World / Local

In a 'first', gay couple tie the knot in China

Submitted by editor.provokat... on Thu, 01/14/2010 - 14:09.

A gay couple - 45-year-old Zeng and 27-year-old Pan wed in a gay bar in Chengdu of southwest China's Sichuan Province January 3, 2010. Zeng divorced his wife of 26 years, who born him a daughter, in February of 2009 and then met Pan in a gay bar. The two men decided to marry last November after dating for two months. Their wedding ceremony was attended by their gay friends without a single relative of either of the two. [Photo/CFP]

Original article by Huang Zhiling and Zhang Ao, China Daily

15.01.2010 The Offenders @ Clash Bar

Submitted by marika on Fri, 01/08/2010 - 05:39.

15.01 @ Clash Bar, Gneisenaustr. 2a / Am Mehringdam

The new sensation of the 2tone ska revival! Formed back in 2005 in Cosenza – Italy - , they started to play in their local scene where became popular after the relase of their first single “ Rudeboys on the dancefloor”....

(click read more for video you curious little twit...)

1 comment

Interview with the Eagles of Death Metal

Submitted by kate on Mon, 05/04/2009 - 17:34.

Federalists of Death Metal?

By Marika and Martina Čermaková

IMG had 3 pre-arranged phone interviews with Jesse Hughes, from Eagles of Death Metal.
Miffed but not maligned, we showed up at Lucerna for the fourth pre-arranged interview and scored. However, we missed the show (due to the utter unbelievability that the venue would prefer to run an 80's nite over a concert).

M: (describing the methods and intent of Provokator.org Map-a-zine) It's a pretty socialist idea .
J: The form of socialism I love.
M: As opposed to...
J: ...the form of socialism I truly don't love.
M: Which is...
J: I'm a conservative.
M: I find it really interesting that you are a conservative.
J: I'm an old-fashioned—more of a federalist.
M: Did you actually write for some of the Republican conventions?
J: I wrote public speeches—don't know if you can call them Republican-- yeah.
M: How did you finesse them to make them sound more...

THE BEAT IS STILL ALIVE

Submitted by editor.provokat... on Thu, 03/11/2010 - 16:34.

An interview with Josef Rauvolf, the man who brought Beat literature and underground culture in the Czech Republic

by Antonio Baroni

Between the pristine white walls of DOX gallery, people are waiting for the lecture while monotonous noise comes out of a player. Already a hint of warholian style, I guess (the lecture is indeed part of the exhibition Ghosts of Bohemia, about Andy Warhol and other members of his Factory).

The Missile Shield Deadlock between the US and Russia

Submitted by editor.provokat... on Wed, 03/10/2010 - 16:15.

The US and Russia are currently negotiating a successor to the START nuclear disarmament treaty. But continued American plans for a missile shield in Europe have proven to be a major stumbling block. President Obama's vision of a nuclear-free world is in danger.

by Christian Neff

translated from German by Christopher Sultan

Photo: Reuters.

Original article from Der Spiegel.

REYKJAVIK SAYS NO

Submitted by editor.provokat... on Tue, 03/09/2010 - 13:26.

Icelanders were out on the streets Sunday celebrating the results of a referendum that overwhelmingly rejected the reimbursement of Britain and the Netherlands for savings lost when Icesave collapsed. German commentators say that Iceland is right.

by John Ward

Original article from Der Spiegel

Photo DPA.

The Other Side of Tolerance (or, why people tolerate a pseudo-dictator)

Submitted by editor.provokat... on Tue, 03/02/2010 - 17:09.

Is Italy, post the fall of the Roman Empire, passing through its second period of decadence? Who knows? What everybody does know is that Silvio Berlusconi has provoked a lot of different reactions in public opinion, both in Italy and abroad...

By Antonio Baroni

Photo by Wenn

Cultural Identity

Submitted by editor.provokat... on Mon, 03/01/2010 - 19:20.

