Able Muse Book Award

Able Muse Book Award (for Poetry)

 $1000 prize plus publication of the winning manuscript by Able Muse Press.

Finalists will also be considered for publication.

Entry deadline: March 31, 2011

Final Judge:

Andrew Hudgins

 

Guidelines:

• Blind Judging by the Final Judge Andrew Hudgins.
• Initial screening by the Able Muse Editors.
• Entries may not be previously published, but individual poems and chapbook-length sections may have been if the previous publisher gives reprint permission. (Still, more than half of the manuscript. may not have been previously published as a collection.)
• Simultaneous submissions accepted as long as we're immediately notified if your work is accepted elsewhere.
• Unlimited entries per person.
• All poetry styles are welcome (metrical or free verse).
• Acknowledgments may be included in the manuscript but are not required.
• We prefer online entries, however, paper/snail mail entry is available for those who insist on the traditional submission method.
• If you wish to enter more than once, then a separate entry fee and submission form must be completed for each entry.
• If you're entering by paper/snail mail, the manuscripts cannot be returned so, do not send us your only copies.
• For paper/snail mail entries, include an SASE (self-addressed stamped envelope) to receive the announcement of the winner.
• The contests will be judged blind by the final judge, so:
  • Author's name should only appear on cover page/cover letter and nowhere else.
  • Initial screening will be done by the editors of Able Muse.
  1. The final judge will received anonymized manuscripts (five to ten depending and the number of total entries and their quality).
  2. The final judge will be instructed to disqualify any work that he recognizes. The entry fee the work thus disqualified will be refunded.
• Include on your cover page ONLY:

1. the title of your manuscript
2. a brief bio
3. the total number of lines for all poems combined / total word count for all stories combined.
4. the poet's/writer's name
5. address
6. phone number, and
7. email address.

Entry Methods:

1. Preferred method is our online entry form—
   1. DO NOT type or copy and paste your manuscript in the poem text box. Rather, upload your submission file from the upload field (accepted formats are: Text, RTF, Word, Wordperfect, PDF, HTML).
   2. Only send one file attachment with everything (50 to 120 pages), with the cover page prepared as described in the blind judging section above (do NOT attach a separate file for each poem!)
   3. There should be no identification in the manuscript file itself as described in the blind judging section above.
   4. Enter at http://www.ablemuse.com/enter-contest online.
2. Second favorite entry method is via e-mail—
   1. Again, do not type your submission in the body of the email. Rather, attach your submission file to the email (accepted formats are: Text, RTF, Word, Wordperfect, PDF, HTML).
   2. The subject of the email should be: "<Your Name>: Poetry Contest" for poetry entries, or "<Your Name>: Fiction Contest" for fiction entries.
   3. Email your entry to submission@ablemuse.com without any identification in the manuscript file itself as described in the blind judging section above.
3. Least favorite entry method is paper by snail mail—
   1. The manuscript should be without any identification as explained in the blind judging section above.
   2. The cover page should be prepared as explained in the blind judging section above.
   3. Duplicates not required, so do NOT send duplicate of the manuscript.
   4. Send your entry to:

      Able Muse Review
      (Poetry or Flash Fiction) Contest
      467 Saratoga Avenue #602
      San Jose, CA 95129
      USA

Entry Fees:

• $25 for a manuscript of 50 to 120 pages.
• No matter how you choose to enter (online or email or snail mail) you may choose to pay:
  1. Online at http://www.ablemuse.com/enter-contest (or right below!), OR,
  2. By check: Able Muse Review, and sent to the contest address indicated above.
  3. To enable us to match your payment to your entry, be sure to indicate the name you entered with in your manuscript (i.e. your pen name, etc), if it's different from the one under which payment was made, and this applies for online or check payment by snail mail.

Pay Entry Fee & Enter Contest Now:

 

ENTER THE ABLE MUSE BOOK AWARD CONTEST NOW:

After payment, submit your manuscript online at:
http://www.ablemuse.com/enter-contest .
Or, enter by email/snail mail as explained above:

http://www.ablemuse.com/ablemuse-book-award for the contest entry guidelines." type="hidden" />

Cinnamon Press Writing Awards

Cinnamon Press competitions offer writers in different genres excellent publication opportunities. We run each of the competitions twice a year with closing dates of June 30th and November 30th in 2010.

