Olli's interesting and tough challenges!

The Chairman of Nokia and the Shell Corporation, Jorma Ollila says the EU’s newly nominated Commissioner for Economic and Monetary Affairs, Olli Rehn faces interesting and tough challenges ahead.

And please Mr. Ollila, will you explain what are these tough challenges? The slow motion Mustafa Olli will carry papers from Deutsche Bank to the Bank Nationale de Paris and sometimes some mails from the Lloyd's in London!

Paper pushing is something good old slow motion Olli knows well how to do so no worries Mr. Ollila!

Joe Jackson's father figure!

Do I get it right or is something wrong with me? Isn’t it Joe Jackson the man who bullied his sons and barbarically tyrannized Michael Jackson and tortured him? Isn’t it the man who is the real problem and the excuse behind everything happened to the pop star and probably what followed until the end? The very same man who advertised his new copycat company that was going to based on his sons and the very same man who was sharing smiles ay the funeral obviously promoting his business plans and expecting the mourning musicians to help him.



How this man has turned to be the good farther – patriarch figure who can guarantee a safe and stable future for Michael’s kids is a mystery to me! Was it his idea to put the kid in front the microphone and wasn’t it his idea to turn the whole thing into a circus planning to turn even the Neverland ranch into an entertaining park with Michael’s grave in the middle. Apparently I will not be surprised if he will announce a new church for Saint Michael with him as the pope!

This is definitely sick business and unfortunately Michael’s kids are following his steps!

Ovi Cartoons today

Jacksons 'plan private ceremony'

Pop star Michael Jackson's family is to hold a "private function" at a Los Angeles cemetery, police confirmed the event would be taking place at the Forest Lawn Cemetery, but it has not been confirmed if the singer would be buried there.

A memorial service for the singer is due to take place a few hours later.

Private with …1.5million waiting outside to enter?

Angry Uighurs defy Chinese police

New protests have flared in the western Chinese city of Urumqi, two days after more than 150 people died in clashes involving ethnic groups and police.

About 200 ethnic Uighurs, who are a Muslim minority, faced off against police to protest over the arrest of 1,434 people over Sunday's unrest. Groups of ethnic Han Chinese have now armed themselves with batons and stones and have gathered in Urumqi.

It seems that resist ants in China comes from the most unexpected sides of the Chinese society!

Ovi today

Nothin' Could Be Finah by Leah Sellers
Mark Sanford, South Carolina-s red faced (red-handed) governor, admits that his Queen of Hearts in Argentina is his Soul Mate (even though he declares that he is going to try to fall back in love with his Wedded Wife), and that he is a Cheat.

Join us in Neverland........ by Dimitra Karantzeni
The king of pop is dead. Breaking news spread all over the world causing sadness, distress or even panic, while at the same time the hidden aspects not only of the cause of his death but also of his personal life are being unstoppably questioned day per...

"Kendileri calip, kendileri oynayanlar" by Uzeyir Lokman Cayci
Etliyle... sütlüyle... tatlıyla beslenenler Bilemezler senin kıymetini.

Obama in Moscow for nuclear talks by Thanos Kalamidas
US President Barack Obama has arrived in Moscow for talks with his Russian counterpart, Dmitry Medvedev, focusing on further reducing nuclear stockpiles. Next step is ...boom!

Violence in China

Violence in China's restive western region of Xinjiang has left at least 140 people dead and more than 800 people injured, state media say.

Several hundred people have also been arrested after the violence erupted in the city of Urumqi on Sunday.Xinhua news agency said police restored order after demonstrators attacked passers-by and set fire to vehicles.The protest was reportedly prompted by a deadly fight between Uighurs and Han Chinese in southern China last month.

And these are the news that can reach us...

The Ovi magazine today!

Zen Buddhism or "A Healthy Mind in a Healthy Body" by Emanuel L. Paparella
Within Buddhism there is a meditative, contemplative school known as Zen. It originally arose in China but the three philosophers who were mostly responsible in transforming the school into a tradition were from outside China...

