Abu Yusuf al-Beljiki is the late “Belgian” man who shot three policeman in Paris today, killing one of them, before being shot to death himself. Mr. al-Beljiki was not only “known to police”, he had actually been previously convicted for going on a shooting rampage against police in 2001. One must presume that he remained at liberty only because it would have been racist to keep him in prison.
In other news, George Soros’ Open Society Foundation donated $100,000 to a legal fund in Baltimore used to hire lawyers to fight deportation orders for illegal immigrants.
To see the headlines and the articles, click “Continue reading” below.
Thanks to AF, Dean, Fjordman, Reader from Chicago, SS, Upananda Brahmachari, and all the other tipsters who sent these in.
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15 Years Later, Cloned Cat Continues to Impress A&M Researchers
BRAZOS COUNTY, Tex. (KBTX) — 15 years ago, Texas A&M accomplished something deemed incredible at the time. Researchers successfully cloned a cat. Now, a decade and a half later, that cat is living a comfortable life in the Brazos Valley.
A converted two story shed is the place of retirement for a world famous cat. Despite being created in a lab, CC is just like our furry friends at home.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Bill O’Reilly to Get Payout From Fox of Almost $25 Million
Bill O’Reilly, who was ousted Wednesday from his top-rated TV show on Fox News over allegations of sexual harassment, will receive as much as $25 million for agreeing to leave the company, according to a person familiar with the matter.
| — Hat tip: Fjordman | [Return to headlines] |
CFPB, 20 States Take Sweeping Actions Against Ocwen
Ocwen Financial and its subsidiaries faced a slew of accusations from federal and state regulators on Thursday, as the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and Florida accused it of widespread servicing errors, while 20 states led by North Carolina filed separate cease-and-desist orders against the firm for improper handling of consumer escrow accounts.
Taken together, the actions sent Ocwen’s stock price tumbling 55% to $2.43 a share by midday, and raised questions about whether the firm could survive.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
US to File Charges Against WikiLeaks Founder Julian Assange — Report
Officials reportedly claim the Department of Justice is ready to file arrest charges against WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange. Press advocates warn that if the US goes after the pro-transparency publisher, they could go after other news outlets as well.
On Thursday, CNN and the Washington Post cited unnamed US officials as having information that the US has prepared charges to make arrests related to WikiLeaks publishing tens of thousands of military documents leaked by Army whistleblower Chelsea Manning.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
‘We Are Under Attack’ US Faces ‘Highest Homegrown Terror Threat in Years’, Secretary Warns
THE United States is at risk of a “relentless” terror attack every single day, the Secretary for the Department of Homeland Security has chillingly warned.
Facing its highest terror threat in years, John Kelly confirmed the US is a “nation under attack”. He said: “I tell you, without exaggeration, they try to carry out this mission each and every single day and no one can tell you how to stop it.”
| — Hat tip: Fjordman | [Return to headlines] |
A Complete Breakdown Extremists on Left and Right Push France to the Brink
With only a few days to go before the first round of voting, a systemic crisis is dominating the campaign in France. It is no longer inconceivable that a Euroskeptic radical leftist or a far-right populist could become the country’s next president. This bodes poorly for the French, but also their neighbors in Europe.
| — Hat tip: Fjordman | [Return to headlines] |
Beggars Leaving Norway After Documentary Film: Reports
Several beggars in Bergen have said that they no longer feel secure in the city following a documentary by national broadcaster NRK.
In the NRK Brennpunkt documentary, entitled Lykkelandet (The Land of Happiness), which was filmed over a two-year period, hidden cameras follow residents of a house in the city connected to the Romanian begging community.
A 140-person strong organised Romanian begging and prostitution network is mapped out by the documentary.
The film shows women involved in begging by day and prostitution and bank card theft at night, while large sums were shown to be sent from Norway to Romania.
The documentary has stirred significant debate in the country, with Prime Minister Erna Solberg saying that Norwegians should “think through” whether they give money to beggars.
