Two young “Britons” were arrested at Heathrow Airport, allegedly on their way to Syria to support the jihad. Both are culturally enriched teenage girls. One of them had €20,000 stashed in her knickers, reportedly intended for the Syrian mujahideen.
Meanwhile, Tommy Robinson, the former leader of the English Defence League, was sentenced to eighteen months in prison for mortgage fraud. He will have to spend the entirety of his time in prison — which may be about nine months — in solitary, since his life will be in danger. Al-Shabaab reportedly has a price on his head.
In other news, Pope Francis called upon all nations of the world to welcome immigrants.
To see the headlines and the articles, click “Continue reading” below.
Thanks to Fjordman, ICLA, Insubria, JP, Nick, and all the other tipsters who sent these in.
Notice to tipsters: Please don’t submit extensive excerpts from articles that have been posted behind a subscription firewall, or are otherwise under copyright protection.
Caveat: Articles in the news feed are posted “as is”. Gates of Vienna cannot vouch for the authenticity or accuracy of the contents of any individual item posted here. We check each entry to make sure it is relatively interesting, not patently offensive, and at least superficially plausible. The link to the original is included with each item’s title. Further research and verification are left to the reader.
Argentine Peso Has Its Biggest Fall Since 2002 Economic Collapse; Loses 16 Percent in 2 Days
The Argentine peso is suffering its fastest fall since the country’s 2002 economic collapse. It’s lost 16 percent of its value against the dollar in two days at the official rate. Previous day losses extended Thursday as the Central Bank dropped its policy of intervening in the foreign exchange market, avoiding use of its declining reserves to slow the decline.
| — Hat tip: Fjordman | [Return to headlines] |
Spain Logs Alarming Jobless Rate as it Exits Bailout Program
Fresh data have shown Spain is emerging only haltingly from a long recession. The fourth-largest eurozone economy saw its jobless rate rising again at the end of 2013, but that won’t stop its exit from a bailout package.
| — Hat tip: Fjordman | [Return to headlines] |
Spain’s Jobless Rate Back Up to 26 Percent
The unemployment rate in Spain rose again in the final quarter of 2013 to hit 26.03 percent, slightly up from the 25.98 percent figure recorded in the previous quarter, official data released on Thursday shows.
| — Hat tip: Fjordman | [Return to headlines] |
This is the Greatest Financial Market and Currency Manipulation of All Times
With the markets hanging at the lips of the central bankers, it is fair to say that “the central banks are the markets.” Frank Suess points out that, for several decades now, central banks around the world, with the US Federal Reserve in the lead, haven’t allowed business and credit cycles to happen anymore. In fact, they have been fighting consistently every sign of recession with more money, resulting in a race to the bottom of world currencies.
The outlook of the ongoing currency devaluations and the signs of a failing financial system bring up the question how people can protect themselves. There is one currency that is not expected to go down, just by the mere fact that it is limited in supply. It is obviously gold.
| — Hat tip: Fjordman | [Return to headlines] |
Why Southeast Asia’s Boom is a Bubble-Driven Illusion
Since the Global Financial Crisis, Southeast Asia has been one of the world’s few bright spots for economic growth and investment returns. With its relatively young population of 600 million and its growing middle class, Southeast Asia has been the scene of a modern-day gold rush as international companies clamor to get a piece of the action. Unfortunately, my research has found that much of this region’s growth in recent years has been driven by ballooning credit and asset bubbles — a pattern that is also occurring in numerous emerging economies across the globe.
In the past few months, I have published reports about the growing bubbles in Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, the Philippines, and Indonesia, and I will use this report to explain the region’s economic bubble as a whole. My five Southeast Asian country reports have generated quite a bit of interest and controversy, and were read nearly 1.3 million times, and were publicly denied by the central banks of Singapore, Malaysia, and the Philippines.
| — Hat tip: Fjordman | [Return to headlines] |
Nation’s Largest Liberal ‘Super PAC’ To Support Potential Clinton Presidential Run
The largest liberal “super PAC” in the country has begun raising money to elect Hillary Rodham Clinton president, formally aligning itself with Mrs. Clinton’s undeclared presidential ambitions more than two years away from the election.
The group, Priorities USA Action, which played a pivotal role in helping re-elect President Obama, also named new directors to steer the organization, appointments that will both cement the group’s pro-Clinton tilt and thrust veterans of Mr. Obama’s political and fund-raising operation into the center of the post-Obama Democratic Party.
The move marks perhaps the earliest-ever start to big-dollar fund-raising in support of a nonincumbent presidential candidate, providing a fund-raising portal for wealthy Clinton supporters eager to help her White House prospects — and to the legions of others eager to ingratiate themselves with Mrs. Clinton and her inner circle.
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Pentagon Clarifies Rules on Beards, Turbans for Muslim and Sikh Service Members
The Defense Department released regulations Wednesday ensuring the rights of religious-minority service members to display their beliefs outwardly — such as wearing a turban, scarf or beard — as long as the practices do not interfere with military discipline, order or readiness…
| — Hat tip: JP | [Return to headlines] |
US Military to Allow Turbans, Other Religious Clothing, Observances
The Pentagon has approved a new policy that will allow troops to seek waivers to wear religious clothing, seek prayer time or engage in religious practices. Defense officials say the waivers will be decided on a case-by-case basis and will depend on where the service member is stationed and whether the change would affect military readiness or the mission.
Until now there has been no consistent policy across the military to allow accommodations for religion. Now, for example, Jewish troops can seek a waiver to wear a yarmulke, or Sikhs can seek waivers to wear a turban and grow a beard. Others can request specific prayer times or ask that they be allowed to carry prayer beads or other items.
According to Defense Department statistics obtained by NBC, there are only three Sikh Americans in the military. There are about 3,700 Muslims. 6,300 Buddhists, and 1,500 Wiccans.
| — Hat tip: Fjordman | [Return to headlines] |
British Woman Convicted in Acid Attack
A young British woman has been convicted of disguising herself in a veil and throwing acid on her friend’s face following an argument. Police said that Mary Konye, 21, was “obsessively jealous” of her friend Naomi Oni’s “good looks” and had spent several months hatching a plan for the attack.
After following Oni home from work, Konye — disguised in a niqab — threw sulphuric acid on Oni in the early hours of Dec. 30, 2012. The attack left 21-year-old Oni with disfiguring burns on her face, hand and thigh. Konye had denied the charge of throwing acid with intent to “burn, maim, disfigure, disable or do grievous bodily harm.” Judge David Radford warned Konye will likely face “substantial” time in jail when she is sentenced on March 7.
| — Hat tip: Fjordman | [Return to headlines] |
British Student Arrested at Heathrow ‘Had £16,000 Hidden in Her Knickers for Syrian Fighters’
A student accused of trying to smuggle £16,500 in her underwear to terrorists fighting in Syria appeared in court yesterday. Nawal Msaad, 26, and her alleged co-conspirator Amal Elwahabi, 27, are the first British women charged with terror offences over the conflict. Msaad, an undergraduate from Holloway, North London, was arrested at Heathrow last Thursday as she prepared to board a flight to Istanbul with 20,000 euros wrapped in cling film in her knickers.
| — Hat tip: Fjordman | [Return to headlines] |
Could This Berry Mean You Can Eat Junk Food Guilt Free?