The Empty Chair by David Sparenberg
The man in the empty chair had years since stopped playing games. He averted his face from the play of children. Because of this, when his world collapsed, there was no one there to welcome him, no other world to go to, no sequel to the adventure of...
10 Helsinginkatu: Chapter 34 by Thanos Kalamidas
The chicken was just too dry and the thin slice of feta in the middle didn't help much, the oven potatoes were not cooked enough and coriander is not a herb Greeks use, oregano is the herb used for oven potatoes.
Luxembourg report by Euro Reporter
Euro-reporter travels to Luxembourg with ...ex-cons news, a fire that destroyed a barn and some ...school news!

The Ovi magazine today!

The Parthenon Sculptures and the Acropolis museum by Thanos Kalamidas
Parthenon is a global monument and a symbol of western civilization. Parthenon stands in the middle of Athens, the city that took its name from the goodness protector of culture and education for 24 centuries. It will always be there, incised in the minds

Does Race Have Anything To Do With IQ? by Dr. Habib Siddiqui
Remember the colonial days when vast territories of Asia, Africa and Latin America were under white's rule? The failure of the non-Whites to resist European colonization and plunder of their territories automatically relegated them to a lower human
"The Rhyme of the Drunken Mariners" by Andrew Farley
"Children and lunatics cut the Gordian knot which the poet spends his life patiently trying to untie." - Jean Cocteau

Insert Brain Here: Copycat Killing by Paul Woods
Paul Woods is a Cartoonist and Illustrator. His series of cartoons is entitled "Insert Brain Here"...

Child labour in ... Ovi Times

Ovi today

Stop Child Labour by Thanos Kalamidas
We have created stereotypes and prejudices even when it comes to child labour, conveniently putting them working in far away Asian countries and questionable African states. We conveniently miss the child next door, yes in our wonderful world.

Child Labour in ...pictures by Thanos Kalamidas
Sometimes the picture is more dramatic than ...million of words. In the case of Child labour pictures can be ...traumatic!

"The Inner Works of Strahan" by David Barger
"Poetry is not a civilizer, rather the reverse, for great poetry appeals to the most primitive instincts." - Robinson Jeffers

Greek report by Euro Reporter
The Euro-reporter travels today to Greece with news for the Acropolis museum and immigrants issues

Ovi today

The Power of Apology by Leah Sellers
Just think, a Leader who Understands the importance of taking the Time and Effort to Explain himself - his Intentions - and the Direction he is attempting to move our Great Nation, the United States of America (and the rest of the World) toward.

The abstinence vote by Thanos Kalamidas
Some thoughts for the abstinence vote and the reaction it caused from politicians and the media in ...Greek

Latvian report by Euro Reporter
Expensive apartments and an airline that sells tickets in Euros the latest Euro-report from Latvia

2nd Opinion #31/09 by Thanos K & Asa B
Seriously, I think you'll need a second opinion after this.

He says ... Euro-elections

The Ovi magazine today!

New Reign of Terror by David Sparenberg
The bullet from the terrorist gun, manufactured anywhere in the industrial world, has your name on it. Sometime during your life time, it may end your life.
But ...seriously Europe by Thanos Kalamidas
A selection of ...European news due to the Euro-election day, collected together in only the way that Mr Kalamidas can achieve.

He says ... by Thanos Kalamidas
Ovi Times are going to be full page today with some thoughts on what and who says what for the Euro-elections

Lift Spirits #18 by Thanos K & Asa B
Lift doors slide open, you enter, press the button and then face that awkward proximity to a stranger... perhaps this will lift your spirit.

The Chinese sex revolution

China is building what is billed as its first sex theme park, aimed at improving both the sex education and the sex life of its visitors.

Due to open in Chongqing in October, Love Land will include displays of giant genitalia, naked bodies and an exhibition on the history of sex. The park will also offer sex technique workshops and safe-sex methods. Among the attractions is a giant rotating statue of the lower part of a nearly naked woman.