“[People] can maybe think about whether they are supporting organised crime or an individual person in a difficult situation, the PM said to NRK.
| — Hat tip: Fjordman | [Return to headlines] |
A police officer was shot dead and another seriously wounded by two Kalashnikov-wielding gunmen on the Champs Elysees in central Paris tonight.
French police said that the incident was probably a ‘terrorist act’ and the world famous avenue was on lockdown by 9pm.
Heavily armed officers had flooded the area and a third individual — believed to be the killer — was killed, according to police sources.
Reports suggest ‘at least’ two people were involved in the attack which took place as presidential candidates took part in a TV debate nearby before Sunday’s election.
The Interior Ministry spokesman said on BFM TV the officers were deliberately targeted and the police union added that one of them was shot dead while sat in a car at a red light.
There are reports the second gunman who remains at large has fired shots in a shopping mall. Police in body armour and riot gear are on scene.
A witness identified only as Ines told BFM that she heard a shooting, saw a man’s body on the ground and the area was quickly evacuated by police.
The attack came three days before the first round of balloting in France’s tense presidential election.
It comes just two days after police arrested two men in southern Marseille with weapons and explosives who were suspected of preparing an attack to disrupt the first-round of the presidential election on Sunday.
| — Hat tip: Dean | [Return to headlines] |
British Police Given ‘Aggressive’ Orders to Shoot Terrorists Using Vehicles as Weapons
Previously armed police had been advised not to shoot the driver whilst they were in control of a vehicle in case it sent it out of control, possibly causing more injuries or deaths.
Simon Chesterman of the National Police Chiefs’ Council said: “We’ve seen some very horrible and different tactics lately involving vehicles and lorries.
“But if the vehicle’s being used as a weapon in the first place there aren’t many tactics available in relation to stopping it, particularly a very large lorry.
| — Hat tip: Fjordman | [Return to headlines] |
Bulgaria Stops Five Germans on Way to Syria to Join Militant Groups
Bulgarian authorities have detained five German citizens suspected of having links to a militant organization. One of them was reported as being under the age of 18.
| — Hat tip: Fjordman | [Return to headlines] |
Fibonacci’s Real Mathematical Legacy
For hundreds of years until the ebb of the Italian Renaissance, one name was synonymous with arithmetic. This was Leonardo — not the polymath from Vinci, but Leonardo Pisano (ca. 1170-1250), now popularly known as Fibonacci. Yet we know little of Fibonacci’s life beyond the nickname and his Pisan roots.
| — Hat tip: Fjordman | [Return to headlines] |
French Police Have Become Common Target for ISIS
The reported terror attack against police officers Thursday in Paris is just the latest in a series of shootings and stabbings targeting police and military personnel.
The Islamic State claimed responsibility for Thursday’s attack, which killed an officer and injured another. The terror group has previously urged its French supporters to attack police and soldiers as they consider them representatives of the state.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Germany Investigates WikiLeaks Sources
Berlin’s chief public prosecutor has extended an investigation into the release of a trove of documents by WikiLeaks to include the chancellery as well as the Bundestag lower house of parliament, broadcaster NDR reports.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
‘Imbalance Will Destroy the EU’ Economist Calls for Major Reform
A LEADING European economist is calling on Brussels to scrap the Euro in a bid to save the bloc from crumbling under its financial woes.
Hans-Werner Sinn says this reform, along with restricting the freedom of movement and inclusion of migrants into welfare states, is of vital importance.
He said if the EU is to survive, leaders need to implement four important reforms — including a temporary halt on using the euro.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
ISIS Paris Shooter Had a History of Shooting Cops
The Islamic State terrorist responsible for shooting three French police officers Thursday was previously convicted for going on a shooting rampage against police in 2001.
The Islamic State’s Amaq news agency claimed Abu Yusuf al-Beljiki, formerly known as Karim Cheurfi according to France’s L’Express, was responsible for killing one officer and injuring two others. Beljiki was later shot and killed by police, but this was not his first shoot out with authorities.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Leftist Philosopher Predicts “Immediate Riots” If Le Pen Wins
French leftist-anarchist philosopher Michel Onfray claims if anti-mass migration presidential candidate Marine Le Pen wins the French presidency, there will be immediate riots in the streets.