Lingonberries ‘halt the effects of high-fat diet’
Scientists in Sweden found eating lingonberries could prevent weight gain in people with a high-fat diet. The researchers, at Lund University, discovered the berries almost completely prevent weight gain in mice fed a high-fat diet. They discovered the Scandinavian berries — which are sometimes known as cowberries in the UK — also lower blood sugar levels and cholesterol.
| — Hat tip: Fjordman | [Return to headlines] |
EU Commission Prepares Legal Challenge on Malta Passport Sales
BRUSSELS — The European Commission is laying the groundwork for a legal challenge to Malta’s passport sale scheme despite red lines on national sovereignty. The EU treaty says decisions on granting citizenship are the prerogative of member states.
But lawyers for justice commissioner Viviane Reding are looking to file potential infringement proceedings on the basis of article 4.3 of the EU treaty, which also says member states must act “pursuant to the principle of sincere co-operation.”
The logic is that if Malta sells nationality to, say, a Russian oligarch, they are, in fact, selling the right to live in all 28 EU countries, putting fellow member states at risk if Maltese due diligence fails to weed out criminals.
| — Hat tip: Fjordman | [Return to headlines] |
Europe’s 2030 Climate Plan Draws Mixed Response
Environment watchdogs rejected Europe’s 2030 greenhouse gas-curbing plan as inadequate Wednesday but the UN climate chief hailed it as a “positive” step towards a new international pact against global warming.
Traditionally a pacesetter at UN climate talks, the European Union has come under mounting pressure from poorer, vulnerable countries to beef up its pledges to cut heat-trapping carbon emissions. On Wednesday, the European Commission, the 28-nation bloc’s executive, proposed a binding reduction in greenhouse gases of 40 percent by 2030 over 1990 levels.
Renewables should account for at least 27 percent of the total energy mix by 2030, it said. This overall goal would be binding on the EU but not national governments.
“(Europe’s pledge) is the benchmark for other countries. It is the first party out of the gate with an offer,” Jennifer Morgan, climate director at the World Resources Institute in Washington, told AFP.
| — Hat tip: Fjordman | [Return to headlines] |
German Customs Seize 16 Million Cigarettes Bound for UK
Sixteen million cigarettes have been seized in Hamburg harbour, customs said on Thursday. The smuggled goods came from Dubai and had been transported in containers labelled “household items.”
| — Hat tip: Fjordman | [Return to headlines] |
Germany: Annotated ‘Mein Kampf’ Set for Publication
Bavaria signalled on Wednesday it would not seek to prevent the publication of an annotated version of Adolf Hitler’s manifesto “Mein Kampf” in an apparent about-face.
Amid a debate over academic freedom and a back and forth over whether to pursue the project, Bavaria indicated that it would not try to stop a historical institute from bringing out a version of the book with scholars’ commentary.
But the southern state stressed in a statement that it would seek to prevent any other full or partial publication of the 1924 book in which Hitler railed against the “Jewish peril”.
Bavaria holds the rights to “Mein Kampf” (My Struggle) because Hitler was officially a resident of Munich when he died, but those rights expire at the end of 2015.
| — Hat tip: Fjordman | [Return to headlines] |
Hypocrisy? France and Its Regional Languages
The French language is sacred to France, which is why the latest move to recognize the country’s other native tongues has again run into obstacles. But is Paris finally about to drop its “double standards” and officially accept France’s regional languages?
| — Hat tip: Fjordman | [Return to headlines] |
Italy: Marines Are Innocent: Must Return From India — Minister
Mauro says pair have right to go home after two years
(ANSA) — Rome, January 22 — Defence Minister Mario Mauro said Wednesday that two Italian marines accused of killing two Indian fisherman are innocent and should be allowed to return to Italy.
Marines Massimiliano Latorre and Salvatore Girone are accused of killing fishermen Valentine (aka Gelastine) and Ajesh Binki after allegedly mistaking them for pirates and opening fire on their fishing trawler while guarding the privately owned Italian-flagged oil-tanker MT Enrica Lexie off the coast of Kerala on February 15, 2012. “Our marines our innocent. It’s up to those who have put together this trial to prove the opposite,” Mauro said.
“After two years, we still don’t know the charges and I think that, after two years, they have the right to return home.
“The Indian authorities have to guarantee this right because, otherwise, it would amount to a violation of human rights”. The case has caused diplomatic tension between Rome and New Delhi.
Italy has appealed to the Indian Supreme Court amid fears that India’s National Investigation Agency (NIA) intends to prosecute the pair under the anti-terrorism law, despite previous reassurances from the Indian foreign ministry that the marines would not face capital punishment.
| — Hat tip: Insubria | [Return to headlines] |
Italy: Grillo Says New Election Law Aimed at Weakening M5S
Vows to win big at European Parliament elections or step down
(By Christopher Livesay) (ANSA) — Rome, January 23 — Beppe Grillo, the firebrand leader of the anti-establishment 5-Star Movement (M5S), on Thursday accused ex-premier Silvio Berlusconi and Democratic Party (PD) leader Matteo Renzi of stitching up a proposal for much-needed electoral reform to keep his party out of parliament. The so-called Italicum — a bill to replace the despised old law that was largely to blame for recent political disarray in Italy and was shot down by the Constitutional Court last year — is the fruit of an agreement reached by the two leaders during a controversial meeting at PD headquarters in Rome on Saturday. “‘These two’ are drawing up the electoral law to block us, the crazy variable,” Grillo said.
M5S’s refusal to enter into any form of post-election alliance last spring after taking around 25% of the popular vote was partly responsible for creating the political deadlock that led to the formation of Enrico Letta’s weak left-right government under pressure from President Giorgio Napolitano. The proposed new law, which was presented to parliament on Wednesday, would effectively see M5S ejected from parliament, Grillo claimed. Under the proposal, a coalition that comes first and obtains at least 35% of the votes would get a bonus that would grant it between 53% and 55% of the seats in parliament, with the maximum bonus being 18%. If no coalition obtains 35% or more of the vote, there would be a second round of voting between the top two alliances.
“Imagine the run-off ballot between us and the PD,” he continued. “Who will Berlusconi tell people to vote for with all his televisions?,” said Grillo of the media magnate, pointing the finger at the head of state and the premier for their alleged silence. “There’s the silence of Napolitano, who doesn’t speak out, of Letta who doesnt speak out. Because we are the danger”. The House is due to begin examining the proposal on January 29.
