YouTube assault video worsens Somali reputation

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A group of Minneapolis teenagers have found themselves headline news after publishing a video in which they push people over in the street. Identified as of Somali origin, the pranksters will, our observer there explains, only add fuel to the fire for the local anti-Somali press.

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Video: Pro-regime university speaker shouted down by students


Pro-regime speakers are regularly invited by University Bassij to speak before students - but since President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's controversial re-election in June, they face an increasingly hostile audience. On November 16, one of Ahmadinejad's staunchest supporters was booed to silence with calls of "murderer" and "lier, go away!" But students often pay the price for their outspokenness. Read more...

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UK to follow Australian apology for ‘Lost Innocents’?

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It was an emotional day for Australia on Monday when Prime Minister Kevin Rudd publicly apologised to the estimated 500,000 children who were abused in government institutions between the 1930s and 1970s - what he called "The absolute tragedy of childhoods lost". Read more...

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The Irish take on "Thievery" Henry

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The Web is ablaze over France's controversial qualification for the World Cup, or to be precise, Thierry Henry's handball, which shattered Ireland's chances of taking part in the 2010 tournament. Read more and see the images...

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Spray cans in Tehran – risky but increasingly popular

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The most famous piece of Iranian graffiti is probably the deathly Statue of Liberty painted on the wall of the former US Embassy in Tehran. There's far more to street art than anti-American paintings however, and in the past two years, it's become more popular than ever. Read more and see the images...

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Pre-match Khartoum heating up

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Slogans and partisan chants rang out all night in Khartoum, the Sudanese capital, ahead of Wednesday’s much anticipated World Cup qualification play-off between Egypt and Algeria. Watch the videos...

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Destroyed by police, the migrant "jungle" is up again by nightfall

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French police bulldozed a migrant settlement in Dunkirk on Tuesday morning and arrested around 50 residents. Our Observer there explains that the very same day, the immigrants started rebuilding their "jungle". Read more...

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Buy your bribe online

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"Visas for sale. Attractive prices". On Saudi classified advertising website 'mstaml', hundreds of ads blatantly advertise under the table deals and bureaucratic bribery. Jobs, visas, marriage loans, diplomas... virtually anything can be bought and paid for. Our Observer tells us why. Read more...
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Irate fans vandalised Egyptian offices while “police stood by and watched”

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After last weekend’s tense football game pitting Egypt’s Pharaohs against Algeria’s Fennecs (the Pharaohs won 2-0), irate Algerian football fans vandalised several Egyptian businesses in Algiers. Our Observer was there. Read more...
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Not all Chinese Web users like Obama

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US President Barack Obama was treated to a grandiose welcome in Beijing, where he met his Chinese counterpart Hu Jintao on Tuesday. The pair agreed to strengthen ties between the two countries. But on the Web, feelings were not so warm. Read more...

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South African shack dwellers: “The police are attacking us”

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A group of Durban shack dwellers say that local police attacked, abused, and intimidated residents on Friday night. It's the third alleged police-related attack in two months. But why would authorities target a group of shack dwellers? Read more and see their photos...

Chavez or no Chavez, they're crossing the border

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Worsening relations between Colombia and Venezuela led to a decision on November 3 by Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez to close the border between the two countries. Instead of giving in to the obstacle, however, residents from either side are finding every way round it. Read more...

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War drawn by those who wage it

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At first sight they seem to be children's drawings of jungles, mountains and rivers. But on closer inspection the details come into focus: people pleading for mercy before being executed, women being raped, hostages tied up, giant cemeteries... Read more...

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Algeria-Egypt turns violent

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The Algerian team bus was attacked by stone-throwers last night as it made its way from Cairo airport to the hotel where the players are staying for Saturday's World Cup qualifier with the Egyptian Pharaohs. Five players were injured in the attack. Read more and see the videos...

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China scaring kids out of fast food chains

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Look carefully at this picture. If you weren't scared of feeding a burger to your six-year-old, you might be now. The ad is part of an awareness campaign launched by the Chinese authorities, who are dealing with an ever-widening population. At the same time however, Beijing city centre is just about to open its first ever Burger King. Read more...