Search the realtime web - the news, stories and videos people are talking about right now.

Archive for the ‘International Affairs’ Category

BBC Triggers Controversy Over Free Speech

10/22/09 - Posted by Evan Kessler under International Affairs, Politics

picture-2714picture-3114

It’s not often that matters solely encompassing political affairs of the British Isles make lasting impressions throughout the course of the day. The fickle nature of trending topics tends to guarantee that almost precisely at the moment we choose to tackle one in blog form, it disappears. Today, however, “BBC” and “Nick Griffin” have managed to stay afloat atop our fair list of topics. On first glance, these two seemed separate. We thought perhaps the BBC was trending because Monty Python is celebrating their 40th year of hilarity, and maybe everyone in Britain was checking feverishly to see what time a special is going to air on BBC…and not really knowing who Nick Griffin is, we figured that maybe he was a new dynamite contestant on Britain’s Got Talent. Upon further investigation this could not be further from the truth. (more…)

Finland Delivers Broadband and Sunshine

10/14/09 - Posted by Abdullah Saeed under International Affairs

We often view the use of new technology as a privilege. Hell, we still say having a driver’s license is a privilege in a country where functioning without a car is  practically impossible outside of a city. However, one country is taking the first step in recognizing that we live in an age of dependence on technology, not simply a time of increased ease. Today, Finland makes broadband a legal right, and the approximate 20 resulting Tweets per minute suggest that it’s a damn good idea.
picture-361picture-372
(more…)

Sorry, Chicago: Rio Takes 2016 Olympic Bid

10/02/09 - Posted by Christopher Reinhard under International Affairs, Sports

picture-2223

Lake Placid, Squaw Valley, Los Angeles; the list of American cities who have hosted their own star-spangled version of the modern Olympic Games is longer than most nations can say, at eight. But eight it shall remain, at least for now; Chicago has been eliminated from the cast of candidates for 2016’s summer session. In fact, the city’s bid was the first to be dismissed, leading to a hefty helping of social media chatter about what could have gone wrong.

The most influential person in America—Oprah Winfrey—showed her support for Chicago’s instatement as the home of the Games in Denmark this week, but even her powers were useless when it came time for the event’s committee to vote.

Tokyo was also eliminated from contention early, leaving Madrid and Rio De Janeiro in a face off that ultimately landed in the bejeweled hands of the latter. Get ready, Rio; you’ve got six years to lay on the sparkle, lay off the caipirinhas, and let Oprah cool off. See you in 2016.

Natural Disasters Trilogy Sweeps Asia, South Pacific

9/30/09 - Posted by Evan Kessler under International Affairs

picture-836

We’re not sure whether you forgot to separate the plastic from the glass last week or you decided to purchase a gas-guzzling SUV, but whatever you did, mother nature is pissed off.

Recently, the earth has unleashed a flurry of destruction upon its inhabitants unmatched since theaters worldwide made people watch The Day After Tomorrow. It all started with storms and subsequent deadly floods in the Phillippines, which then carried on to Vietnam. Next on the disaster timeline came Tuesday’s massive Samoan earthquake which sent a deadly tsunami roaring through the capital and put areas as far away as Hawaii and as near as California on watch. As if three force majeures were not enough to have us shaking in our boots, this morning we were awakened by news of a second massive earthquake near Sumatra. Now we’re not sure if this is all just a big coincidence caused by shifting clouds and tectonic plates or it’s the end of days, but whatever you might have done to irk mother earth, kindly repent or build yourself an ark.

Indonesia Welcomes Record-Breaking Monster Baby

9/25/09 - Posted by Abdullah Saeed under International Affairs

picture-1339
An Indonesian couple has managed to produce a 19.2 pound baby, shattering previously held records and dwarfing the birth weights of his relatively large older siblings by almost 10 pounds. The boy, Akbar, was removed from his mother’s womb via Caesarean section by several doctors and a construction worker operating a forklift. (more…)

Dust Storm Sheets Sydney in - uh, Dust

9/23/09 - Posted by Christopher Reinhard under International Affairs

picture-401

In what is being called the most photogenic natural disaster of 2009, Australian cultural capital Sydney has been blanketed with a thick coating of red dust. In the past 24 hours the city experienced a phenomenal dust storm that’s delayed public transportation and left even seasoned meteorologists stunned. It’s even been reported that visibility is down to a few hundred…wait. A few hundred meters? Isn’t that like, a mile?