Meanwhile Grillo has his sights set beyond Italy, hoping to shock the political establishment by becoming Italy’s “largest party” in the European Parliament at elections in May. The professional comedian vowed Thursday to step down if his M5S failed to do so. “We’re going to Europe and we will win the elections.
Either the Movement wins or loses. And if Italians decide they don’t want us there, I’ll make a different decision. If I’m wrong, I’ll leave,” said Grillo. “But if instead we win, we will change Italy and Europe”. Amid painful austerity measures and high unemployment throughout Europe, the M5S is among a number of anti-euro parties in the 28-member union expected to win record votes in the upcoming elections.
| — Hat tip: Insubria | [Return to headlines] |
Italy: Telecom Regulator Orders End to Racism on Airwaves
Seen as response to Kyenge attacks
(ANSA) — Rome, January 23 — Italian telecommunications regulator Agcom on Thursday called on the media to eliminate any racist discrimination that takes place on both public and private television and radio.
Agcom President Angelo Marcello Cardani called for an end to “phenomena of discrimination based on ethnic and cultural diversity,” in a letter sent to all television and radio stations in the country. It was seen as a lightly veiled response to racist comments against Integration Minister Cecile Kyenge, Italy’s first black cabinet member, from the anti-immigrant Northern League, whose media outlets include television channel Tele Padania and radio station Radio Padania.
| — Hat tip: Insubria | [Return to headlines] |
Keeper of Germany’s Finest Wine Cellar
Keeping the keys to Bremen´s 15th century wine cellar means becoming a part of a 600-year-old tradition. The vast collection is one of the indebted city’s most valuable assets but is being targeted by a wealthy Chinese collector.
| — Hat tip: Fjordman | [Return to headlines] |
Malaysians Arrested for Hitting Kids in Sweden
A Malaysian couple with diplomatic passports have spent more than a month in Swedish jail, after being accused of hitting their children for not performing their prayers. The parents risk ten years in jail.
| — Hat tip: Fjordman | [Return to headlines] |
Man Finds Fox Frozen in Swedish Lake
PHOTOS: A man ice skating on a lake in central Sweden was shocked to find a fox frozen solid after the thin ice had apparently cracked.
| — Hat tip: Fjordman | [Return to headlines] |
Muslim Couple Arrested in Sweden for ‘Smacking Son When He Refused to Pray’
Campaign launched for release of Muslim couple in Sweden who allegedly smacked their 12-year-old son’s hand for refusing to pray
Thousands of Malaysians are backing a campaign for the release of a Muslim couple after they were arrested in Sweden for allegedly smacking their 12-year-old son’s hand when he refused to pray.
Azizul Raheem Awalludin, who is the Stockholm director of the Malaysian tourist board, has been on remand for over a month with his teacher wife Shalwati Nurshal, and anger back home has erupted over both their detainment without charge, and that their four children were placed with non-Muslim foster parents.
A Facebook page, Bring Shal and Family Home, has amassed more than 14,000 followers in five days as the Malaysian media reports that the oldest child, Aisyah, is uncomfortable about living in a house where non-halal food is served and a dog is kept.”Although they do not feed us non-halal food, we share the crockery and utensils used for non-halal food,” she said.
| — Hat tip: Fjordman | [Return to headlines] |
Netherlands: Shops Are Secretly Monitoring Consumers Via Their Mobile Phones
At least three Dutch retail chains are secretly monitoring the behaviour of consumers by using wifi to track them via their mobile phones as they move about the shops.
| — Hat tip: Fjordman | [Return to headlines] |
Norway: Labour Could Put Breivik Lawyer Up for Oslo Mayor
Norway’s Labour party could put Geir Lippestad, the lawyer who defended Anders Breivik, up as a heavyweight candidate for Mayor of Oslo, NRK has reported.
“Geir Lippestad is a man who enjoys enormous respect among people. He is one of very few that have the potential to become a real challenger to Fabian Stang,” said NRK’s source, described as a “central Labour party figure”.
| — Hat tip: Fjordman | [Return to headlines] |
Norwegian Artist’s ‘Racist Chair’ Causes a Stir
A chair designed by the controversy-hungry Norwegian artist Bjarne Melgaard has riled anti-racism and women’s rights groups, after Roman Abramovich’s girlfriend was photographed sitting on it.
| — Hat tip: Fjordman | [Return to headlines] |
Norwegian Whale Meat Sold at Berlin ‘Green Week’
Customs officials confiscated illegal whale meat which was being sold as marinated bite-sized snacks at Berlin’s Green Week trade fair on Wednesday.
Custom officers came away with three kilos worth of Minke whale meat from a Norwegian stand at the event, after being tipped off by the Whale and Dolphin Conservation group (WDC) and the BZ newspaper.
Selling whale meat is banned in Germany, but Norway is one of the only countries in the world where it is allowed.
| — Hat tip: Fjordman | [Return to headlines] |
Norwegians Charged for Selling Whale in Berlin
Customs officials confiscated illegal whale meat which was being sold as marinated bite-sized snacks at Berlin’s Green Week trade fair on Wednesday.
| — Hat tip: Fjordman | [Return to headlines] |
Pope Says Internet is a ‘Gift From God’
Pope Francis described the internet on Thursday as “a gift from God” and called on Catholics to “boldly become citizens of the digital world”.
| — Hat tip: Fjordman | [Return to headlines] |
Scotland Surprisingly Had Glaciers 400 Years Ago
The last glacier in Scotland may have melted within the last 400 years, not 11,500 years ago as previously believed, new research finds. The Cairngorm Mountains of eastern Scotland are the snowiest part of the Scottish Highlands even today.
Next, the researchers looked at climate history in that date range to find the “coolest, most glacier-friendly” era, Kirkbride said. They found the likely candidate to be the Little Ice Age, a cooling period that extended perhaps into the 1800s, and concluded that the glacier likely formed between 1650 and 1790 and could have persisted into the mid-1800s.
During the Little Ice Age, northern Britain was racked by food shortages and the River Thames would freeze over in winter, Kirkbride said. The cooling climate may have driven the Vikings from Greenland.
| — Hat tip: Fjordman | [Return to headlines] |
Scotland’s Love Affair With Good German Beer
As many craft brewers liberate their taste buds, Germany’s purity law for beer seems to be going out of fashion — except in Scotland. There, brewers are making German-inspired beers they even hope to export to Germany.
| — Hat tip: Fjordman | [Return to headlines] |
Spain to Free Madrid Bombings Middleman
A Moroccan man currently behind bars for his role in the Madrid train bombings in March 2004, which left 191 people dead, is set for a March release.
| — Hat tip: Fjordman | [Return to headlines] |
Sweden: Local Councils Unprepared to Face Violent Threats
Politicians in a third of Sweden’s local councils have been targeted by threats and violence, according to a new survey. But the vast majority of local municipalities do not have any plan for how to prevent threats or violence against politicians, or deal with it if it happens.
| — Hat tip: Fjordman | [Return to headlines] |
Swedish Police Want Investigation Drones
With Swedish police keen to add drones to their vehicle fleet, and commercial interest on the up, Sweden faces several questions about issuing permits for and restricting the use of unmanned aerial vehicles.
| — Hat tip: Fjordman | [Return to headlines] |
Two teenage schoolgirls were arrested over suspected terrorism offences after police believed they were trying to fly from Britain to Syria to fight in the civil war, it was revealed today.