From the red book to the …red lights!!! The new culture revolution!!!

Kuwait votes for first female MPs

Kuwait has elected its first female MPs following the oil-rich country's third general election in three years.

US-educated Aseel al-Awadhi and Rola Dashti were among winners in the third district, official results declared. The 10 leading candidates from each of Kuwait's five electoral districts are elected to the 50-seat parliament. The emir dissolved the previous parliament in March because it wanted to question his nephew, the prime minister, about alleged corruption.

Amazing that something like that becomes news which apparently proves what a lot been saying for so long, that the situation regarding equality, tolerance and human rights is really bad, unacceptable bad , especially between proud allies and democracy is just a far away dream in a lot of parts of this world.

The Ovi magazine today

Christian Extremists Within the U.S. Military - Myth or Reality? by Dr. Habib Siddiqui
When President George W. Bush called his war on terrorism a "crusade", very few Muslims doubted his evil intention. In the face of strong condemnation at home and abroad, he quickly apologized.

10 Helsinginkatu: Chapter 28 by Thanos Kalamidas
While at 'Baker's' I tried to write down some of my thoughts about the whole thing but nothing could come in mind, it was the blood ring there and it was the alcohol abuse, it was Leena who, for a reason I could not understand, wanted me to accept Juha

Insert Brain Here: Drinking Problem by Paul Woods
Paul Woods is a Cartoonist and Illustrator. His series of cartoons is entitled "Insert Brain Here"...

"Remorse" by Pamela Hunt
"Like a piece of ice on a hot stove the poem must ride on its own melting." - Robert Frost

Zuma the new SA leader

South Africa is preparing to swear in Jacob Zuma, leader of the African National Congress, as president. Nearly 30 heads of state will join an expected crowd of 30,000 at the Union Buildings in Pretoria for the ceremony.

Security is tight with streets around the Union Buildings - the president's office - closed to traffic. Analysts say Mr. Zuma, 67, brings a populist touch to the presidency, ensuring a very different leadership to that of Thabo Mbeki.
Another questionable era starts for South Africa but then again anything after Mbeki will be better!

Pope set for Jordan mosque visit

Pope Benedict XVI is set to visit Jordan's largest mosque on the second day of his visit to the Middle East. The pontiff will pray inside the King Hussein Mosque in the capital, Amman, before addressing local Muslim leaders.

He began the day with a visit to Mount Nebo, where the Bible says Moses saw the Promised Land before he died. Analysts say the Pope is keen to mend relations with the Islamic world. Many Muslims took offence to a speech he made in 2006. The Pope's eight-day tour - his first to the region as pontiff - will take him to Israel and the West Bank. As he arrived in Amman on Friday he described himself as a "pilgrim of peace" and stressed his "deep respect" for Islam.

The problem has never been with the Pope’s respect for Islam but with Islam’s respect to the Pope!

Aide resigns over NY plane scare

A senior White House aide has quit over his role in a presidential plane's low-level fly-past that caused panic among New York office workers.

The White House said President Barack Obama had accepted the resignation of military office director Louis Caldera. The photo opportunity fly-past prompted the evacuation of a number of offices. Correspondents say it revived memories of the September 2001 attacks in which hijackers flew planes into the World Trade Center towers. The half-hour fly-past by a presidential jet and a fighter plane escort on April 27 did not involve Mr. Obama.

He’s definitely going to fly low from now on!

Ovi today

A Europe in question by Thanos Kalamidas
Only weeks before the European Elections, when European citizens elect their representatives into the common parliament, Europe celebrates Europe Day. This is a day that reminds all Europeans of the fundamental principles of the European Union...

European elections: the no-debate by Newropeans-Magazine
Citizens are called to join discussion forums, debates, rallies, to blog, to chat, to twitter, to shout "can you hear me Europe", even to send your message in the space, to address MEPs, which is I confess the same as to shout or to send your message...