In an interview conducted by Swiss newspaper Tribune de Geneve published Wednesday, Mr. Onfray warned that due to persistent demonisation of the Front National and Le Pen in French media, there could be a violent public reaction if she wins the presidency.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Marine Le Pen ‘Backed by French Armed Police Over Terror Fears’, Poll Claims
MARINE Le Pen has the overwhelming support of the armed police force because they believe she is the only candidate who can prevent France being hit by more terror attacks, a new poll has claimed.
| — Hat tip: Fjordman | [Return to headlines] |
Norwegian Air Takes on Asian Rivals With $230 Fares to Singapore
Norwegian Air Shuttle ASA will fly from London to Singapore beginning this fall, taking on British Airways and Singapore Airlines Ltd. as it expands its long-haul budget services in Asia.
Tickets on the new route will start at 179 pounds ($230) one-way, with “premium” seats priced from 699 pounds, Norwegian said in a statement Thursday. The service will commence Sept. 28 with four weekly flights from London’s Gatwick airport and will be operated with Boeing Co. 787 Dreamliner aircraft seating as many as 344 passengers.
“Our transatlantic flights have shown the huge demand for affordable long-haul travel, so we are delighted to expand into new markets,” Chief Executive Officer Bjorn Kos said in the statement. “Travel should be affordable for all.”
| — Hat tip: Fjordman | [Return to headlines] |
Oslo Airport Police: — Must Run a Kilometer to Get a Gun
If terror strikes at Oslo Airport Gardermoen, the terrorists may go on and terrorise for a while, before meeting any armed resistance.
Police guarding the country’s main airport, are at risk of having to run far to get weapons in an emergency situation, reports NRK.
– It would take too long if there is an acute event, says operations manager Roy Alkvist.
The government-appointed committee that has considered future arming models, Wednesday gave its report to the Minister of Justice Per-Willy Amundsen.
A majority of the committee recommends that the Norwegian police remain unarmed, and have the service weapon locked up in a box in the car.
| — Hat tip: AF | [Return to headlines] |
Paris Shooting — Police Officer Killed and Two Injured on the Champs Elysees
A POLICE officer has been killed and two injured in a shooting on the Champs Elysees in Paris as officials say one attacker remains on the run.
| — Hat tip: Fjordman | [Return to headlines] |
Policeman and Attacker Killed in Paris Gun Battle — French Media
One policeman has been shot dead and a second wounded in central Paris, French police say, with reports that a gunman was later killed.
The Champs Elysees, where the shooting occurred, was sealed off. No motive for the attack has yet been reported.
It happened as candidates made their last pitches in a TV appearance before Sunday’s presidential election.
Islamist militancy is a major issue in the polls after mass attacks claimed by so-called Islamic State.
| — Hat tip: Fjordman | [Return to headlines] |
Schauble Defends German Trade Surplus in the US
The German Finance Minister has rejected US charges that Germany’s trade surplus is a sign of unfair policies and called on the Trump administration to remain engaged in trade liberalization.
Speaking at an event of the Carnegie Foundation in Washington on Thursday, Wolfgang Schäuble said that “all of us have benefited greatly from global integration and trade in recent decades,” and that Washington had been a leader in the process.
The German finance minister’s remarks came in the wake of the Trump administration’s protectionist rhetoric that has created a tense atmosphere for meetings of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank over the next few days.
| — Hat tip: Fjordman | [Return to headlines] |
Sentinel Satellites to Monitor Every Volcano
A UK-led team of scientists is rolling out a project to monitor every land volcano on Earth from space.
Key to the space monitoring project is the capability offered by the European Unions’s new Sentinel-1 radar satellites.
| — Hat tip: Fjordman | [Return to headlines] |
Small Explosive Device Damages Eurobank Offices in Athens, No Injuries
A small explosive device detonated outside a building housing Eurobank offices in central Athens on Wednesday, damaging its entrance and shattering windows, police said.