The 17-year-olds from London were grabbed at Heathrow airport this month amid concerns they had been radicalised and were going to become jihadists.
A senior Scotland Yard officer has also revealed 14 young Britons have been held on charges linked to the Syrian conflict in January, compared to 24 for the whole of last year.
| — Hat tip: Fjordman | [Return to headlines] |
UK: District Auditor Urged to Probe Tower Hamlets Sale of Old Poplar Town Hall
The sale of the historic old Poplar town hall in London’s East End is being referred to the District Auditor. The deal has led to controversy over how a change of use from offices to a luxury hotel slipped through the planning net which may have lost Tower Hamlets council taxpayers a fortune. An investigation in conjunction with the District Auditor was overwhelmingly voted for in an emergency resolution at last night’s council meeting…
| — Hat tip: JP | [Return to headlines] |
UK: How to Deal With Our Would-be Jihadists
The priority must be for police to use powers to prosecute those who attempt to join the jihad, and those who organise them
The interview in this paper today with Commander Richard Walton, head of Scotland Yard’s counter-terrorism unit, comes as two women appeared in court today charged with preparing acts of terrorism, and we learn that two 17-year-old girls were arrested at Heathrow earlier this month. Commander Walton’s warning about the dangers to London of radicalised jihadists returning from Syria is all too timely. The truth is that there are, he says, “shocking numbers” of young Muslims travelling to Syria to join Islamist militias and there are others who are funding these groups or recruiting for the jihadists. They are a malign element in an already terrible conflict in Syria and the prospect of them returning to London, prepared to carry out terrorist acts is grim. Yet they are plainly moved by the harrowing war in Syria: anyone who imagines that it is remote from us should think again. This issue shows the necessity of our engagement with peace talks in Geneva.
The most alarming aspect of all this is that there are young Muslims who have been brought up here and educated in British schools who are so alienated from the values of their own society that they are prepared to wage war on it. Commander Walton has appealed to Muslims to help counter the flow of young people to fight in Syria, especially parents of susceptible teenagers. And the Government’s Channel programme is trying, with mixed results, to divert young people from extremism…
| — Hat tip: JP | [Return to headlines] |
UK: In Defence of Maajid Nawaz, Blasphemy and (Funny) Cartoons of Mohammed
By Tom Chivers
I’ve been a fan of the webcomic Jesus and Mo for years. The idea is a simple one: the two religious figureheads J Christ and Mohammed share a house and discuss matters of religious philosophy, often in arguments with a wise atheist barmaid at their local. It’s funnier than I’ve made that sound.…
| — Hat tip: JP | [Return to headlines] |
UK: Joy as Special Guest Opens New Mosque
A Muslim group celebrated the centenary of their arrival in the UK with the official opening of a mosque.
The mosque, in Langley Drive, is known as Masjid Noor and is the first mosque to be built by the Ahmadiyya Muslim Association in Sussex. The inauguration of the mosque was carried out on Saturday (January 18) by a special guest.
His Holiness, Hadhrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad, world head of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, unveiled a plaque commemorating the opening of the mosque before leading those present in silent prayer…
| — Hat tip: JP | [Return to headlines] |
UK: Muslim Defendant Must Remove Veil to Give Evidence, Jury Hears
Rebekah Dawson appears in court for her trial on witness intimidation charges wearing a full-face veil, but will have to take if off before entering the witness box, court is told
A Muslim woman accused of witness intimidation has been ordered by a judge to remove her veil if she chooses to give evidence. Rebekah Dawson, 22, attended the start of her trial at Blackfriars Crown Court in London on Wednesday wearing a full-face veil. Judge Peter Murphy warned the jury hearing the case that it was “quite wrong” to be prejudiced against anybody because of their expression of religious faith…
| — Hat tip: JP | [Return to headlines] |
UK: Tory MP Aidan Burley ‘Offensive and Stupid’ Over Nazi Stag Do
An MP who took part in a Nazi-themed stag party organised the event and bought an SS fancy dress uniform, a Conservative Party report has confirmed. The exact details of Aiden Burley’s level of involvement in the party had been unclear since it took place in France at the end of 2011. But the Tories concluded their Cannock Chase MP had been “stupid and offensive” for leading the stunt in a ski resort.
The session included party-goers and friends of Mr Burley dressing up as SS officers, toasting the Third Reich and chanting the names of senior Nazis. Mr Burley’s friend, Mark Fournier, was handed the maximum fine of 1,500 euros by a French court on Tuesday. Mr Fournier, the groom, had been photographed wearing the SS outfit and giving a Nazi salute…
| — Hat tip: JP | [Return to headlines] |
UK: Tommy Robinson: Former EDL Leader, Jailed for Fraud
Former English Defence League leader Stephen Lennon, who uses the alias Tommy Robinson, has been jailed for 18 months for mortgage fraud.
Lennon, 31, from Bedfordshire, who stood down from the EDL last year, was sentenced at St Albans Crown Court after pleading guilty last November.
The fraud amounted to £160,000 over a period of six months.
Lennon left the EDL in October, citing concerns over the “dangers of far-right extremism”.
The court was told his life was in danger, and he would have to spend his prison time in solitary confinement.
His barrister Charles Sherrard QC said that in January 2013, when Lennon was jailed for 10 months for using someone else’s passport to travel to the USA, he had spent the whole time in solitary and was moved to four different jails for his safety.
‘Wanted by al-Shabab’
“Even in solitary he was regarded as being in danger,” said Mr Sherrard.
Lennon co-founded the EDL in 2009 after a homecoming parade by the Royal Anglian Regiment in Luton was disrupted by Islamist protesters.
Mr Sherrard said Lennon was in even more danger now, having left the organisation.
“He has alienated another large part of the community who saw him as their leader,” he said.
Lennon’s safety was also at risk from members of Somali insurgent group al-Shabab, he added.