Euro-report by Euro Reporter
For the Europe day, euro-reporter turns just European with news from all around Europe.

Life Undercover #7/09 by Thanos K & Asa B
A glimpse into the life of one man who lays in bed talking to God; maybe one day he will get an answer, but we doubt it.

NATO to begin Georgia exercises

NATO is to start a series of military exercises in Georgia, a day after the government thwarted an attempt by its own soldiers to stage a mutiny.

Soldiers from 18 countries are taking part in the drills at a Georgian army base close to the capital, Tbilisi. But Russia has said the exercises amount to a provocation. They come just nine months after Russia's short war with Georgia and are taking place close to areas where Russian troops are stationed.

Are Georgian’s try to find another change to play their games with Russia again using NATO this time?

Ovi magazine, today

"Boyfriend..." by Pamela Hunt
"The poet sees things as they look. Is this having a faculty the less? or a sense the more?" - Augustus William Hare and Julius Charles Hare

Wheels on the bike go round and round 3: Training by Mike Jennett
People who live in Florida have no idea what hills are. Tired and sweaty, after 43 miles of what locals amusingly call the Florida Alps, it became obvious just how much the first two weeks of the tour will hurt.

A Greek president in Helsinki (In Greek) by Thanos Kalamidas
Τελικά ποιός κυβερνάει αυτή τη χώρα; Θυμάται

For the Moment: Swine Flew by Patrick McWade
Patrick McWade shares his cartoon...

Ovi today

The British Museum: Just do it by Asa Butcher
In the very first issue of Ovi magazine I wrote a letter to Thanos in our now-defunct 2Dear ..." column asking about the situation regarding the Parthenon Marbles, commonly referred to as the Elgin Marbles.

Greece from abroad by Thanos Kalamidas
Some thoughts of a Greek living in Finland on the occasion of the Greek President, Karolos Papoulias', visit to the country of no corruption!

Migration in Greece - An open wound (in Greek) by Dimitra Karantzeni
Κοινωνική καταπίεση. Πολιτική εκμετάλλευση.

Greek Report by Euro Reporter
The Greek President is visiting Finland and Ovi's Euro-reporter visits Greece.

Karolos Papoulias by The Ovi Team
A short biographic information for the President of the Greek Republic Karolos Papoulias

Father opposes Madonna adoption

The man believed to be the father of the Malawian child who pop star Madonna wants to adopt has said that he opposes the move.

James Kambewa told a US TV station that he would be able to look after four year-old Chifundo "Mercy" James, even though he had never met her.

He said that he wanted the little girl to be raised "as a Malawian".
The trash musician, material girl finds the real world!!!

Farmer may have given swine flu to pigs

The farmer "may have exposed swine on the farm to an influenza virus," said Dr. Brian Evans of the Canadian Food Inspection Agency.

"We have determined that the virus H1N1, found in these pigs, is the virus which is being tracked in the human population," he added.

The Ovi magazine today!

Iran in a state department's deja vu by Thanos Kalamidas
Was what I read in the news a deja vu, or is it just me? According to a US State Department report, Iran remains the most active state sponsor of terrorism in the world.

You Are History: Chapter 10 by Alexander Mikhaylov
Pelagea and Cumulus were sitting in Mama Pro's drawing room. Both lovers kept gloomy silence. Cumulus felt that he must say something but could not think of any appropriate topic and only sighed instead.

PersOnality DisOrders by Thanos Kalamidas
Personal Disorders or ...total schizophrenia in a political correct schizophrenic world!

Italian report by Euro Reporter
Italy is today's Euro Report destination...

Iran's dictators execute dignity ones more

Human rights groups have protested against the execution on Friday of a young Iranian woman for a murder committed when she was 17 years old.