There were no injuries, police said.
Eurobank is Greece’s third-largest lender by assets.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Swedish Women in Tears as Afghan ‘Boys’ Are Deported
Middle aged Swedish women weep and protest, as Afghan men who have been denied residence in Sweden, are being returned to Afghanistan. Tuesday night a plane with 10 (ten) persons left Gothenburg, which the local newspaper Göteborgs-Posten, writes was ‘forcibly’.
– Today we cry, but tomorrow we continue the battle, says Kinna Skoglund, spokesperson for the group of women.
The loss of the young Afghan men, who were not quite as young as they claimed, is excruciating for the Swedish middle aged women.
| — Hat tip: AF | [Return to headlines] |
UK: War on Free Speech at the National Union of Students
The great effort of the present-day censors on campuses across the West is to make speech synonymous with action. Campaigners against free expression claim that words not only “wound” people but actually “kill”. They claim that people associated with any group being criticised are not only suffering a verbal “assault” but an actual “physical” assault. Those who campaign against any and all criticism of Islamists, for instance, not only claim that the attacks are “Islamophobic” and target “all Muslims”. They also claim that such words cause violence — including violence against any and all Muslims.
One of the notable things about their objection is that the people who make such claims rarely if ever exercise the same civic hygiene they demand of everybody else. It is interesting to consider what would happen were anyone to demand the same standards of these campaigners as they demand of other
| — Hat tip: AF | [Return to headlines] |
Who is Getting the Chinese Vote in the French Presidential Election
As the presidential election looms in France, the country’s Chinese community is coming together to make its voice heard. So who will they be rooting for on Sunday?
| — Hat tip: Fjordman | [Return to headlines] |
After Poll Defeat, Jakarta’s Christian Governor May Escape Jail
Jakarta’s Christian governor may escape jail for alleged blasphemy after prosecutors Thursday recommended only probation, a day after he lost in a religiously charged run-off that damaged Indonesia’s image as a bastion of tolerant Islam.
The recommendation of two years probation in the trial of Basuki Tjahaja Purnama, with a possible one-year jail term if he commits a crime during that period, was lighter than expected as he could have been sent to prison for several years.
The sentence demand for allegedly insulting Islam came after he was defeated Wednesday by Muslim challenger Anies Baswedan who was accused of pandering to hardliners to win votes in the race for the Jakarta governorship.
After his victory, former government minister Baswedan celebrated with Islamic hardliners who helped organise mass protests in the capital against the governor by praying at a major mosque.
| — Hat tip: Fjordman | [Return to headlines] |
Jakarta Election a Turning Point for Indonesia
The Indonesian capital’s sitting Christian governor, Basuki Tjahaja Purnama, has conceded defeat in an election seen as a test for pluralism in the world’s largest Muslim country. Christina Schott reports from Jakarta.
Ahok’s religion was a more dominant factor: As a Christian belonging to a Chinese minority, many Islamic organizations viewed him unfit to govern the capital of the largest Muslim country in the world.
| — Hat tip: Fjordman | [Return to headlines] |
Triple Talaq: Muslim Woman Hails Modi, Says Will Embrace Hinduism.
To protect themselves from the scourge of Triple Talaq, Muslim women ready to embrace Hinduism.
Zee Media Bureau | Dehradun | April 19, 2017:: Amid raging debate over the issue of triple talaq, a Muslim woman has hailed Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s efforts to bring change for the sufferers of the practice.
The Uttarakhand woman further said it was better to convert and adopt Hinduism than to face injustice due to triple talaq system.
Venting her anger and frustration, the woman hailing from Kichha further said when converted to Hindu, men would not be able to divorce them just by uttering the word talaq thrice.
| — Hat tip: Upananda Brahmachari | [Return to headlines] |
North Korea: ‘Super-Mighty Pre-Emptive Strike’ Will Reduce US to Ashes
North Korean state media threatened to launch a “super-mighty pre-emptive strike” that would reduce South Korea and the United states “to ashes.”