“He is on a wanted list for al-Shabab so the prospect of prison for him takes on another level,” said Mr Sherrard.
| — Hat tip: ICLA | [Return to headlines] |
UK: Yard’s Plea to Muslims: Help Stop Children Turning to Terror
Scotland Yard’s counter-terrorism chief today appealed to Muslims across the country to help stem the flow of young Britons heading for the fighting in Syria. Commander Richard Walton warned that a “shocking” number of children are being lured into terrorism…
| — Hat tip: JP | [Return to headlines] |
Water Cannon Set to be Deployed Across Britain Amid Fears of More Riots
Senior officers say likelihood of future protests against the Government mean they could need permission to deploy water cannon in mainland Britain for the first time
Concerns about future violent protests over the Government’s austerity measures have prompted chief constables to ask Theresa May, the Home Secretary, for authorisation to deploy water cannon in mainland Britain for the first time.
Chief constables have concluded the machines would be a valuable addition to their armoury after carrying out detailed research, including a scientific analysis of injuries that members of the public can suffer when hit by the powerful water jets.
Documents disclosed by the Association of Chief Police Officers show plans have been drawn up for the cannon to be used against protesters and rioters in the future. Police warn they expect water cannon will be required because “the ongoing and potential future austerity measures are likely to lead to continued protest”.
| — Hat tip: Fjordman | [Return to headlines] |
West African Djembe Drumming Tradition Alive in Germany
Although Djembe drumming is traditionally coming from West Africa, the tradition has spread in many countries across the globe. In Germany, many people are embracing the music and are keen to learn how to beat the drum.
| — Hat tip: Fjordman | [Return to headlines] |
Egypt Shocked Over Exclusion From U.S.-Africa Summit
CAIRO, Jan. 22 (Xinhua) — Egypt slammed on Wednesday a U.S. decision to exclude it from a summit for African leaders to be held in Washington in August. “This decision is wrong and short-sighted,” said Egyptian foreign ministry spokesman Badr Abdel Aatty in a statement…
| — Hat tip: JP | [Return to headlines] |
Masked gunmen have attacked a checkpoint south of Cairo, killing five Egyptian policemen and wounding two others. The attack happened early Thursday in Beni Suef province, about 100 kilometers from the capital. Authorities said the gunmen were riding motorcycles and fled the area after the shooting…
| — Hat tip: JP | [Return to headlines] |
Morocco: No Forced Marriage, Rapists to Stand Trial
Law amendment approved overnight
(ANSAmed) — ROME, JANUARY 23 — Morocco’s Parliament unanimously approved an amendment to a law so as to ban the possibility for a rapist to avoid prosecution by marrying his victim. The decision comes two years since the tragic suicide of Amina el Filali, 16, seven months after she had been forced to marry a man who had allegedly raped her to protect her honour.
Last March, the Chamber had backed the measure first proposed by the Islamic government following the shock caused throughout the country by Amina’s suicide.
The incident sparked calls from local and international human rights groups for the law to be changed and the practice of forced marriage, a tradition across the Middle East, to be banned.
Parliamentary sources said the next battle will be to ban marriage for minors, an alarmingly common practice in the country. While the legal age to marry in Morocco is officially 18, magistrates routinely approve much younger unions.
Activists have also been calling for a sweeping change to the country’s rape laws.
Although a new Constitution approved in 2011 recognizes gender equality and calls on authorities to guarantee it, sexual harassment and domestic violence are reportedly commonplace in Morocco.
A bill first advocated by the government which provides for jail terms of up to 25 years for those convicted of violence against women, is still being drafted.
| — Hat tip: Insubria | [Return to headlines] |
Casablanca — The Moroccan parliament is considering a bill to criminalise takfir and incitement to violence. Under the criminal code amendment submitted last week by the opposition Authenticity and Modernity Party (PAM), takfirists would face 2-year prison terms. “Moroccan society has recently witnessed the appearance of alien phenomena that are dangerous to its security,” PAM told lawmakers on January 13th.
The bill aims to penalise the “rising voices of extremism and radicalism that don’t believe in democracy, pluralism or modernity, and that accuse those who have different views from theirs of apostasy, contrary to the constitution”, the party said…
| — Hat tip: JP | [Return to headlines] |
Morocco Amends Controversial Rape Marriage Law
The parliament of Morocco has unanimously amended an article of the penal code that allowed rapists of underage girls to avoid prosecution by marrying their victims. The move follows intensive lobbying by activists for better protection of young rape victims. The amendment has been welcomed by rights groups.
Article 475 of the penal code generated unprecedented public criticism. It was first proposed by Morocco’s Islamist-led government a year ago. But the issue came to public prominence in 2012 when 16-year-old Amina Filali killed herself after being forced to marry her rapist.
| — Hat tip: Fjordman | [Return to headlines] |
U.S. Embassy Plot Reveals Israel’s Growing Al Qaeda Problem
The takedown of an Al Qaeda cell that officials say planned to attack the American Embassy in Tel Aviv has laid bare the threat Israel faces from the world’s most infamous terrorist network as it becomes more dominant in the Sinai Peninsula and the Palestinian territories, say security experts.
Never before has Al Qaeda specifically sought to carry out a terrorist attack on Israeli soil, but in a sign that confidence is high amongst the international network and its affiliates after notable successes of late in Iraq and neighboring Syria, the foiling of a potentially horrific multiple attack inside Israel suggests the Al Qaeda hierarchy has now set itself a new goal.
Three radicalized, locally-grown terrorists, whose chain of command stretched all the way up to Al Qaeda chief Ayman al-Zawahiri, planned to stage simultaneous suicide bombings of both the International Conference Center in Jerusalem and the U.S. Embassy.
| — Hat tip: Fjordman | [Return to headlines] |
By Sarah Stern
Once again, Secretary of State John Kerry came home from Geneva this past Sunday, amidst a great deal of euphoria, boasting of an agreement between the P5 plus 1 nations and Iran that is scheduled to take effect on January 20th, saying, “As of that day, for the first time in almost a decade, Iran’s nuclear program will not be able to advance, and parts of it will be rolled back, while we start negotiating a comprehensive agreement to address the international community’s concerns about Iran’s nuclear program.”
These triumphant words were over a signed agreement, the details of which are so fabulous that the Obama administration absolutely refuses to reveal them to journalists or the public at large…
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Ashton Wants More Woman Involved in Syria Peace-Building
At the opening of the Geneva II Conference on Syria Wednesday, EU foreign affairs chief Catherine Ashton stressed the importance of including women in the peace-building process. “They indeed have many good and great ideas for how to bring peace, how to build peace and how to sustain peace.”
| — Hat tip: Fjordman | [Return to headlines] |
Iranian President Says Iran is Willing to Engage With the International Community
Iranian President Hassan Rouhani has addressed the World Economic Forum in Davos, saying his country is seeking international ties. Israeli premier Benjamin Netanyahu said Iran’s statements amounted to “deception.”
| — Hat tip: Fjordman | [Return to headlines] |
Syria: ONDUS: 1,400 Killed in Qaida-Rebel Infighting
Clashes started 3 weeks ago in North
(ANSAmed) — BEIRUT, JANUARY 23 — An estimated 1,400 people have died in three weeks of rebel infighting between local insurgents and Al Qaida militants in Syria with the majority of casualties reported among militants and 190 civilians dead, the Syrian National Observatory for Human Rights (ONDUS) said Thursday. A rebel offensive against Al Qaida has been ongoing for weeks in the northern and north-eastern areas of the country where insurgents and activists opposing Syrian President Bashar al Assad have denounced violence by Al Qaida militants against civilians.