Amnesty International said it was outraged by Delara Darabi's hanging and that she did not get a fair trial. The head of Iran's judiciary had recently granted a two-month stay of execution but her lawyer says this was disregarded by the prison authorities. Ever since her confession Ms Darabi, an artist, had said she was innocent. She said she had taken the blame to save her boyfriend. Her case received international attention after dramatic paintings and drawings created in her cell were seen around the world.

When it comes to dictatorships especially freak religious dictators, disgust is not enough!

China moves to curb swine virus spread

China says it will quarantine all those who travelled on a flight from Mexico with a man suffering from swine flu, in a bid to curb the spread of the virus. The 25-year-old man flew to Hong Kong via Shanghai on Thursday, and was admitted to hospital.

Beijing said it would put his fellow passengers under week-long observation. It also suspended flights from Mexico. The move came as South Korea confirmed a case of the virus, the second country in North-East Asia to do so.

And I always thought that the …red book can cure everything!

Ovi today

Flu of misinformation and hypocrisy by Thanos Kalamidas
Conspiracy theories are not my thing and I have to admit that I always laughed at most of them. After all, turning to conspiracy theories means that you are having problems accepting logic, ignoring how crazy any theory might sound. Back in the eighties...

Caption This! May 2009 by The Ovi Team
It is simple. Look at this photo of a piglet and write a caption/speech bubble/thought bubble or anything else that captures your imagination.

"Bag Lady" by Pamela Hunt
Poetry, like the moon, does not advertise anything. - William Blissett

Lights! Action! Stickman! #17 by Clint Wayne
Welcome to "Lights! Action! Stickman!" in which scenes from classic, and not so classic, movies are depicted through stick figures for you to guess the film. Enjoy!

St. Petersburg days in Helsinki

EU-MAN’s Permanent Gallery - St. Petersburg days in Helsinki

The European Union Migrant Artists Network (EU-MAN) cordially invites you to attend the grand opening of the permanent EU-MAN Gallery in Helsinki’s Cable Factory on Tuesday April 14th. Since the launch of EU-MAN in January 1997 there have been countless exhibitions in many countries displaying a huge variety of artworks created by the Network’s many active members, but this is the first time that a permanent exhibition has been established and it is an exciting prospect for everybody involved.

As a special part of this first exhibition, there will be a celebration of 200 years of relations between Finland and Russia. EU-MAN is participating in the “St. Petersburg days in Helsinki” event with a painting exhibition that includes works from 13 Russian artists and five artists that are members of EU-MAN in Finland. The certain exhibit will be open between the 14th and 24th of April.

The gallery’s opening and the exhibition is going to be attanted by Mr. Goubankov Anton Nikolaevich, Chairman of Culture committee of SPB and Mrs. Larisa Skobkina Curator, Chief of the Department of the newest currents of the Central exhibition hall of St. Petersburg “Manege”, so you have the opportunity to meet and talk with them.

So please join us as the 12 year-old EU-MAN organisation celebrates another first and is finally able to display an impressive selection of its members’ work.

The Russian artists:
Oleg Frontinsky
Larisa Golubeva
Rashid Dominov
Boris Zabirohin
Alla Geguerey
Lada Panyukova
Stas Kasimov
Nikolay Vasilyev
Andrei Chezhin
Lyudmila Chezhina
Dmitry Konradt
Dmitry Shaguin
Andrey Kouznetsov

The EU-MAN artists:
Andrea Bauer
Tigneh Negash
Nastaran Nasirzadeh
Amir Khatib
Thanos Kalamidas

EU-MAN Gallery Grand Opening
Tuesday April 14th
Cable Factory
Block B, Floor 3
Tallberginkatu 1
00180 Helsinki

Zimbabwe cabinet nominee is freed

Zimbabwe authorities have freed MDC official Roy Bennett from custody, a day after the country's Supreme Court ordered his release on bail. Mr. Bennett said Zimbabwe was a country "where the rule of law means nothing".

A nominee to become deputy agriculture minister in the country's fledgling power-sharing government, he was arrested on 13 February. He was charged with plotting terrorism, possessing arms for the purposes of banditry, terrorism and sabotage.