The Rodong Sinmun, the official newspaper for North Korea’s ruling Worker’s Party, wrote, “In the case of our super-mighty pre-emptive strike being launched, it will completely and immediately wipe out not only U.S. imperialists’ invasion forces in South Korea and its surrounding areas but the U.S. mainland and reduce them to ashes,” according to Reuters. The rogue nation also claimed the U.S. and its allies “should not mess with us.”
The threat came as Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said the U.S. was exploring ways to pressure North Korea to the negotiation table over its nuclear program.
| — Hat tip: Fjordman | [Return to headlines] |
Plug Pulled on US Interview With Wanted Chinese Tycoon Guo Wengui
A highly anticipated interview in which a wanted tycoon said Chinese law enforcement authorities were harassing him and his family as part of a corruption cover up was interrupted by the broadcaster on Wednesday, sparking intense speculation on social media.
Washington DC-based Voice of America cut the interview short owing to “pressure from various parties”, VOA interviewee Guo Wengui, who is subject to an Interpol “red notice”, said in a video posted on his Twitter feed following the VOA interview.
Government bodies in the US and China have both been blamed by some social media commentators for the abrupt ending, and differing explanations from the parties involved in the interview have left the question open.
| — Hat tip: Fjordman | [Return to headlines] |
Trump Claims ‘Korea Actually Used to be a Part of China’, But Does That Stack Up?
It’s a claim that has sparked a fierce response in South Korea.
In retelling a conversation with Chinese President Xi Jinping, US President Donald Trump told the Wall Street Journal: “He then went into the history of China and Korea. Not North Korea, Korea. And you know, you’re talking about thousands of years … and many wars. And Korea actually used to be a part of China. And after listening for 10 minutes, I realised that it’s not so easy.”
This claim was largely buried in the April 12 news coverage of Trump’s wide-ranging interview with the Journal, during which he made numerous flip-flops on several policy areas. But it belatedly went viral in South Korea after a Quartz article drew attention to it on Tuesday.
Trump’s unartful retelling of Sino-Korean history sparked widespread outrage among Koreans, who are particularly sensitive to the US president’s rhetoric amid heightened tensions between North and South Korea.
| — Hat tip: Fjordman | [Return to headlines] |
South Sudan-born Adau Mornyang, now 22, who now lives in Australia, shared her story during a distressing live video which revealed her heartache caused by the traumatising ordeal.
| — Hat tip: SS | [Return to headlines] |
Rise of Artificial Intelligence: Learning to Love Machines
by Gary Kasparov
It was my blessing and my curse to be the world chess champion when computers finally reached a world championship level of play. When I resigned the final match game against the IBM supercomputer Deep Blue on May 11, 1997, I became the first world champion to be defeated in a classical match by a machine.
It is no secret that I hate losing, and I did not take it well. But losing to a computer wasn’t as harsh a blow to me as many at the time thought it was for humanity as a whole. The cover of Newsweek called the match “The Brain’s Last Stand”. Those six games in 1997 gave a dark cast to the narrative of “man v machine” in the digital age, much as the legend of John Henry did for the era of steam and steel.
But it’s possible to draw a very different lesson from my encounter with Deep Blue. Twenty years later, after learning much more about the subject, I am convinced that we must stop seeing intelligent machines as our rivals. Disruptive as they may be, they are not a threat to humankind but a great boon, providing us with endless opportunities to extend our capabilities and improve our lives.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
GM Ceases Operations in Venezuela Following Government Seizure of Its Plant
Following the government’s confiscation of its parts plant, General Motors announced on Wednesday it was ceasing all operations in Venezuela. The company said the seizure was illegal and that it would seek legal remedies.
The announcement puts 2,700 workers making replacement parts in the plant out of work, with small comfort coming from GM, which said it would make “separation payments” to those employees.
But what then? Another 3,900 people will likely find their jobs in jeopardy as the 79 car dealers that employ them will also shortly disappear in the aftermath of GM’s decision.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
MS-13 Gang: The Story Behind One of the World’s Most Brutal Street Gangs
A string of brutal murders in the US has thrown a national spotlight on MS-13, a street gang that was born in LA but has roots in El Salvador.