Al Qaida has reportedly banned in Raqqa music, smoking and imposed the full veil to women — a practice rejected by Syrians who have denounced a growing convergence of interests between the regime and al Qaida militants.
The ongoing clashes between Syrian rebels and militants with the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIS) have enabled Assad militias in the past few days to gain ground east of Aleppo. Clashes, which started at the beginning of January, are ongoing in the northern and north-eastern regions of Idlib, Aleppo and Raqqa. ONDUS has reported 1,395 casualties so far, including 190 civilians of whom 21 were executed by al Qaida militants in Aleppo.
The majority of casualties were reported among militants but the Observatory could not give an exact toll, citing at least 760 militant deaths from both sides. Several bodies could not be identified and the sides involved in infighting don’t always release the number and identity of victims.
In a message released on Thursday, the leader of al Qaida, Ayman al-Zawahiri said infighting was ‘fratricidal’, calling for unity against the forces of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.
| — Hat tip: Insubria | [Return to headlines] |
Syria’s Warring Factions Agree to Talks, As Al Qaeda Leader Urges Rebels to Unite
Delegations representing the Syrian regime and its main Western-backed opposition have reportedly agreed to start direct talks when negotiations resume on Friday.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov told Sky News that he had held discussions with Syrian Foreign Minister Walid al-Moallem and the Syrian National Coalition’s Ahmed Jarba after a contentious first day of talks Wednesday that featured accusations of wrongdoing from both sides of the conflict.
| — Hat tip: Fjordman | [Return to headlines] |
Turkey Continues With Huge Purge of Judges and Police
Turkish prime minister refuses to backdown from controversial moves against judiciary and security services
Turkey launched the biggest purge of the judiciary in the country’s history on Wednesday, firing and reassigning senior judges and prosecutors, despite warnings that the actions are damaging the country’s accession to the European Union…
| — Hat tip: JP | [Return to headlines] |
Lawmaker Cautions on Travel to Sochi as Some Olympians Tell Family to Stay Home
Rep. William Keating said Wednesday Americans traveling to Sochi for the Winter Olympic Games should be safe if they take precautions, even as some athletes were telling their loved ones to stay home because of potential terrorist threats.
The Massachusetts Democrat, just back from a trip to Sochi that included a tour of safety measures undertaken by the Russian government at the site of the Olympics, voiced concern about the possibility of a terror attack at the Games, which begin Feb. 7.
| — Hat tip: Fjordman | [Return to headlines] |
Moscow Muslims Upset at Warning Over Terrorists in Mosques
A group of Moscow muftis is demanding city authorities officially retract a warning about potential suicide bombers’ unusual behavior in mosques and the description of prayer sites as terrorist meeting places.
Mufti Hazrat Gizatullin, the deputy head of the official Muslim organization for European Russia, said in an interview with Izvestia daily that representatives of his organization intended to send an official protest to the Moscow city Department Of Interethnic And Inter-Religious Cooperation…
| — Hat tip: JP | [Return to headlines] |
Standoff in Kyiv During Key Talks
Three Ukrainian opposition leaders have emerged from ‘crunch’ talks with President Viktor Yanukovych, with one of them saying there was a chance of ending a standoff that turned violent in Kyiv in recent days.
| — Hat tip: Fjordman | [Return to headlines] |
Ukrainian Opposition Optimistic After Meeting Yanukovych
The chances of ending the violence that has convulsed the Ukrainian capital are high, a spokeswoman for a top opposition leader said late Thursday after a meeting with the president.
Olha Lappo, a spokeswoman for Arseniy Yatsenyuk, made the statement on his Facebook page Thursday after an hours-long meeting with President Viktor Yanukovych. That came after opposition leaders gave a Thursday evening deadline to make concessions or face renewed clashes.
She did not provide details, but the assessment appeared to be the first sign of progress in resolving the two-month crisis that is threatening to spread well beyond Kiev.
| — Hat tip: Fjordman | [Return to headlines] |
US Warships Ready to Help Secure Sochi Olympics
US navy ships in the Black Sea will be available, if requested, to help Russia combat any possible terrorist attacks on the Sochi Winter Olympics, the Pentagon announced on Monday. “The United States has offered its full support to the Russian government,” it said, with the Olympics starting February.
| — Hat tip: Fjordman | [Return to headlines] |
Car Bomb Blast Kills 9, Injures 11 in Pakistan’s Peshawar
ISLAMABAD, Jan. 23 (Xinhua) — At least nine people including two children were killed and 11 others injured in a car bomb blast that hit Pakistan’s northwestern city of Peshawar on Thursday afternoon, local media and police said…
| — Hat tip: JP | [Return to headlines] |
Indian Village Elders Arrested for ‘Ordering’ Gang-Rape
Police have arrested 13 men after a 20-year-old woman was allegedly raped as a punishment for having an affair
Indian police have arrested 13 people after a 20-year-old village woman was allegedly gang-raped on orders from tribal elders who objected to her relationship with a man…
| — Hat tip: JP | [Return to headlines] |
India: Woman Gang-Raped on Orders of ‘Kangaroo Court’
Police in India’s West Bengal state have arrested 13 men in connection with a gang rape of a woman, allegedly on orders of village elders who objected to her relationship with a man. The 20-year-old woman has been admitted to a hospital in a critical condition. Unofficial courts in India’s villages often sanction killings of couples deemed to have violated local codes.
Scrutiny of sexual violence in India has grown since the 2012 gang rape and murder of a student on a Delhi bus. The government tightened laws on sexual violence last year after widespread protests following the attack. But violence and discrimination against women remain deeply entrenched in India’s staunchly patriarchal society.
| — Hat tip: Fjordman | [Return to headlines] |
Indian Police Arrest 13 Men in Gang Rape of Woman for Having a ‘Forbidden Relationship’
Indian police have arrested 13 men who allegedly gang raped a woman after finding her guilty of having a boyfriend from a different village. The case follows a toughening of laws in India in rape cases.
| — Hat tip: Fjordman | [Return to headlines] |
Is Pakistan Finally Going After the Taliban?
Islamabad has launched an offensive against militant Islamists in its northwestern region. In response, Islamists, too, have intensified their attacks.
| — Hat tip: Fjordman | [Return to headlines] |
Militants Firing Kills 5 Students in E. Afghan Town
MEHTERLAM, Afghanistan, Jan. 23 (Xinhua) — Armed militants opened fire and killed five civilians, all students in the eastern Laghman province on Thursday, provincial governor Fazlullah Mujadadi said. “A group of students were playing volleyball in Sakhra village of Alinegar district when some armed Taliban rebels opened fire and killed five innocent students on the spot,” Mujadadi told Xinhua…
| — Hat tip: JP | [Return to headlines] |
Chinese Media Speaks No Evil Over Offshore Leaks
With the help of shell companies, top politicians — among others — in China are alleged to have hoarded billions of dollars in tax havens. The revelations have been noticeably absent from media in the People’s Republic.