When it will come the day Africa’s caricature Hitler Robert Mugabe will go to prison and never ….freed?

Protest in Pakistan

Police in the Pakistani city of Karachi have used sticks to beat up protesters outside the high court, as lawyers began an anti-government protest march. Organisers intend the four-day march to culminate in a sit-in at the parliament in the capital, Islamabad, on Monday.

The demonstrators want President Asif Ali Zardari to fulfil a pledge to reinstate all judges sacked under former President Pervez Musharraf. The government says the march is aimed at destabilising the country.
Police say they have arrested more than 400 opposition activists in the past few days.

Perhaps the only thing that changes the last decades in Pakistan is the …names!

The Ovi magazine today

A German lullaby by Thanos Kalamidas
And it did happen again and this time in Germany, with more victims - fifteen, the news say, including the boy that held the gun. The question remains, who put this gun in his hand and who triggered it!

The Chai Wallah Oscar by Asa Butcher
The Ovi readers that eagerly followed my live update on Oscar Night may wonder why it has taken me so long to present my review of 'Slumdog Millionaire', the film that walked away with the coveted Best Picture at the 81st Academy Awards.

Universal Colours #109 by Amir Khatib
'Universal Colours' is the magazine for professional migrant artists and we invite you to download the latest issue as a free PDF today
"preface to sail" by Bohdan Yuri
"Each man carries within him the soul of a poet who died young." - Sainte- Beuve

Tibet, hell on Earth!

The Dalai Lama has launched a fierce attack on Chinese rule in his Tibetan homeland, describing its people's lives as "hell on Earth". Five decades of Chinese rule had caused "untold suffering", Tibet's exiled spiritual leader said, accusing Beijing of creating a climate of fear. He also repeated his demand for Tibet's "legitimate and meaningful autonomy".

The same time a Chinese high official announced that China will never be a …democracy as the westerns understand it! So what type of democracy they are planning? My name is dictatorship but I call myself democracy?

The Ovi magazine today

The Link between Prostitution and Sex Trafficking by Marko Kananen
Trafficking of women and children for sexual exploitation is one of the most outrageous human rights violations of today. It is the third most lucrative activity of organized crime, following trafficking of arms and drugs.

The Art of Guanxi, Part III: Relationships in So Many Words by Valerie Sartor
Guanxi vocabulary contains both semantic meaning and moral connotations.

10 Helsinginkatu: Chapter 15 by Thanos Kalamidas
We ended up in the same place again drinking cappuccino and eating cinnamon buns. Lately I have the feeling that we are like a long-time married couple, we have said all the important things so we know what each other thinks without talking about it...

Dino & Anty #36 by Thanos K & Asa B
Dino is a vegetarian virgin dinosaur and his best friend is Anty, a carnivorous nymphomaniac ant.

Pirate Bay and a charge change

Half of the charges leveled at the founders of the Pirate Bay file-sharing site have been dropped. Swedish prosecutors dropped charges relating to "assisting copyright infringement" leaving the lesser charges of "assisting making available copyright material" on trial day two.

Pirate Bay co-founder Frederik Neik said it showed prosecutors had misunderstood the technology. The music industry played down the changes as "simplifying the charges". Peter Danowsky, legal counsel for the music companies in the case, said: "It's a largely technical issue that changes nothing in terms of our compensation claims and has no bearing whatsoever on the main case against The Pirate Bay.”In fact it simplifies the prosecutor's case by allowing him to focus on the main issue, which is the making available of copyrighted works."

Another bite the bust for the sharks of the music and film industry. Enough with their unbelievable profits with victims the artists who perform for pennies.

Explosives missing in Gaza

A large stockpile of unexploded weapons has disappeared in Gaza, before United Nations experts were able to dispose of it safely. The explosives, including aircraft bombs and white phosphorus shells, were fired by the Israeli military during its recent offensive in the Gaza Strip.