 

Poetry Collection Award £100

The aim of this award is to provide a platform for new voices in poetry.

The winning author has his/her poetry collection published with Cinnamon Press and receives a prize of £100. We also publish an anthology of the best poems submitted and entry includes a copy of the winners’ anthology. We have commissioned several other collections as a result of being short-listed.

Short Story Award: £100

The competition is open to new and published authors.

The first prize for a story between 2,000 and 4,000 words is £100 & publication. Up to ten runners up stories’ are also published in the winners’ anthology. Entry includes a copy of the winners’ anthology.

Novel/Novella Writing Award £400

The aim of this award is to encourage new authors, enabling debut novelists/novella writers to achieve a first publication in this genre. The winning author has his/her first novel published by Cinnamon Press and receives a prize of £400. The four runners up also receive a full appraisal of their novel. We have also commissioned other novels as a result of short-listing in the competition.

Guidelines for all Genres

• Entrants for the novel/novella and poetry categories should not previously have had a novel/novella or full poetry collection published. Short story writers may have had stories, but not a single author collection published.
• Entries may be made by post or submitted electronically – send as two email attachments – one with the work and the other with contact details – please ensure you have up to date virus protection and send as a .doc or .docx or .rtf file.
• Submit the first ten thousand words of your novel/novella or 10 poems up to 40 lines (unpublished) or story of 2,000-4,000 words (unpublished) in a clear type script, double spaced for prose.
• Please mark each sheet with a nom de plume and working title in the header.
• Do not put any other identification on the work, but enclose a separate sheet with name, address, email contact & nom de plume and titles of poems/working title.
• Next deadline for submissions – 30th November 2010.
• Entry is £16 per entry for all categories (this includes a copy of the winners anthology for the poet and short story categories, worth £8.99)
• Please make cheques payable to ‘Cinnamon Press’ or you can pay online in a range of currencies using PayPal
• Work will not be returned, so please keep a copy.
• Send your work to: Cinnamon Press Novel Writing Award, Meirion House, Glan yr afon, Tanygrisiau, Blaenau Ffestiniog, Gwynedd, LL41 3SU or to jan@cinnamonpress.com
• Results will be sent to everyone who includes a sae or valid email by October (for June competitions) or March (for November competitions)
• All enquiries: jan@cinnamonpress.com

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Envoi Poetry Competitions

 

There is also a regular poetry competition for single poems in the June issue of the Poetry Journal Envoi. with a deadline of February 20th 2011.

Call for Poetry for Journal of Pan African Studies

 

The Journal of Pan African Studies Call for Poetry

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

All original, previously unpublished poetry will be accepted; however they must be relevant to the Black experience
in the U.S., and throughout the world.

Book reviews of recent and new publications in the domain of poetry are welcomed and encouraged.

For consideration, send final work in a MS word format as an attachment via
e-mail to jmarvinx@yahoo.com before September 30, 2010.

Poetry in languages other than English will be considered, however they must also be presented in English, and all
submissions must include a name, a short biographical statement, and an
e-mail address.

For more information on The Journal of Pan African Studies, visit: www.jpanafrican.com.

Contact: Marvin X, Guest Editor
Email: jmarvinx@yahoo.com

 

14th Poetry Africa - Durban: 4 – 9 October 2010  

14th POETRY AFRICA
International Poetry Festival
Durban: 4 – 9 October 2010

 

Poets from around South Africa, Africa and the world will descend on Durban for an exhilarating rollercoaster of words, rhythms and ideas at the 14th Poetry Africa international poetry festival, which takes place from 4 to 9 October. Organised by the Centre for Creative Arts (University of KwaZulu-Natal), and with principal support from the National Lottery Distribution Trust Fund, Poetry Africa’s exciting week-long programme is preceded by a three-stop Poetry Africa tour to Cape Town, Zimbabwe and Malawi.