Okay, so, the photos of this so-called disaster are pretty extraordinary; but when was the last time some American complained about only being able to see a mile in front of them? We’re pretty sure LA smog causes similar circumstances on the daily. But whatever—life must be tough in Australia, what with all the zorbing and kangaroo riding and baby koalas that require petting and eucalyptus treats every five minutes. Our hearts go out to you, Australia. Keep your head up, MATE.

Starving Populations’ Plight Worsen Amid Recession

9/21/09 - Posted by Abdullah Saeed under International Affairs

picture-2710

The recessions has caused many of us to scale back our lives by limiting our luxuries, which often means forgoing vacations and other luxuries. Tightening our belts has been hard, but it’s a lot harder when you’re doing it to keep hunger at bay. Turns out, we don’t know what hard is. For nations with populations that have been starving since before the global financial crisis, waiting for the ‘end of the recession’ doesn’t mean much. (more…)

Partnership

Recent Comments

  • Jac63 November 7, 2009 8:13 am Gee, sounds allot like the poem 23. Get yours Will your S.S. pay for a tank of gas?...
  • Candy November 5, 2009 10:08 am Very fast shipping - cute top uggs boots on sale!
  • Candy November 5, 2009 10:07 am Beautiful and comfortable uggs boots on sale. Thanks for the fast service.
  • Candy November 5, 2009 10:06 am Very nice, merchandise as described- I recommend the uggs boots on sale seller.
  • Candy November 5, 2009 10:05 am LOVE IT Beautiful. Thank you for all you have done. uggs boots on sale

Gossip

  • Renaming Mel Gibson’s Octo-Spawn

    11/03/09

    The Summary: Mel Gibson becomes a father of eight children - and OneRiot renames them all.
    The Search: Mel Gibson’s Baby
    Everyone loves when celebrities have babies, because the names they grace them with offer solid proof that they operate on a whole different plane of existence. However, the latest celebrity couple to a offer a up [...]

    read more…

  • Jackson Biography Draws the Attention of Hollywood & Interweb

    10/28/09

    In a triumphant posthumous return to the trending topics, Michael Jackson reared his beautifully-singing head on the social web when chatter about the release of his film biography reminded everyone just how influential his passing was. The new picture documents the life of the icon, along with (very) recent footage of Jackson prepping for his [...]

    read more…

  • With Great Power Comes Great Twesponsibility

    10/15/09

    Last night, thousands of status updates were sent out into the Twittersphere by concerned individuals who believed they were passing on an Amber Alert for a three year old boy. Descriptions of the perp’s Mitsubishi Eclipse and license plate spread like wildfire, and #98B351 quickly became a trending topic. Not long after, celebrity @KhloeKardashian retweeted [...]

    read more…

  • Jon and Kate Plus Eight Minus Jon

    9/29/09

    Bad news, Ed Hardy fans: it’s been scientifically (read: conditionally) proven (read: suggested) that wearing the brand 24/7 will ruin your career. At least, that’s what it—coupled with a series of other bad decisions—did for Jon Gosselin. The horrific fashion victim, best known for his appearances on the reality program Jon and Kate Plus [...]

    read more…

  • Imma Let U Finish But Kim Was the Most Famous Kardashian of ALL TIME

    9/24/09

    It’s kind of unfair: pro basketball players are typically ginormous, but they’re always hanging out with diminutive cheerleaders, models and actresses. While we fully support the concept of giving the spoils to the victors (did you see our sweet news coverage, by the way?), it’s nice to know that at least one monolithic baller is [...]

    read more…

Updates

Partnership

Stuff We’re Watching

  • http://www.vimeo.com/7235817
  • http://www.vimeo.com/6958283
  • http://www.vimeo.com/6788487

Tweet Tweet

    more tweets
     

    You need to log in to vote

    The blog owner requires users to be logged in to be able to vote for this post.

    Alternatively, if you do not have an account yet you can create one here.

    Powered by Vote It Up