Mental Notes: May 2003

HONG KONG–After finally working out a reliable way to get analogue cassette archives of radio interviews onto my machine, here they are streaming online, under the title Broadcast: The Eels’ E; The Posies‘ Ken Stringfellow; Weezer‘s Brian Bell; The 3Ds‘ Dave Saunders; Shonen Knife‘s Naoko Yamano; Butthole Surfers‘ King Coffey; Lush‘s Phillip King; Tripping Daisy‘s … Continue reading “Mental Notes: May 2003”

Bangkok governor resigns over firetruck scandal

The governor of Thailand’s capital, Bangkok, has resigned amid a US$190 million corruption case. The nation’s anti-corruption commission found Apirak Kosayodhin had a case to answer over irregularities in the purchase of hundreds of fire trucks and boats. While resigning, the governor continues to protest his innocence.

Japan proposes language tests for foreigners

Citing further anti-terrorism intiatives, Japan is set to consider requiring long-term foreign residents and workers to have local language ability. Foreign Minister Masahiko Komura made the statement Tuesday, with a senior Foreign Ministry official confirming to Radio Australia that the department should pursue the terms of the new requirement quickly. The comments have not been … Continue reading “Japan proposes language tests for foreigners”