Over twenty poets from twelve different countries will feature in the main Durban programme and the full lineup will each present an introductory poem on The Opening Night of the festival (4 October, Elizabeth Sneddon Theatre), providing an ideal précis of the diverse voices the public can expect during the rest of the week. The week will thereafter feature 5 poets every evening, through to 8 October, before the rousing Festival Finale at the BAT Centre on 9 October. Each evening at the Sneddon Theatre will begin with curtain-raising performances by poets representing the various active Durban poetry circles. Another unique aspect of this year’s festival is the residency of Concord Nkabinde and Erik Paliani. Nkabinde, an acclaimed bass guitarist who has performed with the likes of Johnny Clegg, Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Ray Phiri, Phil Manzaniera, Zim Ngqawana, Darius Brubeck, Deepak Ram and many others, will collaborate with Malawian producer, musician and singer-songwriter Erik Paliani in nightly musical curtain-raisers. Nkabinde and Paliani’s passion for collaboration provides the perfect metaphor for the cross-cultural artistic meetings that Poetry Africa seeks to stimulate.

The broad selection of poetic voices, forms, and cultures at the festival includes the vivid verse of Frank Chipasula (Malawi). Apart from poetry, the BBC Poetry Prize winning and twice Pushcart Prize-nominated Chipasula is also a widely-respected writer, academic and editor. The African lineup also includes Kenyan Ngwatilo Mawiyoo, a poet whose intelligence and subtlety is abundantly evident in her first book of poems Blue Mothertongue, a collection which examines notions of home, loss and healing. Returning to Poetry Africa after an absence of six years is poet and academic Barolong Seboni (Botswana), whose astute grasp of history and its meaning, is spread over numerous acclaimed collections. Charlotte Hill O’Neal, better known as Mama C, is an American-born visual artist, musician and poet, who was a member of the Black Panther Movement before relocating to Tanzania in 1972. Her collection Warrior Woman of Peace was launched in 2008 and her fourth album of poetry and music is forthcoming. Both in his words and music the captivating voice of internationally celebrated Souleymane Diamanka (Senegal/France) offers an expressive cultural bridge between his French home and his Fulani ancestry.

The strong South African presence this year includes established luminaries and exciting new voices. Pitika Ntuli combines a vast store of African mythology and history, a keen awareness of the contemporary and an astonishing ability to improvise in his evocative poetry. Storytelling and myth also figure large in the verse of Durban icon Gcina Mhlophe. Lebo Mashile, arguably the best-known contemporary South African poet, brings to the Poetry Africa stage her candid and richly weaved words. The award-winning poet and playwright Kobus Moolman will present poems from his new collection Light and After as well sneak peeks at his next collection. Light and After (Deep South), a sparse and bravely honest work will be launched at the festival. Other launches include: Piece Work (Modjaji Books) by Ingrid Andersen and Scent of Footprints (Unisa Press) by Pitika Ntuli, Xaba.

Poetry Africa welcomes back the 2005 DaimlerChrysler Award for South African Poetry winner Gabeba Baderoon, the author of three collections of complex and intensely lyrical poetry. The Afrikaans-language poet Ronelda Kamfer’s entry into South African literature has been memorably described by poet Charl Pierre Naude “like a Guy Fawkes’ rocket at Pentecost”. Kamfer’s remarkable ability to artfully filter the political and social through a personal lens marks her as a young poet to watch. Natalia Molebatsi combines spoken word and singing in an intoxicating cocktail that touches base with genres such as jazz, dub, hip hop and reggae. Well-known Durban poet Busiswa Gqulu, like Molebatsi, combines poetry, song and performance to startling effect. Another well-respected Durban poet, Marí Peté, explores dreamscapes, everyday experiences, and the thin membrane between these states of being in her poetry.

The international presence at Poetry Africa is particularly strong this year. Celebrated poet, author, radio host, actor and social critic Mutabaruka was the first well-publicized voice in the new wave of Jamaican poets making themselves heard in the early 1970s. He has recorded numerous poetry albums which have helped forge the unique genre of music commonly referred to as dub poetry. As an actor, Mutabaruka has starred in Haile Gerima’s award-winning Sankofa (1993).
In honour of activist and poet Dennis Brutus (1924 -2010) Poetry Africa introduces the Letters to Dennis segment featuring a poet of high excellence who reflects Dennis’s passion for human rights and integrity. The Letters to Dennis references the famous poem Letters to Martha, written while Dennis was in prison. The Letters to Dennis poet for 2010 is Ghassan Zaqtan of Palestine. At one time the editor of the Palestine Liberation Organisation’s newspaper, Ghassan Zaqtan is one of Palestine’s most respected poets and his urgent yet paradoxically gentle and contemplative poetry abounds with luminous imagery.