Western democracies love to sing the praises of their own ultra-liberal policies, promoting them as panacea to others. Some countries have turned ideological faith into an International trademark. France boasts to be the Human Rights keeper, The Netherlands have achieved worldwide fame for tolerance and The U.S. shamelessly plug their image as "the defenders of democracy". In reality are these bold axioms anything more than international marketing?

By Kevin Calonne.

VH1 REALITY SHOW BUS CRASHES IN CALIFORNIA, CAUSING MAJOR SLUT SPILL

Submitted by editor.provokat... on Fri, 02/26/2010 - 16:00.

SURPRISED? Click here to know more!

Google's unstoppable path to "Power"

Submitted by events.provokat... on Thu, 02/25/2010 - 16:58.

U.S. agency says Google can be power marketer

* Google will use authority to manage its energy costs

* Other companies that use much power have similar authority

* Google does not own facilities to generate electricity

by Tom Doggett

Original article from Reuters.

Original picture here.

1 comment

Drunk Driving German Bishop Resigns

Submitted by events.provokat... on Thu, 02/25/2010 - 16:40.

Over the weekend, the head of the Protestant church in Germany was caught drunk driving. While German commentators condemned Margot Kässmann's actions, most did not feel that she should lose her job. Nevertheless on Wednesday it became clear that the bishop felt her position was untenable.

by Cathrin Schaer

Original article here.

Photo: DBA.

"HEY, I'M TALKING HERE"

Submitted by events.provokat... on Tue, 02/23/2010 - 18:48.

An attempted Henry Rollins interview

(by Marika)

I had been warned several years ago about the sharp bladed temperament wielded when conducting an interview with Henry Rollins, and they were so right. The truth of their warning hit me like an involuntary ice-cold bath. In the seven years this writer has been holding interviews, never once have I been told to shut up or be quiet and listen, just listen. I could go to a lecture for that.

It was this moment that I realized the warning I had not heeded was more than correct – it was devastating…for days, hearing Henry Rollins’ voice in my ears shut me down, “Hey! I’m talking here!”

Japanese Society: A Sinking Ship?

Submitted by editor.provokat... on Sat, 02/20/2010 - 02:14.

« With Bold Stand, Japan Opposition Wins a Landslide ». This is the title of an article one could have found, lost in the constant flow of news on New York Times' website on the 30^th of august 2009. At first sight, its nothing really appealing, a barely interesting event in the eyes of most foreigners...

picture: Harakiri school girls by Makoto Aïda,

Article by Kevin Calonne.

Dresden on edge as neo-Nazis march

Submitted by editor.provokat... on Thu, 02/18/2010 - 13:23.

Anti-Nazi protesters blocked streets and rail lines into Dresden and hurled missiles and insults at far-right demonstrators on the 65th anniversary of the allied bombing raids that destroyed the once beautiful German city.

Original article from euronews.net

Cinema Legend Heads Berlinale Jury

Submitted by editor.provokat... on Fri, 02/12/2010 - 16:10.

Werner Herzog is a German cinema legend, and yet he has received little recognition in his home country in recent years. Now the director is finally back in Germany, where he is heading the jury at this year's Berlin International Film Festival. As usual, the maverick filmmaker is doing things his way.

Original article by Lars-Olav Beier, from Der Spiegel.

Photo: Corbis.

A VERY SWEET PROTEST

Submitted by editor.provokat... on Thu, 01/28/2010 - 14:27.

Oh, Pie! Canada's Minister of Fisheries and Oceans Gets Creamed

Gail Shea, Canada's minister of fisheries and oceans, was greeted with a face full of pie as she arrived at the Canada Centre for Inland Waters today. It seems that one activist had had enough of Ms. Shea's yammering in support of the seal slaughter and decided to fill the minister's pie hole with something a tad more palatable.

by Shawna Flavell

Original article here.

Original photo here.

MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING - The faked pandemia

Submitted by editor.provokat... on Mon, 01/25/2010 - 18:15.

”We have had a mild flu - and a false pandemic,” says Wolfgang Wodarg, the chair of the Health Committee in The European Council.

If you want to know more about "one of the greatest medical scandals of the century", just keep on reading!

by Louise Voller, Kristian Villesen

Original article here.

