.
The March for the Alternative brought together incredible support by taking a page from Egypt’s ingenious use of cyber space to organize.
Although not at the same level, it would appear Tunisia, Egypt, Libya, Yemen, Bahrain, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Djibouti, Morocco, and Iran are not the only ones uprising. With the way things are going, no country will be free of protests!
Surprised?
Not really, since there have been hints of the Dalai Lama’s retirement of many years now. As Al Jazeera’s correspondent in Beijing states, “it was just a question of timing.”
While the Dalai Lama maintains his spiritual role, he has relinquished all political power as head of Tibet’s government-in-exile.
“As early as the 1960s, I have repeatedly stressed that Tibetans need a leader, elected freely by the Tibetan people, to whom I can devolve power,” the Dalai Lama said in an address.
Despite the easy manner of his retirement, there have been some interesting mixed responses. China, who couldn’t be more ecstatic at the Lama’s retirement, is propping up the Panchan Lama to take his place.
Naturally, some Tibetan’s feel abandoned despite the Dalai Lama’s assurances for a better future. On the horizon, we can possibly look forward to a female Dalai Lama! The current 14th Dalai Lama has related as much, and has also made it known that she may be found outside of Tibet.
These last two revelations in particular have been overlooked by the political situation in Tibet, but are exciting prospects never the less.
19
Shiver Me Timbers!
by dizzycypher Featured, News, Text for Thought, View from Abroad, Whatzup
That’s right, THE PIRATES ARE HERE …. to stay!
Minus the wooden leg, screeching parrot, and eye patch, the Somali pirates have swept the high seas. True buccaneers of the 21st century, swords and cannons are replaced by RPG-7 launchers and assault rifles. Not to mention the high speedboats that chase down large ships in a matter of minutes.
And these pirates don’t discriminate between victims, be it U.S., French, Chinese, Indian, or even African vessels. In fact, the ships and their cargo is no what is valuable, but rather the people on board who are ransomed off for booty. Much to everyone’s surprise, the Somali pirates have earned a reputation for peaceful conduct, for the most part. Once captured, it would appear no one makes a visit to Davy Jones’ Locker.
Meanwhile, Somali pirates hijacked a yacht with four Americans on board Friday afternoon in the Indian Ocean.
“serous concern”
Surely, the time for concern is over, and the time for action should be …. right about now. Especially with the recent sentencing of a Somali pirate who brutally attacked a U.S. merchant ship captain.
If that does not raise a flag then this should. It is reported that Somali piracy is currently at its HIGHEST levels, “with more than 40 ships and 800 seamen currently held.”
12
Whatz Up Today! February 12, 2011
by dizzycypher Featured, News, View from Abroad, Whatzup
The beautiful actress Elizabeth Taylor is hospitalized due to sudden congestive heart failure.
It’s a wild roller-coaster ride! Mubarak goes down, stocks go up, and oil prices go down.
Sure to dampen your spirits, the WHO warns that alcohol kills more than AIDS, TB, or even violence!
Talk about Fresh Off the Boat, hundreds of Tunisians fleeing from unrest arrive in Italy.
Ahh YES, tis Sarah Palin’s Birthday and on that note thanks to Huffingpost for the 47 second comic relief. What better way to commemorate her 47th birth day than to recall her best moments.
Bringing in the New Year, the fresh start, the clean slate, a hopeful resolution, or even the continuation of something great, the world celebrates …. and celebrates …. and celebrates with a peculiar sense of excitement.
Let’s take a look at how the world shed 2010 and boldly stepped into 2011.
New York, U.S. – The legendary ball drop in Time Square.
London, England – The traditional red, white, and blue fireworks that encompass, Parliament, the London Eye, and the River Thames.
Italy – Illegal fireworks, “shot off in squares and alleys – a tradition that usually results in numerous hand and eye injuries.”
France – Rampant youth set fire to dozens of vehicles, also illegal.
Scotland – Beginning with the four-day Hogmanay festival of a night with a torch-lit procession in Edinburgh, nearly 25,000 people marched to “the top of a hill to watch the burning of a model Viking Ship.
Netherlands – People ate deep-fried dough balls covered in powdered sugar and washed it down with champagne.
Austria – They waltz in the New Year, carrying radios and dancing to Strauss’ “Blue Danube.”
Denmark – People jump off chairs to “leap into the new year.”
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil – A gathering of 2 million people on Copacabana beach for fireworks, music, and grand party.
Dubai, United Arab Emirates – Extravagant fireworks shot from Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest building.
South Korea – 80,000 people watched a traditional bell ringing ceremony and fireworks.
Japan – Monks chanted while citizens released hundreds of silver balloons with notes inside.
Vietnam – An estimated 55,000 people counted down to the New Year in a rave party in front of Hanoi’s elegant French colonial-style opera house.
Hong Kong, China – Fireworks set off from the city’s 10 most famous buildings and seen along Victoria Harbor.
Australia – 1.5 spectators witnessed the midnight sky sparkling with colorful fireworks over Sydney Harbor.
Spain – 50,000 people wearing colored wigs gathered in Madrid’s central Puerta del Sol square and ate a grape for each of the 12 chimes of midnight.
Whatever the tradition may be around the globe, hope is a common ingredient to usher in the New Year.
There are many guide books that like to grade the amenities in countries around the world. They give 5 star rankings to beaches, cuisine, hotels etc.
But if you visit Singapore you will find a special sort of awards program… for public toilets.
In Singapore, They take their toilets seriously (no potty humor here). So much so that they have 5 star rankings for toilets and have founded the World Toilet Organization.
Recently, the Restroom Association Singapore (RAS) discovered that only 500 of the country’s public toilets “were up to its standards of working facilities, lack of litter and odor, and the provisions of basic amenities such as hand soap and toilet paper.”
So they launched in 2008, a toilet Campaign called “Lets Observe Ourselves” (Loo) which pushes for cleaner toilets and public awareness.
The seriousness of the toilet campaign can only be fully grasped by the rigorous efforts of the RAS Happy Toilet Program which has a 3 year blue print on public restrooms.
So what are the standards for a 5 star toilet?
- Diaper Changing Stations
- Urinal for Children
- Eco-friendly water-saving taps
RAS President Tan Puay Hoon states “For us, toilet etiquette reflects Singaporeans’ culture. It tells people how civilized we are.”
Who would have thought clean toilets would be a hallmark of civilization.
5
From our Foreign correspondent: Remember, remember…
by ForeverPlaid News, View from Abroad
Guy Fawkes, thanks to http://tiannangel.wordpress.com/
Last year our Foreign correspondant filed this story from Scotland on a holiday celebrated on this day:
Sinister holidays abound this week here in Scotland! First there was the celebration of Samhuinn on Saturday night. Now the Scots (with the rest of the UK!) are gearing up for festivities for Bonfire Night… …read more.
