Articles by Oscar Rickett
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This Man Was Thrown in a Somali Jail for Interviewing a Rape Victim
Everyone’s talking about Somalia’s future. They’re talking up foreign business investment, they’re talking up the new government, and they’re talking up the Islamist militia al-Shabaab. Something that hasn't come up quite so much, however, is the precarious existence of journalis… Full story
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Can Britain Handle the Rapes, Killings, and Clans in Somalia?
There's a big meeting in London tomorrow to talk about all of Somalia's problems. Officials from the UN, the African Union, the IMF, and 50 countries will be there to impart their wisdom/spout platitudes in a bid to help Somalia rebuild itself after two decades of conflict. Are t… Full story
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Stop Freaking out About the Luis Suarez Bite
Even though Americans typically don't give a shit about soccer, when Luis Suarez tried to take a chunk out of Branislav Ivanovic's arm yesterday, the zombie bite drew national attention. It was bizarre and very funny, but it was also an embarrassing reminder for many that we have… Full story
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Facedown in Chitral
The region of Kafiristan stretches across portions of what is today Afghanistan and Pakistan. The Kalash people spurn Islamic law by drinking, taking drugs, and partying. Full story
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Daniel Day-Lewis Isn't the Greatest Actor of All Time
Last night, Daniel Day-Lewis won an unprecedented third Academy Award for Best Actor for his portrayal of great emancipator Abe Lincoln in the Steven Spielberg film named after America's 16th president. No other man has won three Best Actor awards, which should make Day-Lewis off… Full story
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An Interview with a Member of a Human Safari Tribe
Tourists threaten the existence of the Andaman Islands' Jarawa natives. Full story
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Is This the Century of Africa's Rise?
For decades, the dominant African narrative in the media was of famine, war, and disease. Recently, in light of a perceived economic upturn and a relative reduction in famine and disease across most of the continent, the narrative has changed to one of thrusting progress. The pro… Full story
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Global Fear League 2013
It's time yet again for our annual Global Fear League, your guide to which countries will be held up by our media as bastions of terror this year—the year the world finally gives in and surrenders itself to the delicious prospect of all-out war. Full story
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The History of the Best Bar in London, Which We Happen to Own
You might not be aware that VICE UK has its own bar. It’s called The Old Blue Last and it used to be a brothel before we acquired it. Still, it was a bar for 300 years before that, and even Shakespeare used to hang out there. Full story
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Meth Heads Are Robbing People's Graves
Grave robbing—or tomb raiding, or pot hunting, or fucking around with archaeological sites—occupies a strange corner of our culture. Part 'Tomb Raider,' part cartoon horror punk, traditionally it's been the territory of savvy locals who've wanted to make a quick, immoral buck sel… Full story