1 comment

Praha Pro Haiti @ Hush Café

Submitted by editor.provokat... on Thu, 01/21/2010 - 16:47.

Name: Hush Café
Street Address: Lublaňská 39, Praha 2
Additional:
City: Praha
Postal Code: 120 00
Country: Czech Republic
Phone:

Start: 01/24/2010 - 13:00

End: 01/24/2010 - 23:00

HUMANITARIAN AFTERNOON

@ HUSH CAFE'

Praha pro Haiti

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Calendar

High levels of sexual harassment at Czech universities

Submitted by editor.provokat... on Mon, 01/18/2010 - 18:08.

Study finds high levels of sexual harassment at Czech universities

Sometimes students just don't realize that they are being harassed, they feel uncomfortable but they ignore that something illegal is going on. That's what seems to happen in most Czech universities according to this article of Sarah Borufka. Let's have a look.

Original article from Radio Prague.

DREAM OR REALITY? DAVID LYNCH'S NEW CREATION WILL BE AN ANIMATION MOVIE

Submitted by editor.provokat... on Tue, 01/12/2010 - 19:46.

Imagine the brilliant mind of a famous director, struggling, for years, against the constraints imposed by the limited budget, by the claims of the producers and last but not least, by reality itself. Well, this time, David Lynch seems to have found a solution that will overcome all these obstacles.

Antonio Baroni

Anne Frank Helper Miep Gies Dies at 100

Submitted by editor.provokat... on Tue, 01/12/2010 - 18:52.

Miep Gies helped hide Anne Frank and her family from the Nazis for two years in a secret Amsterdam annex. She also saved Anne's diaries from destruction, allowing the world a glimpse into the day-to-day realities of Jews during World War II. On Monday evening, she died at the age of 100.

Original article from Der Spiegel

Banks Prepare for Big Bonuses, and Public Wrath

Submitted by editor.provokat... on Mon, 01/11/2010 - 16:49.

Everyone on Wall Street is fixated on The Number.

The bank bonus season, that annual rite of big money and bigger egos, begins in earnest this week, and it looks as if it will be one of the largest and most controversial blowouts the industry has ever seen.

Bank executives are grappling with a question that exasperates, even infuriates, many recession-weary Americans: Just how big should their paydays be? Despite calls for restraint from Washington and a chafed public, resurgent banks are preparing to pay out bonuses that rival those of the boom years. The haul, in cash and stock, will run into many billions of dollars.

Original article by Louise Story and Eric Dash, New York Times

1 comment

Trying to break Russia's vodka dependence

Submitted by editor.provokat... on Fri, 01/01/2010 - 20:20.

Original article by Daniel Fisher, BBC NEWS online

Russian President Dmitry Medvedev is hoping for some New Year's resolution among his countrymen, as he takes on one of Russia's most deeply-entrenched and prickliest problems - alcoholism.

From 1 January, restrictions on the price of vodka in Russia come into force.

1 comment

Mafia: The British connection: Italian mafia finds UK good for doing business

Submitted by editor.provokat... on Mon, 12/28/2009 - 23:25.

London firms act as fronts for drug-dealing and money-laundering and provide hideouts for fugitive gunmen, says anti-mafia investigator

Tom Kington, 27 december 2009

Original article from http://www.guardian.co.uk/

1 comment

Whisky hangover 'worse than vodka', study suggests

Submitted by editor.provokat... on Sat, 12/19/2009 - 03:32.

Original article from BBC NEWS online

Drinking whisky will result in a worse hangover than vodka, according to research by US scientists.

1 comment

Irish MP's F-word outburst sparks parliament review

Submitted by editor.provokat... on Fri, 12/18/2009 - 11:54.

Original article from BBC NEWS online

The Irish parliament is to review its rules of conduct after a lawmaker swore heavily during a budget debate.

Serbia President Boris Tadic fined for champagne toast

Submitted by editor.provokat... on Fri, 12/11/2009 - 12:47.

Original article from BBC NEWS online

Serbian President Boris Tadic has been fined 400 euros (£360) for toasting Serbia's qualification for the football World Cup with champagne at a stadium.