Jayne Fenton Keane (Australia) is a highly awarded and respected poet whose blend of poetry-song cycles, spoken word-music fusions and shamanic performances have challenged and inspired audiences and critics around the world. Poet, writer-activist and translator Meena Kandasamy (India) uses writing, translation and activism to confront her womanness, her Dalitness and her Tamilness - three categories of belonging that continue to enshrine a history of resistance to oppression. Jorge Palma (Uruguay) is a poet and storyteller whose sensitive and elegant poetry is most concerned with addressing and dissecting the human condition, while Italian Claudio Pozzani is poet and musician whose work has been translated into more than ten languages.

Saturday, 9 October sees a full day of activities at the BAT Centre, with poetry workshops, open mic opportunities, the Durban SlamJam all culminating in the Festival Finale on Saturday night which includes a performance by the Imperial Tiger Orchestra, a Geneva-based band that performs songs from the Golden Age of Ethiopian modern music (1969 – 1978). Although this six-piece orchestra’s repertoire consists primarily of revamped and reworked Ethiopian music, they are not to be mistaken for a covers band. Instead the Imperial Tigers explore uncharted territory in this form, playing with textures and dynamics, adding distortions and noise to complete beautiful new pieces based on the Ethiopian originals.

Apart from the evening performances at the Sneddon and the BAT, a packed daily programme utilizing the expertise of festival participants includes performances, seminars, workshops, a prison programme, poetry competitions, and school visits all aimed at inspiring heightened interest in poetry.

Poetry Africa on Tour

Poetry Africa on Tour is an effort to celebrate poetry with ever-wider constituencies and to stimulate meaningful cultural exchange between artists, audiences and countries. With the support of the National Lottery Distribution Trust Fund (principal funder), Mimeta and Pro-Helvetia Arts Council of Switzerland, the 2010 tour kicks off at the Cape Town ICC on Sunday 26th September, featuring Frank Chipasula, Mama C, Lebo Mashile, Gcina Mhlophe, Mutabaruka, Barolong Seboni, Pitika Ntuli, includes musicians Concord Nkabinde and Eric Palliani and a unique collaboration between Comrade Fatso (Zimbabwe) and Ewok (South Africa). With the exception of Mhlophe and Ewok, and with the addition of Ngwatilo Mawiyoo, the tour continues with shows at Manneberg and Book Café in Harare on 28th and 29th, before being part of the Blantyre Arts Festival in Malawi on 1st October. In each of the centres the tour will also showcase local poets, and incorporate workshops, discussions and engagements with artists and cultural activists.

The full programme of Poetry Africa activities, plus participant bios and photos, is available on www.cca.ukzn.ac.za. Enquiries to 031-260 2506 or 031-260 1704.
Organised by the Centre for Creative Arts (University of KwaZulu-Natal), the 14th Poetry Africa festival is supported by theNational Lottery Distribution Trust Fund (principal funder), HIVOS (Humanist Institute for Development Co-operation), City of Durban, Arts and Culture Trust, Pro Helvetia Arts Councit of Switzerland, Mimeta and the French Institute of South Africa.