The gang began in the barrios of Los Angeles in LA during the 1980s, formed by immigrants who had fled El Salvador’s long and brutal civil war. Other members came from Honduras, Guatemala and Mexico.
| — Hat tip: Fjordman | [Return to headlines] |
Austria Threatens Crackdown on Illegal Dual Citizenship Holders After Turkey Vote
Over 100,000 eligible-to-vote Turks live in Austria. It is estimated 10% of those hold illegal dual citizenship. Austria’s interior minister wants to take action against this following Sunday’s (16 April) Turkish referendum. EURACTIV Germany reports.
Dual citizenship is a tricky subject in Austria. It is largely illegal and is only permitted in special situations (like if you are Arnold Schwarzenegger).
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Australian Immigration Minister Peter Dutton said Manus Island incident where 100 gunshots were fired on Good Friday was sparked by asylum seekers leading a boy, 5, into the centre.
| — Hat tip: SS | [Return to headlines] |
Refugee Aid Ships in the Mediterranean Overwhelmed With Emergencies
The emergency ship “Iuventa” from the Berlin-based aid organization “Jugend rettet” was overloaded in its last deployment. The organization’s spokeswoman Pauline Schmidt spoke to DW about the incident.
| — Hat tip: Fjordman | [Return to headlines] |
Soros Group Gave $100k for Illegal Aliens’ Legal Fees
George Soros is helping foot the bill for illegal immigrants’ legal services in Baltimore, Maryland.
Soros’ Open Society Foundation has donated $100,000 to a Baltimore legal fund, created by a number of open borders groups, to pay for lawyers for illegal immigrants as they try to avoid deportation.
| — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago | [Return to headlines] |
Thousands of Migrants ‘Disappear’ From Bulgaria’s Interior Ministry, Refugee Agency Centres — Report
Thousands of migrants have “disappeared” from Bulgaria’s Interior Ministry distribution centres and State Agency for Refugees camps in the past six months, while European Union countries to the west want Bulgaria to take more than 10 000 people back, a report on March 13 said.
Those who had “disappeared” probably managed to cross the border in people-trafficking operations and reached Western Europe, in spite of the claims of Bulgaria’s government of strengthened border control, and the closed border with Serbia, daily Sega said.
| — Hat tip: Fjordman | [Return to headlines] |
Should the Hungarian Foreign Ministry protest against Soros’ donation? Because the US Foreign Department doing it in Hungary… Loaded with Obama’s people (or maybe the new Globalist directed Trump’s people) but they are screaming bloody murder as Viktor Orban’s government try to make his network a bit more visible.
” And Korea actually used to be a part of China.”
It also use to be part of Japan. Fortunately he didn’t mention that.
This Belgian citizen was sentenced, if I’ve read correctly, to only twenty years in prison for going on a shooting rampage against policemen but released after serving only fifteen. Does this reflect a lack of sufficient regard for our police, our societies? I say it does, and that it sends wrong messages.
Soros money is dirty money, so yes, they should decline it. Besides that, Soros is probably thinking that he’s buying Hungary with the donation.
I apologize for being negative, but I have read enough about Soros to know that he is evil, although he poses as “good” but it’s not enough to convince me. He has pulled a lot of dirty deals in his career and I wish he would retire already. He is too old to do business anymore. I usually refer to him as szaros — I do know some Hungarian but not enough. I’ve been to Hungary a few times to visit relatives and I retain some small remnant of the language. I wish I could go again but I’m too old to travel overseas again, or at least I feel that way.
But always good to hear from you. Keep up the good work!
“Szaros” sent me running to the Google translator . . . Maria, you naughty girl!
“Final Solution” accomplished — Christianity in Libya exterminated
http://www.breitbart.com/national-security/2017/04/20/expert-we-have-lost-the-christian-presence-in-libya/
Al-beljiki literally means “The Belgian”.
Helen, I couldn’t help it — too tempting and I really dislike Soros.