Auto*Mat Christmas Party

Submitted by admin on Wed, 12/02/2009 - 14:20.

Auto*Mat are throwing a Christmas Party with a city festival theme!

Experience all the sights, sounds, tastes and fun of a city festival in one night! You’ll have the chance to have a go at jewellery-making and T-shirt printing, try your luck in the prize raffle, get all your Christmas gifts from fair trade and community market stalls, and see screenings and meet the stars from the Auto*Mat movie!!

Music: Broken Glass Quartet, DJ Grizzly and DJ Miky

Market stalls include: Rybanaruby fair trade; Deafmessanger diaries; Balkan Tango recycled products; second-hand/hand-made jewellery and accessories; community CARROTS; Freestyle hairdresser; T-shirt printmakers; bazaar-sub-stations; Carbusters collection; and Auto*Mat gifts and their tasty Automatka!

Refreshments: Hall C bar; Food Aid catering; soup bar; Mama Coffee; and a čajovna

1 comment

Men and women 'respond differently to danger'

Submitted by editor.provokat... on Mon, 11/30/2009 - 11:47.

Original article from BBC News online

Men and women may respond differently to danger, a brain scan study suggests.

1 comment

Afghan Female Boxers Challenge Gender Roles

Submitted by editor.provokat... on Wed, 11/25/2009 - 18:58.

Original article by Nick Meo, SFGate online

Concord resident Tareq Shawl Azim says he always knew he would one day return to his parents' country to make it a better place.

Zizkov TV tower named 2nd ugliest in the world

Submitted by editor.provokat... on Mon, 11/23/2009 - 16:55.

Original article by Sarah Gordon, Mail online

Top ten 'ugliest' buildings in the world unveiled - and many are in our most beautiful cities

If there was ever any need to prove that even the most beautiful cities have their downside, the latest 'World's Top Ten Ugliest Buildings' list could be it.

Gangster in a G-String

Submitted by editor.provokat... on Wed, 11/18/2009 - 16:18.

by Lotti Riley

He sits in an authoritarian pose, comfortable and alert. Knowing his position well, no mere photographer can disrupt his status, even when without his clothes on. Lurid, seamless tattoos cover his body from top to bottom, but not from head to toe. They end at the wrists, neckline and ankles -- clad in an expensive suit half an hour ago, no hint of them had been visible. But now, covered only in tattoos and a small white g-string, he remains impassive, gruff.

1 comment

It is not about the money

Submitted by editor.provokat... on Mon, 11/16/2009 - 14:34.

By Fernando Ballester

White-collar crime is not violent by nature, but often results in the loss of thousands of people's savings. The most irritating aspect is that high-status criminals can afford the best attorneys and know how to get their punishments reduced or avoid imprisonment altogether.

My story, my fraud

Submitted by editor.provokat... on Mon, 11/16/2009 - 14:30.

By Fernando Ballester

Fraus, the Roman goddess of betrayal lends her name to the crime of ‘fraud’. Although it's rarely compared to physical crimes, this can have a deep impact as a psychological crime because it sows distrust between individuals.

A fraudster invents their own past and present to acquire the trust of others and then to abuse it. One example is the 'journalist', Stephen Glass.

A wake in Reykjavik for McDonald's

Submitted by editor.provokat... on Mon, 11/16/2009 - 13:59.

Original article CNN.com

Image from GreenPeace.org

REYKJAVIK, Iceland - All reporters will tell you from time to time that they do their work out of love of the story, a need to tell the world. This, I’m sorry to say, is not one of those times.

Spanish 'self love' lessons row

Submitted by editor.provokat... on Mon, 11/16/2009 - 13:47.

Original article by BBC NEWS online

A Spanish region's new approach to sex education has provoked anger by suggesting children be taught "self-exploration and self-pleasure".

Study: Fiddler crabs exchange sex for survival

Submitted by editor.provokat... on Tue, 11/10/2009 - 14:18.