Festival enquiries to 031-260 2506 or 031-260 1704 cca@ukzn.ac.za
For Media Queries Contact Sharlene Versfeld Tel: 031-8115628 Fax: 0866827334 Email: sharlene@versfeld.co.za

 

 

Participant Biographies and photos
Gabeba Baderoon (South Africa) Frank Chipasula (Malawi) Souleymane Diamanka (France) Busiswa Gqulu (South Africa) Ronelda Kamfer (South Africa) Jayne Fenton Keane (Australia) Meena Kandasamy (India)	Mama C (Tanzania) Lebogang Mashile (South Africa) Mutabaruka (Jamaica) Ngwatilo Mawiyoo (Kenya) Gcina Mhlophe (South Africa) Natalia Molebatsi (South Africa) Kobus Moolman (South Africa)	Concord Nkabinde (South Africa) Pitika Ntuli (South Africa) Jorge Palma (Uruguay) Erik Palliani (Malawi) Marí Peté (South Africa) Claudio Pozzani (Italy) Barolong Seboni (Botswana) Ghassan Zaqtan (Palestine)

Poetry Africa 2010 Programme of Activities
Programming subject to change The 14th Poetry Africa international poetry festival features 22 participants from 12 different countries. Fresh from Poetry Africa events in Cape Town, Zimbabwe and Malawi, the extensive week-long programme includes performances, readings and book launches every evening at the Elizabeth Sneddon Theatre, with a festival finale and the Durban SlamJam at the BAT Centre on Saturday, 9 October. Day activities include seminars, workshops, poetry competitions, open mic opportunities and school visits. Ticket prices at the Elizabeth Sneddon Theatre: R25 (R15 for students and pensioners). Closing night at the Bat Centre: R50. There is no charge for workshops and seminars. Book at Computicket (086 110 0220 or www.computicket.com) or at the Elizabeth Sneddon Theatre from 18h30. No advance bookings for the BAT Centre. For further information, contact the Centre for Creative Arts, University of KwaZulu-Natal , Durban , 4041 Tel: +27 31 260 2506/1816 • Fax +27 31 260 3074 E-mail: cca@ukzn.ac.za • Website: www.cca.ukzn.ac.za
PDF of Programme available here
POETRY AFRICA 2010
Monday October 4 2010 - Opening Night
		Elizabeth Sneddon Theatre
	19h30	Host: Lebo Mashile Music: Concord Nkabinde and Erik Paliani Introduction: Peter Rorvik, Director, Centre for Creative Arts
		Presentation of participating poets:
		Frank Chipasula (Malawi), Souleymane Diamanka (France), Busiswa Gqulu (South Africa),Ronelda Kamfer (South Africa), Meena Kandasamy (India), Jayne Fenton Keane (Australia), Mama C (Tanzania), Lebogang Mashile (South Africa), Ngwatilo Mawiyoo (Kenya), Gcina Mhlophe (South Africa), Natalia Molebatsi (South Africa), Kobus Moolman (South Africa), Mutabaruka (Jamaica), Pitika Ntuli (South Africa), Jorge Palma (Uruguay), Marí Peté (South Africa) , Claudio Pozzani (Italy), Barolong Seboni (Botswana), Ghassan Zaqtan (Palestine)
Tuesday October 5 2010
	AM	Schools Visits
	10h00 – 12h00	Poetry Performance and Discussion: Mutabaruka, Pitika Ntuli, Frank Chipasula, Ghassan Zaqtan - Luthuli Museum, 3233 Nokukhanya Luthuli Street, Groutville. Tel: 032 559 6822
	11h30 – 12h30	Musicians Assuming Career Responsibilty: Concord Nkabinde, Erik Paliani – Ekhaya Multi-Arts Centre, B25 Giya Road, B-Section, KwaMashu. Tel: 031 504 6970
	12h00 – 12h45	Poetry Africa Campus Invasion: Busiswa Gqulu, Meena Kandasamy – Piazza Area, Edgewood Campus, UKZN, Tel: 031 260 2506
	12h30 – 14h00	Poetry Performance and Discussion: Jayne Fenton Keane, Natalia Molebatsi, Concord Nkabinde, Erik Paliani – Ekhaya Multi-Arts Centre, B25 Giya Road , B-Section, KwaMashu. Tel: 031 504 6970
	13h00 – 13h30	Poetry Africa Campus Invasion: Mama C, Lebo Mashile – Howard College Campus, Food Court, UKZN. Tel: 031 260 2506
		Elizabeth Sneddon Theatre
	19h30	Host: Zuki Vutela
			Music: Concord Nkabinde and Erik Paliani • Durban Spotlight Poet: Thandeka Mthethwa ( Luthuli Museum Poetry Circle) • Marí Peté ( South Africa) • Barolong Seboni ( Botswana) • Meena Kandasamy ( India) Interval • *Letters to Dennis: Ghassan Zaqtan ( Palestine) • Lebo Mashile ( South Africa)
	* Letters to Dennis In honour of activist and poet Dennis Brutus (1924-2009) the Letters to Dennis slot features a poet of high excellence who reflects Dennis' passion for human rights and integrity. The Letters to Dennis references the famous poem Letters to Martha , written while Dennis was in prison. The Letters to Dennis poet for 2010 is Ghassan Zaqtan of Palestine .
Wednesday 6 October
	AM	Schools Visits
	10h30 - 12h00	Poets Talk Poetry: Frank Chipasula – English Department Boardroom, Memorial Tower Block, Howard College Campus, UKZN. Tel: 031 260 2334
	11h00 - 11h30	Poetry Africa Campus Invasion: Souleymane Diamanka, Ngwatilo Mawiyoo – LC002, Steve Biko Campus, Durban University of Technology. Tel: 031 260 2506
	11h15 – 12h30	Poets in Media: Poets in Media: Ghassan Zaqtan, Jayne Fenton Keane – Department of Journalism, City Campus, Room 149, Durban University of Technology. Tel 031 203 6614
	12h00 – 14h00	Zwakala! Mazisi Kunene Poetry Showcase: Busiswa Gqulu, Ronelda Kamfer, Natalia Molebatsi – Sipho Gumede Hall, BAT Centre. Tel: 031 332 0451
	12h00 – 14h00	Community Writing Forum: Mama C, Meena Kandasamy – Nelson Mandela Youth Centre, Chatsworth Circle Road, Chatsworth. Tel: 031 401 4191/083 981 3506
	13h00 – 14h00	Poets in Dialogue: Mutabaruka, Pitika Ntuli, Claudio Pozzani – ICESA City Campus, 35 Field Street . Tel 031 307 4008/7071
	15h00 – 15h30	Poetry Africa Campus Invasion: Kobus Moolman, Jorge Palma, Natalia Molebatsi– Asoka Theatre, Westville Campus, UKZN. Tel: 031 260 2506
		Elizabeth Sneddon Theatre
	18h45 - 19h15	Book Launch - Wellington Tavern Deck -
		Scent of Invisible Footprints: The Sculpture of Pitika Ntuli – Pitika Ntuli, Unisa Press
	19h30	Host: Pitika Ntuli
			Music: Concord Nkabinde and Erik Paliani Durban Spotlight Poet: Dashen Naicker (Word Architeks) • Ngwatilo Mawiyoo ( Kenya)