UN officials said they were urgently trying to establish where the arms had gone and have called for their return. Israel has accused Hamas of taking the stockpile, which was under Hamas guard.

So, what are we expecting now? A provocative act that will turn in flames Gaza once more or a series of terrorists acts? And if something happens what will be the truth, terrorism of provocation?

The Ovi magazine today!

Pillorying dignity by Thanos Kalamidas
A boy who still spends most of his time going to school and a girl still playing with dolls were sexually active; so active so the girl was taking the pill and because she forgot to take it a few days she became pregnant.

Cimino's career peak by Asa Butcher
If a film starring Robert De Niro, Christopher Walken and Meryl Streep was released today expectations would be astronomical, but 30 years ago two of the names were barely known.

Hillary urged to raise Rohingya issue with Asian leaders by Rohingya Human Rights
The secretary general of the Union of Rohingya Communities in Europe(URCE), Hamdan Mg Kyaw Naing urged the secretary of state of the United States of America, Hillary Clinton to raise the Rohingya Issue with Asian leaders during her week-long trip.

Polish report by Euro Reporter
Euro Reporter heads to Poland...

US to include Afghans in review

Afghanistan will send a team to the US to take part in a major policy review of the region, Afghan President Hamid Karzai has announced. In a joint news conference with the new US envoy in the region, Richard Holbrooke, Mr. Karzai said he was "very thankful" to be involved in the talks.

In recent weeks US officials have been critical of Mr. Karzai's leadership. US President Barack Obama, who regards Afghanistan as a priority, accused his government of being "very detached".

Is always amazing when you read something like that. So they were going to talk about the future of Afghanistan without including the people of Afghanistan in this talk? That says something on how American foreign policy worked all these years and why Americans are so popular all around the world!

The Ovi magazine today!

Ms Tantalus by Gush Shalom
Tantalus is punished by the Gods for reasons that are not entirely clear. He is hungry and thirsty, but the water in which he stands recedes when he bends down to drink from it and the fruit above his head continually evades his hand.
The Eye of the Storm by Leah Sellers
Though you find yourSelf assaulted by the powerful gales of the Storm. A Storm energized by people's Fears, Doubts, Concerns, and opposing Agendas - Seek the Eye of the Storm.

For the Moment: Lil Dog Bones by Patrick McWade
Patrick McWade shares one of his cartoon series with Ovi...

How bizarre by Thanos Kalamidas
Browsing the news daily we often miss these little bits of news at the bottom of the page. They are often funny, sometimes weird, and they give us a new perspective on life, so here's the first of a new column series: How Bizarre!

13-year-old dad sparks outrage

Alfie Patten, who was only 12 when the baby was conceived with his girlfriend Chantelle Steadman, 15, was pictured on the front of Friday's tabloid Sun newspaper with his daughter, Maisie Roxanne, after her birth Monday. He told the newspaper that he thought "it would be good to have a baby." "I didn't think about how we would afford it. I don't really get pocket money. My dad sometimes gives me £10. When my mum found out I thought I was going to get in trouble. We wanted to have the baby but were worried about how people would react. I didn't know what it would be like to be a dad. I will be good, though, and care for it."

Chantelle, meanwhile, said: "I'm tired after the birth. I was nervous after going into labour but otherwise I was quite excited." Former Conservative party leader Iain Duncan Smith, who runs the Centre for Social Justice think tank, told the British Press Association the birth highlighted another case of "broken Britain" where "anything goes." "It's not being accusative; it's about pointing out the complete collapse in some parts of society of any sense of what's right and wrong.

Perhaps I sound provocative and cynic but is it the first time something like that happens or the last? Isn’t it that because of the newspaper, a UK very popular tabloid the whole issue became a big thing to drive a lot of people in UK to blame the labour party for losing morals?

Euro Parliament robber

Belgian police are hunting for a man who stole about 60,000 Euros (£54,000) from a bank in the European Parliament, after brandishing a pistol at staff.

