• The Space World theme park in Kitakyushu, Japan, opened a popular (with visitors) ice-skating rink in November, but was forced to close it two weeks later for being hugely unpopular (with social media critics).
The park had placed 5,000 fish and other sea animals in the ice deck of its "Freezing Port" rink so that skaters could look down as they glided along, gazing at marvels of nature (all dead in advance, of course, purchased from a fish market).
Nonetheless, the park manager apologized for grossing out so many people and closed the exhibit (melting the ice and conducting an "appropriate religious service" for the fishes' souls). [CNN, 11-28-2016]
• The government-run Channel 2M in Morocco apologized for a segment of its daily TV program "Sabahiyat" that featured a makeup artist demonstrating techniques for obscuring blemishes on women subjected to domestic violence. The model being worked on had been made up with a swollen face and faked bruises. Said the host, "We hope these beauty tips will help (victims) carry on with your daily life." (Bonus: The program aired Nov. 23 -- two days before International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women.) [The Guardian (London), 11-27-2016]
Contact The Editor
Articles By This Author