Nneka makes her acting debut in film "Relentless"

 

@Kelechi Amadi Obi: Nneka listening behind the scene
The Nigerian-German hip hop/soul singer Nneka has made her acting debut in the film "Relentless" (2010). The film is about love and self-discovery in urban Lagos. The film also stars Hatian actor Jimmy Jean Louis and Gideon Okeke.

BFI called the film of director Andy Amadi Okoroafor a visually accomplished film debut that laconically narrates a story about love and self-discovery, set in one of Africa's unforgiving capital cities.

You can see the film at BFI London Film Festival 13-28 October 2010, see more information at www.bfi.org.uk

Synopsis: Relentless is a story about love and self-discovery, set in Sierra Leone, one of Africa's unforgiving countries.

 

Obi, an orphan brought up by the military, becomes a peace-keeping soldier in worn torn Sierra Leone. He meets Blessing a Sierra Leonean woman and falls in love for the first time. His world and life are devastated when he finds Blessing mutilated by kid soldiers and rebels. His only option is to kill her misery.

On his return to Lagos after the war, he is an emotional autiste, sleepless and lonely. By day he runs a small security company with Ola his best friend and fellow war veteran, at night he walks the lonely streets of Lagos haunted by his past.

In one of his midnight walks, Honey, a runaway university student and high-class call girl falls into his arms, thrown down from a bridge to die by one of her clients. Obi is thrust back into reality as he once again is carrying a woman in his arms, another victim of violence, another life to save or let die.

But Honey is alive and enters Obi's world, opening up his mind again to feelings and emotions, but also ultimately leading him into committing another murder.