Original article by Kristen Gelineau, SFGate online

In the world of fiddler crabs, the best form of protection for females is, apparently, having sex with the neighbors, according to an Australian study published Wednesday.

Czech troops in Nazi symbols row

Submitted by editor.provokat... on Tue, 11/10/2009 - 13:58.

Original article from BBC NEWS online

Three Czech soldiers who served as part of the Nato force in Afghanistan have been suspended for wearing Nazi symbols, Czech defence officials say.

Two are said to have adorned their helmets with symbols of SS divisions while serving in eastern Afghanistan.

1 comment

Queer Party in a Church

Submitted by sales.provokato... on Thu, 11/05/2009 - 17:37.

Original Article here

Queer Party in a Church

Submitted by sales.provokato... on Thu, 11/05/2009 - 17:37.

Original Article here

UK cemetery: Share a grave with a stranger?

Submitted by editor.provokat... on Mon, 11/02/2009 - 18:16.

Original article by Jill Lawless, SFGate online

So you think London, population 8 million, is crowded with the living?

There are many millions more under the soil of a city that has been inhabited for 2,000 years. And London is rapidly running out of places to put them.

Now the city's largest cemetery is trying to persuade Londoners to share a grave with a stranger.

1 comment

Leaders recall Berlin Wall's fall

Submitted by editor.provokat... on Mon, 11/02/2009 - 17:58.

Original article by BBC NEWS online

Three Cold War leaders from the Soviet Union, West Germany and US who saw the Berlin Wall fall two decades ago have been reunited in Germany's capital.

Man breaks 15 laws in 11 minutes

Submitted by editor.provokat... on Mon, 10/26/2009 - 14:02.

Original article by BBC NEWS online

A driver has confounded Swiss police by committing 15 traffic violations in just over 10 minutes, officials say.

1 comment

Norwegian named Monopoly champion

Submitted by editor.provokat... on Mon, 10/26/2009 - 13:54.

Original article by BBC NEWS online

A 19-year-old Norwegian is $20,580 (£12,200) richer - in real money - after sweeping the board at the World Monopoly Championships in Las Vegas.

Law school accused of mafia ties

Submitted by editor.provokat... on Wed, 10/21/2009 - 16:20.

Original article by Tom Clifford, Prague Post online

Security threat to state feared amid Plzeň university scandal

The safety of the state is "threatened" amid growing fears of mafia influence in key sectors of society after allegations that degrees were conferred after just a few months' study. There have also been concerns that fast-track degrees, plagiarism and missing dissertations at a prestigious law school "were not isolated cases."

Swedes divided over bunny biofuel

Submitted by editor.provokat... on Mon, 10/19/2009 - 17:15.

Original article by Helena Merriman, BBC NEWS online

Residents in Stockholm are divided over reports that rabbits are being used to make biofuel.

1 comment

Auschwitz launches Facebook site

Submitted by editor.provokat... on Mon, 10/19/2009 - 17:10.

Original article by Raffi Berg, BBC NEWS online

The Polish authorities in charge of Auschwitz have launched an official site for the former Nazi death camp on the social networking website Facebook

Oregon man gets probation for stabbing ex's fish

Submitted by editor.provokat... on Wed, 10/14/2009 - 13:58.

Original article from SFGate online

A Portland man who attacked his ex-girlfriend and impaled her pet fish this summer has been sentenced to two years probation, a psychological evaluation and community service. Donald Earl Fite III, 27, pleaded guilty Tuesday to animal abuse and domestic violence assault.

Barroso raises pressure on Czechs

Submitted by editor.provokat... on Wed, 10/14/2009 - 13:45.

Original article by BBC NEWS online

The Czech Republic should sign the Lisbon Treaty and not erect "artificial obstacles" to ratification, says EU Commission chief Jose Manuel Barroso.

Imelda Marcos' shoe collection saved from floods

Submitted by editor.provokat... on Sun, 10/11/2009 - 14:04.

Original article by Teresa Cerojano, SFGate online

When a powerful storm inundated the Philippines last month, most people rushed to save their homes or their lives. Employees of one museum, however, grabbed the shoes.