Venezuelan writer Israel Centeno draws troubling comparisons between the government-tolerated militias in Venezuela and Benito Mussolini’s shock troops. These armed militias are alleged to be responsible for the growing number of violent crimes.
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In this week’s From Egypt column, author Hamdy El-Gazzar writes an open letter to his friend Khalid Khalifa, a Syrian novelist who recently returned to war-torn Syria. Khalifa has issued calls to writers and the international community to “Rescue my people.”
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In this week’s Freedom of Speech Roundup, prominent investigative journalist Lydia Cacho flees Mexico after death threats, exiled satirist Abebe Tolla talks about censorship in Ethiopia, and author Alom Shaha calls for a discussion on Islam. Plus news and analysis from around the world.
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In this week’s Ethiopiques column exiled journalist Mesfin Negash discusses the apparent disappearance of Ethiopian president Meles Zenawi, who hasn’t been seen in public for over 50 days. Rumors are Zenawi might be critically ill or even dead.
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In this week’s Tea House column, the poet Khet Mar chronicles the work of Zaganar, a respected comedian, who despite multiple prison sentences, continues to fight for freedom of expression in Burma.
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Guatemalan writer Eduardo Halfon’s forthcoming novel The Polish Boxer is expected in October. Word Without Borders is appealing to readers to help bring Halfon to New York and London for a series of readings geared to high school students. We share a video of Halfon talking about his new novel.
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On June 21, Cave Canem, in partnership with City of Asylum/Pittsburgh, presented a free reading on Pittsburgh’s Monterey Street where poet Angela Jackson read, along with Nikky Finney, Thomas Sayers Ellis, Nikki Giovanni, and Terrance Hayes.
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In this week’s Off-Screen column journalist Than Win Htut recalls the many obstacles encountered to get the first live broadcast of the Democratic Voice of Burma to air during the early years of the exile media outlet.
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In this week’s Pakistan Unveiled author Bina Shah reflects on the death of Pakistani women’s rights activist Farida Afridi. The founder of SAWERA, a women-led human rights NGO in Pakistan’s tribal belt, is suspected to have been killed by Taliban militants.
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In this interview, author Lori Jakiela discusses Pittsburgh’s literary community, her writing process, the “particular kind of truth” in memoir, and why her working-class background is important for her career.
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