It's election time in Nigeria and a powerful politician claiming to be a friend to Obi's late father hands Obi's firm a lucrative contract to provide security for his candidate.

Obi and Honey, both in personal exile and struggling to get a hold on their lives are thrust into action as a course of events draws them together in the relentless and brooding city that is Lagos today.

As Obi comes to terms with his life and reality, he embarks on a journey of redemption and self re-discovery. We unveil an intimate portrait of a man battling with the scars of war.

The film explores the vast canvas that is Lagos today ‚ powerful, dangerous, alive and uncompromising; fraught with deceptions and corruption yet thriving with hope, strength and resilience.

The film is not afraid to subtly question Nigeria’s peace keeping troops in Sierra Leone, the tragic history of Biafra, the silent plague of human sacrifice, mass government inefficiency and corruption. This is also a film that celebrates Nigeria and Lagos as an African city bustling with the energy, music, vibrant, full of culture and humanity. --

About the film the director writes: "I see Relentless as a story told through innovative contemporary images. It is not a voyeuristic eye, it is participative and engaged, it is an insider perspective and the form of the images is a vital element of the film. I want the film to look under the surface, to look at Africa with a new intensity."

Website Relentless: www.clammag.com

Apart from Nneka, the film looks very promising.

 

 

 

UN: Two men killed on ‘Mavi Marmara’ were holding cameras when they were shot

by Philip Weiss on September 25, 2010 · 36 comments

We've failed to post anything on the United Nations Human Rights Council's report issued three days ago on the Israeli raid on the Gaza flotilla last May that found that Israel had committed grave violations of human rights law and international humanitarian law. But big deal we're late--the mainstream media have largely ignored the report.

I have to read the report through. But here's the UN link. I see that the report describes the operation as disproportionate, with "unnecessary and incredible" violence, and "an unacceptable level of brutality."

And glancing at the narrative, the report finds that two of the 9 men killed in the raid, including American Furkan Dogan, were holding cameras and using them to film the Israeli invaders when they were shot. Additionally-- despite the sticks and catapults that some passengers used on the commandos-- the four people killed on the lower, bridge deck were not posing any physical threat to the raiders, who were then on the top deck, and in fact were trying to get out of the way.

 

Also notice the description of Gaza conditions as an unacceptable disgrace in the 21st century and the poetical language about Jewish victimhood (as I read it anyway) near the end-- Jews must find the strength to pluck from their memory rooted sorrows. Excerpts:

The Mission does not find it plausible that soldiers were holding their weapons and firing as they descended on the rope [from the helicopter]. However, it has concluded that live ammunition was used from the helicopter onto the top deck prior to the descent of the soldiers.... Further, the Mission finds that the Israeli accounts so inconsistent and contradictory with regard to evidence of alleged firearms injuries to Israeli soldiers that it has to reject it..

At least one of those killed [on the top deck, American Furkan Dogan] was using a video camera and not involved in any of the fighting with the soldiers....

Israeli soldiers fired live ammunition both from the top deck at passengers on the bridge deck below and after they had moved down to the bridge deck. At least four passengers were killed,73 and at least nine injured (five with firearms injuries) during this phase. None of the four passengers who were killed, including a photographer who at the time of being shot was engaged in taking photographs [Cevdet Kiliclar] and was shot by an Israeli soldier positioned on the top deck above, posed any threat to the Israeli forces. There was considerable live fire from Israeli soldiers on the top deck and a number of passengers were injured or killed whilst trying to take refuge inside the door or assisting other to do so...

The Mission is not alone in finding that a deplorable situation exists in Gaza. It has been characterized as ‘unsustainable’. This is totally intolerable and unacceptable in the 21st Century. It is amazing that anyone could characterise the condition of the people there as satisfying the most basic of acceptable standards. The parties and the international community are urged to find the solution that will address all legitimate security concern of
both Israel and the people of Palestine both of whom are equally entitled to “their place under the heavens”. The apparent dichotomy in this case between the competing right of security and the right to a decent living can only be resolved if old antagonisms are subordinated to a sense of justice and fair play. One has to find the strength to pluck from the memory rooted sorrows and to move on....