China’s powerful elite appears to have conducted lucrative business transactions using bogus companies in international tax havens over a number of years.
The allegations went to the heart of government, and the list of individuals implicated was long. It included, for example, relatives of both the current President Xi Jinping and his predecessor Hu Jintao. Relatives of former prime ministers Wen Jiabao and Li Peng were linked with secret transactions in the Caribbean.
In addition, numerous National People’s Congress members were in the frame, along with top executives and some of the richest men and women in the country.
| — Hat tip: Fjordman | [Return to headlines] |
US Pacific Commander Warns of Growing China-Japan Tension Over Disputed Islands
The commander of U.S. forces in the Pacific said Thursday the tensions between China and Japan are likely to grow unless they talk to each other. The two Asian powers are at loggerheads over remote islands that are administered by Japan but also claimed by China. Beijing has also been angered by a recent visit by Japan’s prime minister to a controversial war shrine.
Adm. Samuel Locklear told a news conference that “the risk calculation can grow” when two large powers have a disagreement but aren’t talking to each other and when there’s no clear resolution in sight.
Washington’s treaty obligations to its ally Japan mean it could be sucked into a conflict over the islands, known as Senkaku by Japan and Diayou by China.
| — Hat tip: Fjordman | [Return to headlines] |
The Decline of the Australian in the UK
Once moving to the UK was a well-worn path for many young Australians. Now the numbers arriving on British shores are falling. Kris Griffiths asks why.
| — Hat tip: Fjordman | [Return to headlines] |
South Africa’s Platinum Production at a Standstill
Platinum production in South Africa is at a standstill as mineworkers lay down their tools. It is the first walkout since the 2012 wildcat strike at Marikana in which police killed 34 miners.
| — Hat tip: Fjordman | [Return to headlines] |
Zimbabwe: Suitcase Handed Into Police Station Contained “Goblin”
No, this is not some sort of Lord of the Rings-style wind-up, but a genuine news report from Zimbabwe.
A family turned up at their local nick in the town of Bulawayo with a suitcase a recent tenant had left behind.
The case was opened and, well, all hell broke loose.
According to Bulawayo 24 News, a goblin-like creature leapt out, causing mayhem.
Police officers dumb-struck by what they were seeing fled — some literally jumping out of windows such was the panic.
The goblin — we’ll call it that because the police report said so — apparently climbed out of a blood-filled bottle.
Witnesses in the southern African state said it smelt awful and ran amok charging at cops until a local “healer” was brought in to catch it…
| — Hat tip: Nick | [Return to headlines] |
Brazil Dolphin is First New River Species Since 1918
Scientists in Brazil have discovered the first new river dolphin species since the end of World War One. Named after the Araguaia river where it was found, the species is only the fifth known of its kind in the world. Writing in the journal Plos One, the researchers say it separated from other South American river species more than two million years ago. There are believed to be about 1,000 of the creatures living in the Araguaia river basin.
River dolphins are among the world’s rarest creatures. According to the IUCN, there are only four known species, and three of them are on the Red List, meaning they are critically endangered. These dolphins are only distantly related to their seafaring cousins, tending to have long beaks which let them hunt for fish in the mud at the bottom of rivers. One of the best known species, the Yangtze river dolphin or baiji is believed to have gone extinct in about 2006.
| — Hat tip: Fjordman | [Return to headlines] |
Greek Authorities Investigating Migrant Boat Sinking That Left 2 Dead, 10 Feared Drowned
Greek judicial authorities are investigating the deadly sinking of a migrant boat that was being towed by a coast guard vessel. The small fishing boat crammed with 28 people had entered Greece illegally. The Coast Guard said it was towing the boat to the small Aegean Sea island of Farmakonissi when it capsized Monday, leaving two people dead and another 10 missing and feared drowned.
Survivors claimed Thursday the boat was being led to Turkish waters to be abandoned. They say they were mistreated by Coast Guard crew, who allegedly stood by as passengers struggled in rough seas. Merchant Marine Minister Miltiadis Varvitsiotis flatly denies the allegations. International rights groups have urged a full investigation.
| — Hat tip: Fjordman | [Return to headlines] |
Human Rights Groups Lambast EU Treatment of Syrian Refugees
Human rights NGOs labelled EU reluctance to accept more Syrian refugees as “a major failure” in speeches in Davos on Wednesday. Human Rights Watch chief Kenneth Roth said the EU’s attitude on the Syrian refugee crisis is geared towards “protecting Fortress Europe.”
| — Hat tip: Fjordman | [Return to headlines] |
Pope Francis Calls Upon the Nations of the World to Welcome Immigrants
The pope recalled International Migrants Day, expressing the hope that countries would welcome migrants keeping the values of their culture of origin. “What does it mean for the Church, for us, today, to be disciples of Jesus the Lamb of God?” Francis asked at St. Peter’s Square. “It means replacing malice with innocence, force with love, pride with humility, prestige with service,” he replied. “We Christians have to do a good job,” Francis added.
| — Hat tip: Fjordman | [Return to headlines] |
Sham Marriage a ‘Massive Loophole’ In Britain’s Border
Chief Inspector of Borders warns bogus marriage may be a “growing problem” but authorities are failing to report their concerns to the Home Office
Sham marriages are a “massive loophole” in Britain’s border controls and amount to a “golden ticket” into the country for immigrants, an official report has warned. John Vine, the Chief Inspector of Borders and Immigration, highlighted serious failings in the way officials are attempting to combat bogus marriages. He found evidence it could be a “growing problem”, but intelligence on the true picture was “lagging behind”.
The report said Home Office analysts said the four main non-European nationalities involved in sham marriages were Indian, Pakistani, Bangladeshi and Nigerian. Men made up more than eight out of 10 of the non-European half of the arrangement. They were typically trying to marry someone from the newer eastern European states.
| — Hat tip: Fjordman | [Return to headlines] |
Sweden: EU Needs Syria Refugee ‘Solidarity’
With Sweden attending the Syrian peace negotiations, the government reiterated this week that other EU countries had to pick up pace in helping asylum seekers from the civil war.
| — Hat tip: Fjordman | [Return to headlines] |
Netherlands: Police Record Three Instances of Anti-Gay Violence a Week
Police recorded 769 instances of violence against gay people between the beginning of 2009 and September last year, the equivalent of around three cases a week.
The figures come from a new police report which aims to establish a better picture of the extent of anti-gay violence in the Netherlands. Previous reports have focused on questionnaires.