It was not yet known if the pistol was real or fake, parliament spokesman Jaume Duch Guillot said. The man demanded money at an ING bank branch on Thursday after evading checks by the parliament's security personnel. The robbery lasted only a few minutes.
After the euro-farmers and the euro-bureaucrats, now we have the euro-thieves!!!

The Ovi magazine today

The Article Nobody Wants To Read by Alexandra Pereira
I know that I can be crucified for this article. But I don't really care. It is my opinion, I have been thinking like that (and about that) for a long time.

10 Helsinginkatu: Chapter 9 by Thanos Kalamidas
As I said, I very rarely hear my mobile and it was pure luck that I heard the sound and I felt the vibration this time, modern mobiles, along with the noise, vibrate as well, which reminded me that I had turned the sounds on...

6Lights! Action! Stickman! #6 by Clint Wayne
Welcome to "Lights! Action! Stickman!" in which scenes from classic, and not so classic, movies are depicted through stick figures for you to guess the film. Enjoy!

Latvia Report by Euro Reporter
Latvia is Euro Reporter's destination today...

Zimbabwe's oath ceremony

The title should be ‘how Africa’s caricature Hitler parodies democracy! The swearing-in of Zimbabwe's new power-sharing cabinet has been marred by the arrest of one minister and a dispute over several others.

Roy Bennett, the MDC's choice to become deputy agriculture minister, was reportedly seized near a Harare airport just before the ceremony. Several extra Zanu-PF ministers of state then turned up to be sworn in.

Zimbabwe’s dictator and known racist, Robert Mugabe works hard his way to The Hague International Court and his case for crimes against humanity with more parodies, unfortunately that’s the only truth about Zimbabwe! What remains to be seen is when he and his murderous squads will be arrested.

The Ovi magazine today

When Tsvangirai was hired as an alibi by Thanos Kalamidas
I suppose many were waiting for the celebrations following the hiring of Morgan Tsvangirai as the new prime minister of Zimbabwe...

Harry Potter & Six Pack Joe by Alexander Mikhaylov
Here's a free (unabridged) version of the Harry Potter movie (Philosopher's Stone), as described by 'Six Pack Joe' to his neighbour.

"Those Eyes" by Hunter Dasten
"Even when poetry has a meaning, as it usually has, it may be inadvisable to draw it out.... Perfect understanding will sometimes almost extinguish pleasure." - A.E. Housman

The Latest on the Nexus between Science and Religion by Emanuel L. Paparella
During the Middle Ages, philosophers and theologians argued over the extra-mental reality of universal forms or essences.

Far-right Dutch MP refused entry to UK

Immigration officials prevent Geert Wilders leaving Heathrow airport to attend showing of his film about 'fascist' Qur'an at House of Lords. Geert Wilders, the rightwing Dutch politician accused of Islamophobia, was today refused entry to the UK after arriving at Heathrow airport in London.

Wilders was due to show his 17-minute film Fitna, which criticizes the Qur'an as a "fascist book", at the House of Lords today. But on Tuesday he received a letter from the Home Office refusing him entry because his opinions "threaten community harmony and therefore public safety". He arrived at Heathrow shortly after 2pm and was questioned by immigration officials.

What about the …lords or whoever else who invited him to show the film and give a speech, are they going to be deported or at least face their act? Isn’t that a hate crime?

Ovi magazine, on this day in history

The Great Northern War (1700-1721) was a war in which the so-called Northern Alliance composed of Russia, Denmark-Norway, Poland-Lithuania and Saxony engaged Sweden to challenge them for the supremacy in the Baltic Sea.

The war ended with a defeat for Sweden in 1721, leaving Russia as the new major power in the Baltic Sea and a new important player in European politics.

The war began as a coordinated attack on Sweden by the coalition in February 12th 1700 and ended in 1721 with the Treaty of Nystad and the Stockholm treaties.