It is hoped that there will be swift action by the Government of Israel. This will go a long way to reversing the regrettable reputation which that country has for impunity and intransigence in international affairs.

Five dead in Haiti storm

Stormy weather that lashed the Haitian capital left five people dead on Friday and inflicted damage in camps for people left homeless by a January earthquake, authorities said.

Strong winds blew roofs off houses, uprooted trees and toppled power lines in Port-au-Prince.

“A first evaluation has led us to count five deaths in refugee camps where tens of thousands of homeless” living from the powerful January 12 quake, the head of communications for the Haitian Civil Protection, Edgard Celestin, told AFP. “The wind has destroyed and damaged many tents in refugee camps on the outskirts of Port-au-Prince,” said Celestin, who said that hundreds of camp residents were getting ready to evacuate.

Tents were blown away at a refugee camp near the presidential palace, and the wind knocked over public toilets, victims said. The weather also caused damage in some provincial cities, according to radio reports.

The impoverished Caribbean country was struck by a magnitude 7.0 earthquake on January 12 that killed 250,000 people and destroyed much of the capital. Some 125,000 Haitian families were put up in the emergency camps following the quake. Tent cities have sprung up in and around the ruined capital of the poorest country in the Americas, with little sign that those left homeless and destitute will move into more permanent housing in the near future.

International aid has been slow in coming, with only a fraction of the funds promised for rebuilding efforts actually disbursed.

Earlier in the hurricane season, the United Nations identified 130 tent cities as being at risk from rains and winds that could further worsen conditions for the most vulnerable, including thousands of orphaned children

For the original report go to http://news.smh.com.au/breaking-news-world/five-dead-in-haiti-storm-20100925-15r5g.html

Associated Press photo by Ramon Espinosa

Check Out What China's Doing With Its Taxpayers' Money

Henry Blodget | Sep. 26, 2010, 9:42 AM | 11,708 | 67

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See Also: Stimulus-Subsidized High Speed Trains Slaughtering Chinese Airlines And Jeopardizing Boeing's China Dream China Launches World's Fastest Train That Blows Away Anything We'll Ever See Here 15 More Facts About China That Will Blow Your Mind

Thomas Friedman provides a helpful snapshot of what China's doing with its taxpayers' money...versus what we're doing with ours.

Here's what China's doing:

China is doing moon shots. Yes, that’s plural. When I say “moon shots” I mean big, multibillion-dollar, 25-year-horizon, game-changing investments. China has at least four going now: one is building a network of ultramodern airports; another is building a web of high-speed trains connecting major cities; a third is in bioscience, where the Beijing Genomics Institute this year ordered 128 DNA sequencers — from America — giving China the largest number in the world in one institute to launch its own stem cell/genetic engineering industry; and, finally, Beijing just announced that it was providing $15 billion in seed money for the country’s leading auto and battery companies to create an electric car industry, starting in 20 pilot cities. In essence, China Inc. just named its dream team of 16-state-owned enterprises to move China off oil and into the next industrial growth engine: electric cars.

And here's what we're doing:

Not to worry. America today also has its own multibillion-dollar, 25-year-horizon, game-changing moon shot: fixing Afghanistan.

And we're also doing some other things: Growing our entitlement programs and borrowing money.

The chart below shows the breakdown of the projected growth in US federal spending for the next 10 years. The red bar, which accounts for ~60% of the increase, is the entitlement programs: Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid. The blue bar, which accounts for ~37.5%, is the growth of the interest we're paying on our debt. The green bar is the growth of everything else.

Image: Northern Trust

"Williams Blood"

Grace Jones The AVO Session Basel Switzerland 2009

"Slave To The Rhythm"

EulenspiegelTV | January 04, 2010

Janelle Monae – “Cold War” (Live Performance For Last Call W/ Carson Daly) | Video

September 24, 2010 by Verse    

If you haven’t seen this woman perform before you need to make that happen asap, because it will change your life! (or at the very least leave you fully entertained for a few days.)
Check out this live performance Of “Cold War”- taken from Janelle Monáe‘s The Arch Android album at The Viper Room for Last Call With Carson Daly.

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