The report states six out of 10 instances took place in Amsterdam, where police have being paying extra attention to the problem following several high profile cases.
Some 17% of cases reported involved threats of physical violence, 31% simply physical attacks and 6.7% serious attacks, the report shows. The rest were categorised as muggings and fights. Men were the victims in 84% of cases.
The report also looked at the perpetrators, who acted alone in 67% of cases. Almost 62% of the attackers who were identified have Dutch nationality only, 16.6% had Moroccan nationality or were Dutch and Moroccan and 5.5% were Turkish. Almost 87% had other criminal convictions, mainly robbery and assault.
| — Hat tip: Fjordman | [Return to headlines] |
Sweden: “Vagina Painting” Deemed “Unsuitable” For School
An artist was asked by Nyköping council to come and paint something on a wall in a new school that will open after the summer. What the council had overlooked was that the artist is famous for her pictures of intimate parts of the female body. When the painting, which features a large vagina, was finished at the end of last week, the council wasn’t happy. They sent a letter to the artist, asking her to come back and repaint it. But the artist is refusing.
| — Hat tip: Fjordman | [Return to headlines] |
Swedish Principal Backs School’s Vagina Mural
A Nyköping principal wants to keep a mural that depicts a smiling vagina on the school staircase, after the artwork by Carolina Falkholt provoked a heated debate about censorship when local politicians decided to paint over it.
| — Hat tip: Fjordman | [Return to headlines] |
Chua argues that creativity in multicultural settings is highly vulnerable to what he calls “ambient cultural disharmony”. Tension between people over matters of culture, he says, can pollute the wider environment and reduce “multicultural creativity”, meaning people’s ability to see non-obvious connections between ideas from different cultures. “Ambient cultural disharmony” persuades people to give up on making such connections because they conclude that it is not worth the trouble.
| — Hat tip: Fjordman | [Return to headlines] |
Closest Supernova in 27 Years May Reveal Fate of Cosmos
An elderly star has lit up a cosmic cigar. Images of the galaxy M82, also known as the Cigar Galaxy, show the sudden appearance of a supernova, the brilliant explosion when a massive star dies. The event might offer new clues to dark energy and the ultimate fate of the universe.
The light from this explosion is reaching us from about 11.4 million light years away. That’s not as close to Earth as the current record holder, which appeared about 160,000 light years away in a small satellite galaxy of the Milky Way. Still, that was in 1987 and the new supernova is the closest one we’ve spotted since then.
“It’s very rare to have them go off as close as this one,” says Brad Tucker at the Australian National University in Canberra. The supernova is not visible to the naked eye, but it is rapidly brightening and should be visible with binoculars in the next few weeks.
| — Hat tip: Fjordman | [Return to headlines] |
Dark Matter Mystery Could be Solved in Next 10 Years
Dark matter — the mysterious stuff that is thought to make up most of the matter in the known universe — may reveal itself during the next decade, one prominent scientist predicts.
| — Hat tip: Fjordman | [Return to headlines] |
Supernova Erupts in Nearby Galaxy
YXOne of the nearest stellar explosions since 1987 could be seen with binoculars in two weeks
Last night, light from a new supernova reached astronomers on Earth. Its origin: the nearby galaxy M82, some 3.5 megaparsecs away (11.4 million light years). It is one of the closest and brightest supernovae seen from Earth since a monster exploded in 1987 just 168,000 light years away. Astronomers say that the latest supernova is of the type 1a class, and may help reveal how such supernovae form. Moreover, because these supernovae are used as cosmic measuring sticks, understanding them better may help clarify the shape of the Universe.
The supernova was bright enough to be discovered with a modest telescope in an unlikely spot: cloudy north London. On 21 January, around 7 pm, Steve Fossey, an astronomer at University College London, was taking students through a routine lesson with a 35-centimetre telescope at the University of London Observatory.
| — Hat tip: Fjordman | [Return to headlines] |
“In other news, Pope Francis called upon all nations of the world to welcome immigrants.”
That’s like calling upon all the people of the world to breathe oxygen.
Or, perhaps a more accurate analogy, like calling upon all alcoholics of the world to welcome alcohol.
He probably thinks there isn’t enough immigration.. He wants all the 2.1 billion people of the world that are in poverty to come to Europe. Immediately. Everyone must be helped, toss logic to the side!
>> A man ice skating on a lake in central Sweden was shocked to find a fox frozen solid after the thin ice had apparently cracked. <<
What was she doing there in the first place? This is a very odd story.
Something’s changing (in France, at least):
French court to jail ‘anti-white’ racist for attack
http://www.thelocal.fr/20130604/french-court-convicts-attacker-over-anti-white-racism
@The Downside of Diversity
“At best differences in world-view and cultural styles can produce “intercultural anxiety”, at worst outright conflict. The very thing that can produce added creativity—the collision of different cultures—can also produce friction. The question is whether the creativity is worth the conflict.”
The long awaited opening shots of the second front against multikulti multinational corporations and there propaganda machines.
Pope Francis needs to get himself back to planet Earth and see what is really going on!
Tommy Robinson jailed eighteen months for mortgage fraud while a thug gets a suspended sentence after ‘punting’ another young males head. What is wrong with that picture?
I’m sure Francis’ intentions are good, but immigration isn’t moral. You’re taking away the most educated and most skilled people from their countries, bringing them here, and taking them away from their own people where they could’ve possible helped in making a positive change in their own countries. I also wonder who’s going to be giving out charity to the needy when people from poor countries replace the people in rich countries, making rich countries into poor countries(which will happen, unless you’re into baseless assumptions).
The morality of refugees can be argued I suppose, but the population growth of the third world is too much, and the amount of immigrants the West can take doesn’t make a single DENT into people suffering in the third world because they have so many children. If Francis wants to help them, send them some dang condoms, birth control, charity, or urge Western countries to militarily help people by disposing corrupt governments, creating safe-zones for refugees(inside the countries of conflict), etc, but that could lead to a high casualty war or increased sectarian conflicts, and of course that will lead to people blaming the West trying to help people for the casualties or more conflicts, instead of say, the people of that country, or people like Al Shaabab.
Wouldn’t mind immigration of dogs though, wouldn’t effect us negatively and we help them, especially seeing how horribly they’re treated in the third world. The best part is, they won’t be building Mosques and won’t be overrepresented in murder and crime. Been thinking of getting my next one from southern China if it won’t be too expensive, given their track record with them.
BTW did the ‘Holy Father’ happen to discuss who or whom was going to pick up the tab? Most nations are already taxing (i.e. confiscating) the crap out of their citizens, most of us in the USA are already giving up almost 50% of our earnings, if you factor in all Federal, State,County and Municipal taxes, including income,property,sales, fees, levies, tolls, and fines. Even the hidden built in ones. IMHO any money that goes to the government is a tax.